When it comes to golf course advancements, turf research and development has been at the forefront. This week, we caught up with Agronomist and Product Development Manager Will Bowden, who works with PGGWrightson Turf. Will explains why automation is becoming more important in turf maintenance, the shift to sustainable products, and reveals his “dodgy” handicap.
What’s your job, who do you work for and how long have you been doing it?
I am the Turf Agronomist and Product Development Manager for PGGWrightson Turf. I’ve been in this role for about 2 years.
What inspired you to pursue a career in turf development and what’s a typical day like?
Playing golf and a love of the outdoors and nature. As a kid, my friends and I would spend pretty much all our spare time at our local golf course. As my interest in the sport grew, I started to take a keen interest in the turf surfaces and the science of how they were managed.
Typical day is split between turfgrass trial work on-site at our Kimihia Research Centre in Lincoln, Canterbury and producing various reports or technical input that supports our team of Territory Managers across NZ and AUS.
What are the biggest challenges you face in developing turf for golf courses?
I think climate change is right up there. We have a strong focus on developing sustainability driven products that will provide quality turf surfaces but also demonstrate resilience to environmental conditions. In particular drought, heat and saturated soils.
What trends or changes do you see shaping the future of the golf industry, specifically when it comes to turf and maintenance?
Automation of turf maintenance equipment is really gaining momentum now. There are a number of golf courses employing automated mowers to compliment their workforce.
We are also seeing a gradual move toward more sustainable practices and products. This will likely drive a requirement for an acceptance toward ‘less than perfect’ surface expectations in the future.
If you weren’t working in turf, what would you be doing?
Either a warden on a nature reserve or a book illustrator.
If you could play a round of golf with three people dead or alive, who would they be and why?
I should probably pick them based on their patience level! To be honest, I never laugh more playing golf than when I’m hacking around with my old school friends (we all started playing at around 11 years of age). Since moving to the other side of the world, we hardly ever play together so I’d pick these 3!
What’s your handicap?
Last count I played off a dodgy 7
Ever had a hole in one?
Only on our short golf hole at Kimihia. Never on a golf course.
