A career built on turf, data and discovery

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A career built on turf, data and discovery: When the new Research Director for STRI Group turned up for his first day at work, there was no need for a series of introductions with his colleagues.

Nor was there any need to spend time familiarising him with the industry or his goals for the coming years.

A career built on turf, data and discovery

A career built on turf, data and discovery

Glenn Kirby wasn’t starting from scratch. He has spent a lifetime working in the sports turf industry, first as a greenkeeper at some of the most prestigious golf clubs in the country, then as a Course Manager, before moving into a commercial role with one of the most innovative, research based companies in the sector.

Joining STRI has allowed Glenn to add the final piece to a professional journey that few can match, one that spans the end-user, commercial and now research sides of the industry.

So, what prompted this latest career move?

“STRI has its centenary coming up in 2029 and it’s got an immense legacy, possibly one of the greatest legacies there is in sports research,” said Glenn.

“The Group continues its longstanding commitment to sports turf and data-driven research, which is where I seem to have found my niche. This felt like a really good opportunity.

It was a difficult decision to leave my last role, but I asked myself, ‘if, in five years’ time, someone else had come in and done a great job, how would I feel?’ The answer made it easy. I’d be incredibly pleased and slightly jealous!”

While Glenn will undoubtedly help drive forward STRI’s world-renowned research programmes, it is also the opportunity to lead the organisation into a new era of connected, insightdriven science that excites him most.

“When I was at school in the 1990s, I was faced with two possible career paths,” Glenn explained.

“One was outdoors – practical, hands-on and physical. The other was in front of a computer and developing software. If I’m honest, I enjoyed being outside more, and I probably convinced myself that the more academic or technical route wasn’t for me.”

That decision set him on the path to a lifelong career in turf management. His greenkeeping journey began at Corhampton Golf Club, followed by roles across Europe and the USA, before returning to the UK as Head Greenkeeper at The London Club and later Course Manager at Hockley Golf Club in Winchester.

“But that digital mindset never really went away,” he added.

“When I moved into the commercial world, it started to come back to the fore. Joining Syngenta gave me a platform to see how technology could genuinely influence decisions and drive improvement.”

His seven-and-a-half years at Syngenta culminated in his role as Technical Services Manager for Turf across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“When AI first became available to the public through ChatGPT, I saw it as a huge opportunity and highlighted it to my line management. They were good enough to let me lead internal projects exploring how AI could drive efficiencies across the business. That experience helped me understand how digital tools, when applied with purpose, can make a real difference.”

“At STRI we’ve generated vast amounts of data over nearly a century, much of it in our green booklets or sitting, quite literally, on library shelves.

We now have the opportunity to use that knowledge in new ways,” Glenn said.

“For me, my goal within the research and development team at STRI is to turn that data and information into insights, and help people turn those insights into practical, actionable outcomes.”

“Data is only powerful if it leads to better decisions. Whether that’s understanding how weather patterns affect green speeds or customer satisfaction and then using that information to develop management strategies that help golf clubs and sports venues perform better.”

Glenn is quick to emphasise that his focus is not just on data, but on strengthening STRI’s Research division as the industry leader in sports turf research and product testing.

“Our reputation has been built on a long legacy of turf trials,” he said.

“We’ll continue to drive forward, delivering high-quality, independent trial work and producing data that is genuinely useful to the industry. That evidence base will help us navigate the challenges of climate change, shifting regulations and changing product availability.”

“Most importantly, I’m joining a great team of people and an organisation with a continued enthusiasm for the turfgrass market.

I’m looking forward to ensuring STRI remains at the forefront of leadership in sports turf, blending our history and our innovation to help shape the future.”

Hockey: A game reborn

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Hockey: A game reborn: Scott MacCallum looks at the quantum leap taken by hockey and discusses the game’s development and future with Professor Alastair Cox, one of its leading authorities.

There can be few sports which are as influenced by the surface on which it is played than hockey – that’s field hockey, not the game Wayne Gretzky played on skates.

Hockey: A game reborn

Hockey: A game reborn

Did I hear someone at the back say “Tennis”? Well yes, it’s true that tennis is a different game depending upon which surface it’s played. The difference here, however, is that if you’re a top professional and a specialist in clay, grass or hard court there is always a point in the season when your game comes into its own.

