Turf Grass Congress 2023

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You can register ON-SITE from Wednesday 19 April @ 11:00h at El Greco Congress Centre.

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INTERNATIONAL TURFGRASS CONGRESS

The idea of ​​creating a congress on natural turfgrass, aimed at professionals, technicians and public and private entities which make possible the development of sports as important as football or golf, as well as a good management of green areas for leisure (parks and gardens), arises from the need of INTERACTION between the (not so different) areas that make up the green sector, due to we all face the same challenges: The management of sustainable green meadows, maintenance based on a decarbonized economy, innovation in robotics, saving water and substitutes for phytosanitary products, are issues that affect us all.

We are talking about the need for more than 500 urban and sports green infrastructure managers, 380 Greenkeepers and hundreds of Grounds Managers (only in Spain) who see how the fusion of sports and landscaping is becoming more frequent in their own facilities: Soccer Training facilities with large garden areas, resorts with soccer fields, golf clubs with urban ornamentation, cities that combine leisure and sports spaces…

More than 40 top international speakers

Simultaneous translation English/Spanish
Traducción simultánea Español/Inglés

Adriana Francés

Position: Hybrid Executive Tarkett Sports EMEA
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Hybrids at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

My relationship and trajectory with the sports turf industry comes from the hand of the company Royalverd Turf Engineering, where I have been my last 8 years as responsible for the division of hybrid turf, taking off the role of Project Manager. Advising and always offering the best product and service to our customers to achieve the best quality turf playing surface.

Currently I am working in the pioneer company of hybrid systems, Tarkett Sports as responsible for hybrids in both sewn systems (GRASSMASTER) and Lay & Play systems (PLAYMSATER).

Adriana Francés

Hybrid Executive Tarkett Sports EMEA

Presentation of Hybrids at Turf-show

Alejandro Lliso Martín

Position: Agronomy technician specialised on natural turfgrass management
Categories: Speakers

New generations roundtable
Wednesday 19th at 12.30h 

Agronomy technician specialised on natural turfgrass managerment, previously Greenkeeper of the golf course “Olímpico de León” located in León, Castilla y León. Responsible for the annual maintenance of the golf course and practice area, in addition to two football fields.

Actually turfgrass maintenance technician for Calfensa SA, located in Lugo, Galicia, in charge of the maintenance of proffesional football fields and golf courses. Deportivo de la Coruña, Racing de Ferrol, Ponferradina CF, and CD Lugo, including stadiums and training fields.

Alejandro Lliso Martín

Agronomy technician specialised on natural turfgrass management

New generations roundtable

Andy Cole

Position: Director – Chief Technical Officer. iTurf Management Ltd
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Technology and sustainability in the stadiums of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022”
Wednesday 19th at 16:00h

Andy has been involved in the sports turf industry for over thirty years, since graduating from the University of Leeds. His career has taken him to six continents, providing consultancy and project management for sports governing bodies, municipalities, the private sector, schools and local authorities.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA); The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA); The Confederation of African Football (CAF); The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have all utilised Andy’s skills for pitch improvements and tournament delivery at the highest level. He has also provided technical support for the Royal & Ancient Golf Club (R&A) as well as the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Andy Cole

Director – Chief Technical Officer. iTurf Management Ltd

Conference “Technology and sustainability in the stadiums of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022”

Antonio Miranda

Position: President of the Portuguese Association of Greenkeepers
Categories: Speakers

Associations Round-Table
Friday 21st at 10:00h

Headgreenkeeper at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort since 2011

Assistant Headgreenkeeper at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort from 2005 to 2011.

Degree in Agricultural Engineering and Post-Graduation in Management and Maintenance of Golf Courses

Antonio Miranda

President of the Portuguese Association of Greenkeepers

Associations Round-Table

Belén Mosquera

Position: Agricultural Technical Engineer and current Head Greenkeeper of GNK Golf
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Paspalum Platinum TE at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

Agricultural Technical Engineer and current Head Greenkeeper of GNK Golf.

Experience in handling paspalum, bermuda and bentgrass.

Belén Mosquera

Agricultural Technical Engineer and current Head Greenkeeper of GNK Golf

Presentation of Paspalum Platinum TE at Turf-show

Borja Azpilicueta

Position: Director of Grounds – Alcanada Golf Club
Categories: Speakers

Presentation about Agrostis at the Turf-show
Thursday 20th at the turf-show

He studied Turfgrass Management at Western Texas College.

He worked in the construction and grow-in of 5 golf courses in Mallorca, the last one them was Alcanada Golf Club where he has been working the last 20 years.

He participated in its construction, and in several reforms over the years. At the same time he works as a consultant in Polo fields.

Borja Azpilicueta

Director of Grounds – Alcanada Golf Club

Presentation about Agrostis at the Turf-show

Carlos Arroyal

Position: Agronomy Consultant for T.A.S (Turfgrass Agronomy Services) 
Categories: Speakers

Agronomy Consultants roundtable
Thursday 20th at 18:30h

Agronomist and Forestry Engineer, specialized in Sports Surfaces with a Master in Sport Surfaces Technology at the Cranfield University

In his professional experience, he would highlight the supervision and management of the construction, grow-in and maintenance of Education City Golf Club in Qatar and his job as superintendent in the most exclusive golf course of Morocco, Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, which is made up of 3 golf courses and Academia.

