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Seven Solutions for Water Sustainability

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Seven Solutions for Water Sustainability: Syngenta Golf has published a new in-depth feature on the critical challenge golf course businesses face to become water sustainable.

Featuring seven solutions and case studies from Arizona and California to Spain and Italy, leading voices and superintendents share their insights.

Seven Solutions for Water Sustainability

Seven Solutions for Water Sustainability

With 2025 already set to be one of the three warmest years on record, global water scarcity is now an existential threat to many golf businesses.

And with AI (Artificial Intelligence) expected to double or quadruple its demand for water to cool thermoelectric power plants by 2028, industry and agriculture will be the big users competing for supplies.

Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape for Syngenta, said: “We know from our groundbreaking global social media study analyzing 16.1 million social media posts and comments worldwide that the perception of golf courses in relation to sustainability is highly negative, especially when courses are irrigating during heat waves and droughts.

“What this feature highlights are both the misconceptions and misinformation surrounding golf and sustainability, but also how golf course businesses need to better communicate their irrigation strategies and actions – as well as the wider sustainability benefits they bring to communities, including economic and social benefits.

The new feature follows the launch of Syngenta’s mini-documentary series The Green Report, showcasing leading golf courses’ approach to environmental sustainability around the world.

The series begins with a compelling three-part feature at this year’s Ryder Cup host venue, Bethpage State Park in New York, where water collected from an old landfill site is treated and used to supplement irrigation.

Explore New Feature: How Golf Can Become Water Sustainable

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Headline speakers for Learning LIVE

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Headline speakers for Learning LIVE: Following a record-breaking 2024 edition that delivered over 19 hours of expert-led content to more than 1,000 attendees, the UK’s largest free educational programme in grounds management returns to the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 November 2025.

This year’s programme promises real-world insights for grounds professionals and volunteers at every level. With CPD-accredited sessions, brand new cutting-edge topics and industry legends sharing their expertise, Learning LIVE is a must-attend feature of SALTEX 2025.

Headline speakers for Learning LIVE

Headline speakers for Learning LIVE

The programme has been more precisely tailored than ever, with sessions designed to meet the genuine needs of groundspeople. In fact, many visitors cite Learning LIVE as a key reason for attending the show.

Meet the Headliners:

Alan Ferguson, FIFA Senior Pitch Management Manager, kicks off with a deep dive into ‘The preparation and delivery of FIFA 2026 World Cup’. With nearly 50 years of experience, having overseen 23 FIFA tournaments across all six confederations and more than 1,000 stadium games globally, Alan will share exclusive insights from pitch research at Tennessee and Michigan State Universities, plus a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

“I’m really looking forward to speaking at SALTEX and sharing some of the behind-the-scenes insights into the preparation and delivery of the FIFA 2026 World Cup,” said Alan.

“It’s a unique challenge working across three countries with different climates and pitch technologies, so I’ll be touching on everything from hybrid stitching innovations to learnings from recent tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup.

“Events like SALTEX are so important because they make high-quality, real-world education accessible to everyone in the industry – and that’s something I’m proud to support.”

Making his SALTEX debut, Graeme Beatt, Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Club, will deliver ‘Course success at the 153rd Open Championship’. Discover how Dunluce Links’ was prepared for this year’s Open Championship and the changes and challenges experienced since the event was last hosted at Royal Portrush six years ago.

Sustainability in Focus:

A standout panel tackles ‘Future-proofing turf management: Water resilience in a changing climate’, featuring:

  • Tony Hanson, Managing Director – Environmental Solutions International
  • Roger Davey, Managing Director – Irritech Limited
  • Mark Hunt, Technical Specialist – Prodata Weather Systems

Visitors can expect practical strategies on irrigation innovation, alternative water sources and weather-driven planning – all designed to help you build a resilient water strategy.

Funding for the Future:

Jack Matthews, Director of Programmes at the Football Foundation, shares the latest on multi-sport facility funding in ‘The Football Foundation’s multi-sport funding strategy’. From grassroots to national initiatives, Jack’s session is essential for community clubs and volunteers seeking funding to transform local sports facilities.

