Myerscough College tutor named Turfgrass President

The newly elected committee of the ETS with Stewart Brown in the centre.

Senior HE Lecturer, Stewart Brown, will hold the prestigious post for the next four years after being voted into the role at a meeting of the Society's General Assembly, which met at Salgados, Albuferia, Portugal for its 5th Research Conference earlier this month.

The conference was a great success and well attended by delegates from all over Europe, the USA , Australia and Japan. The ETS are the premier organisation for Turfgrass research  in Europe and its membership includes academics, researchers, professional turf associations, research institutes and commercial companies from around Europe as well as the USA , and further afield.

Stewart said: ‘’I hope that Myerscough will support me in this period and I’m keen to see Myerscough as the centre for Turfgrass Research & Education in Europe.

‘’I believe there is great potential for student recruitment for our Higher Education programmes but also opportunities for research and development with partners in Europe.’’

Myerscough College Principal, Ann Turner, said: ‘’Many congratulations to Stewart. It’s not only a real personal honour in recognition of his work but also a reflection for the status of the College.’’ 

The European Turfgrass Society (ETS) was founded in Pisa, Italy, in 2007, and came on the back of another group that linked together many European scientists and specialists of turf.

The objectives of the ETS include the spread of innovative applications and encouragement of a holistic view of turf, particularly with respect to its influence on urban and environmental quality. The organisation provides a forum for scientists, consultants, companies and practitioners to discuss technical issues related to the provision of turf surfaces.

Stewart will head up the board of the society and sit alongside experts from other European bodies including the University of Copenhagen, the Italian Golf Federation and the Norwegian Institute of Bio-Economy Research.

He adds: ‘’The aims of the ETS fit in perfectly with what we offer in terms of sportsturf education at Myerscough College.

‘’I want us to encourage a systems-based approach to the study of turfgrass through multi-disciplinary groups working at different levels, and to consider turfgrass knowledge in the broadest sense, including its use in sport and leisure, its role in improving urban quality and its importance in the mitigation of environmental effects such as soil erosion.’’