Threat to our golfing jewels
COMPACT TRACTORS
Small
PLUGGING
Eco
TURF
Head in the sand?
Don’t forget Sport…
The image on our cover of Fortrose and Rosemarkie golf course, from October of last year, brings into sharp focus the crisis facing so many of our beloved and historic links courses.
The last two months have been a nightmare for many people in certain parts of the country and my heart goes out to everyone dealing with the aftermath of unprecedented flooding and devastating erosion.
The best case scenario for many is months of temporary living. For others, lives will never return to what they were.
While the fate of sports grounds and golf clubs might seem inconsequential in the face of such hardship, we at Turf Matters have a particular empathy with everyone who has seen years of agronomic husbandry literally washed away in the space of a few weeks.
Storms and tides are becoming increasingly extreme and by the very nature of a links course they are on the front line when it comes to sea crashing into land. What was once a loss of a foot or a couple of feet a year, which was concerning enough for anyone looking beyond the short term, has become 35 feet in one stormy night for some unfortunate courses.
It must be hoped that banks – the financial institutions, not the things which edge overflown rivers – take an understanding approach to sporting facilities which have been unable to service loans as a result of them being unplayable and so unable to bring in revenue.
And by and large these clubs are now being left to their own devices to come up with a solution. Whether that be rock armour, soft defences or re-routing the golf course, none of them come without a large price tag.
As we have seen with the recent Winter Olympics, sport has such a galvanising effect on society and can be the catalyst for so much good, that it is imperative sporting facilities are not forgotten when the promised assistance is being allocated.
So, what of the game’s governing body, the R&A? Well, they set aside a sum of £650,000 in 2019, some of which was to go towards a three-year coastal erosion project instigated in 2020. How has it gone? Well, the R&A are hoping for a report... perhaps next year.
On the issue of improving sporting facilities, we have been invited by Briggs & Stratton to become involved in its Pitch to Win competition, which provides a £3,000 makeover for what is judged to be the Under 18s football pitch in most need – find out more on pages 16-17. I am on the judging panel and visits will be made to a shortlist of deserving pitches soon. We will be looking not so much at the DESSO but the desperate!
Distributed every two months to sports turf professionals, independent schools, universities, local authorities and buyers of turfcare machinery and products.
Editor: Scott MacCallum scott@turfmatters.co.uk
Distributed every two months to sports turf professionals, local authorities and buyers of turfcare machinery and products.
Editor: Scott MacCallum scott@turfmatters.co.uk
Design/Production Editor: Tim Moat tim@turfmatters.co.uk
Design and Production Editor: Tim Moat tim@turfmatters.co.uk
Sales Manager: Pauline Thompson
Sales Executive: Marie Anderson marie@turfmatters.co.uk
Contributor: Summer Rogers
To advertise in Turf Matters, call Pauline on 07720 055676 or email pauline@turfmatters.co.uk
To advertise in Turf Matters, email marie@turfmatters.co.uk
To subscribe, go to www.turfmatters.co.uk
Turf Matters is published by Straight Down the Middle Communications Ltd.
Turf Matters is published by Straight Down the Middle Communications Ltd.
All material © Turf Matters magazine 2024. Winner of awards including Best Writing and Best Design in the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Awards 2019-2024
I hope the R&A haven’t got their head in the sand on this as, unless they take a lead and offer some practical support, we could lose some of our most famous and irreplaceable courses.
Scott MacCallum, Editor
On a final note, I am thrilled by the reception that the first issue of Turf Matters received. Many people have taken time to say how much they liked the look of the magazine and how they enjoyed the articles. We’re all pleased you found it to your liking and we will work hard to maintain the high standards. Thank you all very much.
All material © Turf Matters magazine 2014. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the written permission of the publisher. Information contained in Turf Matters is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Turf Matters can accept no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by reliance on information contained in Turf Matters or in the event of any bankruptcy or liquidation or cessation of trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned is hereby excluded.
Printed by Warners Midlands PLC.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the written permission of the publisher. Information contained in Turf Matters is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Turf Matters can accept no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by reliance on information contained in Turf Matters or in the event of any bankruptcy or liquidation or cessation of trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned is hereby excluded. Printed by Warners Midlands PLC.
Scott MacCallum, Editor
BERNHARD APPOINT TVIET PARK AS SOLE DISTRIBUTOR IN NORWAY
Bernhard and Company has renewed its partnership with Norwegian distributor, Tveit Park. The brandnew deal will see Tveit Park become Bernhard’s exclusive distribution partner in Norway.
Bernhard and Company and Tveit Park have enjoyed a long partnership, having worked together for more than nine years. Under new ownership in 2024, Tveit Park will be the only place to buy the company’s industry leading products and solutions.
“We reinvest in relationships that we know work,” said Steven Nixon, Managing Director. “We are delighted to be extending our agreement with Tveit Park as our exclusive distributor in Norway.”
More awards for top publications team
Turf Matters, and its sister publication Landscaping Matters, have once again excelled at the international TOCA Awards.
Announced at the award ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, Scott MacCallum picked up his third Gardner Award for Best Overall International Entry for his article A Legendary Hole is Born, about the new 17th hole at Royal Liverpool Golf Club which hosted The Open Championship last year. The piece had also won the Best Writing in a Publication category.
Scott received a Merit Award in the same category for The Man with the Golden Touch, which appeared in Landscaping Matters in 2023.
Tim Moat, who designs both Turf Matters and Landscaping Matters, won Best Designed Publication for Landscaping Matters.
“Winning these independently judged awards, shows both Tim and I that we are
operating at the right level and producing good quality magazines for our readership. We are both delighted to have once again been successful,” said Scott. n Scott is pictured, left, with Tim.
SHOCKWAVE IMPRESSES AT HAMILTON PARK RACECOURSE
Track quality was a primary reason for Hamilton Park Racecourse Grounds Teams’ award-winning 2023, and their use of the Imants ShockWave from Campey Turf Care Systems played a key role.
Head Groundsman Mark Bemrose and his team of Darius Spis, Fraser Holmes and Raymond McClaren won the Racecourse Association Flat Racecourse Grounds Team of the Year 2023 for their exceptional work and high-quality presentation of Hamilton Park.
In South Lanarkshire, rain is always a challenge, and getting the most from drainage is crucial. For Mark, a combination of the linear aeration from the ShockWave and spiked aeration produces a better routing system and aids drainage, helping to produce a high-quality surface.
After initially hiring a machine in April 2024, Mark decided it was time to purchase his own, and the benefits quickly showed themselves.
“For me, it’s trying to fit the
maintenance plan into the fixtures. The winter we’ve just had has been the wettest on record, and it highlighted the importance of being able to get out with machines when the opportunity is there.
“From hiring the ShockWave, we knew what a great job it could do, but having our own gives us a better chance to treat specific areas and use it on the whole track when the opening is there.
“Recently, we had a really bad patch that was consistently wet, so I went across angles over the existing drainage to open up the linear drains underneath and what a difference it made. Within three days, you wouldn’t have known there was an issue at all.
“There is no visible surface disruption, and with us having a longer sward at three and a half inches, the lines disappear very, very quickly. That’s important when we’re busy and have regular races because there is no risk of us causing any instability, and by
using the ShockWave after races, we can decompact the hoof prints.
“With our own ShockWave, when we’ve got time during the racing calendar, we’ll get on and do the
whole racing surface, which is four and a half hectares. It takes three days to do the whole track, which is a long time, but it is worth it with the results we get.”
Register now for GroundsFest
Get ready for the most anticipated event in the groundscare industry. GroundsFest 2024, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on September 10 and 11, is set to return, promising an even more impressive lineup of exhibitors, new features, and experiences.
Last year, the first-ever GroundsFest took the groundscare industry by storm, heralding a new era for trade shows. Now in its second year, GroundsFest has rapidly become the largest event of its kind in the UK, boasting the most space, exhibitors, and products on display. It’s also the only event in the industry where visitors can see machinery in action and get hands-on with the equipment.
Outdoor Demos: GroundsFest gives you the opportunity to test a wide range of machinery. Whether you need to dig, move, cut, mow, climb, mulch, or build, it’s all here for you to explore.
NEW! Machinery Nation LIVE: Watch
top brands compete in the ultimate machinery face-off and participate in exciting equipment challenges for a chance to win amazing prizes.
Free Educational Seminars: Gain insights and solutions to the industry’s biggest issues. From management to apprentices, there’s something for everyone.
The Landscape Zone: Discover the latest in outdoor environment technologies and innovations. This is a must-attend for landscape architects, garden designers, contractors, and more.
Free Practical Training: Enhance
your skills with hands-on training sessions on a variety of groundscare topics, delivered by Lantra-approved instructors.
Retail Area: Purchase tools, clothing, and accessories at discounted rates.
Live Music Festival: Unwind with live music, street food, and fun activities. Enjoy performances from great DJs and bands, including the returning Queen tribute band.
Every person who registers will have a chance to win a Toro ProStripe 560 pedestrian mower.
In addition, GroundsFest 2024 offers free on-site parking. There will also be a dedicated camping area. More information on the GroundsFest website.
Register now for free on the GroundsFest website. Profits from the event are reinvested back into the industry through the Education Fund. n www.groundsfest.com
SALTEX continues to invest in developing the industry
The GMA has announces the continued investment of revenue generated from the SALTEX exhibition back into the industry, bolstering support for professional and community sport across the nation.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the GMA has continually re-invested revenue generated from its annual exhibition back into the grounds management industry since its inauguration in 1938. Naturally, due to the success of the show year on year, that contribution continues to grow, further demonstrating how SALTEX continues to power progress in the industry.
Thanks to the success of SALTEX 2023, the GMA has been able to subsidise approximately 67% of its membership base, providing essential support to those at the heart of grounds management. With community and student memberships benefiting the most, this underscores the GMA’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring that the highest standards of grounds care are upheld across the industry.
In addition to supporting membership, the revenue from SALTEX 2023 has helped to subsidise 1,900 GMA training courses for grounds professionals, both in person and online.
Since 2009, revenue generated from SALTEX has consistently supported the GMA’s annual Industry Awards, which recognises excellence in grounds care across the professional and voluntary sectors.
The GMA’s annual awareness campaign, #Groundsweek, has also benefited significantly from SALTEX’s revenue. This year the campaign amassed an online reach of 18 million, with over 2,500 pieces of online content being produced by over 1,000 unique authors.
Highlighting the strides in diversity and inclusion within the industry, SALTEX revenue recently supported the ‘Women in Grounds’ showcase event at the Emirates Stadium in partnership with the Women’s Super League, Women in Football and Arsenal FC. This landmark event saw 13 women from across the
grounds care sector come together to highlight the contributions of women in grounds management, inspiring a new generation to join the field.
Over the past ten years, SALTEX has enjoyed unwavering support from sports’ national governing bodies highlighting the event’s pivotal role in uniting and elevating the grounds management industry.
Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial and Events, said that by attending SALTEX, visitors and exhibitors were supporting the vital year-round work that enables the GMA to invest in its members, education, and training.
“It allows us to continue to lobby, to influence, and to create stakeholder relationships with sports bodies and the like, that create inward investment back into the sector.
“We would like to thank all visitors, exhibitors, and partners of SALTEX. Together, we are cultivating a brighter future, ensuring that sports can thrive. We look forward to making SALTEX 2024 the best yet.”
SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 30 and 31 October.
n saltexsales@thegma.org.uk
Etesia’s 0% VAT offer
Etesia UK has announced an exclusive 0% VAT offer. Available on selected ride-on mowers, this provides customers with the chance to drive away with top-of-the-line equipment at unbeatable value.
From the compact yet powerful Hydro 80 to the versatile and agile Bahia, the ride-on mowers are engineered to meet the diverse needs of lawn care professionals.
Highlights include:
Bahia: Versatile, agile, and adaptable, the Bahia is designed to tackle any terrain with ease.
Hydro 80: A compact powerhouse that effortlessly cuts and collects both long and short grass.
MK124: The perfect solution for large areas, with a wide cutting width and hydraulically operated grass box for effortless maintenance.
To claim simply place your order before July 31, 2024, by contacting Etesia - email sales@etesia.co.uk.
JCB’s sustainable approach, with help from OAS
The prestigious JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, Staffordshire is preparing to host the LIV Golf UK event in July, replacing Centurion Golf Club as LIV’s UK LIV stop.
JCB has hosted events in the last two years on the Legends Tour, the DP World Tour’s veteran circuit. They now join an ever-growing list of UK golf courses in connection with LIV Golf and its financial investment in the professional game.
The new Golf and Country Club opened less than five years ago and its testimony to Golf Course Manager Callum Wark and his 33-strong team that this is already a tournament standard course, having hosted events on the Legends Tour and the DP World Tours veteran circuit.
Previously from Loch Lomond Golf Club, Callum joined the original JCB Course Manager Euan Grant as a Senior Greenkeeper in 2016, along with another 15 people who were all instrumental in the construction and grow-in of the course.
Kerr Hunter, from Origin Amenity Solutions, has dealt with Callum since his inception at the club.
“JBC wanted an organic and sustainable course. Euan had been
“THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF EXPECTATION THAT THE COURSE IS IMMACULATE. WE CANNOT AFFORD FOR OUR MEMBERS TO SEE ANY DISEASE OR SCARRING”
working with Kerr from his former club and wanted the same results. With the active ingredients in fungicides being slowly removed from the market we wanted to proactively manage our greens moving forward and wanted to adopt a biological programme that required less input from us,” said Callum.
In 2018 Euan became the General Manager and Callum was promoted to Golf Course Manager. He oversaw the official launch of the JCB Golf and Country Club, which was designed to reflect the bold, ambitious vision of Lord Bamford..
