Pinehurst Cuts Water Use By 50% By Going Back in Time

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Pinehurst Cuts Water Use By 50% By Going Back in Time: Pinehurst No.2’s dramatic renovation in 2010 could prove to be a blueprint for future golf course sustainability, a new episode of Syngenta’s Green Report YouTube documentary series reveals.

Returning the four-time U.S. Open venue to its natural and historic characteristics, as envisaged by original designer Donald Ross, has yielded remarkable sustainability benefits, including a 50% reduction in water consumption.

Pinehurst Cuts Water Use By 50% By Going Back in Time

Pinehurst Cuts Water Use By 50% By Going Back in Time

And while the return to sandy waste areas and native wiregrass by renowned golf course architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw wasn’t universally popular at first, the renovation is now being seen as a visionary ‘back to the future’ sustainability success story.

“The idea behind the renovation was to present the golf course the way Donald Ross intended it to be,” John Jeffreys, Course Superintendent, tells presenter Gary Firkins.

“It had lost its character by Bermuda grass encroaching out and becoming the predominant rough species.

“We restored and replanted 200,000 wiregrass plants and allowed the sand to present itself again outside the fairway edges. We removed 35 acres of irrigated Bermuda grass rough and restored the center-line irrigation that was present in a 1943 aerial photograph, which allowed us to reduce the number of irrigation heads from 1,500 to 500.”

Joining John on the course walk is Danesha Carley, Professor of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, who was advisor on the 2010 restoration.

Prof. Carley said: “Golf courses can be ecologically rich, biodiverse areas. They can be places where endangered species live, support pollinator habitats and are wonderful places for resource use such as reclaimed water, which a lot of golf courses have moved to.”

Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape for Syngenta, said: “In many ways, Pinehurst is re-pioneering golf course sustainability.

“Blending innovation and new technology with an approach that learns from natural and historical precedents creates opportunities that, in the case of Pinehurst No.2, demonstrably delivers clear sustainability benefits.”

The new episode will be released at 12PM ET / 5PM CET today, and will be free-to-watch for all golf industry professionals and stakeholders on YouTube.

To watch all episodes of The Green Report and for more news, features, videos and case studies on sustainable golf, as well as links to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast, visit Syngenta Golf.

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Stratford Oaks Golf Club enjoys growth with Suståne

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Stratford Oaks Golf Club enjoys growth with Suståne: Like most, the objective for James Cleaver – Course Manager at Stratford Oaks Golf Club – is to achieve year-round consistency when it comes to plant health and play quality.

A steady, reliable nutrition programme has become a key part of that effort and, over the last 18 months, Suståne’s 5-2-4+Fe slow-release naturel base fertiliser has played an increasingly important role.

Stratford Oaks Golf Club enjoys growth with Suståne

Stratford Oaks Golf Club enjoys growth with Suståne

Rounds are high at the private members club located on the outskirts of Stratford-Upon-Avon, with James and a team of six working hard to retain high performing greens despite high levels of wear and often challenging climatic conditions. To source an organic ‘base feed’ which would keep the greens healthy year-round and, in particular, provide a boost over the winter months, James spoke to Nathan Scarff at GBR Amenity.

“When it’s wet in the winter and difficult to get a sprayer round, switching to a natural-based granular product meant fewer trips around the course and less reliance on spraying during those periods” says James. “After trialling Suståne’s 5-2-4+Fe in autumn 2024, we emerged in the spring in a healthier place which then encouraged us to up the applications to four or five times a year – focusing on the high disease pressure windows.”

Noting the success of their Suståne applications, James highlights one particular result which came following last year’s severe drought. “We had one green which really struggled without irrigation. I spoke to Suståne’s Russell Riley who suggested putting down some extra 5-2-4+Fe to help with the recovery and, interestingly, we’ve noticed that this is the only green which has emerged into 2026 disease-free. Obviously we can’t say for certain that Suståne is the sole reason but it’s the only thing that was done differently and something we’re looking to explore further.”

“Another great thing with this product is it doesn’t trigger a massive flush of growth like you get with some other fertiliser products. Application is also easy – the small prill quickly gets into the sward so, when applied in conjunction with predicted rainfall it doesn’t disrupt our mowing programme.” James continues, “I also appreciate the honest help and advice we get from both Nathan and Russell who actively encourage you not to over-apply products. It’s a refreshing change from the ‘more the merrier’ approach you get from some sales reps!”

