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• Turf Science brought to life at The Belfry

The Belfry played host to the second Turf Science Live on 26^th July, an interactive event that showcases the latest research, development and technological innovations in turf agronomy.

Organised and run by Everris (formerly named Scotts) and Syngenta, the educational day of presentations and practical demonstrations was attended by 100 golf course managers, head greenkeepers, turfgrass consultants and contractors.

 
Tom Robinson's Art of Application demonstration gave an insight into techniques to quickly and easily calibrate sprayers (above, left), plus a working demo of the Syngenta Foliar Turf Nozzles - showing the increased all-round coverage of turf grass surfaces and increased penetration to stem base and thatch (left hand wooden blocks with water sensitive paper), compared to conventional flat fan nozzles.  

Small groups of delegates spent half an hour at each one of seven learning stations discovering more about turfgrass seed development, the art of application, irrigation management systems, the science of stress, optimising greens for performance, the latest electric greensmower technology and converting annual meadowgrass greens to bentgrass greens using the Graden.

The technical teams at Everris and Syngenta worked with Course Manager, Kenny McKay, and industry specialists Complete Weed Control, Rain Bird, Harper Adams University College, STRI, Jacobsen and Kensett Sports to provide a hands-on experience that brought learning onto the golf course.

Chris Sealey, course manager at Chippenham Golf Club, was attending his first Turf Science Live. He said the format was a great way for turf managers to learn: "It was a really enjoyable and informative day. I found the station about turf stress, presented by Dr John Reade (pictured above) and Harry Mbah, particularly interesting. I work at a course with red clay greens, so springs for me are very difficult, but this year we've gone from dry and cold, to dry and hot with little rainfall, so the turf has stayed stressed and I've hit a time of the year when I want it to be actively growing. They explained about stress, its impact on turf and how to alleviate it, as well as showing us about some practical solutions to help manage performance under difficult environmental conditions." Dr Reade highlighted the role of Primo Maxx (below) and Heritage Maxx in helping turf managers alleviate stress and better manage quality turf surfaces.

Neil Ballingall, golf course superintendent at Fairmont St. Andrews, made the journey south to the West Midlands from Scotland to attend his first Turf Science Live. He has visited the US on technical trips and enjoyed the opportunity to attend a technical event within the UK. "Everything I've learnt today will help me when I return to my golf course," he confirmed. "I much prefer this interactive format to sitting in a seminar, it was great to get out on to the superb course here at The Belfry."