Robin Hiseman of European Gold Design was commissioned to create the stunning, contemporary layout in beautiful rural Staffordshire. The 7308-yard par 72 course has been designed to challenge elite golfers at full distance while allowing corporate golfers an enjoyable experience.
“I’m not against chemical inputs and where I need to, I do use them, but I find that by following a biological programme we only have a limited need for them,” explained Callum.
“There is a high level of expectation that the course is in immaculate condition. We cannot afford for our members to see any disease or scarring so as a preventative we currently spray fungicide preventatively on the greens three times a year, but we are planning on reducing this to two times if possible. I see it as a safety net.”
The course is built on land close to the JCB headquarters in a mixture of established woodland and farmers’ fields. The site wasn’t the easiest to work on as there was a lot of clay and drainage was a challenge. Hiseman and his team moved over 400,000m3
of earth to produce the course.
OAS helped with the specification of a full assembly grow-in programme to enable the course to be built with a biological base. Some of the products used included Mycorrhizal Inoculant for greens and tees and Mycorrhizal SeedCoat for fairways and outfields along with Caviar, calcium and magnesium.
“Today the soil is biologically active and the course is maintained with a vigorous organic and biological programme. We have four Compost Tea brewers and use Compost Teas every two weeks to feed the soil life and enhance the soil food web.
“We have a full greens programme to aid in the prevention of disease and improve plant health. We have fantastic results and the OAS biological products maintain the quality. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!” said Callum.
Origin Amenity Solutions is the major supplier to the JCB Golf and Country Club for their putting greens. As well as a myriad of biological products such as ThatchEater, seaweed, CMS Shoot, DegrAid, Biotabs and Liquid Aeration.
“Symbio ThatchEater is a core product for us. Our members demand high-performance surfaces. They must be firm and fast at all times. We still need to aerate regularly but ThatchEater is my go-to product.
“The service and advice I receive from Kerr at OAS is invaluable. We have a planned programme, but we tweak it accordingly. A few years ago, I had a problem with plant parasitic Nematodes. Kerr recommended Root Repair. The problem was eradicated, and I’ve never had an issue since.” n sales@originamenity.com
Acuspray perfect way to keep large lawns in tip-top condition
For professional arable farmer Michael Godfrey, investing in accurate, reliable and efficient spraying equipment that delivers excellent results is always important - regardless of whether he’s running his agricultural business, Godfrey Farms, or simply spraying the extensive lawns which surround the family home.
Michael, based near Bluntisham in Cambridgeshire, is very much “hands-on” in running the family farming business, so time – or lack of it – is his biggest challenge when it comes to maintaining the significant area of manicured lawn that makes up the bulk of his garden.
“Although I’d never describe myself as a professional groundsman, I am a keen gardener and with several hundred square metres of fine lawn to maintain, a traditional
knapsack sprayer simply doesn’t offer the capacity or accuracy level I require,” said Michael.
“In the 1990’s I worked closely with Techneat Engineering to help them manufacture the Autocast V2, a broadcasting system for oilseed rape and cover crops that I originally designed, so I’m well aware of their reputation for manufacturing high quality machinery.
“When Techneat Technical Manager James English approached me to trial the company’s Acuspray pedestrian sprayer, I was more than happy to work with them again.
“The machine is lightweight, quick to set up and easy to use featuring a unique wheel driven pump that produces an accurate, repeatable application rate for applying a wide range of liquid fertilisers, moss treatments and
other turfcare products. Key design features include a 1m spray width boom and a 25L tank capacity, enough to cover 625m2 of lawn.
“Overall build quality on the Acuspray is excellent with non-drip nozzle valves and nozzle filters fitted as standard. Additional options include bout markers, a boom cover and a spray control lever.
“There’ve been no maintenance issues since I acquired the Acuspray, it has a high level of build quality, it’s quiet, simple to operate and for a large garden like mine where frequent lawn treatments are required, it’s the perfect pedestrian sprayer,” concluded Michael.
Mansfield Sand’s MM40 addresses clay-based terrain
Navigating the challenges of turf management on heavy clay soil presents a unique set of obstacles. Andrew Butler, Head of Grounds and Gardens at Repton School in Derbyshire, understands this all too well.
Tasked with maintaining Repton’s extensive grounds, Andrew has turned to Mansfield Sand’s MM40 to address the specific needs of the school’s clay-based terrain. At Repton School, the soil’s heavy clay composition poses challenges
to turf health and drainage.
“We are such a heavy clay soil-based site...the clay has got compressed, and it is so heavily compacted,” explained Andrew.
Recognising the importance of improving soil quality, Andrew sought solutions to enhance the medium and facilitate better water movement through the profile.
Enter MM40 from Mansfield Sand, a product renowned for its ability to improve soil structure and promote drainage. MM40 is sourced directly from the Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield where the company produces its renowned Mansil range of Silica Sands. MM40 is a moist, medium sand which is predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces.
MM40 serves as a vital tool in Repton’s efforts to combat compaction and
enhance turf resilience.
The implementation of MM40 extends beyond addressing surface issues. Repton School is in the midst of a comprehensive drainage programme, aiming to alleviate waterlogging and improve turf health across the entire site.
“We are trying to help get that water away from the surface. It is all about improving the soil medium and getting it through the profile quicker.”
The short renovation window of opportunity during Easter poses a logistical challenge for Andrew and his team. However, the application of MM40 during this period is essential to maximising its impact.
“We only have a short window during Easter to get as much sand in as we can. We use MM40 across all the pitches, across the whole site. It has massively helped with the drainage and improved playability.”
n www.mansfield-sand.co.uk
Five reasons to invest in Toro’s GeoLink system
For those already using GeoLink technology, the GPS-tracked precision spraying system developed by Toro needs no introduction. But for those working in turfcare or landscaping, who are either still on the fence about adopting the system, or haven’t heard of it all together, here are five reasons why you should consider investing in GeoLink – the industry’s first turfbased precision spray system.
1. THE MOST ADVANCED SPRAYING SYSTEM ON THE MARKET
With GeoLink technology, Toro’s existing range of market-leading turf sprayers level up. By monitoring the area sprayed, speed of vehicle, and total volume of material sprayed, it offers customers unrivalled precision and accuracy with realtime autonomous adjustments. Despite being advanced, spraying protocols have never been easier, thanks to a rainproof, touchscreen display. So, whatever the weather, you’ll always get the job done. With enhanced GPS functionality, moreover, GeoLink ensures repeatable applications to within one centimetre of set parameters when configured with Real Time Kinematic correction.
2. YOU’LL NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OVERSPRAYING
As GeoLink provides advanced, real-time GPS tracking with a Wide
Area Augmentation System the risk of overspraying and potentially damaging turf is eliminated. Thanks to its autonomous functionality, GeoLink has the power to turn spraying nozzles on and off, limiting the potential for human error. That means no more overlaps, gaps, or overspraying, saving time and money. GeoLink not only makes a challenging job easier, it also helps to narrow the skills gap, meaning the operator doesn’t need to be highly experienced to achieve top results.
3. GEOLINK SAVES TIME, MONEY, AND WATER
Informed by hundreds of hours of customer input, GeoLink marks a leap forward in turf spraying technology, with each element being engineered for total, pinpoint control. One of the reasons why GeoLink marks such a development is because it’s been designed with turfcare in mind.
GeoLink knows about multiple inclusion zones, spraying rates, and how much chemical is needed for a specific job, making savings on every front from time, water, and money. And, because job data is saved for future applications, a job only needs to be mapped out once. With the addition of a GPS-guided AutoSteer function, moreover, the chance of operator error is rendered null. Full boom utilisation and an
onboard nudge feature ensure turf is fully covered and that any wear from travel is minimised.
4. PROTECTS INVESTMENTS AND SECURES REPUTATIONS
GeoLink provides dependable and repeatable course operations, which is essential in the turfcare industry, as golf courses and other sports grounds need consistent conditions for professionals to play on. And the stakes are high –reputations rise and fall depending on the quality of the turf. Since comprehensive chemical application is critical to the health and quality of the turf, applying the right amount with GeoLink not only safeguards the investment made from both a time and cost perspective, it safeguards reputations, too.
5. KEEP THE SAVINGS COMING WITH ACCURATE REPORTING
When the job’s done, GeoLink also offers accurate reporting, which can be downloaded for analysis. By keeping a detailed record of chemical and water use, there is more potential for efficiency gains and applicator savings. It also makes the next run just that bit easier. GeoLink is currently available for use with the Toro Multi Pro 5800-D (AS also available with this model) and 1750. n reesinkturfcare.co.uk
Introducing the SR Range for enhanced long grass performance
When customers expressed the need for machines capable of delivering a Trimax-quality cut but in long grass applications, Trimax listened by introducing their latest innovation: the SR (Single Roller) range of mowers. Building on the success of their double roller (DR) counterparts, the ProCut S5 SR, Stealth S3 SR, and Pegasus S5 SR models have been crafted to meet the unique challenges of long grass applications while maintaining the market-leading cut quality and low maintenance aspects that have made the Trimax range so successful. Key design changes include lowered body profiles and optimized cutting chambers and baffle designs to provide a better finish and spread at higher cut heights.
Starting the lineup is the
compact ProCut S5 SR, a single deck rotary mower requiring as little as 35hp at the PTO. Available in four cutting widths (1.7m, 2.1m, 2.3m & 2.9m), and offering a cut height range of 10-110mm, the ProCut S5 SR is engineered to tackle those challenging commercial environments.
Next up is the Stealth S3 SR. With the ability to deliver a quality cut in grass up to 500 mm high, the Stealth SR is an ideal alternative to gear-driven wing mowers. It has a cutting width of 3.4m and can cover over two hectares per hour giving customers maximum productivity.
Completing the range is the Pegasus S5 SR, specifically designed for wide-area mowing in long grass. Key design changes include replacing front rollers with castor
wheels and increasing the aperture at the front of each deck to allow more grass to enter the cutting chamber without being rolled over first. These changes enable the mower to cut grass up to 500mm in height, depending on conditions. With the introduction of front castors and larger side channels, the finished cut height range of the Pegasus S5 SR has been extended to 20-180mm, an increase of 70mm compared to its double roller counterpart. Councils tasked with maintaining vast green spaces, airfields requiring precise grass heights for safety, and racecourses commanding pristine turf – the SR range meets the diverse needs of many industries. n www.trimaxmowers.co.uk
Allan is new Sales Manager at ICL
ICL has appointed Allan Wainwright as Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland Landscape & Industrial sectors. Allan joins ICL from Hozelock, where he effectively managed the UK&I Sales for the Commercial division, showcasing his capacity for building relationships and enhancing sales within the lawn, landscape, and industrial sectors.
Before joining Hozelock, Allan’s career included a significant period at
Vitax, which equipped him with valuable market insights and customer engagement strategies.
“I’m thrilled to join ICL and contribute to our sectors’ growth. It’s a great chance to use my skills where they matter most, and I’m eager to help take our team to the next level,” said Allan.
Lewis Blois, Business Development Manager for ICL’s Landscape & Industrial division, said that bringing Allan into the team reflected their
ongoing commitment to strengthen our market position by incorporating experienced professionals.
“His background and approach to account management and sales are well-suited to our objectives.” n www.iclgrowingsolutions.uk
Floors Castle turns to Foamstream
A Foamstream L12 system is delivering effective non-herbicidal weed control and labour savings too, for the team at Floors Castle.
Tasked with keeping on top of a variety of weed species within the picturesque grounds and gardens, Head Gardener Simon McManus explains how together with significantly reducing the time spent hand-weeding, the L12 has also been utilised as a cleaning system to give the Castle a perfect photo finish.
Described as ‘The Gem of the
THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN FOAMSTREAM
IS HOT WATER, INSULATED BY A 100% ORGANIC, PLANTBASED FOAM WHICH KEEPS THE WATER IN THE KILLZONE FOR LONG ENOUGH TO EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATE A RANGE OF WEEDS
Scottish Borders’, Floors Castle is the centrepiece of the beautiful Roxburghe Estate, built in 1721 and today welcoming visitors from far and wide to explore and enjoy its scenic surroundings – including approximately four acres of ornamental grounds and gardens.
“The walled garden comprises four big herbaceous borders and we also have a small vegetable garden as well as private gardens which aren’t open to the public – all needing to look good year-round” explains Simon, who has been at Floors Castle for almost 20 years.
With just a team of three, plus himself, the facility were in need of both a quicker and more environmentally-friendly weed control method to traditional treatments with chemicals and labour-intensive hand-weeding.
“We took delivery of our L12 unit from Weedingtech last year after an impressive demonstration. As a new technology I have to admit there was some initial scepticism but the results of the trial spoke for themselves and since our purchase, we have only discovered more and more benefits!”
The active ingredient in Foamstream is hot water, insulated by a 100% organic, plant-based foam which keeps the water in the killzone for long enough to effectively eliminate a range of weeds and other unwanted vegetation. The ‘plug and play’ L12 delivery system is compact and portable, with a range of wand options making it ideal for all areas and applications.
“It’s used regularly throughout the spring and summer. We went out one day in April to treat a border thick with weeds which would have previously taken the four of us a day to clear. One two-hour treatment with Foamstream and by the next morning it’s all dead. It’s also fantastic at killing moss and algae which were becoming a problem to treat around the site with the ongoing withdrawal of chemical solutions,” explained Simon
“Over the winter when the weeds are less of an issue, we found we could use the L12 as a pressure washer to clean the roof of the glasshouses – and it did another brilliant job! It’s clear this machine is going to become a key part of our overall maintenance programme.”
