Overseeding, species, timing and results

Glenn Kirby is Research Director at STRI R&D, where he leads a multidisciplinary team delivering applied research across golf, sportsturf, and amenity sectors. Together, the STRI R&D team design and deliver trials, generate data, and translate findings into practical guidance for turf managers and industry partnersGlenn’s role focuses on shaping research programmes and ensuring they remain both scientifically robust and relevant to real-world challenges. Working closely with colleagues across trials, agronomy, and laboratory services, the team continues to develop new approaches to data collection, interpretation, and communication.  Presentations are delivered by Glenn alongside members of the STRI R&D team, reflecting the collaborative nature of the work and providing a range of perspectives from those directly involved in research delivery.

Conor has 30 years of experience in the sports turf industry. He joined the STRI in 2001 as a Sports Turf Agronomist from a background in golf design and construction. Based in Ireland he provides consultancy to golf clubs in Ireland and in an array of countries in Europe extending from Sweden to Portugal. 

He has also developed into a multifaceted consultant with specialisms in contract management, maintenance contract specifications, tendering documents and winter games pitch projects together with grow-ins. He can offer agronomic advice on both established and infant sport surfaces ensuring all works including feasibility studies are carried out to meet the client’s requirements.

His widespread golf experience at the frontier of change has culminated in co-authoring of, “A best management handbook for managing parkland greens”, under the R&A’s Golf Course 2030 initiative.

Conor has been an avid sportsman (soccer and golf) from an early age. It is his passion for sport that has driven his will to succeed and to raise standards.