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Case Study: Glenelg Golf Club Biochar Trial

Overview

In July 2025, Pyrocal’s Terix Biochar teed off at the prestigious Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide, South Australia.  

This landmark trial marked a new round in sustainable turf management, exploring how biochar can help superintendents stay under par when it comes to soil performance and resilience. 

The Project

As part of a new green construction, Course Superintendent Tim Warren, recipient of the 2025 ASTMA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award, led the incorporation of Terix Biochar into the greens profile. 

  • Application rate: 2% by volume 
  • Incorporation depth: ~100 mm
  • Method: Rotary hoed into the profile prior to sodding  

Biochar was mixed with other soil amendments before contouring, compacting and laying turf. The new no. 7 green was sodded on 21 and 22 July and compacted on 31 July. 

Golf course with dark soil area, red dirt, green grass, trees, and two utility vehicles under an overcast sky.
Biochar was spread out and compacted on green no. 7 in July 2025
Person mowing a large, round, bright green lawn surrounded by drier grass under a blue sky with clouds.
Biochar was spread out and compacted on green no. 7 in July 2025

Early Results

Just 16 days after sodding, the first cut was completed, and the early signs were a hole-in-one for biochar. Roots were already extending to 70mm, showing strong establishment and great promise for play-ready turf.

Ongoing monitoring has included root depth, turf density and photographic documentation as the greens continue to develop. 

 

Person mowing green grass with a machine under a cloudy blue sky.
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Soil clump with roots, measured by a yellow tape measure on green grass.
Soil core root samples from first cut of green no. 7 in August
Core sample on grass. Stanley tape measure indicates a length of around 6 inches.
Soil core root samples from early September cut

The Final Round

By early October, biochar had been incorporated into a total of three greens (no. 1, 6 and 7), each showing excellent growth and root development. 

Green Days After Sodding Cut Height Root Depth 
1 16 6 mm 80 mm 
6 45 4 mm 150 mm 
7 67 3 mm 180 mm 

Soil core samples revealed visible black biochar granules throughout the profile, clear evidence of successful blending and integration. 

Golf green with a BMS aeration tool extracting a core sample. A hole is visible.
Soil core showing black biochar through the profile, early October green no. 1
Top-down view of a metal soil sampler extracting a core sample from grass. "BMS" is visible on the sampler.
Soil core from green no. 6
Golf green repair tool on turf. Metal tool with a soil core extracted, and a hole in the green.
Soil core from green no. 7

“The greens look very healthy and resilient, withstanding mowing and rolling well. The challenge now is keeping up with the growth!” – Glenelg greens team 

After the initial phosphorus turf starter, no additional granular fertiliser was required. Only minimal fungicide applications were needed, and multiple foliar feeds were applied in line with the rest of the course. 

Outcomes & Next Steps

The Glenelg trial shows how incorporating biochar into the greens profile can: 

  • Boost root structure and early establishment 
  • Improve moisture retention and nutrient efficiency 
  • Increase soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) 
  • Strengthen turf resilience under regular maintenance 

Ongoing monitoring will assess long-term resilience, soil and irrigation benefits. With such promising early results, Glenelg Golf Club is now rolling out biochar across additional greens, a strong vote of confidence in its potential for sustainable turf management. 

Golf course green under a blue sky with scattered clouds, bordered by trees and rough terrain.
Green no. 7 67 days after sodding
Cylindrical soil sample on green grass, measured with a yellow tape measure.
Green no. 7 soil core
A cylindrical plug of soil with roots on green grass.
Green no. 7 roots

Project Partners

  • Location: Glenelg Golf Club, South Australia 
  • Lead: Tim Warren, Golf Course Superintendent 
  • Assistant Superintendent: Adam Fry 
  • Biochar Supplier: Pyrocal Pty Ltd (Terix Biochar) 
  • Trial Period: July to October 2025 (ongoing) 

Conclusion

The Glenelg Golf Club biochar trial is proof that Pyrocal’s Terix Biochar can help keep sustainability on the fairway. From tee-off to top-dress, the results show that biochar can improve turf performance from the ground up, helping superintendents play the long game in soil health and resilience. 

Talk to our Biochar Product & Business Development Manager, Johann Lombard today about your sustainable turf management needs.

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