Scott MacCallum was one of a small group of journalists who flew to Germany to see the latest technological launch from industry heavyweights, John Deere
Keeping John Deere connected
There we were, sitting in a lovely clubhouse in the middle of Germany, using an iPad to watch the movement of machinery on the legendary Carnoustie Golf Links, over a thousand miles away. We could see a Gator making its way back to the sheds, or a green being cut out on the 14th.
Now there is more than one way in which this overarching technology can be viewed. Carnoustie had given their blessing to the be the example shown to the interested press and delegates, but yes, there is an element of Big Brother watching over your every move, but the more positive outlook is that you can identify inefficiencies or numerous ways in which time can be saved and resources used to their very best advantage.
John Deere has recently invested massively into the amenity turf industry, drawing much from the more advanced research and development from the much larger agricultural sector.
So there was much anticipation for the small group of press who were at the launch, held in John Deere’s European headquarters in Mannheim and those wonderful green machines with the yellow wheel inserts didn’t disappoint. The group were shown around the stateof-the-art factory, which is home to the two millionth John Deere tractor, which features the pictures of 300 of the staff who had worked on it.
John Deere Precision Turf technology has shown to increase productivity and efficiency. The focus is on connecting, guiding and managing the machines.
Connect The machines are connected using John Deere’s JDLink telemetry system. Machine data, such as hours, fuel level, or location is sent to the cloud-based John Deere Operations Centre . Fleet managers have a comprehensive view of individual machines or even the entire fleet whether they are on the go or in the office.
This allows precise planning of tasks, maximises uptime and uses the machine’s location to ensure optimal use. All golf equipment already has a JDLink modem for any turf-related operations. Starting with model year 2024, the 1500 Series TerrainCut front mowers and the TerrainCut 1600 Turbo wide area mowers will also be equipped with a JDLink modem.
There is the option to retrofit modems to commercial ZTrak Zero Turn mowers and compact utility tractors. Guide Precision guidance systems can be used to make turf operations more efficient. Machines can accurately follow a pre-planned route, even in low visibility or during the night.
This allows the HD200 GPS Precision Sprayer to avoid overlaps or missed applications with a guidance system to accurately treat the turf. Standard Individual Nozzle Shutdown allows operators to only cover pre-defined turf,
while lower maintenance areas are automatically left out.
This greatly simplifies the work processes as Public the operator can fully concentrate on the actual work process without having to take additional care to maintain the tracks. Components such as the StarFire receiver and the Universal Displays, plus technologies such as AutoTrac, enable the use of precision guidance systems.
The components can be easily transferred from one machine to another. Manage The John Deere Operations Centre provides a
the golf course from wherever they happen to be. It allows a much more objective assessment of performance.
“We can track how many hours a triple mower has worked and over time if we need to even up hours on leased equipment cutting units on tees mowers can be swapped with those on greens mowers as greens mower hours are much greater than those of tees mowers,” said Paul Trowman, John Deere’s European Marketing Manager.
This software integrates OnLink into the John Deere Operations Centre. John Deere Operations Centre
GUIDE PRECISION GUIDANCE SYSTEMS CAN BE USED TO MAKE TURF OPERATIONS MORE EFFICIENT. MACHINES CAN ACCURATELY FOLLOW A PRE-PLANNED ROUTE, EVEN IN LOW VISIBILITY OR DURING THE NIGHT.
central platform for managing machine- and work-related information to make data-based decisions quickly and easily.
The Machine Analyser inspects and visualises machine data, for example, to identify service needs in time or to evenly distribute hours between machines.
The new John Deere Connectivity programme allows Course Managers, dealers and John Deere themselves to track machinery while out on
PRO Golf provides solutions for managing golf course maintenance. It provides functions to manage machine fleets and human resources.
At the same time, it provides information that greenkeepers need to manage their assets more efficiently and distribute tasks.
The work at John Deere shows that modern day technology can be a genuine force for good, a benefit to the industry and not something about which to be closed and suspicious.
STIHL GB unveils Contra House
STIHL GB has officially opened its new, purpose-built head office and state-of-the-art distribution centre named Contra House, in Camberley, ushering in a new chapter of innovation and service excellence for the business.
Dr Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of STIHL Group, presided over the opening ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long history.
Named Contra House in homage to the iconic STIHL Contra chainsaw invented by STIHL founder Andreas Stihl, this 11,500m2 facility reflects STIHL GB’s dedication to providing unparalleled support to its dealers and end users.
Home to more than 100 staff, Contra House is meticulously designed to enhance operational efficiency, customer service, and employee well-being. The new site features best-in-class dealer training facilities and a studio, collaborative workspaces, an onsite restaurant, and a fully-fitted technical workshop, ensuring seamless support for STIHL GB’s 700-strong Approved Dealer network.
At the heart of the operation lies the 9,000m2 distribution centre, which boasts next-generation picking and storage systems. This consolidation of logistics onto one site enables STIHL GB to streamline operations, resulting in a speedier
and more efficient delivery service.
“The unveiling of Contra House symbolises a significant step forward in our commitment to product innovation and providing exceptional service to our customers and dealer network,” said Kay Green, Managing Director of STIHL GB.
“We are thrilled to unveil the new facility, which not only embodies our rich heritage but also stands as a testament to our vision for the future.”
The official opening event, attended by more than 160 guests, also outlined STIHL GB’s partnership with Perennial, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping people in horticulture. The STIHL team will volunteer in a wide range of fundraising activities to help the charity provide free and confidential advice, information and support to people working in, or retired from, horticulture and their families.
n www.stihl.co.uk
Attraxor at Aberdovey GC
Located in the stunning Snowdonia National Park, Aberdovey Golf Club in Aberdyfi, Wales, stands as a testament to the beauty and challenges of links golf.
Overseeing this picturesque yet demanding course is Course Manager Nigel Green, pictured, whose dedication to excellence has been furthered by innovative solutions from Agrovista Amenity, particularly BASF’s Attraxor plant growth regulator.
Nigel has been working at the club for 38 years and he highlights how standards at the club have improved.
“The course has benefited over the years because the industry has progressed in terms of technology, machinery and products.”
One of the products central to Nigel’s success is Attraxor, a plant growth regulator developed by BASF. Containing prohexadione calcium, this innovative solution offers precise control over turf growth while promoting root
development and enhancing turf quality. What sets Attraxor apart is its fast-acting formulation, providing almost instant results and flexibility in application timing, even in cooler conditions. Starting cautiously, Nigel trialled Attraxor on the main putting green before gradually increasing the application rate to 600 grams per hectare. He applies Attraxor every three weeks from January to August, sometimes
extending into September due to its effectiveness. Moreover, recent independent trials commissioned by Agrovista also confirm benefits of winter application.
Nigel’s meticulous approach also involves tank-mixing Attraxor with Aquatrols’ Premium N, ensuring optimal performance and consistent results.
In addition to Attraxor, Nigel highlights the efficacy of BASF’s Maxtima fungicide. Trialling Maxtima early on as a trial before it was launched, Nigel found it to be incredibly effective against Dollar Spot, minimising the need for additional treatments and showcasing outstanding results.
“The technical advice and support I receive from Agrovista Amenity and Chris Knowles is very good. If you have any questions or are not too sure about something, you can always get an answer from them. It is a very good relationship.” n www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity
What is
By Henry Bechelet, Technical Manager, ICL
Fertilisers are regulated to ensure that they are used responsibly. The EU Fertilising Product Regulation sets the rules for fertilising products sold in the EU. FPR compliant fertilisers will display a CE mark which shows that the manufacturer has checked that the product meets EU safety, health or environmental requirements. CE stands for “Conformité Européenne” (the French for European conformity) and the mark is an indicator of a product’s compliance with EU legislation.
The Fertilising Product Regulations are a significant step forward for our industry because they set a higher standard than the previous regulations and encompass a wider range of product types. It is thought that the UK will broadly adopt these regulations with some minor adaptations.
MORE THAN FERTILISERS
FPR defines ‘fertilising product’ as any substance or material used on plants (or rootzone) for providing nutrients or improving nutrition efficiency. The regulations group materials into different “product function categories” such as fertilisers
and fertilising product blends but also things like liming materials, soil improvers, growing medium, inhibitors and plant biostimulants. Because the new regulations now encompass a broader range of product categories than just fertilisers, we are seeing a greater requirement for products to be registered. Soil improvers and plant biostimulants will need to be compliant to the new regulatory standards if they are to be sold across the EU. This is why we are seeing surfactants being registered under FPR.
DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
FPR categorises “soil improver” as a product whose function is to maintain, improve or protect the soils physical or chemical properties, the soil structure or the biological activity of the soil to which it is added. This is a broad product category but as an example it might include soil amendments to improve nutrient retention or maybe surfactants to improve the water holding capabilities of the soil.
A “Plant biostimulant” is described under FPR as a product whose function is to stimulate plant nutrition processes independently of the product’s nutrient content with the aim of improving the characteristics of the plant or the plant rhizosphere.
a CE mark?
This might be improved nutrient use efficiency, a greater tolerance to abiotic stress, improved turf quality traits, or an increased availability of confined nutrients in the soil or rhizosphere. So, this product category is related to plant health benefits rather than improving the properties of the soil. Biostimulants could encompass a broad range of different technologies, but again, surfactants might be included in this category too.
In order to become fully registered and bear the CE mark the product manufacturer must fulfil the regulatory requirements that relate specifically to the chosen product function category. It is important to understand that different product function categories have different conformity requirements.
FPR compliant soil improvers require a dossier of technical documentation evidencing compliance in multiple areas. Information is required on raw materials, manufacturing process, product use and application information, labels, calculations of nutrient contents, reports on contaminants and list of standards used for testing etc. For soil improvers there is no requirement for trial data to evidence the product performance.
FPR compliant biostimulants, however, require all the above production and labelling information
but they also need trial results that evidence each biostimulant claim.
Multiple trials must be conducted and reported according to the strict standards set by this section of the regulation. All claims made about the biostimulant must be stated on the label and the claimed effects must be demonstrated during the trial procedure. Registered biostimulants therefore require a far greater level of supporting information and evidence of performance to achieve a CE mark than soil improvers.
The upshot is that not all CE marks are the same. Depending on the chosen product category, the regulatory demands might differ significantly. Products categorised as biostimulants will need a far greater level of supporting dossier than soil improvers. This is an important detail.
ICL have successfully registered H2Pro Trismart as a non-microbial plant biostumulant under the FPR regulations and so it proudly bears the CE mark for that product function category. In multiple independent trials we have successfully demonstrated increased abiotic drought stress tolerance and improved turf quality traitsdensity, uniformity and colour - when compared against untreated irrigated and unirrigated controls.
The H2Pro TriSmart CE mark biostimulant designation builds
upon all the other benefits that we have previously demonstrated in numerous other trials -increased nutrient uptake, drought stress reduction, prevention of localised dry sport and significant reduction in water requirements. H2Pro TriSmart is a fully accredited and powerful water management technology that performs well in a number of important areas. So, if a surfactant bears a CE mark you need to check what product function category it is being registered under. If the manufacturer has chosen to categorise it as a soil improver then the CE mark only relates to the production and declaration conformity of the product and it is not necessarily an indication of its performance. If it has a CE mark for biostimulant, then it has been proven to perform in the ways described on the product label. As always, its best to check everything… starting with the product label.
n Henry Bechelet is Technical Sales Manager in the UK & Ireland for the turf and landscape business. He has been in the turf industry for over 25 years.
Milestone for Team Sprayers
Team Sprayers has built and sold its 20,000th sprayer!
The Club 800 sprayer, a tractor mounted ground care sprayer, destined for Tractor Services CL Ltd in Jersey, made its way out of their Ely based factory in May, 43 years after the company was established.
Team Sprayers was established in 1981 by Robert (Bob) Hubbard following the closure of Dorman Sprayers. Seven of Dorman’s employees transferred across to Team bringing a combination of skills and knowledge, which were an essential starting block for the newly founded company.
Leveraging their skills and knowledge, Team has worked hard to become a respected market leader in the production and manufacturing of its range of sprayers and applicators.
In 2024 Team Sprayers’ range includes more than 30 models which span the golf course & sports pitch, agriculture and de-icing markets. Each and every one of Team’s sprayers is made to
order and is built to a high specification using the highest quality parts and components. Their focus is on accuracy, boom stability and strength. As each sprayer is built to order Team has the ability to build bespoke sprayers, exactly to their customers’ needs. Every sprayer comes with a range of advanced functions as standard with the choice of either manual or electric folding boom, a dual covered boom system
or computerised auto spray rate controller, and GPS mapping.
Not only do Team build accurate sprayers that are made to last, being a family owned business, employing 24 members of staff allows Team to deliver a quality, friendly and dependable service to its customers.
In 2024 Team is led by brothers Phil and Danny Hubbard, the sons of Bob who have worked for the business since 1995 and 1998 respectively.
On the sale of the 20,000th sprayer Danny Hubbard, Managing Director of Team Sprayers, said that they were incredibly proud to have manufactured and delivered their 20,000th sprayer.
“It is testament to our sprayers’ build and our service quality that we have secured enough orders in the last 43 years to have reached such a great number and we would like to thank each and every customer for supporting us. We look forward to producing the next 20,000 to the high standard that our customers have come to expect from us.”
Attraxor for growth regulation
Nestled amid the Manx Countryside, Comis Hotel and Golf Resort, has unveiled the key benefits it has been getting from using the plant growth regulator Attraxor.
The resort at Mount Murray spans across 6361 yards, and boasts a scenic 18-hole championship course, incorporating natural features of the Manx countryside with hedging, streams, and lakes. Here, Gary Corlett, Course Manager, shares how Attraxor has led to a reduction in seedheads and has improved course playability metrics.
Gary introduced Attraxor to the greens in April 2023, and it soon became a key part
of course maintenance.
