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Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco

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Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco: Bernhard and Company has reinforced its position at the forefront of elite sports turf technology with the installation of SubAir Systems at three of Morocco’s most iconic football stadiums, supporting pitch performance during one of the most high-profile international tournaments on the football calendar.

SubAir Systems have now been installed at:

  • Grand Stade de Tangier – Tangier
  • Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium – Rabat
  • Stade Mohammed V – Casablanca
Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco

Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco

The installations form part of a wider strategy by stadium operators to ensure consistent, resilient, and controllable playing surfaces, capable of performing under intense scheduling, climatic pressure and global scrutiny.

With Morocco set to host a major international football tournament, pitch performance has become a critical focus. Heavy rainfall, tight turnaround times, and high expectations from players, broadcasters, and governing bodies place significant demands on natural turf systems.

For the turf teams, drainage and moisture control have been central priorities. “Drainage is absolutely critical for us,” explained Taha Hassoune, Pitch Manager at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. “In the past, we’ve experienced periods where rainfall overwhelmed traditional drainage systems, and that directly impacts firmness, playability, and preparation time.”

Hassoune added: “Installing SubAir Systems has made a huge difference. By having the ability to pull moisture down and out through the rootzone, we’re encouraging deeper, more fibrous roots.”

Steve Wilson, Bernhard and Company’s Global Business Development Manager for Turf Technologies, commented: “It has been fantastic to work alongside Taha and the other pitch maintenance teams to install the SubAir Systems and see them make improvements using the technology. If the pitches in Morocco become too soft, the SubAir allows them to dry the turf and regain firmness, which is a crucial element for football tournaments.”

He added: “The world’s best stadiums are investing in SubAir because it gives them control over moisture, firmness, recovery, and consistency, exactly when it matters most. In preparation for major international tournaments, there’s no margin for error, so having the safety net of SubAir is a huge advantage.”

Alongside SubAir, the stadiums are using Soil Scout sensors (distributed by Bernhard and Company in the UK, Ireland and more recently North America) to monitor moisture and temperature levels, helping the teams understand changes within the profile to allow for proactive response.

The projects were delivered in collaboration with Sports Turf Maroc, one of Morocco’s leading pitch builders, recognised for their willingness to innovate and experiment with new technologies.

To learn more about SubAir Systems, subsurface control, head online to: https://bernhard.co.uk/products/subair/

To find out more about Bernhard and Company and its full range of product offerings, head to: https://bernhard.co.uk/

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Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME

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Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME: A new hire scheme direct from Techneat Engineering will give greenkeepers, groundsmen and amenity managers convenient and low-cost access to the company’s range of innovative precision application equipment.

To be launched at BTME in January 2026 (Stand 106), Techneat Hire manager, Rui Santos, highlights the opportunity to try-before-you-buy some of Techneat’s pioneering developments – such as the high performance Pro-ESpray battery-powered pedestrian sprayer.

Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME

Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME

“Hiring equipment direct from Techneat brings all the convenience and flexibility of owning a machine for a required part of the season, without the capital cost or upkeep when it’s not required, and no commitment if future plans or requirements should change,” explained Rui.

“For time sensitive turf applications hiring a precision sprayer enables treatment when it’s convenient and in the optimum conditions. Grounds managers may only want access to a de-icing applicator for a period each year, for example, which can be available through the hire scheme.

“Using Techneat Hire to supply a sprayer you will always have the most up to date machine, that has been fully serviced by specialists in the factory and ready for work.”

Rui adds that the on-line hire scheme gives turf and amenity managers  the chance to pre-plan machinery requirements ahead of the season. However, the company also has a stock of machines and fittings to help out in many situations of unforeseen breakdowns or changes in plans and to try out advances in application.

He cites vegetation control specialists could hire a quad-mounted Weed Wizard, for precision optical spot spraying of weeds on pavements and hard surfaces, for example, to evaluate the cost savings and benefits for customers, without the economic tie of ownership.

Techneat Hire scheme is available across the range of Techneat precision application equipment also on show at BTME.

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Soil Scout’s New Grandmasters Program Honours Experts

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Soil Scout’s New Grandmasters Program Honours Experts: Soil Scout, a global leader in underground soil data and turf intelligence, has launched the Grandmasters Program, the first international recognition dedicated to the professionals whose mastery of the rootzone has quietly shaped the modern game.

