David Ball's midwinter Norfolk morning wins BIGGA photographic competition

BIGGA has announced that Thetford Golf Club's first assistant greenkeeper and BIGGA member, David Ball,   was the overall winner of the its Annual Photographic Competition 2023, sponsored by Syngenta.

David’s picture (above) was taken by drone in January 2023 over Thetford’s 5th hole at around 7.30am. It shows sunlight breaking through the clouds as a layer of mist rolls into shot. The fairways and surrounding trees are crisp with a layer of frost.

It captured the beautiful, but often harsh, conditions faced by greenkeepers throughout winter. 

The BIGGA selection committee also took into account the results of a public vote, held across BIGGA’s social media accounts.

David said: “We greenkeepers are privileged to experience these times of day that most people don’t get to see during their working hours. I was just lucky and in the right place at the right time on this beautiful morning. It is such an honour to win this award, so thank you to BIGGA and Syngenta.”

BIGGA’s annual photographic competition is a celebration of the wonderful golfing landscape and the role greenkeepers play in shaping it for golfers and the wider public to enjoy.

 Twelve images were selected in total for the annual BIGGA calendar, with winners also chosen in the separate categories of Greenkeeping, Landscape and Wildlife.

The Category Winners:

Landscape: Alistair Morrison, head greenkeeper, Durness Golf Club (above)

Greenkeeping: Peter Meek, greenkeeper, Bath Golf Club (below)

Wildlife: Elliot Walters, greenkeeper, Robin Hood Golf Club (bottom)

You can view all the images short-listed for voting for the calendar here

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “BIGGA members work in some spectacular environments and each year the judges struggle to separate the entries, such is the quality of submissions. It’s always fascinating to see how the public votes when we post the finalists on our social media channels. 

“David Ball’s entry stood out to us as it showcases the beautiful golf course at Thetford at a time that golfers will rarely see it – deep in the depths of winter – yet there are greenkeepers present, putting in the hard work that makes golf possible when warmer weather returns.

“Congratulations to all the winners and thank you once again to our valued sponsors at Syngenta.”

As overall competition winner, David has won a DJI Mini 2 SE Drone and a framed print of his image to be presented at BTME 2024, the greenkeeping community’s annual gathering in January. 

Each of the category winners receive a £150 Love2Shop voucher.

BIGGA’s Annual Photographic Competition sponsored by Syngenta will return next year, so greenkeepers are encouraged to get snapping now to be in with a chance of winning more great prizes.

A downloadable version of the calendar for use as a desktop background is available here.