Seven innovative tech ideas to boost your sports development project
Here’s some more detail on STRI Group’s range of innovative design and data services. If you want to find out how we can help…
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Skin cancer – the risks to outdoor workers
The turf industry is linked to the sun in every way. Climate plays such an important part in the management decisions turf professionals make that…
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Taylor Talks – Looking after hedgehogs
The 50% decline in population of one of the UK’s best-loved wild animals has ignited many campaigns such as Hedgehog Street and Hedgehog Awareness Week. STRI’s Head of ecology…
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How to protect your mental health in the turf industry
by Emma Beggs, STRI agronomist Turf stress comes in various forms, drought, disease, mowing etc; but there’s another stress within the turf industry that needs to…
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Golf traffic’s impact on finer grasses
Over the past decade STRI consultant, Conor Nolan, has dedicated himself to the pursuit of the finer grasses on putting surfaces. However, one of the…
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Water – can’t live with it, can’t live without it
Water, water everywhere, or is it? STRI research operations manager, Dr Christian Spring, talks about water, its importance for sports surfaces and the pressures on…
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The Golf Environment Awards – Why Bother?
The Golf Environment Awards (GEAs) have been a part of the golf industry for twenty-four years, but how much do you really know about the…
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To bowl or not to bowl?
Fluctuating weather patterns, withdrawal of pesticides and accumulating thatch may leave bowls club officials and players feeling less than bowled over. STRI general manager of…
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Book now for STRI Research 2019
STRI has announced that its annual research open days will take place on 25 and 26 September 2019. The event, which takes place at…
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Subscribe to the STRI Bulletin
The Bulletin is a sport industry magazine representing the latest news and opinion from across the STRI Group. It is distributed quarterly across six…
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Gary Smith joins STRI Group
STRI Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Smith as an agronomic consultant, based in its Scotland office. Smith has worked in…
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The not so ‘green green grass of home’
We are all seduced by images of magnificent stately home lawns, and dream of lazing our days away on the lush grass with a glass…
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Top communication tips for golf clubs
The Golf and Health project is aiming to scientifically prove the physical, mental health and wellbeing benefits of golf. But how do clubs go about…
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GEAs introduces new Home Unions National Awards
STRI Group is delighted to announce the addition of a new set of honours for the 2020 Golf Environment Awards (GEAs). The Home Unions…
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Does the Masters pour more misery on UK greenkeepers?
With all eyes on picture perfect Augusta, STRI agronomy operations manager, Steve Gingell, asks you to spare a thought for UK greenkeepers still dealing with…
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STRI receives double award from ALCI
STRI has received two accolades at the prestigious Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland Awards (ALCI), which celebrate exceptional landscape projects. STRI beat…
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Crawley’s new pitch earns respect
The new stadium pitch at Crawley Town Football Club, which was designed by STRI, is winning praise from rival managers. STRI project managed the…
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Producing a safe and fair racecourse
As punters ready their wallets for a flutter on the Grand National, STRI agronomist Richard Wing takes a look at what goes into producing a…
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Highlights: GEA winners trip to the Algarve
We take a sneaky peak into Bob Taylor‘s diary after the 2019 Golf Environment Award winners return from their trip of a lifetime to visit…
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Six reasons to love butterflies – Rowan’s rambles
As butterfly species continue to decline in the UK, STRI ecological consultant, Rowan Rumball, lists his top six reasons to help protect our fragile friends….
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Rowan’s Rambles – Can golf get a ‘birdy’?
In the first of a new segment for 2019, STRI ecological consultant, Rowan Rumball, discusses how golf is uniquely positioned to be one under par…
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GEA 2019 – The social side of sustainability
Amanda Dorans, greenkeeper at Dundonald Links, south-west Scotland chair of BIGGA and previous Golf Environment Award (GEA) champion, discusses the ‘behind the scences’ sustainability at…
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Taylor talks – Changing my supermarket
I will be honest. I am a huge food snob, as many of you who have eaten with me or been to Portugal with the…
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The Golf Environment Awards finalists 2019
STRI ecologist, Rowan Rumball, looks back on his first year with the Golf Environment Awards and discusses the 2019 finalists. Earlier…
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I’m a Greenkeeper – Get me out of Here!
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here is on TV so that means Christmas is just around the corner, yet many areas of sportsturf are…
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Behind the scenes at the 2018 World Cup in Russia
STRI’s principal technical consultant, Dr Richard Gibbs, who project managed the pitches at 2018 World Cup in Russia, gives an insight into what goes on behind the scenes….
