Professional Groundscare January 2018

FEGGA sustainability statement pulls no punches

Following leadership from The Federation of European Golf Greenkeeper Associations, greenkeepers all over Europe have come together in a pledge for responsible and sustainable golf course management.

All of FEGGA‘s 22 European national greenkeeping organizations have agreed to promote and endorse a clear, detailed and ambitious strategic vision that embraces golf‘s potential to produce multiple benefits for nature and man. Included within this collaboration were representatives of the R&A and the GEO Foundation, and the result is the FEGGA Statement of Responsible Golf Course Management.

“To put this Statement into context, many ordinary people throughout Europe in the course of their everyday lives have major

concerns relating to consumption of energy & resources, and the release of particulates and emissions,” says FEGGA board member Paul Worster, himself a Golf Course Manager.

“We are all familiar with the terms climate change and global warming and every industry is required to deliver a clean and non-polluting service. However, very few regular golfers would have any concept of any standards within the Golf Industry to prepare a golf course for play, each and every day. The Statement sets these out and looks for ways to improve.”

According to FEGGA Board Chairman, Kamil Pecenka, the purpose of the FEGGA Statement is not to rigidly dictate to every greenkeeper how to do their job. Rather, the aim is to communicate the job that is

done, and the solid reasoning and environmental principles behind it. The Statement is to give guidance and direction to the greenkeeping team, and is to be regarded as a tool with which to communicate with members, visitors and owners.

The FEGGA board aims is to translate the document into all the member Associations native languages, and with six completed 2 of which are available to view below, a real positive start has been made. This will certainly allow the document to reach more people, and for them to see the commitment FEGGA is making once again to Sustainable Golf Course Management.

Another build on to the document is to make it electronically interactive, providing links to simple but important information

and guidance for greenkeepers and golf clubs to help them with their own journey of sustainable management. It then becomes a real resource within the FEGGA toolbox.

FEGGA Executive Officer Dean Cleaver says that FEGGA plans to continually build on this initial statement and include case studies from successful projects and working practices. “We will not pull any punches here.

“As well as inspiring our people to improve environmental performance, the package needs to be a sensible, useful, practical working guide as to how to make improvements, and how to answer questions and scrutiny from those who pay for the maintenance of our courses. In short, we need to be credible and convincing and the document needs to be exactly that.”

FEGGA Enquiry 38

Les Malin appointed managing director for Etesia UK More playing fields safeguarded by Sport England

In his third successive promotion, Les Malin has been appointed as the new managing director of Etesia UK with immediate effect.

After starting his career in the farming industry at the age of 16, Les moved into the groundscare industry in 1993. He joined Etesia UK from Amazone in 2000 as area manager and was appointed general manager in 2006. He quickly became an influential figure within the company and in 2014 he was promoted to operations director - a move which saw him become the company’s first ever UK director.

Following the retirement of Etesia SAS president Patrick Vives In December, the board and shareholders unanimously decided to promote Les to the position of managing director.

Throughout his tenure at Etesia UK, Les has seen the company grow into one of the most innovative manufacturers in the groundscare industry. What started as an unknown

company with just one product, Etesia now boasts an extensive dealer network throughout the UK and has added to its wide portfolio of products after becoming exclusive distributors of Pellenc battery-powered tools in 2010 and the Oeliatec environmentally-friendly weed control range in 2017.

Les has been instrumental in helping the UK become Etesia’s third largest market behind its homeland France and Germany – which certainly is an achievement considering that

Etesia now has a presence in over 40 countries.

Commenting on his promotion Les said: “It’s an achievement and an honour and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to prove myself.

“My aim is to try and help the business continue to grow and show the shareholders that we can do what we need to do and make it work for them.”

Etesia UK Enquiry 39

New figures from Sport England reveals its role as a statutory consultee on planning applications has protected 1,138 out of 1,200 playing fields.

In many cases, Sport England not only secured playing fields but improved the facilities.

Councils are required to consult the organisation on any proposed development that would affect or lead to the loss of a sports playing field. Sport England objects to all applications unless the developer can prove it will improve or protect sports provision.

The figures show that in 2015/16: • 95% of concluded planning applications resulted in improved or safeguarded sports provision

• In 46% of cases where we originally objected to an application, our intervention and further negotiations led to an overall improvement of the site

• Of the 120 applications where we objected to

applications, 49 were either withdrawn by the applicants or refused planning permission

• Despite our objections during the planning process, 62 applications (5%) were approved by local planning authorities.

“Playing fields are a vital part of grassroots sport as they are often the place where young people have their first experience of sport and develop habits that will help keep them active through life,” says Sport England’s property director Charles Johnston.

“That is why our statutory role is so important. I’m pleased the latest figures show that the safeguards we have in place are continuing to work.”

Sport England’s Active Places data shows that across England there are 21,866 playing fields, containing a total of 70,381 pitches used for sports such as football, rugby and cricket.

Sport England Enquiry 40

ClearWater sees sales expansion at home and abroad

The ClearWater washdown water recycling system is continuing to open up new markets with most recent export deliveries to California and The Netherlands.

Riding high on the success of UK sales this year, Acumen Waste Services Ltd. has supported marketing initiatives for the brand which are bearing fruit, not only at home but abroad too.

ClearWater, already with two distributors in mainland Europe,

covering Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France, is keen to develop this market. The sale of the first system recently in The Netherlands exemplifies this commitment.

On the opposite side of the Atlantic, and in the important USA market, a system has also recently been installed at Napa Valley Country Club in California.

ClearWater Enquiry 43

Fleet finance helps upgrade at Galway Bay

Designed by former Ryder Cup and World Cup golfer Christy O’Connor Jnr, Galway Bay Golf Resort at Renville near Oranmore is not a links course, but is described as ‘parkland by the sea’, with the stunning backdrop of Galway Bay and the rugged curves of the Atlantic coastline always in view.

With the club approaching its 25th anniversary in 2018, it decided that its ageing John

Deere course maintenance equipment fleet needed replacing.

Many of the machines had been acquired over 10 years ago in the club’s first substantial deal with local dealer Mid West Mowers at Glasson, near Athlone in Co Westmeath, and Damien Coleman was happy to negotiate a new package with the same dealer.

