Drought-tolerant Johnsons mixtures stand up to coastal challenges

Drought-tolerant Johnsons mixtures stand up to coastal challenges

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Drought-tolerant Johnsons mixtures stand up to coastal challenges

Located on the exposed Llandudno coastline, North Wales Golf Club has been shaped by the elements since its establishment in 1984. The traditional links course faces relentless wind, sand splash, naturally free-draining conditions and increasing pressure from dry summers – making drought tolerance a critical consideration when it comes to the clubs choice of grass seed. Demonstrating outstanding resilience and tolerance of both high traffic and the climatic conditions site-wide are mixtures from Johnsons Sports Seed.

Drought-tolerant Johnsons mixtures stand up to coastal challenges

Drought-tolerant Johnsons mixtures stand up to coastal challenges

Head Greenkeeper Gareth Tibbetts joined the club in July 2025, taking on the maintenance of challenging links terrain with the assistance from a team of five. “I’d used Johnsons mixtures at my previous club which, albeit was parkland, was also incredibly free draining so I knew they were more than capable of performing in low moisture situations and hardy enough to cope with the demands of a busy course.”

The transition to Johnsons Sports Seed had already begun when Gareth came on board, but the programme was refined through consultation with DLF’s Regional Technical Manager Stuart Yarwood. “On our fairways, we opted for Johnsons J Sustain Fairway which, it’s clear, was formulated for the exact challenges we see here and excels in links conditions.”

The five Fescue blend, including resilient Hard and Sheeps Fescue, delivers excellent playability, density and visual appeal under low-input management and sites prone to environmental extremes. Together with outstanding drought performance, J Sustain Fairway also provides superior salt tolerance, disease resistance and resilience to stress.

“We’ve done two sowings of the J Sustain Fairway since I arrived and the whole team have noted that the seed germinated well, comes through a lot healthier than other mixtures and copes with the dry conditions very well.” Gareth continues, “It was a particularly dry summer last year so it really put the seed to the test but our fairways more than survived, they thrived!”

Johnsons seed is also delivering equally impressive results in other areas of the course. “We use a bent/fescue blend on our greens which gives us the colour we need and the robustness to cope with an average of 200 rounds per day.”

“The reliability and cleanliness of the Johnsons mixtures give us confidence in every bag and every overseed” he adds. “Together with a focus on cultural practices including aeration, we’re now achieving consistency in our surfaces in what is always going to be an unpredictable environment.”

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SIS Pitches’ Advanced Pitch Technology at nine World Cup Stadiums

SIS Pitches’ Advanced Pitch Technology at nine World Cup Stadiums

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SIS Pitches’ Advanced Pitch Technology at nine World Cup Stadiums

SIS Pitches’ advanced sports pitch technology is in action on football’s biggest global stage this summer, contributing to high-performance playing surfaces across nine of the 16 host stadiums at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including the venue for the final.

SIS Pitches’ Advanced Pitch Technology at nine World Cup Stadiums

SIS Pitches’ Advanced Pitch Technology at nine World Cup Stadiums

This summer’s tournament sees 48 teams compete across a diverse range of climates and venues in the three host nations. SIS Pitches’ technology will play a crucial role in maintaining consistent, world-class playing conditions throughout the tournament, despite the potential for extreme weather and the demands of an expanded fixture schedule.

The UK-headquartered sports pitches specialist has contributed different combinations of its SIS Grass Hybrid reinforced turf system, and subsurface drainage and aeration systems to nine of the host venues, one of which had its full pitch constructed by the company last summer. This builds on two decades of involvement in the World Cup which first saw SIS Pitches’ technology used at the 2006 tournament in Germany and has been featured more recently in both Russia and Qatar.

SIS Grass Hybrid is in action at stadiums in San Francisco, Miami, Kansas City, Toronto, Monterrey and host for the final, the New York New Jersey Stadium. The hybrid system sees synthetic fibres stitched into the surface across the entire field to provide increased durability enhanced root growth. This will help each hybrid pitch recover and perform consistently across different climates and grass types, from bluegrass to Bermuda grass.

SIS Pitches’ DrainTalent system is being used in Guadalajara, Seattle and Vancouver. Importantly for the world’s biggest football tournament, the system provides vacuum drainage to quickly extract excess water from the pitch in storm conditions to avoid delays or disruption to play. Where required, DrainTalent also has the ability to offer a subsurface irrigation function, delivering water directly to the rootzone from below. This promotes deeper root development and improves water efficiency, ensuring irrigation and drainage management can be delivered from a single platform.

The pitch in Monterrey was designed and constructed in full by SIS Pitches’ expert team in 2025 and then also maintained in peak condition during CF Monterrey’s regular season. It features SIS Grass Hybrid alongside the company’s SIS Heat Core undersoil heating and SIS Air Core subsurface aeration systems, with the latter promoting healthy growing conditions for the grass while also deploying powerful vacuum drainage to minimise disruption in the event of extreme rain.

