News

Join the STRI team, and our industry partners, for this year’s virtual research event throughout November 2020.   We have relocated our annual research days…

STRI Group is delighted to announce the launch of a new golf course industry focused survey to support The R&A Golf Course 2030 (GC2030) industry…

STRI Group has completed the acquisition of leading geo-environmental engineering and design consultancy EPG.   The Warrington-based business will form part of our ambitious growth…

Following a period of strong growth, STRI Group is delighted to announce the appointment of two new company directors to its board.   Head of…

STRI Group has started work on the design and build of a new natural grass sports pitch complex, which forms part of the Blackpool Airport…

STRI is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Project Pathfinder’ which forms part of the UK Government’s emergency Covid-19 innovation strategy.   The project will…

  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…

The STRI Bulletin – Spring 2020 edition is now available to everyone for free in a digital format.   The Bulletin is very easy to…

STRI’s head of planning and environment, James Podesta, gives his top tips on how to advance your development plans during the Covid-19 lockdown.    …

A new research project is set to provide vital answers to the pressing questions of ‘Managing turf under lockdown.’ Crucially, the results will be reported…

By James Podesta, Head of planning and environment, STRI Group.   Head of planning and environment, James Podesta, offers his advice on how to safeguard…

STRI Group staff at its UK offices will be working remotely with immediate effect from 24th of March, but in accordance with UK Government guidelines…

STRI agronomic consultant, Gwynn Davies, provides practical guidance for managing your golf course during the outbreak of coronavirus and preparing for recovery.   Coronavirus It…

STRI agronomy manager, Paul Woodham, considers the actions golf courses can take to minimise the damage from severe weather and return the course to a…

STRI head of consultancy, Richard Stuttard, speaks to Ten Furlongs about our role as principal contractor for the plan, design and management of the inaugural…

STRI’s research operations manager, Dr Christian Spring, tells us about about global research development and diversification at STRI.     STRI: Please describe your role…

STRI head of sport surface technology, Dr Stephen Baker, talks to Jon Lees of Thoroughbred Racing, about the construction of the first ever turf track…

Over the last few years, data collection has become an essential part of sports turf management practices. STRI consultant, Kelly-Marie Clack, tells us why it’s…

STRI ecological consultant, Rowan Rumball, tells us about his hopes for the future of the Golf Environment Awards   The Golf Environment Awards is a…

STRI Group, the world’s leading sports surface provider, is delighted to announce that it is supporting Golf Saudi in the creation of a regional and…

The winners of the 2020 Golf Environment Awards (GEAs 2020) have been announced at The Crown, Harrogate, in a ceremony hosted by STRI Group.  …

STRI Group’s construction division, Carrick Sports, has expanded its UK operation by acquiring leading sports turf contractor Phil Day Sports Ltd (PDS).   Due to…

STRI Group will be heavily involved in delivering a range of The R&A‘s golf course sustainability projects as part of its Golf Course 2030 initiative….

Ahead of its publication on the 21 Jan 2020, STRI research officer, Fiona Crossley, who helps compile the annual Turfgrass Seed booklet, provides a user’s…

How do greenkeepers and course managers reassure the most conscientious golfer that frost delays are not designed to frustrate but to protect the key asset…

Tickets for the Golf Environment Awards ceremony at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate on Wednesday 22 January are now available.   As well as being…

STRI Head of ecology and environment, Bob Taylor, discusses the 25 year anniversary of the Golf Environment Awards in 2020.   When I was informed…

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…

In the first of two articles, STRI consultant, Michael Boyes, faces an old foe on the golf course as current conditions give silvery-thread moss a…

In the concluding part, STRI consultant Michael Boyes, provides guidance on how to tackle silvery-thread moss on your golf course.     Management practices to…

Robert Clare, Course manager at Brough Golf Club, discusses the Golf Research Enterprise set up by STRI with support from BIGGA.   Tell us about…

In today’s world, turf professionals wear multiple hats spanning many disciplines, including science, technology, sport, leadership and learning. STRI consultant, Neil Rodger, has compiled a…

STRI Group has struck an alliance with international turf testing house Surface Performance Ltd.   The global sports solutions provider has engaged with Surface Performance to…

In the second of a two-part series, Dr Tom Young, STRI technology manager and green roof consultant, discusses how green infrastructure can be used to…

In the first of a two-part series, Dr Tom Young, STRI technology manager and green roof consultant, discusses how green infrastructure can be used to…

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…

Over three hundred people attended STRI Research 2019, held at STRI’s UK head office and research facility in Bingley on 25 and 26 September.  …

    Golf course managers and greenkeepers have the unique opportunity to determine the direction of an innovative new research programme led by STRI and…

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…

Living roofs are becoming more and more common in cities due to the large range of benefits they bring. Now with the introduction of the…

Last summer was incredibly challenging and many golf courses suffered with loss of grass cover, including to our frustration, our more drought resistant species. STRI…

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…

Most people’s lives are busy and hurried with precious little time for much-needed relaxation and rest. Even a simple ten-minute walk becomes a forgotten and…