Hockey, however, made a fundamental shift in the mid-1970s which altered the game to such an extent that the previous masters of the art were reduced to virtual also rans. Until that key change – which took place following the 1976 Olympic Games when the International Hockey Federation (FIH) made artificial pitches mandatory for all major competitions – until then natural turf had been playing surface of choice and India and Pakistan were its very best exponents.

From 1928 through to 1968 every Olympics was won by either India (seven times) or Pakistan (twice). The game was a bit more aerial in those days, taking bumpy natural grass surfaces out of the equation and these guys were good at it.

It was only on home turf, literally, in Munich in 1972 that West Germany defeated Pakistan to break the stranglehold. That was the last Olympics where hockey was played on a natural surface.

In fairness, since the introduction of synthetic surfaces at Montreal in 1976, India and Pakistan each achieved one more win, but neither has even made it to a final since 1984.

The new powerhouses are Germany (four times) and the Netherlands (three times). Great Britain, Belgium, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia have each been Olympic Champions once since 1976.

It should be noted that when it comes to playing surfaces we are, of course, talking about the elite. Around the world, about 50% of hockey is still played on grass, but that percentage is much lower in wealthier nations which can afford to install synthetic pitches.

In the UK, up until the 1950s, hockey could be played out on the outfield of the cricket field but given the increasing demands to produce high-quality surfaces cricket clubs became increasingly reluctant to share facilities and such arrangements are now much rarer.

Hockey: A game reborn

Hockey: A game reborn

One man well placed to look at the evolution of the hockey pitch is Professor Alistair Cox, Facilities & Quality Programme Manager for the International Hockey Federation and Technical Director for the European Synthetic Turf Council.

“The move to synthetic turf fundamentally changed the sport, making it a lot faster and more skillful. It’s now a totally different game to before,” said Alastair, who is also Visiting Professor – Sports Surface Innovation at Loughborough University.

“It did mean that India and Pakistan who had dominated the game through to the early 70s were negatively affected as they could not practice on the new surfaces so regularly and European nations, as well as Australia and New Zealand, have dominated.”

Fundamentally the technology within synthetic hockey pitches has evolved in terms of the materials employed and player comfort but the basic concept has not changed since those early days.

While football – soccer – has dipped its toe in the world of synthetic turf and has seen many refinements and improvements since the days of Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road and Luton Town at Kenilworth Road back in the 1980s. Remember the giant unnatural bounces and propensity to crinkle? However, it hasn’t embraced synthetic surfaces to the same extent as its stick-wielding sporting cousins.

That said, you might have expected that hockey would have benefited from the resources and research that the biggest and most popular sport in the world could invest in pitch technology research.

That’s not exactly been the case, however.

Hockey: A game reborn

Hockey: A game reborn

“Hockey wants the ball to move as quickly as possible whereas football doesn’t want a football to roll too quickly on the surface,” explained Alastair.

“FIFA wants its synthetic surfaces to replicate natural turf, so if you have a football field that meets the FIFA quality standards, it’s not very good for hockey, as has all the limitations of playing on a grass pitch from a hockey point of view. That’s created challenges for hockey because instead of being able to share facilities, it’s had to have bespoke pitches,” he said.

“That works where there’s enough demand, enough money, enough interest, but in many parts of the world hockey is nothing like as popular as football and the money isn’t there to fund synthetic hockey pitches,” said Alistair, who is recognised as a world leading expert in the field.

However, behind the scenes things are happening which could have a major impact on the popularity and accessibility of hockey.

“We’ve been working with FIFA over the last 18 months and developed a joint standard for dual-use football and hockey surfaces. It’s still biased towards football with the length of fibre preventing the football from rolling too quickly on the surface, but it is still short enough for hockey to be played,” he revealed.

“The fact that it is now a FIFA publication and not one from the FIH makes it a lot better for us because it’s FIFA saying this is okay for community football and you can also play hockey. If it had come purely from the FIH, few would have listened. It offers so much potential for grassroots hockey.”

