Continue to Learn Conference 2025 - Day 1

From a difficult upbringing marred by tragedy and neglect and spent in social housing, our speaker, Richard McCann, grew up with very little confidence or self-esteem. He spent time in the care system and left school with no qualifications. Despite this, a number of professionals helped him navigate the most difficult of starts in life to become the person he is today. He is now a successful businessman, a Times No1 bestselling author and one of the most successful motivational speakers in the UK.

Learning outcomes:

• Increased motivation: attendees often leave feeling more inspired and motivated to pursue their personal and professional goals
• Positive mindset shift: many individuals experience a shift in their thinking, adopting a more positive and growth-orientated mindset
• Enhanced self-awareness: participants may gain deeper insights into their own beliefs, habits and behaviours, leading to increased self-awareness
• Empowerment: attendees often feel more empowered to take control of their lives and make proactive decisions
• Improved resilience: the session can provide strategies and tools for building resilience, helping individuals better cope with challenges and setbacks
• Increased confidence: the session can boost self-confidence and self-belief, encouraging individuals to tackle new challenges
• Understanding the power of leadership: participants gain a deeper understanding of effective leadership principles and how to get the best out of their teams

Presented by:

Richard McCann

From a difficult upbringing in social housing and being neglected as well as marred by tragedy, our speaker Richard McCann grew up with very little confidence or self-esteem. He spent time in the care system and left school with no qualifications. Despite this, a number of professionals helped him navigate the most difficult of starts in life to become the person he is today. He is now a successful businessman, a Times No1 Bestselling Author, and one of the most successful motivational speakers in the UK.

Nature is one of the greatest opportunities we have to promote our game, and the greenkeeping profession within, and beyond golf.

Using current research from The R&A’s five-year Golf and Nature Study, The R&A’s collaboration with RSPB, and insights into work done by greenkeepers around the world, we will explore the data that shows how golf courses can be good for nature, contributing to nature conservation and restoration.

Along with this, opportunities will be shared for greenkeepers and golf clubs to use high-profile campaigns by The R&A and many other golf bodies.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the scientific evidence that golf courses can be good for nature
• Learn about best practice actions every club can do to maximise course biodiversity
• Implement new ways to increase golfer engagement in nature at your club
• Be part of major international campaigns to promote golf and nature

Presented by:

Sophie Olejnik

Freelance ecological consultant Oleo Ecology

Sophie Olejnik is an ecological consultant specialising in golf course management for nature conservation. She has worked in the industry for over nine years honing her skills in habitat management for protected and other notable species across golf courses around the UK to ensure that golf courses continue to support nature. Working closely with Bob Taylor, Sophie has provided consultancy advice to the R&A across all Open Championship and the AIG Women’s Open venues and has most recently been undertaking a range of surveys to quantify the biodiversity value of 27 golf courses as part of a five year project to show how golf is good for nature.

Richard Windows

Head of Championship Agronomy The R&A

Richard has been an Agronomist for 20 years and has been Championship Agronomist to the R&A for several Open Championships, The AIG Women's Open, The Amateur Championship and The Walker Cup.

He has a passion for links golf and delivering sustainable turf surfaces to the highest standard for championship golf. He is a member of Royal Troon Golf Club playing off a handicap of 10.

Biological solutions are set to transform sustainable turf management strategies. Now the same R&D investment that has pioneered major innovations in turf agronomy is delivering exciting new biological solutions. What new products are in the pipeline? Which areas of turf management will have the greatest impact? Where can they be most effectively integrated with existing tools and techniques? How soon will they be available? Now that biological products are being recognised as having an essential role in sustainable Integrated Turf Management strategies, it’s time to get an insight into how they work and what promise they hold for the future.

Learning outcomes:

• The future of biologicals in turf management
• The science behind new biological innovations
• How biologicals can be made to work reliably in practice
• Integrating biological products with existing Integrated Turf Management technologies
• How soon biologicals will be available for turf management

Presented by:

Dr Hui Chen PhD

Biologicals Technical Manager EAME Syngenta

Eric Chen is the specialist Biologicals Technical Manager for Syngenta Turf & Landscape across Europe, Africa & Middle East (EAME). With the growing importance of biological products to enhance the agronomy of turf management, his role is to further develop the company’s exciting new technologies. Eric graduated in crop and soil sciences from Beijing Forestry University in China, before continuing education and research at Michigan State and Rutgers University in the US. He gained his PhD in plant biology with emphasis on turfgrass management from Rutgers University.

