Having had the opportunity to visit Wentworth GC a couple of weeks ago to see the excellent presentation and set up of this prestigious golf club, I was in awe of the level of greenkeeping skills and attention to detail by the greenkeeping team to ensure this course maintains its status as one of the best golf courses in the world.

The presentation of the course was immaculate. However, this is not surprising considering the sums the owners have invested in the course in recent years. This course, along with a number of other top-ranking facilities, are pivotal for keeping intact our golfing heritage.

Having recently read online some interesting facts about the current state of golf, it is pleasing to read that golf remains one of the more popular sports across the UK.

In all of Europe, England has the highest number of registered golf courses as of 2017 by far, with a total of 1,872, followed by Germany with at 731. Scotland hosts 560 courses, Ireland has 405 and Wales has 145 courses.

When it comes to the number of registered golf players, England is also leading Europe, with approximately 656 thousand players, ever so slightly ahead of Germany with roughly 645 thousand registered golfers. Scotland has 188 thousand and Ireland and Wales have 183 thousand and 45 thousand registered golfers respectively.

Golf participation in England holds steady at 946 thousand people who play at least twice a month at any intensity or duration. Participation in Scotland decreased over the past decade, from nine percent of the population, playing golf at least once a month in 2007, to only five percent in 2017. The majority of those five percent seem to be evenly spread across all age groups. In Northern Ireland, playing golf is almost as popular as playing football and most golfers are adult male, at roughly 69 percent.

Approximately two percent of all the land in England is devoted to its nearly 2,000 golf courses, according to new research.

As most of us know who work in the turf grass industry, many golf clubs have struggled to retain optimum levels of playing members in recent years, which in some cases has resulted in the closure of a number of courses or a reduction in the amount of money they can invest in their courses.

Gone are the days when people had six hours to spare to play a round of golf. People are working longer hours and want to better enjoy their free time, coupled with the fact there are so many other attractions now available to occupy them.

Like any business which has to adapt to survive, golf courses are no different. Personally I place a high regard for what golf courses have to offer, not only providing a changing game of golf, but the shear value of the benefits they can bring to wider community and local fauna, flora and wildlife.

First and foremost, golf courses should perhaps look at themselves and see the potential of what they can offer in terms of the golfing experience and make it more attractive to families, women and children. I then believe it needs to look at what other attractions and services it can offer.

Every golf course should prevail to maintain a high standard of playing surfaces, the reputation of the golf course is usually determined by its playing experience. All too often in recent years we have seen a number of golf courses reduce their budgets and resources on the maintenance of the course, which over time sees a decline in course quality.

You cannot put a value on what a golf course can offer to the wider community. There is so much potential for these clubs to further embrace and work more closely with their communities to attract new business opportunities to supplement their main golfing income.

I firmly believe the tide is turning and golf courses now have a brighter future ahead of them especially if they continue in investing and supporting their dedicated greenkeeping teams who work tirelessly to maintain these unique land assets for future generations.

The Director of Golf and Greenkeeping at Wentworth Club has spoken about his pride at the return of a greenkeeper support team to assist with course maintenance during the BMW PGA Championship this September.

2018 winner Francesco Molinari alongside Kenny Mackay and the Wentworth team

Members of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) will head to Wentworth for the European Tour’s flagship event, which for the 2019 season has shifted from its traditional May hosting to September.

The shift in dates has been necessitated by changes to the world golf calendar and reduced competition from other events should mean a star-studded field of players head to Virginia Water for the Rolex Tour event, taking place from 19 to 22 September.

Wentworth’s Director of Golf Courses and Greenkeeping, Kenny Mackay, is eager for the BIGGA volunteers to get the most out of their time as part of the team and so the group is divided between those who will undertake bunker raking duties and those who will play an active role in the preparation and maintenance of the West Course for the duration of the event.

Final preparations are underway for the BMW PGA Championship

Kenny said: “With the change in the schedule, the hosting of the BMW PGA Championship is going to be a completely new experience for the Wentworth team. The preparation of the course each morning is going to be very tight if we’re to stay ahead of the golf and so the BIGGA volunteers will prove vital as we work to achieve our aims of preparing a course fit for the European Tour’s flagship event.

“Over the last two years we’ve really evolved the support team experience, so a portion of the volunteers have the opportunity to fully integrate with the Wentworth team. If you ask the volunteers who come regularly, every year is getting better and better. We want to ensure they learn many things that they can then take back to their own club.”

BIGGA members are invited to participate in the BMW PGA Championship Volunteer Support Team as an opportunity for career development that is provided as part of their membership. July will also see a separate team of members head to Royal Portrush to assist with The Open, while teams will also attend other major events, such as the Ladies British Open and the Solheim Cup.