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2019 Golf Environment Awards finalists announced
STRI is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2019 Golf Environment Awards (GEAs), recognising golf clubs and individuals that strive to undertake environmental best practice. …
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Hybrid Hearts on the march
Pitch quality and playing surface management have been a hot topic in Scottish football for many years. STRI’s senior project manager, Gordon Howat, discusses how Heart of Midlothian solved…
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The 147th Open Championship – Carnoustie Golf Links
STRI consultants Richard Windows & Adam Newton lift the lid on what went on at the 147th Open at Carnoustie before the crowds descended on the famous…
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Growing the game
With golf looking to increase participation levels, it is essential that we look to keep the sport interesting and exciting for both existing players and new additions…
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Taylor Talks – Considering Spiders
STRI Head of ecology and environment, Bob Taylor, considers the impact current trends in grassland management has on arachnids, and why we might be doing wrong, by…
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STRI scoops accolade from Bradford University
STRI has scooped two gongs at the University of Bradford’s Summer Experience Awards last night. We are thrilled to have won the Outstanding Placement…
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Tournament monitoring at Victoria Park
It’s not just skill, strategy, and a Machiavellian intent to disarm opponents that are the keys to success in the gentile art of lawn bowls,…
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A “roundup” on hoof – surface interaction
British strongman, Eddie Hall, broke world records when he lifted 500kg (equivalent weight to an average-sized horse) at the World Deadlift Championships in 2016. Imagine…
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STRI at the Ricoh Women’s British Open 2018
STRI agronomists, Alistair Beggs, Adam Newton and Stella Rixon, formed the team responsible for helping Royal Lytham Links Manager, Paul Smith, and The R&A, deliver a…
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Hearts install new state-of-the-art pitch
Heart of Midlothian FC met champions Celtic for the first time on their new state-of-the-art hybrid pitch at Tynecastle Park in the opening home game…
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STRI Group expands its UK ecology team in West Yorkshire
We have strengthened our ecology services by appointing a new consultant to join our UK team. Rowan Rumball joins STRI as ecological consultant…
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Going through the gear
How does a groundsman or greenkeeper make the right choice when purchasing large pieces of costly equipment, or even replacing a whole fleet? STRI’s grounds…
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Golf Environment Awards New for 2019 – Taylor Talks CPD
I’m delighted to announce that entrants to the Golf Environment Awards 2019 will receive CPD points in conjunction with their BIGGA membership during the application…
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The battle with mental health in greenkeeping
Opening up about mental health issues is still rare in the workplace, even more so in the stout-hearted world of turf. STRI deputy grounds manager, Tim Randall,…
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Join us at STRI Research 2018
Join STRI’s team of global sports turf industry specialists and our event partners for the seventh annual research event on 19/20 September. Enjoy a day…
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The secret life of trees – Taylor Talks
They defy the natural laws of physics, secretly communicate via an elaborate fungi network, and receive preferential treatment from their mothers. Bob Taylor, STRI’s head of…
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The Need for Green Speed
Green speed is usually at the top of the golf club agenda with a common cry being ‘We want them faster!’ STRI consultant, Stella Rixon discusses…
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Sustainable or responsible? – Taylor Talks
by Bob Taylor, STRI’s head of ecology and environment The word sustainability is used so widely that its original context has been corrupted to the point…
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What lies ahead? – Taylor talks
by Bob Taylor, STRI’s head of ecology and environment There are always occasions in our life, or in our work, that cause us to stop, look…
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How to light a cigarette – Taylor talks
by Bob Taylor, STRI’s head of ecology and environment As I pondered how I might start the “Focus On” workshop that I was compiling for…
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Consider a landscape management approach – Taylor talks
by Bob Taylor, STRI’s head of ecology and environment Following my presentation at this year’s BTME, I thought it would be interesting to discuss the subjects…
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Disturbance Theory reloaded
by @striturf_richw and @striturf_adamn STRI’s anthology, ‘Disturbance Theory’, provided strategies for managing sward composition of putting surfaces. Ten years on, senior agronomists Adam Newton and…
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Shifting baselines and traditional management – Taylor talks
by Bob Taylor, STRI Head of ecology and environment To kick-off my first ‘Taylor Talks’ column I’m going to discuss two related and very important…
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Top tips on winter golf course management
follow @striturf_adamn How do you keep your golf members happy in winter when they’re already experiencing fewer hours of daylight, adverse weather conditions and course…
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Farewell to Stuart Ormondroyd
by Alistair Beggs, STRI Head of Agronomy After 37 years of first-class service Stuart Ormondroyd has finally hung up his auger. He has been…
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Getting the best golf green drainage rates
by Stella Rixon, STRI agronomist Golf clubs have many weapons in their armoury when it comes to luring new members to tackle their beautifully…
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2018 Golf Environment Awards visits – part 2
by Sophie Vukelic, Ecology consultant The STRI ecology and environment team has completed the final longlisting process for the 2018 Golf Environment Awards. This heralds…
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Is your greenkeeping budget fit for the future?
