From grasscutter to scientist - the fairway to education

Dr John Dempsey

John began greenkeeping in the 1980’s and was Superintendent of Ireland’s oldest golf course –The Royal Curragh from 1993 to 2019. He has always had a keen interest in sportsturf education and has undertaken courses beginning with basic greenkeeping at the Botanic gardens in Dublin to a 1st class Honours Degree in Turfgrass science at Myerscough College in the UK. He completed his PhD in Turfgrass pathology in 2016 with the Centre for Research in Biosciences at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

John has conducted independent research on turfgrass disease management for the past 10 years, covering extensively the subject Microdochium nivale infection of turfgrasses, turfgrass responses to infection and the effect of phosphite treatments on disease suppression, turfgrass growth and quality. He has presented the results of his research at numerous conferences and seminars in Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Norway, USA, Canada, Sweden and at Continue to Learn in Harrogate.