Hayley Beard of Mawgan Porth, David Beatson of Hogs Haven, Ryan Jackson of Crow Nest Park, Olly Laidlaw of Royal Wimbledon and Nick McEley of Milngavie have been selected for the 2027 ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship.
The scholarship is provided by BIGGA Premium Partner ICL Turf & Landscape, and helps members attend the education programme at BTME in Harrogate. Each scholar receives three nights’ hotel accommodation and an education package worth about £500.
The new cohort includes greenkeepers at different stages of their careers. Laidlaw, an assistant greenkeeper, joined Royal Wimbledon Golf Club this year after completing a degree in business management and deciding to pursue his interest in turf management. Beard and Jackson are head greenkeepers.
Laidlaw said the selection had come as a “brilliant surprise”, so early in his greenkeeping career. “I’m currently about six months into my role at Royal Wimbledon, so to receive this kind of support and recognition already means a huge amount,” he said. He is looking forward to building his own combination of classes and conference sessions, and to the evening hosted by ICL. “Being fairly new to the industry, I think there’s huge value in hearing how more experienced greenkeepers have approached their own development,” he said.
Beard, head greenkeeper at Mawgan Porth Golf Club, wants to take what she learns back to her course. “I’m particularly excited about bringing new ideas and knowledge back to my own course and putting what I learn into practice,” she said. She added that she is passionate about greenkeeping and always looking for ways to develop her skills.
Aimee Davey, Marketing Communications Manager at ICL, said the company was delighted by both the number of applications and the “exceptionally high standard” of candidates. “The enthusiasm shown highlights the wealth of talent within our industry,” she said.
Deb Burnett, BIGGA’s Head of Professional Development, said the applications show how much members want to keep learning, whether they are new to greenkeeping or already leading a team. “Continue to Learn gives them the chance to explore subjects relevant to their work and share ideas with people from across the industry,” she said. “We look forward to hearing what they take back to their clubs.”
The ICL Continue to Learn Scholars for 2027
- Hayley Beard, head greenkeeper, Mawgan Porth Golf Club
- David Beatson, greenkeeper, Hogs Haven Golf Club
- Ryan Jackson, head greenkeeper, Crow Nest Park Golf Club
- Olly Laidlaw, assistant greenkeeper, Royal Wimbledon Golf Club
- Nick McEley, deputy head greenkeeper, Milngavie Golf Club