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.

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!

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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

In this special episode of the Super Series Podcast, we sit down with Michael Knoll, Superintendent at Del Monte Golf Course in Pebble Beach Resort. Michael shares his deeply personal journey through mental health challenges and sobriety, offering powerful insights into how he turned his struggles into strength. He talks about his passion for greenkeeping, how it gave him purpose, and why he would still be doing what he loves, even if he had all the money in the world. This episode is part of Tru-Turf's ongoing commitment to supporting mental health within the greenkeeping community. As we release this episode on the eve of Thank a Super Day, we want to raise awareness about the mental health struggles many greenkeepers face and start a conversation on how we can support them. Greenkeepers are the backbone of golf courses worldwide, and it's time we show them the recognition they deserve—not just today but every day. Join us as we celebrate Thank a Super Day and take the first step toward building a stronger, more supportive greenkeeping community. Stay tuned for more content on how we’re working to make a lasting impact.