Dawn photo wins greenkeeper photo comp

A spectacular dawn image of a greenkeeper preparing his course at a modest North Wales golf club has claimed first prize in the annual BIGGA Photographic Competition.

BIGGA (British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association) members from all over the globe submitted entries for the competition, which has seen the judge’s favourite 12 images selected for inclusion in the greenkeeping association’s calendar 2017.

The winner of the photographic competition was announced exclusively in Greenkeeper International, the monthly magazine received by each of BIGGA’s almost 6,000 members.

The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Life on the Course’, with images focusing on the hard work and dedication of greenkeepers, most of which goes unseen by golfers.

Wrexham Golf Club’s Acting Deputy Head Greenkeeper John Parry took the photo using a Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone, and shows a silhouetted greenkeeper installing a hole on the club’s 6^th green at dawn one morning.

“I’m over the moon to have won,” said John. “There were a lot of really good pictures entered into the competition, so I actually can’t believe it.

“It was a beautiful morning and I was out there with my boss at the time, changing holes. I took hundreds of photos that morning, and I saw him on the 6^th hole with the sunrise behind. He didn’t know I was taking the photo and so it was very natural.

I’m absolutely over the moon to have won and I can’t wait to defend my title in next year’s competition.”

In winning the competition, John won the top prize of an Apple Watch. He will also be presented with a framed print of his photograph at the Welcome Celebration, to be held at BIGGA’s annual trade exhibition, BTME, in January.

The BIGGA Calendar 2017 was sent out to each of the association’s Course Manager and Head Greenkeeper members with the November issue of the magazine.

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