Noted agronomist joins Grigg Brothers’ technical staff

Grigg Brothers has added international turfgrass and plant nutrient expert John Steinbacher to its management staff. Going forward, Steinbacher will be in charge of the foliar fertilizer firm’s International Division.

Steinbacher’s resume is impressive. He holds a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in golf course design and agronomy from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in architecture with an emphasis in land-use planning from the University of Washington.

He has participated in the development of more than 135 golf courses worldwide — often as the consulting senior agronomist — gaining experience in all aspects of golf course planning, development, design, construction, maintenance and management.

He has worked extensively with humic (natural organic matter) substances and proteins, helping to maintain the highest quality turf in an economical and sustainable manner. He is also experienced in growing turf in salt-affected soils. A participant with the International Humic Substances Society for more than 20 years, Steinbacher is on a first-name basis with the world’s top research and academic leaders in the rapidly emerging arena of humic-based nutrient, with a special emphasis on golf-turf utilization. 

“John has three-plus decades of experience as a senior consulting agronomist, extensive experience on the ownership and development side of golf, as well as a strong international background,” said company president Mark Grigg. “He is exactly the type of individual we need as we continue our growth in the United States and look to expand abroad.”

Grigg believes the staff, distributors and end-users of the Idaho-based foliar and granular fertilizer company will greatly benefit from Steinbacher’s experience at such widely known projects as Chambers Bay in Washington (host to the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open); Tamarack Resort’s award-winning Osprey Meadows Golf Course in Idaho; Querencia in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, Calif.; Lahontan Golf Club in Truckee, Calif.; Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena, Calif.; Los Angeles Country Club; Castle Pines Golf Club near Denver; Laguna Quays Resort in Queensland, Australia; and numerous developments in Saudi Arabia and New Zealand.

For his part, Steinbacher is excited about the opportunity to work with his new employer. “The credibility of the owners, the history of the Grigg family in the region, and the high quality research the company completes on the products it sells makes this a very attractive opportunity,” he said.

Steinbacher can be reached at 208-389-7800 (office), 208-867-6800 (cell) or john@griggbros.com