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Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

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Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), Reesink Turfcare and Toro have revealed the winners of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2025 at a spectacular event at Rudding Park in North Yorkshire.

Two talented greenkeepers were rewarded at the 36th Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards, cementing their place among an illustrious list of past winners.

Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

Bradley Taylor, student at Myerscough College, and Matthew Strutt Donnelly, who attends Berkshire College of Agriculture, emerged victorious after impressing judges across a series of assessments designed to test their knowledge, skill and passion for greenkeeping.

Bradley, first assistant at Beau Desert Golf Club, in Staffordshire, was awarded the main Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year prize, while Matthew, an apprentice at Stoneham Golf Club, in Hampshire, secured the Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year award.

Following regional judging earlier in the year, eight finalists were selected to compete in the finals at Rudding Park, near Harrogate.

Over two days, they undertook a range of practical and theoretical tests, from seed and grass identification to presentations and interviews, giving them a platform to showcase their expertise and enthusiasm for the industry.

Jamie Beattie, assistant greenkeeper at Royal Liverpool, was the runner-up for the main award, with fellow Myerscough College student and Parkstone apprentice Oli Badger claiming that spot in the Young category.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will return in 2026.

More information, including how to nominate a student greenkeeper and the prizes on offer, is available on the BIGGA and Reesink Turfcare websites.

You can see a list of the previous Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award winners here.

Quotes

Bradley Taylor, Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2025

“I was straight on the phone to my girlfriend. I shed a little tear when I spoke to her; it was just a moment of realisation setting in. I’d been carrying that trophy around, it’s so heavy, and I was still all tensed up. Speaking to her was like, ‘I’ve done this now, the hard work has paid off’. I was also lucky to have a few people I know up here to share it with too.”

Matthew Strutt Donnelly, Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2025

“The first time I went to BTME, I went to the Young Greenkeepers’ Conference and there was a segment about Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year with previous winners talking about it. I remember thinking, ‘I could do something like that, I want to put myself forward’. So I did, and here we are.”

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare and main award judge

“This year’s finalists all brought something different to the competition, making being a judge a tough job. The range of perspectives, qualities and strengths on display were of a very high standard. Bradley though had the edge. He demonstrated a wealth of talent, delivered a fantastic presentation, and showed us an in-depth knowledge of the field in his interview. It was interesting and gratifying to see how dedicated he is and his passion for the industry. Well done, Bradley!”

David Timms, National Accounts Manager for Reesink Turfcare and Young award judge

“Matthew is a deserving winner. He shone on the course walk, with his personal project and in the exam and grass identification, but what gave him the edge was his confidence. He’s hungry for it and that made all the judges really excited for his future and what he might achieve. He’s a fantastic ambassador for young greenkeepers and his club, and we’re excited to watch him progress in the industry.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO

“Congratulations to Bradley Taylor and Matthew Strutt Donnelly, two very worthy winners among an exceptionally strong list of finalists. The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards have again proven to be an inspirational occasion, and I would like to thank our friends at Reesink Turfcare and Toro for a memorable event. Seeing the calibre of the finalists fills me with optimism for the future of our industry.”

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Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

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Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026: Organisers of The MENA TURF SHOW are delighted to announce that registration is officially open for the 2026 event, scheduled for Friday 17 April 2026, at the prestigious Park Hyatt Dubai.

Celebrating its impact on turf, landscaping, and green space management across the Middle East and North Africa, The MENA TURF SHOW brings together industry leaders, specialists, and decision-makers for a powerful day of innovation, education, and collaboration.

Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

“We are thrilled to open registration for this year’s MENA TURF SHOW,” said Nick Brown of Campey Turf Care Systems. “The UAE region has lacked a dedicated event where professionals can meet, connect, and exchange knowledge—until now. With a perfect spring date and the iconic Park Hyatt Dubai venue, we’re focused on driving conversations around sustainability, turf science, smart irrigation, and best practices specific to our regional climate.”

