The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has completed an outstanding year of progress in 2025, reinforcing its position as a leading global authority in environmentally responsible, high-performance golf course management.

Building on The R&A’s target to support clubs with independent, science-led guidance that balances conditioning and long-term environmental responsibility, the team expanded its reach and deepened its impact across Great Britain and Ireland, Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

Over the course of the year, The R&A’s Sustainable and Championship Agronomy team delivered around 420 agronomy visits to new and existing venues worldwide, providing tailored support on course performance, resource efficiency and climate-resilient practices across multiple regions.

In Europe, a number of new clubs were onboarded – Aloha Golf Club, Breitenloo Golf Club and La Finca Resort, in addition to forthcoming work at Lofoten Links.  This is alongside existing international partners such as Noordwijkse to underline rising demand for R&A expertise across continental markets. In Asia-Pacific, client expansion continued with additions including Los Cabos San Diego Golf (Philippines) and Mamiya Group (Japan), alongside confirmation of Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course as an official R&A venue for the next three years. In GB&I, the Service strengthened its capability with two key hires: Jaey Goodchild and Stefan Carter both joining the agronomy team.

Knowledge-sharing and industry engagement remained a major focus. The team delivered over 30 key presentations across golf nations – including Switzerland, Finland, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Asia-Pacific markets and the UK – broadening the support offered by The R&A while providing practical agronomic guidance to clubs and industry bodies.

Reflecting on the year, Richard Windows, Assistant Director – Sustainable Agronomy Services at The R&A, said, “This year has been a hugely positive one for the Sustainable Agronomy Service. The scale of delivery across regions, combined with the quality of engagement we’ve had with clubs and industry partners, shows just how committed the game is to environmentally responsible, high-performance golf.

“We’re proud of the progress made, but equally excited about the next phase – continuing to strengthen our support for courses worldwide with practical guidance, research-led innovations and a clear focus on helping facilities thrive long into the future.”

In GB&I, the Service continued to work closely with many of the region’s most influential venues, reflecting both the Service’s footprint at the highest level and the trust placed in its guidance by leading facilities.

Championship support was also central to the programme. The team provided agronomy input at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, The Amateur Championship at Royal St Georges and  Royal Cinque Ports, The Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Emirates Golf Club (Dubai) and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship  at Hoiana Shores (Vietnam), ensuring sustainable championship conditioning while showcasing world-class course standards on golf’s biggest stages.

Across Asia-Pacific, momentum continued to build under Chris Gray, who delivered sustainable golf presentations in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. A GC2030 project also advanced in Australia and New Zealand, reflecting the region’s growing appetite for practical, research-linked solutions to long-term environmental pressures. Asia-Pacific delivery was further strengthened through the appointment of Dr Brett Morris and expanded Championship Agronomy support, including work confirmed for the 2026 Asian Games venue, Kasugai Country Club in Nagoya.

As 2025 concludes, The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service stands on a year of meaningful global growth – defined not only by scale, but by the practical influence it is having on courses worldwide. With continued expansion across Europe, Asia-Pacific and GB&I, and championship-level expertise feeding directly into everyday course resilience, the Service remains firmly focused on helping golf thrive sustainably for decades to come.

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ISEKI to Showcase New GPS Raymo range at BTME

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ISEKI to Showcase New GPS Raymo range at BTME: ISEKI UK & Ireland is set to make a significant impact at BTME, presenting one of its most comprehensive displays yet to mark the lead-up to ISEKI’s 100th anniversary in 2026. The expanded stand and will celebrate a century of innovation, showcasing the breadth and versatility of ISEKI machinery.

At stand 646, visitors can expect to see a line-up reflecting the very best of ISEKI ingenuity. Taking centre stage will be the Raymo remote-controlled range, featuring the debut of the new GPS models equipped with a 48” Craft Deck, a 150Ah battery, and a complete range of Raymo accessories. These machines exemplify the advantages of safe, zero-emission mowing—ideal for areas where conventional equipment cannot operate efficiently.