During three years in Royal Golf Dar Es Salam he has been involved in the complete renovation of 9-holes and 18 holes Tee and Green complex and the hosting of high-level events such as European Tour, Ladies European Tour and Challenger Tour. Currently he is working as Agronomy Consultant for T.A.S (Turfgrass Agronomy Services) that allows me to continue to gain high level expertise on the management and preparation of top-quality golf courses all around the world.

Carlos Arroyal

Agronomy Consultant for T.A.S (Turfgrass Agronomy Services) 

Agronomy Consultants roundtable

Carlos Lima

Position: Representative of Asociación Multisectorial de la Jardinería Andaluza AMJA
Categories: Speakers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable
Friday 21th April at 10:00h

Agricultural Engineer. Manager of Cespesol S.L. Sports Fields Advisor. More than 30 years of experience in sports turf and comprehensive advice.

Carlos Lima

Representative of Asociación Multisectorial de la Jardinería Andaluza AMJA

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Carlos Venegas

Position: Grounds Manager Sevilla F.C.
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Geothermal heating for soccer fields”
Wednesday 19th at 12:30

Sports turf specialist with more than 25 years of experience, BSc. Sports Turf Science and Management and MSc. Plant Pathology.

Specialist in bermudagrass in soccer stadiums.

Carlos Venegas

Grounds Manager Sevilla F.C.

Conference “Geothermal heating for soccer fields”

Casey Reynolds

Position: PhD. Executive Director, Turfgrass Producers International
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Impacts of Sustainability on Consumers’ Purchasing Decisions and ITGAP certifications of sustainable varieties”
Wednesday 19th at 13:30h

Dr. Casey Reynolds has been the Executive Director of TPI since May 2017. Prior to that he was an assistant professor at Texas A&M University and a research specialist at NC State University.

He is a passionate advocate for natural grass and has authored over 300 written publications and been an invited speaker at over 75 events in 5 countries.

Casey Reynolds

PhD. Executive Director, Turfgrass Producers International

Conference “Impacts of Sustainability on Consumers’ Purchasing Decisions and ITGAP certifications of sustainable varieties”

David Bataller

Position: Turf Consultant, Top Golf Services
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Paspalum at the Turf-show
Thursday 20th at the Turf-show

Agronomy Consultants roundtable
Thursday 20th at 18:30h

US-trained turf technician since 1990. GCSAA, Class A.

Golf Course Architect-Designer.

Director of Golf and Pitch & Putt.

Agronomist Director at PGA Catalunya Resort since 2003.

Consultant for many golf and football courses in Spain, France and Portugal.

CEO Top Golf Services

Specialist in problem solving through sustainable practices.

David Bataller

Turf Consultant, Top Golf Services

Presentation of paspalum at the Turf-show and Agronomy Consultants roundtable

David Doguet

Position: Developer of zoysias. Bladerunner Farms US
Categories: Speakers

Presentation on Zoysias at Turf-show
Friday 21st at 11:00h

David is the owner of Bladerunner Farms in Texas.

Bladerunner Farms is the largest private developer of zoysia grasses in the world.

Bladerunner provides their zoysia grasses to licensed growers around the globe and through these growers many of the best golf courses and sports fields are grassed with David’s (Bladerunner’s) zoysia grass products.

David Doguet

Developer of zoysias. Bladerunner Farms US

Presentation on Zoysias at Turf-show

David Gómez

Position: Director Green Section in Royal Spanish Golf Federation
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Zoysiasgrass”
Friday 21th at 11:00h

David Gomez, graduate in biology, master in golf course management EADE and Turfgrass Management MSU. Thirty years of experience where his last 20 years have been in the Royal Spanish Golf Federation as director of the Green Section. Its main task has been the search for long-term sustainability with the training of future greenkeepers through different scholarships. In the medium term, the investigation of new ones with different universities and in the short term with case studies that serve as inspiration for other golf courses in Spain.

David Gómez

Director Green Section in Royal Spanish Golf Federation

Conference “Zoysiasgrass”

David Serra

Position: Green Areas Manager. Servicentre
Categories: Speakers

Presentation at the Turf Show
Thursday 20th at the turf-show

Chairman at Agronomy Consultants roundtable
Thursday 20th at 18:30h

With more than 6 years of experience as a Landscape Architect in Jávea, Golf Course Superintendent by the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State, USA) and after more than 8 years in Germany as Head Greenkeeper, David wors for the turf industry as Green Areas Manager for Servicentre in most of the Mediterranean Coast, and even reaching new projects in Portugal, France and Italy, among others.

David Serra

Green Areas Manager. Servicentre

Presentation at the Turf Show and Chairman at Agronomy Consultants roundtable

Donald W. Roberts

Position: Agronomic Consultant – Managing Director ITGAP
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Impacts of Sustainability on Consumers’ Purchasing Decisions and ITGAP certifications of sustainable varieties”
Wednesday 19th at 13:30h

Presentation on Zoysia Zeon at Turf-show
Thursday 20th at Turf-show

Owner – D. Roberts International, LLC

B.S. University of Georgia Agronomy, MSc: Clemson University Horticulture

Agronomic Consultant – serving golf courses, sport fields, commercial, industrial and government turfgrass entities for 35+ years, in the USA and 67 countries.

Exporter – U.S. manufactured turfgrass products.

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Agent and Clemson University Turfgrass Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) Leader.

Manager for Pennington Seed Company’s Commercial, Golf, Industrial and Government Sales Division (CGIG).