The new package included two John Deere 7500A PrecisionCut

fairway mowers, a 2653B PrecisionCut tees & surrounds mower, three TX Turf Gator utility vehicles, a 2030A Pro Gator and a

Water made irrigation ready by Otterbine at equipment testing centre

Otterbine’s High Volume aerator has been installed in the golf practice area in The R&A’s Equipment Testing Centre at Kingsbarns, Scotland, to keep the water well-aerated and the build-up of algae to a minimum.

Paul Kimber from Kimber Golf, golf course architect and contractor working with The R&A on the facility, says: “Otterbine was considered a good choice to aerate the water for irrigating the practice area, based on the good company it keeps under Reesink Turfcare distributorship.

“Reliable after-sales service was important and we know through our work with Reesink and its Toro products this is what we’d get. Otterbine is providing us with the high quality solution for an important client we would expect.”

And that solution is clean and healthy water. Callum Oliphant, managing director of Applied Irrigation, one of Scotland’s leading irrigation specialists, who worked with The R&A and Kimber Golf on making this product choice, says: “Irrigation is vital to keep the greens in the best condition so tests can

be performed on a true playing surface and clean healthy water is essential for that. One pond feeds the entire underground irrigation tank so we knew the product we chose had to be able to shift a good quantity of water.”

Otterbine is the only manufacturer to have oxygen transfer and pumping rates independently tested and published on its aeration systems with the High Volume offering the highest in the industry.

Moving an impressive 3.3lbs or 1.5kg of oxygen per horsepower hour and pumping over 900GPM

Kubota is top of the class at Merchant Taylors’ School

Kubota UK’s partnership with Merchant Taylors’, one of the ‘Great Nine’ schools of England, is going from strength to strength after the school recently replaced, on a contract hire agreement, 13 of its machines for 13 new machines through George Browns, the UK’s largest Kubota groundcare dealer.

With 285 acres of pitches, lakes and woodland to maintain, and a campus that boasts first class facilities, it is vital that Merchant

Taylors’ ground maintenance team have the most reliable, hard working and best performing equipment on the market.

The responsibility of the maintenance and upkeep of this vast rural estate is led by grounds manager Richard Ayling, who has been working at the school for almost 23 years.

“The purchasing of the machines was straightforward after taking different factors

into consideration,” he said. “We need machines that can perform to the highest standards. Reliability is also important to avoid any costly downtime and the machines we use need to be comfy and simple to operate so my team can carry out their work efficiently. That’s exactly why we chose Kubota.”

The school’s recent order includes two of Kubota’s market-leading diesel-powered RTV-X900 utility vehicles, three petrol-powered

RTV-500s and two commercial mowers, the Kubota G21 ride-on and out front F3090. Richard also purchased a number of Kubota’s popular L Series mid-sized tractors, including two L5040s and an L5740.

The STW34, B2050 and M60 Series tractors completed Richard’s fleet replacement programme.

Kubota Enquiry 45

or 198 m 3 /hr, Otterbine’s experience is obvious in the performance and results of the High Volume. Constructed from stainless steel, thermoplastics and with a rugged low speed motor, this system is built to deliver results no matter what the aquatic environment.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 44

3045R compact tractor equipped with an H165 front loader.

John Deere Enquiry 42

ICL fit for a King at Radley College

Adam King, Grounds Manager at Radley College in Abingdon, Oxfordshire has reported excellent results from ICL’s ProTurf and Vitalnova Stressbuster - which he says have helped him improve the health and presentation of the school’s vast array of sports pitches.

Adam has been at Radley for 17 years, and is responsible for the maintenance of the huge 800 acre site which includes a tenanted farm and a 9-hole golf course as well as the numerous natural and synthetic pitches. Sports played at the College include rugby in the Michaelmas Term, hockey, rowing and football in the Lent Term and cricket, rowing, lawn tennis and athletics in the Summer Term.

“We have 694 boys at Radley and sport is a major part of their life,” says Adam. “The campus is incredibly busy and the pitches are in use all-year round. We host 26 rugby teams, 16 football teams, 22 hockey teams and 24 cricket teams each year.”

Adam has a large team to help him with the mammoth work required to keep the facilities to the impeccable standards expected by Radley College. There is a total of 18 grounds

staff including Adam, which consists of eight groundsmen, two greenkeepers and seven gardeners.

The team has strict maintenance procedures in place and, according to Adam, ICL products play an integral role.

“I have a long history with ICL and I have always found the products to provide consistent results.

“What I like about ICL is that, as a company, they are always looking ahead, always developing new products and adding to the stable of quality products. For what we need to do and what we need to achieve at Radley, no matter what the time of year – whether it is relieving turf stress or making grass grow, whatever you need ICL has, and you know that the products perform as you would expect.”

Enquiry 49

Irrigation best practice at Trentham Golf Club

Implementing moisture level monitoring, updating controllers with the latest software and frequently applying evolving course setup conditions to your irrigation programmes, all contribute to responsible and sustainable management of your golf course.

Ed Stant, course manager at Trentham Golf Club near Stoke-on-Trent, explains how recent changes to his irrigation management are paying dividends.

“We opted for the intuitive Toro Lynx control system with 170 Infinity series greens, approaches and surrounds sprinklers,” he said. “Having the right technology greatly aids professional irrigation management, but getting the most out of it is a skill in itself, and for me it all starts with monitoring soil moisture levels. I use a HH2 Moisture Meter probe and its readings depends on what irrigation I apply.”

Knowing the exact conditions your turf’s health faces will lead to more informed and ecological decisions, as you will only use the water needed to sustain it. Couple this with an intuitive control system which can be accurately tailored to precise conditions and requirements, means you have even more control over water consumption and sward health. This is integral to good irrigation practice as every area of turf can be different.

“We’ve also put a lot of time and effort into killing the coarse rye grass around the greens surrounds and that meant a lot of specific watering of the affected areas,” he adds. “Being able to water-in just the top-dressing or apply water where overseeding and spreading herbicide, has greatly aided the process, allowing us to also be far more water efficient than we could have previously been.”