ISEKI to Showcase New GPS Raymo range at BTME

ISEKI to Showcase New GPS Raymo range at BTME

ISEKI’s trusted tractors will also be showcased, ranging from the powerful TG6507 compact to the TLE4550 loader with Trimble Kit. Fine examples of why ISEKI tractors are renowned for their performance, adaptability, and operator comfort across sports turf, landscaping, and municipal settings.

Mowing and collection will be prominent themes on the stand, with highlights including the SXG 327 High tip, and out-front models like the SF551 60” Electric Height of Cut. Grounds professionals will find a range of options combining precision cutting with efficient collection and user-friendly operation.

With expert advice on hand and a comprehensive line-up spanning tractors, mowers, brushcutters, and battery-powered innovations, ISEKI UK & Ireland’s stand promises to be an essential stop for visitors eager to explore the future of groundscare machinery, all as part of the brand’s centenary celebrations in 2026.

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turfRad Expands Across the Middle East

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turfRad Expands Across the Middle East: Over the past year, interest in turfRad technology has grown steadily across the Middle East. Turf managers in the region work in some of the most demanding conditions anywhere in the world – extreme heat, sand-based construction, reclaimed or variable-quality irrigation water, salinity pressures, and year-round playability expectations. In this environment, precision irrigation isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Working closely with Delta Turf Care, our trusted distribution partner, turfRad has been introduced to leading clubs, evaluated in real-world conditions, and discussed widely at regional industry events. The response has been exceptionally positive, and momentum across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia continues to build.

turfRad Expands Across the Middle East

turfRad Expands Across the Middle East

A Region Ready for Smarter Moisture Management

Across the Middle East, superintendents manage rapidly drying sand profiles, high evapotranspiration, and persistent microclimate variation – sometimes within the span of a single fairway. With rising expectations around sustainability and water efficiency, many teams are seeking tools that offer continuous, data-driven insight rather than periodic snapshots.

turfRad’s ability to deliver live, high-resolution moisture and temperature data has resonated strongly in this context, providing clarity where guesswork is costly and confidence where water savings are essential.

Demo Installations Across the UAE

Through ongoing collaboration with Delta Turf Care, multiple clubs in the Middle East have installed turfRad demo units to evaluate the system under their own agronomic conditions.

While project details vary, the primary goals across these sites include:

  • Improving moisture uniformity across high-profile, high-traffic surfaces
  • Supporting sustainability initiatives and optimizing water use
  • Identifying and resolving localized problem areas where traditional irrigation adjustments fall short
  • Strengthening day-to-day consistency with high-density moisture mapping

Each demo has provided valuable insight into how moisture varies across greens, approaches, and fairways – and how turfRad can support more informed, proactive irrigation decisions.

Expanding Into Saudi Arabia

turfRad has now entered its first phase of testing in Saudi Arabia, including a new installation currently being tested on a championship-level site. Interest across the region continues to grow, with additional demonstrations planned as new projects are looking for ways to improve sustainability and surface performance in highly challenging climates.

Industry Engagement Across Dubai

Recent months have also included participation in regional meetings and turf industry gatherings, where turfRad’s data-driven approach has sparked strong discussions around:

  • smarter use of limited water resources
  • improved surface consistency
  • the role of high-density moisture mapping in modern agronomy
  • Regional pressure to preserve water usage and the push for sustainability.

These conversations continue to broaden awareness and highlight how moisture data can help teams make faster, more confident agronomic decisions.

Partner Spotlight: Delta Turf Care

None of this progress would be possible without the commitment and expertise of Delta Turf Care. Their team has been instrumental in:

  • coordinating demo logistics and introducing turfRad to key decision-makers
  • providing on-the-ground technical support
  • advocating for better moisture management across the region

Their credibility in the turf industry throughout the Middle East has laid a strong foundation for turfRad’s growing presence.

This diversity is exactly what makes the turfRad journey so compelling. No two conversations are the same, and with each demo we uncover new opportunities to understand turf performance in ways that were never possible before.

