March 2026 Getting the right solution
The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service to support the LET and LIV Golf The Ladies European Tour (LET) has announced The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has been appointed as the Official Agronomist of the Tour. It will advise the LET on sustainable golf course maintenance operations and environmentally responsible agronomy practices for 20 venues and three events in 2026. Working collaboratively with the golf courses and the LET, it will provide expertise for the effective management of courses and use of best practice in sustainability to provide high performance playing surfaces in an environmentally responsible way. This will allow courses to reach their optimal course conditioning for world-class LET tournaments, while adhering to current environmental regulations and taking into consideration factors such as climate change and resource constraints.
Services provided to LET venues during the 2026 season will include site visits, agronomic reports, observations and recommendations, follow-up calls, soil sample analysis, course set up guidelines and data collection using USGA GS3 and Moisture Meter technology with the Deacon platform.
Section will also work with LIV Golf to advance standards at the league’s host courses. This consultancy support will help elevate conditions across the league’s 14-event season, spanning ten countries and five continents.
Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf at The R&A, “Our team of agronomists has extensive experience of providing world-class, high performance playing conditions which adhere to best practices in sustainability at championships and events worldwide. We look forward to working with the Ladies’ European Tour to support its tournament venues that will host professional events for the best women’s golfers this year.”
Agronomy services provided by The R&A and USGA focus on advancing excellence in course management by delivering world class resources, technology, insight, and global best practices for courses and competitions of every level across the world. The guidance enables courses and superintendents to evolve, adapt, and steward each course to its optimal potential, implementing modern agronomic strategies while preserving the distinct character of each course and delivering championship-calibre playing environments.
The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and the USGA Green
The R&A Enquiry 32
Product News The latest from this vibrant sector Page 14-15
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GMA Connect returns in 2026 The GMA has announced the expansion of GMA Connect in 2026, rolling out six UKwide events designed to bring practical, accessible
learning directly to grounds staff and volunteers. Following two successful pilot events in 2025, the 2026
GMA Connect programme will take place in Oxford, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, Southampton and Ipswich, ensuring grounds people can
access hands-on closer to home.
learning
As a core GMA member benefit, GMA Connect brings the Association’s learning experience into regional hubs whilst also welcoming the wider grounds management industry. Each one day event offers a mix of targeted seminar sessions and live demonstrations from leading suppliers, giving attendees the chance to see products, equipment and techniques in action.
16 April; Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff) - Wednesday 22 April; Joie Stadium, Manchester City (Manchester) - Thursday 14 May; Headingley Stadium (Leeds) - Tuesday 19 May; Stoneham Lane Football Complex (Southampton) Thursday 21 May; and Ipswich Rugby Club (Ipswich) Thursday 4 June.
Designed around real world challenges faced by local grounds teams, GMA Connect focuses on practical solutions and takeaways that can be put to use immediately on site.
Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA, said: “It’s all about delivering high-quality learning closer to home and making it more accessible and easier to fit around the busy lives of grounds people. GMA Connect is a core member benefit and these events allow us to bring the GMA learning experience directly into the regions.”
The 2026 schedule: Abingdon School (Oxford) - Thursday
The GMA Enquiry 33
Jane Carley looks at new technology Pages 17-22
Grass Seeds & Wilflowers The new trends and products for 2026 Pages 23-24
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expertise passion.
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