Donald W. Roberts

Agronomic Consultant – Managing Director ITGAP

Conference “Impacts of Sustainability on Consumers’ Purchasing Decisions and ITGAP certifications of sustainable varieties”

Dr. Deborah Cox

Position: Managing Director in Lagan Valley Scientific’s
Categories: Speakers

Conference “The impact of fungi and plant parasitic nematodes on amenity turf surfaces”
Thursday 20th at 16h

Deborah Cox began her career in molecular biology almost 20 years ago in Dundee, Scotland, graduating in forensic science. She completed a PhD at Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2015 where she studied the genetics behind osmotic stress response in plants.

Following on from this, she has worked at the John Innes Centre & Queens University Belfast to focus on interactions between plants, the environment, & plant parasitic nematodes. During her time at The Agri Food & Biosciences Institute, she managed the government funded Pest & Pathogen Molecular Biology diagnostics lab for official plant health testing in Northern Ireland which used molecular biology techniques to confirm specific organisms. She is now the principal investigator & Managing Director in Lagan Valley Scientific’s Turf Clinic which aims to support the amenity industry in managing turf pests & diseases specialising in plant parasitic nematode management.

Dr. Deborah Cox

Managing Director in Lagan Valley Scientific’s

Conference “The impact of fungi and plant parasitic nematodes on amenity turf surfaces”

Dr. Kate Entwistle

Position: Founder of The Turf Disease Centre
Categories: Speakers

Conference “The impact of fungi and plant parasitic nematodes on amenity turf surfaces”
Thursday 20th at 16h

Kate has been working with amenity turf disease problems since 1990 and gained her PhD in 1995. In 2000, Kate established The Turf Disease Centre to provide a professional and independent disease analysis service to turf managers and others associated with managed amenity turf.  Located in the UK, The Turf Disease Centre serves an international customer base from over 30 countries.

Kate’s early qualifications were in plant pathology & microbiology, but having realised the importance of plant parasitic nematodes in amenity situations, she has also been studying them for the past 20 years.

Kate is especially interested in the combined impact of fungi and plant parasitic nematodes on turf disease development and values her collaborative relationships with research workers who share a similar turf interest.

Away from work, Kate enjoys long distance walking and has completed several challenging trails, including the 170km high route around Mt Blanc and the 435km Pennine Way route in the UK. She also helps out at her local dog training club and enjoys training with her 6 year old Rottweiler, Martha.

Dr. Kate Entwistle

Founder of The Turf Disease Centre

Conference “The impact of fungi and plant parasitic nematodes on amenity turf surfaces”

Eduard Rovira

Position: Technical Director at Royalverd & Founder at Kreon Turf Solutions
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Hybrids at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

Agronomy Consultants Roundtable
Thursday 20th at 18:30h

Technical Director at Royalverd & Founder at Kreon Turf Solutions

Degree in Agronomic Engineering at the University of Lleida.

He has worked advising golf courses in the fertilization and quality of irrigation water as well as in the manufacture of sports substrates.

Currently Technical Director at Royalverd where he has had the opportunity to participate or lead some of the most important events/projects in the world of football:

  • 2012-2018: Head Groundsman Royalverd at FCBarcelona (Camp Nou Stadium & Training center)
  • 2018-2022: Head Groundsman Royalverd at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
  • 2013: FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil
  • 2014: FIFA World Cup Brazil
  • 2015, 2019, 2022: RFEF Final Copa del Rey
  • 2016: Rugby Top 14 Final at Camp Nou Stadium
  • 2019: UEFA Champions League Final at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium

Founder of Kreon Turf Solutions in 2021 focused on production and commercialization of technological products for sports turf (fans, LED lights…)

Eduard Rovira

Technical Director at Royalverd & Founder at Kreon Turf Solutions

Presentation of Hybrids and Agronomy Consultants Roundtable

Eduardo Ruiz Méndez

Position: Presidente de la Asociación Española de Gerentes de Golf
Categories: Speakers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable
Friday 21st at 10:00h

Presidente de la Asociación Española de Gerentes de Golf

Director de Area de Ugolf Iberia y Director de Operaciones Ugolf International.

Director General La Manga Club

Director Operaciones Real Club Valderrama

Director Operaciones y Comercial La Quinta Golf

Operaciones y Comercial Finca Cortesin.

Eduardo Ruiz Méndez

Presidente de la Asociación Española de Gerentes de Golf

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Elena Mateos Martínez

Position: Biologist. Researcher in Urban Ecology and Climatic Change
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Golf courses in the face of the Climate Emergency: from the footprint to the carbon sink through a healthy and sustainable model of use, design and management”
Wednesday 19th at 13:30h

Biologist. Researcher in Urban Ecology and Climatic Change. University of Seville.

Participation in different projects related to urban ecology, urban green infrastructure and natural sinks of carbon dioxide and efficiency in the use of water of plant species in the territorial and urban areas.

Elena Mateos Martínez

Biologist. Researcher in Urban Ecology and Climatic Change

Conference “Golf courses in the face of the Climate Emergency: from the footprint to the carbon…”

Eugenio Rezola

Position: Turf Industry Consultant Services
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

Professional agriculture engineer in the golf industry since 1993, graduated at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. Completing my educational studies with 2 year Turf grass management studies at Michigan State University and then acquiring a Master Degree on Business Administration at the Instituto de Empresa IE-madrid Spain in 2002.

Head Greenkeeper since the very first years, with a background of more than 23 years member of the GCSAA and AEDG, giving me the opportunity of getting involved in other bussiness experiences, such as consultant in the turfgrass industry relating construction and golf course development bussiness projects in several different countries.

For the last 12 years responsible fo Golf Las Americas Tenerife Spain, Head Greenkeeper, and currently emerged in a new stage, performing independent consulting services at the Turfgrass industry.

