Stunning Misty Morning Shot Wins Greenkeeper Photograph Competition

(Image credit: Joe Simpson)

last updated 24 November 2022

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) have announced that a greenkeeper heading down the 2nd hole at Ipswich Golf Club on a misty morning as the overall winner in the Annual Photographic Competition 2022 which is sponsored by Syngenta.

The image was captured by Ipswich greenkeeper and BIGGA member Joe Simpson, and it was the unanimous choice amongst the competition judges, while it also received the most likes when the competition was put to a public vote across BIGGA’s social media accounts.

The annual 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. There were also a total of 12 images chosen for the annual BIGGA calendar, with a nine-hole course on the north coast of Scotland along with Royal Liverpool – next year's Open Championship venue – represented.

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Wildlife category winner — Craig Sinclair won the Wildlife category (Image credit: Craig Sinclair)

Simpson received an Insta360 Ultra HD action camera worth £429.99, while also being presented with a framed image of his photograph at BTME 2023, greenkeeping community’s annual gathering in January, for winning the overall competition.

Three category winners were also chosen, and they each received a £150 Love2Shop voucher. Tom Wright of Clevedon Golf Club won the Greenkeeping category, Craig Sinclair of Camberley Heath Golf Club won the Wildlife category and Martyn Taylor of Wallasey Golf Club won the Landscape category.

Simpson is now a two-time winner of the award, previously winning in 2020 and expressed his shock at winning again, saying: “I’m really surprised to have won as I thought the quality of all the photographs that got shortlisted was fantastic with some really strong contenders.

“I think it’s a fantastic competition and I love entering and try to encourage others to enter as well. Greenkeepers are really lucky because we’re up in the early hours and get to see some fantastic sights and this competition is an opportunity to share them.”

All 12 images can be viewed on the BIGGA website.

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Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who has had his work published by acclaimed publications such as Nutmeg alongside popular online blogs including the Gentleman Ultra, North Section and Engrossed in Football. Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of four means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little bit longer. He writes about golf in his spare time, most recently having an article published in the Golf Memories anthology Mind the Links, which was released in July with all proceeds going towards Alzheimer charities. With a handicap that floats between 13-14, highlights are few and far between on the golf course, with an eagle on the par 4 16th at Kinghorn one that stands out (it doesn’t matter that it was only 290 yards!).

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