The cost of a bespoke synthetic hockey pitch is out of reach for many communities, given the number of hockey players who would use it, but a shared multi-use pitch capable of hosting a range of sports including hockey would be much more attainable for many more clubs and communities.

The other major issue surrounding the game at the elite level is that of wet pitches.

“Water is becoming a scarce commodity in many parts of the world and, environmentally, putting thousands of litres onto a plastic surface is now very difficult to justify, and it doesn’t look good.

“It’s has become a barrier to people wishing to invest in the sport in parts of the world where water is scarce. That means potentially we wouldn’t be considered a true global sport, so we have set a strategy to encourage the turf industry to develop better surfaces that can be used without water,” revealed Alastair.

“They’re probably not going to replicate fully a wet turf, but if they have enhanced performance compared to what they have been producing until now, the differences may be minimal.”

One of those issues is the ability to drag flick, some you see at penalty corners, and one of the most exciting elements of the game. “The water acts as a lubricant allowing the stick to glide across the surface. You cannot do that so well on current surfaces when they are fully dry.

“On the new surfaces, it’s sort of halfway between the two. The ball is not bobbling around on the surface as much as you see on a sand dressed or sand filled turf so that aids the control to play in a more technically skillful way. We are sure the game will develop and adapt,” he explained.

Hockey: A game reborn

Hockey: A game reborn

“As the environmental agenda becomes more relevant, players see the need, but it’s going to be challenging. If you’re an elite player and you have only played and trained on a wet turf for the last five ten years of your hockey career suddenly being told go and play on something very different will take time to adjust.”

A number of installations in the UK are embracing these new surfaces, including St Andrews University that has recently installed a dry turf pitch, with one of the reasons being the use of vast amounts of water on the pitch does not fit with their sustainability ethos. “I also would suggest that the number of dry days during the hockey season in St Andrews are going to be fairly limited and these new surfaces hold the water. So when it rains, it stays in the carpet.

“What we’re finding is some of the more elite clubs in Europe that have invested in these new surfaces, they will water the fields at the weekend for the first team and then not water them at all during the week for training, community and the juniors.

The other issue of dry pitches in hot climates is that the surface temperature of the pitches and heat stress. Major tournaments tend to be played during the summer when conditions are dry and often hot.

“That’s a dilemma. Do we do what is good for the environment and potentially compromise players welfare or do we say, actually, these are the most important events in hockey and we may think that wet turf is the solution for now?

“It’s a bit of a paradox that the countries that need the dry turf because they haven’t got the water are the countries that have the issues with the temperature.

“These are all the things that have been discussed within the FIH, while we also have to be mindful of the host committees’ environmental agendas,” he added.

Speaking with Alastair, and delving into the world of hockey pitch development, revealed a host of issues but more than that, an understanding that the work going on to ensure the best possible solution is well advanced.

Do soil analysis results determine your fertiliser plan?

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Do soil analysis results determine your fertiliser plan?: Dr Andy Owen, ICL International Technical Manager, on the science of soil testing versus the reality of turf nutrition.

For many turf professionals, soil analysis is the starting point for creating a fertiliser programme.

Do soil analysis results determine your fertiliser plan?

Do soil analysis results determine your fertiliser plan?

The process is familiar: take a soil sample, send it for analysis, and use the results to shape nutrient applications. It’s a logical approach, after all, soil tests provide valuable data on pH, nutrient levels, and soil composition.

But is that enough?

While soil analysis is an important tool, it doesn’t tell the full story of turf nutrition. Grass species, climate, and maintenance practices all influence nutrient availability, and a soil test alone won’t account for these real world factors. Understanding when and how to use soil analysis effectively is key to making smarter fertiliser decisions.

What Soil Analysis Tells You – And What It Doesn’t

A soil test provides a snapshot of the chemical composition beneath the turf, typically measuring:

  • pH levels – Extremes can impact nutrient availability.
  • Cation exchange capacity (CEC) – Indicates the soil’s ability to retain nutrients.
  • Salinity – Helps detect potential stressors.
  • Macronutrients (N, P, K) and Micronutrients – Highlights potential deficiencies or excesses.
  • Organic matter content – Affects microbial activity and soil health.