5-2-4+Fe is the original Suståne formula, developed in 1988. Its all-purpose nature makes it ideal for a range of sports turf and landscape applications, providing a quick green up followed by long lasting slow-release organic nitrogen. For more information on this, and other products in the professional range, visit www.sustane.com

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Robotic lawnmowers surge in popularity with arrival of Spring

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Robotic lawnmowers surge in popularity with arrival of Spring: The global robot lawnmower market is experiencing rapid growth, projected to increase from roughly £2.3 billion in 2025 to about £2.7 billion in 2026. According to George Ren, CEO at Segway Navimow, the growth of the market is driven by a demand for affordable, timesaving, quiet, and eco-friendly autonomous yard maintenance.

Increasingly popular with UK gardeners tackling their gardens in time for summer, robotic lawn mowers offer a hands-free alternative to traditional manually operated petrol and electric mowers. The current market features a wide range of brands and models operating with the highest levels of efficiency and precision. The most advanced mowers now present use smart features like GPS tracking and obstacle navigation to tackle the challenges offered by lawns of all shapes and sizes.

Robotic lawnmowers surge in popularity with arrival of Spring

Robotic lawnmowers surge in popularity with arrival of Spring

“AI powered technology is firmly leaving our screens and entering our homes,” explains Ren. “The 2026 consumer electronics show in Las Vegas was awash with household robotics of all kinds, assisting with all kinds of daily tasks and there was no shortage of robotic lawnmowers. More broadly, the household robotics market is expected to reach approximately £18.53 billion by 2031, up from £9.27 billion in 2026.

“Rather than simply piling on features for the sake of more functionality, the best household robots truly meet consumer needs and do so with true autonomy. Technology should serve people, enabling them to live, create, and do what they truly want to do more freely.

“Robotic lawnmowers are not a new invention but continue to be adapted and refined to deliver true ‘senseless intelligence’ – that is, whether the robot can be like an invisible gardener. Today’s iterations handle and adapt perfectly to complex environments without any user intervention or worry.”

“Whether for commercial or household use, the essence is always ‘liberating time’, that is enabling the professional gardener or landscaper to tackle greater areas at scale and on the other hand, allowing household users to relax while their household tasks are taken care of.”

The core challenge Navimow faces is not a single technological breakthrough, but rather how to deeply integrate hardcore robotics technology with real user life scenarios.

“The most significant technological upgrades in the 2026 range are the ELFS™ LiDAR+ and Xero-Turn™ Zero-Turn Technology which will bring substantial improvements to the user experience,” Ren explains. “These upgrades are backed by massive algorithmic engineering with one sole objective: ensuring that users, over long-term use, hardly ever need to think about ‘localisation’.”

In March, save up to £200 on the Segway Navimow AWD and LiDAR Series. Prices start from £699 for the AWD series and from £999 for the LiDAR Series.[AH1]

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BALI Awards 2026 entries now open

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BALI Awards 2026 entries now open: The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) is excited to announce that entries are now open for the BALI National Landscape Awards 2026, Europe’s largest celebration of landscaping excellence. This year’s Awards mark a historic milestone: the 50th anniversary of the very first BALI Awards ceremony.

Taking place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on Friday 4 December, and headline sponsored by Origin Enterprises via their Living Landscapes Division, the event will honour generations of landscaping achievements and celebrate the innovation, skill, and creativity that defines today’s industry.

BALI Awards 2026 entries now open

BALI Awards 2026 entries now open

Standing on the shoulders of giants

Since 1976, the BALI Awards have recognised landscapers and landscaping businesses that push boundaries, inspire peers, and set the standard for excellence. Some winners have carried the tradition through generations, while others have redefined the industry with bold new approaches. The 50th Awards will celebrate this remarkable legacy, honouring the past, present, and future.

Put your best fork forward

With over 25 award categories, there’s an opportunity for every project to shine – whether through design, technical mastery, or environmental impact. Recognition from the BALI Awards not only elevates reputation among clients, but also attracts talent by highlighting a commitment to innovation and excellence.

