Michael Davie, the course manager at Hazel Grove Golf Club in Stockport, received a standing ovation for providing mental health support to colleagues at at a dazzling awards ceremony hosted by the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association on the opening night of BTME 2020, last evening.
Having overcome periods of depression in his own life, Davie has tirelessly supported many BIGGA members and other greenkeepers throughout his career, having established the Greenkeepers mental health support group on Facebook, where turf industry professionals from all over the country can come together to support each other. In addition to this, Davie also hosts a regular meet-up in Manchester, where greenkeepers come together to discuss issues and provide a helping hand.
In recognition of the incredible effort he has put in to supporting his fellow greenkeepers, Davie – who is aged 59 – was awarded with the Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award sponsored by Jacobsen. Reacting to the news that he had won a BIGGA Award, Davie said: “I’m exceptionally humbled to receive this, it’s totally unexpected and really amazing.
“I’m retiring from greenkeeping in a few months and I hope the extra time that gives me will allow me to develop the mental health side of things, I’m looking into how I can try and help as many people as possible, so this is just the start!”
