The Greenkeeper and Golf Course 2030

4:00PM - 5:00PM, 4 Aug 2020

How will greenkeeping be affected over coming decades by the impacts of climate change, resource constraints and regulation? Golf Course 2030 is The R&A driven industry initiative that aims to mitigate the challenges we face in building resilience and adaptability into the preparation of our golf courses, their condition and playability.

Coping with extremes of weather, a changing toolkit of resources and more testing regulation will demand much of our greenkeeping workforce. The 14 current Golf Course 2030 projects address some of the key issues such as water management and sustainable options for disease, pest and weed management, which will support our greenkeeping teams as they face the challenges. The role of the greenkeeper is going to be key to safeguarding our golf courses, but adaptation to change is going to be an essential skill. SRUC has been given the task of considering how this may happen, how education needs to reflect the challenges and how the industry can better support and recognise the greenkeeping profession.

Presenters: Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability, The R&A and Dr Paul Miller, Senior Lecturer – Golf Course Management, SRUC

Dr Paul Miller

Paul has been a lecturer in Greenkeeping and Golf Course Management since 1993. Paul is qualified in the plant sciences and has previously worked in a USGA accredited soil laboratory. He is a regular presenter at Continue to Learn and contributor of articles for Greenkeeper International. He has a keen interest in golf history. Away from work Paul is an average golfer, a keen cyclist and sings in a community choir in Cupar.

Steve Isaac

Steve has an Honours Degree in Applied Biology. Prior to joining The R&A in 2003, he was an agronomist at STRI for 18 years. The R&A is the organiser of The Open, golf's oldest and most international major championship. Steve is responsible for The R&A's advocacy of sustainability and for the operation of its sustainability initiatives. These include Golf Course 2030, GreenLinks (The Open's sustainability programme) and support for greenkeeper education. The R&A works in collaboration with many organisations, including national governing bodies, greenkeeper, club manager and architect associations, and the GEO Foundation. Steve has taken The R&A's advocacy of sustainability across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the USA.

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Photo by Aiden Hare, Pine Ridge Operations

The Greenkeeper and Golf Course 2030

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