Another factor contributing to improved efficiency and one of

Adding to this efficient irrigation at Trentham Golf Club is the fact that the club is also sustainable. At the same time as the irrigation system installation a 42m borehole was put in and seeing as the club does not exceed its limit, it means free water for irrigation purposes.

Reesink Turfacre Enquiry 48

Tildenet Group appoints James Hollingworth

James Hollingworth has joined The Tildenet Group as Product Development Manager working across all their brands.

With over 12 years’ experience in the garden sector James has made the move from his previous

role as Buyer at Suttons to work on a number of new projects at Tildenet.

James Hollingworth said: “Product has always been a passion of mine and I am excited to join the growing Tildenet team

in this innovative role and have the opportunity to be involved with the development of products across such an extensive range.”

Andrew Downey, Tildenet Managing Director, added: “We’ve had another fantastic year at Tildenet and are delighted

mower

to have James on board to help maintain the high standards we expect of our products and develop the many exciting plans we have for 2018.”

Tildnet Group Enquiry 50

Ed’s highlights with the new system and sprinkler set-up are separate surrounds sprinklers.

Acumen ClearWater to unveil new initiatives

Acumen Waste Services Ltd, with ClearWater and other Highspeed Group brands under their belt, is investing in development and growth of these important facets of their expanding organisation, with BTME 2018 being a major priority.

BTME is important to Acumen’s aspirations, especially as those operating in turf management are key customers.

Visitors will not be disappointed when they visit AcumenClearWater in Hall C, Stand C12. Staff will be on hand to help and advise and a mini ClearWater display unit will be there to demonstrate new features and benefits. Of real interest to most however, will be what is on offer:

Enabling customers to act swiftly to meet legal requirements, ClearWater is being offered with: a competitively priced genuine water recycling system; a cost saving “self-install” option with ClearWater carrying out commissioning; usually saves £2 –3K on total costs; the opportunity to write off 100% of total investment against taxable profits in the year of purchase under the ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowance) scheme; and new finance options; helping spread the financial burden.

Then there is The Prize Draw. This exclusive show promotion, drawn on the last day of BTME, will award a ClearWater system to one lucky winner.

Leading edge products are a cut above

The CubCadet INFINICUT and ATT TMSystem can offer tangible benefits to the management of fine turf surfaces.

Established as easily the best triplex and light fairway cassette system available, as well as the most technologically advanced mower on the market, visitors to stand M7 at BTME 2018 will be able to familiarise themselves with both products.

Unlocking the full potential of all main-stream makes of triplex greens mowers and lightweight fairway mowers, the unique ATT TMSystem

AQUA-AID EU BV Display the benefits of Verde-Cal G

Aqua-Aid Europe BV are returning to BTME for the third time in January to demonstrate the power of Verde-Cal G against black layer and the benefits of WormPower Turf.

Common golf course issues such as compaction and thatch are tackled using machinery, but the causes of these problems can be tackled and

prevented using Verde-Cal G and WormPower Turf.

Following the REACH preregistration process after the successful introduction of the AQUA-AID product lines, all individual products have now been full registered with the ECHA to follow the REACH guidelines; this ensures availability of our products after

the impending new legislation becomes effective.

Verde-Cal G uses gypsum and thCa to remove this layer and provide a healthier root zone with no surface disruption. Detailed information on Worm Power Turf will also be available on stand B37.

continues to be utilised by astute Greenkeepers the world over to maintain fine turf.

For those turf managers that wish to perform the same maintenance tasks with a pedestrian mower, the TMSystem can be coupled with the highly-regarded CubCadet INFINCUT mower. The entire INFINICUT range uses lithium power and has class leading vibration and noise data resulting in a comfortable user experience.

ATT Enquiry 54

New John Deere Gator debuts at BTME 2018

John Deere’s new HPX 815E Gator utility vehicle will be making its public show debut.

This latest diesel powered Gator shares its new styling with the XUV 855M model, which replaces the 855D.

The HPX 815E is ruggedly designed for a range of transporting and general materials handling duties in any outdoor environment. Powered by an 18hp 854cc engine working through a two-speed high-low continuously variable transmission, this two-seater vehicle is available with true ondemand four wheel drive and is

capable of travelling at speeds of up to 25mph.

A simple dash-mounted electronic rocker switch controls an auto-locking front differential for extra traction when needed in challenging conditions, or to maintain two-wheel drive for lighter turf operations, for example. Additional standard features include a 12V DC outlet, all-wheel suspension and steering, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, a rear diff lock and an integrated four post ROPS canopy with door nets.

John Deere Enquiry 53

Special secondary school gets basketball court

A basketball court at a Hampshire special school is up and running after a £4.4m project of remodelling and refurbishment.

The main works were completed in August by W Stirland, a privately-owned construction company near Chichester.

They involved the conversion and extension of the existing Victorian school building at Linden Education Centre in Aldershot, creating teaching accommodation for 92 secondary age pupils who are unable to attend main stream school because of emotional or behavioural reasons

Farnham-based PRO Fencing, the fencing division of WL West & Sons Ltd, installed the

basketball court using 3m-high Duo8 steel fencing from Zaun Ltd, with matching 1.2m-high spectator railings to one side.

Duo8 forms a robust play area that is highly durable, low maintenance and ‘graffiti-proof’, and rubber inserts between panels and posts to keep ‘rattle’ during play to a minimum.

Linden Education Centre caters for students aged 11–16 whose behavioural problems have resulted in them being permanently excluded from a mainstream school, or who are in danger of being excluded.

The aim is to re-integrate students aged 11–14 into a mainstream school. Older students, especially those in Year 11, invariably complete their education at the centre before moving on to further education.

Zaun Enquiry 56

Rear mounted grass shredder with hammer knife version available. Working widths available from 1.4 to 2 metres.

Acumen Enquiry 52

Aqua-Aid Enquiry 55

Kubota’s enhanced machinery offers turf professionals more

Kubota will be showcasing a number of exciting new and enhanced machinery ranges at BTME 2018 as it continues to keep the needs of turf professionals at the heart of its product innovation.

