soil scout
The Soil Scout Grandmasters programme recognises professionals whose experience, perspective and long-term thinking have shaped elite turf performance. They work in demanding environments where decisions below the surface define results above it. Grandmasters share insight built over decades — combining practical knowledge, data-driven understanding and a strong culture of mentorship.
One of only 38 people worldwide to hold both the Master Greenkeeper and Certified Golf Course Superintendent credentials.
Janne is known for pioneering sustainable, long-horizon course management in the demanding Nordic climate, where oxygen availability, winter survival and resource efficiency define performance.
His approach has helped shape modern thinking around rootzone management and long-term resilience in cold-climate turf. His guidance and mentorship have influenced an entire new generation of Nordic turf professionals.
"“As the first Nordic Master Greenkeeper, my ultimate achievement has been uniting technology, sustainability, and agronomy into a single, continuously developing performance system. This approach hasn’t just raised the standards of golf course management — it has rewritten them”
- Janne Lehto, MG, CGCS
Andrew Northeim is a leading figure in the evolution of American sports turf. As Senior Head Groundskeeper for the Columbus Crew at the Ohio Health Performance Center, he has helped elevate MLS training fields’ surface standards during a period of rapid growth for the sport. Andrew combines advanced agronomy with data-driven field management and new technology, while his collaborative approach and mentorship have supported emerging groundskeepers across North America.
“My greatest achievement in my career is to be able to showcase the use of agronomics, data, technology, and knowledge from colleagues or past experiences to create world-class training pitches for players to play on. Whether it be our team, the Columbus Crew, on the daily occurrence training, or other teams within our league or internationally who visit our site to train and hear all the great feedback from our facility, it makes my team and me strive for the highest standards in sports turf management.”
- Andrew Northeim, Senior Head Groundskeeper
"Becoming a Grandmaster in this newly formed program makes me feel appreciated and honored for all the years of hard work in the turf industry, where our profession isn’t always front and center. I’m excited to be able to share ideas and learn from other turf industry professionals from across the world, whether it be data-driven, new technologies in our industry, agronomically, or equipment-based ideas shared across the world."
"I hope this program motivates and inspires others in turf to know that the sports turf community is a great group of individuals who work hard every day but have fun trying to create the safest, but also aesthetically pleasing fields around the globe through our knowledge of agronomics and with the help of data and new technology, and equipment."
Brent Downs is a Master Greenkeeper and Certified Golf Course Superintendent whose influence extends far beyond individual facilities.
With over two decades of leadership in agronomy, superintendent development and data-informed field management, Brent has helped shape modern turf practices across the United States.His mentorship, training work and analytical approach have made him one of the most trusted and recognisable voices in American turf management.
"My single goal is to build and grow my team and myself, push our boundaries and innovate every day."
- Brent Downs, MG, CGCS
Rodney is internationally recognised for his ability to deliver world-class playing conditions in some of the most challenging tropical environments in global golf.
His agronomic philosophy has been shaped by years of preparing tournament-level surfaces in extreme heat, humidity and rapid climate shifts — including at one of Asia’s most awarded and internationally televised golf venues, named the continent’s Best Golf Course in 2024. This experience has helped raise performance expectations across Southeast Asia and redefine what elite tropical turf management requires. His leadership and mentorship continue to influence teams throughout the region.
