1.33pm 10th March 2025 - <a href="https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/greenkeeping/">Greenkeeping & Agronomy</a><span>•</span><a href="https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/interviews/">Interviews</a> <br><strong><em>Héctor Forcén, The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Service’s newly appointed agronomist for Central and Northern Europe, talks about his role and the services that he offers to help golf course owners meet the challenges of maintaining their facilities in this part of the world</em></strong><br><br><strong>Can you tell us about your background and your journey to becoming The R&A’s Agronomist for Central and </strong><strong>Northern </strong><strong>Europe?</strong><br>My journey in golf began with a deep passion for the game, which led me to study agronomy to further my career in the golf industry. For my final project studying agronomy, I worked on the construction of a public golf course, sparking my interest in specialising in golf course management skills which I find valuable every day in my role as an agronomist. <br>To develop my expertise, I joined professional associations and trained at Gleneagles, where I gained a strong foundation in greenkeeping. The mix of experience in practical greenkeeping and technical skills from studies has given me a rounded skillset and understanding of everyone’s role in golf. <br>During Spain’s golf boom, I worked on several major projects, collaborating with leading designers while furthering my knowledge through specialised turfgrass management studies at the University of Georgia. I then joined a British company on the Tour, gaining valuable experience in global tournament preparation and course conditioning.<br>In 2009, I moved to Switzerland, where I managed golf course maintenance, consultancy and sustainability initiatives, refining my skills and a particular passion for environmental stewardship. These experiences ultimately prepared me for my current role as The R&A’s Agronomist for Central and Northern Europe.<br><strong>What do you see as the biggest agronomic challenges for golf courses in Central and </strong><strong> Northern </strong><strong>Europe, and how do you plan to address these through The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service?</strong><br>The biggest agronomic challenges for golf courses in Central and Northern Europe stem from climate change, water management and pesticide regulation, and biodiversity pressures.<br>Climate change is causing drought issues through increased competition for the use of water due to population growth. We also see more frequent extreme weather events, and increased disease pressure because of environmental stress and the demands placed on the turf from golfers. To address this, we promote the development of drought-tolerant turf species through careful management of the golf course environment and maintenance strategies. The successful implementation of appropriate irrigation strategies and integrated pest management practices will be at the heart of success. <br>Our access to irrigation water is facing greater restriction due to regulation and public perception. We see inefficient use of irrigation in many situations because of ageing infrastructure. Supporting clubs in reasoning for upgrading their irrigation systems and becoming more astute with the application of water is one of the main areas of how we help clubs implement actions for raising the standards on the golf course. This may include water recycling solutions and audits to improve long-term sustainability.<br><br><br>Our drive to reduce the use of chemicals is key with regulation tightening and likely to become even more restrictive . We advocate for naturalised areas, precise nutrition, and the use of non-synthetic plant protection products to improve soil health practices and enhance turf resilience. We must ensure that the turf conditioning is healthy and strikes the balance with appropriate and sustainable standards for performance of the playing surfaces. For instance, soil compaction and nutrient imbalances can also impact turf vitality. We implement soil testing, tailored fertilisation plans and efficient aeration programmes in a well-managed microclimate.<br>Biodiversity conservation is increasingly important. Our work at The R&A promotes biodiversity using many different strategies in creating pollinator-friendly habitats, incorporating native planting and monitoring biodiversity gains. <br>Bringing all of this together in clear and actionable communication is needed for all areas of the golf club and the wider industry. We provide ongoing training through workshops, webinars and field demonstrations to ensure best practices are shared and adopted.<br><strong>Sustainability is an increasingly significant concern in the golf industry. How will your services support clubs in adopting more environmentally responsible and sustainable practices while maintaining playability?</strong><br>The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service is supporting clubs in adopting sustainable practices while maintaining high standards of playability.<br>Integrated turf management helps minimise resource use and optimising mowing and cultural management practices. We find the balance between intensively managed playing areas and lower-input naturalised zones. We understand the need for setting achievable and optimum standards for each and every course. No two courses are the same either in their environment or resourcing. <br>Water conservation is a key priority as already discussed but it’s an important point to reiterate as greenkeeping has come a long way with the introduction of technology such as soil moisture assessment and mapping. We encourage clubs to adopt the collection of meaningful and accurate, measurements to promote the use of efficient irrigation systems.<br>Improving soil health reduces the need for chemical inputs. We focus on organic matter management, efficient drainage, precision nutrient programmes and productive microclimate conditions to enhance turf resilience. These are intrinsically linked and one will not succeed on its own if the holistic management is not managed with care and understanding.<br>We also support carbon reduction efforts through minimal-maintenance landscapes, renewable energy adoption and carbon-sequestering practices such as tree and grassland habitat management. <br><br><strong>Which specific innovations or technologies do you believe hold the most promise for promoting sustainability in turf management over the next decade?</strong><br>Several emerging technologies hold great potential, including:<br><strong>Precision irrigation</strong> using soil moisture sensors and climate-based controllers conserve water by targeting irrigation needs in real-time.<br><strong>Autonomous and electric equipment</strong> reduces emissions and optimises labour efficiency.<br><strong>Advanced turfgrass breeding</strong> has produced drought- and salt-tolerant varieties, which reduce water use and withstand extreme conditions. This will be important for the resilience of turfgrass against increasing disease pressure.<br><strong>Data-driven management</strong> through drones and AI improves turf monitoring and predictive maintenance.<br><strong>Organic and bio-based solutions</strong> – including bio-stimulants, compost and biological pest control – reduce chemical reliance while improving turf resilience.<br><strong>Carbon sequestration</strong> technologies like biochar enhance soil health and carbon storage, and a greater understanding of the benefits of grassland management.<br>We also see innovation in digital platforms for sustainability tracking, habitat restoration using GIS and drones, and renewable energy adoption for irrigation systems.<br>These advancements, combined with collaboration and knowledge sharing, will position golf courses to lead by example in sustainability. Our goal is to make these technologies accessible and effective for clubs worldwide.<br><strong><em>To find out more about the services offered by The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Service, email <a href="mailto:sustainableagronomy@randa.org">sustainableagronomy@randa.org</a></em></strong> <em>or click <a href="https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/c42c7bf4-dca7-00ea-4f2e-373223f80f76/720e6490-82bf-4718-b877-efacde765e87/The%20R%26A%20Sustainable%20Agronomy%20Services%20Brochure.pdf">here</a></em>. <br><strong><em> </em></strong><br>Golf Genius has announced an agreement with the Confederation of Professional Golf to provide PGA members and coaches in the CPG network with exclusive access to coaching solution CoachNow.<br>Every blade of grass at West Essex Golf Club is cut by a Baroness mower – the case for the last seven years and one that looks set to stay for the foreseeable future, according to Course Manager Paul Kimber. <br>Global sports and entertainment agency 54 has been shortlisted for Agency of the Year at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards<br><a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/greenkeeping/the-gbn-interview-hector-forcen-the-ra-sustainable-agronomy-service/" rel="noopener" data-via="eGolfBusiness" data-hashtags="GolfBusinessNews">Share on Twitter</a> <br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/greenkeeping/the-gbn-interview-hector-forcen-the-ra-sustainable-agronomy-service/&title=THE+GBN+INTERVIEW%3A+H%C3%A9ctor+Forc%C3%A9n%2C+The+R%26amp%3BA+Sustainable+Agronomy+Service&source=GolfBusinessNews.com" rel="noopener">Share on LinkedIn</a><br>GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world.<br>We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course. 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