“Since using Attraxor, the grass quality has improved significantly. We have seen an increase in bent grass and overall turf coverage has improved and become much denser. It really is an amazing product, especially for reducing Poa seedheads!” said Gary Attraxor has been proven to regulate growth effectively as part of a well-managed turf strategy, meaning the hard work put into the upkeep of the grounds lasts longer. The active product within Attraxor is Prohexadione-calcium, which inhibits the gibberellic acid pathway, resulting in reduction of turf height and biomass. Root
growth is encouraged through Attraxor to aid strength, while turf colour and quality are upheld.
Gary explained that a key benefit of using Attraxor compared to other plant growth regulator products is its ability to quickly reduce the size of the Poa annua seedheads. This reduction is facilitated by the active, prohexadione-calcium, which limits the spread of Poa annua by reducing seed-head production. It weakens the Poa, while strengthening the sward and improving density.
Despite experiencing some initial turf discolouration, which soon resolved, the long-term benefits of Attraxor has noticeably enhanced turf quality and playability.
Threat to our golfing jewels
As weather becomes more extreme, coastal erosion is an issue for just about every links golf course in the country. What can and should be done? Scott MacCallum reports.
Pictured: An aerial view of the damage inflicted on Fortrose and Rosemarkie’s links
At the risk of sounding like John Lennon.
Imagine there’s no Wembley; no
Aintree Race course too. Imagine there’s no venues, it isn’t hard to do.
You get my drift.
What if Wembley and Aintree, along with the likes of Wimbledon, Lords and Murrayfield, just disappeared off the face of the earth?
Sounds implausible doesn’t it?
You might even accuse me of being a dreamer. But I’m not the only one.
That’s the fate facing some of the country’s oldest and most revered golf courses, as coastal erosion has seen increasingly large chunks of links land being reclaimed by the sea.
The list of courses is as worrying as it is long. It includes Royal Aberdeen GC, which has hosted a Walker Cup, a Scottish Open and a British Seniors Open; Royal Montrose Golf Links, the fifth
oldest golf course in the world; Alnmouth Village Golf Club, England’s oldest nine hole links course; Fortrose Golf Links, the 15th oldest golf links in the world.
Not to mention the hallowed St Andrews Links where intervention work has been going on for a number of years. That’s home to the Old Course, the most famous golf course in the world!
There is an army of modern day King Canutes, in the guise of Course Managers, facing the challenge of nature, with no guarantee that the resources or solutions are available to avoid the inevitable.
In fact, research shows that 100 Scottish golf courses are facing, or will be facing, the impact of coastal erosion with many historical and outstanding English courses facing the prospect of course damage, including Royal North Devon in the south and Formby and West Lancs in the north west.
New data has identified the courses that are most at risk
from the effects climate change and while some of the timelines appear to give a decent amount of warning, there is no guarantee that solutions will resolve the issues.
Betting odds company AceOdds studied data, provided by Statista, which shows that the UK’s sea level is expected to rise by up to half a metre by the turn of the century.
It is reckoned that up to 28% of coastline in England and Wales, and 19% in Scotland, is at risk of erosion and, with a significant proportion of the country’s courses on low-lying ground where the land meets the sea, the dangers are there for all to see.
They found that the courses used by Arbroath Golf Club and Leven Golfing Society have a ‘high-risk’ level of flooding from both surface water and river/sea water, sitting only 24 metres and 35 metres above sea level on average.
That gives both a 75% ‘erosion risk’ over the next 75 years.
In England, Formby Golf Club is
THERE IS AN ARMY OF MODERN DAY KING CANUTES, IN THE GUISE OF COURSE MANAGERS, FACING THE CHALLENGE OF NATURE, WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE RESOURCES OR SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO AVOID THE INEVITABLE.
the course most at risk from climate change. It sits five metres above sea level and has a high risk of flooding from surface water, with a 50% likelihood of experiencing coastal erosion in the next 75 years.
Other highly regarding courses facing varying degrees of risk include Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Moray and the aforementioned West Lancs.
But for some the impact has come much quicker than anticipated and the results are horrific.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, on Scotland’s Black Isle, would have architect, James Braid, spinning in his grave if he knew what the golf course he laid out was now facing.
Last October it was visited by Storm Ciaran, which coincided with a high tide and historically low atmospheric pressure, and it created more havoc in the space of one night that the club had experience in many many years.
Massive waves washed away between five and six metres of land, with the 1st and 2nd
holes particularly impacted.
Club Manager Mike MacDonald told Michael McEwan, of Bunkered magazine, that the club was aware if the issues and had begun making plans.
“Towards the end of 2022 we set up a coastal erosion sub-committee and throughout 2023 we met with various representatives from the Highland Council and Scottish Water to highlight the issues we were facing,” Mike told Bunkered.
However, they got very little support from either body, while other attempts to source funding from national bodies were turned down.
“So it wasn’t a surprise that we were impacted. What was surprising was the extent of the damage. It was far more severe and devastating than any of us had anticipated.”
The club has already used rock armour to reinforce the area around the 1st and 2nd, but it is a costly option leaving the club with a bill for £140,000 just for this one defence for one part of the golf course.
With little or no support coming from outside, the club is resorting to crowd funding and while this has produce some very welcome results it is but a drop in the ocean of what will ultimately be required.
Course Manager, George Paterson, is the man at the sharp end trying to keep the elements at bay.
George is a big fan of soft defences, rather than the rock armour which, while it has its place, does tend to shift the problem down the coast.
“We reclaimed 2850 tonnes of sand/Marram mix from the far end of the beach and established a dune area above the high tide watermark. It took three days and roughly 95 loads in a 30 tonne dump truck,” George told Turf Matters.
“This was banked up along the 250 metre eroded stretch of beach at the 1st hole and then we installed 500 metres of chestnut fencing to help stabilise the sand and keep foot traffic off it.
“This was done in March of this }
A huge slice taken out of the Fortrose and Rosemarkie fairway
THE
R&A IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND BACK IN 2020 INVESTED UP TO £650,000 TO FUND GOLF COURSE SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS. THAT AMOUNT WASN’T RING FENCED FOR COASTAL EROSION, BUT ALSO COVERING GREEN QUALITY AND GENERAL AGRONOMIC PROJECTS.
}
year, but a high tide in early April took away about three to four metres of the sand and we had to re-stake some of the fencing. Since then it has re-stabilised and the sand has started to gather at the foot of the fencing again.
“Inside the fenced area, and along where our red hazard posts and public footpath are, we have sewn out a mix of creeping ryegrass and creeping fescue which is now starting to take hold.”
The issue at Fortrose is the same as at many similarly threatened links courses – there is no option of re-routing as the additional land just isn’t available.
Montrose Golf Links lost seven metres of golf course in the last 12 months, having foreseen a loss of perhaps one or one and a
half metres a year prior to that. They actually moved the 3rd tee in 2017 but that has already disappeared and the half a million they have allocated to improving defences may only prove to be a sticking plaster solution.
South of the border, but not that far south, is Alnmouth Village Golf Club, in Northumberland, England’s oldest nine hole links course.
A vibrant golf club with 300 members it is all that is good about small golf clubs. When I visited an army of members were just completing a divotting session led by Head Greenkeeper, John Scurfield, and Club Secretary Ian Simpson.
Once they had finished their divoting stint they took me out to the 5th hole which had taken a battering late last year. The traffic
Alnmouth Village Golf Club’s Head Greenkeeper, John Scurfield, and Club Secretary Ian Simpson
cone marking the current edge between green and beach is a stark indicator of the power of nature.
The course may have suffered even more if it wasn’t for the concrete blocks that were installed as tank defences during the war. They have done a remarkable job to holding back the tide but there was a gap of 100 yards between them, a gap which exposed the 5th.
There would have been no extensive planning process required to keep Hitler at bay, but in 21st century Britain that isn’t the case, and Ian had been told informally that any hard – rock armour – defence option would not survive the planning stage.
“If we could have moved some tank blocks or put some more in it might be able to slow the
erosion down,” explained Ian.
“Long term we are probably going to have to move the 5th green, 40 to 50 yards left of where it is now.”
When we were there the tide was out but the spring tide comes right up to the edge and John has to remove seaweed from the top of tee boxes.
Tide is out water does come right up to the edge can see the seaweed line can see how high the tide comes. Recently not so high tides come springtime and spring tides right up agains the edge, combined with an easterly wind.
“You can feel the spray when you are out working on the course,” said John.
He arrived as Head man just before the latest erosion issue.
“I was a little bit worried that mu
place of work disappearing before my eyes, especially after always considering it one of the driest golf course in the north east of England,” said the man who was fulfilling a wish to work on a sand golf course rather than having constantly to be kicking mud off his wellies.
He has some longer term ideas which may help the golf course in a number of ways.
“The 6th hole is a blind uphill hole which is not idea for cutting from my perspective nor from a health and safety perspective for players. Ultimately we could move a few thousand tonnes of sand and reduce the height of the hole and flatten it out.”
It is great to see such positivity in a tricky situation but those potential solutions are not for the immediate }
The 1st tee at Fortrose and Rosemarkie is increasingly vulnerable
future and hoping the weather is kind, and the next spring tides are not too severe, are key to the course avoiding any more damaging events.
Ian is currently waiting to see what options emerge so that financial targets can be set and fund raising campaigns put in place.
So what’s happening at golfing HQ in St Andrews.
Well, the R&A is aware of the issue, and back in 2020 invested up to £650,000 to fund golf course sustainability projects. That amount wasn’t ring fenced for coastal erosion, but also covering green quality and general agronomic projects.
The R&A did however commission an Aberdeenbased company, Siskin Asset Management, who had submitted
a proposal for a demonstration project of their new concept.
Traditionally, durable defence against erosion is based on hard engineering. In place of this Siskin had developed a concept based on well recognised soft engineering techniques. These techniques have been enhanced to improve durability and resilience in common coastal conditions.
This delivers mitigation of erosion at a lower up front cost and reduced lifecycle cost while being deployable using only community level resources. Being based on soft engineering methods the concept also has a low environmental footprint.
The method uses a by-product of forestry operations called brash, akin to old Christmas trees. This
natural product is baled before being arranged in a defined geometry and anchored in the back beach area of soft coastlines. This structure then acts to capture mobile sediment and promote revegetation of the existing coast. The overall effect being to enhance the resilience of the coastline against wave and wind attack. After assessing the project the R&A agreed to support and approved funding accordingly.
Both the R&A’s and Siskin Asset Management’s websites carried the same information: The planned demonstration project is targeting the installation of the novel system along an approx. 100m section of coastline currently suffering from erosion. Once installed the demonstration site
Rosemarkie
will be monitored as part of a three year PhD project to evaluate system effectiveness and provide learning. Information gathered during the demonstration project will be disseminated via update reports, conferences and standard media channels.
That was back in 2020 and while Covid will undoubtedly have slowed progress on what was to be a three year PHD project, there has been no further updates on either of the websites.
I was told that the R&A was still awaiting the report from that research and that it might not be until next year before that changes.
To date, and to the best of my knowledge, no information gathered during the project has been shared by Siskin Asset Management.
With time of the essence for so many of golf’s crown jewels we do need some urgency, some joined up thinking and some leadership from those with the power to provide it.
Nature is a powerful foe but the thought of accepting defeat and seeing some of our classic links disappear would be too much to bear.
To misquote the Beatles once again...
Yesterday
All our troubles seemed so far away
Now at looks like they’re here to stay
We can only hope not, and that golf clubs like Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Alnmouth and so many others are not left out in the cold attempting to stem the tide at a cost many of them will struggle to afford.
WITH TIME OF THE ESSENCE FOR SO MANY OF GOLF’S CROWN JEWELS WE DO NEED SOME URGENCY, SOME JOINED UP THINKING AND SOME LEADERSHIP FROM THOSE WITH THE POWER TO PROVIDE IT.
DSV’s trial triumph at Monmouthshire
Mark Simmons, Course Manager at Monmouthshire Golf Club in Abergavenny, embarked on a journey of trial and evaluation to find the perfect grass seed for the club’s greens. After extensive experimentation, Mark concluded that DSV’s PRO Bent grass seed was the optimal solution.
DSV’s PRO Bent is emerging as a game-changer in turf management,
boasting remarkable density, drought tolerance, and adaptability for close mowing. Comprised solely of high-quality Browntop bent, PRO Bent from the DSV EuroGrass range is tailor-made for summer/ autumn overseeding and species exchange operations, aligning perfectly with Monmouthshire’s vision for superior greens.
EuroGrass, the pinnacle of over
a decade of breeding and testing, stands as a testament to DSV’s commitment to excellence in turf grass quality. With a diverse portfolio of over 90 approved turf varieties worldwide, EuroGrass offers tailored solutions for professional use across various sporting landscapes, solidifying its position as an industry frontrunner in turf innovation. Mark’s meticulous approach to
Reduce inputs, not quality
It’s fair to say that in many aspects of modern life we are encouraged to be mindful of the impact we have on the environment. That’s certainly the case for most Turf Managers across the sporting spectrum, together with landscapers and those looking after green community spaces, some of whom face increasing pressure to operate more sustainably. Whether it’s for environmental reasons or a result of budget constraints, reducing fertiliser applications could be considered. With Microclover from DLF, this can be achieved without a compromise on turf quality. Microclover is a legume with the natural ability to fix nitrogen from the air. To capitalise on this benefit, DLF developed a unique small leaved variety, specifically for use in professional grade lawns
and surfaces. When sown alongside more traditional varieties, it will contribute to a dense, uniform appearance and a harder-wearing, more drought-tolerant sward that stays greener for longer. Its own natural fertiliser reserves feed the Microclover and the surrounding companion plants via root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a natural fertiliser, improving
nutrient availability and reducing the risk of leeching. This process continues throughout the growing season until the first frost. Its competitiveness is another benefit for less intensively managed areas, quickly filling gaps to lock out weeds and reduce the need for herbicides.