Visitors to the show are encouraged to drop by the Kubota stand to see a host of market leading and high quality groundcare equipment designed specifically to offer greenkeepers increased levels of performance.

New for 2018, the ZD1211 will be on display and has been designed to meet the ever-changing needs of turf professionals, delivering exceptional quality, performance and durability for its users.

Visitors to the stand will also get the opportunity to see the new B2 Series compact tractors, featuring Kubota’s unique bi-speed turn innovation to provide operators with a much tighter turning circle, advanced manoeuvrability and reduced turf damage. Also on display will be Kubota’s current extensive range of front, walk behind and ride-on mowers, as well as an RTV-X900 utility vehicle.

A number of live social media Q&A sessions will be carried out during the event, so be sure to visit the Kubota UK Facebook page (@KubotaUK) to submit your questions.

Kubota Enquiry 59

BLEC majors on Multiseeder

Fully established as a trading division of Charterhouse Turf Machinery, BLEC will be returning to BTME 2018 with their range of specialised landscaping and turfcare equipment.

A particular highlight for visitors stopping by stand B38 will be the updated BLEC Multiseeder.

The Blec Multiseeder (BMS) is an ideal overseeder for working on both fine turf and amenity type areas. The updated models feature all new seed ratio and seed feed systems which offer the user incredible accuracy.

The twin spiked front rollers can be fi xed or left to fl oat, taking undulating surfaces

easily in its stride while an optional spiked rear roller can be added should the operator wish to further increase the holes per square meter.

For those who prefer a pedestrian unit, the BLEC Cultipack Seeder will also be on show.

BLEC Enquiry 60

Waste2Water bring back finance offer

The two-year interest free finance offer on Waste2Water’s Recycling Wash-Off Systems will return at BTME for 2018.

Waste2Water will finance your extended payment terms ourselves so there’s no paperwork and nothing to sign, just eight quarterly payments.

The company will be on stand B46 to view the system on show and work out a deal.

The Waste2Water Recycling Wash-Off System ensures full compliance with the new environmental legislation and reduces water usage by around

90% too. The above-ground system allows easy maintenance and the innovative design enables the system to be installed outside

and used all year-round without the risk of freezing.

The first step to solving any turfgrass problem is to identify the issues affecting it.

Next, it’s essential to understand your needs and requirements before giving any advice and support.

Then, and only then, can a structured plan be built to improve plant health and turf quality.

But that’s not the end.

Our support continues with weather information via ‘weathercheck’ - a forecasting package tailored for the turf industry and mapped to your specific location.

www.headlandamenity.com

ICL stand is the place to be in Harrogate

Stand B54 at BTME 2018 will once again be the place to be. Visitors can expect to learn about innovative new products and find out about exciting new Turf Rewards developments – and of course enjoy a much needed coffee from the ICL barista team.

The ICL stand will feature the Vitalnova range of biostimulants with a specific focus on Stressbuster. Visitors can find

out more about the product and just how it has taken the industry by storm since its launch last year.

In further exploring methods to improve the health of a course then visitors to the stand may also benefit by learning more about Banner Maxx II, full information can be found on the Syngenta stand.

BTME attendees will also be able to pick up the new ICL 2018/19

Product Guide which features an up-to-date portfolio including some new and unique products and services.

ICL is a long-term supporter of the Continue to Learn programme and has once again teamed up with BIGGA to provide the ICL Continue to Learn scholarship.

ICL Enquiry 61

Richard Peel Groundcare return for second year

Peel Groundcare Ltd (RPGC) are exhibiting at BTME 2018 for the second time as the contractor homes in on the golf market following great success across other areas of sports turf.

The cornerstone of RPGC is using the latest and most innovative machines available to the industry to provide the best quality contracting work possible. This methodology has seen growing success in the golf market, with multiple contracts being completed in 2017.

Appealing to the specific needs of customers has led to fantastic results at many projects in 2017, including the installation of sand-banding on 14-greens at Dyrham Park Golf and Country Club to aid the primary drainage system, and several aeration projects using the Air2G2 Air Inject and Verti-Drain, top dressing and drainage works.

Richard Peel Groundcare Enquiry 64

New generation Mechrons take a bow

BTME 2018 brings the first opportunity for UK ground and turf care dealers and end users to view the new generation of Kioti Mechron diesel K9 2400.

The homologated K9 2400 replaces the original 2210. Keeping the work horse characteristics the K9 2400 includes modern styling, a 10% increase of engine horsepower using a Kioti 3 cylinder engine and a 30% increase in braking performance.

The new model incorporates a bed liner and optional cabin half doors. Stop start characteristics are also improved with changes to the design of the CVT clutch.

Operator comfort has been a major consideration throughout the design process. This is proven with amongst other features; Double wish bone shock absorbers for the front suspension to give additional strength and a smoother ride, a tilting steering wheel and high

visibility digital dash consul, reduced vibration and noise.

Kioti UK will also display four tractors from their wide range of high specification well designed Compact tractors. Each model will be equipped with a set of specialist wheels ideal for the majority of standard and speciality turf care applications.

Kioti UK look forward to seeing you on their stand M1 in the main hall.

UK Enquiry 66

Trilo present solutions for turf and waste management

Following the recent news that €1million has been invested into streamlining their manufacturing facility, Trilo will be returning to BTME with their range of solutions for turf and waste management.

As thoughts start to turn to spring maintenance, Trilo will be on hand to discuss scarification requirements with their S-Line verti-cut and collect range range, as well as their selection of VCU verticutters.

The adaptable and versatile Trilo S3 and S4 units find a

natural home on the golf course. The S-Line range, available with hopper capacities of up to 20m 3 , is available with a dedicated verti-cut shaft, ideal for scarfication amd collection over large areas such as fairways.

For smaller areas, Trilo’s portfolio of scarifiers contains four straight-shaft models, with a range of working widths to suit multiple applications.

Trilo Enquiry 65

New pesticidal disease management from Headland Amenity

The withdrawal of some popular turf fungicides has made it essential that greenkeepers look for ways to minimise plant disease by using a variety of other strategies.