2026 MENA TURF SHOW Highlights:

• Expert-led sessions bringing education that can transform how we care for sports surfaces and
landscapes in this unique environment
• Networking with top suppliers, contractors, groundskeepers, and golf/sports turf managers
• Exclusive insights on regional challenges

Secure your place now for an event not to be missed!

Venue: Hall: Creek A, Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE
Date: 17 April 2026

Register or learn more: www.themeanturfshow.com

Stay up to date—follow us on social media with #MENATurfShow2026 for insights, speaker announcements, and exhibitor reveals.

Connect. Discover. Grow. See you at The MENA TURF SHOW in Dubai on 17 April 2026.

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Makita’s versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy

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Makita’s versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy: Makita has introduced its new SKR001 Rechargeable Rotary Laser that makes levelling and alignment simple. With impressive range diameter capabilities and flexible charging options, the Rotary Laser provides outstanding accuracy, enhanced visibility, and convenience for trade professionals undertaking levelling tasks.

The SKR001 delivers a measuring range of up to 800 meters in diameter when used with the laser receiver and provides horizontal and vertical accuracy of ±0.5mm and ±0.75mm per 10m respectively. With automatic self-levelling capabilities within ±5°, and manual slope adjustment, the new rotary laser allows for quick setup and consistent, high-precision layout work on large sites.

Makita's versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy

Makita’s versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy

Thanks to its green laser beam, visibility is significantly improved over red laser models, especially in bright daylight conditions. Users can select from static, or three rotation speeds: 150, 300, 600 rpm and three scan angles: 10°, 20°, 30° depending on application needs, adding to the tool’s adaptability and versatility.

The SKR001 is extremely flexible given it is compatible with three Makita battery platforms, CXT (12V), LXT (18V) and XGT (40V) can all be used to power the laser when fitted with the respective battery tray options. The Rotary Laser also comes equipped with a Bluetooth remote control (RC1) for operation up to 100 meters and features auto shut off and anti-drift systems to maintain laser integrity. Run time is equally impressive, with up to 160 hours of continuous use with a 40VMax 4.0Ah XGT battery, ensuring minimal downtime.

Built for real-world jobsite durability, this Rotary Laser features IP67-rated protection against dust and water, as well as shock-absorbing rubber bumpers to safeguard the unit from drops of up to 2 meters. Weighing only 4kg (without battery), it is a manageable weight yet sturdy enough for demanding and daily professional use.

“With a green beam to provide clear visibility and its multi-platform battery support, the SKR001 sets a new benchmark for cordless rotary lasers. It’s a must-have for professionals looking for flexibility and high performance,” commented Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita.

The SKR001 is supplied with an 18V LXT battery tray holder as standard.

For more information about the SKR001 and Makita’s full range of cordless machines, visit: www.makitauk.com.

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ZLine bunkers at The Rose

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ZLine bunkers at The Rose: The Rose is a new golf club, located close to the city of Athens in Georgia, due to open in 2026, and being developed by two-time All American and 2001 Walker Cupper Nick Cassini and his brother Dimitri, and designed by Oklahoma-based architect Tripp Davis. And The Rose’s bunkers are being lined using the ZLine system, which Davis has used on several of his recent projects.

“We are now grassing the course, and will be doing so until into the fall,” says Davis. “And the bunkers are being lined at the moment as well. Our team have been trained by ZLine in how to install the product, and they’re hard at work doing so.”

ZLine bunkers at The Rose

ZLine bunkers at The Rose

The Rose will be private, and a healthy number of members have already been enrolled. “It is a beautiful site, fairly open,” says Davis. “200 of the 300 acres we are using for the golf course were harvested for pine trees, so we have mostly cleared lesser quality hardwoods and volunteer underbrush. The land has a Shinnecock feel to it, with really nice rolling contours. It will have 105 acres of turf and 195 acres of thinner native grasses near play and what we are calling our ‘heathland’ areas of native grass and small indigenous shrubs more out of play. The developers want the course to be in the style of early American classics, so the sand lines on the bunkers are very high. When you have a high sand line, you need to be sure that the sand will hold on the bunker faces, and ZLine holds extremely well. Additionally, the bunker sands used in Georgia need to drain quickly to perform well, and ZLine drains better than any other bunker liner product I have come across.”