Microclover is incorporated into the PM26 and PM27 mixtures from DLF’s Masterline collection, these two formulations specifically developed to reduce input costs and be kinder to the environment by eliminating the need for excessive fertiliser, water and herbicides. Incorporating 5% Microclover, both PM26 Ecosward and PM27 Ecosward Plus offer low-maintenance yet tolerant and visually attractive swards, ideal for landscape applications. n www.dlf.co.uk
seed selection involved a series of rigorous trials conducted over several months. Armed with soil samples and a passion for perfection, Mark evaluated seven seed varieties from different manufacturers, subjecting them to various conditions to assess their performance.
“I didn’t want to just do the trial with some sand and a pot. I wanted to do it specifically for my site,” explained Mark.
“I took the soils from my greens, put them in pots, and used all the different seeds to see which ones germinated and established the best,” Mark elaborated.
“Once they established, I regularly trimmed the grass in the pots to simulate them being cut at 4mm; I over-watered them to see how they would cope with too much rain; I dried them out to see how they would deal with drought; I even put some disease on them and sprayed various treatments to see how each seed responded to treatments.
“Once the trial had finished, I carried out the trial again just to make sure. On both occasions, the results showed that DSV PRO Bent was the best seed for my greens.”
Reflecting on the process, Mark emphasises the importance of thorough research in turf management.
“Choosing the correct seed
is not just about investing money - it’s about investing in the future of the course. With seed, it could be great at one course but might not be as effective at another. This is why data and trial work are crucial.”
“The sward density of the DSV PRO Bent seed was a standout feature for me. I wanted a dense sward, and the DSV seed delivered. If it was thin, then it simply wasn’t going to last.”
Mark purchased the DSV seed from Rhys Norville, at ReGen Amenity, someone who he claims has become a key partner in providing invaluable products, support, and expertise.
“Rhys is not a pushy salesman. I work closely with him on a variety of products which are all tailored to what I like. We do a lot of data collection together as well. He even helped me drag mat my greens recently – and you can’t ask for much more than that!”
Mark’s commitment to finding the perfect seed highlights the importance of thorough research in selecting compatible products for golf course maintenance.
With PRO Bent from DSV’s EuroGrass range now enhancing Monmouthshire’s greens, the club is set to reap the rewards of Mark’s meticulous selection process.
ICL launch two new hand-held spreaders
ICLis pleased to announce the addition of two new handheld spreaders to its comprehensive range of spreaders: the ShakerPro and the HandyPro. These compact tools are designed for turf managers and landscaping professionals looking for a convenient solution for small-scale applications.
The HandyPro is a hand-held rotary spreader. It allows for the easy application of ICL fertiliser or grass seed with just a turn of the handle. Its design focuses on ease of use and comfort, making it an excellent choice for quick and small-scale spreading tasks. Its portability and straightforward mechanism make it a valuable tool applying products to small areas.
Similarly, the ShakerPro is a shaker style spreader, offering users a simple and efficient way to apply the ICL range of fertilisers,
granular wetting agents, and seeds to small areas. Its hand-held design is particularly suited for tasks such as divot repair, where targeted application is more important than extensive coverage. The ShakerPro stands out for its ease of handling and for making fertilisation and seeding on small areas hassle-free.
The ShakerPro and HandyPro and are now available through ICL’s network of distributors.
Both spreaders have been added to Turf Rewards. The ShakerPro can be claimed for just 5 points and the HandyPro 10 points. n www.icl-growingsolutions.uk
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Transforming Repton School’s grounds with MM Seed
Repton School in Derbyshire is a well-known institution which mixes tradition with new ideas.
Behind the scenes, Andrew Butler, the Head of Grounds and Gardens, is the man responsible for ensuring the grounds are not just aesthetically pleasing but also resilient to the rigours of year-round sporting activities. That’s where MM Seed comes in.
After working at Repton for 12 years Andrew became the Head of Grounds and Gardens in 2022. Upon assuming his role, he faced a daunting challenge: the need for a grass seed capable of withstanding the constant onslaught of sporting activities across Repton’s extensive grounds.
Repton’s vast expanse, spanning over 100 acres, hosts a variety of sporting fields, including football pitches, rugby pitches, hockey pitches, athletic tracks, and cricket squares, each demanding its own maintenance. Additionally, the school boasts formal gardens and orchards, adding further complexity.
“We are on such a heavy claybased site, and with it being a multi-sport site, it is pretty much used 12 months a year...so therefore we needed a seed with a lot of durability,” said Andrew, as he reflected on the challenge.
Enter MM Seed, a name synonymous with excellence in the UK sports turf and amenity industries.
“I didn’t feel that the seed which was being previously used was giving us the durability we needed. I started looking at different options, did a lot of research and we gave MM Seed a trial on our first-team football pitch. It just showed us what we were missing,” he said.
“Firstly, the take-up was fantastic, secondly, the durability of it was great, and the fact that it got growing well in the heavy clay-based soils we have here was very impressive.”
Andrew’s decision to switch to MM Seed, particularly utilising MM Tetra Sport and MM50,
proved to be a pivotal moment.
MM Tetra Sport, a versatile blend of Diploid and Tetraploid Ryegrass, emerged as the solution for Repton’s winter pitches and cricket outfield. Its ability to improve sward composition and recover from scarring perfectly complemented the school’s diverse sporting calendar.
The inclusion of Tetraploids also improved drought resistance during the summer months which is important on the cricket outfields. Meanwhile, MM50, with its fast germination, establishment and ability to withstand heavy wear plus its ability to recover quickly after use found its role on Repton’s cricket squares, ensuring optimal playing conditions season after season.
“With us going from different sports throughout the year, it means we have to give the grass different heights of cut – so when you go from the height of cut on a rugby pitch down to a football pitch, down to a cricket pitch and then back up again, you are putting a lot of stress on it, but the seed copes incredibly well.”
What sets MM Seed apart is not just its performance on the field but also its commitment
to innovation. Treated with HEADSTART GOLD, a unique seaweed-based seed treatment, MM Seed ensures rapid and even germination, laying the foundation for a resilient and vibrant turf.
Transitioning to a new seed variety is not without its challenges, yet Andrew found support in Agrovista Amenity, a trusted distributor of MM Seed.
“Agrovista Amenity are great – I know I can ring up and have a pallet of seed here in 48 hours,” he remarks, underlining the importance of reliable partnerships. He also praised the advice he received from Matt Gresty, MM Sales and Marketing Manager, “Matt came in and explained everything about the seed. I have been carrying out exactly what he said to do, and the results have been superb ever since.”
The results do indeed speak for themselves. Repton’s grounds now boast not only durability but also supreme aesthetics.
“The definition of stripe the seed gives us is firstclass,” stated Andrew. n www.mm-seeds.co.uk
Andrew Butler, Head of Grounds and Gardens at Repton School
Wiedenmann Terra Float Air brings long-term boost for Glen GC
The Glen Golf Club, East Links, North Berwick has secured a Terra Float Air pneumatic overseeder from Wiedenmann UK’s exclusive dealers in Scotland, Fairways GM.
Course Manager, Des Kerr, said the new purchase was part of a co-ordinated approach to the changing needs of the golf course.
“As course custodians, future proofing is increasingly important. Round-the-year golf and higher footfall, mean we need the right tools to recover from these increased demands and become more sustainable.
“We have a consultant on board and plans are in place for the next few years to include rough management and bunker replacement programmes.
“However, this purchase prioritises our greens and approaches. Having a dedicated seeder is essential for task and our agronomist, Chris Haspell, helped us make the case for it,” said Des.
With rates as low as 1g /m², Wiedenmann’s Air offers classleading features. The operator inserts the chosen seed into sizeappropriate dosing sleeves.
Next, the seed bed is determined by selecting from a range of holemaking tools, including stars and cone-shaped ones, from just 5 mm
in diameter. The tools are inserted into a heavy-duty floating 3-part spike roller which follows contours. It loosens and aerates the soil down to 30 mm, creating uniform ‘seed pots. Electric-drive technology is used for all aspects of seed delivery; the seed-dosing sleeves and fan are both electric powered. Seeds are delivered pneumatically down a series of eight pipes onto deflector plates, which direct the seed into the ‘pots.’
After the seeds are in the ground, a double layer sweeping brush follows on and it, too, has floating properties. A further three-part roller gives an optimal brush and roller combination to incorporate top dressing materials to the ground, before smoothing the surface.
An in-cab computer stores data from previous runs and allows changes to the application rate at any point.
“We’ve a mix of sandy soils and some much heavier clay soils, here,” explained Des.
“We’re certainly not a one-size fits all kind of place, so a seeder had to be versatile. One of the beauties of the Air is that it is equally effective for both fescue and bent seed. It’s easy to do the deeper seeding with the fescue and shallower seeding with the bent.
Barenbrug Fescue – a blend of five
cultivars – and Barenbrug’s ‘All Bent’ mix are our seeds of choice.
“There’s quite a lot to the first set up but fortunately, Wiedenmann’s Andy Kerr did most of that at installation. He programmed it and showed us how to fine tune if we need make amendments. It’s not a complicated machine once you’ve had the initial instruction. It’s straight forward, second time around you look at the computer and pick up where we left off. It’s pretty much plug in and play.”
Like many of Wiedenmann’s Air customers, Des Kerr favours the ‘little and often approach to overseeding’.
“To begin with, the Air is predominantly for the greens and surrounds –other areas like tees and some fairways will follow. The idea is to start pushing out through the course. On occasions we will use it as an effective sarrel roller to open the top surface,” said Des.
Des leads a full-time greenkeeping team of six plus course mechanic at the busy East Lothian club which can trace its roots back to the 17th century.
Fairways GM’s sales & business development manager, Rob Hogarth, and Wiedenmann UK’s lead demonstrator, Andy Kerr provided the sales support.
Versatility from Ventrac 4520
All turf managers appreciated that spring and early summer are important periods for rejuvenating grassed surfaces. We all appreciate that grass seed is expensive, so germination is extremely important and, whether you’re establishing a healthy sward from scratch or overseeding, the Ventrac 4520 compact tractor has a range of attachment options that can help the busy turf custodian.
The first option is the DC520 Soil Cultivator, which prepares bare soil by cultivating a soft and uniform seedbed for the best possible directseeding results. This attachment reconditions hard, compacted soil into a fine surface for more successful and consistent germination rates.
The Soil Cultivator consists of four main components that work simultaneously to process high volumes of soil and provide the ultimate seedbed. Cultivator Tines pulverise the soil and separate the debris, then Separator Tines sift and bury rock and other large debris below the prep surface. The Distribution Blade carries the sifted soil and distributes it evenly across the working surface before the Perforated Roller creates
a pocketed surface for seed and presses small debris below the graded soil.
The second option, and complementing the Soil Cultivator, is the EG520 Primary Seeder, which plants grass seed directly into bare soil with a consistent and accurate drop rate for perfect seed placement. With precise application adjustment and a removable calibration tray, easy adjustment for different grass seed types is possible.
The Primary Seeder features five main components for improved direct-seeding capability. The Calibration Tray is a built-in tray that catches material during the calibration process. The Front Packer Roller crushes the material to provide a smooth surface for the seed to drop. The Rear Packer Roller is an offset roller that places a fine layer of dirt over the seed.
The Seed Box has a 142-litre capacity to accommodate a significant amount of seed and the Precision Seed Funnels allow an accurate flow for a variety of turf seeds. This ground-driven application is consistent at variable speeds, and the offset cultipacker discs are designed to create optimal seed-to-soil contact.
Turf compaction and grass damage over
the winter months caused by foot or vehicle traffic and other stresses can be an issue and needs to be alleviated to keep the turf healthy. Now with Ventrac’s Aera-vator and integrated Gandy seeder it’s possible to aerate and overseed in one pass.
The Aera-vator is designed to break and loosen the soil beneath the surface without destroying the turf. It creates a hole without bringing a core plug to the surface, leaving the turf ready for use immediately after treatment. The Aeravator works best in drier ground leaving a core hole while fracturing the sub soil.
Dennis signals eco-conscious evolution at Murrayfield
With over a decade of experience nurturing the hallowed grounds of the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium campus, Jim Dawson has embraced a significant change: the adoption of electric turf maintenance equipment, specifically the Dennis ES-860 cylinder mower, marking a shift away from traditional petrol-powered machinery.
“I’ve been working here for 13 years now. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time and it’s a great experience to be part of the national team,” said Jim.
Over the years, Jim has witnessed pivotal transformations in pitch maintenance, notably the transition to a hybrid pitch, a decision made a decade ago to combat nematode issues that plagued the turf.
“This new pitch was an absolute game-changer,” he adds.
The introduction of the Dennis ES860 mowers represents a milestone in Murrayfield’s sustainability journey. Jim, a long-time advocate of Dennis Mowers, explains the rationale behind the switch.
“Petrol costs have gone up, and there are obviously the environmental aspects to consider – we had to weigh up the pros and cons of going down the electric route.”
After thorough demonstrations and evaluations, the ES-860’s robust features, including extended battery life and compatibility with existing G860 mower cassettes, emerged as compelling factors for Jim.
The Dennis ES-860, a 34” batterypowered turf management system, epitomises versatility and efficiency.
“The battery life is great – we can get the whole pitch cut on a single charge with no problem at all.”
One of the standout features of the ES-860 is its ultra-quiet operation, a big advantage for Murrayfield’s busy matchday preparations.
“Because we have a lot of press and media still working and ‘on air a couple of hours after the full-time whistle, they are always asking for us to turn the petrol mowers off! However, we can now carry on working with the ES-860s, because they are so quiet in operation.”