Eugenio Rezola

Turf Industry Consultant Services

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show

Gabino Carballo

Position: Landscape  Architect
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Sustainability in urban gardens: design and management”
Friday 21st at 12.30h

Gabino Carballo is a Landscape Architect, a Project Manager and an Artist working in he field of biodiversity and nature based solutions. He is a member of the AEPJP board, where he is responsible for Communication and International relations.

He is also been recently appointed to the WUP board. He is the author of several articles and publications and teaches regularly and various academics institutions. He has worked for 17 years at Barcelona’s Parks and Gardens Department where he has specialized in the naturalization of public spaces, and the design and management of sustainable drainage systems and green roofs, amongst other nature based solutions.

He is currently enrolled in an Environmental Agrobiology Master at the Universitat de Barcelona where he is researching invasive plants potential for bioenergy production.

Gabino Carballo

Landscape  Architect

Conference “Sustainability in urban gardens: design and management”

Geoff Webb

Position: CEO of Grounds Management Association
Categories: Speakers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable
Friday 21th April at at 10:00h

Geoff is responsible for all aspects of GMA business and has been engaged in a modernisation programme since he started with the GMA in 2005.

Geoff was previously employed by the Football Foundation as head of grassroots in January 2001, he was then promoted to director of facilities and stadia development in January 2003, a role that saw him develop the grassroots facilities and football stadia grant aid programme.

Geoff Webb

CEO of Grounds Management Association

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Gonzaga Escauriaza

Position: President of Royal Spanish Golf Federation
Categories: Speakers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable
Friday 21st at 10:00h

Born in Bilbao, 69 years old, Gonzaga Escauriaza has been President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation since December 2008.

He studied Economics and Business Administration at the University of Deusto, and was General Manager of Credit Lyonnais in Spain for several years.

In the sporting sphere, he was Spanish Amateur Champion in 1977 and runner-up in 1978.

During 1977 he was also proclaimed Spanish Doubles Champion together with Emilio Soroa.

Gonzaga Escauriaza

President of Royal Spanish Golf Federation

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Ian Tittershill

Position: Senior Vice-President International at Tarkett Sports
Categories: Speakers

Conference: “Approach to sustainable solutions in Hybrid turf development”
Friday 21st at 13:30h

Ian began his career in the sports construction industry in 1989 with a background in civil engineering. Ian worked with the Casey Group. Projects were undertaken throughout the UK constructing synthetic track and field facilities, including the 1991 World student games facilities.

In 2003 he started his own sports engineering business and became a reliable and favored contractor for some of the leading sports construction businesses, including Tarkett.

In 2011 Ian was asked to join Tarkett. He became Vice-President of Tarkett Sports, located in Montreal, Canada. In 2019 he became Senior Vice President.

Ian has responsibility for International sales and operations of Tarkett Sports products and businesses and is also the Managing Director of Tarkett BV, the Hybrid business within Tarkett Sports.

Ian Tittershill

Senior Vice-President International at Tarkett Sports

Conference: “Approach to sustainable solutions in Hybrid turf development”

Ignacio Soto Alarcón

Position: President of Asociación Española de Greenkeepers
Categories: Speakers

New generations roundtable (chair)
Wednesday 19st at 17:00h

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable
Friday 21st at 10:00h

Ingeniero Técnico Agrícola y Diplomado en Turfgrass Management por la Universidad de Michigan State.

Presidente de la Asociación Española de Greenkeepers.

Actualmente desarrolla su actividad profesional como Director agronómico de Finca Cortesin Resort.

Ignacio Soto Alarcón

President of Asociación Española de Greenkeepers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Iker Orue Alda

Position: Grounds Manager at Real Sociedad de Fútbol
Categories: Speakers

New generations roundtable
Wednesday 19th at 12.30h 

Agronomist Engineer. Starting his career in environmental services, he moved to the UK to develop his career in sports turf. There he worked at Wentworth club, Brocket hall club and then became sports turf consultant.

Back in Spain, he continued to work as a consultant before getting the Grounds management position at Real Sociedad.

Iker Orue Alda

Grounds Manager at Real Sociedad de Fútbol

New generations roundtable

Jacobo Cortines

Position: Greenkeeper Finca Cortesín
Categories: Speakers

New generations roundtable
Wednesday 19st at 17:00h

Graduated in Forest Engineering by the University of Córdoba (Spain) and dual undergraduate degree by University of Concepción (Chile).

Part of the Ohio Turfgrass Internship Program at Quail Hollow Club and at Tpc Scottdale. Certificate in The Advance Golf Course Managements by the Ohio state University.

Currently developing my professional career at Finca Cortesin  as Assistant Superintendent.

Jacobo Cortines

Greenkeeper Finca Cortesín

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Javier Farran Fernandez-Borrero

Position: Golf Saudi Agronomist
Categories: Speakers

New generations roundtable
Wednesday 19th at 12.30h 

Agronomist Engineer by University of Sevilla.

Ohio State University.

Worked in Spain, USA, Mexico, UAE, India and Saudi.

Javier Farran Fernandez-Borrero

Golf Saudi Agronomist

New generations roundtable

Javier Gutiérrez

Position: Acttua Golf Services (Partner) / Director of Agronomy
Categories: Speakers

Presentation on Bermudagraass at the Turf-show
Thursday 20th April at Turf-show

Agronomy consultants roundtable
Thursday 20th April at 18:30h

Majored in Agronomy Engineer (Spain), Golf & Landscape Design and Management (Texas, USA) and Turfgrass Pest Management (Perdue, Indiana). In 2.001, he worked as a Golf Course Superintendent at Sotogrande until 2.006 when he started to provide agronomy consultancy services to external project with Sotogrande Golf Services in countries such as Spain, Venezuela and Italy.

