STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) Bulletin July 2014 | Page 4

FIRST WORD Gordon McKillop Chief Executive, STRI There are some occasions in life when you really do appreciate that you are in a very fortunate and privileged position and, for STRI, one of the privileges is working in Brazil for the biggest football tournament in the world. At present, we have 14 consultants spread all over the country, working on the stadiums, team base camps and the training venues associated with each stadium. It does of course have its challenges, as all major sporting events do, but it is still a wonderful experience with each day bringing new issues, new rewards and new learning experiences. The whole country has gone football crazy, the noise from the crowds in the stadiums has to be heard to be believed and it is all very good humoured. As I write this article, the competition has almost reached the end of the league stage and the football and pitches have, by and large, been up to a high standard. So, before we know it, it will soon be time to start preparations for Russia!! Even before that, we are busy working on the pitches for the Asian 4 Bulletin July 2014 Issue 266 Nations Cup, which will be managed by staff in our Brisbane office. It takes place in January 2015 at five venues along the east coast of Australia and should also be a great experience. There are quite a few other major sporting events this summer, such as The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, the Tour de France coming to us here in Yorkshire, Wimbledon and the Royal Dublin Horse Show. As far as The Open is concerned, we have for numerous years been pleased to work with The R&A and the course management team at each venue to deliver the agronomic advice at this event. In latter years, this has been based around the data we collect as part of the STRI Programme of measurements. This we will again be doing this year with the additional aim of making the Club Captain, our Head of Agronomy, Alistair Beggs, particularly proud of his golf course. The arrival of the Tour de France in Yorkshire in a few weeks’ time will also be a unique sporting experience. From our own perspective, it has resulted in a major renovation of all the roads around our base, with hardly a pot-hole in sight anymore! However, in addition, we also have an agronomic input for some clients. This has involved us in assisting in the development of some grass designs which have been grown at several vantage points along the route. By the time you read this article, the event will have taken place, but hopefully you may have noticed them on the television coverage. Whatever your summer sport from a professional or pers