“The course has turned out really well, and I can’t wait to see it finished – I think members and their guests will love it,” he says. “And the ZLine bunkers will play a significant role in that.”

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Level Up Your Career with the Experts

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Level Up Your Career with the Experts: Since Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was first introduced to sports turf literature, over 1,900 articles have been published on the subject. This underlines IPM’s central role in modern turf management and highlights the importance of continued professional education.

Finding a trusted source of knowledge is key. At STRI Group, our courses are built on science and delivered by leading experts, giving you the skills and confidence to apply acquired knowledge effectively in your role.

Level Up Your Career with the Experts

Level Up Your Career with the Experts

Dr Christian Spring, Principal Scientist at STRI, explains:

“IPM and ITM represent the best-practice approach for sustainable turf management. They are critical to the short, medium and long-term success of every playing surface. With the challenges facing turf managers – from climate change and water availability to regulatory pressures – adopting IPM is the only way to make sports surfaces as resilient as possible.”

BASIS courses provide the knowledge and qualifications needed to put IPM into practice. IPM is about managing turf sustainably by combining cultural, biological, and chemical controls, while reducing reliance on pesticides.

Through BASIS and FACTS training, turf professionals can:

  • Apply IPM principles effectively in real-life situations
  • Meet regulatory requirements by showing they’ve considered non-chemical options first
  • Improve turf health, resilience, and sustainability through best practice in pest, disease, and nutrient management.

In short, BASIS courses turn the philosophy into practical, accredited skills that help turf professionals deliver high-quality, sustainable playing surfaces.

How can STRI help?

Each autumn, STRI hosts three BASIS-accredited courses at our headquarters in Bingley. With an 8-hectare research facility, expert tuition from Dr Christian Spring, and plenty of hands-on practical learning, there really is no better place to immerse yourself in turf science.

Courses available

  1. BASIS Foundation in Amenity Horticulture – Turf

Who it’s for: Practitioners or those new to product sales who need a grounding in IPM, agronomy, and safe pesticide use.

  • Format: Fully face-to-face teaching, with an online exam afterwards.
  • Dates: 24-26 November 2025 (teaching), 28 November 2025 (exam).
  • Cost: £1,130 + VAT (includes exam fee).
  1. BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection – Amenity Horticulture

(Turf or Hard Surface specialist modules)

Who it’s for: Advisors, agronomists, or anyone seeking advanced IPM and plant protection product training.

  • Format: Two teaching weeks face to face, plus online written exam, with ID and viva exams held at STRI HQ.
  • Dates:
    • Week 1 teaching: 6 – 10 October 2025
    • Week 2 teaching: 3 – 6 November 2025
    • Online written exam: 8 December 2025
    • ID exam (live samples at STRI): 9 December 2025 (afternoon)
    • Vivas at STRI: 10 December 2025
  • Cost: £2,990 + VAT (includes exam fee).
  1. FACTS Turf Course

Who it’s for: Turf professionals wanting to deepen their expertise in nutrient management and fertiliser planning.

  • Format: 3.5 days face-to-face teaching, with online written exam and viva.
  • Dates: Teaching: 21 – 24 October 2025 Exams: 11–12 December 2025
  • Cost: £2,195 + VAT (includes exam fee).

Why Choose STRI?

At STRI, you’ll learn directly from leading turf scientists while gaining hands-on experience at our 8-hectare research facility. Our courses are designed to futureproof your skills, equipping you with the knowledge to meet challenges such as climate change, water management, and increasing regulatory pressures.

Alongside expert tuition, you’ll also join a strong professional network, giving you valuable connections that extend well beyond the classroom.

Book your place now – spaces are limited.

Email enquiries@strigroup.com or call 01274 565131.

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

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