Blogs

Integrated turf management simplified with Dr Christian Spring

In discussion with Dr Christian Spring, Principal Scientist As the landscape evolves for reducing use of chemicals and pesticides in sport, turf managers and greenkeepers are adapting to the challenge of maintaining elite surfaces to a high standard in a way that is sustainable and future proof. With grounds teams across the UK keeping a […]

Blogs

Biodiversity Net Gain: Opportunities for future planning

In discussion with James Podesta, Head of Development With climate change, environmental challenges, and biodiversity at the forefront of discussions in parliament, Monday 12th February marks the enactment of the new law, making biodiversity net gain (BNG) on development proposals[1] mandatory as part of Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as […]

Blogs

Hemiview; shedding light on stadium design

In discussion with Lee Collier, Technical Director At STRI Group, research and development into natural turf playing surfaces has helped progress and advance elite level pitches across the globe for almost 100 years. The Group takes pride in being at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation, developing best practice and understanding for natural turf […]

Blogs

Using your surplus land to drive up income

Posted by: James Podesta, Head of Development Golf courses, by their very nature, cover large areas of land. A typical 18-hole golf course can span 40-50 hectares and wherever they are located, they tend to encompass interesting features from land use, landscape, and biodiversity perspectives. Often misconstrued as lacking in terms of economic and environmental […]

Blogs

The Grounds Team of the Season Awards – STRI’s insight 

Posted by: Neil Rodger, Principal Project Manager The level of skill, knowledge, experience, and hours of hard graft devoted to delivering elite level playing surfaces in football is phenomenal. Grounds teams can sometimes go unrecognised yet are pivotal in enabling elite level sport to take place week after week and are an important part of […]

Blogs

To tree or not to tree

Posted by: Meg Stone, Graduate Ecological and Environmental Consultant Managing existing trees Trees are a great asset to have on your land. They provide habitats for numerous species, enhance the look of the landscape throughout the year and are important to us too, helping to provide the oxygen we breathe! When you combine these benefits […]

Blogs

Tackling recruitment and retention in greenkeeping

Posted by: Ben Morgan, Agronomic Consultant   The challenge of recruiting and retaining high-calibre staff is well-documented, and the golf industry is certainly no different. Whilst having many positives, there are several issues that come with choosing greenkeeping as a career, and I speak from personal experience on this one. I firmly believe that implementing […]

Blogs

Action on climate change – what is the role for SuDS?

Posted by: Phil Williams, Head of Environmental Protection   The climate is changing faster than ever as a direct result of human activity, and we know that action is needed. With COP27 currently ongoing, the spotlight is on world leaders and the actions that will be taken at the highest level to tackle the multi-faceted […]