The British &
International Golf Greenkeepers Association has unveiled the line-up for the
volunteer support team that will be heading to Carnoustie Golf Links this July
as the Scottish venue hosts The Open for the eighth time.
BIGGA members who
gain a place on the team are given unprecedented access to the world’s greatest
golf event, with a greenkeeper on hand to assist every single match that will
take place throughout the championship.
Each year the
R&A requests BIGGA’s assistance with hosting the championship, meaning
BIGGA members have been on hand to witness some of the greatest moments in the
history of the game, including Jordan Spieth’s spectacular final round at Royal
Birkdale in 2017 (pictured).
Every BIGGA member
is eligible to apply to take part and Kimberley Yeldham, deputy head
greenkeeper at Royal West Norfolk, is joining the Support Team for the first
time.
She said: “I applied
to be a part of the team because last year I was given the opportunity to
volunteer at the RICOH British Ladies Open, which made me see a different side
of greenkeeping and I fell in love with it. I’m really excited to have gotten a
place on the team as I hope to be able to promote female greenkeepers and to
encourage more to join the industry.
“I also hope to be
able to meet new people and take the things I learn back to my own course.”
The 147th Open Championship will be the eighth
hosted at Carnoustie, on the course laid out by legendary course architect
James Braid in 1926.
Since then,
Carnoustie’s Championship course has been regarded as one of Britain’s finest,
and most challenging, tests of golf.
The excellent
Carnoustie greenkeeping team, led by the links superintendent, Sandy Reid, and
the Championship course’s head greenkeeper, Craig Boath, will have the course
in immaculate condition for the world’s finest players.
In January,
Carnoustie was named Environmental Golf Course of the Year 2018 at the Golf
Environment Awards, in a ceremony hosted by the STRI and The R&A.
The course’s 112
bunkers can play an important role in deciding who lifts the Claret Jug, as in
1975 when Johnny Miller lost the championship when it took him two shots to get
out of a bunker on the 18th, and it
will once again be up to the BIGGA Volunteer Support Team to ensure they are
maintained to the highest standard.
BIGGA Chief
Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “Carnoustie has played host to some
incredible moments in Open Championship history. Who can forget Padraig
Harrington’s play-off victory in 2007, or Paul Lawrie’s dramatic victory over
Jean Van de Velde in 1999? I’m delighted that once again The R&A has
requested the assistance of BIGGA, allowing us the opportunity to offer some of
our most hard-working members with such an incredible opportunity to get inside
the ropes.
“It’s a long week,
and our team works extremely hard, but the rewards are incredible. Playing a
small part in the success of the world’s greatest golf event is hugely
satisfying.”
The BIGGA Support
Team will be provided with accommodation, food, refreshments and uniform for
the event.
The 147th Open Championship takes place from 19-22
July 2018. Here are the BIGGA
members who will be assisting the home greenkeeping team for the duration of
the event:
Stuart Aho,
Thetford;
Daniel Ashelby,
Wilmslow;
Mark Bettell, The
Rayleigh Club;
John Bowers, Crail
Golfing Society;
Stuart Broom,
Honiton;
James Bruder, East
Berkshire;
Andrew Cussen, John
O’Gaunt;
Stephen Davey,
Queenwood;
James Dobie,
Leyland;
Anthony Duffield,
Ham Manor;
Sam Dunn, Stover;
Josh Dunn, The
Belfry;
Glenn Dyer,
Huntercombe;
Daniel Evans, Maesdu
Llandudno;
Sam Evans, Fulwell;
Stuart Ferguson MG,
Dunas Park;
Joe Frampton, Pyle
& Kenfig;
Dean Franks,
Littlehampton;
Jim Gilchrist,
Harborne;
Tony Gooch, Great
Torrington;
Richard Holmes,
Crosland Heath;
Dale Housden,
Hollywood;
Jamie Hughes, Lyme
Regis;
Graham Ives, Louth;
Kevin Hensman,
Rowlands Castle;
Graeme Macdonald,
Newark;
Graeme Main, Porters
Park;
Anthony McGeough,
Richmond;
Michael Mead,
Littlehampton;
George Mitchell,
Newmacher;
Grant Moran, Morton
Hall;
Richard Mullen,
Banchory;
John Murray,
Golfpark Oberkirch;
Finbarr O’Mahony,
Kanturk;
Richard Ponsford,
The Bristol;
Leigh Powell,
Windlesham;
Angus Roberts,
Roxburghe;
John Scurfield,
Morpeth;
Blair Shearer,
Dunbar;
Charlie Simper,
Hadley Wood;
Ash Smith, Meltham;
Robert Smith,
Pannal;
Andy Unwin, Birley
Wood;
John Waite,
Scarthingwell;
Paul Walton,
Sharpley Springs;
Tom Workman,
Minchinhampton;
Kimberley Yeldham,
Royal West Norfolk