With each venue presenting unique challenges ranging from high temperatures to the expectation of extreme rainfall, SIS Pitches’ technologies will play a crucial role in ensuring playing surfaces remain consistent for the duration of the 39-day tournament.

SIS Pitches’ sports surface expertise and technology have been combined with the capabilities of other specialist companies to deliver elite-level playing surfaces, including some built over stadiums’ existing synthetic pitches. This transition was made possible thanks to the knowledge and commitment of the American, Canadian and Mexican grounds teams who have worked tirelessly to ensure every stadium was fully prepared ahead of the tournament start.

Ivo Lamot, CEO at SIS Pitches said: “Seeing our technology present at nine of the 16 stadiums being used this summer is a huge moment for SIS Pitches and a reflection of the reputation it has around the globe.

“Having been involved in the previous two tournaments in Russia and Qatar, we understand how important it is that our technology works alongside that of other partners to ensure each pitch system performs as intended. For this tournament in particular, expert grounds teams and the best companies in the industry have come together across the stadium network to transform multi-use NFL and MLS venues into high-quality hybrid surfaces for the world’s best players.”

For more information on SIS Pitches, visit www.sispitches.com

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Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

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Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

At Tottenham Hotspur F.C., pitch renovations are about far more than simply preparing surfaces for the new season. Under the guidance of Head of Playing Surfaces and Landscaping Nick Phillips, the club has developed a detailed, holistic approach focused on soil health, plant resilience and long-term performance; supported by products from Agrovista Amenity.

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Having started at the club in 2004 as a 16-year-old apprentice, Nick has witnessed Tottenham Hotspur evolve from the old training ground at Chigwell into one of the world’s leading football facilities.

“The business has just grown massively,” said Nick. “When we moved from Chigwell to the new training centre, it almost felt like starting a new job for the same company. There has always been a drive to improve and develop every part of the site.”

That growth is reflected in the scale of the operation Nick now oversees. Across the stadium and training centre, he manages a department of 43 staff covering grounds, landscaping, irrigation, mechanics and horticulture.

Central to maintaining elite-level surfaces is the club’s renovation programme; something Nick believes is non-negotiable.

“Carrying out renovations every year is crucial,” he said. “Renovations are directly linked to surface performance, traction, firmness and the longevity of the pitch.”

Tottenham Hotspur took the decision around 15 years ago to bring renovations fully in-house, a move Nick believes has transformed the club’s flexibility and ownership of its surfaces.

“It gives you far greater control,” he explained. “You’re not dictated to by somebody else’s schedule. If weather conditions allow and you want to move quickly, you can. It also gives the team more ownership because you’re responsible for the whole process from start to finish.”

The renovation process itself is meticulous. After reducing mowing heights, the team removes the vegetation before repeated raking and cleaning operations expose the reinforcement fibres and remove accumulated organic matter.

Once the surface is cleaned, sand topdressing is applied at rates between 90 and 110 tonnes depending on the age and performance of the pitch, followed by aeration to connect the upper and lower profile. From there, the nutritional programme begins.

One of the key shifts Nick has implemented in recent years has been reducing reliance on fungicides and excessive nitrogen applications by focusing more heavily on soil biology and plant resilience.

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

“The industry is going that way,” he said. “Years ago, we probably all focused too much on the top growth. If the grass looked green, you thought it was healthy. But actually, if you create a healthy soil profile and healthy soil life, you reap the rewards in the plant itself.”

Working closely with Agrovista Amenity, Nick introduced a more balanced nutritional strategy built around supporting both the plant and the soil ecosystem.

“We shared the same vision,” he said. “It was about supporting soil health while still maintaining the plant quality and performance levels we expect.”

A major component of that programme is Agrovista Amenity’s Evolution Naturelle granular fertiliser range, used during the pre-seeding stage of renovations.

“We used to rely more on straight mineral fertilisers,” explained Nick. “Now we’ve adapted towards more of an organo-mineral approach. Evolution gives us nutrition for the plant, but it also supports soil biology through carbon and organic matter.”

Nick applies two forms of pre-seed fertiliser, one with a heavier organic focus to support microbial activity, followed by another with a stronger mineral element timed to coincide with germination.

“We want that fertiliser sitting exactly where it needs to be when the seed germinates,” he said. “We use a dimple seeder after application because it creates a micro-aeration effect and just works the fertiliser into that upper profile where the response is all connected.”

The result is stronger early rooting and more efficient establishment.

Once germination begins, the programme moves into liquid applications, with Agrovista Amenity’s exclusive L-CBF Turfgrass Enhancer playing a significant role.

