Date published:
4 December 2025
Welcoming almost 200 attendees to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Senior Lecturer, Adam Ferguson remarked: “We are delighted to co-host Turf Matters 2025 alongside key industry bodies, British and Irish Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Golf Ireland.
“Today’s conference offers a dynamic gathering of professionals, students, and industry leaders from across the sports turf sector centring on the theme of Optimising Sustainability in Sports Turf. In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, it’s important to create a balance between high-performance surfaces and environmental responsibility.”
Mr Ferguson commented: “CAFRE is proud to support the next generation of turf professionals through Level 2 and Level 3 Sports Turf Apprenticeship programmes. Today we’re excited to showcase the learning, innovation, and collaboration that define this growing industry. I encourage you to listen to the expert talks, participate in the interactive sessions, and engage with the exhibitors present. Let’s make this a day of meaningful conversations and actionable ideas.”
First to address the audience were Dr Robbie Fitzpatrick, Innovation and Impacts Lead at the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation and Ann Courtney, Head of Sustainability at Golf Ireland.
Dr Fitzpatrick discussed the importance of integrated turfgrass management to create synergies with biodiversity restoration, water stewardship, energy conservation, climate mitigation and adaption, participation and social value contributing to long-term business success. He offered practical examples of how golf courses and clubs across Ireland have been implementing sustainable practices. These ranged from reviewing pesticide use, reducing mowing, adopting solar power, through to enhancing biodiversity and tree planting schemes.
During the presentation Greenmount Campus was awarded GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf Certification. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA received a plaque in recognition on behalf of the college. Commenting on the achievement Dr Fitzpatrick noted: “An audit of the college demonstrated active habitat creation, woodland and hedgerow restoration with the introduction of robotic mowers and automation of equipment, reducing fuel consumption on campus.”
In attaining the award, it was reported the college hosted a ‘First Green Initiative’ in partnership with BIGGA, engaging with Ballyclare Secondary School to deliver hands-on turf and ecology learning. Congratulating staff at the college Dr Fitzpatrick remarked: “Achieving the award positions CAFRE to become a national benchmark for sustainable golf course management education.”
Ms Courtney discussed Golf Ireland’s ‘Drive the Green’ action plan. The organisation is encouraging golf courses to foster nature, conserve resources, tackle climate change and strengthen communities. Golf Ireland’s Sustainability Leaders programme offers access to experts to align courses to GEO principles establishing baselines for energy, waste, water and biodiversity and identifies actions for progress. Ms Courtney also reminded attendees of the free resources which Golf Ireland provides to clubs to support the protection of the environment and set in place a ten-year ecological plan.
Richard Windows, Assistant Director of Sustainable Agronomy Services at the R&A, leads a global team focused on championship agronomy and sustainable turf practices. With over 25 years in the industry, he shared his experiences in preparing venues for major events including The Open at Portrush in 2025.
A pioneer in data-driven agronomy, Richard introduced objective measurement tools to The Open in 2010 and co-authored the Disturbance Theory, applying ecological principles to turfgrass management. His team helps clubs worldwide deliver high-quality, environmentally responsible playing conditions.
A passionate advocate for technology in turf care, Richard continues to guide the sport through challenges like climate change and resource regulation. Richard described the behind the scenes work which is involved in planning The Open by stating: “creating a canvas in which the best players in the world display their skills.”
Richard noted the player feedback from the 153rd Open being some of the best they have ever received as the professionals commented on the ‘outstanding’ conditions on the course. Richard also shared detail on the data collection which helped the grounds team to monitor growth of the greens across the day and act accordingly to avoid any compromise to green speed or ball roll quality.
Continuing the theme of The Open, attendees were treated to an insider’s view of the Championship from Graeme Beatt, Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Hosting both the 148th and 153rd Open Championships at Royal Portrush offered another chance to witness the Dunluce Links in all its glory, as the world’s best golfers were challenged by the magnificent course.
Graeme discussed the improvements made to the course in preparation for hosting The Open in 2025 including those of improving the firmness of the course and the integration of new technologies to measure imprints left on the greens. He shared information on how the speed of the greens were skilfully maintained by controlling the frequency of mowing throughout the tournament. Working closely with the R&A through agronomy visits, testing, daily discussions about the course and implementation of agreed actions, the 153rd Open delivered more than £213 million of economic benefits to the country, hosting the largest ever sporting event in Northern Ireland.
During the Turf Matters event attendees had the opportunity to engage with industry suppliers. Commenting on the discussions, Mr Fergusion remarked: “Today’s conversations between speakers, exhibitors, and other industry are the seeds of future progress. Whether you’re returning to a golf course, a sports pitch, or an educational facility, I hope you have been inspired, informed, and equipped with practical ideas to implement and share measures to promote sustainability in our sports turf industry.”
If you work, or aspire to work in the sports turf industry and would like information on courses to develop you or your staff, please contact Adam Ferguson at Greenmount Campus by emailing: Adam.Ferguson@daera-ni.gov.uk or visit the CAFRE website.
