Loch Lomond’s Ryan Gall announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

Ryan’s ASOOTY award presentation was made as part of the glittering BIGGA industry awards at BTME in Harrogate this week (22 January 2026), along with the competition’s other high calibre finalists, Emile Grobler of Encompass Environmental and Dom Wright, Assistant Greenkeeper at Fulford Golf Club, York.

The ASOOTY awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by the Amenity Forum, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

The ASOOTY judges particularly praised Ryan’s deep understanding of the principles of sprayer operation, along with how that can be put into practice each day while spraying. The west of Scotland Loch Lomond site poses some particular challenges to overcome for application, with its high rainfall and windy conditions, along with a busy schedule of play and greenkeeping team activity to work around, all of which were well recognised and mitigated by Ryan.

Notable for his success was the attention to preparation and pre-emptive actions even before he starts spraying. Ryan understood the objective of each application, and how he could use his skills to fine tune techniques to ensure the maximum product would reach the desired target

Ryan Gall, Winner of the Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Development Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We were once again hugely impressed with all the finalists’ dedication to ensuring every application is made as effectively as possible. They all take exceptional care to achieve a good result, as well as immense pride that they have made a real difference with a job well done.

“This year the Awards have recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

Presenting the award at BTME, Ian Graham, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said: “The skills required to competently apply professional plant protection products are often overlooked. Along with the formal training and accreditation process, there is the experience that takes years to acquire. The Amenity Forum is delighted to work with ICL and Syngenta as the sponsors of this award and would like to congratulate Ryan for upholding the highest of professional standards.”

Look out on the Amenity Forum website for more details and entry form for the launch of next year’s ASOOTY and your chance to win.