Keith “Tyke” Thykeson has spent over two decades revolutionizing the synthetic golf turf industry, but his journey started with a simple challenge—designing and building his own putting green. As a former UCLA golfer and PGA professional, Keith was dissatisfied with the artificial turf options available at the time. Determined to create a more realistic playing surface, he immersed himself in the science of turf performance, developing an innovative system that could replicate the speed, break, and consistency of a natural golf green.

Keith’s dedication to precision led to the creation of industry-leading golf turf solutions that accurately mimic real course conditions, with custom speed stimpmeter ratings and true-to-life slope and pitch integration. His expertise in golf-specific synthetic turf has been instrumental in designing high-performance putting greens, practice facilities, and backyard golf installations that cater to players of all skill levels. His thousands of clients state it best, “No one designs or builds them like Keith!”
Now, with the rebrand of Pioneer Synthetic Turf Inc. and a strategic partnership with Shaw, Keith is taking his vision to new heights. This collaboration brings cutting-edge turf technology and innovative installation techniques to golfers, sports facilities, and homeowners alike, setting a new standard for synthetic turf, golf, and landscape solutions.