The R&A Clubhouse at Continue to Learn

Paul Woodham, Head of Agronomy Europe, has over 30 years’ experience in golf course management. Paul’s career began in greenkeeping and progressed with 14 years’ as a professionally qualified and experienced agronomist. He has worked across all types of course ranging from public and private operations and across  Members courses to Tour and Resort venues with experience in tournament monitoring.

Paul has a degree in Turfgrass Science and is a member of the BASIS Professional Register. Paul is also a regular contributor to industry publications and presents education seminars and workshops on the national and international stage.

Tom is an applied research scientist and project manager with interests in the applied nature of green and blue infrastructure across a wide range of industries ranging from water security, urban design, landscape restoration, ecohydrology, and agriculture.   

He is a 2022 Nuffield Farming Scholar – investigating long-term water security in the agricultural, horticultural and amenity sectors, and works for The Environment Partnership (TEP), which is an integrated multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy.  

Tom leads TEP’s ecohydrology service which focusses on landscape restoration, water security for facilities and wetland habitat provision. He specialises in working with golf facilities to source alternative water sources to ensure their long-term security. 

Mark Hunt has worked for over 35 years in the amenity market within the areas of product development and agronomic support. His main area of interest is dovetailing the effect of our changing climate on agronomic processes such as disease development, grass growth and plant nutrition.

Adam has been a Turfgrass Agronomist for 13 years and joined The R&A in 2019. He has worked at 9 Open Championships, 7 AIG Women’s Opens and numerous R&A  Amateur Championships and matches. Adam holds a first class honours degree in Turfgrass Science along with BASIS and FACTS qualifications and is a proud R&A Scholar.

As Championship Agronomy Manager at The R&A, he is responsible for providing agronomic support to R&A Championship Venues to help deliver sustainable playing surfaces to the highest of standards for R&A Championships.

Adam has a great passion for golf and is a member of Ganton Golf Club with a handicap of 2.

Stefan Carter is the Sustainable Championship Agronomist at The R&A, having joined the organisation in April 2025. In this role, he works closely with golf clubs and championship venues to support sustainable course management practices and contribute to the successful delivery of championship golf. 
Stefan began his career in greenkeeping in 2009 at a local golf club in Leicester. Early in his career, he completed his Level 2 in Sports Turf Management and gained valuable experience across a variety of golf course environments. A pivotal moment came in 2013 when he was selected for The Open Championship Support Team through BIGGA, an experience that inspired his ambition to work at the highest level of the profession.
To further develop his expertise, Stefan volunteered at numerous prestigious events, including the BMW PGA Championship and R&A amateur championships, before joining The Wentworth Club in 2015. During his time at Wentworth, he was exposed to world-class standards in golf course management and embraced opportunities to broaden his skills through championship preparation, international volunteering, and course renovation projects, including work at Le Golf National ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup. Stefan also gained his Level 3 in Sports Turf Management and reached the finals of TORO Student Greenkeeper of the year.
In 2017, Stefan completed an internship at Augusta National Golf Club, where he worked as part of the greenkeeping team for the Masters Tournament. This remains one of the highlights of his career and further strengthened his commitment to excellence in course management.
Alongside his practical experience, Stefan pursued higher education, earning both an FdSc in Sports Turf Science and Management and a BSc (Hons) in Sports Turf Science and Management from Myerscough College. He progressed through a series of leadership positions at Wentworth, including Senior Greenkeeper, Head Greenkeeper and Deputy Course Manager, ultimately leading teams and volunteers during multiple BMW PGA Championships.
Today, Stefan combines his championship golf experience, technical expertise, and passion for sustainable practices in his role with The R&A. He is committed to supporting the future of the game while inspiring and developing the next generation of turf management professionals.

Pablo Muñoz is part of The R&A's Sustainable Agronomy Services team, providing expert consultancy across Southern Europe. As the only Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA) and Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) accredited by the Irrigation Association in Europe, Pablo brings unique expertise in sustainable irrigation and water management to The R&A's operations. With over 20 years of experience delivering agronomic advice to golf courses across Southern Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia, Pablo is deeply committed to supporting clubs in achieving excellence in playing performance, resource efficiency and environmental stewardship. His work encompasses key agronomic strategies, including championship agronomy, infrastructure investment, organic matter management, and advancing sustainable water use through irrigation audits and efficiency improvements. At The R&A, Pablo is proud to contribute to the future of golf by delivering sustainable solutions and sharing knowledge with every club he works with. He believes that passion, education and collaboration are essential to raising the standards of the industry, ensuring a thriving game and a positive environmental legacy for generations to come.

