22 The Grove extends partnership with Toro to 2036 The Grove in Hertfordshire, England, has signed a 10-year agreement with Toro to replace its entire maintenance fleet and install a new irrigation system. The partnership builds on one that has been in place since the Kyle Phillips course opened in 2002. A central aspect of the new agreement is the integration of connected technologies designed to support a more precise and datadriven approach to turf management. Toro’s advanced fleet management tools, GPSguided spraying, moisture-based irrigation control and autonomous mowing solutions will enable The Grove to optimise its use of resources, improve operational efficiency and maintain consistent playing conditions. The club has already tested Toro irrigation technology on redeveloped areas of the course and has recorded encouraging results. It is now moving ahead with a course-wide installation. The new system is expected to improve water management while providing greater control and responsiveness to changing turf conditions. Toro and Reesink Turfcare, its distributor for the UK, supported by Oliver Landpower, will collaborate to ensure The Grove gets a streamlined approach to equipment, irrigation and service support. The club will also benefit from technical support, on-site service visits and training for its greenkeeping team. Photo: Bladerunner Farms In 2025, Lanny Wadkins, a 21-time PGA Tour winner turned golf architect, led a renovation of TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, which hosts the CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament. “The course was nearly 25 years old and needed to be updated, not only to match member expectations but for Tour player expectations,” said Jay Abbott, senior vice president of agronomy at ClubCorp. After touring high-end clubs in Dallas, the Craig Ranch team chose zoysia. Bladerunner Farms developed Stadium Zoysia that was grown and installed by Thomas Turfgrass on fairways, tees, collars and approaches. “We couldn’t be happier with how Stadium has performed across the course,” said Abbott. “You can push it with fertiliser; it isn’t as finicky with disease, and the healing of it far exceeds any other zoysia I’ve seen. I was proud of the way the golf course performed during the CJ Cup in May 2026.” TPC Craig Ranch hosts CJ Cup following regrassing TEE BOX
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