Tru-Turf has started a podcast series where we catch up with various Superintendents, Turf grass researchers, Course Managers and Equipment managers from around the globe.
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Tru-Turf Super Series Podcast – Episode 13: Keith Burgon, Eyemouth Golf Club In this episode of the Tru-Turf Super Series, host Nick Thornton sits down with Keith Burgon, Head Greenkeeper at Eyemouth Golf Club in Scotland, to explore the power of rolling, tournament preparation, and greenkeeping strategies in one of the most unique coastal golf environments. Keith explains how rolling has become a cornerstone of their maintenance approach, helping combat salt burn and reduce mowing frequency, particularly in winter and other critical seasons. He highlights how rolling contributes to speed through consistency rather than aggressiveness, allowing Eyemouth to maintain smooth and reliable greens year-round. The conversation also covers their RB70 roller, with Keith sharing the outstanding results they’ve seen since adopting it. A key focus is Eyemouth’s event preparation, including their work leading into the: 🏆 Scottish Ladies Senior Open (June/July) – A major national event where rolling plays a crucial role in fine-tuning tournament-ready conditions. 🏆 Scottish Ladies Team Championships – Hosted last year, this event required extensive planning to ensure the course met high competitive standards. 🏆 Club Championship (May–June) – A multi-week event that requires intense preparation, transitioning seamlessly into the national Senior Ladies Tournament. 🏆 Other Club Competitions – Keith discusses balancing routine member play with high-stakes tournament preparation. Beyond the greens, Keith reflects on his career in the turf industry, how volunteering plays a role at the course, and why networking with other greenkeepers continues to shape his approach to course management. ✅ Surprising grass success – A grass type not typically suited for seaside conditions has thrived at Eyemouth, challenging conventional wisdom. ✅ Tournament-day strategies – How rolling plays a key role in final event preparations. ✅ Sustainability & efficiency – How “mowing less, rolling more” has led to healthier turf and improved playability. This episode is packed with real-world insights for greenkeepers, golf course managers, and anyone looking to enhance course performance while embracing sustainable maintenance techniques. 🎧 Listen now to learn how Eyemouth Golf Club is redefining rolling, tournament prep, and turf management! This fully integrates all key details from the transcript and gives it a polished, engaging tone. Let me know if you need further refinements!
The Team Behind Tournament-Ready Turf - by Corey Finn ⛳🎙 Golf isn’t just a game—it’s an orchestrated effort that happens long before a player takes their first swing. In this episode, we sit down with Corey Finn, the Cluster Director of Agronomy at Viya Golf in Abu Dhabi, who doesn’t take the credit—his team does. They’re the ones who just pulled off hosting the Abu Dhabi Championship, a massive event on the DP World Tour, making sure the course was flawless from the first tee to the final putt. 🔎 What’s inside this episode? ✔ The human side of golf course maintenance—how an elite team brings a championship venue to life. ✔ Platinum Paspalum & extreme climate turf care—why the right grass matters. ✔ Rolling vs. Mowing—how Tru-Turf rollers help achieve consistency while protecting turf health. ✔ The pressure of preparing for a global tournament—the stress, the teamwork, and the small details that make all the difference. Who should listen? 🔹 Greenkeepers & superintendents: Hear from someone who’s been in the trenches, leading a team through high-stakes tournament prep. 🔹 Golfers: Ever wondered why the greens feel different from course to course? This episode explains why rolling matters. 🔹 Anyone who loves problem-solving & teamwork: This is about people, not just grass. It’s about precision, pressure, and delivering under the spotlight. 🎧 Hit play now—because great golf doesn’t just happen. It’s built.
In this episode of the Super Series Podcast, Steve Chappell takes listeners through his journey: • How Dr. Thomas Nikolai’s research inspired his approach to rolling. • The challenges and successes of implementing rolling at Taymouth Castle. • The transformative role of tools like the Tru-Turf FR-108 (past model, new product arriving soon) in achieving turf excellence. This is more than a story about rolling—it’s about curiosity, experimentation, and the pursuit of innovation. Whether you’re a turf professional or simply fascinated by the intricacies of golf course management, Steve’s journey offers invaluable insights into what it takes to lead in the industry.
This time, we’re diving into the world of equipment management with Jason Fontana, Senior Equipment Manager at Arizona’s Desert Mountain Golf Course 🌵 Photo Credits : Chase Ivey With 9,000 hectares, seven courses, and over 200 operators, Desert Mountain is no small feat. Jason shares why the RB48 roller is his team’s favorite, thanks to its durability and easy maintenance protocols. They roll three times a week and maintain our rollers daily and quarterly - a winning combination for pristine greens! Hear Jason’s journey from superintendent to equipment expert, his advice for newcomers, and even a bit about his life outside of golf.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Dempsey, PhD, who shares over 30 years of experience, including his time managing Ireland’s oldest golf course, The Royal Curragh. Dr. Dempsey discusses: • The fascinating impact of rolling on turf health, including how it triggers natural defense responses in turfgrass. • Research-backed insights on how mowing differs from rolling in terms of plant health and why rolling can be more beneficial in certain contexts. • The unique challenges greenkeepers face, including the physical demands of the job and the mental health aspect that often gets overlooked. Whether you’re a turf expert, a golf course manager, or just someone curious about how turf care impacts the game, this episode is packed with real-world knowledge from a leader in the field. ▶️ Watch it on YouTube or Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. #TurfCare #Greenkeeping #TurfResearch #SuperSeries #TruTurf #agronomy #agriculture #MentalHealthInGreenkeeping