STRI has announced the final event partners for STRI Research 2019 which takes place on 25 and 26 September at STRI UK in Bingley, West…

STRI Group is delighted to announce that Kelly-Marie Clack has joined the business as a consultant agronomist. Kelly will be working with a range of…

With the deadline for the Golf Environment Awards 2020 fast approaching, we ask the 2019 winners a few questions about how their environmental initiatives led…

STRI’s Bob Taylor, discusses ecological and environmental preparations at Royal Portrush leading up to The Open Championship.     The 2019 Open Championships Never before…

A team of STRI researchers, headed up by manager Mark Ferguson, has returned from the 2019 Wimbledon Championships.   STRI has worked with the AELTC…

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…

The common misconception that widespread grass court tennis is on the wane couldn’t be further from the truth. STRI research manager, Mark Ferguson, discusses the…

Ahead of Wimbledon 2019, Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) discusses global tennis R&D and championship…

Not long ago, it would have been impossible to believe construction of a temporary artificial hockey pitch over a natural stadium surface was possible, but…

STRI Group is delighted to announce the arrival of our new sports surface performance tracker – TurfSync.   The TurfSync tracker connects the team and…

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…

With greenkeeping teams being constantly grilled by golfers and club management about the course, STRI consultant, Gwynn Davies, suggests how help could be at hand…

STRI research manager, Mark Ferguson, tells Turf Matters how an unassuming turf plant changed the nature of grass court tennis at Wimbledon forever.   Remember…

With increased expectations from club managers, members and players, it is no wonder that turf professionals are experiencing high levels of stress, but where can…

In this month’s segment, Rowan’s Rambles comes to you directly via the magic of video.   Rowan delivered a presentation on sustainability at this year’s…

  The Bulletin is a sport industry magazine representing the latest news and opinion from across the STRI Group. It is distributed quarterly across six…

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…

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…

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…

The new stadium pitch at Crawley Town Football Club, which was designed by STRI, is winning praise from rival managers.   STRI project managed the…

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…

The winners of the 2019 Golf Environment Awards (GEA) have been announced at The Crown, Harrogate, in a ceremony hosted by STRI Group and the…

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…

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…

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…

It’s that time of year, when growth slows, temperatures drop and we start to get consistent and persistent dewy mornings. The main event is here…

Would you like to be part of the celebrations for the Golf Environment Awards 2019, on 23 January in Harrogate? Tickets for the awards ceremony…

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….

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

We have strengthened our ecology services by appointing a new consultant to join our UK team.     Rowan Rumball joins STRI as ecological consultant…

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…

STRI consultants helped deliver another memorable Open Championship at Carnoustie in 2018. Francesco Molinari claimed an historic victory at the 147th Open, where the Italian…

Top independent school Stowe has appointed STRI Group to design and build its new flagship nine-hole golf course in Buckinghamshire. STRI has worked closely with…

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…

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,…

The Pimms is poised, the strawberries are ripening and the whites are being starched. Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, will soon be…

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…

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…

An Emergency Authorisation has been granted for the use of the Syngenta insecticide, Acelepryn, for the control of chafer grubs and leatherjacket on golf course…

STRI Group has announced the dates for its free annual Research Day event, hosted at its world-class facilities in West Yorkshire.   Greenkeepers, grounds staff,…

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…

STRI Group is saddened to hear of the passing of one of the true pioneers of turfgrass management Dr James Beard.     Dr Richard…

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…

by Bob Taylor, STRI’s head of ecology and environment This month we are celebrating British hedgehog week in support of our friends at the British Hedgehog…

STRI mascots STRImmer and STRIder showed great form and held their ground at Wetherby Racecourse yesterday.     The Sue Ryder Mascot Gold Cup, took…

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…

STRI Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Clark as its new research manager. Matt, will be managing a wide range of research…

STRI is pleased to announce dates for turf industry training courses held this autumn/winter at our UK headquarters in Bingley, West Yorkshire.   The professional…

by Emma Beggs, STRI agronomist As the world waits to see who will emerge victorious at the Masters in Augusta, STRI agronomist, Emma Beggs, considers…

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…

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…

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…

The winners of the 2018 Golf Environment Awards (GEA) have been announced at The Crown, Harrogate, in a ceremony hosted by STRI Group and the…

STRI Group is delighted to announce that the governing bodies for amateur golf in the UK & Ireland will be supporting the Golf Environment Awards…

STRI has been named as the technical partner of MLR, the international sports supplementary lighting business. During BTME 2018, MLR also announced that Bernhard and…

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…

SportsTurf Consultants is delighted to announce the appointment of Sam Myott as general manager. Sam, who joined SportsTurf as an agronomist in 2016, steps into…

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…

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…

STRI Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Christian Spring as its new Research Operations Manager.     Christian, who joined STRI as…

We’re excited to be working once again with England Golf to deliver an interactive workshop at BTME 2018 on how to improve golf course performance,…

by Stella Rixon, STRI agronomist   Golf clubs have many weapons in their armoury when it comes to luring new members to tackle their beautifully…