The BIGGA Support Team for the BMW PGA Championship 2019 is:

Preparation support team

Adam Baldwin, Lilley Brook; Anthony Duffield, Ham Manor; Craig Woodman, Bramshaw; Daniel Evans, Maesdu Llandudno; David Ball, Thetford; Josh Dunn, Bramcote Waters; Kevin Tigg, Merrist Wood; Leigh Powell, Windlesham; Phillip Slater, West Herts; Rob Patrick, Stoneham; Sam Ewing, Crane Valley; Jonny Peacock, Rugby; David Taylor, The Bristol; Peter Meek, The Wisley; Seamus Gaughan, Migros Golf Park (Switzerland); Tim Leat, Rich River (Australia); Luke Lacey, Exminster; Callum Atkinson, Prestbury; Harry Misselbrook, Harewood Downs; Henry Aggar, Windlesham.

Bunker support team

Jeff Drake, Newbury & Crookham; Oliver Kirk, unattached; Sam Amey, Basingstoke; Nathan O’Sullivan, China Fleet; Kevin Weller, Dale Hill Hotel; Iain Biggs, Chesterfield Downs; Oli Norfolk, Tylney Park; David Westwood, Kingswood; Jamie Ingerson, Rochester and Cobham; Nick Street, Crews Hill; Billy MacArthur, Temple; Craig Gibson, Essendon Country; Steven Maples, Coventry; Oliver Clark, Mill Hill; Matthew Winney, East Sussex National; Jacob Kennard, Milton Abbey School; Aaron Stead, Surrey Down; Ashley Darnley, The Bristol; Charlie Cripps, Cams Hall Estate; Sam Bethell, Chipstead; Steve Bridgeman, Woking; Steven Hirons, Kirtlington; Tony Bartram, Wentworth; Stuart Simmonds, Boundary Lakes; Robert Brown, Bognor Regis; Adam Young, The Players Club; Daniel Allsworth, Drayton Park; Nicholas Edwards, Remedy Oak; Stevie-Jon Hood, Forest of Galtres; Lewis Turner, The Dyke; Ryan Lindsay, East Sussex National; Matthew Lindsay, Highwoods; Chris Mitchell, Maidenhead; Ryan Frankish, Spalding; David Smith, Newmarket Links; Gary Nimmo, Oundle; Jordan Belong, Camberley Heath; Patrick Redmond, Woking; Stuart Fry, Old Thorns; Jakob Schur, Rudding Park; Jorge Manso, Coombe Wood; Daniel Cowley, Stanmore; Lee Williams, Phoenix; Martin Coe, China Fleet; Kevin Hensman, Rowlands Castle; Steven Morgans, Harrow School; Jack Holman, Middleton Hall; Graham Down, Harewood Downs;
James Lomas, Hadley.

The Amenity Forum says it is seeking to lead a campaign over the coming months to fully communicate the importance of amenity and its management.

They say it will build upon the previous successful launch of Get Moving and use a range of channels to emphasise the need for amenity management to create safe, healthy public spaces fit for purpose. Development work is on-going and more information will be available soon.

The Forum is also set to launch the new Amenity Standard in October at its conference. This standard, akin to the Red Tractor in the food sector, will provide assurance to all that operations are being undertaken to recognised assurance scheme levels. Also very soon, the Forum will be publishing a document and template to help operators and others in producing integrated management plans.

Professor John Moverley, the independent chairman of the Forum, said ‘’Over the last 10 years the Forum has developed strong recognition for the work of those in the amenity sector. We embrace all sectors of our diverse and essential sector and have pushed forward standards and engagement and commitment to best practice. We now seek to fully drive this forward and a key objective is to increase public awareness of the professionalism of our sector and provide the facts about what is undertaken – exciting times.’’

On October 10th, the Amenity Forum is holding its annual conference and exhibition. This year the theme is ‘21st Century Amenity Management’. It will be held at the Pirelli Stadium at Burton on Trent. Tickets are £85 + VAT for early birds booking before 1st September 2019.

For further information, contact admin@amenityforum.net

Entries to the SALTEX 2019 Innovation Award are now open for all SALTEX exhibitors to take part - which the organisers say allows show visitors the chance to witness a stellar line-up of brand new products and services that are pushing the boundaries in groundscare innovation at the NEC, Birmingham on October 30 and 31.

All of the submitted entries are evaluated by an independent panel of judges before a final shortlist is devised. The finalists are then given an opportunity to impress judges and visitors in a seminar theatre on the first day of SALTEX as representatives from each company take to the stage to deliver product presentations.

Every innovation entered into the awards will be featured on the SALTEX website and in the official show guide. Being shortlisted as a finalist means the successful companies will be given dedicated time to showcase their product or service in front of industry giants, judges and influencers and can draw even more of a crowd to their stand.