As part of The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, undertaking Agronomy and Research activities across the Asia-Pacific region, Brett works with golf clubs, governing bodies and major sporting organisations to improve playing quality while advancing environmental sustainability. Beginning his career in golf course management across multiple countries and holding a PhD in Turfgrass Science from the University of Sydney, Brett has built an international career spanning research, consultancy, commercial and industry leadership across Australia, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. His expertise extends beyond golf, including the design of agronomy programmes supporting pitch preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, demonstrating the application of world-class agronomic principles within elite international sport. Brett's contribution to sustainable turf management has been recognised through the GCSAA International Environmental Leader in Golf Award, and he currently serves on the Board of the International Turfgrass Society, contributing to the advancement of global turfgrass science, research and education. He leads and contributes to international research initiatives focused on biodiversity, climate adaptation, carbon management and resource efficiency, ensuring scientific evidence is translated into practical solutions for the golf industry. His work is driven by a simple philosophy: the best agronomic decisions are those grounded in science, informed by experience and practical enough to be successfully implemented.

Dr Andy Owen is the Research Manager for Sustainable Agronomy at the R&A. Andy has a strong technical and academic background in soil and turfgrass science, with a career spanning research, education and the commercial turf industry. Following ten years of teaching and research at Bangor University, he began his turf career at the STRI before moving into education, spending more than a decade teaching at Myerscough College and helping to develop the knowledge and skills of the next generation of turf professionals. Most recently, Andy spent 12 years with ICL, as International Technical Manager, working across global markets and gaining extensive experience of the challenges facing turf managers in different environments. Throughout his career, he has maintained a strong connection with research and its practical application and is passionate about the communication of technical knowledge within our industry and the promotion of good research practice.

Tom has over 25 years’ experience in the technical support side of the golf machinery industry which started as a service technician and included working for two manufacturers.  His experience is utilised to improve machinery performance, longevity and develop economic service solutions bespoke to the client’s circumstances.  This service starts with delivering 'hands on' training.  This has recently expanded into compiling independent machinery condition reports, machinery replacement plans and enhancing technician to management communication.

Richard has been an Agronomist for 20 years and has been Championship Agronomist to the R&A for several Open Championships, The AIG Women's Open, The Amateur Championship and The Walker Cup.

He has a passion for links golf and delivering sustainable turf surfaces to the highest standard for championship golf. He is a member of Royal Troon Golf Club playing off a handicap of 10.

An experienced specialist sportsturf consultant who has worked in the sportsturf and land drainage industry for over 20 years. Involved in a wide range of projects, that are delivered on time and to a high standard, while being commercially aware and with an eye on value engineering.

An extensive knowledge and understanding of the machinery and products within the sports surfaces industry helps give an excellent background for advising clients on how to achieve their desired playing surface and finish.

Sharon started her career in the Sportsturf industry back in 1995 working in a quarry-based laboratory testing the products for their suitability for use in golf course & pitch construction. After joining European Turfgrass Laboratories in 1997, she has been involved in testing samples from all over the world. In 2008, Sharon became the Laboratory/Quality Manager – this role covers all aspects of the laboratory as well as responsibility for the quality assurance and ensuring the continuing A2LA-accreditation for the laboratory. Recent years have involved developing the protocols and procedures for existing golf course and the collection of data via lab testing, including the popular Organic Matter Profile and GGHI testing as well as providing the analysis of materials for construction projects.

Richard has been an Agronomist for 20 years and has been Championship Agronomist to the R&A for several Open Championships, The AIG Women's Open, The Amateur Championship and The Walker Cup.

He has a passion for links golf and delivering sustainable turf surfaces to the highest standard for championship golf. He is a member of Royal Troon Golf Club playing off a handicap of 10.