During his work in the US he also pioneered new techniques to enhance management of turfgrass stress due to biotic and abiotic factors and published numerous research papers. Since moving to Europe and the UK, Eric has worked as a research scientist at the internationally acclaimed STRI (formerly the Sports Turf Research Institute) at Bingley in Yorkshire. He has been involved with collaborative university and commercial businesses to instigate, trial and develop precision plant management tools and techniques.

This session will present a focused summary of biostimulants for turfgrass management, as published in the 2023 textbook Achieving Sustainable Turfgrass Management.  Biostimulants – what are they? And more importantly, what do they do? These are two important questions to ask when selecting and incorporating these products into turfgrass maintenance practices and programmes. This session will provide a review of the purpose and function of biostimulants within an overall sustainable turfgrass management programme and the importance of critically evaluating biostimulants for their potential benefits for plant and soil health.

Learning outcomes:

• A review of the description of compounds and substances referred to as biostimulants
• Explore how biostimulants are classified to provide insight into their potential use and benefit with sustainable turfgrass management practices
• Develop a biostimulant programme to manage abiotic and biotic stresses of turfgrass
• Develop a biostimulant programme as a component of an overall water conservation strategy
• Know the right questions to ask when considering a biostimulant product or programme

Presented by:

Dr Stan Kostka

Visiting Scholar Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Stan Kostka, a Visiting Scholar at Penn State – Berks, is a leader in the development of compounds and products to modify the rhizosphere and enhance soil-plant-water relations.

Stan has spent over 25 years leading industry discovery and technology development programs with the goal of understanding how surfactants and other compounds may be used to manage soil water repellency, improve water use, and enhance performance of input chemistries in turfgrass.

He has over 40 publications in the field and holds 15 patents relating to the use of surfactants and polymer technologies to modify soil and rhizosphere properties.
As a globally recognized expert, Stan has been an invited speaker at numerous technical meetings globally in the fields of turfgrass and soil science.

Stan received his PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Massachusetts, a MS in Plant Science from the University of Connecticut, and a BA in Biology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

Dr Mike Fidanza

Professor of plant and soil science Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Michael ("Mike") Fidanza is a Professor of Plant and Soil Science at Penn State Berks Campus. His research and teaching focus is plant and soil ecology, the translational evaluation and exploration of plant health products (fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators), soil surfactants, seed technology, mushroom compost, biostimulants, turfgrass physiology, cultural practices in turfgrass ecosystems, and the biology and ecology of fairy ring disease in turf. He is a Fellow in the American Society of Agronomy, and Editor of a new turfgrass science textbook - Achieving Sustainable Turfgrass Management.  He teaches undergraduate courses in biology, horticulture, soils, turfgrass science, and a graduate course in plant physiology. He was past president of the Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy (2013-2017), and past Chair of Division C-5 (Turfgrass Science) of the Crop Science Society of America (2018). He was Editor-in-chief of the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal (2010-2013). He was a member of the USGA Green Section Research Committee (2010-2017).

Far too often, we become disappointed with employees not performing to our expectations. They’re great at one part of the role but weak in another.

We put this down to low performance and provide training to try and resolve the issue – however, are you expecting a leopard to change its spots?

It might not be the people that are the problem, it might be the structure of the roles and expecting individuals to perform conflicting skills.

Ideally, we should review and refine the structure and place the right people in the right roles based on their skill sets, motivations and personalities. If we can do this, we’re much more likely to have high performing teams.

Learning outcomes:

• Learn how to review key members of your team, taking into account personality traits; skill sets and current responsibilities
• Review key areas of responsibility your club needs to deliver; areas of current concern; current structure
• Provide a post review summary including any proposed changes to the structure
• Acquire knowledge of the structure of high performing teams, alongside putting the right people with the right skills in the right roles

Presented by:

Leighton Walker

General Manager, Cirencester Golf Club and Host of Golf Club Talk UK podcast Cirencester Golf Club

Having spent over 20 years in the Golf Club industry in both the UK and Australia, Leighton brings a rounded and diverse view to the industry having managed a wide and varied range of Clubs. Based in the Cotswolds, a keen Golfer and student of Golf Course Architecture, Leighton is currently working as part-time GM at Cirencester Golf Club, while expanding the podcast brand - Golf Club Talk UK to provide more than just podcasts. This will include hosting, presenting and education.