The winner will be presented with the award at the exhibition and will receive a dedicated news article in post-show reports.

The Fields in Trust UK’s Best Park 2019 is now open for a public vote to select the nation’s favourite local park.

A total of 364 public nominations for parks and green spaces across the UK have been made - and now it is time to choose the winners via an online public vote which is open until noon on Monday 19th August.

Voting opened to coincide with “Have a Field Day” on Saturday 6th July, the annual celebration of parks and green spaces. Over 250 community-led events engaged thousands of people across the UK this past weekend - with people coming together, celebrating local parks and green spaces and joining a movement of fellow park users across the UK who want champion their parks and protect them for future generations to enjoy.

Fields in Trust is a UK-wide charity that legally protects parks and green spaces in perpetuity. The UK’s Best Park Award recognises the role that parks play in communities, supporting mental and physical health and bringing people together. The charity is concerned that many parks and green spaces are under threat and are at risk of being lost to development or a cycle of decline and disappearance. Last month Fields in Trust published research which revealed that over 2.5 million people across Great Britain live more than ten minutes’ walk from a park or green spaces. With public sector cuts leading to pressure on parks and green spaces, there is the risk that a lack of legal protection could lead to more being sold off or developed.

Fields in Trust Chief Executive Helen Griffiths said, “Our parks and green spaces are a vital part of UK community infrastructure. We know that they provide benefits to the physical health, mental wellbeing and community connections for people that use them, so we are delighted to see a record number of nominations for the UK’s Best Park award and it is encouraging to see so many people organising picnics with neighbours to celebrate how much they love their local park. Fields in Trust is committed to protecting these valuable and much-loved parks and green spaces for future generations to enjoy.”

Nominations include small community gardens and large nature reserves, sports fields and playgrounds, each green space valued by its community and nominated by the regular park users who love to walk, run, cycle, relax, picnic and play with their children in the UK’s parks. The UK’s Best Park 2019 will see the park with the most votes in each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland shortlisted with the UK's Best Park, 2019 announced in mid-September.

The Toro Company and Reesink Turfcare have agreed to continue a year-on-year sponsorship deal with the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) to support the activities of the IOG’s Young Board of Directors (YBD).

The YBD is leading the IOG 'Get into Grounds' strategy by encouraging 14 to16-year-olds, school leavers and young people to consider a career in groundsmanship. Most members of the group entered the industry by volunteering at a local sports club and have progressively learnt the skills and gained the experience they need to pursue a rewarding career in groundsmanship.

This also includes funding for diversity to create programmes to enhance opportunities for women and BME groups to advance careers in the industry.

The YBD is currently updating its strategy for the next three years, which will include an aim to engage with activities that attract a wider diversity of people into the industry. This ongoing sponsorship will allow the Board to do this.

The YBD is currently made up of 10 directors, who are all aged under 28, and they selflessly give up their own time to support YBD initiatives by, for example, attending and supporting a range of career events.

Commenting on Toro and Reeskink’s ongoing support, YBD current chair, Anthony Facey, said: “Toro have been fantastic support over the last three years and I’m so pleased the company is willing to commit long term to the Board. Without this help the YBD would not be able to achieve its aims and objectives.”

David Cole, managing director at Reesink Turfcare, said: “Our sponsorship of the YBD demonstrates the commitment of Toro and Reesink Turfcare to education and raising awareness of the great careers available in grounds maintenance and management. Furthermore, we are proud to play a small part in supporting the hard work of the Board, and their admirable efforts to reach out to and attract the next generation into the industry. In particular, we are very keen to support their drive to broaden the gender diversity across grounds staff roles.”

IOG chief executive, Geoff Webb, added: “We are grateful to the Toro Company and Reesink Turfcare for their support for this crucial area of developing opportunities for young, capable grounds staff. The IOG’s latest independent research has highlighted a lack of women working in sports turf as well as a lack of BME groups.

“Combine these facts with an ageing profile of in situ grounds staff and it is clear that we have to develop new programmes and initiatives to raise awareness of our profession and advance opportunities to make sure we have a vibrant and diverse future workforce.”

Cub Cadet is expanding its UK dealership network by welcoming a new dealer on board.

The latest addition to the 200+ strong network, Stubbings Bros, will stock the range at its dealership based in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

(L-R) Luke Stubbings, sales representative, pictured with Andy Stubbings, sales director

Owner and director Andy Stubbings said, “We are thrilled to be the latest business joining Cub Cadet’s strong dealership network. We are a family-run company built on 35-years of successful history and by joining forces with this well-respected brand, we are broadening our offering of garden machinery, while simultaneously growing our business connections."

