{"id":1251489,"date":"2024-05-23T15:11:54","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T15:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1251489"},"modified":"2024-05-23T15:11:54","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T15:11:54","slug":"sustainability-in-golf-randanda-launches-international-turfgrass-research-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/sustainability-in-golf-randanda-launches-international-turfgrass-research-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"R&A launches International Turfgrass Research initiative to advance worldwide sustainability in golf"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research Foundation (STERF), The R&A, the United States Golf Association (USGA) have launched the International Turfgrass Research Initiative to further the advancement of sustainable<\/span><\/strong><\/a> approaches to golf course and turfgrass management.<\/p>\n

The International Turfgrass Research Initiative is a legacy of the 14th<\/sup>\u00a0International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC) hosted by STERF in collaboration with the International Turfgrass Society (ITS) in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2022. Development and sustainability were the themes of the conference and STERF and ITS agreed that investing in international turfgrass research would be the most appropriate legacy from ITRC 2022.<\/p>\n

Beginning later this year, multi-year research projects will be funded to develop practical solutions which can be adopted by those managing golf facilities and turfgrass areas, in response to the most pressing challenges facing the management of turfgrass and golf courses worldwide, including\u00a0pest control, water conservation, preserving biodiversity and landscapes, and understanding the climate impact on turfgrass and golf landscapes.<\/p>\n

A call for research proposals will be issued in May and submissions reviewed by a group of researchers, practitioners and experts working in the field of golf course and turfgrass management. The successful applicants will be announced at the 15th<\/sup>\u00a0International Turfgrass Research Conference\u00a0being held in Japan<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0next year.<\/p>\n

The International Turfgrass Research Initiative compliments existing support already provided by each organisation in using scientific research to inform practical solutions, such as\u00a0Golf Course 2030<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, the\u00a0Mike Davis Program for Advancing Golf Course Management<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and STERF Research Programmes.<\/p>\n

Maria Strandberg, STERF Director and Past President of International Turfgrass Society, said, \u201cFor golf and other turf sports that use land and nature as their sports arena, the challenges are many and diverse, and will strongly affect future operations. New research, competence and modification of standard approaches in the golf and turf sports sector are needed to conquer these challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are convinced that the only viable strategy to meet current challenges and to create a sustainable future is international collaboration. Therefore, we look forward to, in close partnership with our colleagues at the USGA and The R&A, realising this important initiative. We want to support and inspire scientists all over the world to collaborate and create and supply new knowledge and tools that are essential for modern and sustainable golf course and turfgrass management – knowledge that is of practical benefit and ready for use, for example directly in golf course and turfgrass management or in dialogue with the authorities and the public, and in a credible environmental protection work.\u201d<\/p>\n