Joined Francisco Arce as one of the founder of acttua Golf Services in 2,012 taking over agronomist consultancy task along with the irrigation system design. He has been involved in the development of the main project of acttua Golf Services and is currently the agronomic consultant of more than 10 golf courses.

Javier Gutiérrez

Acttua Golf Services (Partner) / Director of Agronomy

Presentation on Bermudagraass at the Turf-show and Agronomy consultants roundtable

Jesús Hernández

Position: R&D Manager CRF Engineering at ICL
Categories: Speakers

Conference “eqo.s-  First of its kind biodegradable coating technology for controlled release fertilizers”
Friday 21st at 12.30h

Jesús is a chemical engineer (PhD) with background in polymer technology and sustainability. For the past 12 years he has been working for ICL, in the Netherlands, in the development of novel controlled fertilizers, from ideation to the lab to scale up and production.

The clear focus in recent years has been sustainability and biodegradability of the final products, being EQO-S the last technology breakthrough.

Jesús Hernández

R&D Manager CRF Engineering at ICL

Conference “eqo.s-  First of its kind biodegradable coating technology for controlled release fertilizers”

Jimena Blanco Jaschek

Position: Agronomist engineer. Head Greenkeeper of La Sella Golf
Categories: Speakers

Presentation on Agrostis at turf-show
Thursday 20th at the turf-show

Jimena is currently head greenkeeper at La Sella Golf. Agronomist engineer by the University of Salamanca and graduated in the program “Two years turfgrass management for golf courses” in the USA, she has an extensive experience in the maintenance of C4 turf irrigated with low quality reclaimed water and in the construction of sports surfaces.

Jimena Blanco Jaschek

Agronomist engineer. Head Greenkeeper of La Sella Golf

Presentation on Agrostis at turf-show

João Machado

Position: Golf Course Superintendent at Comporta Dunas Golf
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

Academic Degree in Agronomic Engineering.

20 years working in the golf industry and football fields.

Superitendent and consultant of several golf courses in Portugal in the last 12 years, such as Vidago Palace, Palheiro, Bom Sucesso, Troia, Oporto Golf among others.

Project manager for the largest beer group in the country, for 8 years, development and research of varieties of barley.

More recently since 2020 Superitendent of the Terras da Comporta Project with two new Golf Courses, DUNAS and TORRE.

João Machado

Golf Course Superintendent at Comporta Dunas Golf

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show

José Saldanha Lobão

Position: Turf Farm Manager Cespednovogreen
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

Majored in agronomy in the Lisbon University (ISA), continued his studies by integrating The Ohio Program in Ohio State University and working in Harbour Town Golf Links. Certified professional in Sports Turfgrass Management by the Georgia University

Working in the turfgrass industry since 2010, has been golf course superintendent of several facilities in Portugal.

Throughout his professional career, Jose had the chance to work and manage more than 15 varieties of turf, both warm and cool seasons.

Currently integrates the Novo Green team as manager of the Comporta turf farm in Portugal.

José Saldanha Lobão

Turf Farm Manager Cespednovogreen

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show

Josep Cirera Clotet

Position: Agronomist Engineer being the Turfgrass Director at Semillas Fito
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of hibryds at the Turf-show
Thursday 20th at the turf-show

33 years in the Turfgrass seed business introducing and developing the most suitable species and varieties both vegetative and. seeded for Mediterranean conditions.

Author of the book Turfgrass culture.

Josep Cirera Clotet

Agronomist Engineer being the Turfgrass Director at Semillas Fito

Presentation of hibryds at the Turf-show

Kirk Buchanan

Position: Sales Consultant. Atlas Turf International
Categories: Speakers

Conference: “Platinum TE™ Paspalum – Growth Over 15 Years”
Friday 21st at 13:30h

Sales Consultant. Atlas Turf International.

My primary focus for the past 15 years has been in Asia where we have helped clients choose the right grass and set up onsite nurseries for their projects.

Atlas Turf International specializes in bringing turf solutions to clients across the globe. As the leading supplier of quality turfgrasses worldwide, Atlas Turf has a history of successful involvement in golf and sports field projects spanning over 50 countries.

Kirk Buchanan

Sales Consultant. Atlas Turf International

Conference: “Platinum TE™ Paspalum – Growth Over 15 Years”

Kristell Santander

Position: Head of Nematology Department, Study Director at NEVAL
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Strategies for the control of turf pests and diseases”
Wednesday 19th at 18:30h

Santander, K. is a reference on Nematology in Spain. 20 years experience in Research and development of pesticides and biostimulants. In 2015 NEVAL was created; NEVAL is a contract research organization (CRO) working to get results with the different testing products (Insecticides, Nematicides, Fungicides, herbicides, Fertilizers, Biostimulants) in laboratory, field and semifield conditions.

She is also Professor of trials design and nematology.

Kristell Santander

Head of Nematology Department, Study Director at NEVAL

Conference “Strategies for the control of turf pests and diseases”

Kurtis Bowman

Position: Golf Designer
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Agronomy in golf design”
Wednesday 19th at 17h

Devotion to his craft has been Bowman’s way since he was a teenager. In college, he transferred from a liberal arts university to The Ohio State University, one of America’s outstanding turf programs. Internship at Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC), assistant superintendent at Atlanta Country Club, Bowman spent three years as a Nicklaus site coordinator, training under architects Phil Smith and Jim Lipe – who he describes as his mentor. He was involved with the Superstition Mountain project in Arizona, the King & Bear course at the World Golf Village in Florida, May River in South Carolina and at Sebonack.

