The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has announced the return of the Golf Environment Awards in 2027 following a new agreement with STRI Group.

Established in 1995, the awards recognise, reward, and promote individuals and golf facilities for efforts to protect and enhance their surroundings. BIGGA will now oversee the program's next chapter while maintaining its focus on golf clubs and individuals in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Nomination Window and Key Dates

Nominations open in August and will close in October. Applications must be submitted through the Golf Environment Award website using a written form alongside supporting images and videos.

Following the initial submission window:

• October to December: Nominations will be assessed against official criteria, including personal visits to short-listed venues by a panel judge.
• January 2027: Final judging takes place during the BTME event.
• March 19, 2027: Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted at the Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club.

Judging Process and Panel

The awards will be decided by a four-member expert judging panel:

• James Hutchinson, Ecologist
• Craig Boath, Sustainability Expert
• Rob Phillips, BIGGA Education Director
• Scott Reeves, BIGGA Membership Director

In a return to the awards' former evaluation process, a judge will personally visit each shortlisted venue to speak with the key individuals involved before final decisions are made.

Award Categories

The refreshed 2027 programme features five distinct categories:

• The Conservation Champion Award: Recognises an individual whose contribution has played a significant role in the success of a club’s environmental and ecological management, creating a positive impact on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity.
• The Positive Impact Award: Celebrates a golf club that has implemented an ecological or sustainability initiative delivering meaningful environmental benefits, supported by clear objectives, measurable targets, and evidence of continued success.
• The Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award: Recognises golf clubs that consistently deliver outstanding ecological habitat creation and management.
• UK Environmental Golf Club of the Year: Recognises a UK facility demonstrating efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste, and water.
• International Environmental Golf Club of the Year: Recognises an international facility demonstrating efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste, and water.

Leadership Commentary

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton highlighted the vital role greenkeepers play in environmental management:

"Golf courses across the country and beyond are home to outstanding environmental work, much of it led by greenkeepers whose expertise and commitment can too easily go unseen. It is important that this contribution is properly recognised, both to celebrate those setting high standards and to demonstrate the positive role golf can play in protecting and enhancing the natural environment."

"The Golf Environment Awards supported by BIGGA and STRI provide a valuable platform for that recognition, shining a light on excellent practice and giving those responsible the credit they deserve for the difference they make daily. We are grateful to STRI Group for its excellent work developing the awards over the years, and we will continue to build on that strong legacy."