These insights help identify imbalances, but they don’t necessarily show what’s available to the plant.

Turf nutrition is more than just soil chemistry, it depends on how nutrients interact with the root system, climate, and ongoing maintenance practices.

For example:

  • A soil test might show acceptable phosphorus levels, yet if the turf exhibits deficiency symptoms, poor root uptake (not a lack of phosphorus) could be the real issue.
  • Nitrogen recommendations should be based on plant demand, not soil tests, since nitrogen is highly mobile and influenced by temperature and growth cycles.
  • Soil pH is a critical factor, correcting pH imbalances can improve nutrient availability more effectively than applying additional fertiliser, but this is not simple for all soils

So, while soil analysis provides a useful benchmark, fertiliser decisions should go beyond the numbers.

What Does the Research Say?

Agronomists and researchers agree that soil testing is most valuable when used as part of a long-term strategy rather than as a standalone guide. Studies and field experience highlight key considerations:

  • Soil analysis is most useful for tracking trends over time – One-off tests can be misleading, so repeated testing is essential for accuracy.
  • Visual assessments matter just as much as data – Turf colour, growth rate, and stress indicators provide real-time feedback on nutrient status.
  • Fertilisation should be responsive, not prescriptive – Climate conditions, aeration, and root development all affect nutrient uptake, making a flexible approach more effective.

By combining scientific analysis with practical field observations, greenkeepers can make fertiliser decisions that reflect real-world turf performance, not just lab results.

Why Do People Rely So Heavily on Soil Analysis?

The idea that soil testing directly dictates fertiliser programmes has been reinforced by a few common factors:

  • Industry Tradition – Many turf professionals are taught that soil testing is the first and most important step in fertiliser planning.
  • Simplicity – A lab report provides clear numbers, making it seem like a definitive guide to nutrient applications.
  • Supplier Influence – Some fertiliser recommendations are based on soil test results interpreted by suppliers, sometimes leading to unnecessary or imbalanced applications.

While soil testing should inform fertiliser decisions, it shouldn’t dictate them in isolation. A more dynamic, responsive approach leads to better long-term turf health.

How to Build a Smarter Fertiliser Plan

Instead of basing fertiliser applications purely on lab results, a more effective strategy considers both science and on-the-ground observations:

  • Observe turf performance – Regularly assess turf colour, growth, and stress response to identify nutrient needs.
  • Factor in environmental conditions – Climate, rainfall, and soil drainage affect nutrient availability as much as soil chemistry.
  • Use soil analysis for long-term monitoring – Track trends over time rather than making reactive decisions based on a single test.
  • Match fertiliser inputs to grass species – Different turf types have unique nutritional demands that go beyond what’s in the soil.
  • Balance fertilisation with maintenance – Aeration, irrigation, and organic matter management all influence how well nutrients are absorbed.

This approach ensures that fertiliser inputs are aligned with real turf needs, rather than simply following numbers from a report.

Balancing Science with Practical Turf Management

Soil analysis is a valuable tool, but it’s not the whole story. Fertiliser planning requires a mix of scientific data, turf observations, and agronomic expertise to make informed decisions.

Rather than treating soil test results as a prescription, they should be seen as one piece of a larger strategy, working alongside field knowledge, environmental conditions, and real world turf performance.

At ICL, we believe in evidence based fertiliser planning, using soil data as part of a bigger picture, not the sole deciding factor. By taking a balanced approach, turf professionals can achieve long-term health and resilience, not just short-term corrections.

Top man for a top job

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Top man for a top job: Scott MacCallum heads to the Scottish Trossachs to catch up with an old friend in a new job.

When a top job becomes available you know that, within the upper echelons of the industry involved, there will be a rush to polish CVs and Google the trendiest, most up-to-the-moment interview questions.

Top man for a top job

Top man for a top job

There are a few roles which would be at the top of many sports turf manager’s wish list and very high among those would be that of Director of Golf Course and Estate at Loch Lomond Golf Club.

Loch Lomond is one of those special places with a mystique borne out of the fact that for many golfers, it was only when the gates were opened for the Solheim Cup in 2000 and successive Scottish Opens from 1997 to 2010, that they could appreciate first hand the stunning layout and immaculate conditioning. It brings new meaning to the word “exclusive”.