UEFA Insights & Hybrid Innovation:

A firm favourite at SALTEX, Lee Guerriero, Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert at UEFA, returns with ‘UEFA Champions League, Nations League final & Women’s EURO 2025 pitch preparations’. Lee, who manages UEFA’s pitch support programmes for major club and national competitions, has contributed to global events including the Olympics, FIFA World Cups and UEFA’s VAR and goal-line technology programmes.

He says: “I’ll be sharing insights from some of UEFA’s biggest recent events, including the Champions League and the upcoming Women’s EURO 2025. SALTEX is a brilliant platform for sharing that knowledge with the wider industry, and the fact that it’s freely accessible makes it even more valuable for those working hard behind the scenes.”

Finally, Neil Rodger, Principal Project Manager at STRI Group, rounds off the programme with ‘The pros and cons of different hybrid pitch surfaces’. Neil is an experienced consultant whose portfolio includes designing Saudi Arabia’s first turf horse racetrack and advising on elite football surfaces in the UK and internationally.

“SALTEX creates a rare space where grounds professionals can access top-class, free education, and I’m pleased to be part of a programme that supports learning across all levels of the industry,” says Neil.

“Hybrid pitches have come a long way in recent years, but understanding the differences is still a challenge for many clubs. I’ll be breaking down the pros and cons of each, with a practical focus on what’s right for different budgets and usage levels.”

SALTEX’s Learning LIVE is the largest dedicated learning programme in the grounds sector – and it’s completely free! Join us at the NEC, Birmingham, on 12-13 November 2025.

Register now and power up your skills with expert-led sessions that shape the future of grounds management. Everyone who has registered will be entered into a prize draw to win a Cramer Tools All Terrain Lawn Mower ATM53A, complete with charger and battery, worth £2,240!

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Win a Robotic Line Marker for a Year

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Win a Robotic Line Marker for a Year: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) is inviting grounds professionals, turf managers, and sports contractors to attend a free, exclusive Line Marking Demonstration Day this July. Attendees will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win the use of a TinyLineMarker robotic line marker completely free of charge for one year.

Taking place in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 23 July, and Glasgow on Thursday, 24 July, these free-to-attend events will provide a firsthand look at the UK’s leading GPS-guided robotic line marking technology.

Win a Robotic Line Marker for a Year

Win a Robotic Line Marker for a Year

OAS is the exclusive UK distributor of the TinyLineMarker line marking robot and supplies a comprehensive range of robotic and pedestrian line marking machines, paints and accessories to the UK sports turf industry. The Demonstration Days will feature live demonstrations, access to product specialists, and an opportunity to explore a full range of solutions suitable for stadiums, schools, clubs and local authorities.

Delegates will see the TinyLineMarker in action and learn how this state-of-the-art robotic technology delivers precision, consistency and significant time savings for turf professionals working across all levels of sport.

Event Details

Edinburgh
Wednesday 23 July
Oriam, Heriot-Watt University Campus, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS
9.00am to 2.30pm

Glasgow
Thursday 24 July
Cambuslang Rugby and Sports Club, Langlea Road, Cambuslang, Glasgow, G72 8FH
9.00am to 2.30pm

Each event includes hands-on demonstrations, expert advice from OAS product specialists, complimentary refreshments, lunch, and valuable networking opportunities.

Whether managing elite-level sports pitches or local community playing fields, these demonstration days will provide practical insights into the latest line marking innovations, backed by nationwide technical support and customer service from Origin Amenity Solutions.

To reserve a place and enter the prize draw to win the use of a robotic line marker for a year, visit:

Edinburgh event – https://tinymobilerobots.com/en_gb/demo-day-with-origin-heriot-watt-university/

Glasgow event – https://tinymobilerobots.com/en_gb/demo-day-with-origin-at-cambuslang/

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

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GreenTek an exclusive distributor for Sweep-N-Fill brush

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GreenTek an exclusive distributor for Sweep-N-Fill brush: GreenTek Solutions Ltd is proud to announce its appointment as the Exclusive UK Distributor for the highly regarded Sweep-N-Fill Mk3 topdressing brush. The product will be available for demonstration and purchase through GreenTek’s national network of Key Dealers.