Moreover, Jim commends Dennis Mowers for their exceptional service and expertise, particularly highlighting Ewen Wilson, Sales Manager for Scotland.
“I receive an outstanding service from Dennis Mowers. Ewen has helped me a lot over the years and his knowledge of the equipment is fantastic.”
As Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium continues its sustainability journey, Jim says there will be more electric equipment on the way, affirming, “Battery-power is the way forward.” n www.dennisuk.com
Kress RTKn robotic mowers for commercial use
With Kress Mission Mega RTKn mowers, Kress once again showcases the pinnacle of possibilities in automated mowing for commercial grounds. Building on the success of the RTKn series, Kress combines Real-time kinematic to the power of network; Mowing Action Plan; Obstacle Avoidance System, and other proven technologies with unique developments to usher in a new era of performance and precision.
Unlike conventional robotic mowers relying on powered antennas, Kress RTKn remains immune to power surge damages. The absence of on-site antennas enhances the system’s reliability and resilience, ensuring uninterrupted mowing. Setting the standard for unmanned mowing, Mission RTKn models embody the future of turf care. Equipped with
recharging brake systems and Kress intelligence, they represent the epitome of efficiency and reliability.
Taking it a step further, Mega RTKn models, such as the KR233E and KR236E, not only incorporate the features of Mission RTKn models but also introduce double layered blades for fine clippings in denser turfgrass. With a wider cutting width of 13.8 inches and TeamWork collaborative technology, Mega RTKn mowers improve the commercial turf care experience.
Kress RTKn is the ideal solution for all kinds of applications, including sports grounds, golf greens, athletic fields, large properties, school campuses, resorts and more. Unmanned mowing revolutionises turf management, providing a quiet, emission-free alternative that removes the financial burden of manned mowing. Decrease labour costs, reduce energy bills, and
minimise maintenance expenses. The operational savings and health benefits provided by Kress RTKn make it a wise investment for any groundskeeper or sports facility owner. n kress.com/en-gb/rtknwithout-boundary-wire
Mowing over the competition
The electric Mean Green mower range consists of the FURY-32” & 36” and Vanquish-52” & 60” Stand-On mowers, the RIVAL-52” & 60” and EVO-74” Zero Turn mowers, soon to be released will be the EVO-96” Zero Turn mower.
The range has been designed to ensure that there is an option to suit all every day regular mowing outfits.
With a proven mowing time up to sevenhours on a single charge, these mowers will match any fossil fuel-powered alternative for performance and the benefits of batterypowered does not stop there. With zero emissions, low noise, HAV’s and WBV’s these mowers are a healthier choice for the environment and operator experience.
This range of mowers require minimal servicing minimising downtime and they are now in their second-generation following 14-years of rigorous testing, improvements and developments.
Overton (UK) have been distributing the Mean Green Mowers in the UK market for over 8-years and have placed much of their focus on in-person demonstrations. With the battery-powered market increasing, the importance of showcasing these mowers capabilities in a ‘live’
format has been extremely important. Instilling the confidence and beliefs that these mowers will do the job just as well as a fuel powered alternative.
An environmental concern for most operators when it comes to batterypowered machines is the impact of battery waste, this area has been covered by Mean Green as their Lithium-Ion individual cells are serviceable stopping them being sent to landfill sites as sealed batteries are, this in turn eliminates any environmental impacts of disposal. In the eight years Overton (UK) have been importing these mowers they have yet to replace a
single battery cell, Mean Green Mowers are so confident in their batteries they back them with a five year warranty.
A huge benefit that Overton (UK) have found from operating these mowers is the low ground pressure and low weight due to a lot of aluminium used in the construction. This reduces the damage to the turf and as there is no fuel or oil etc, the advertised weight is just that. The positioning of the battery between the wheels gives a low centre of gravity allowing a slope rating of 20 degrees in the right conditions.
When considering costings and options for these mowers, you can really see the difference in what will benefit you also Mean Green Mowers have a variety of options including a front-end blower, Tweels, lift jack, flashing beacon and a road light kit. Recently introduced to complement the electric Mean Green mowers are the electric RINO and CaRINO mowers the RINO is a multi-function machine that enables you to attach a flail or rotary mower, weedbrush arm and sweeper collector onto the front A-Frame and the CaRINO mowers are available with flail and fine cut mower decks for rough or fine grass areas. n www.overtonukltd.com
Electric bunker rakes from Smithco Electric bunker rakes from Smithco
It’s fair to say that in many aspects of modern life we are encouraged to be mindful of the impact we have on the environment. That’s certainly the case for most Turf Managers across the sporting spectrum, together with landscapers and those looking after green community spaces, some of whom face increasing pressure to operate more sustainably.
The Smithco Sand Star E incorporates a 165-amp lithium battery pack, with an on-board battery management system, supported by a five-year manufacturer’s warranty. This is the same tried and tested battery used in many popular golf cars and provides up to 8-9 hours of run time - that’s 187 bunkers, while being the quietest and most eco-friendly groomer in the market. Transport
speed is up to 16 km/h, with a raking and ploughing speed of up to 8 km/h.
While this machine is primarily for use on golf course bunkers, it is also ideally suited for shaping contours during golf course construction and for landscape contractors when preparing sites for seeding and turfing.
The Sand Star E features an industrial-grade motor and controller delivering superior and reliable power for even the toughest jobs, while the onboard diagnostics exceed all industry standards, providing quick and easy identification of solutions to any issues in the various subsystems, saving time and money.
Regenerative braking puts power back into the battery pack and safety is enhanced
as the machine automatically brakes when the operator leaves the seat of the machine.
The intelligent controller ensures that the warranty begins only when the machine starts its first work cycle and features a battery management system that provides even distribution to each cell while charging. An optional remote diagnosis system is available to allow dealers to interrogate controller, if an issue arises.
The exclusive dual traction pedal on the Sand Star E gives the operator the ability to smoothly transition from forward to reverse making for hands-free operation, allowing the operator the ability to focus on steering and raking. Powerful LED lighting facilitates early morning starts.
Yamaha’s battery technology in golf cars and UTVs
Yamaha features battery technology in its golf and light utility vehicles.
In the Drive² AC Li golf car the battery is a high-performance, maintenance-free, cobalt-free unit from the renowned manufacturer, Roypow®, and offers a number of key benefits. Linked to a powerful 3.3 kW motor, it provides fast, smooth acceleration and, with greater torque than a conventional lead acid battery, it’s 20% faster climbing a 15-degree incline.
The new Drive² AC Li can
utilise YamaTrack, Yamaha’s management system, that improves the operational efficiency of any golf car fleet.
It allows golfers to enjoy 3-D terrain graphics and customisable Pro tips, while geo-zones can be set up to protect environmentally sensitive areas and players can pre-order food and beverages while out on the course.
While the successful range of Yamaha’s ATV models satisfies the requirements of the more extreme off-road user, the UMX
AC is designed to handle an array of tasks in commercial, industrial, agricultural and leisure environments.
At its heart, the UMX AC features a punchy 48-volt, 5.0 kW motor, that’s not just quieter and better for the environment, but has a good range and is simple to plug in and charge. It delivers smooth, flexible power that takes the operator just about anywhere in a park, resort, golf course, farm, airport, factory … just simply point and go. n www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk
Paddington Recreation Ground, in the City of Westminster, has long been a cherished haven for Londoners, offering 27 acres of greenery and diverse amenities since its inception in 1888. Drawing over two million visitors annually, this historic parkland boasts a rich tapestry of sports facilities, gardens, and leisure spaces.
To ensure its upkeep and to meet the evolving demands of sustainability, Westminster Council, in collaboration with its leisure contractor Everyone Active, has embarked on a transformative journey, propelled by innovative solutions like the Avant e6 Electric Multi-Functional Loader.
Overseeing the maintenance of the park is Stephen Scott, who has dedicated 12 years to Paddington Recreation Ground, starting from a gardener and ascending to the role of Landscape and Security Manager. He leads a team of 8 landscapers, ensuring the park remains a meticulously kept green space amidst busy urban life.
“It is a truly wonderful place and
that is why I have been here so long. We are fortunate that the site gets a lot of investment from Westminster Council, so it is always improving.”
The decision to integrate electric machinery aligns with Westminster Council’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
“We were at 20% electric back in 2019, now we are 86% electric in terms of our equipment,” said Stephen.
Central to this transformation is the Avant e6 Electric Multi-Functional Loader, a pioneering solution that combines power, versatility, and ecofriendliness. Powered by a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, the e6 boasts impressive performance metrics, including a 2.8m lift height and a 900kg lift capacity. Its silent operation
and zero emissions make it an ideal fit for urban environments like Paddington Recreation Ground.
Gardeners at Paddington Recreation Ground, attests to the e6’s reliability and ease of use.
“It is used every day without fail. When it comes to battery-life we are able to get all our jobs done throughout the day on one charge. The inside of the cab is very comfortable, and it is good in the winter because it has a heated seat. n www.avanttecno.com/uk
Avant e6: Powering sustainability at Paddington Recreation Ground Kubota tractors prove to be the workhorses for Warwick Castle
Atrio of Kubota tractors have proven themselves to be capable workhorses for the entire facilities operation at Warwick Castle.
With 64 acres of vast and varied historical landscape to maintain, Grounds and Gardens Manager Tony Cameron explains how – alongside some more obscure uses –the L2622, L4240 and B2261 are responsible for towing the mowers that cut 95% of the
turfed areas, with the assistance of their F3890 out-front mower also from Kubota!
Built by William the Conqueror during 1068, Warwick Castle has played a crucial role in shaping British history. More than 950-years on, the ancient walls surround an array of lawns and gardens, a ‘Horrible Histories’ maze and a glamping site not to mention a new 60-bed hotel and grounds, opening in July 2024, and providing the platform for year-round events.
With so much to maintain, the key for Grounds and Gardens Manager Tony when it comes to machinery, is reliability which he says he’s enjoyed with the Kubota fleet he’s built up over his 12-year tenure.
“We’ve had other tractors and ride-on mowers in the past which always seemed to have one problem or another. Together with having allimportant kit out of action, we also found frustrating delays in
getting these issues fixed,” he explained.
“The first Kubota we purchased was the L4240 six or seven years ago which, to date, remains faithful and versatile – it’s basically bulletproof. Whether we’re towing implements or trailers, this is our go-to for a range of maintenance tasks around the site.”
Since then, Tony has purchased the larger 62hp L2622 equipped with forks, and the smaller B2261 compact tractor from Richard Lucas at Hunts Engineering – the latter delivered in August 2023.
“The B2261 is another great bit of kit that can get to all the areas the larger tractors can’t, towing smaller mowers and will be loaned to the jousting team to operate the grading equipment used to level the arena.”
Complementing the fleet of tractors and providing the solution for embankment mowing and cutting in wet conditions, is an F3890 from Kubota’s F-Series.
With a 60” rotary deck, rear discharge and auto-assist 4wd as standard, it brings Kubota finesse and reliability to even the most demanding of mowing operations.
Superb mower for an elite turf finish
RACountry Services in West Sussex has been servicing high-end client properties in some of the most prestigious estates and sports facilities for over 20 years. Because of the business’ excellent reputation in providing a highclass finish to its work contracts, they are often approached by elite clients looking for the ultimate in grounds-care service.
“We have an extensive customer base which requires maintenance of high-
quality sports pitches for football, rugby and cricket,” said owner Richard Amer. “Grassland management is a major part of our business and we also carry out a lot of equine paddock management, where the facilities need to be maintained and cleaned.”
“We pride ourselves in always going the extra mile to achieve total customer satisfaction. We want our customers to walk out through their grounds and sports pitches and always be proud of what we have done for them,” Richard emphasised.
Three years ago, Richard began looking to enhance his machinery. His finishing mower wasn’t able to leave the required finish for his contracts. Plus, it was only 1.8m wide and he needed to increase the cutting width and his daily output to meet increasing customer requirements. His dealer, Farol Ltd, recommended the Major MJ65-300 CS Pro. The Major CS Pro is a fully mounted rotary mower designed for compact tractors tackling dense vegetation and long grass yet capable of delivering a pristine finish in fine turf conditions. The MJ65-300 comes in 3.0m working width which can fold up to 2.0m transport width, which means
it can be easily transported by trailer.
“We are running a John Deere 3046R compact tractor, which is almost 50-horsepower, and it comfortably drives the CS Pro,” said Richard.
“The mower has folding wings which enables ease of road transport between customer sites, but also has a threemetre cutting width, so much bigger than our previous mower and much better on daily performance. This is the perfect combination for us and works well on our clients estates and sports fields.”
Beltless design and simple operating system contribute to low-maintenance qualities.
“The Major CS Pro is easy to service and maintain,” added Richard.
“With the galvanised finish, we can see this mower lasting us for many years to come. I would recommend this to all the professional turf contractors and landscapers out there. They just need to try it out for themselves to see what a difference this mower can make in providing a beautiful finish with a highoutput performance to all kinds of turf applications and especially fine-turf.” n www.major-equipment.com
Compact dimensions with powerful performance
Massey Ferguson has launched the MF 1700 M Series of compact tractors. All are powered by the latest Stage V compliant engines delivering powers up to 67hp.
“Equipped to a high specification, the powerful MF 1700 M Series is designed and built to provide excellent performance in a wide range of horticultural, amenity, municipal, grass care and agricultural applications,” says Francesco Murro, Director Marketing Massey Ferguson Europe & Middle East
All models come with four-wheel drive as standard, plus a choice of a comfortable, quiet cab or with a platform, as well as hydrostatic or mechanical transmissions to perfectly match the task and users’ requirements.
