The news that the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) will be staging a day-long programme of seminars at this year’s IOG Scotsturf show is guaranteed to provide even more added value to the time spent at the Royal Highland Centre by the hundreds of greenkeepers and grounds professionals who attend this annual event.
Focusing on research, technique and experience, the BIGGA seminars – being presented by Grant Frogley, Deputy Course Manager, gWest; Allan Patterson, Course Manager of the Castle Course at St Andrews Links Trust; and Cale Bigelow, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University - will give all turf professionals the opportunity to gain an insight into the art of golf greenkeeping.
Not that this year’s show will ignore the needs of the hoards of all turf and open space professionals who will journey to Edinburgh on November 2 and 3.
The schedule of informative education presentations also includes updates on pesticides, arboriculture, health and safety, as well as recruitment and training.
In addition, the hundreds of products on display will appeal to a wide range of turf and groundscare professionals, as well as local authority decision-makers and arboriculturists, for example.
The two-day event – which is co-located with Road Expo – also includes exciting live product/machinery demonstrations and award ceremonies (for Innovative and New Products and for the Scottish Groundsman of the Year) and presentations to the land-based colleges.
And to commemorate this year’s 40th anniversary event, exhibitors will also be presenting special displays of ‘older’ equipment to mark the occasion which will, no doubt, spark a lot of memories for many visitors!
Free seminar programmes at IOG Scotsturf
The BIGGA seminar programme, on Wednesday 2 November, is:
[] 11.00–12.00:USGA Golf Green Construction, What You Need to Know, presented by Grant Frogley, Deputy Course Manager at gWest. Why build a USGA golf green? This session will include the things to consider before, during and after construction; the construction method and how to manage and monitor performance. 12.15–13.15: The Evolution of the Castle Course, presented by Allan Patterson, Course Manager at the Castle Course, St Andrews Links Trust. Since the Castle Course opened in June 2008, a number of alterations have been made to enhance the golfing experience. This session will look at the work that has been undertaken and the maintenance practices being used to ensure the continuing improvement of the turf quality.
13.30–14.30:Putting Green Broth: Managing Water, Firmness and Growth, presented by Cale Bigelow, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University. Cale has undertaken research on localised dry spot and hydrophobic soil conditions on closely cut cool season grasses that are grown on sand-based rootzones.With this research in mind, Cale will discuss the outcomes as well as looking at plant growth regulators and their effects on water use.
The IOG Scotsturf Turf Matters seminar programme is:
Wednesday November 2
10.30 & 14.00 What’s Happening with Pesticide Approval?; and the new legislation for the Application of Pesticides on Hard Surfaces and Sporting Ground Implications.
Presented by Dave Orchard, Pesticide Advisor, Bayer
Wednesday November 2
10.30 & 14.00 Forestry professionals: understanding the legal implications for local authority/land owners; what are the requirements for assessing risks?; completing the necessary documentation.
Presented by Paul Hanson, Arboretum Int/Arboriculture Association
Thursday November 3
10.30 & 14.00 Understanding the implementation of/changes to legislation, including WBV Regulations and Musculoskeletal Legislation.
Presented by Kenneth Hill, HSE Solutions
Thursday November 3
10.30 & 14.00 Working together to improve the competence and quality of work. Covering a wide range of recruitment and training issues.
Presented by Ian Lacy, IOG Head of Professional Services.
Visit www.iogscotsurf.co.uk for full details and to register for attendance; www.road-expo.com for the Road Expo exhibition.