“There’s a very small window after germination where you can really influence the plant,” said Nick. “L-CBF is high in carbohydrates, amino acids sugars and molasses, and it really stimulates early plant energy and growth.”

Applied before the first cut, L-CBF is designed to accelerate establishment during the critical early stages of development.

Alongside L-CBF, Nick also incorporates MicroGrow into the programme to enhance soil biology and rooting. MicroGrow is a specialised formulation with a blend of seaweed extracts and other naturally-derived compounds of marine and terrestrial origin. It is tailor made for root drench application to increase biological activity in sports turf soils.

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations

“That’s one of the key products for us,” he explained. “MicroGrow goes in at those very early stages of germination when we can really influence soil biology and root development.”

The benefits are visible in the rooting performance across the surfaces.

“When we carry out root depth checks, you can clearly see the products working,” he said. “You get strong anchorage and early root mass, which is absolutely critical because pre-season is incredibly demanding on the pitches.”

With first team players often training twice daily during pre-season, rapid recovery and stability are essential.

“You might only have two pitches available initially, so those surfaces take a huge amount of stress,” Nick continued. “The deeper the roots, the more nutrition and water the plant can access, and the better the recovery and wear tolerance become.”

Nick believes the move towards more sustainable, biology-focused management is only going to accelerate throughout the industry.

“You’re never going to get those old chemicals back,” he said. “You either fight it or embrace it. We chose to get in front of it and start finding what works for us now.”

For Tottenham Hotspur, that means continuing to refine a holistic approach built around healthy soils, resilient plants and carefully targeted inputs.

“This isn’t about simply greening up pitches,” said Nick. “It’s about creating the best possible surfaces through every detail of the programme. That’s something we pride ourselves on every single day.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

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Kress UK appoints David Timms

Kress UK appoints David Timms

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Kress UK appoints David Timms

Kress UK has announced the appointment of David Timms as Commercial Business Manager – South, further strengthening its commitment to supporting customers and driving growth across the golf and sports turf sectors.

Kress UK appoints David Timms

Kress UK appoints David Timms

David joins Kress with more than 15 years of industry experience, having most recently spent five and a half years with Reesink Turfcare as National Accounts Manager. Prior to that, he worked for almost a decade with Textron, building extensive knowledge of the turfcare industry and developing strong relationships throughout the sector.

In his new role, David will be responsible for supporting and developing Kress’s dealer network across the south of the UK, while also working directly with customers through demonstrations, consultations and business development activities. His territory stretches from Cornwall to Kent and northwards into the Midlands and Mid Wales.

For David, the opportunity to join Kress was driven by both the nature of the role and the company’s position at the forefront of industry innovation.

“The role gives me the chance to be in front of customers more often, which is something I’ve really missed over the last few years,” said David. “But more importantly, I genuinely believe this is where the industry is heading. The acceptance of autonomous technology on golf courses and sports facilities is accelerating, and Kress is leading that movement.

“It’s not just about robotic mowing. The commercial 60V battery-powered equipment is also playing a significant role in helping facilities operate more efficiently and sustainably. I wanted to be part of that journey.”

David believes one of Kress’s greatest strengths is its continuous commitment to innovation.

“The technology has been there from day one, but what impresses me is that Kress hasn’t stood still,” he said. “The products continue to evolve, new solutions are constantly being developed, and the company is always looking at ways to address the real challenges customers face.

“Across the industry, conversations increasingly come back to automation. Whether it’s labour shortages, rising operating costs or reducing fuel consumption, customers are looking for smarter ways to work. Many are now seeing first-hand the benefits of robotic equipment, from saving man-hours and reducing fuel use to delivering consistent results day after day.”

David also highlighted the influence of Kress’s parent company, Positec Group, as a key factor behind the brand’s growth and future ambitions.

“Positec is incredibly driven when it comes to innovation and investing in the right solutions for customers,” he said. “They’re continually evolving and looking ahead, which makes it an exciting business to be part of. The investment is ongoing, and ultimately it allows us to help customers solve problems and find practical solutions to the challenges they’re facing.”

Looking ahead, David is eager to reconnect with familiar faces and continue building relationships throughout the industry.

“What I’ve always enjoyed most about this industry is the people,” he said. “Whether you’re working with a small local club or a high-profile venue, everyone is striving to achieve the best possible results with the resources available to them.

“I’ve built a lot of long-standing relationships over the years and it’s great to be able to reconnect with many of those people. If Kress can be part of helping customers achieve their goals, then that’s a fantastic position to be in.”

David’s appointment forms part of Kress UK’s ongoing investment in its commercial division as the company continues to expand its presence across the golf and sports turf sectors.

For more information, please visit https://www.kress.com/en-gb/

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