GreenKeeping

Replay Maintenance has continued to expand its natural turf operations with the appointment of experienced turf professional Ben Hodson as Business Development Support.

Ben joins the company with almost a decade of experience in the sports turf industry and will play a key role in supporting the growth of Replay Maintenance's natural turf division, working alongside Head of Natural Turf, Ben Sadler.

Ben's role will involve helping to develop new business opportunities, supporting customers through funding applications, and delivering machinery maintenance services designed to improve the quality and playability of grassroots sports pitches.

Speaking about his decision to join Replay Maintenance, Ben said that the company's ambition and vision for the future were major factors in his move.

"What attracted me was the ambition behind the company and the opportunity to work for a business that is building something exciting in the natural turf sector," he said. "It's a new challenge for me and one that I'm really looking forward to."

Ben's passion for the industry stems from seeing the positive impact that quality sports surfaces can have on local communities.

"What I enjoy most is seeing the difference you can make to community pitches," he said. "They're football pitches, but they're also public spaces. You're helping communities and giving younger generations the opportunity to play on better-quality surfaces."

Before joining Replay Maintenance in April, Ben built an impressive career across several sectors of the industry. After leaving the Army, he spent four years working at a top 100 UK golf course before moving to Leicester City Football Club, where he worked at the club's training ground.

He later transitioned into a role with Leicester City's Sports Turf Academy, helping grassroots football clubs secure funding and improve their playing facilities – experience that aligns closely with his current position at Replay Maintenance.

Among his proudest achievements is being part of the Leicester City grounds team that won Grounds Team of the Year on two consecutive occasions.

Looking ahead, Ben is focused on helping establish Replay Maintenance as a recognised name within the natural turf sector.

"My goal over the next 12 months is to bring as many clients on board as possible and help raise awareness of Replay's natural turf services," he said. "The company is already well known in the artificial turf market, and I want to help build that same reputation on the natural turf side while continuing to deliver high-quality maintenance work."

Reflecting on his arrival at Replay Maintenance, Ben believes the timing couldn't be better.

"It's exciting," he said. "I'm joining during the early stages of the company's growth in natural turf and have the opportunity to help build something. Being able to contribute to that journey and see the progress we make is something I'm really looking forward to."

At Airdrie Golf Club, course manager Jordan Cameron has taken a clear, back-to-basics approach to turf management, and with the support of Agrovista Amenity and growth regulator Attraxor®, the results are speaking for themselves

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Jacobsen and BIGGA have announced the delegates for the 2026 Future Turf Managers Initiative (FTMI).

Each year, 15 up-and-coming BIGGA members are chosen to participate in the training programme credited with developing some of the most influential course managers and head greenkeepers.

They are:

Ruben Aitchison, deputy head greenkeeper, Tain Golf Club

Matthew Cox, deputy course manager, Whitecraigs Golf Club

Jonathan D***s, assistant greenkeeper, Harleyford Golf Club

Harry Glover, first assistant greenkeeper, Lee Park Golf Club

Oliver Hopkin, first assistant, Hollinwell

Ruaridh Marshall, assistant greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club

Laurie Owen, course supervisor/first assistant, Gog Magog Golf Club

Harvey Sims, first assistant, Hayling Golf Club

Gregory Smith, first assistant, The Berkshire Golf Club

Toby Smith, deputy course manager, Redlibbets Golf Club

Tommy Spender, greenkeeper, Highwoods Golf Club

Harlie Stokes, assistant greenkeeper/irrigation technician, Sandiway Golf Club

Bradley Taylor, first assistant, Beau Desert Golf Club

Jethro Wilson, senior greenkeeper, Loch Lomond Golf Club

Dominic Wright, spray technician/senior greenkeeper, Fulford Golf Club

Deb Burnett, BIGGA's Head of Professional Development, underlined the quality of this year's cohort, who hail from clubs across the UK and represent a broad range of roles within the greenkeeping profession.

"FTMI continues to attract outstanding applications from ambitious BIGGA members who are already making a real impact at their clubs and within their regions," she said.

"The class of 2026 reflects the strength and depth of talent coming through the industry, and we are excited to support them as they build the skills, confidence and networks that will help them take the next step in their careers."

“FTMI is a cornerstone of Jacobsen’s commitment to building a bright future for the sport of golf and the greater golf industry,” said Barry McTavish, Vice President and General Manager for Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd.

“Alongside BIGGA, we are identifying and developing the next generation of leaders, to better equip and prepare them to manage our industry’s critical assets – our golf courses – responsibly, sustainably, and in a manner that supports the growth of our sport,” McTavish said.

The initiative has benefited over 200 BIGGA members, with many citing their FTMI experience as key to their development. Jethro Wilson, senior greenkeeper at Loch Lomond, is excited to join such esteemed company.

"Being selected for FTMI means a great deal to me," he said.

"Developing as a turf manager is something I'm passionate about, and this is a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best people in the industry while building relationships with like-minded professionals. I'm excited to make the most of every experience over the next year."

The programme has been designed to provide practical tools and guidance to help candidates pursue their career aspirations. Working with professional trainers, mentors, Jacobsen and BIGGA staff, graduates gain a clear understanding of what the future holds and a realistic overview of the expectations that come with the role of manager.

Toby Smith, deputy course manager at Redlibbets, said: "When I found out I had been selected for FTMI I was very proud and excited. It was something that was recommended to me and I knew right away that it was a brilliant initiative and I definitely wanted to apply.

"I'm thrilled to have been selected and we have some great mentors. I'm really looking forward to working with everyone and pushing towards where I want to be, and making new friends and connections along the way."

FTMI begins at Ransomes Jacobsen's headquarters in Ipswich and is followed by a series of online education sessions before culminating in two days of education at BTME in January.

Candidates are selected based upon an anonymous judging criterion, with the panel gaining an insight into the achievements of each application, who must be educationally active on a national and regional level.

GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium.

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