STRI is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2018 Golf Environment Awards (GEA), recognising golf clubs and individuals that strive to undertake environmental best practice.    …

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…

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…

by @striturf_sophie Once again we have been amazed by the standard of entry to the Golf Environment Awards and have had a great deal of…

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…

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…

Join STRI and England Golf for a series of practical workshops on making your greens perform better. The workshops, hosted by highly-experienced consultants, are perfect…

Join the STRI team, and our industry partners, for the free annual research open days held at our headquarters in West Yorkshire. On September 20th…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

Research manager, Mark Ferguson, talks to the Independent‘s David Barnett about Wimbledon 2017, the work STRI conducts into sports turf research, and preparing the best sporting surfaces.    …

As the world focuses on the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, STRI’s Head of sports surface design, Dr Richard Gibbs, examines the unique set of challenges stadium pitch…

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…

Take part in a nationwide Fera Science pesticide usage survey and help the amenity industry gather important data within the UK.   The survey has…

STRI Group has expanded its UK regional ecology and environment operation by bringing in two new consultants.     Teneille Barwick joins STRI after moving…

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…

STRI Group has strengthened its UK regional agronomy operation with the addition of two new turfgrass consultants.     Michael Boyes joins STRI after a…

by @StellaRixon STRI agronomist Stella Rixon provides a topical update on managing springtime turf growth.   Headlines Disease pressure in late summer and autumn 2016…

A pitch specially developed in Qatar, and tested by STRI Group subsidiary Aspire Sports Turf, has been laid in record time at Khalifa International Stadium,…

The winners of the Golf Environment Awards 2017 have arrived back in the UK following a truly memorable champions’ trip to the Algarve.   Alex…

STRI’s head of sports surfaces, Dr Richard Gibbs, will be among the panellists at the ESSMA Pitch Management Workshop in Leicester City’s King Power Stadium…

Here’s our “Golfers’ Grumbles” series in full, we hope you enjoy reading it.     You can check out all five ‘grumbles’ parts on the…

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…

STRI ecologists Bob Taylor and Sophie Vukelic talk to Turf Business about the Golf Environment Awards (GEA).     The winners of the 2017 Golf…

by @striturf_paulw For part four of our series of “Golfers’ Grumbles”, I will be looking at the thorny issue of green speeds.     Once…

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…

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…

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,…

STRI Group has strengthened its Australian operations following a series of new high profile appointments.     Business development manager Mark Stidwill arrives from PGG…

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…

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…

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…

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…

STRI’s head of ecology, Bob Taylor, will be among the speakers at the BIGGA Scotland Golf Industry Conference 2017.     Taking place at Perth…

STRI Group has opened a new Scottish office, in the heart of Glasgow, to help deliver a diverse range of sportsturf solutions to new and…

STRI Group has joined forces with a leading provider of turfgrass education, Auburn University, to initiate research and development programmes throughout the US sports surface…

The winners of the 2017 Golf Environment Awards (GEA) have been announced at the Hotel Du Vin, Harrogate, in a ceremony hosted by STRI Group….

STRI Group is delighted to announce that The R&A has agreed to become a lead partner of the Golf Environment Awards (GEA).      …

STRI Group has launched its new Chinese company with partners Shanghai KeHua Sports Promotional Co. and Beijing iRENA Group. The inauguration of 上海体赞草坪科技有限公司 (Shanghai Tizan…

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…

STRI and England Golf  are joining forces to present a one-day workshop on golf course management at BTME 2017, which is specifically tailored to secretary/managers,…

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….

After a year filled with new ideas for nature conservation, environmental innovations and chemical legislation changes, STRI is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2017 Golf…

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…

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…

STRI Group has launched a global recruitment process to fill an array of roles across its UK, China and Qatar operations. The Yorkshire-based global sports turf…

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…

Specialists from the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and FIFA joined experts from STRI for an inspection of pitches which will host matches and training sessions at the 2018 FIFA…

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,…

The Operation Pollinator Awards 2016 are now open for entries. The competition rewards golf clubs that have created ecological features that attract essential pollinating insects…

STRI Group has partnered with Job Centre Australia to include a Disability Action Plan into the company’s core operating principles. As many as one in…

STRI is running a series of regional training courses for groundstaff, course managers and turfcare professionals, throughout November and December. Venues across the North, Midlands and…

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’…

Seven Cook Islands groundskeepers furthered their knowledge on how to improve and maintain natural grass pitches during a two-day quality workshop at the CIFA Complex,…

STRI Group has taken a major step into the Chinese sports turf market after striking an agreement with Beijing iRENA Group and Shanghai KeHua Sports…

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…

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…

STRI is the largest independent sports turf consultancy in the world and is rapidly expanding its resources, research facilities and services to meet the demands…

STRI Group are delighted to announce that Mark Godfrey has been appointed chief executive officer effective May 2016. Mark, who joined the company in 2006,…

We are pleased to advise that due to a high demand for accreditation within the turfgrass industry, STRI will be running two separate courses for…