These new, well-equipped tractors complement the existing 20hp, MF 1520 and
25hp, MF 1525 models. With its compact chassis the MF 1700 M Series is the perfect choice for those looking for a narrower and lighter tractor than the MF 3700 Series and MF 4700 Series, which begin at 75hp.
“With the introduction of the MF 1700 M Series Massey Ferguson has now completely renewed our entire range of tractors dedicated to the smaller farm, groundscare and amenity sectors,” said Francesco.
“At the same time, we took the opportunity to greatly increase the compact tractors’ specifications to boost productivity and comfort for both professional and occasional users.
“The new MF 1700 M Series is also a perfect fit with Massey Ferguson’s current tractor line-up, providing more models and an even wider choice for professional farmers and operators,” he added. n www.AGCOcorp.com
Is there a more versatile compact tractor than Ventrac?
“Our product offering has the major advantage of being extremely versatile,” says Rupert Price, the managing director of Price Turfcare, the UK importers of the Ventrac all-terrain, compact tractor.
“In my opinion, it’s the most versatile machine anywhere for grounds management applications.”
Ventrac is renowned for its powerful sub-25 hp compact tractor and its range of attachments, which are designed to fit perfectly with the tractor unit, easily and, most importantly, with minimal downtime.
Ventrac products are very simple to operate, user-friendly and that’s one of their attractions. With compact tractors
comes versatility; they can used for numerous applications when fitted with different attachments and, with Ventrac’s unique mounting system, implements can be changed in less than a minute.
When you can change that quickly, then it’s more likely that you will! If it takes an age to mount implements, there’s a danger that your tractor and chosen implement become a ‘one-trick pony’ because it’s too bothersome and time-consuming to swap out one attachment for another.
No other tractor or ride-on commercial mower can match Ventrac’s slope-handling capability. All Ventracs tractor units are certified to work on 30-degree slopes,
in safety, which means areas that were previously prohibitive, can now be maintained.
There are more than 30 different attachments and when combined with any one of the seven mowing units it can be used a ‘jungle-buster’, a fine turf mower, a rough mower, a hedge and verge mower and much more. It can be deployed as a trencher, aerator, stump grinder, edger, leaf blower, snow blower, snow plough, gritter and more, so there is absolutely no reason why it cannot be used all year round.
“And that’s why it’s undoubtedly one of the most versatile compact tractors on the market today,” concludes Rupert Price. n www.priceturfcare.com
Topdressing golf greens for pristine playability
IIn the world of greenkeeping, achieving the perfect putting surface is a constant pursuit. Topdressing is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the quality of the turf. It brings multiple benefits that contribute to the overall health and playability of the greens.
Topdressing positively impacts the turf by diluting thatch and organic matter accumulation. This promotes deeper root
growth and increases turf resilience. Improved root zone structure enhances drainage, preventing waterlogging and ensuring that the greens remain playable even after heavy rain.
A smooth and true putting surface is essential for an enjoyable golfing experience. Topdressing helps fill in minor depressions and imperfections, creating a more uniform surface. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the course but also ensures that the ball rolls more predictably and consistently.
To achieve these benefits effectively, utilising specialized equipment can make a significant difference. The GreenTek Easy-Load Topdressing Trailer and Greens-Groomer Brush are designed to optimise the topdressing process.
The Easy-Load Topdressing Trailer simplifies the transportation and application of topdressing materials. It enables bulk quantities of sand to be moved around the course to quickly load the topdressing
spreader at the green, reducing manpower and labour costs. This efficiency ensures that topdressing can be applied quickly to all greens with minimum disruption to play.
In the words of one user: “We now topdress twice as fast, with half the manpower!”
Following the application, the GreensGroomer Brush is ideal to work the topdressing material evenly into the turf canopy. The Greens-Groomer has twenty individual brushes in four zig-zag rows which move the sand diagonally to fill hollow coring holes. By brushing the sand four times in a single pass, it does the job quicker, with less passes, and without bruising the turf.
In conclusion, topdressing is essential for maintaining the health, playability, and aesthetics of golf greens. By improving soil structure, smoothing the surface, and promoting firm fast putting conditions, topdressing helps greens to remain in peak playing condition throughout the year.
Combo helps Wrekin Golf Club weather increased rainfall challenge
Like many, the team at Wrekin Golf Club have recorded extraordinary levels of rainfall over the winter of 2023/24. And yet, Course Manager Gary Turner explains that they’ve emerged with free-draining fairways, which he attributes to a single pass with their Redexim Verti-Quake.
The timely purchase in the autumn has now been followed up by the delivery of a Redexim Verti-Drain 1517 to further improve aeration results and enhance drainage in other areas of the course.
Gary is now into his 20th year at the Telford club. A lack of resources has meant that no aeration has been conducted on the fairways for the last three or four years, which is why the delivery of the Verti-Quake 2516 by Charlie’s Ag & Turf in September 2023, has been hailed a ‘godsend!’
“They had begun to lay wet so we knew it would take something robust to break through those years of compaction.
The budget we had at the time allowed us to purchase the 2516, which went out on the fairways almost as soon as it came through the gates and the results were astounding! We created channels at depths of 4” and transformed the fairways with just one pass.
“The plan will be to utilise this during renovation weeks in March and September and complement the linear aeration with monthly passes of our new Verti-Drain 1517.”
The 1517 offers a lightweight aeration solution with a 1.7m working width and 6” working depth – a combination that makes it a popular choice for sensitive turf areas. It’s larger size and faster operating
speed compared to Gary’s previous aerator presents more effective results, in less time.
“Matt Lewis from Charlie’s delivered the Verti-Drain at the start of March and, as soon as it was dry enough, we passed over all 18 greens with 12mm solid tines, in three and a half hours less than the task previously took. A few weeks on and we can still see the holes.
“We plan to follow the monthly vertidraining with applications of dressing, which will bring multiple benefits to the profile and help us manage the challenges posed by mother nature!” he said.
“The service we’ve had from Matt and the Charlie’s team has been excellent at every stage and the machines have already proven to be the best, and most timely, purchases we’ve ever made.”
Sustainability a key watchword at Minchinhampton Golf Club
Minchinhampton Golf Club has three exceptional golf courses, all of which are renowned for their year-round immaculate presentation and excellent drainage.
Keeping all courses in such condition involves a dedicated team of greenkeepers and an expanding fleet of machinery and kit. Course Manager, Adam Matthews, can be justifiably proud of his team’s achievements.
However, aware of the impact on the environment that washing off so many machines could have, his and the club’s attention focused to address the issue.
Two matters were of important consideration: 1) The conservation of water and obligation to sustainability
and 2) Prevent pollution of the ground water ensuring compliance with current Groundwater Regulations. Adam believed that a new wash-off facility with water recycling was the only way forward and researched suitable solutions.
A ClearWater washpad recycling system from Acumen Waste Services looked to be the ideal solution to him and a site meeting was arranged. Following this visit by the company, specifications were drawn up and a quotation provided.
As there is a rather large fleet to maintain, a larger dedicated washpad was agreed upon and, instead of a 5000-litre standard system, one of ClearWater’s 10,000 litre capacity recycling systems with a four-hose wash-off facility was agreed upon and an order was placed.
“With sustainability being a major factor in business thoughts and multiple machine washing at one time, ClearWater’s 10,000 litre capacity is more than adequate and also allows greater dwell-time for the biological treatment,” explained Matthew Mears, of Clearwater.
Minchinhampton chose a turnkey package quoted by Acumen ClearWater and all work was carried out within a week schedule.
So, what made ClearWater the choice for the club? The club takes their environmental responsibilities seriously and sustainability is a major
concern, so a compliant washpad and water savings became a must.
“ClearWater fitted the bill! It’s great to ensure we are doing our bit for sustainability and efficient wash-off,” said Adam.
ClearWater does provide certain advantages over other solutions however: The system is located adjacent to one of the fairways and, as ClearWater is a below ground system is most unobtrusive, just turret tops at ground level may be visible! There’s no noise either, all you will hear is the washwater jet leaving the water guns! Also, the system recycles treated water with very little loss, as the dedicated washpad with it low curb surround is constructed in such a way as the waste wash water is discharged through grass traps and into the underground tank by gravity for treatment. Naturally, some water loss will occur through evaporation, particularly in hot weather. However, the system is topped up by rainwater falling on the washpad (not an uncommon site these days!); sustainability at its best and at no cost!
Machinery wash-off for many has clearly demonstrated huge water consumption and wastage for many years at an ever-increasing cost, financially and environmentally. Water has become an increasingly valuable resource.
Washpad water recycling is the way forward for those in the turfcare maintenance sector and other business needing wash off. With water savings in excess of 90% possible, sustainability really does then become a meaningful word!
Turfco’s ideal course maintenance tools
Turfco turf maintenance equipment is ideal for turf management with a range of topdressing, blowers and overseeding machines, which can be tractor-mounted and towed-behind a suitable transport unit.
WideSpin 1550 topdressers are available in truck-mounted and tow-behind models with petrol engine or hydraulic power options. They come with standard electronic control or a patented digital Smart Controller. Standard electronic control models are easy to use and offer good value for the money. Smart Controller models offer rate calculation and programmable pre-sets for greater productivity and labour savings. Calculating and retaining application rates is easier. Adjusting settings is easier and saving preferred settings is easier. Loading is easier. Topdressing all types of sports pitches is easier. And getting the exact spread required, every time, is easier.
The unique design makes it easy to get whatever width and rate you want, without mechanical adjustments. Save preferred applications into four
programmable pre-sets, eliminating guesswork and freeing up your time.
The TriWave 60 and TriWave 45 are a new breed of overseeder that can significantly increase the success of overseeding operations by up to 30%.
WaveBlade counter-rotating blade technology creates a U-shaped slit (instead of the usual V-shaped slit of competitor products) providing more seed to soil contact and the patented seed delivery system places seeds into the slits without waste, increasing germination.
The TriWave 45 is a self-contained trailed overseeder, which can be towed behind
a utility vehicle, quad bike, bunker rake or tractor, and provides versatility and easiest operation of any overseeder on the market. Power comes from an 18.4 kW (25 hp) Briggs and Stratton Vanguard petrol engine and it quickly attaches to most turf vehicles making it convenient and efficient to use.
Turfco’s Torrent 2 is powerful allpurpose blower, available in tow-behind or tractor-mounted pto-driven formats and delivering unprecedented control over air speed, air direction, noise management and fuel consumption.
Built on a heavy-duty frame with a rugged draw bar and adjustable hitch the Torrent 2 is designed for durability. The enclosed deck dramatically reduces debris pickup from below the blower, decreasing wear on the turbine.
The wireless controller allows the operator to dial in the exact nozzle direction for optimal performance with fast, 360-degree nozzle rotation enhancing productivity and control.
n jmoore@turfco.com
GKB combiseeder brings convenience
The purchase of a Combiseeder from GKB Machines has brought new convenience and efficiency to the overseeding operations at Hertfordshire’s Letchworth Golf Club.
Previously hiring a seeder, the combination of high traffic, poor weather and ongoing construction projects around the 18-hole course has seen an increase in the need for both routine and recovery seeding, which Course Manager Rob Groves explains can now be carried out
as frequently and intensively as required.
Rob took over as Course Manager at the parkland course in May 2022 and is assisted on the regular maintenance and larger renovation projects by a team of four fulltime staff and one part-time greenkeeper.
“We’ve conducted a number of bunker renovations, as well as installing a new irrigation system, which have all involved using heavy machinery on and around the greens” he explained.
“We’ve previously hired a seeder which is not only expensive but means you are restricted as to when you are able to get it – often not at the right time! With areas to recover, along with combating general wear and tear the time was right to invest in our own seeder.”
The club opted for the CS120 from the GKB Combiseeder range, featuring the tried and trusted combination of two spiked rollers and two adjustable brushes to deliver and encase the seed for optimal germination.
“I’d used the Combiseeder at my previous club and was always impressed by how simple it is to operate and adjust, meaning we can overseed the greens with finer, smaller seed as well as use it on other areas around the course.” Rob continued,
“We have grass covered driving tees, for example, which would need divoting and seeding by hand at least once a week. We can now do the whole area in one pass with the Combiseeder saving valuable labour hours. We also plan to use it on the greens, without seed, as a sarel roller as it’s got the right weight to give us some good aeration in the top of the profile without being too aggressive.”
“It’s already proven to be a great investment and, despite the weather, we saw good strike from our March operations.
“When you factor in the opportunities and benefits of conducting overseeding more frequently, together with the savings on hire and labour, the Combiseeder will pay for itself in no time.”
Smithco offers consistent greens and fairways
There’s no finer sports turf than that found on golf greens and for the discerning golfer, true greens with consistent ball roll are more important than fast greens. Rolling will immediately produce a smoother, truer surface with the improvements easily measured using a Stimp Meter. Perhaps less well known is that this effect will last on the green for up to 48 hours after the roll, leaving a residual effect and higher than ‘normal’ speeds, improving the standards of the playing surface,
without requiring daily use of the roller. Smithco’s Tournament greens rollers provide consistent and true putting surfaces. With rolling widths from 91 cm to 1.78 metres, there’s a machine ideal for maximum efficiency on any golf course. Smithco were one of the first companies to introduce GPS technology for spraying, when their Star Command system debuted in 2012. Today they are on the third iteration of the system on their Spray Star range of industry-leading sprayers.
The Spray Star 1200 features accurate spray technology, while the GPS-enabled state-of-the-art Star Command control module ensures a precise and consistent application every time. Superior construction materials combine to ensure industryleading longevity across all product lines.
The cab-forward design provides superior visibility, handling, and operator comfort, providing and excellent platform that makes the work simple, comfortable, and enjoyable. n jm@smithco.com
From Howard’s Way to Oliver’s Army
Megan Oliver has become the fourth generation of the Howard family to becoming Managing Director of the Howardson Group which comprises Dennis Mowers, SISIS, Lloyds Mowers, Hunter Grinders and Syn-Pro.
