ABOUT US
Experience the sense of pride and achievement that comes from creating and curating the ultimate lush and healthy looking lawn. This is the same sense of pride that Keepers Way founder Karl Johnson (KJ) has experienced over 30 plus years of national and international greenkeeping.
KJ started out as an Apprentice Greenkeeper at the Christchurch Golf Club, going on to work through the ranks as a head greenkeeper at two golf courses, turf manager at the NZ Cricket high performance centre and is now the turf manager for Seddon Park and FMG Waikato Stadium.
Over this time, KJ has worked around the world. From private cricket academies in Pune India, the Rugby Sevens Stadium in Dubai, and Stadium Apiti in Samoa for the All Blacks.
With his experience and knowledge to share, your lawn will be in great hands. You could dream of having a healthy looking lawn, or with KJ’s help make it a reality with Keepers Way.
KJ Overseas
Pune, India
This project included four trips to assist with pitch preparation and staff turf education at the Cadence Cricket Academy (privately owned ground). I provided some guidance during one trip in the construction of the ground at MCA Stadium, Pune which was used in the IPL tournament.
The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
In 2014 I took up a sabbatical project to work for Emirates Airlines in Dubai. This project had me constructing 3 cricket ovals and a Practice Facility in the desert! Just to keep me on my toes I was also responsible for 7 turf rugby pitches there as well. You think our summers are hot and challenging for growing turf, try doing it in Dubai!
Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait
During 2014 I visited and consulted on their turf for football management.
Apia Stadium, Samoa
The All Blacks engaged me to assist them with the history breaking first ever rugby test match between the All Black and Manu Samoa, in Samoa! Such a special project to work closely with our national team and also with the great people in Samoa. Since that All Blacks match, Samoa Rugby have engaged me for a few other matches where I worked at their venue Apia Stadium, to ensure the turf was up to the standard expected. One of the matches was a Super Rugby game in 2017, whereby as a Crusader (I’m from Christchurch), whose day job is looking after the Chief’s match and training venues, I prepared the turf in Samoa, for a game between the Blues and the Reds – kinda crazy aye!
Los Angeles, USA
Two stints preparing pitches for the Division 4 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Woodley Park, Los Angeles 2016. Another hot part of the world to display my trade in!
Uprising Resort, Fiji
Not natural turf this time but completed a small consultancy project at Uprising Resort, on their Artificial Turf pitch.
Rugby World Cup, Japan
I was engaged by a Turf Contracting company to visit their venue J-Green Sakai. This was predominantly a football facility but were hosting for the first time rugby for the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup. My task was to provide some guidance and assurance that they would be ready for the onslaught of rugby players on their turf facilities.
Olympic Games, Japan
World Rugby engaged me to assist them with the preparations of Tokyo Stadium for the Rugby Sevens, as part of the 2021 Olympics. I had visited and completed a recce ahead of COVID, however as the world then changed my involvement was via on-line meetings and report writing.