The Sports Turf Research Institute - About STRI

Charles Henderson (HND Turf Science), BA (Hons) 

Contact Charles Henderson

Charles, originally from East Yorkshire, England, has spent the last four years working as a Sports Turf Agronomist for the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI) throughout the northern North Island.

During time working for the NZSTI, he advised on a wide range of sports turf surfaces and construction issues with experience including:

• Grounds Officer for the Auckland Cricket Association.
• Construction feasibility studies, contract documentation, and project management of sports fields, bowling greens, croquet lawns and cricket  blocks for several regional councils and private clients.
• New Zealand Golf Association advisor throughout the northern North Island
• Bowls New Zealand Association advisor throughout the northern North Island
• School and Council sports field auditing, benchmarking and maintenance planning

Prior to the NZSTI, Charles studied a Higher National Diploma in Turf Science and Golf Course Management at Myerscough College, followed by a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Landscape Management at the University of Lancashire. Practical experience includes working on the finishing and grow-in of three championship courses, including St Andrews Bay in Scotland and The Grove in Hertfordshire. In addition, Charles has also experienced managing turf in both tropical and transitional climatic zones.