So, when the job was advertised last year the jungle drums were beating. So loud, in fact, that they could be heard across the Atlantic in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Lee Strutt is a man who has never settled for the status quo. In fact, he could be seen as the poster boy for Norman Tebbit’s mantra, back in 1981, when he encouraged everyone to “get on your bike” and better themselves.

In the 30 years that I’ve known him, Lee has been responsible for Richmond Golf Club, in London; the GWest Project in Perthshire; the RAC Club in Epsom; Les Bordes Golf Club in southwest of Paris; and Cabot Cape Breton in Canada.

“None of my moves had ever been pre-planned, they were opportunistic and when I saw the Loch Lomond job being advertised, I knew that it had never been advertised before making it a unique opportunity,” said Lee, adding that he had been happy and content what he was doing in Canada

“I’m never upset by rejection. Quite often people will look at my career and think that I’ve had nothing but success. However, they haven’t seen all the jobs I’ve applied for, didn’t get a response, or got a response which was, ‘No thank you’.”

And before you ask. Lee never left any role with his tail between his legs. His work ethic, professionalism and general decency meant his departing employers were always as sorry to see him leave as his new employers were pleased to have acquired his services.

Lee had been told by a number of people that if he ever had the opportunity to work with Loch Lomond’s General Manager, John Blanch, he should take it.

“I’d heard so many good things about John from his time at Wentworth and then here that I reached out to him on Linkedin before applying for the job,” he said, adding that Ken Seims, long time Loch Lomond head man, was someone he identified as a mentor, while he was also extremely close to David Cole, the man who he was to replace, having himself moved onto an exciting new project near St Andrews.

One Teams call and an in-person on-site interview later and Lee’s ambition was being fulfilled.

“The question is always do you tell a panel what they want to hear or are you true to yourself and outline what you actually believe,” said Lee, of his second interview which came a few hours after he had had the opportunity to walk the golf course.

“I thought, no actually I’m going to tell them exactly what I’m going to do if I get the job.”

His approach worked. Having clinched the role, it appears to be the perfect fit. The country’s top rated inland golf course and a Director of Golf Course and Estate who not only has a passport as well-worn as that of Michael Palin, but also had time to become the only turf manager in the world to have the top greenkeeping distinctions from the top four greenkeeping associations – Master Greenkeeper from BIGGA, the top award from the GCSAA, the Canadian Master Superintendent and the Australian CSTM.

“I’m the only person with all four, although a good friend of mine from the States, Matt Gourley, should be joining me this year. I’m looking forward to celebrating with him becoming the second person to join the club!”

So, if you find yourself in your dream role, at a golf course which has ticked every box since the day it opened, what is left for you to do to make a positive impact? Standards are so high that improvements can be very hard to find.

One of the questions he had been asked was what does 30, 60, 90 days look like?

“I said that I’d spend the first 30 days getting to know people and to understand how they work. People – staff – are a really important component to me. The next 30 days were looking at our operations – what we’re doing on the estate, management processes, our equipment, some of the ambitions of the past. The last 30 days were about what we do going forward,” he explained.

Top man for a top job

Top man for a top job

“This is what I did and then at the end of my 90 days I sat down with John (Blanch) and said, this is what I see going forward. I’m looking at the agronomy, I’m looking at the presentation, I’m looking at our people.”

Given that he has gathered huge experience from around the world what has he taken from his time outside of the UK?

“I guess what I have learnt and developed is to communicate better and articulate what we need to do as well as I can. I keep saying to the team here that I’ve got three principles which I have carried through my career. They are transparency, respect, and trust. Without any one of those, it doesn’t work.”

While he believes his goals are in line with most top golf course managers, he does feel that there are many different ways of achieving those goals. “Everyone is different. I really like data. We have a weekly agronomic meeting where we look at all our data, green speeds, fertility, operations, trying to identify what our sweet spots look like.

“I don’t actually look at all the positives. I’m not wowed by the scenery and how beautiful this is. Because my job is all about what’s not right.”