Producing a grass plant that is strong and healthy is more likely to make it difficult for disease to take hold and Headland Amenity will be focussing on this approach on stand B39 at BTME.

Headland’s Technical Support Team will be on hand to discuss disease management that has been trialled, researched and proven to benefit Turf Managers.

Research has supported the introduction of Headland’s ‘20-2030’ tank-mix of plant protectants and elicitors – namely Seamac ProTurf, Liquid Turf Hardener and Turfite – a unique combination of nutrients working together to strengthen the plant against disease.

Further trials and research have shown additional benefits with TeMag Elite, a soluble micronutrient product with added iron and Harpin plant elicitor to stimulate the plants natural defence mechanisms, aiding growth through periods of stress, disease and/or nematode damage.

Headland Amenity Enquiry 67

Richard

Kioti

Creating a passport to pitch perfection

Garry Martin, Managing Director of synthetic turf maintenance specialists Replay, explains to Paul Groves how leadingedge technology can take professional groundscare into a bright new future.

It is no insult to say Garry Martin is a man with his head in the Cloud. Far from it, as it puts him at the forefront of the drive to show the professional groundscare industry just how positive the impact of new technology can be.

He has his hands full in his quest. Change is not something any of us are always happy to embrace and the kind of technology Garry is talking so enthusiastically about is often regarded as a threat to the industry.

But Replay’s innovative PitchPassport 365 system is literally a game-changer when it comes to synthetic turf maintenance.

Garry is always a man in a hurry, yet he has needed to display a lot of patience in the development of the new technology. Working with experts in web and cloud-based

technology, the PitchPassport 365 system has taken a lot of detailed research and fine-tuning but is already proving that all the effort, resources and investment has been worth it.

“With PitchPassport 365 we now have a tool that not only streamlines our operations but offers tracking and traceability of works that has never previously been available,” he explains.

“This enhances health, safety and asset protection and removes grey areas and burden of proof.

“Using the metrics obtained from the many features of PitchPassport 365, Replay and the industry as a whole can use the information to enhance future offerings.”

Unveiled at the University of Nottingham, award-winners in the maintenance of synthetic sports surfaces, PitchPassport 365 is set to revolutionise the recording and traceability of synthetic turf maintenance and become the benchmark for the industry and beyond.

PitchPassport 365 is designed to provide full integration between the manufacturer, installer, maintainer and the facility, collating historical, current and predictive maintenance information for all types of synthetic surfaces. Featuring online and offline functionality, all pertinent information and reports relating to the facility can be reported as the maintenance visit is taking place utilising livestream monitoring technology. The data can then be accessed securely, anywhere at anytime from your inbox or dedicated client portal app.

Amongst the many key features is the usage calculator and heat mapping technology

which uses an embedded algorithm to produce a dedicated map of the pitch, showing the high-wear areas of the facility in question. The information gathered by the tool can then be used in-house or by the external maintainer to ensure maintenance efforts are engaged effectively. This can also be used to diagnose and schedule maintenance to resolve potential issues before they become major concerns.

Through the app, the facility can view scheduled maintenance visits using the calendar function, including a thorough description of the work (to be) carried out and any job notes specific to the surface.

The maintainer can then edit the job live from the site, submitting photos, documents or notes from their visit creating a comprehensive maintenance report. Another feature, ReplayRescue, gives the operator the ability to report any urgent matters instantly using a red or amber alert to highlight the need for further action.

And it is not just what PitchPassport 365 can do now that excites Garry and his team. It is how the technology can evolve that offers the greatest challenge. Information is one of the most valuable assets we can possess these days as it can be accessed with a quick flick of a finger.

“We will be continuing to develop this system but also look at ways this technology can be improved and expanded,” he adds. “We will feed this information to our clients, to groundscare professionals, to manufacturers, to anyone who can make use of it, and see where it takes us.

“We have developed something that will genuinely revolutionise our industry from the inside out.” It is not only PitchPassport 365 that Replay is investing in. Its existing services and machinery are also being upgraded and Replay is also looking to develop its staff too.

A large slice of that investment has been spent on developing a new version of Replay’s hugely successful Aquatrax unit which cleans athletics tracks and water-based pitches.

Aquatrax was used to great effect at the London 2012 Olympics and has now cleaned over four million square metres of surfaces.

Along with Replay’s Revive, Rejuvenation and AquaCourt services, the company is looking to constantly improve and enhance the quality of artificial surfaces.

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Technology is seen as a tool, not a replacement for the skilled professionals within the industry and the vast knowledge they possess.

Replay Maintenance Enquiry 70

Key facts about Replay:

Verti-Drain helps contractors meet all customer needs

Versatility and adaptability are the needs for R J Jochimsen Contractors Ltd – and, in the area of aeration, a Verti-Drain and a pair of Verti-Quakes from Charterhouse Turf Machinery fit the bill.

Formed in 1986, MD Rob Jochimsen undertakes various maintenance and renovation projects for councils, utility companies and sports clubs in the West Sussex area - with no two days the same.

Now heading up a team of 7, Rob started off his working life in the agricultural market before deciding to move into the amenity sector over 30 years ago.

“Week to week we’ll be working on different surfaces – football, rugby, polo fields, gallops, which all require different maintenance techniques but aeration is one that goes across the board,” he said.

“Having the two different machines and working them in conjunction with one another,

means that no matter the requirement, conditions or sports surface we’re dealing with, we have the machine to suit.”

Their Verti-Drain 7626 is now into its 5th season. “We chose this machine initially as it was a good match for our tractor and since then it’s proved to be a real workhorse,” he added.

“The weight of the unit means it penetrates the surface, rather than bouncing over it like some other machines do. Spring and autumn/winter are peak times for the Verti-Drain, though it’s used whenever conditions allow.”

With the Verti-Drain 7626 taking care of the deep aeration work, the pair of Verti-Quake 2516’s work on compaction within the top 6 to 8 inches.

“These come into their own when the ground is too firm or when the surface is wet, requiring lighter units to be used. The smaller, lighter Verti-Quake 2516 runs on a compact tractor, which gives us the flexibility when assessing customer requirements to choose the most effective machine to use.”