by Paul Woodham, STRI Agronomy services manager Balancing your greenkeeping maintenance budget can be tough no matter how big or small the course is. How times…
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The smart way to manage disease
Improving your turfgrass management skills is an important part of career progression in the turf industry. Here, STRI’s head of research, Dr Ruth Mann, gives…
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STRI Research 2017 in pictures
Following another successful STRI Research event at our UK head office and sport research facility in September, we bring you the best images from over…
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Consistency is key on the grass of SW19
by Mark Ferguson, STRI’s Wimbledon Research Manager Day 13 of The Championships saw Roger Federer lift the Wimbledon men’s singles title for a record…
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Getting Royal Birkdale ready for The Open
After a wait of nine years the Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale. STRI’s Alistair Beggs, looks at the preparation that has gone into making…
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Last chance to enter the 2018 Golf Environment Awards
LAST CHANCE: The Golf Environment Awards application deadline is approaching! Have you entered yet? STRI Group and The R&A encourage all eco-friendly clubs,…
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Twelve amazing golf course wildlife projects
Golf courses are not just great for a quick nine holes, they are also great areas for wildlife. STRI’s ecology consultant, Teneille Barwick, wades into…
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The leatherjacket and chafer fine turf threat
By Alistair Beggs, STRI head of agronomy Insect pests of fine turf have been problematic in the UK for many years. However, until recently controlling their…
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The future of the turf industry?
The sports turf industry is always changing. The next generation of greenkeepers and groundstaff will have some very interesting benefits and dilemmas to consider. STRI…
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Can Fulham’s training pitch facelift inspire promotion glory?
As some of the biggest games in Fulham’s history loom in the form of the Championship playoffs, can technology first developed for the carpet industry help…
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Golfers’ grumbles series in full
Here’s our “Golfers’ Grumbles” series in full, we hope you enjoy reading it. You can check out all five ‘grumbles’ parts on the…
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Green speeds extra – Dealing with golfers’ grumbles – part five
by @striturf_paulw For the final part of our series on “Golfers’ Grumbles”, I thought I’d serve an extra helping of green speed debate, as it’s an…
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Green speeds – Dealing with golfers’ grumbles – part four
by @striturf_paulw For part four of our series of “Golfers’ Grumbles”, I will be looking at the thorny issue of green speeds. Once…
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The impact of woodland thinning and tree removal in golf
by @striturf_bob Woodland thinning and tree removal are an essential part of greenkeeping. It’s necessary to ensure optimum turfgrass quality by way of air flow…
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Closures and inspections – Dealing with golfers’ grumbles – part three
by @striturf_paulw For part three of our series of “Golfers’ Grumbles”, I will be looking at the practical issues surrounding course closures and inspections. A…
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Managing gorse across UK links courses
by @striturf_richw and @striturf_sophie Gorse is a very important component of links courses around the UK. It provides shelter and nesting habitat for birds and mammals,…
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Bunkers – Dealing with golfers’ grumbles – part two
by @striturf_paulw For part two of our series of “Golfers’ Grumbles”, I will be looking at the practical issues surrounding bunkers and touching on a…
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The great Poa dispute
by @alistairbeggs (STRI head of advisory) Clenched teeth, anger, palpitations and emotional outbursts are not just the symptoms of mass hysteria, but also characteristics to be found…
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Dealing with golfers’ grumbles – part one
by @strituf_paulw Picture the scene. The greenkeeper is proudly laying turf on a newly constructed tee, when he hears the ‘banter’ of the passing golfer…
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Spring Checklist: 10 ecological things to consider before March
by @striturf_sophie March signals the beginning of many wildlife events, some of which determine how we manage the landscape. Whether you manage a golf course…
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What makes the perfect pitch?
It doesn’t matter if the players who step on to your pitch are worth £20million or less than a bag of crisps, everyone involved in…
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Time for bespoke training
Devoting time and energy to training can be an exasperating process. Budgets are tight, travelling offsite is time consuming and your staff have different requirements….
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Remembering the Battle of the Somme
As Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday ceremonies draw near agronomy manager Steve Gingell reviews the preparations, management and aftercare at the Thiepval Memorial, when it…
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How to tackle the earthworm casting headache
One of the most problematical turf issues faced across western Europe is earthworm casting. STRI’s turfgrass agronomist Conor Nolan investigates their murky underground world for…
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Guide to engaging an ecologist
As the autumn nights draw in your golf club’s attention may be turning to course refurbishment, landscaping or extensions. Perhaps tree removal, pond cleaning or changing…
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STRI Research 2016 round-up
STRI Research 2016 took place at our headquarters in Bingley on 21/22 September and featured stations from Bayer, Farmura an Aquatrols Company, ICL, SISGrass, SWDsystems,…
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Ten reasons why you should have a green roof
by @striturf_tomy You may have noticed that more and more buildings are now being constructed with their roofs covered in plants. Known as ‘living roofs’…
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Preparing for the Amateur
The Amateur Championship has been graced by some formidable golfers since it was founded in 1885. In 2016 the links of Royal Porthcawl and Pyle…
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Top tips for golf course bat protection
by @striturf_sophie Trees are an important feature on golf courses, providing definition, strategy and screening for adjacent holes. However, their removal is also a vital part…
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