Designed with input from leading turf professionals and refined over years of development, the Sweep-N-Fill Mk3 has become the gold standard in efficient, high-performance topdressing. Its hallmark feature—two soft, flexible contra-rotating brushes driven directly by ground wheels—delivers consistent results at any operating speed. This unique design enables greenkeepers to fill core holes in fewer passes, using significantly less sand, while producing a smooth, even surface that’s ready for play.

GreenTek an exclusive distributor for Sweep-N-Fill brush

GreenTek an exclusive distributor for Sweep-N-Fill brush

“This is a product that directly solves the practical needs of turf professionals,” said Jeff Anguige, Business Development Director at GreenTek. “With budgets tight and expectations high, the Sweep-N-Fill Mk3 provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for quickly reinstating greens after aeration and topdressing.”

The Sweep-N-Fill’s two contra-rotating brushes floating independently, allowing it to follow undulations across greens, tees, and approaches. The electric lift ram and adjustable tow hitch allow compatibility with a wide range of lightweight power units, from utility vehicles to greensmowers and bunker rakes—offering unmatched versatility and manoeuvrability.

Beyond topdressing, the Sweep-N-Fill also grooms turf, removing grain, lifting lateral shoots, and encouraging healthier, more upright growth. These grooming benefits promote a faster, truer ball roll—the key characteristics of elite-level playing conditions.

Jeff Anguige added, “We’re excited that this top product is now available again to golf courses throughout the UK and Ireland. Whether it’s cleaning up aerified greens, brushing in heavy dressings, or improving surface consistency, Sweep-N-Fill Mk3 delivers on every level. It’s a fantastic addition to our portfolio.”

Other key features include a vertical storage stand to save space in machinery sheds, and the ability to fill divots on tees and range areas just as effectively as on greens. Built for professionals who demand the highest performance, the Sweep-N-Fill Mk3 sets the benchmark in topdressing equipment.

For more information or to book a demonstration, contact your local GreenTek Key Dealer or visit www.greentek.uk.com.

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries.

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The Amenity Forum competition, supported by ICL and Syngenta, seeks to share guidance and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

You could be a lawncare professional in Essex, working on a golf course from Glasgow to Perranporth, treating roadsides or railways in York, or spraying grounds in Cardiff – all are welcome to apply

The Awards’ finalists will be announced at the Amenity Forum Conference in October, with the overall winner presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME in January 2026.

Amenity businesses and sports turf managers are urged to actively encourage their sprayer operators to enter the awards this year.

All ASOOTY applicants will also be entered into a competition to win one of five Syngenta Sprayer Calibration & Application Kits.

Along with assessing operators’ skills of spray application and use of products, the ASOOTY judging panel also now incorporate the importance of an integrated turf management (ITM) approach to any issues involving turf and landscape maintenance.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2025 Awards, Amenity Forum Chairman, Ian Graham, announced: “This competition seeks to highlight the remarkable talent that exists within our sector, and I encourage as many spray operators as possible to engage with the process.

“Our industry has many highly skilled spray operators working within it, using a diverse range of products accurately applied through a huge range of complex application equipment. Past winners have ably demonstrated the professional approach to meeting  these challenges.”

Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, highlighted: “The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications is essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry.

“The ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience,” he says.

Last year’s winner, Peter Pattenden, professional spray technician at Carden Park Golf Resort in, Cheshire encourages all sprayer operators to get involved and enter the ASOOTY Awards. Even at a relatively young age, his understanding of the spraying process and exemplary commitment to achieving consistent accuracy was evident.

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative, with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it provides a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application across the amenity sector,” he points out.

The entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector through an initial on-line question form, including questions to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

It’s seeking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application

Entries to the ASOOTY Awards 2025 closes on Friday 12 September. The on-line entry form is available at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DB9LCNS

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