Emma Brereton

Company Director, HR & Training Expert The Kudos Group

Friends call me Mrs Competitive, colleagues call me Mrs Maverick, My husband calls me Mrs Right! I have a passion for ugly things but am obsessive about time and order; love good food but can’t cook; adore country gardens but can’t garden; compete at any sport.

Emma, who is currently Company Director, HR & Training Expert - The Kudos Group, has many years of experience of helping individuals and businesses manage their people as well as the performance of those people.

This session will look at managing expectations by planning ahead and implementing the right foundations for success.

Join Stuart Gillett and Chris Lomas to gain an insight into who Legacy Golf Advisors are and why they formed the partnership. What does success mean? How does the role of governance in clubs contribute to successes and decision making processes? Identify the metrics, how to achieve your goals and the need for a plan.

Having a plan is important, we will look at why, where are you now, where you want to be and how you get there.

Learning outcomes:

• Governance - what it means to you
• Communication - challenging up and understanding expectations
• Benchmarking
• Planning - why it is key
• How everything is intrinsically linked

Presented by:

Chris Lomas MG

Director Legacy Golf Advisors

Chris’ first senior position in the golf industry was Head Greenkeeper of Swinley Forest in 1995.
More recently he has been Secretary of Worplesdon Golf Club for over 10 years. In that time the Club has become one of the most forward-thinking and vibrant Private Members Clubs in the UK, while also maintaining its ethos and enhancing its stature in the golfing world.
Prior to that, he was Course Manager at The Berkshire Golf Club for 11 years. A strong advocate of education, Chris is currently the only person in the industry to hold both Certified Club Manager and Master Greenkeeper qualifications.

Stuart Gillett

Director Legacy Golf Advisors

Stuart has firmly established his position as an innovative and dynamic figure within the golf industry. His passion for delivering golf in a modern way whilst maintaining its traditional values is second to none.

He has held senior management positions within golf since 2005, culminating with a hugely successful time at Golf At Goodwood where he oversaw the transformation of the club into arguably the most successful membership in Europe and renowned for its Customer Experience.

He has established a reputation for delivering service excellence throughout his career resulting in England Golf’s ‘Most Welcoming Club’ Award in 2018 and a finalist in the GCMA Manager of the Year for 2017. Stuart went to head up European Tour Destinations in 2019 for the European Tour before setting up Legacy Golf Advisors post Covid.

This session will cover how soil surfactants can be used to help greenkeepers manage weather extremes more successfully. With UK and European weather patterns becoming milder and wetter with more frequent drought conditions, it is critical for turfgrass managers to be able to make best use of available resources, including surfactants, to better manage these difficult weather patterns and present optimum turfgrass playing surfaces.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the behaviour of soil surfactants
• Understand how surfactants can be used to increase water infiltration through soils during wetter periods in the year
• Understand how surfactants can be used to optimise water use during drought/summer conditions
• Understand how and why weather patterns are becoming more extreme

Presented by:

Dr Matthew Fleetwood

R&D and Technical Service Manager The Aquatrols Company

As R&D and Golf Technical Services Manager for The Aquatrols Company, Dr Matthew Fleetwood is responsible for managing the research and development of our portfolio of adjuvants, soil surfactants and other supplemental maintenance products, as well as providing technical support to our customers and sales team. Dr Fleetwood handles The Aquatrols Company's product innovation pipeline, research trials and new product development, working to bring our innovative solutions to our customers.

Dr Fleetwood completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri, with emphasis areas in Crop Management and Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biology. Additionally, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Plant, Insect and Microbial at the University of Missouri with his dissertation focus centralized around assessing soil surfactants and characterizing their performance on USGA greens and native soils.

Dr Fleetwood’s passion for innovation and results drives him to provide the best solutions for our customers, aiding to create great outdoor playing surfaces for all ages.

Emma Beggs

Portfolio Manager Aquatrols

As Portfolio Manager for Aquatrols UK & Europe, Emma Beggs is responsible for managing the research and development of the existing and future portfolio.  Emma graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Soils and The Environment from Reading University and worked for many years  as a cool season turfgrass agronomist at STRI Group. Emma was an integral part of the team who wrote an integrated turfgrass management handbook for the R&A GC2030 research program; to consider the impacts of climate change, resource constraints and regulation on course condition and playability. Emma plays golf regularly and is a member of Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Depression is something that many of us will experience within our lifetime. For some of us it can be a one off event, but for others it can be a recurring nightmare. One of the biggest problems with depression is that it takes the fun out of the things we normally enjoy and the very things that may help us slowly step out from under the depression. It’s a Catch 22. In this session we will look at the causes, the symptoms, some solutions and more importantly the mindset we need to take in order to make those solutions work.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand where depression comes from (endogenous and exogenous)
• Learn about anhedonia and why this is so important
• Learn about the depressed person’s mindset and how to speak with that person
• Learn how to make steps away from depression
• Learn how to help a friend who may be struggling with depression

