Russell started his career representing companies that marketed tractors and forestry equipment, but his real passion was for the outdoor life and for the care and cultivation of trees and turf. As a result he accepted an offer to work for a garden maintenance company with responsibility for industrial clients – including a petroleum refinery and a titanium processing factory.

In 1979 he bought the company and a year later acquired a second garden maintenance business, amalgamating the two to form a single large contracting firm. When the Model C schooling system was created in South Africa, the business seized the opportunity to offer a dedicated sports field maintenance service – including mowing, line marking, irrigation, fertilizing and the application of herbicides and pesticides (at the time the company was the only licensed pest control operator in Durban specializing in weed control).

In 1997, Russell acquired the rights to market Supaturf line marking products in the Kwazulu-Natal coastal area and has been the major supplier of line marking products in the region every since.

Russell’s company was later approached by Kings Park Rugby Stadium to assist with compaction problems on the main pitch and, as a result of the successful outcome, was invited to tender for maintenance of the sports field at the stadium. They were successful and were responsible for preparing the pitch for numerous international rugby tests, a World 7’s tournament and an Under 19 Rugby World Cup – and for restoring the pitch after concerts were staged on it.

Kevin is responsible for distribution of Supaturf products in Cape Town region

Kevin is recognised as one of South Africa’s pre-eminent turf and landscaping professionals. He formed Gramoney Sports Turf and Landscaping, which now distributes Supaturf line marking products, in 2010 after over a decade of high profile turf management roles in South Africa and the USA.

He has experience of preparing pitches for international rugby, soccer, hockey, baseball and cricket as well as PGA Golf Courses and horseracing tracks, and lists his career highlights as having prepared playing surfaces for Tiger Woods, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Ernie Else.

However, his most notable role was as Head of FIFA 2010 pitches where he managed the preparation of the Moses Mabhida Stadium for the world cup, overseeing its transition from warm season grass to FIFA specification Rye Grass. He managed the field’s preparation for seven world cup games, including the Germany v. Spain semi-final. He was also involved in the Orlando Stadium in Soweto and the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane during pitch construction and grow-in.

Later, he managed the conversion of the Moses Mabhida field to enable it to host the Friendship Cricket Match – an international Twenty/20 game between South Africa and India – the first ever cricket match in a world cup soccer stadium and was also responsible for preparing the stadium to host a ‘Top Gear’ televised event – and then converting it back to a sports field when filming was complete.

Kevin formed Gramoney Sports Turf and Landscaping following completion of the 2010 world cup and the company continues his association with the Moses Mabhida Stadium by providing all turf and landscaping services. They also provide pitch and landscaping consultancy services to King Goodwill Zwelinthini, Princess Mogoggo, Sugar Xray Zulu and Chatsworth stadiums.

In addition to general consultation and advice on sports fields, soils and irrigation, the company provides professional mowing, weed and disease control, fertilization, aerovation, scarification and decompaction services.