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National recognition for BIGGA Sisis' US base BIGGA has achieved one of the BIGGA's success was also recog- most prestigious and nationally nised by North Yorkshire Training heads for the respected awards for business excel- and Enterprise Council. lence. "Investors in People has been Deep South The Association has gained the designed by some of the best busi- Investor in People National nesses in the country and by SISIS Inc is relocating its Standard which recognises that the achieving recognition the British and American-base from Florida to Association works actively to INVESTOR IN PEOPLE International Golf Greenkeepers South Carolina, following the com- improve its performance by linking Association has shown itself to be pany's successful piloting of a the planned, efficient development co-operation and enthusiasm of staff among the best," said Bill Johnstone, range of maintenance machinery of employees to the achievement of in working towards the award has Head of Business Services. for use on sports grounds and golf business objectives. been impressive and they are natu- "Investors in People help business- courses. "That we achieved the Investors in rally delighted at the outcome," said es to be more efficient, give better SISIS Inc is relocating to premis- People Standard so quickly is a trib- Executive Director Neil Thomas. customer service and as a result be es at Clemson University, within ute to the systems in place and the "I am proud that BIGGA has more profitable," he added. the Madren Conference Centre quality of staff who operate them. achieved this award and the mem- The achievement will be marked and Walker Golf Course complex. The support of Board members has bers should be delighted that they by the presentation of a plaque There will be a Distribution Unit also contributed to the assessors' have such an efficient and effective which will be displayed in BIGGA and Admin. Office initially man- positive view of the Association. The staff," he added HOUSE. aged by Ian Camp, General Sales Manager of the parent company SISIS Equipment Ltd. Although initially concentrating BIGGA/GCSAI: Joint statement on the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, N & S Carolina Objective If membership numbers suffice, and Florida, to ensure a high stan- As a result of a meeting For the two associations to com- the GCSAI may arrange outings, dard of support and after-sales held on 25 March 1999 at municate and work together for educational events for its members service, SISIS is happy to deal with Portmarnock Golf Club, the benefit of their members and in Northern Ireland and will liaise customers throughout the United Dublin, the following the greenkeeping profession. with BIGGA to avoid duplication States. statement has been and clashes of date. agreed. The GCSAI is to remain as the main association in the Republic Members of BIGGA in the Those in attendance of Ireland giving representation Republic of Ireland and Northern Free CD-Rom were: BIGGA - Gordon for superintendents, assistants, Ireland are to be invited to GCSAI Child, Elliott Small, Neil greenkeepers and apprentices. conferences, seminars etc. BIGGA Thomas. GCSAI - lain will likewise reciprocate in from Kubota Ritchie, Joe Bedford, Superintendents / greenkeepers Northern Ireland. Tracy Coburn in Northern Ireland will continue Kubota is using the second issue to have the choice of which associ- Both associations are commit- of its Owners Club magazine to ation they wish to join and the ted to remaining open and launch a. free CD-Rom entitled GCSAI and BIGGA are to encour- friendly as well as to communi- 'Kubota - Putting people first'. age membership of both. cating regularly. Attached to the front cover of the magazine, the CD-Rom uses pic- tures, graphics and commentary to STRI schedules two new courses on turf culture describe Kubota's worldwide envi- ronmental policy before moving on In a break with tradition, STRI is fine turf surfaces, and trade. substantial discounts for multiple to focus on the company's develop- replacing its annual five day residen- The structure of these training pro- bookings. ment, new products, services and tial training programmes on turf grammes allows the delegates much Each training day is split into two the customer support. culture for greenkeepers and ground greater flexibility in juggling both their distinct sessions. The morning ses- Suitable for playing on a PC or an staff with two new courses. time away from work and costs. sion, presented by STRI research Apple Macintosh computer, the Both courses are scheduled for the The two training courses each consist staff, covers facts and up to date infor- CD-Rom presentation runs for 14 Autumn at STRI headquarters in of five consecutive one day