With too much in the winter, and not enough in summer, golf clubs nationally are facing an increasing challenge when it comes to water management. This session will look at the options golf clubs have to manage water in a method that helps drainage in winter and creates a source of water for the summer. We will dive into the murky subject of golfer communications, and how you, as greenkeepers, need to engage, educate and empower your decision makers to help future proof their facilities.

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding the latest challenges for water management
• Develop an understanding as to potential opportunities golf clubs have to sustainably manage their water supply
• The ability to communicate with golfers and decision makers to effectively influence a quicker transition
• Some examples as to where this has been successful

Presented by:

Owen James

Sustainability Manager England Golf

Owen is the Sustainability Officer working at England Golf. Having found a golf club in a hedge as an 11 year old, his love for the game developed into working both with the the greenkeeping team and hospitality team at his golf club. Owen then went to university to pursue his passion for environmental management, before amalgamating his loves for golf and the environment for the role at England Golf, starting in January 2022. Owen enjoys all sports, and is keen to develop a deeper understanding of how sport and the environment can benefit each other.

Our world is constantly changing and weather conditions are determining the way we manage golf courses. People also have new requirements in relation to golf and nature. Greenkeepers must adapt greenkeeping practices to this new era. Using technology to interpret data, we need to keep teaching greenkeepers about the upcoming challenges, talking to golfers about greenkeeping and showing the whole of society what golf really is.

Learning outcomes:

• How greenkeeping is constantly changing and improving
• Prepare for changes in the upcoming years
• Understand the part technology and data have in greenkeeping
• See how education and communication are essential in greenkeeping

Presented by:

Rocio Alvear

Agronomic Engineer Servicentre

I'm a young woman who loves greenkeeping and the golf industry.
I'm an Agronomic Engineer. I started my studies in the Polytechnic University of Madrid and then I did courses in various European universities.
I've been working in different golf courses and different conditions: since my internship in Madrid, FEGGA Scholarship in Sweden, tournaments like The Amundi Evian Championship or Spanish Ladies Open.
I'm also involved with the Spanish Greenkeepers Association in the Central Area of Spain. I love playing sports (including golf), nature, learning and sharing with others everything that I learn.

In this session, we will explore the transformative potential of Open AI technologies in the field of turfgrass management. As greenkeepers face increasing challenges in maintaining high-quality playing surfaces, optimising resource use and addressing environmental concerns, AI offers innovative solutions that can significantly enhance decision-making, efficiency and sustainability. We will delve into practical applications of AI, including predictive modelling for pest management, improving turf health monitoring and enhancing data-driven decision-making. The session will also include real-world examples and a discussion on the ethical considerations of using AI in greenkeeping.

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding AI fundamentals
• Enhancing communication and documentation
• Predictive modelling and model training
• Turfgrass management applications
• Ethical and practical considerations

Presented by:

Dr Ben McGraw Ph.D

Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science Penn State University

Dr. Ben McGraw is an associate professor of Turfgrass Science and Program Coordinator of online and residential turfgrass academic programs at Penn State University. Ben specializes in insect and earthworm pest management. He obtained a Bachelors of Science from the University of Maine, his Master of Science degree in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a doctorate in Entomology from Rutgers University. Dr. McGraw’s appointment at Penn State includes teaching, research, and extension. His research program focuses on understanding pest ecology and behavior to develop sustainable management practices.

You’ve always heard the ‘facts’ about soil fertility, such as ‘add potassium (K) to help plants get through stress’, ‘apply extra phosphorus (P) when seeding because the plant can’t get to the P in the soil’, and ‘gypsum reduces soil compaction’. Are any of these facts true? Or are they myths or legends? This session will pull apart the science behind a lot of common soil fertility concepts and help you determine if they really are fact, myth or legend.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the role of potassium in plant stress management
• Have an idea of correct phosphorus rates that might help a turfgrass at establishment
• Know if inoculation with mychorrizae is beneficial
• Be familiar with the role of added calcium in the soil
• Recognise the role of late and early season nitrogen in cool season turfgrasses