Taking from the analogy of marginal gains, as preached by Dave Brailsford when he was head of British Cycling, and Formula One teams, Lee explained his philosophy.

“If you went to work for Formula One they’re not saying, ’Oh look at the lovely car, it’s all so shining’, It’s all about where can you save a tenth of a tenth? What needs to be done to motivate the team when changing tyres?

“That’s what I do. I focus on everything that’s not right,” said Lee, who admitted that since he started last August, he had yet to play the golf course, claiming he wouldn’t get past the 1st without finding something he wasn’t happy with.

So, let’s have an example of how his approach works on a day-to-day basis.

“We’ve revisited our agronomic approach and decided to strip it right back and rebuild, instead of turning around and saying, ‘Well in the past X, Y and Z was done.’ Let’s assume we don’t need to apply X, Y and Z and see what happens.

“So, we’re now learning about what actually the site wants and needs and then delivering it. You are not being influenced by a previous approach, even if it was that which got the course to an outstanding level. It is all about focusing on continuous improvement,” said Lee, who attributes Adrian Archer, former Course Manager of Broadstone Golf Club, in Poole, as the man who set him on his greenkeeping path and, in particular, pushed him into attending Sparsholt College.

“Sometimes you have to go back and look at that recipe and go, that recipe’s good. How do I improve it? Or sometimes it’s a case of stripping something right back and rebuilding it. You might get to the point where the results are the same, but there’s now a greater potential for further improvement.”

Loch Lomond was designed by the great Tom Weiskopf and opened in 1993 and while it has always been a majestic golf course it was challenged by the eye-wateringly high rainfall levels endured by local residents, Loch Lomond’s members and staff. The joke about locals having developed webbed feet comes from an average of two and a half metres of rain per annum and is not totally fanciful!

Over recent years, and before Lee’s time, the club invested £7.5 million to sand cap the entire site.

“They did a phenomenal job with the sand capping. It was started before Covid and completed in 2022. A new irrigation system has also been installed,” said Lee.

“However, it’s only part of that silver bullet because what has happened is that you’ve added an inert sand and we’ve got to change that sand into more of a root zone so it’s not so inert.

You need more biology and that’s something that we’re working on now.

“How we can evolve the plant to benefit from all that sand capping and for the plant to grow and to grow to be happy. So that’s one of our programmes that we’re working on, and it will help fine-tune presentation and playability.”

Top man for a top job

Top man for a top job

What constitutes success for Lee?

“That is a brutal question. I was chatting to a guy yesterday and we were talking about how do you get to a state of satisfaction? I do think that satisfaction is the closest I can get to success.

“If I have maxed out on all the opportunities to make things better, that to me would be satisfaction and would mean that I’ve succeeded.

Another area where he is seeking to make improvements is in the facility for the 38 members of his team – which includes six in the garden team, three in the workshop and the rest on the golf course.

“When I arrived, I thought that our facility of workshops, offices and mess room, built from breeze block, looked very austere. So, I’m working to improve things. I’ve got pictures of the team members up on the walls, while I’ve got hold of two fabulous leather armchairs for this room. I’m also having a table specially built from wood from the course for meetings, while the chairs are ideal for one-to one chats with staff, talking to reps etc,” said Lee, as he and I tested the comfort levels of the chairs.

Lee has inherited an extremely fine group of people, who have bought into his three values – remember, transparency, respect and trust – while he is also keen to encourage those looking to change career to join the industry.

“I’ve got a guy in my team that used to run building sites. He now works for us. I’ve got a guy that used to repair submarines. He now works for us. I’ve got a guy that spent 17 years as a court officer. He’s now greenkeeping, and a guy who spent five years as a video editor. He said that he just wanted to scratch that itch. They all have a work ethic,” said Lee.

“The issue with school kids is they don’t know anything different, so they can start greenkeeping and then wonder if they should try something else? Whereas the people that have got a past career, they’ve got something to associate and they’ve had enough time to think that they want more of this and less of that.

“I would say we, as an industry, need to find a means whereby we can say to people out there who had had a first career, that we can give you an opportunity for a second career.”