Bowman left Nicklaus in 2008 and subsequently worked as a consultant for several years before founding his own company in 2016.  Now based in Texas, he has done a number of jobs close to home, including some working with PGA Tour legend Lanny Wadkins. The Hacienda Alcaidesa Links in southern Spain, opening in July 2022, is one of his most notable jobs.

Kurtis Bowman

Golf Designer

Conference “Agronomy in golf design”

Manuel Enrique Figueroa

Position: Professor of Ecology. Professor Emeritus. University of Seville
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Golf courses in the face of the Climate Emergency: from the footprint to the carbon sink through a healthy and sustainable model of use, design and management”
Wednesday 19th at 13:30h

Professor of Ecology. Professor Emeritus. University of Seville.

Management of national and international projects related to sustainability and climate change.

Manuel Enrique Figueroa

Professor of Ecology. Professor Emeritus. University of Seville

Conference “Golf courses in the face of the Climate Emergency: from the footprint to the carbon…”

Marcela Muñoz

Position: Turf Business Manager at BION International
Categories: Speakers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable (Moderator)
Friday 21st at 10:00h

Agronomist Engineer and Master of Science Degree from The Ohio State University in Turfgrass Management. In her career she has worked as an agronomist, researcher, technician, business and product manager, field assistant and consultant, between others, around the world. In 2014 she joined STRI as a turf agronomy consultant for the FIFA 2014 Brazil World Cup and later with Turf Masters worked with the LOC for the FIFA under 17 world Cup.

The next 7 years she worked as Syngenta´s Technical Manager for EAME providing support to greenkeepers, tournaments, and leagues in 3 continents. She recently joined Bion International as Turf Business Manager. She is an active member of many turf associations around the world and volunteered for +10 years in the Sports Turf Managers Association of America´s International Committee (SFMA) and currently she is part of the European Turfgrass Society´s board (ETS).

Marcela Muñoz

Turf Business Manager at BION International

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable (Moderator)

Mark Sinnett

Position: TLS Director Business Development
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Turf lighting systems and digital tools for lawns maintenance”
Friday 21st at 11:00h

I’ve been in the sports turf industry for 20 years, my career started as an apprentice at a Premier League football club, where I worked my way up to be Head Groundsman. Wanting to further my career and knowledge I looked to move abroad where I was offered a Sports turf managers job in Qatar. I was responsible for 140 staff and the maintenance of 60 Training pitches and 11 stadiums for the Qatar Starts League.

After 3 years of implementing better standards, training of staff and raising the standards I was offered to join Aspire Sports Turf who had just joined a joint venture with STRI to develop and manage the maintenance and construction of the Qatar World Cup 2022 pitches. Within the role of senior sports field consultant, I was tasked with implementing best maintenance practices, implementing a training program for all staff and the reconstruction of pitches to meet FIFA requirements.

After 3 years working at AST I then moved on after being offered a pitch managers job at the national stadium in Saudi Arabia and consultant for the Ministry of Sport, this gave me the opportunity to implement my ideas and experience I had learnt previously in raising the standards of the football pitches in Saudi Arabia with the plan to host major events in the forceable future.

I then (with a young family) decided moving back to the UK was for the best, this is when I joined TLS as Business Development Director, my main role was to expand the TLS portfolio to meet the industry’s needs and implement data driven products to help groundsman make the right decisions daily. I have been with TLS now for 4 years and thoroughly enjoy helping our industry in a small way in proving state of the art grow lights, data collection software and many other products to help improve and keep consistency of natural turf pitches.

Mark Sinnett

TLS Director Business Development

Conference “Turf lighting systems and digital tools for lawns maintenance”

Pablo Muñoz

Position: Agronomy & Consulting Director SURTEC
Categories: Speakers

Presentation about Agrostis at the Turf-show
Thursday 20th at the turf-show

Agronomy Consultants roundtable
Thursday 20th at 18:30h

Pablo Muñoz has an academic background of Agricultural Engineer and Master of Science from Cranfield University. After working some years as a golf course superintendent, he co-founded Surtec Golf Agronomy with the turfgrass agronomist Luis Cornejo. Pablo manages the area of Agronomy consultancy where he and his team provide agronomy services to more than 12 golf courses in Spain.

Pablo is also a leading authority in golf course irrigation. As a Certified Golf Course Irrigation Auditor and Designer, Pablo has led more than 30 irrigation design projects and audited more than 50 golf courses across Europe.

Surtec Golf Agronomy works also as a technical partner for golf course architects and golf clubs, providing engineering & project management services, as well as construction monitoring services.

Pablo Muñoz

Agronomy & Consulting Director SURTEC

Presentation about Agrostis at the Turf-show and Agronomy Consultants roundtable

Paz González Marinas

Position: Vice-president of the Spanish Association of Landscape Architects
Categories: Speakers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable
Friday 21th April at 10:00h

Technical agricultural engineer and landscape designer. She has developed her professional career with different architecture and landscape design studios in Madrid, Alicante and London, combining it with her personal project, Pinea Paisaje landscape design studio, to which she is now fully dedicated. She has been linked to the AEP since 2009 and has been a member of its Board since 2019.

