Coolabah Turf’s Farm Manager, Dave Geltch, has recently returned from a study tour to the UK seeking out global opportunities for innovation and learning in turf production and management.
The tour, hosted by Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA), included visits to some of England’s most iconic sporting facilities, including Wimbledon, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Twickenham Stadium, Sudbrook Moor Golf Club, and Old Trafford – the home of Manchester United. The tour also included a visit to the innovative Tillers Turf, where participants witnessed machinery demonstrations and gained valuable industry insights.
Dave said the aim of the tour was to provide LSA’s national network of turf members with opportunities for education and networking on an international scale.
He said the study immersion was designed to help companies like Coolabah Turf stay at the forefront of the turf industry by leveraging cutting-edge global practices in turf production.
Wimbledon: The Epitome of Prestige and Precision
Dave’s journey began at Wimbledon, home to the oldest championship tennis tournament in the world, and renowned for its meticulous ryegrass courts.
“Wimbledon generates a staggering one billion dollars during its two-week championship season each year, and is set to double its size over the next five years after acquiring an adjacent 36-hectare golf course at a price of $160 million AUD,” he said.
“The team at Wimbledon operates with a blend of traditional and modern techniques. Each day starts with precision line-marking by a dedicated team, ensuring the courts are in pristine condition for play. The use of electric battery-powered mowers for the 46 courts, soon to be 86, exemplifies their commitment to sustainability and efficiency.”
Lord’s Cricket Ground: A Blend of History and Innovation
Next, the tour group visited Lord’s Cricket Ground, a highlight for Dave, our cricket enthusiast. Famous for its sloping outfield, the iconic ground features a unique 1.3 metre lean from one end to the other, a characteristic from its construction over a century ago.
“There are 27 ryegrass pitches at the ground which are maintained right throughout the year, and the grounds team do small renovations on them and reseed them as necessary,” Dave said.
“The cricket season runs from the start of spring until the end of summer and they have grow lights that cover the whole area to provide light and heat to stimulate turf growth. The entire oval is mown every two or three days, and it is all done by eye.”
Twickenham Stadium: Excellence in Rugby Turf
Twickenham Stadium, the home of England Rugby Union, boasts some of the finest ryegrass turf Dave had ever seen.
“The meticulous care and precision in maintaining the oval, including the use of string lines for mowing, ensures the highest quality playing surface,” he said.
“In comparison, our MCG gets 700 times the use, but nonetheless Twickenham’s turf stands as a benchmark for excellence in rugby fields worldwide.”
Sudbrook Moor Golf Club and Tillers Turf: Industry Innovation and Collaboration
The tour continued to Sudbrook Moor Golf Club, owned by Simon Hutton of Tillers Turf. Dave said this visit highlighted the collaborative spirit within the turf industry, with members of the Turf Growers UK and LSA sharing insights and solutions to common challenges and opportunities.
“At Tillers Turf, their major challenge has been in logistics, specifically in transporting turf from farm back to their transport depot along the very narrow English roads,” Dave said.
“They’ve come up with an innovative approach, importing specially designed trailers with air operated brakes that they tow behind tractors to transport the turf. They’ve had to spend an incredible amount of money on them, but it showcases the potential for industry advancements in this space.”
Highlights of the visit for Dave included an inspection of a ryegrass blend destined for Donald Trump’s new golf course in Scotland, and a ryegrass grown in synthetic fibre to help it bind to the sand which will be cut and harvested for Tottenham Hotspur’s new ground in 2025.
Old Trafford Stadium: Pioneering Turf Technology
At Old Trafford, world-famous home of Manchester United, Dave observed the off-season renovations aimed at maintaining the pitch’s top condition.
“They’ve basically taken all the organic material off the top so that you just see the fibre or the stitched plastic and then they’ll top it with sand and then seed it.
“They were actually sewing when we were there, and they’ll sow it six times, and then get the water on it and grow it back in time for the soccer season next winter. It was pretty incredible.”
Reflections and Future Opportunities
The UK Study Tour provided Dave with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. He said the machinery demonstrations, particularly a robotic tractor using Lidar (light detection and ranging), radar GPS, and cellular technology to steer and guide itself, were standout highlights.
“I’m excited about the potential to integrate some of this machinery and technology at Coolabah Turf to offer a point of difference in the market,” he said.
“The Tour was an invaluable experience, highlighting the importance of global education in driving industry innovation, but overall I must say that what it really reinforced for me, was that Coolabah Turf remains ahead of the game when it comes to producing top-quality, world-class instant turf.”