Speaking with Lee you quickly sense that here is a man who has got his teeth well into his new role and that he won’t stop until he finds satisfaction… which you suspect will always just sit tantalisingly outside of his grasp.

So, it is fair assumption that while Lee was absolutely delighted to have heard the sound of those jungle drums all the way in Canada last year, he won’t be listening out for them again any time soon.

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

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Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health: By ICL’s Henry Bechelet. A Greenkeeper’s Reality: The Battle Against Stress

You’ve been here before.

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

A long, dry spell stretches on, and the greens start showing signs of stress – wilting, thinning, roots struggling to reach deeper for moisture. Then,
just as relief comes in the form of rain, it brings a new challenge: soft, unpredictable surfaces, weakened turf, and patchy recovery.

In these moments, turf resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential. Stronger roots mean faster recovery, better stress tolerance, and consistently high-quality playing surfaces. And for years, greenkeepers have turned to seaweed extracts to support plant health.

But here’s the thing: not all seaweed based biostimulants are the same. The difference isn’t just in the seaweed itself – it’s in how its powerful compounds are extracted.

Why SMX is Different: Science, Innovation, and Sustainability

ICL, in partnership with Acadian Seaplants – the world leader in seaweed technology – has developed SMX, a scientifically engineered seaweed biostimulant designed to
enhance turf performance from the roots up. With cutting-edge extraction methods, a commitment to sustainability, and proven results, SMX isn’t just another seaweed extract. It’s a smarter approach to turf management.

The Science Behind SMX: Why Extraction Matters

Not all seaweed extracts deliver the same results. For decades, seaweed has been used in turf management. But how it’s processed determines whether its most beneficial compounds reach the plant in a usable form.

There’s a common belief that cold-pressed seaweed is always superior. It’s a nice idea, but the reality is more complex. Research shows that different extraction
methods yield different benefits – some unlock higher levels of bioactive compounds than others.

Alkaline Extraction: A Proven Advantage

Independent trials, including those led by Dr. Andy Owen and the ICL team, have demonstrated that alkaline extracted seaweed can significantly enhance root length and volume – key factors in improving turf resilience.

Here’s why it matters:

  • Better root initiation – SMX helps roots establish faster and deeper, providing stronger anchorage and access to moisture.
  • Enhanced stress tolerance – Turf treated with SMX recovers more effectively from drought, wear, and disease.
  • Improved nutrient uptake – Healthier roots mean better absorption of essential nutrients, supporting long-term turf quality. It’s not about saying one method is always better than another – it’s about understanding what actually works in turf management. And SMX is backed by real-world trials.

What Sets SMX Apart?

Specialist expertise from Acadian Seaplants. Acadian Seaplants is a global leader in sustainable seaweed harvesting and extraction technology.

By partnering with Acadian, ICL combines world-class seaweed innovation with its own expertise in turf agronomy, ensuring SMX delivers real, measurable benefits.

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

Extraction that works for turf, not just for labels:

  • SMX’s alkaline extraction process enhances the availability of plant growth regulators and stress response compounds.
  • Trials confirm that SMX-treated turf recovers faster from drought, wear, and disease, helping greenkeepers maintain high performance playing surfaces.

Real-World Results, Proven by Science

Independent research shows that SMX:

  • Increases root initiation
  • Strengthens turf against environmental stress
  • Improves long-term resilience on golf courses, stadiums, and sports pitches.

Sustainable Innovation: The SMX Commitment

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a responsibility. Acadian Seaplants ensures every harvest is carried out responsibly, using satellite imaging and drone technology to monitor seaweed bed regrowth. This protects marine ecosystems while ensuring a continuous, high-quality supply of seaweed.

For greenkeepers, choosing SMX means choosing a product that supports turf health and respects the environment.

SMX: The Next Step in Turf Management

Greenkeeping isn’t just about managing grass – it’s about understanding how to give turf the best possible foundation to thrive.

With increasing environmental challenges, greenkeepers need proven, research-backed solutions – not just marketing claims. SMX is more than just another seaweed extract.

It’s the next step in root health, stress resilience, and sustainable turf management.

Are you ready for the SMX difference? Contact us to learn how ICL and Acadian Seaplants are setting new standards in turf management.