With the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship kicking off tomorrow, organised by the Asia‑Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) in partnership with both the Masters Tournament (at Augusta National Golf Club) and The Open Championship (via The R&A) and the Dubai Desert Classic just around the corner, Emirates Golf Club is in full tournament rhythm. In this new chapter, Superintendent Matthew Perry shares how his team prepares for back-to-back international events while maintaining consistency, sustainability, and the unmistakable feel of Emirates’ greens.

A Bristol native who found his calling in turf by chance, Matthew reflects on two decades in the Middle East and how the region has shaped his approach to course care. Central to that philosophy is rolling — not just as a performance enhancer, but as a core part of the club’s preventative disease program. Regular Rolling as he explains, helps manage stress, smooth the surfaces, and maintain plant health before and after intense play, allowing the turf to recover naturally while keeping it true.

From alternating maintenance schedules to preparing for major tournaments under Dubai’s demanding conditions, Matthew’s conversation with Nick Thornton reveals the precision and patience behind world-class greens.

All the best to Matthew and his team as they host the Asia-Pacific Amateur this week — and gear up for the Desert Classic soon after.

Houghton Golf Club · Johannesburg, South Africa

How do you keep a century-old, Nicklaus-shaped landscape both wild and true in the middle of a 10-million-person city? Director of Agronomy Stuart Ross answers by swapping textbooks for observation, data for feel, and routine for relentless curiosity.

In this long-form conversation Ross unpacks:

• Rolling as feedback loop – why a single dawn pass with a Tru-Turf roller (often coupled with the Spiker or Slicer attachment) tells him more about moisture, firmness, and player mood than any spreadsheet ever could.
• People over prescriptions – a 24-strong crew, 64 expressive bunkers, and a culture where every rake-mark or mower line is an experiment rather than a chore.
• Living laboratory – using Houghton’s Highveld micro-climate and indigenous surrounds as test beds for sand profiles, growth-regulators, and sustainable water use, then sharing what works — warts and all — with the global turf community.

What emerges is a radical, quietly human story: a superintendent who treats every morning walk as research, every player smile as data, and every attachment on his roller as an invitation to rethink what a golf course can feel like.

🎧 Listen to Chapter 15 now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you roll.

Climbing the Mental Health Mountain: A Conversation with Nigel Taylor

In this compelling episode of the Tru-Turf Super Series, we engage in a heartfelt discussion with Nigel Taylor from Sports Turf Solutions, marking our first conversation with a dealer. With over 30 years in the turf industry, Nigel shares his journey from a gardener in Sanctuary Cove to a passionate advocate for mental health awareness.

Follow Nigel's journey as he attempts 12 Everests this year :

https://www.instagram.com/thedirtydozen.12

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel1profile

Nigel opens up about the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by greenkeepers and turf professionals. Drawing from personal experiences and industry insights, he emphasizes the need for a supportive work environment where conversations about mental well-being are encouraged and stigma is dismantled.

Highlighting his ambitious goal of completing 12 Everesting cycling challenges in 2025, Nigel uses this metaphor to represent the uphill battle many face with mental health. His mission is to inspire others to confront their struggles head-on and to foster a culture of openness and support within the industry.

This episode builds upon our previous discussions on mental health, including our conversation with Michael Knoll from Del Monte Golf Course. At Tru-Turf, we believe that supporting our customers extends beyond providing quality products—it involves nurturing the well-being of the individuals who make up our community.

Join us as we delve into this vital conversation, aiming to bring mental health to the forefront of the turf industry.