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GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

April 13, 2026/in Events, News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand GroundsFest Academy recently delivered another highly successful educational event with its Understanding Profiles: Sands, Soils, Rootzones and Gravels day, in partnership with Mansfield Sand. Designed as a practical, end-to-end learning experience, the free, CPD accredited event brought together professionals from across the industry to deepen their understanding […]

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

April 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit In the run up to Earth Day, Frilford Heath Golf Club has hosted a Water & Sustainability Summit, bringing together leaders from across the UK golf industry to help the club plan a water strategy for a dramatically changing climate. Water usage and conservation have become critical issues for […]

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

April 13, 2026/in Events, News, Press Release/by Admin

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

April 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

April 13, 2026/in Events, News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

GroundsFest Academy recently delivered another highly successful educational event with its Understanding Profiles: Sands, Soils, Rootzones and Gravels day, in partnership with Mansfield Sand.

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

Designed as a practical, end-to-end learning experience, the free, CPD accredited event brought together professionals from across the industry to deepen their understanding of the materials that form the foundation of natural turf sports surfaces.

From the outset, the day focused on building knowledge from the ground up. Attendees explored where sand comes from, how particle shape and grading influence performance, and why not all sands are suitable for sport. Sessions then moved into more applied topics, including sand specification, interpreting lab reports, and understanding the balance between drainage and stability across different sports such as football, rugby, golf and cricket.

A key theme throughout the day was confidence. By breaking down complex topics such as soil texture, organic matter content, and the differences between natural topsoil and manufactured rootzones, the event aimed to give attendees the knowledge they need to make better decisions in their own roles. Discussions around fibre sands and reinforced rootzones also challenged common misconceptions, offering practical insights into stability, divoting and recovery.

One of the standout elements of the day was the behind-the-scenes quarry tour at Mansfield Sand. Delegates were given a rare opportunity to see the full journey of sand production, from extraction through to washing, drying, screening and final quality control.

For many attendees, the quarry tour was a genuine eye-opener. Joshua Foster of RC Solutions Pitch Care Ltd explained how it changed his perspective: “We went to the Mansfield quarry, and they showed us how they produce the sand from what you see in the ground to the finished product. I learnt that not all sand comes from sandstone – it actually comes out of the ground as sand. That was something I didn’t know before.”

Importantly, the day wasn’t just about theory. Attendees were encouraged to think about how they could apply what they had learned. Joshua added: “We’re already thinking about how we do things differently, like whether we apply sand before aeration rather than after. It’s about taking that knowledge back and improving what we do.”

The diversity of attendees also played a big role in the day’s success. Grounds professionals from football clubs, racecourses, cricket clubs, colleges and contractors all came together, creating a valuable environment for shared learning and networking.

Daniel Cooper, Clerk of the Course at Haydock Park Racecourse, emphasised the importance of understanding the materials he works with. “We use rootzones, sand and fibresand, so we wanted to know more about the product we’re buying,” he said. “The quarry tour was really interesting, seeing how it all gets processed before it reaches us. The key takeaway for me is to always get the tech sheet and understand exactly what product you’re using.”

Similarly, Stephen Sargent of Derby County Football Club found the experience both insightful and engaging. “To see the different sands we use was really useful,” he said. “It’s my first event like this and I’ll definitely be doing more.”

For others, the event reinforced the value of continuous learning. Rod Heyhoe of Lightcliffe Cricket Club, who has spent decades in the game, summed it up perfectly: “You are never too old to learn. You pick something up every time. Events like this are so important because it’s about increasing knowledge and talking to like-minded people.”

The welcoming and accessible nature of the day was also widely praised. Tammy Tidmarsh of Long Rake Spar described it as “fantastic” and highlighted how valuable it was to learn about specifications and standards in a practical setting. “Without events like this, we wouldn’t be able to learn more about the products, the standards and the processes. It’s vital,” she said.

As the day concluded with a Q&A and key takeaways session, one message was clear: understanding what lies beneath the surface is essential for success in turf management. By combining expert-led sessions with real-world experiences, GroundsFest Academy continues to provide valuable opportunities for education, collaboration and professional development.

With more events planned throughout the year, this hands-on approach to learning is proving to be a winning formula for the industry.

The free sustainability assessment tool is now available at www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

April 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

In the run up to Earth Day, Frilford Heath Golf Club has hosted a Water & Sustainability Summit, bringing together leaders from across the UK golf industry to help the club plan a water strategy for a dramatically changing climate.

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Water usage and conservation have become critical issues for golf clubs across the UK; with recent government and Water UK estimates suggesting that £60 billion is required nationwide for reservoir investment to prevent significant water shortages by 2035.

The water summit at FHGC served as a landmark occasion to examine how the 450-acre estate near Oxford, which is GEO-certified, can lead the way in sustainable course management. GEO Certification is a globally recognised benchmark for sustainable golf operations, issued by the Golf Environment Organisation.

Kevin Murray, Chairman of Frilford Heath Golf Club, commented: “Our Board is constantly analysing wider trends and demographics to maintain our position as one of England’s great golf club experiences, and being able to present excellent courses on a consistent basis is one of the biggest challenges we face in a climate that often gives you very wet winters and hot, dry summers.

“The experts at our Water & Sustainability Summit offered reassurance that we are on the correct path. They were able to show us that we are well-positioned to manage our own water resources now and in the future.”

The club continues to undertake significant actions to ensure the estate remains weather-resistant, supported by a recent £2.6 million investment across its three championship courses.

Worryingly, the industry experts believe not enough golf clubs are taking proactive action to manage the climate challenges ahead. In this testing landscape, they believed Frilford Heath is in the top 5% of golf clubs in the UK for its proactive management of water resources.

They cited the club’s success in precision resource management, headlined by a purpose-built on-site reservoir that stores winter rainfall for use during summer months. This infrastructure is further supported by new, app-controlled TORO irrigation systems on the championship Red and Blue Courses at the club.

The forum was attended by a select group of industry stakeholders, including England Golf, the sport’s governing body for amateur golf, BIGGA, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, Irritech, independent irrigation consultants, Agrovista, agronomy and crop protection experts, and Toro, a global golf course equipment supplier.

Paul Sheather, Director of Courses & Estates, added: “Water conservation and sustainability are top priorities for Frilford Heath. Balancing course conditions with the expectations of members and customers is challenging given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. But, working together, employing best management practices and investing in innovative solutions puts us in the best position possible.”

Set within 450 acres of naturally beautiful heathland terrain that includes a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Frilford Heath remains one of England’s favourite golf destinations. The club was recently selected by the R&A to host this year’s Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur Championships.

Summit attendee Andy Brown, Senior Sales Manager/Global Business Development at TORO, and club member, said: “This was an important opportunity to engage on the practical challenges of water security and long-term land management. As a long-standing member, I have a personal interest in seeing the courses maintained to the highest levels; and from a professional standpoint, it is vital to see how clubs can successfully align operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.”

Chairman Kevin Murray said the club is now discussing hosting a wider industry summit of experts and golf club managers to further the industry’s ability to manage challenging water issues.

For further information about the club, visit: www.frilfordheath.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

GroundsFest Academy Hosts Successful Event with Mansfield Sand

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

Frilford hosts water and sustainability summit

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