A free educational event attended by turf professionals from across the country has provided a blueprint for the future of the sports turf industry.

STRI Research 2012 featured seven turf management areas with demonstrations of innovative products, machinery and techniques that are being trialled and tested by the STRI Research team.

Key subject areas covered included: disease management & plant health, nutritional management, grass species & cultivars, application tools and methodology as well as technology and machinery.

Providing a unique insight into the future of sportsturf management and held over two days, the event was attended by 252 delegates including greenkeepers, course managers, fine turf managers, groundstaff and sports professionals.

The event was sponsored by the following organisations, all currently working with STRI at the forefront of R&D projects; Bayer, Everris, R&K Kensett, Plant Impact, Rigby Taylor, Ransomes Jacobsen, Sherriff Amenity and Syngenta.

Gordon McKillop, Chief Executive, STRI, said: “The research event provided sportsturf managers with invaluable insight and knowledge from industry experts to improve and sustain the quality of their turf.

“Attendees learnt firsthand how STRI’s long term research has helped to optimise the performance of sports surfaces at many of this year’s most prestigious events including Euro 2012 and the Olympics.”

Brian Story, Course Manager at Silloth on Solway Golf Club, commented: “We would like to thank STRI for putting on such an excellent event. All of us enjoyed the day and the information we gained stimulated much debate and gave us a bit of much needed inspiration”

Also attending the event was Steve Eaves, Associate Publisher at Union Press (Greenkeeping & Golf Club Management): “The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes at STRI to support the development of new solutions and technology to aid progress is mind blowing. The day opened my eyes and expanded my views considerably.”

Gordon concluded: “STRI Research 2012 enabled delegates from a whole host of sporting disciplines to see the commitment and dedication of STRI and all the supporting companies, working together to develop the future of sportsturf management.”