Time For Change

1995 Dr Peter Hayes retired in June after 14 years as Director. In that 14 years the golf industry mushroomed, resulting in an increase of golf work for STRI, with 1,200 advisory visit.

On his retirement turnover had increased to £1.3 million since Dawson’s retirement in 1963, when turnover was £28,397, illustrating the rapid growth in the leisure industry over the last 30 years.

Dr Mike Canaway, Head of Research, took over changing the title from Director to Chief Executive, a taste of the many changes to come in the next five years.

Also in 1995 Dewar Wishart retired (1966-1995). Dewar had been responsible for setting up the now established Golf Course Architecture Service in 1993.

Lord Luke retired as President (1976-1995) and our current President, Lord Griffiths, took over. Peter Wilson stepped down as Chairman to be replaced by Roger Robinson in 1996.

The structure and management within STRI had not experienced change since the 1951 amendment which incorporated other sports. The complex and top heavy structure combined with a lack of direction and marketing had lead to under-performance. The “modern world” also created conflict between the corporate objectives of STRI’s research and commercial advisory service activities.

Dr Mike Canaway placed emphasis on commercial growth to take STRI into the 21st Century.

The existing financial and client management systems were revolutionised with the introduction of computer technology and new strategies with a customer focus. Two new positions were appointed to help deliver this improved customer service:

• Financial Controller – Trevor Hutchinson
• Head of External Affairs – Anne Wilson, the first full time marketing employee at STRI.

1996 In April a new corporate identity was launched sporting a new company logo.

Further structural change followed. The Board of Management was replaced by a Members Body to represent the Sports Governing Bodies. The Board’s powers were transferred to a more efficient Executive Committee, led by the new Chairman Roger Robinson. Three new department heads were created to streamline management operations in the rapidly growing Institute.

• Stuart Ormondroyd – Head of Agronomy
• Rob Everett – Head of Construction
• Jonathan Tucker – Golf Architecture and Design

1997 On 1st January STRI’s advisory and consultancy services were transferred to a limited company, STRI Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sports Turf Research Institute, STRI.

Research services remained in the original scientific organisation to prevent future conflict of interest and to secure future research activities and funding.

Advisory

1995-1997 Regionalisation marched on establishing 3 locations in the south of England and one in Wales. By 1997 STRI had a nationwide network of advisers providing a local service.

As more and more golf clubs sought advice the Ecology Service began to take off.

1995 Amazone launched the “Amazone Environmental Competition” for golf courses, (the forerunner to the BIGGA Environmental Competition). Bob Taylor was asked to judge the competition and continues to do so today.

1996 The Welsh Golfing Union engaged STRI to carry out ecological management work at Royal St David’s and Cardiff Golf Clubs.

1997 Growing concerns over pesticide use and every-changing regulations prompted STRI to provide BASIS training for all advisers.

The annual USGA exchange programme for agronomists was introduced. Ian McClements was the first candidate exchanging with Bob Brane Director of USGA North Central Region in Cincinnati.

Rapid growth in construction work lead to development of the CAD team, the appointment of Guy Shatford (ex STRI) as our first Associate Consultant covering the south of England and the introduction of an irrigation design and consultancy service via Robin Hume Associates.

Some of the work undertaken during this time included:

• The Edinburgh course at Wentworth Golf Club
• Reconstruction at Chelsea, Newcastle and Leeds football clubs
• Redrainage at Lords cricket ground
• Hampshire County Cricket ground plus 9-hole golf course
• Ladbrokes Monmore Green Stadium greyhound track
• Alwoodley, Redditch and Elm Park golf clubs
• Banbury RC
• The National Stadium Montevides, Uruguay – host to the first World Cup 1920
• First division clubs in Barcelona and San Sebastian

Research

1995 R & A funding allowed continuation of the CEN standards work and investigations into control of earthworms on golf courses.

Changes in legislation affecting sports stadia brought about by the Taylor report, lead to the construction of new large stadiums. However their roofs restricted light, heat and air circulation to the pitch. Concern grew as sustainable grass cover became an issue. Funding was provided to investigate the problems caused by “shade”.

The USGA commissioned research into particle migration and moisture distribution for golf greens. This was only the second time they had placed funding outside North America.

1996 The EEB funded the first scientific research programme for cricket pitches, involving choice of grasses and soil construction trials.

Other work involved the Jockey Club, The Greyhound Racing Board and trials for grass selection for the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Wimbledon.

1997 Dr Stephen Baker was asked to judge the Groundsman of the Year Award and later on in the year he took part in the International Turfgrass Research Conference in Sydney, where he also visited the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association.

STRI were awarded the Certificate of Official Recognition of Efficacy Testing Facilities from PSD (Pesticides Safety Directorate).

Exhibitions

1996 As part of the new corporate image a new exhibition stand made its first appearance at BTME in Harrogate, and also at our first ‘Open’ at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s.

1997 STRI launched its new Trade Scheme at BTME in January. Barenbrug became the first Premier Trade Subscriber within minutes of the official announcement.

Training

1995 3 one day seminars were held with Horticulture Week.

1996 The first two day Secretaries & Chairman of Green course was held with BIGGA during BTME week.

In the October working in conjunction with the GTC, STRI published “Open Learning” modules on theoretical knowledge to support the Greenkeeper Training Manual. This was part of a new initiative to provide greenkeeper training at NVQ level 2.

Publications

1996 In April the small black and white Sports Turf Bulletin was replaced by a new look full colour magazine, the “International Turfgrass Bulletin”. The new magazine sporting the new corporate image was nominated in the marketing awards at SALTEX 1996.

STRI’s best seller “Care of the Golf Course” goes to a second edition.

1997 To compliment the new Trade Scheme STRI launched its first trade directory STRI Green Pages in October.

It also launched its first video on “Bowling Green Maintenance”.

Quarterly golf articles in the Bulletin are published in Dutch in conjunction with ProGrass in the Netherlands.

Journal of the Sports Turf Research Institute is updated and changed to the Journal of Turfgrass Science.

Dr Mike Canaway, Chief Executive and Editor puts in place a new editorial board with referees, to formalise the publication process.