“Another plus point for us is the range of tine options available. We’ve been working on some polo fields this year, using 1/2inch finger tines but we also carry tines right up to those suitable for hollow coring.”

Final word from Rob: “These machines give us the versatility to deal with whatever surface comes our way, and even more importantly than this, the customers are pleased with the work they do.”

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Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD puts Williamwood GC ahead

Williamwood Golf Club has had a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD deep aerator in sight for several seasons.

This autumn, a well subscribed winter membership initiative finally made it a reality for the west of Scotland course.

“Increased demand for winter play heightened the need to keep the course open,” said

Course Manager, Gerry Bruen. “The Wiedenmann is our tool of choice to make that happen.”

The James Braid designed parkland course is nestled in the outskirts of south Glasgow. Gerry Bruen and his team of five greenkeepers cope valiantly with above average rainfall to deliver a consistently high standard of surface.

“Everything about the GXi8 HD confirms how aerators have moved on. Set up takes minutes and not a morning. The depth and heave settings are tool free and can be set in seconds. You just adjust them to suit the conditions on the day. The machine has several shock absorption systems so there’s no shock transfer to the operator or tractor. Basically it’s just getting the gearing and speed right and off you go.

“We’re out and back within the weather windows. Last year to do one of the wider fairways took a full day and a half. Now it’s done thoroughly in less than one. Crucially our members are benefiting with less disruption.

After nine weeks we’re almost two full months ahead of where we would be normally with prep for next season. We haven’t allocated extra time. Aeration for us has become an altogether smarter operation.

The 1.8 metre wide is Wiedenmann’s most popular

Terra Spike, the access–all-areas status giving it the versatility to take tees, greens and fairways in its stride.

“Everywhere is scheduled for at least two passes before spring but key areas are earmarked for more. Never before could I have contemplated some of the fairways receiving three visits. In the coming months we will hollow core a few select spots to open the surface even further.”

Alan Jack, Area Sales Manager (West) for Fairways GM, Wiedenmann UK’s dealer in Scotland said: “Gerry knew exactly what he wanted. The GXi8 HD had his name on it from the start so our involvement has been to help him and his team become familiar and use the machine to best effect. His team is powering through so next season he’ll really be able to see a difference especially to his fairways.”

New life for old greens with Terrain Aeration

The original course at Hartley Wintney Golf Club dates back to 1891 when it was laid out as a traditional nine-hole parkland course.

An extra 9 holes were added in 2000 to offer a well laid out variation of both traditional and new designs.

Hartley Wintney GC has called on the services of Terrain Aeration.

Following preparation Terrain Aeration moved in with the specialist Superscamper Terralift deep penetration aeration system, working two metres apart, to blast air at 18 bar pressure to break up the compaction and panning.

Where the ground is exceptionally hard the specially incorporated JCB hammer drives the probe down to the one metre depth, where it releases the air blast, followed by the injection of dried seaweed. This serves to maintain the aeration to get oxygen to the grass roots and

continue to relieve compaction as the seaweed swells with moisture, keeping the fissures open. The compressed air exits through the previously created Verti-Drain slits.

Terrain Aeration has been treating golf courses, sports

pitches, amenity areas, trees and gardens for over 25 years using the Terralift deep penetration aeration system and have a long history of testimonies to the effectiveness of the treatment.

Terrain Aeration Enquiry 73

Lytag tees off with new drainage material

Aggregate Industries has strengthened its Lytag offer with the relaunch of Sportag, a sustainable, lightweight drainage material.Made from Lytag’s ground-breaking secondary aggregate, Sportag is an ideal solution for land drainage applications due to its rounded shape and material properties.

With a hydraulic conductivity 10 times that of natural aggregates, the product is particularly suited to golf courses, including slit trenches, gravel banding and Shelton Systems, as well as sports pitches.

Sportag’s secondary aggregate composition also allows for a 30% moisture retention rate, ensuring a healthier and more consistent facility. Reduces drought stress in hot or dry weather. Alongside this, the product’s 40% void ratio helps aid longevity, improving aeration and allowing roots to penetrate further.

A secondary aggregate and half the weight of standard aggregate, Sportag saves on natural resources, offering greater sustainability and reduced landfill. Its round and lightweight nature also means that it is easily handled, flowing easily into position.

Aggregate Industries Enquiry 75

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Enquiry

Wiedenmann Enquiry 72

CE marking for Classen aerator

Classen’s new TA18 aerator now has CE marking in compliance with EU health and safety requirements.

The width of the aerator is just 27.2”/69cm allowing it to fit through almost all gates and doors and the small footprint with the handles folded makes it exceptionally easy to store and transport.

For groundsmen, landscapers, hire outlets and homeowners

the Classen TA18 is the ideal solution for highly productive treatment of grass areas including hills, slopes and inclines. It’s the most compact aerator in its class and easily negotiates around trees, shrubs and in tight spaces while aerating at speed.

There are five banks of tine wheels with tight tine placement to pull more holes for faster results, and yet the width of the aerator is just Power comes from a Honda GX120 engine which drives the aerator at speeds up to 4.2mph/6.7kmh and the easily reached operation controls ensure user comfort and less fatigue.

The TA18 can aerate up to 29,500 square feet of lawn per hour, making it the ideal, productive addition to a landscaper’s equipment fleet.

Another key feature of the Classen TA18 is the two ergonomically shaped and removable weights at the front and top of the machine, which ensure even weight distribution.

The Classen TA 18 Aerator has been designed with productivity and portability in mind and it comes with a two-year commercial warranty to add to it being fully certified, to give the contractor, hire outlet and end user complete peace of mind. Orders are being taken for delivery in mid-April.

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Campey Turf Care Systems showcase award winning Air2G2

Campey Turf Care Systems showcased the award winning Air2G2 alongside the Dakota 310, Imants ShockWave and KORO FIELDTOPMAKER.