Paz González Marinas

Vice-president of the Spanish Association of Landscape Architects

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Pedro Fernández-Bolaños

Position: LaLiga Grounds Quality Manager
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Quality and performance of LaLiga Santander pitches”
Thursday 20th at 17:00h

Supervision role on the quality and performance of the pitches where LaLiga Santander and LaLIga Smartbank are played.

His background involves both golf and football groundskeeping, including 7 years working at Real Madrid CF.

Pedro Fernández-Bolaños

LaLiga Grounds Quality Manager

Conference “Quality and performance of LaLiga Santander pitches”

Rémi Lardin

Position: Regional Manager Grassmaster South Europe
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Hybrids at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

Rémi is an expert in Sports field construction and maintenance, with over 20 years of experience and various positions ranging from gardener to project manager, engines driver to grounds manager. He has international experience that includes: the construction and maintenance of hybrid pitches in North Africa, 8 years as Grounds Manager for Olympique de Marseille, management of international events (Euro UEFA, FIFA Club World Cup, French Football and Rugby Federation, management of the Vélodrome stadium pitch for concerts and even for the Tour de France).

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to join the Tarkett Sports “Hybrid” team. I am now worldwide active with the “Excellence”, and I am proud to have joined the pioneers and experts of the hybrid market.

Rémi Lardin

Regional Manager Grassmaster South Europe

Presentation of Hybrids at Turf-show

Ricardo Barón Burguete

Position: Greenkeeper La Hacienda Golf Links Resort
Categories: Speakers

New generations roundtable
Wednesday 19th at 12.30h 

Agricultural Engineering and then I completed a Master’s Degree in Golf Course Maintenance in Málaga. I completed my training in the United States in the Ohio University program working at Quail Hollow Club. Then, I went to Dubai as an Assistant at The Els Club and two years later I became Golf Course Superintendent of Al Zorah Golf Club.

After more than 3 years in the United Arab Emirates, I am now back in Spain in an exciting project at La Hacienda Golf Links Resort.

Ricardo Barón Burguete

Greenkeeper La Hacienda Golf Links Resort

New generations roundtable

Sara Dalmau

Position: Spanish Delegate of International Turfgrass Society
Categories: Speakers

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable
Friday 21th April at at 10:00h

Member of the Spanish National Commission for the Estimation of Forage and Cespitose Varieties, and since July 2022 she is the representative of Spain in the ITS (International Turfgrass Society), a prestigious association that promotes turfgrass research worldwide.

Agricultural Engineer with doctoral studies, she is CEO of Semillas Dalmau for 26 years, a grass seed producer company specialized in sports fields, gardening, revegetation of slopes and other green areas. Currently also president of the new company SD BY DALMAU, which complements the green sector with fertilizer products.

Sara Dalmau

Spanish Delegate of International Turfgrass Society

Associations’ Delegates Roundtable

Scott Liddle

Position: Head Greenkeeper of Pestana Alto Golf in Portimão
Categories: Speakers

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show
Thursday at Turf-show

Majored in Agricultural Engineering at Technical University of Lisbon.

Started working on turfgrass and golf courses at Penina Golf Hotel Golf Course as Assistant Greenkeeper in 2002 and from then on other several golf courses of Pestana Group as Head Supervisor (Pestana Gramacho, Pestana Silves Golf, Pestana Vale da Pinta and now Pestana Alto Golf), managing different species and cultivars of cool and warm season grasses in the Algarve, south of Portugal.

Scott Liddle

Head Greenkeeper of Pestana Alto Golf in Portimão

Presentation of Bermudagrass at Turf-show

Simon Doyle

Position: Vice President of Agronomy, Troon International
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Traits of a High Performing Golf Course Superintendent”
Wednesday 19th at 16:00h

Simon Doyle has a rich history in the golf industry and agronomy. Prior to joining Troon Golf, Doyle was educated at the highly regarded Reaseheath College, where he received a HND in Golf Course Management, progressing to Ohio State University in the US. Following his education he took up posts at Major, Ryder Cup and PGA Tour venues, Westchester CC and Oak Hill CC in New York.

In 2000, Doyle moved to Japan where he worked as a consulting Agronomist for US based firm Environmental Turfgrass Systems. In 2002 he joined Troon Golf where he was seconded to Goldman Sachs in Japan as part of a team to oversee the management of Goldman’s golf company, Accordia Golf. This then led to the position of Asset Manager for the same group of courses and subsequent acquisitions by Goldman.

Doyle is currently operating as Vice President of Agronomy for Troon International, where he oversees the expanding portfolio of courses.

Simon Doyle

Vice President of Agronomy, Troon International

Conference “Traits of a High Performing Golf Course Superintendent”

Sylvain Duval

Position: Director of Agronomy at Turfgrass Agronomy & Services
Categories: Speakers

Conference “USGA Greens method of construction. Full review and explanation including historical information”
Thursday 20th at 17:00h

Sylvain Duval is a former Golf Course Superintendent/Head of Agronomy that has worked in France, England, Italy and Spain before offering independent Turfgrass Agronomy Services. Sylvain has an extensive experience in Turfgrass Agronomy, project development and management at the highest level of quality.

Co-founder of Turfgrass Agronomy & Services (T.A.S) with Alejandro Reyes, we also provide irrigation design & audit services and we are surrounded by a team of 10 experts and specialists to cover all aspects of the business and provide a full range of services. We currently have 80 clients in 25 different countries.