Megan took on the role earlier this year, with her father, legendary industry figure Ian Howard, becoming company Chairman. It marked a seamless transition for Megan, who joined the company six years ago, following a period working NHS England and Price Waterhouse Cooper..
Over the past six years Megan and Ian have been working handin-glove ensuring that she would know the company inside out when she did take the reins.
The catalyst for the move came when a tenant who had premises on the site handed in notice and an opportunity to expand the Howardson footprint suddenly became available.
“We decided that Ian would project manage the new building and that I would take over the running of the company at this point,” explained Megan.
In recent years the Howardson Group has grown at an incredible rate. The acquisition of SISIS at the beginning of 2011, and the subsequent acquisition of Lloyds Mowers and Hunter Grinders, has helped company growth, while being the mower of choice at the last four FIFA World Cups, has meant Dennis Mowers have been seen by billions of football fans around the world.
Megan knows that she has large shoes to fill, but she has big plans for the Howardson Group for the next five years and her passion for a company she has know all her life will ensure more success to come.
And who knows the fifth generation of the family to take over the company might be sitting around her kitchen table at this very moment.
The next generation of hybrid surfaces
Founded in 1957 in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, White Horse Contractors has significant heritage in soil and water engineering solutions for over six decades.
Working to create strong relationships with their clients allows bespoke design and delivery solutions for their individual needs and projects. The company have continually excelled in their heartland of agricultural land drainage and irrigation while applying their specialist knowledge to the sport, leisure, amenity and environmental markets.
Following the acquisition of the company and its incorporation to The Slatter Group in March 2019, White Horse Contractors continues to grow and look forward to the future. Their expertise has extended to the hybrid sports turf sphere, constructing and installing the next generation of hybrid surfaces for elite clients across the sporting spectrum. Working with their partners, GrassMaster Solutions,
“THE HYBRID PITCHES HAVE TRANSFORMED THE WAY IN WHICH WE HAVE UTILISED OUR GRASS PITCHES THIS WINTER”
with over 25 years of specialist experience in the hybrid turf industry, White Horse Contractors have worked with professional football teams such as Queens Park Rangers FC, Charlton Athletic FC, and Millwall FC to construct their playing surfaces. They also have extensive knowledge of how to renovate the hybrid playing surfaces in the off season, working with clients such Luton Town FC, Watford FC, Portsmouth FC and Brighton and Hove Albion FC.
White Horse Contractors and GrassMaster Solutions have also worked together in the private school sector. Whitgift school had the first hybrid rugby pitch installed in a public school in 2021.
GrassMaster and White Horse Contractors also stitched their first hybrid cricket squares in the spring of 2024 revolutionising the game of cricket at another independent school in London.
The companies are continuing to look at other sports where the state-of-the-art technology could improve the consistency of the playing surface as well as increased durability.
White Horse Contractors have many years of experience working with elite clients and sports teams on flagship projects across the UK. These include the Alexander Stadium used for the Commonwealth Games, Luton Town FC, Watford FC, Queens Park Rangers FC, Guards
Polo Club, Eton College, Whitgift school and many more, all of whom received full support of our in-house, dedicated, highly professional team. Working within the confines of the sporting calendar to manage deadlines and budgets is integral to the success for their clients.
The company has invested significantly in creating a state of the art, modern fleet of specialist plant and equipment, specifically designed for natural and Hybrid sportsturf facilities and operated by a highly skilled and professionally qualified workforce.
What makes the perfect partner from conception to completion of a project? A company who works closely alongside our clients from elite professional clubs, amateur clubs, local authorities, independent schools, and private clients to create a single bespoke solution. Trusted to deliver their vision and aspirations embodying the company motto: Constructed with Integrity.
“The hybrid pitches have transformed the way in which we have utilised our grass pitches this winter,” said Stuart Litchfield, Director of Sport, Whitgift School.
“The increased resilience and drainage of the new surfaces have meant that cancelling sessions due to being waterlogged is a thing of the past. The quality of the surfaces are outstanding and the feedback we have received from oppositions has been nothing other than glowing.”
Scott Reeves takes up new BIGGA post
BIGGA has appointed Scott Reeves as Head of Membership, overseeing the development of the association’s membership activities.
Scott, 53, was formerly the Course Manager at Leyland Golf Club, where he spent 17 years. He began his greenkeeping career at Wycombe Heights Golf Club, Buckinghamshire, followed by spells at Stock Brook Country Club, in Essex, and Chobham Golf Club, in Surrey, before relocating to Lancashire in 2003.
He spent three years at Preston Golf Club before a one-year stint with Saxon Industries in a sales role. He then returned to course management at Leyland Golf Club in 2007.
Scott has volunteered at every level of BIGGA, culminating in his appointment as chairperson of the association in 2019. The COVID pandemic hit during Scott’s term and he worked
closely alongside BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton, the BIGGA staff and National Board as the association navigated the turbulence of that period, ensuring BIGGA was well-placed to offer support and guidance wherever required.
Following his term as chairperson, Scott retained an involvement with BIGGA and still lectures on the Golf Club Management Diploma, jointly run by the GCMA, PGA and BIGGA. He was also a part of the Committee for Golf Club Salaries for many years.
The role of Head of Membership has been created following a retructure. Scott will be responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of the association’s membership strategy, as well as taking on a senior leadership role within the organisation. He will work closely with all BIGGA departments to ensure the association is fulfilling its responsibility to members, while seeking to evolve BIGGA’s activities and offering.
“What attracted me to this job is it is such a huge opportunity. One of the things I really valued in my
TURF
time as a greenkeeper volunteer with BIGGA was the chance to make the world a better place for greenkeepers, as we always say,” said Scott.
“With a little time away, focusing on my own job as a greenkeeper, it’s helped me see just what a valuable resource BIGGA is.
“What I’d say to BIGGA members is that another one of us has joined the association. I’m someone who understands you and understands your challenges as I’ve faced many of them myself. We’re here to make sure that you can access everything BIGGA has to offer, to build a better career for yourself and a stronger industry for everyone.”
BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said that they had worked hard to identify the correct candidate for this position.
“We had some outstanding applications but Scott’s passion for greenkeeping and belief in the value BIGGA brings to the industry shone through,” said Jim.
“I’m excited that Scott has joined the Association and look forward to embarking on the next chapter in BIGGA’s history.”
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Events mark 15 years of Modry Las
Modry Las, Poland’s award-winning golf course and one of Europe’s leading golf resorts, is rolling out the red carpet by hosting a series of international events to celebrate the anniversary of its opening in 2009 by its designer Gary Player.
Seven-times winner at the World Golf Awards, Modry Las Golf Resort, The PGA National Poland, is set to welcome golfers from around the world, open new Garden Suites accommodation and offer a summer of events.
The resort has grown over the years to 27 holes with private luxury homes spotted discreetly
around the resort. And now, after completing the finishing touches to its impressive clubhouse/hotel and upgrading its irrigation system; an investment designed to elevate Poland’s only signature golf course even further, the world-class resort is about to unveil six new garden suites as part of the festivities.
“Every year is a milestone, but our 15th seems special because of what we have achieved in a relatively short space of time,” said Arthur Gromadzki, Chairman of the club.
“It gives us an opportunity to look back and appreciate how far we have come. To think Modry Las is
now a Top 100 European course and part of a distinguished collection of the world’s leading golf resorts as a PGA National-branded property is staggering. There’s a lot to be proud of, and a lot to celebrate.”
Recently, Modry Las was included in the latest Top 100 listing published by the UK magazine Golf World. According to the ranking’s editor, the list was all about “getting the highest level of quality for your money”, said Chris Bertram.
“Poland has quality golf as well as being well priced. You’ll be absolutely staggered at how good [Modry Las] is.”
Peter Mercer takes key role at PSD Groundcare
PSD Groundscare has announced a new appointment to strengthen the team and drive business growth.
Peter Mercer has joined the company as Business Development Manager for the South West of England. His appointment comes after the recent inclusion of SABO battery and petrol walk-behind mowers into the PSD range which also includes high-performing machines from Canycom, EcoTech, ELIET, GRIN, Koppl, and Stella.
Peter’s appointment allows Sales Director, Stuart Mercer, to focus further on continuing to develop
business in Scotland and Ireland.
A well-known face in the industry, Peter originally joined the GGM Group in 2008 and has extensive industry experience, including previously working within dealerships and has a true understanding of what is required.
“I am absolutely delighted to be back in this new role at PSD, driving the business forward as well as working with old faces, and meeting new ones. I can’t wait to get out to meet dealers and help them to develop their business with our range of quality solutions,” said Peter.
Stuart said Peter is the right person for the job and “he can’t wait to get going.”
Syngenta has published the findings of the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey 2024. Key findings of the report highlight the role for Integrated Turf Management actions to reduce disease outbreaks, including nutrition, rolling, moisture management and fungicide timings.
Assessing responses from over 100 golf Course Managers, Syngenta Technical Managers, Glenn Kirby and Sean Loakes, reported the scale of issues with dollar spot have become far more widespread - affecting all areas of the course and for a far extended part of the season.
Linking the postcode of survey responses to local records of SmithKerns pressure, of weather conditions that would be associated with dollar spot outbreaks, revealed that high pressure would indicate more disease.
“However, it is not a clear-cut correlation. Some courses under prolonged high pressure reported no dollar spot incidences, which indicates that the disease can be effectively managed by other turf
Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions
management actions,” said Sean.
For effective ITM strategies, frequent rolling, maintaining higher soil moisture content and providing higher levels of nutrition were all associated with lower levels of dollar spot being reported, Sean added.
“The survey responses showed a clear trend of a higher incidence of disease reported where turf was being managed at lower rates of nutrition.
“However, it was not exclusively so, indicating that dollar spot could still be contained on lower nutrient management strategies, providing other ITM actions were taken to avoid outbreaks,” he advised.
“Furthermore, while fewer outbreaks were reported on turf managed with higher nutrient inputs, it could still occur if turf management practices and conditions were conducive to disease.”
Responses to the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey also showed the link between management to target lower levels of soil volumetric moisture content (VMC) and the reported incidence of dollar spot.
“The survey responses showed a clear pattern that the greater use of turf iron for rolling surfaces resulted in a reduced incidence of dollar spot reports,” Sean pointed out.
“On courses where greens were never rolled dollar spot was reported in 75% of cases, with a trend declining to 50% of courses rolling surface five times a week. Most courses (61%) were reported to be rolling surfaces two or three times a week.”
For courses that were rolling almost daily, there was no incidence of dollar spot reported. However, this was a very small proportion of the survey responses (3%).
The survey identified no link between
organic matter levels and dollar spot outbreaks, however there was some indication that lower cutting height could be associated with reduced levels of infection. “This is an element of the ITM strategy requires further investigation,” he suggested.
Analysis of the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey indicate that where greenkeepers are managing to promote fescue dominant surfaces, they are lowering the target moisture levels, reducing the nitrogen applied and raising the height of cut, compared to predominantly poa and bent greens.
Greens containing fescue receive, on average, 40% less nitrogen compered to poa or bent greens. Fescue greens are also managed at a target VMC 4-5% lower and with a height of cut at an average 3.9mm, which is 0.4-0.5mm higher than poa or bent greens.
“Whilst the feeling is that fescue species are slightly more tolerant to dollar spot, the management practices needed to maintain them can lead to fescue dominant surfaces being more vulnerable to the disease,” he warned.
The report identified that most greenkeepers - nearly 70% - have used fungicides as part of their strategy to manage dollar spot.
“New fungicide technology, good disease modelling to help improve timings and good application techniques will help turf managers get the best out of them as part of their Integrated Turf Management strategy.”
Responses have provided guidance on actions that turf managers could consider to reduce risks and minimise impact of this increasingly challenging disease.
Sean Loakes
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Perennial’s improved website better supports those in our industry
Perennial, the UK’s charity that helps people working in horticulture including greenkeepers and groundsmen, has launched their updated website (perennial. org.uk) to improve the support for the professionals within the industry. The improved platform offers enhanced resources and a streamlined user experience, providing access to essential resources to those navigating the challenges of the horticultural sector.
The current climate is tough, particularly for those working in horticulture. Health issues, both physical and mental, are on the rise, and getting timely appointments or access to care is getting harder. Housing concerns are more prevalent with worries about accommodation and not having access to supporting services or food security.
“During 2023 we experienced an unprecedented 42% surge in demand for our services, underscoring the critical need for robust support systems,” said Jonathan Sharpe, Marketing Manager at Perennial.
“At Perennial, we aim to empower
individuals to utilise our free resources, enabling them to address and manage their situations proactively before they escalate.”
The updated site caters to a wide range of horticulture professionals, including:
• Greenkeepers
• Grounds maintenance operatives
• Gardeners
• Landscapers
• Arborists
• Foresters
• Garden designers
• Garden centre employees
• Nurseries and growers
• Florists.
On the site, users can find resources on topics ranging from mental and physical health tips to managing finances and advancing careers. Whether it’s managing seasonal hurdles or unexpected challenges, Perennial’s new website is where many people turn to for useful advice and support.
In addition to strengthening the resource library, the user experience has been prioritised to improve navigation and accessibility for visitors. Perennial aims to remove barriers for people accessing support and empower horticultural professionals to make informed decisions about their well-being and careers.
As of January 2024, with nearly 98% of the UK population online, Perennial is harnessing the power of digital technology to offer optimal support to the horticultural industry. Through selfserve resources and preventative tools, we aim to cultivate a thriving community and empower individuals to thrive in both their personal and professional lives. n perennial.org.uk