For more than a century, the turf industry has focused on visible performance — firm fairways, smooth greens, fast surfaces. Yet the real expertise has always lived underground, in the decisions about oxygen, moisture and rootzone behaviour that determine how turf performs long before a player steps onto it. Until now, that expertise has rarely been acknowledged.

Soil Scout’s New Grandmasters Program Honours Experts

Soil Scout’s New Grandmasters Program Honours Experts

The Grandmasters Program changes this by celebrating the individuals whose work, philosophy, consistency and mentorship have elevated playing conditions across continents. This is not a product announcement; it is a long overdue recognition of the people who have advanced the profession — often without the visibility their impact deserves.

While Soil Scout provides the real-time rootzone data that supports modern decision-making, including the world’s only wireless oxygen measurement, the Grandmasters Program places the focus firmly on the professionals who turn knowledge and experience into world-class surfaces.

THE GRANDMASTERS — FOUNDING CLASS

Janne Lehto (Finland)

Master Greenkeeper, CGCS
— Course Manager, Hirsala Golf

One of only 38 people worldwide to hold both the Master Greenkeeper and Certified Golf Course Superintendent credentials. Janne is known for pioneering sustainable, long-horizon course management in the demanding Nordic climate, where oxygen availability, winter survival and resource efficiency define performance. His approach has helped shape modern thinking around rootzone management and long-term resilience in cold-climate turf. His guidance and mentorship have influenced an entire new generation of Nordic turf professionals.

Rodney McKeown (Singapore)

Senior Golf Course Superintendent

Rodney is internationally recognised for his ability to deliver world-class playing conditions in some of the most challenging tropical environments in
global golf. His agronomic philosophy has been shaped by years of preparing tournament-level surfaces in extreme heat, humidity and rapid climate shifts — including at one of Asia’s most awarded and internationally televised golf venues, named the continent’s Best Golf Course in 2024. This experience has helped raise performance expectations across Southeast Asia and redefine what elite tropical turf management requires. His leadership and mentorship continue to influence teams throughout the region.

Andrew Northeim (United States)

Senior Head Groundskeeper — Columbus Crew (OHPC)

Andrew Northeim is a leading figure in the evolution of American sports turf. As Senior Head Groundskeeper for the Columbus Crew at the Ohio Health Performance Center, he has helped elevate MLS training fields’ surface standards during a period of rapid growth for the sport. Andrew combines advanced agronomy with data-driven field management and new technology, while his collaborative approach and mentorship have supported emerging groundskeepers across North America.

Brent Downs (United States)

Master Greenkeeper, CGCS — Director of Agronomy,
Otter Creek Golf Course

Brent Downs is a Master Greenkeeper and Certified Golf Course Superintendent whose influence extends far beyond individual facilities. With over two decades of leadership in agronomy, superintendent development and data-informed field management, Brent has helped shape modern turf practices across the United States. His mentorship, training work and analytical approach have made him one of the most trusted and recognisable voices in American turf management.

A Global Platform for Expertise, Mentorship and the Future of Turf

The Grandmasters Program offers rare insight into the philosophies, field-tested practices and mentorship approaches of four widely respected professionals. Each Grandmaster brings not only technical expertise but a demonstrated commitment to guiding, teaching and elevating others within the industry.

Through shared discussions, interviews, mentoring sessions and ongoing collaboration, the initiative creates a platform where the industry’s most experienced voices can help shape future standards and actively support the next generation of turf managers. Mentorship is not an element — it is the program’s foundation.

As climate pressures intensify and expectations for sustainability grow, Soil Scout’s combination of underground intelligence and professional expertise — strengthened through peer-to-peer mentoring and cross-continental knowledge transfer — provides a powerful base for more informed, resilient and future-ready turf management worldwide

About Soil Scout

Soil Scout is a global leader in underground soil data and turf intelligence, providing long-term, real-time visibility into rootzone conditions. Trusted by golf courses, stadiums and sports organisations worldwide, Soil Scout enables more informed agronomic decisions, greater efficiency and sustainable performance. The platform includes the world’s only wireless real-time sensor capable of measuring soil oxygen — a key factor in turf health.

Jalmari Talola, CEO, Soil Scout

jalmari.talola@soilscout.com

www.soilscout.com

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BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative

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BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA) are proud to announce the launch of BIGGA Elevates – a new initiative that is designed to support, inspire and connect women working in golf and turf.

The inaugural event will take place at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) at Harrogate.

BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative

BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative

It will be held in The R&A Clubhouse area within Hall 4 of the Harrogate Convention Centre on Wednesday 21 January at 4pm – and is being delivered in collaboration with The R&A and Syngenta.

Aimed at empowering women who work in a traditionally male-dominated industry, BIGGA Elevates will provide a welcoming, inclusive and relaxed environment where attendees can share experiences, access guidance, and build confidence.

The initiative’s aim is to foster a supportive community, helping women working in golf and turf to feel comfortable, free and confident in their careers.

The event will feature a panel session with inspiring speakers, including Jackie Davidson, Director – Golf Education at The R&A, TV presenter Sarah Stirk, and a female greenkeeper who will share her personal journey in the industry.

The panel will answer audience questions and provide insight into their experiences, offering practical advice and encouragement for women navigating their careers.

Lauren Frazer, Head of Commercial & Marketing at BIGGA, said: “We want BIGGA Elevates to be more than just an event – it’s about creating a community.

“We hope it brings women together to share experiences, learn from each other, and access resources and guidance. Working in this industry can be daunting at times, and this initiative is about giving women a platform to relate, connect and gain confidence.”

Sarah Hughes, SPS Business Manager UK & Ireland at Syngenta, said: “We’re proud to support the BIGGA Elevates event at BTME along with The R&A.

“It will be a great networking opportunity recognising the important contributions of women in turf care. Working in this industry myself, I see firsthand both the challenges women face and the exceptional skill they bring to the industry.

“It will be good to connect with greenkeeping professionals whose dedication and excellence are already inspiring future generations to join our industry. This event will provide a welcoming space for women to connect with each other at BTME, building the community and support networks that help us thrive.

“At Syngenta, we’re passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion because we know it makes for a stronger, more innovative golf sector.”

If your team includes any female greenkeepers, please ensure they register for this event. It’s open to all women attending BTME, with no BIGGA membership required.

The initiative reflects BIGGA’s commitment to promoting diversity and supporting women at all stages of their careers, creating pathways to growth and recognition.

For further information, please follow this link https://www.bigga.org.uk/about/women-in-golf-charter/bigga-elevates.html or  contact Lauren Frazer via email: Lauren@bigga.co.uk

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John Deere names FCN as charity partner for 2026

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John Deere names FCN as charity partner for 2026: The UK and Ireland branch of John Deere has announced that The Farming Community Network (FCN) will be its official charity partner for 2026.

The commitment will see John Deere staff receive specialist wellbeing support training from FCN, as well as opening the door to a range of volunteering opportunities.

John Deere names FCN as charity partner for 2026

John Deere names FCN as charity partner for 2026

Thousands of pounds will also be raised through fundraising initiatives to help FCN further its reach and impact across the rural community.

“We all have a responsibility to safeguard the health and wellbeing of those living and working in rural areas,” says Joedy Ibbotson, Division Business Manager at John Deere.

“FCN is a charity that does incredible work in this area. Its outreach touches our staff, our network, our customers, and throughout the communities we operate in. It is a great fit for us and the partnership is something that really resonates with our team.”

John Deere employees have a strong track record of fundraising for good causes, both national and local.

Previous efforts include tackling the Peak District Ultra Challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK, raising more than £13,000. Staff are encouraged to come forward with their own ideas for volunteering and fundraising, with the company pledging to support these initiatives.

The FCN partnership was announced at an all-employee meeting at John Deere’s Langar headquarters in Nottinghamshire.

Georgina Lamb, Head of Partnerships with FCN, said: “We are delighted to partner with such a well-respected company as John Deere, which as well as providing vital funds for the charity has given us the platform to promote our work to the wider agricultural community. We look forward to working with the team in the coming months.”

As part of the event, staff were trained by FCN with a bespoke course in wellbeing support for the agricultural community.

Joedy added that the organisation was particularly keen to add its reach to the charity’s Nip it in the Bud campaign, which is part of the UK-wide Rural Communities Cancer Project between FCN and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The focus of the campaign is on early detection of cancer and making time to see the GP if someone notices a change in their health.

“Farmers and their families are so busy that health concerns can often get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list,” he said. “Rural communities often also have lower access to cancer services and support due to living in more isolated areas.

“However, early diagnosis is essential, so John Deere is keen to encourage people to be more familiar with the early signs of cancer, and to take the necessary steps to get checked and nip it in the bud.

“FCN plays a crucial role in supporting the farming community through difficult periods and times of change, and we’re proud to be standing alongside them this year.”

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