The Air2G2 is used at some of the world’s most prestigious sporting venues across football, golf and rugby and was recently awarded the HSBC Golf Forum Innovation Award in November during an awards ceremony at TPC Sawgrass Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Joining the innovative machine on the stand were the Dakota 310 and 410 spreaders featuring the new control panel. Now, with the upgraded control panel the user is also able to take full

control of the brakes and vibrator on equipped units, and the start/ stop, throttle up and down on the engine units equipped with a power pack.

The 4.3-inch LCD display also offers four memory presets and boasts variable belt and spinner speeds among the features. Every Dakota Turf Tender model will come equipped with the new unit

The Imants ShockWave was on display, as the world’s quickest PTO driven rotary linear decompactor continues to produce fantastic results across the world. Much of this success is thanks not only to the speed of the machine but

Original Groundsman FLEXBLADE now available on all aerators

Fit a Groundsman FLEXBLADE collector attachment to your aerator and save time and money when you core and collect in one pass.

Groundsman Industries have launched a new universal range of FLEXBLADE core collectors to fi t many makes of pedestrian and tractor mounting aerators including Groundsman, Toro, John Deere, Wiedenmann, Charterhouse and SISIS to name a few.

The new range use Groundsman’s original proven FLEXBLADE collection system but they are sporting a sleek black curved and slotted collection canopy and slotted blades. The changes are however, much more than cosmetic. The new shape adds extra strength while reducing the overall

weight by more than half. Internal check chains have been replaced by robust folding check links for consistent accuracy and reliability.

The Groundsman FLEXBLADE Collectors are also available for Three Point Linkage mounting on Compact Tractors plus many types of Turf Vehicles for Follow-up Collection of Cores and Linear Aeration Soil.

Groundsman Industries Enquiry 80

the working process that allows play to continue immediately after use, whilst relieving compaction and aiding aeration through the surface.

Campey had the KORO FIELD TOPMAKER on the stand as well as product specialists who talked visitors through how the

entire Campey range.

Campey Turf Care Systems Enquiry 78

Promote growth with Plugr

The colder months can have a significant impact on gardens, even the best cared for of lawns can need a helping hand to encourage new growth and revitalise them.

A key way of doing this is through aeration. The days of traditional aerating with a garden fork are gone, particularly for owners of larger lawns.

Plugr aerators from Billy Goat offer a compact solution that can improve drainage and promote new growth with absolute ease. By making holes throughout the turf that allow air circulation through the roots, Plugr products help restore lawns to their perfect green condition.

Ideal for large domestic gardens is the PL1800 reciprocating aerator, which has an 18”

working width, along with four tines that puncture the turf and place cores 2.75” deep, aerating at 22,000 square feet per hour. With an easy folding handle it allows for compact use, transportation and storage.

Billy Goat products are exclusively available in the UK through Henton & Chattell dealers nationwide.

Henton & Chattell Enquiry 81

Schiller Groundscare Enquiry

heavy duty fraise mower removes unwanted surface matter such as poa-annua, thatch and weeds or the entire surface up to a depth of 50mm. Information will also be available on the

New York Red Bulls praises SISIS Osca

Dan Shemesh, Director of Stadium and Training Grounds for the New York Red Bulls has praised the SISIS Osca 3 which maintains the synthetic turf on one of the club’s training fields.

When Dan Shemesh was looking for a machine that would help take his synthetic turf to the next level, he found the solution in the form of the SISIS Osca 3 tractor mounted oscillating brush.

The SISIS Osca 3 is a tractor mounted powered oscillating brush with a 1.9 meter working width and is equally effective when used on synthetic turf with sand or rubber infill.

The two oscillating brushes stand the carpet fibers up and redistributes the infill evening, minimizing compaction on the surface and improving its performance – giving consistent

playing characteristics while preventing pile damage caused by reduced infill levels.

A contributory factor to the reduction of compaction is that the Osca’s working width will use fewer passes than other more conventional drag brushes to complete a pitch.

Its aggressive brushing action agitates the upper infi ll level

of the surface from side to side as well as brushing forward, helping reduce surface compaction and encourage the fi bers to stand up straight which reduces the risk of contamination, drainage problems and leaves a consistent playing surface across the whole pitch.

SISIS Enquiry 83

Significant World Cup turf investment to provide widespread benefits

International Hockey Federation (FIH) Official Global Supplier Polytan will shortly begin installation of two new stateof-the-art pitches at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre ahead of the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018.

The installation of their Poligras Platinum World Cup product at the venue, located within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will begin at the start of March and the second pitch will be completed in May 2018.

The £600,000 investment will provide widespread benefits

to the hockey community. It will not only give England and Great Britain’s national and development squads, university, school and hockey clubs world-class turfs to play on, it will also provide a number of environmental benefits. The investment further reinforces the benefi ts of the UK hosting major events and in the long term will bring more elite competition to the UK –for example the Hockey Pro League from 2019 onwards.

Polytan has spent considerable time and investment on developing a new turf product

specifically for next year’s Hockey World Cups being staged in England and India. It is an evolution of the turf used at the Rio 2016 Olympics Games which proved extremely popular with athletes and spectators. The new turf however uses denser fi bres to create a faster playing surface.

Polytan’s significant investment through its FIH Global Supplier status has been further supported by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 additional funding partners -

England Hockey, UK Sport and the Greater London Authority.

FIH has been working hard to align the Hockey Revolution strategy to Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations around environmental impact of sports events. Consequently, FIH has put particular focus on sustainability in the Quality Programme for Hockey Turf. One of the key environmental benefits resulting from the development of this new product is that it will require up to one third less watering compared to the previous turf.

FIH CEO Jason McCracken said: “Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is already a topclass facility - the installation of this innovative new product will make it one of the best hockey venues on the planet. Athletes participating in next year’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 and in the Hockey Pro League in 2019 will be given the perfect stage to showcase their talent. However, what makes hockey so special is that this same field will also benefit athletes of all levels, therefore community investment is hugely important.”

FIH Enquiry 84

Move to artificial pitch helped by Chaterhouse solution

After 66 years at their previous home, Mill Field, Aveley FC’s new £4.8 million stadium complex at Parkside is just a stone’s throw away.

A full-size 3G artificial pitch is at the heart of the club’s new state-of-the-art facility and they have invested in an RTC Brush unit from Charterhouse Turf Machinery to maintain the pitch and protect and perfect the synthetic surface.

