News | Sports Surface Design & Management

SSDM turns 20!

In November 2023, SSDM turned 20. After being initially established by Dr Richard Gibbs in 2003, the consultancy has grown from strength to strength with offices in Auckland and Christchurch. It has been a great journey so far and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve with our clients and we look forward to working with you all to deliver more great green spaces in the next 20 years.

Posted on 1 December 2023 by SSDM

Rainfall and soil pH

With the unusually high rainfall we have had this year, following some recent soil testing, we have found that the pH has dropped quite rapidly in a number of sports fields, particularly in the North Island. High rainfall can strip the soil of cations such as Ca,K and Mg resulting in an increase of H ions in the soil which lowers the soil pH. Sandy soils are affected much faster than other soils which may have a higher CEC which can buffer and slow down this change. If you haven't checked your pH recently, we'd suggest you do so you can get onto managing this with applications of lime or dolomite as required.

Posted on 18 August 2023 by SSDM

AGCSA trainee day

SSDM are pleased to host a trainee day for Auckland's Trainee greenkeepers on soil testing and analysis at the SSDM HQ

Posted on 2 June 2021 by SSDM

Water saving

SSDM published an article in the spring edition of the Australasian Parks & Leisure magazine which touched on the side by side trial of seeded and stolonised couch which was instigated by Auckland Council as another option to reduce water use in turf grass systems .

Posted on 27 October 2020 by SSDM

Updated USGA bunker sand selection guidelines

In June 2020, the USGA has published new guidelines for bunker sand sand selection describing nine characteristics of bunker sand including soil moisture release curve which may be more relevant with the increase of popularity of porous bunker liners. Link to the USGA article can be found at: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/green-section-record/58/11/a-guide-to-selecting-the-right-bunker-sand-for-your-course-.html

Posted on 17 June 2020 by SSDM

SSDM key sponsor for prestigious industry trainee award

SSDM continues to be the sponsor for the 2020 Gordon West Trainee of the Year Award. This is a highly prestigious award that is presented to the 'best trainee' greenkeeper to graduate in 2020, having been a sponsor of the award since 2019. The past winners of this award have gone on to become some of the most respected and successful New Zealand Turf Managers. SSDM's Senior Manager: Matt Cresswell was delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate the consultancy's commitment and support of the New Zealand golf course management sector through sponsoring this award. The philosophy of the award aligns with the professional values of SSDM.