Adam has been a Turfgrass Agronomist for 13 years and joined The R&A in 2019. He has worked at 9 Open Championships, 7 AIG Women’s Opens and numerous R&A  Amateur Championships and matches. Adam holds a first class honours degree in Turfgrass Science along with BASIS and FACTS qualifications and is a proud R&A Scholar.

As Championship Agronomy Manager at The R&A, he is responsible for providing agronomic support to R&A Championship Venues to help deliver sustainable playing surfaces to the highest of standards for R&A Championships.

Adam has a great passion for golf and is a member of Ganton Golf Club with a handicap of 2.

Chris Gray is a Senior Agronomist within The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Services team, leading the delivery of sustainable agronomy support across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Originally from Victoria, Australia, Chris has spent more than 30 years living and working across Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, building extensive experience in agronomic consultancy, golf course management and project leadership. Through The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Service, Chris provides expert guidance to golf facilities on all aspects of course management, from day-to-day turfgrass operations to long-term strategic planning. He works closely with greenkeeping teams, golf course architects and course managers to develop tailored solutions that enhance playability while promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management. One of Chris's most significant contributions has been helping to establish the Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme in partnership with the Asian Golf Industry Federation. The programme provides accessible education opportunities for golf industry employees in developing countries and has already been successfully delivered in Vietnam, Malaysia, the UAE and India. Passionate about helping clubs navigate the challenges of climate change, resource constraints and evolving regulations, Chris supports golf facilities in building long-term resilience. Whether advising on turfgrass selection, irrigation strategies or agronomy centre design, his focus is on ensuring golf courses across the APAC region are sustainable, adaptable and well-prepared for the future.

Stefan Carter is the Sustainable Championship Agronomist at The R&A, having joined the organisation in April 2025. In this role, he works closely with golf clubs and championship venues to support sustainable course management practices and contribute to the successful delivery of championship golf. 
Stefan began his career in greenkeeping in 2009 at a local golf club in Leicester. Early in his career, he completed his Level 2 in Sports Turf Management and gained valuable experience across a variety of golf course environments. A pivotal moment came in 2013 when he was selected for The Open Championship Support Team through BIGGA, an experience that inspired his ambition to work at the highest level of the profession.
To further develop his expertise, Stefan volunteered at numerous prestigious events, including the BMW PGA Championship and R&A amateur championships, before joining The Wentworth Club in 2015. During his time at Wentworth, he was exposed to world-class standards in golf course management and embraced opportunities to broaden his skills through championship preparation, international volunteering, and course renovation projects, including work at Le Golf National ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup. Stefan also gained his Level 3 in Sports Turf Management and reached the finals of TORO Student Greenkeeper of the year.
In 2017, Stefan completed an internship at Augusta National Golf Club, where he worked as part of the greenkeeping team for the Masters Tournament. This remains one of the highlights of his career and further strengthened his commitment to excellence in course management.
Alongside his practical experience, Stefan pursued higher education, earning both an FdSc in Sports Turf Science and Management and a BSc (Hons) in Sports Turf Science and Management from Myerscough College. He progressed through a series of leadership positions at Wentworth, including Senior Greenkeeper, Head Greenkeeper and Deputy Course Manager, ultimately leading teams and volunteers during multiple BMW PGA Championships.
Today, Stefan combines his championship golf experience, technical expertise, and passion for sustainable practices in his role with The R&A. He is committed to supporting the future of the game while inspiring and developing the next generation of turf management professionals.

Paul Woodham, Head of Agronomy Europe, has over 30 years’ experience in golf course management. Paul’s career began in greenkeeping and progressed with 14 years’ as a professionally qualified and experienced agronomist. He has worked across all types of course ranging from public and private operations and across  Members courses to Tour and Resort venues with experience in tournament monitoring.

Paul has a degree in Turfgrass Science and is a member of the BASIS Professional Register. Paul is also a regular contributor to industry publications and presents education seminars and workshops on the national and international stage.

