STRI Books & Publications

In 1932 a series of articles was introduced in the Journal which led to the first of many books published by STRI:-

• “Greenkeepers Guide to Grasses”
• “Common Weeds of Turf”

In 1934 following a recommendation from the newly formed Greenkeepers’ Advisory Committee, a lending library for greenkeepers was established at Bingley.

STRI – Connecting

From the outset Bingley maintained strong links with institutes and universities throughout the UK and with greenkeeping research in other countries – South Africa; the USA; Canada; Australia; New Zealand.

Following close collaboration with Mr G H Holford in New Zealand the Board was delighted to receive a letter in October 1932 announcing the inauguration of the New Zealand Golf Green Research Committee, with Holford as Hon. Secretary.

Australia followed suit in 1934 forming a Research Committee in New South Wales.

On 9th October 1934 the Board in association with the British Golf Greenkeepers Association formed the Greenkeepers’ Advisory Committee (forerunner of BIGGA) to increase communication and co-operation with greenkeepers.

The Committee held its first meeting at Bingley 10th October 1934. Mr F G Hawtree, Golf Course Architect and Vice President of the British Golf Greenkeeping Association was elected Chairman. The English greenkeepers advisory scheme established by Bingley in 1930 continued alongside the new committee but was now available to greenkeepers in Scotland and Ireland.

Conferences & Exhibitors

The first Greenkeepers Conference (forerunner to BTME) was held at Bingley on 15th April 1935.

Under the chairmanship of Mr F G Hawtree 45 greenkeepers attended the meeting. Papers included “Lead Arsenate treatment for control of worms”, and “The Relationship between Practical Man and the Scientist”.

In October 1935 the first Golf Course Secretaries and Chairman of Green conference was arranged with 150 attending. The eminent Golf Course Architect Mr Tom Simpson, acted as Chairman and Prof Comber, a leading authority on soil chemistry, gave the address.

The Association of Golf Club Secretaries recommended that all prospective secretaries now visit Bingley. The 2-day visit included the first instructional courses for Golf Club Secretaries and Chairman of Green.

10 – 12 July 1934. The Board exhibited at the Yorkshire Show for the first time. In addition to turf professionals, the exhibit attracted large numbers of private lawn owners. The Research Station now had a growing number of subscribers from sports clubs and lawn owners seeking expert advice.

Research

• Bingley’s report on the use of sulphate of ammonia in turf upkeep in September 1933 created a lot of interest. The subject had received much attention in America but this was the first time it had been investigated in the UK.
  
• In 1935 the results of the first critical experiments with lead arsenate carried out in this country were published in a paper on the control of earthworms. The favourable results found at Bingley lead to extensive use of the material by golf clubs throughout the UK. In 1936 an Entomologist was appointed to deal mainly with leatherjackets. This resulted in a further report using lead arsenate for the control of earthworms.
  
• By 1934 the original 3 acres of land rented for trials had expanded to 17½ acres.
  
• 1400 samples were processed by the chemistry and biology laboratories in 1936.
  
• Bingley established a weather station on site in 1930. In May 1935 the meteorological station was recognised as an Auxiliary Recording Station. This brought observations in line with those required by the Air Ministry.