GreenKeeping

Cambridgeshire's St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club has introduced five Toro Turf Pro 500 autonomous mowers, transforming its fairway maintenance programme and supporting its sustainability goals

St Ives Golf Club deploys five autonomous mowers Cambridgeshire’s St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club has introduced five Toro Turf Pro 500 autonomous mowers, transforming its fairway maintenance programme and supporting its sustainability goals.

Automated spray technology now plays a major role in modern turf maintenance, particularly as the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce chemical inputs, improve efficiency and meet environmental targets

Toro GeoLink targets precision spray control As the turfcare industry moves away from blanket spraying towards data-led strategies, Reesink Turfcare’s GeoLink and Digital Specialist Lee Rowbotham explains how Toro’s GeoLink techno…

Kress UK has appointed Stuart Wharam as its new commercial business manager for the north, strengthening the company’s commitment to the golf and sports turf sectors across the region

Stuart Wharam named new commercial business manager for Kress Kress UK has appointed Stuart Wharam as its new commercial business manager for the north, strengthening the company’s commitment to the golf and sports turf sectors across the region.

St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club course manager Rob Duff explains how five Toro Turf Pro 500 autonomous mowers are helping the club increase mowing frequency, reduce staffing pressures and cut emissions - with fairways now being maintained seven days a week

St Ives GC cuts costs with Toro Turf Pro 500 St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club course manager Rob Duff explains how five Toro Turf Pro 500 autonomous mowers are helping the club increase mowing frequency, reduce staffing pressures and cut emissions &…

Tee markers may go unnoticed when they look the part - but tired, faded sets can quietly undermine a course's presentation. Here's why a refresh could be worth considering

The small detail that shapes first impressions Tee markers may go unnoticed when they look the part – but tired, faded sets can quietly undermine a course’s presentation. Here’s why a refresh could be worth considering.

Machinery giant John Deere has risen from the top 50 to the top 15 of the GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, recognising its Military Hiring Programme for ex-forces technicians

John Deere named a ‘top 15’ employer of veterans Machinery giant John Deere has risen from the top 50 to the top 15 of the GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, recognising its Military Hiring Programme for ex-forces technicians.

"Throughout the redevelopment, we’ve been mindful that we’re merely custodians of this land. The site benefits from incredible wildlife, being part of the original parkland of Raglan Castle, which is just a stone’s throw away. We've installed bat boxes, are planting new hedgerows to create and enhance wildlife corridors and ensured that any clearing work was done with careful consideration for the existing ecosystem. It’s about respecting what was here before us and preserving it for future generations."

Lucy Sellick, course manager at Raglan Golf Club in Monmouthshire

Visitor registration for GroundsFest 2026 is now officially open, as the industry prepares for what promises to be the biggest and most exciting edition of the event to date

GroundsFest 2026 opens visitor registration Visitor registration for GroundsFest 2026 is now officially open, as the industry prepares for what promises to be the biggest and most exciting edition of the event to date.

Independent research at Norway's NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center has highlighted ICL's H2Pro TriSmart and Syngenta's Qualibra as standout performers in a major STERF-funded drought trial, with H2Pro TriSmart cutting irrigation water use by 22% versus untreated turf

ICL and Syngenta shine in drought trial results Independent research at Norway’s NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center has highlighted ICL’s H2Pro TriSmart and Syngenta’s Qualibra as standout performers in a major STERF-funded drough…

Maintaining consistent playing surfaces has become one of the biggest challenges in sports turf. With increased usage and higher expectations, pitches are under constant pressure to perform and remain stable, resilient, and reliable week after week.

For many turf managers, that performance is increasingly linked to one key factor: the rootzone.

Kate Finlayson, research and development agronomist at Orion Future Technologies, believes that improving how the soil system functions is critical to delivering consistent pitch quality.

“If the rootzone is not performing, the surface won’t either,” she explains. “One measure is managing inputs and presentation, but if the soil structure and function are not right, there will always be inconsistency in how the pitch plays and recovers.”

One area gaining attention is the use of silicon within turf management programmes, not just for plant strength but for its influence on the soil system that underpins surface performance.

“Silicon has traditionally been seen as something that benefits the plant,” Kate says. “But what’s becoming more important is how it supports the soil where it can improve structure, stability, and the overall function of the rootzone.”

From a performance perspective, this translates into a more consistent and reliable surface.

“The aim is to help develop a rootzone that holds together under play, supports strong rooting, and doesn’t break down with use. Improving the structure and stability of that profile can help achieve a surface that performs more consistently,” she says.

Improvements in soil aggregation and pore structure can help create a more uniform profile, reducing variability across the pitch. This supports better root development and contributes to improved recovery following wear, particularly in high-traffic areas.

“It’s about giving the plant a better environment to anchor into. If roots are stronger and the soil is more stable, the surface is better able to cope with pressure and bounce back after use,” Kate explains.

There are also nutrient efficiency and biological activity benefits, both of which play a role in maintaining consistent turf performance over time.

“A more functional soil system supports more balanced growth and better recovery. Instead of constantly trying to correct issues, the focus shifts to making the surface work with improvements to the whole growing system,” she says.

As with any input, silicon is not a standalone solution. Its effectiveness depends on how it is integrated into a wider turf management programme, including aeration, appropriate nutrition, and practices that support soil health.

“Good agronomy still underpins everything. But where silicon fits in is helping to strengthen the system that everything else relies on.”

As demands on playing surfaces continue to increase, that system-based approach is becoming more important.

“Turf management is shifting. It’s less about reacting to problems on the surface and more about building a rootzone that can consistently deliver performance. That’s where the focus needs to be,” she concludes.

Precision rolling is an increasingly vital part of greens maintenance, and Reesink Turfcare's Jon Cole explains how the new Toro GreensPro e1700 - featuring Precision Pass Alignment and electric technology - is helping course managers deliver consistent surfaces year-round

Toro GreensPro e1700 raises the rolling game Precision rolling is an increasingly vital part of greens maintenance, and Reesink Turfcare’s Jon Cole explains how the new Toro GreensPro e1700 – featuring Precision Pass Alignment and…