ETS Field Days 2015 - University of Copenhagen (DK)

On 7th and 8th October 2015, The Division of Landscape Architecture and Planning, University of Copenhagen (Denmark) organized and hosted the 4th ETS Field Days 2015. Every two years, ETS runs its Field Days in one of its member countries, to promote the exchange of information among turfgrass specialists and this was the fourth event of a successful sequence started in Valencia, Spain (2009), Ghent, Belgium (2011), and Monte Carlo, Monaco (2013).

The convener Dr. Anne Mette Dahl Jensen welcomed all the participants at hotel Marienlyst (Helsingør) on the 6th of October with a pleasant Nordic standing meal.

The seminar keynote theme was: “Sustainability and Grass” and the focus lied on discussion of turfgrass areas designed and managed correctly, that can provide an important social, environmental and economic resource. Presentations have addressed interesting issues and innovations relevant to the turfgrass industry and research, among which the optimal plant nutrition, irrigation research progress, breeding grass for sustainable use and maintenance, no-pesticide management of sport fields, sustainable approach for green areas and grass on roofs.

Work opened on the morning of 7th October with a welcome on education and focus on sustainability from Susanne Ogstrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Moderator for the seminar and panel discussion was Bruno Hedlund, STERF, who introduced the invited speaker presentations given by Maria Strandberg (STERF), Agnar Kvalbein (Bioforsk), Jerry Knox (Cranfield University), Trygve Aamlid (Bioforsk), Asbjørn Nyholt (Turfgrass agronomist), Arthur Wolleswinkel (Barenbrug), Thomas Randrup, (Swedish Agricultural University) and Torben Hoffmann (Byggros) Furthermore, Stefan Nielson from Vallda golf course (Sweden) and Thomas Pihl from Furesø golf course (Denmark) provided two practical examples of experiences regarding low input management and sustainable greenkeeping. After the presentations followed the Panel discussion with all the speakers.

The ETS General Assembly was chaired by Martin Thieme-Hack (Osnabrueck University) and saw the presentation of 2014-2015 activities, balance and budget by ETS Secretary Filippo Lulli (Turf Europe). As approved during the General assembly of ETS members, the next event of the Society will be held in Algarve (Portugal) in 2016. With this aim, prof. Carlos Guerrero from the University of Algarve (Pt), presented a slide show to describe the points of interest and the facilities that could attract participants to join the Conference in Portugal. The first day was closed by a exquisitely organized dinner at Campus Nødebo.

Day two was dedicated to field visits. The tour started at Frederiksborg Castle garden, Hillerød, a perfect place where to discuss on establishment, maintenance quality and challenges of grass without pesticides for the different lawn types.

Furesø golf course, the first Danish course that was awarded with the environmental price, was the second stop of the field tour and the course manager Thomas Pihl, discussed during a pleasant walk the sustainable golf course maintenance.

In conclusion of the day, convener Dr. Anne Mette Dahl Jensen and ETS president Dr. Panayiotis Nektarios gave their warmest thanks to all attendants for their participation.

Some 50 delegates from 19 different states on three continents attended the ETS Field Days, with a welcome mix of academics, practitioners and turfgrass industry delegates.