Sylvain Duval

Director of Agronomy at Turfgrass Agronomy & Services

Conference “USGA Greens method of construction. Full review and explanation including historical information”

Vicente Alpuente

Position: Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Grounds Manager Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.
Categories: Speakers

Presentation at Turf-show
Thursday 20th at the turf-show

Conference “Sustainability in the construction and maintenance of sports Grass. Villarreal C.F.”
Thursday 20th at 16:00

Groundsman 2022 Spain Award (AEdG), Grounds Manager Villarreal CF (2006-2023), Sports Facilities and Maintenance Manager, Head Groundsman, El Puig Valencia (1992-2006).

Expert in Natural and Artificial Sports Turf Management (2008). University of Castilla La Mancha, Toledo.

Soccer Sports Technician – National Soccer Coach Level 3 (2005). Ministry of Education and Science, Madrid.

Technical Specialist General Administration. El Grao Educational Center, Valencia (1986).

Vicente Alpuente

Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Grounds Manager Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.

Conference “Sustainability in the construction and maintenance of sports Grass. Villarreal C.F.”

William Boogaarts

Position: Innovation Manager in De Enk
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Robotic mowing the future in golf course maintenance”
Wednesday 19th at 12:30h

As innovation manager at in Holland, William Boogaarts has a visionary view of the future with a critical tone. He has 20 years’ experience as superintendent working on different golf courses. He is working for more than 10 years with different robots on greens, fairways, rough and more.

William is involved in innovative developments in the golf market and beyond. In this presentation he takes you through the latest trends on robotic mowing and developments in the field of golf course. An example of a development in everyday life is electric driving. Does this trend extend to our golf course machines? Other trends that will certainly influence the future of machines are digitization, automation/ GPS, data and sensors. In an inspiring short time travel, William gives a glimpse of the future.

William Boogaarts

Innovation Manager in De Enk

Conference “Robotic mowing the future in golf course maintenance”

Xavier Tordera

Position: SGL Area Manager
Categories: Speakers

Conference “Turf lighting systems and digital tools for lawns maintenance”
Friday 21 April at 11,00h

Xavi is an experienced professional in the turf industry who has dedicated his career to ensuring clubs around the world can maintain top-quality grass playing surfaces. He was responsible for the famous Camp Nou pitch between 1996 and 2012 and has been a consultant to FIFA for more than 11 years. For the past ten years, he has been the area manager for SGL in Southern Europe and South America.

SGL’s services include grow lighting units, data monitoring tools, and sustainable grass disease prevention equipment, all designed to help groundsmen maintain a safe and high-quality grass playing surface all year long. With his expertise, experience and passion for grass, Xavi is helping clubs around the world keep their pitches in the best condition possible.

Xavier Tordera

SGL Area Manager

Conference “Turf lighting systems and digital tools for lawns maintenance”

VENUE: TOLEDO

Discover one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

Capital of Spain for centuries, the history of Toledo is one of the most extensive and interesting in the country, the city offers a wide cultural and gastronomic offer.

Location for seminars:

EL GRECO PALACE CONGRESS. TOLEDO

Address: P.º Miradero, s/n, 45003 Toledo

Location for Turf & Machinery Expo:

Finca El Bercial de San Rafael. Alcolea de Tajo-Toledo

Address: Ctra/CM 4101, Km 25.9, 45571 Alcolea de Tajo

GOLF TOURNAMENT in Los Layos Golf  + lunch for players

CONTACT US FOR SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS

How to get to Toledo from Madrid?

By car

Toledo is only 75 kilometers from Madrid.

By train

There is an AVANT train line connecting both cities, every hour. The trip takes 30 minutes. Trains depart from Madrid-Atocha station and arrive at Toledo station. Tickets at www.renfe.com

Radio Taxi Toledo 925 25 50 50 / 925 22 70 70

ACCOMODATION

Please remember that April is high season for hotels in Toledo.
We recommend that you book your hotel before January 30, 2023.

Hotel Pintor el Greco 4*

Special price for congress attendees with promotional code “CESPEDNAT2023”
Reservations here: www.hotelpintorelgreco.com
BUS STOP HERE 

Hotel Cigarral El Bosque 5*

Single room including breakfast: 93.50€ (VAT Incl.)
Double room including breakfast: 100€ (VAT Incl.)
Special price until 19/02/23 for congress attendees with promotional code “CESPEDNATURAL”
Reservations here:
reservas@hotelcigarralelbosque.com
This hotel is 1.5km from the Palace Congress. Please remember to indicate in your reservation if you will need shuttle service.

Eurostar Toledo 4*

Single room including breakfast: 120€ (VAT Incl.)
Double room including breakfast: 130€ (VAT Incl.)
Special price for congress attendees with promotional code “TURFGRASS CONGRESS”
Reservations here: reservas@eurostarstoledo.com
This hotel is 1.8km from the Palace Congress. Please remember to indicate in your reservation if you will need shuttle service.

Posada La Sillería 4*

Single room including breakfast: 112€ (VAT Incl.)
Double room including breakfast: 134€ (VAT Incl.)
Special price until 07/02/2023 for congress attendees with promotional code “TURFGRASS CONGRESS”
Reservations here: reservas@hotelposadasilleria.es

Hotel Beatriz 4*

Single room including breakfast: 98€ (VAT Incl.)
Double room including breakfast: 108€ (VAT Incl.)
Special price for congress attendees with promotional code “TURFGRASS CONGRESS”
Reservations here: beatriztoledo@beatrizhoteles.com
This hotel is 3.9km from the Palace Congress. Please remember to indicate in your reservation if you will need shuttle service.

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