BALI Chief Executive, Wayne Grills, said:

“I cannot stress enough just how incredible it is to be talking about our 50th holding of the BALI National Landscape Awards. It’s a truly magnificent achievement that they have been going strong for all these years, and a testament to the industry’s resilience.

“Of course, I’ve only been the custodian of these Awards for the past 15 years, but it gives me both great pride to be a steward of them and great excitement to be able to pay homage to all of those who made them what they are today.

“I encourage every landscaper, contractor, supplier and designer to enter these Awards. They are not only a fantastic promotion of your work to both industry and potential clients, but also a rare chance for you to take a moment and appreciate just how amazing your work is.”

Make history: enter now

Entries are open at baliawards.co.uk with a submission deadline of 8 June 2026.

For assistance, contact BALI’s Membership Events Manager, Izzy Plain – izzy.plain@bali.org.uk

Secure your place among 50 years of landscaping greats – this is your moment to be part of history.

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Subaru Donates ‘Subaru Cocoon’ Garden to charity

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Subaru Donates ‘Subaru Cocoon’ Garden to charity: Subaru UK & Ireland has partnered with Horatio’s Garden, the charity which creates and expertly staffs extraordinary gardens at NHS spinal injury rehabilitation centres across the UK.

Through the partnership, Subaru UK & Ireland has donated its award-winning ‘Subaru Cocoon’ show garden, which captivated judges and visitors alike at the most recent RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, for installation at a spinal injury rehabilitation centre at Horatio’s Garden South West at Salisbury District Hospital. The formal announcement coincided with the International Day of Forests, which is celebrated annually to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees.

Subaru Donates ‘Subaru Cocoon’ Garden to charity

Subaru Donates ‘Subaru Cocoon’ Garden to charity

The garden, originally conceived to draw attention to the crisis faced by the UK’s rapidly shrinking temperate rainforest, has been sensitively adapted and repurposed to provide pleasure and a place of calm and comfort to people with spinal injuries, their families and hospital staff.

Lorraine Bishton, Managing Director at Subaru UK & Ireland, said: “From the outset, the Subaru Cocoon Garden was designed to be more than a one-off show garden; it was meant to spark debate and draw attention to an element of the natural world in need of careful preservation: our rapidly shrinking temperate rainforests. We also wanted it to live on after the show, and now, through our partnership with Horatio’s Garden, it will.

“Horatio’s Garden does extraordinary work providing spaces of genuine sanctuary and healing for people facing life-changing spinal injuries – and the loved ones who support them. Partnering with them and ensuring the garden – and its vital conservation message – would continue to thrive under their custodianship.”

Horatio’s Garden creates and expertly staffs beautiful, vibrant gardens outside the clinical starkness of NHS spinal injury centres. The gardens offer space for reflection and adjustment, privacy and solace, and moments of joy and companionship for everyone who needs them. Evidence consistently shows that access to these gardens improves mental and physical well-being, reduces pain, and supports long-term recovery for people navigating life-changing spinal injuries.

Katie Tait, CEO of Horatio’s Garden said: “A spinal injury can be a devastating blow, with many people facing months of rehabilitation and an increased risk of anxiety and depression. That’s why we are absolutely delighted that this award winning garden is being brought to life within Horatio’s Garden South West and thoughtfully adapted for people using wheelchairs or hospital beds. We are deeply grateful to Subaru for its extraordinary support and for recognising how a calming, immersive space just moments from the hospital ward can make such a transformative difference.”

Background on The Subaru Cocoon Garden

The Subaru Cocoon Garden was conceived to highlight one of the UK’s most pressing, overlooked environmental crises: the near-extinction of Britain’s temperate rainforests. Once spanning 20% of the UK and Ireland, these rich, biodiverse ecosystems have dwindled to less than 1% of their former size. The temperate rainforest is among the most threatened habitats in the UK.
Created by Subaru UK & Ireland in collaboration with the Mike McMahon Studio, the Cocoon Garden evokes the quiet majesty of the rainforest, drawing visitors into a calming environment of texture, shadow and native planting.

Before being installed in its new home, the Subaru Cocoon has been thoughtfully modified to ensure it is fully accessible and welcoming to all those who will benefit from it. Adaptations have been made with the specific needs of Horatio’s Garden patients in mind, including those using wheelchairs or requiring bed access, ensuring that the garden’s restorative qualities can be enjoyed by everyone who visits.

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