The club is home to 21 youth teams, a 1st team, reserve team, academy training and games as well as opening its doors to a couple of community clubs. With no dedicated grounds team, the maintenance falls into the hands of Chief Executive Craig Johnson. “When the carpet was installed, I asked the fitters for their advice on what kit they recommend we look at and the RTC unit was top of their list” explains Craig.

The RTC has been developed with regular brushing in mind, the tractor and brush combination allows the operator to quickly and effectively brush surfaces, ensuring regular maintenance is carried out with ease.

The RTC brushes fold to allow storage and access through gaps as narrow as 90cm, though when folded out the unit will cover an impressive 200cm in one-pass. Powered by a 24hp twin cylinder engine, the brushes can also be lifted from the operators seat giving the user complete control of the pressure applied.

“I’m going out on it every week at the moment, which is after roughly 15 hours of play. It’s simple to use and is doing a great job of keeping the infill free of debris and compaction.

“The 3G pitch will hopefully be a healthy revenue stream for us so it’s in our interests to keep it looking and playing at its best – but without a grounds team I need a maintenance regime that’s time-efficient and effective and the RTC unit is just the job.”

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SCH

compaction unit, drag mats, brushes, a chemical applicator and more.

The company is currently developing a variety of new products for the synthetic surface market.

SCH Supplies Ltd Enquiry 86

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Enquiry

Oxford United installs leading brand of artificial grass

ArtificialGrass.com has installed a winning indoor surface in the home changing room at Oxford United.

The leading UK supplier provided a mini pitch of inlaid grass flooring, creating a ‘virtual’ setting designed to boost team tactics on match days.

The new mini pitch is thought to be the first of its kind in the English Football League.

Covering an area of around five by 15 metres, the mini pitch installation was part of investment in the general refurbishment of Oxford United changing rooms during the preseason period.

With the club currently sitting in the top half of League 1, Oxford United Business Development Manager Peter Rhoades-Brown has high hopes for the rest of the season and is pleased with the positive effect of the new mini pitch on the level of play so far.

“Our players really like the new surface. It not only brightens up the changing room area, but is also of valuable practical use; in particular being ideal for developing tactics and set-pieces, as well as rethinking moves at half time. I think we are the first club to have gone down this route and all good so far.”

There is an increasing trend for artificial turf across the UK and

demand is rapidly growing for ArtificialGrass.com products.

Available exclusively through builders’ merchants, ArtificialGrass.com offers a range of products suitable for residential and commercial installation, including schools and play areas, providing a natural-looking, lush, green surface with all the benefits of real turf, without any upkeep. Ideal for indoor use, it can be installed over many different types of flooring surfaces, including carpet and marble, and will not move or buckle under the heaviest foot traffic. It leaves no trace on removal, even after years of installation and sports logos can also be incorporated into almost all ArtificialGrass. com surfaces, to any scale.

Peter Toghill, Commercial Director at ArtificialGrass.com said: “This is an exciting time for us, as we are experiencing substantial growth with a rapid increase in demand for artificial grass.

“We work hard to provide our high quality artificial grass for industry professionals. The Oxford United installation demonstrates the amazing versatility of ArtificialGrass. com, not just for lawns. We wish the club every success this season and believe the initiative could lead the way for other clubs seeking to improve their status.”

ArtificialGrass.com Enquiry 89

Notts Sports presents at the Academies

With over £8.6m worth of projects funded to date, Notts Sport were privileged to present at the recent Academies Show in Birmingham.

Over the course of 30 minutes we provided a whistle stop summary of our unique Fast Track Funding model which provides funding solutions to the Education Sector for synthetic turf sport, play and cricket facilities.

If you are looking to develop, upgrade or replace any external

sports facilities then Fast Track Funding provides another proven option and for over 25 schools & Academies has created a robust and sustainable business and financial case to make the project vision a reality.

Our presentation can be viewed on the following link so why not take a look and learn how Notts Sport can provide a turnkey solution including funding for your sport, play or cricket project.

Notts Sports Enquiry 88

Strain relief kit converts Terra Rake to synthetic use

An optional ‘strain relief’ kit is available and can be retro-fitted.

Mountable to the top of the frame, it features a spring assister which provides a parallel load path to take tension away from the four rows of tines. With seven separate settings it can readily be amended to suit.

The 5 mm diameter spring tines on the Terra Rake are made of tungsten steel are very fine and agile. When they move at speed

over natural turf they tease out thatch incredibly well.

If a synthetic pitch get lots of play and is infrequently maintained the rubber crumb binds together and becomes compacted. This leads to reduced shock absorption and over time the drainage can become affected and the carpet might need to be replaced sooner.

The Terra Rake’s spring tines are designed to loosen and tease the infill particles or rubber crumb apart. This instantly improves the shock absorption values and helps returns it back to the required standard.

Wiedenmann Enquiry 91

Quick Clean for Moody Grounds Maintenance

Moody Grounds Maintenance is a leading contractor in Hertfordshire and North London.

A team of fully trained groundsmen, they maintain school grounds, commercial grounds, private stately homes and sports grounds for all types of sport.

One such contract is with Winchmore Hill Sports Club, a bastion of the community for over 130 years. A requirement of Moody by the club is the maintenance of their rubber crumb 3G football pitch and they needed a machine to do the job.

“We had heard the GKB Quick Clean 150 was good,” says Andrew Moody, “so we arranged with Tom Shinkins at GKB and Ernest Doe’s at Bennington for a demonstration of the Quick Clean at Winchmore Hill.”

Quick Clean is a three-point CAT I/II PTO operated machine for quick and thorough cleaning of artificial turf, sweeping up leaves, branches and dirt in a single pass. It uses a depth adaptable brush and shaking screen system to deposit dirt into a waste bin.

The screens are interchangeable to allow filtering of different grain sizes such as sand, rubber, cork and TPE.

GKB Machines Enquiry 90

Wiedenmann’s Terra Rake, a hugely popular scarifier and thatch remover on natural grass, can now be easily deployed on artificial surfaces.