Pablo Muñoz is part of The R&A's Sustainable Agronomy Services team, providing expert consultancy across Southern Europe. As the only Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA) and Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) accredited by the Irrigation Association in Europe, Pablo brings unique expertise in sustainable irrigation and water management to The R&A's operations. With over 20 years of experience delivering agronomic advice to golf courses across Southern Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia, Pablo is deeply committed to supporting clubs in achieving excellence in playing performance, resource efficiency and environmental stewardship. His work encompasses key agronomic strategies, including championship agronomy, infrastructure investment, organic matter management, and advancing sustainable water use through irrigation audits and efficiency improvements. At The R&A, Pablo is proud to contribute to the future of golf by delivering sustainable solutions and sharing knowledge with every club he works with. He believes that passion, education and collaboration are essential to raising the standards of the industry, ensuring a thriving game and a positive environmental legacy for generations to come.

Luis Cornejo is a Senior Agronomist within The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Services team, providing tailored consultancy to golf courses in warm-climate regions across Southern Europe, supporting both established venues and new construction projects. A Chartered Agricultural Engineer with a Master of Science in Sports Surface Technology from Cranfield University, Luis also spent several years working as a golf course superintendent. This hands-on experience provides the foundation for his practical, field-driven approach to agronomic consultancy. Over the past two decades, Luis has collaborated closely with leading golf course architects on high-profile construction projects across Southern Europe and the Middle East. These experiences have fostered a broad, cross-disciplinary perspective, enabling him to deliver customised solutions in even the most complex environments. He works alongside design teams, course managers and board members to ensure every project achieves the right balance of agronomic excellence, sustainability and functional performance. At a time when many regions are facing increasing pressure on water and other critical resources, Luis is proud to support clubs in future-proofing their operations. Through a combination of technical expertise, practical experience and a strong focus on sustainability, he helps clubs enhance long-term resilience, playing quality and responsible resource management.

A key member within the R&A’s Construction & Design team, Greg leads on technology and AutoCAD drawings, with knowledge and experience across the bandwidth of technological advancements in the industry. Greg provides technical support to both ongoing projects as well as new projects in the planning stages. Having worked for both a contractor and architect in the golf industry Greg is well positioned to support projects and utilise skills learned from both positions in his current role.

Richard has been an Agronomist for 20 years and has been Championship Agronomist to the R&A for several Open Championships, The AIG Women's Open, The Amateur Championship and The Walker Cup.

He has a passion for links golf and delivering sustainable turf surfaces to the highest standard for championship golf. He is a member of Royal Troon Golf Club playing off a handicap of 10.

Pablo Muñoz is part of The R&A's Sustainable Agronomy Services team, providing expert consultancy across Southern Europe. As the only Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA) and Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) accredited by the Irrigation Association in Europe, Pablo brings unique expertise in sustainable irrigation and water management to The R&A's operations. With over 20 years of experience delivering agronomic advice to golf courses across Southern Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia, Pablo is deeply committed to supporting clubs in achieving excellence in playing performance, resource efficiency and environmental stewardship. His work encompasses key agronomic strategies, including championship agronomy, infrastructure investment, organic matter management, and advancing sustainable water use through irrigation audits and efficiency improvements. At The R&A, Pablo is proud to contribute to the future of golf by delivering sustainable solutions and sharing knowledge with every club he works with. He believes that passion, education and collaboration are essential to raising the standards of the industry, ensuring a thriving game and a positive environmental legacy for generations to come.

Chris Gray is a Senior Agronomist within The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Services team, leading the delivery of sustainable agronomy support across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Originally from Victoria, Australia, Chris has spent more than 30 years living and working across Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, building extensive experience in agronomic consultancy, golf course management and project leadership. Through The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Service, Chris provides expert guidance to golf facilities on all aspects of course management, from day-to-day turfgrass operations to long-term strategic planning. He works closely with greenkeeping teams, golf course architects and course managers to develop tailored solutions that enhance playability while promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management. One of Chris's most significant contributions has been helping to establish the Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme in partnership with the Asian Golf Industry Federation. The programme provides accessible education opportunities for golf industry employees in developing countries and has already been successfully delivered in Vietnam, Malaysia, the UAE and India. Passionate about helping clubs navigate the challenges of climate change, resource constraints and evolving regulations, Chris supports golf facilities in building long-term resilience. Whether advising on turfgrass selection, irrigation strategies or agronomy centre design, his focus is on ensuring golf courses across the APAC region are sustainable, adaptable and well-prepared for the future.