London, England: Syngenta Technical Manager Glenn Kirby will discuss how best to manage the leatherjacket challenge when the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) Continue to Learn Extra webinar series returns this week.

A recent social media survey by BIGGA partner Syngenta found that during 2020 just 1% of United Kingdom golf courses reported no damage due to leatherjackets and chafer grubs.

Hidden below the surface of the nation’s golf courses, leatherjackets are threatening the enjoyment and economic viability of the sport.

Of the 400 course managers who responded to the survey, almost all reported that their course was negatively impacted by an infestation of the larvae of craneflies – also known as leatherjackets – and chafer grubs.

At BIGGA’s webinar on Thursday (May 13), Kirby will explain the reasons behind the damage and why it’s important for the golfing industry to unite to support golf club teams during this distressing time.

Kirby said: “My goal when I started investigating the problem of leatherjackets was to get all golf courses to zero damage, as that’s what is being expected of course managers.

“But it has become increasingly clear to me that we are going to have to adjust our expectations. We all want perfect surfaces year-round, but without additional tools in our armoury I suspect that may not be a realistic goal.”

Extensive damage to sports turf is caused by the larvae feeding on the turfgrass, while predators can also cause significant and widespread damage as they hunt for these larvae.

The impact on a golf course can be serious, with increased costs as greenkeeping teams battle against the damage and the potential for large losses in revenue as golfers choose to play at courses that have been unaffected by the pests.

However, unaffected courses are increasingly in the minority.

Alongside the webinar, BIGGA and Syngenta will distribute a white paper to the golf industry that will provide an in-depth study of the situation including its causes, impact and potential solutions and will also be encouraging golf’s leading bodies to share this information to a wide audience.

This Continue to Learn Extra webinar is free to attend for anyone involved in golf club our course management. Registration can be made online via the BIGGA website.

Syngenta is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.