“What has stood out most for me throughout these demonstrations is the consistent sense of excitement at every installation. From the moment the first moisture maps and data sets appear on the screen, there is an immediate spark of curiosity and engagement. The discussions that follow are always unique – because every golf course is different, every irrigation system is different, and every turf team has its own challenges and insights. The support we have been receiving from the turfRad team has been exceptional. We could tell from day 1 that they were extremely passionate about the product, which gave us full confidence to partner.”

– Marinus Koekemoer, Reginal Manager UAE, Ohman, Bahrain, KSA 

Looking Ahead

It’s clear that water efficiency, surface consistency, and predictable day-to-day performance are top priorities for superintendents across the Middle East, and turfRad fits directly into that mission.

With more demos underway in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, additional trials scheduled in early 2026, and new conversations opening across the GCC, this is just the beginning.

The Middle East is ready for data-driven turf management.
And turfRad is ready to support the region’s agronomy teams with the insights they need to succeed.

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Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company

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Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company: Foley Company is gearing up for an exciting showcase at BTME 2026, promising to turn heads with its innovative product line-up for the golf and sports turf industry. Visitors will have the opportunity to discuss the range of SALSCO advanced Gas and Electric Greens Rollers, now part of the Foley portfolio available in the UK.

BTME 2026 attendees are invited to visit Foley’s stand to experience the first-hand, a range of cylinder and bedknife grinders designed to suit every club and budget. We will be delighted to demonstrate how Foley is redefining turf maintenance with practical, time-saving innovations.

Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company

Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company

There is also the chance to see the revolutionary 642 Quick Spin Reel floor Grinder which offers a fast and user-friendly option for touch-up spin grinding between scheduled relief sessions. The advantage of the 642 is the unique roll-on roll-off floor action making it especially effective for sharpening extra wide and heavy mowers commonly used on sports fields and pitches. Please visit Stand 528 and we will be delighted to talk you through our latest products.

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Hewitt Tree Surgery Invests in FSI B21

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Hewitt Tree Surgery Invests in FSI B21: When Joe Hewitt launched Hewitt Tree Surgery in Cornwall in June 2024, he knew exactly what equipment he needed to compete in the domestic market.

After nearly five years working his way from apprentice to fully qualified climber, including stints in Australia and New Zealand, he’d learned that reliable equipment makes all the difference. The FSI B21 stump grinder was the natural choice to complete his fleet, expanding the range of services he can offer to domestic customers across the county.

Hewitt Tree Surgery Invests in FSI B21

Hewitt Tree Surgery Invests in FSI B21

Growing from the Ground Up

“After I completed my apprenticeship, I started subcontracting, climbing for a lot of other tree surgeons throughout Cornwall” Joe explains. “I then spent some time working in Australia and New Zealand before coming back and setting up on my own.” Since launching, Joe has welcomed a new team member and a growing customer base to his books.

“We’ve invested in everything we need to service the domestic market – van, hand tools and woodchipper – and this year decided to get our own stump grinder. We found we were hiring one fairly frequently, but this was reliant on availability and sometimes involved a lot of running around to collect a machine, only to find it wasn’t in the best of working condition.”

The Right Fit for the Job

Cornwall’s coastal landscape brings plenty of challenges, from narrow gardens to steep steps, which made the lightweight FSI B21 the perfect choice.

“It’s light and compact enough to lift and manoeuvre around properties and steps, but powerful enough to handle most of the stumps we see in a residential garden. We’d previously hired the slightly larger FSI B22 so I knew first off to expect fantastic build quality and reliability. In addition, the FSI B21 is equipped with some useful features such as the hill-hold brake assist which is great for loading on trucks and working on slopes. It’s fitted right in with how and where we work” comments Joe.

FSI: Backed with Confidence

Joe’s decision to buy FSI was also backed by reputation and experience. He adds, “A lot of arb community groups praise FSI and from my own experience I’ve got only positive things to say.” This positivity extends too, to the relationship he’s established with FSI and his local dealer partner, Elmstar Machinery. “Jason at Elmstar has been brilliant. He was joined by FSI’s Lee Hatton on the install in September 2025 who, together, gave me all the information and tips I needed to get the very best out of my machine.”

He concludes, “The FSI B21 has been an affordable, versatile addition to the fleet, helping us expand our services as we continue to grow the business in new ways.”

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