BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association)

If you run a golf course, BIGGA gives your greenkeeping team trade show access, education that leads to certification, and legal, human resources and counseling helplines for one annual fee. BIGGA, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, is the membership body for golf greenkeepers and turf professionals, run from offices in North Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.

The association says it has more than 7,000 members from the UK, Europe and further afield and calls itself Europe’s largest membership organization for greenkeepers.

What your team gets from membership

Membership runs on an annual basis. The fee includes Greenkeeper International, the monthly journal, plus legal, human resources and counseling helplines, and BIGGA says members get discounted prices at BTME. Members are enrolled automatically in the Continuing Professional Development scheme, which records learning and leads to certification.

Annual fees for each member of your staff

• £245 for a course manager or head greenkeeper
• £160 for a qualified greenkeeper
• £125 for a greenkeeper in training aged 21 and over, £65 for those 20 and under
• £180 for international and affiliate members
• £40 for retired members and £35 for students
• Apprentices and life members pay nothing

BTME and other events your team can attend

• BTME, the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, with the trade show on 26 to 28 January 2027 at Harrogate Convention Centre and the Continue to Learn education program running 24 to 28 January 2027.
• Local education and networking events run by 28 sections across five UK regions.
• The BIGGA National Championship, the BIGGA Awards and an annual photography competition for members.

According to the show website, BTME is free to attend but every visitor must register, either in advance for a barcoded e-ticket or on site on any of the three show days. The halls open 9am to 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9am to 1pm on Thursday, and the site cites 5,000 delegates. BIGGA’s commercial team books the exhibitors and sells partnerships and sponsorship. The association also takes a member delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show with Bernhard and Company. For other dates in the season, see the guide to golf trade shows in 2026 and 2027.

Training and certification for your greenkeepers

BIGGA runs the Master Greenkeeper Certificate, the Future Turf Managers Initiative sponsored by Jacobsen and a Refund of Fees scheme, and its education team works with the Greenkeepers Training Committee. Members can volunteer through The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme and support teams at the BMW PGA Championship and TPC Sawgrass.

Guidance for your club on machinery and golfers

BIGGA’s greenkeeping pages stress routine machinery inspections, following manufacturer guidelines and careful procurement, points worth raising when you compare golf course equipment and maintenance suppliers such as Reesink Turfcare or SISIS. Its Your Course magazine, explaining greenkeeping to golfers, was sent to every golf club in the country with media partner Sports Publications.

History and governance

BIGGA was formed in January 1987 by merging the British Golf Greenkeepers Association, the English and International Golf Greenkeepers Association and the Scottish and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, with Walter Woods BEM as first chairman. Steven Lloyd has been chairperson since 2022, John Wells is president for 2026, and the chief executive has led the association since 2011. The annual general meeting is held each January.

Source: bigga.org.uk/about.html, bigga.org.uk/about/membership.html, bigga.org.uk/about/our-people.html, btme.org.uk/attendees.html

Shows by this organiser

You can plan around 1 show from this organiser: its dates are announced.

Shows run by BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association)

Show	Dates	Venue	Sectors
BTME 2027 (Harrogate Week)	26-28 January 2027	Harrogate Convention Centre	Golf course equipment and maintenance, Golf course construction and design

Photos

Images: BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association).

Company facts

Areas served

United Kingdom, Europe and further afield

Location

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Coxwold House, Easingwold Business Park, Stillington Road, Easingwold YO61 3FB, United Kingdom

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