specialist mation on the latest trends and minutes. Bingley. courses. current thinking. The magazine, with CD-Rom November 15-19 "Your Passport to Delegates have the choice of attend- The afternoon session presented by attached, is being mailed to all reg- Perfect Courses" for golf greenkeep- ing one or more of the one day courses, the STRI agronomy and Consultancy istered members of the Kubota ers, Course Managers and trade and relevant to their specific needs. team, concentrates on "putting Owners Club. Membership of the November 22-26 "Your Passport to A range of optional accommodation research into practice", with the focus club is available free of charge to all Perfect Pitches and Playing Surfaces" packages are available for those wish- on practical implementation for par- new and existing owners of any for grounds management, including ing to stop over in Bingley, with ticular playing surfaces. Kubota product. BIGGA mounties friendship with 2nd BIGGA GCSAC Golf Directory It is intended that the second edition of the BIGGA Golf Directory will include BIGGA Gordon Child joins member information in addition to Dean Piller, President the trade information on which the of the Golf Course first Directory concentrated. Superintendents The proposed format would Association of involve members' names being Canada, in a flag listed under their golf club address waving exercise prior and telephone number. to the banquet at the Anyone who does not wish to be GCSAC Conference included in the Directory in such a and Show in Toronto fashion should contact BIGGA HOUSE Tel: 01347 833800. Career move Celtic Manor promotion for Jim for Chris Pye The Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, which is mounting a bid to stage golf's premier event in 2009, has appointed Jim McKenzie to the new post of Director of Golf and Courses Management. The 36 year-old from Helensburgh moves up to the wide ranging posi- tion after being in charge of estate management and overseeing the development of three courses in six years. The latest is the 7,450 yard, par- 72 Wentwood Hills course, which will be officially opened on May 17 by the resort's touring professional, Ian Woosnam, and Ryder Cup Captain Mark James. "I have no qualms as a Scotsman in saying that this is a world class Dow AgroSciences Specialty venue," said Jim. Products has appointed Chris Pye "Wentwood Hills has been special- as Sales Manager for UK and Eire. ly designed for matchplay and to He will be responsible for sales to cater for large crowds. It's ideal for key distributors of all the compa- the Ryder Cup." ny's turf, ornamental, amenity and When Jim arrived at The Celtic vegetation management products. Manor in 1993, from his previous Chris has extensive experience in position of Head Greenkeeper of the amenity sports turf, crop pro- Wentworth's West Course work had tection and public health sectors. only just begun on the resort's first On leaving university, his first post course. was with the STRI at Bingley. He "I recognised The Celtic Manor's comes to Dow AgroSciences follow- potential even in the early days," he ing five years in the public health said. sector with a major distributor. "I knew it was going to be some- A keen golfer in his spare time, thing special and felt I couldn't turn further. The next stage is to host a he can now carry forward that Chris is a member of Woolley Park down the chance to be involved in European Tour event, the icing on work on a wider basis and bring yet Golf Club, Barnsley. He is married creating three superb courses on one the cake would be the Ryder Cup." more success to The Celtic Manor." with two children and lives near site. The only people who now ask The Celtic Manor's Resort The Celtic Manor's other two Wakefield. me why I left Wentworth are those Director, Robert Church, believes courses are: Roman Road (par-69, who haven't been here." Jim is ideal for his new role. 7,001, opened 1995) and Coldra In his new role, Jim will continue "His quiet and unassuming com- Woods (par-59, 4,000 yards, John Thomas to guide the work of The Celtic petence and his passion for golf opened 1996). Manor's grounds maintenance team, have earned him enormous respect The Celtic Manor's new hotel John Thomas (46) of Lansdowne while also heading a golf operation throughout the industry. He has and conference centre is due to GC, Bath, had died following a short with an ambitious programme of already accomplished great things open this summer, giving the illness. He leaves a wife, Carol, and events. over the last six years, crowned by 1,400-acre resort 400 luxury rooms two sons as well as a son and daugh- "We're very proud of what we've the successful completion of and an 1,800-seater conference ter from a previous marriage.

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