The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) announced the winners of the 2025 BIGGA Awards at a star-studded event on the opening night of the BIGGA Turfgrass Management Exhibition (BTME).
At a BIGGA celebration hosted by Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk, BIGGA revealed the winners of the annual BIGGA Awards, with a previously unknown venue in South Wales emerging as the big winner.
Merthyr Tydfil venue Morlais Castle Golf Club has won the annual Championship Green Maintenance Performance Award from Bernhard and Company. Judges selected three strong greens maintenance teams ahead of other more established finalists from Woburn Golf Club and Burnham & Bellow Golf Club for their commitment to engaging the local community in hosting the event tournament.
Castle Moray was nominated after successfully hosting the Wales Team Championship, with chief greenskeeper Stewart Freeman collecting the award alongside his wife Tessa, who was also at the tournament Assist with greens maintenance tasks.
Also receiving awards on the night were Parkstone Golf Club's greens maintenance team, who, together with Price Turfcare, won the Green Maintenance Project of the Year award. This marks the second BIGGA award win for Grant Peters and his team in 2020.
Parkstone's greenkeepers overcame multiple setbacks to create exciting teeing and practice areas on the Top 100 course on the South Coast. They were selected as winners ahead of outstanding entries from Cowdray Golf Club and Long Ashton Golf Club, with judges praising all three nominees for their communication and innovation.
The final award of the evening was presented to Stefan Bernhard, founder of Bernhard Corporation. Throughout Stephen's distinguished career, he has been an advocate for Greenkeepers training and education, culminating in the establishment of the Bernhard Academy in 2019. Tuan, along with countless other greenkeepers, owe their success to his support and investment in the lawn management industry.
Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA, said: “Congratulations to our outstanding BIGGA Award winners. Their achievements extend far beyond the past year – and in Stephen Bernhard’s case, more than half a century – and I’m delighted We were able to honor them in this way.
“Hear the story of how Stewart Freeman and everyone at Morlais Castle fought to build a lasting legacy for the local community, or hear about Grant Peters who continues to cement his role as our It was a great night with the continued success of Parkstone, who has a reputation as one of the industry's shining lights.
“I would like to congratulate everyone who attended and would like to express my gratitude to our sponsors Kress, Bernhard and Company and Price Turfcare for their support of this year’s BIGGA Celebration.”
The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) runs until Thursday 23 January at the Harrogate Convention Center in North Yorkshire.
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