Turf Science Live 2025 drew record attendance in Ireland and strong engagement in Scotland, underlining the continued demand for practical, research-led learning in turf management.
Organised by ICL and Syngenta, the series brought together turf professionals to explore the latest research and technology. Held at Carton House in Ireland and Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland, delegates rotated through technical stations covering precision spray application, precision nutrition, adapting disease control to a changing climate, building fertilisers for the future, and the role of biostimulants in turf management.
Reflecting on this year’s events, Colman Warde, Country Manager for ICL in Ireland, said: “Turf Science Live is about creating a learning environment where turf professionals can see new technologies and innovations in practice and ask questions directly to the people behind them. The feedback has been outstanding again this year, and it is clear that events like these help greenkeepers and grounds teams take away practical knowledge they can apply straight away.”
A highlight of the St Andrews event was a presentation from The R&A on Championship Agronomy, giving attendees a rare insight into how world-class playing surfaces are prepared and maintained for major tournaments.
Delegates represented every level of the industry, from apprentices and assistant greenkeepers through to course managers, superintendents, agronomists, and head grounds staff. The mix of practical experience and perspective added to the open discussion and knowledge-sharing across both events.
Sarah Hughes, Business Manager at Syngenta, noted: “At Turf Science Live we focused on two key areas for turf managers: precision spray application and adapting disease control to a changing climate. From practical sprayer set-up and new nozzle technology to strategies for managing turf health under more unpredictable weather patterns, the sessions showed how Syngenta research is being translated into real-world solutions.”
Neil Holger, Course Manager at Hamilton Golf Club, who attended the St Andrews event, said: “For me, the best thing about Turf Science Live is finding out what’s new and what’s coming, but also the networking. As course managers and greenkeepers we’re always busy, so it’s good to catch up, hear what others are doing, and speak to the experts. It’s always a worthwhile day out.”
With positive feedback from both venues, Turf Science Live will return in 2026, continuing to bring innovation and applied knowledge directly to turf professionals.