Phil Noble, field sales and technical manager for Cub Cadet, added, “With the uncertainty and challenges our industry is experiencing this year, we are pleased to be welcoming Stubbings Bros on board. By expanding our dealer network, we are able to bring our machines to more customers to strengthen our position in the competitive lawnmowing market. We look forward to working with Andy and his team.”

Headland Amenity have announced the appointment of Peter Blackaby as regional technical manager for the Eastern counties - a role which will see him working closely with turf managers to deliver the company's practical approach to nutritional management.

The company says Peter has held a number of greenkeeper and course manager positions throughout his career, building up a wealth of knowledge on the tools and techniques required to maintain top quality playing surfaces. More recently he has worked independently as a franchisee of a lawn care company, where he gained experience of conducting site visits and working together with clients on the structuring of a ground’s improvement programme.

Upon joining Headland Amenity, Peter said, “When I saw the position come up, I just had to go for it - it presented a fantastic opportunity to join, in my opinion, one of the leading innovators in the fine and sports turf industry. I have used Headland products through the majority of my career and have always found them to achieve fantastic results. I am excited to be returning to the sector I enjoy the most and look forward to sharing my knowledge with faces old and new, helping them to achieve their objectives.” 

The team behind the distribution of Ferris mowers in the UK are celebrating a double victory, with awards presented at either end of the country recently.

They were awarded a Certificate of Commendation for the Ferris ISX800 mower at the Royal Highland Show Technical Innovations Awards most recently, as well as a ‘Commended’ award for the Ferris 400S through dealer Andrew Symons Ltd. at the Royal Cornwall Show before that.

2019 was first time that the team behind Ferris mowers in the UK, T H WHITE Machinery Imports, held a stand at the Royal Highland Show and with the launch of the new ISX800 at the end of 2018, the team felt it fitting to enter the model into the Technical Innovations Awards.

Members of the team were delighted to collect the certificate at the official awards ceremony, held at Ingliston House on Saturday 22nd June.

Features of the mower include the all new ForeFront double-wishbone Suspension System - which the company describes as a first in professional mowing.

Sales rep, Lee Hatter of dealers Andrew Symons at the Royal Cornwall Show 2019 with the commended 400S mower

The Ferris 400S meanwhile, was recognised on the stand of groundcare machinery dealer Andrew Symons at the Royal Cornwall Show as part of the annual Machinery Competition, The company say there was exceptional representation to the deciding committee from the Andrew Symons Ltd. team with particular praise going to groundcare sales representative, Lee Hatter.

Bill Johnston, head of the UK Ferris distributor, Machinery Imports said, “We’re delighted that the innovation and quality of the ISX800 and 400S models has been recognised by the highly experienced and knowledgeable teams at RHASS and Royal Cornwall Show.”

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

TEEING OFF WITH JOHN DEERE
Partnership with Wentworth Club launched

WEATHER CONTINUES TO SURPRISE
During one of the busiest times of the year

BERNHARD LAUNCH TRAINING ACADEMY
Educating the next generation

THE NEXT GENERATION
We must inspire and recruit a new generation of turf professionals

OPTIMISATION OF WATER RESOURCES
Better understand the soil / water relationship

HARD WORK & DEDICATION
Ever changing playing surfaces

OBESITY MEASURES
Turf professionals have a vital role

TIMELY ADVICE
Rugby renovations

PLANNING AHEAD
Renovating grass surfaces

FROM WINTER TO SUMMER SPORTS
April is a busy period

THE VALUE OF TREES
Trees bring real benefits to our cities, health and well being

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Choice of fertiliser products will be influenced by many factors

A WONDERFUL INDUSTRY
But we need to be encouraging the next generation

THE VALUE OF PARKS
Facilities must not be taken for granted

A VERY BUSY MARCH
Plenty of work for turf professionals to be getting on with

SHARING KNOWLEDGE
At the Dennis & Sisis groundcare seminar

INSECT DECLINE
A cause for concern

HELP IS AT HAND
Seek advice from industry bodies

SPRING RENOVATIONS
February is a good time to start planning

BTME 2019 REPORT
Great start to the year

BTME WEEK IS HERE!
Harrogate time again

THE VALUE OF PLANNING
Benefits for pitch sustainability

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Opportunities & challenges in 2019

View all of 2018's blogs here

I am always intrigued to see how the grounds and sports turf industry continues to test the character and minds of those who chose to earn a living from this industry.

Over the years I have met many interesting characters, none more so than Ian Somerville, who I have had the pleasure of knowing since we first met up at Cranfield University where we both were studying for a Master of Science course in Sports Turf Technology under the supervision of the inspirational Alex Vickers who now works as a consultant for the IOG.

Ian, like me, is not frightened on taking on new challenges and over the years has held several jobs within the industry. Having bumped into Ian at Harrogate in January, he was keen for me to meet up with his new boss Miles Todd of 360 Ground Care.

Ian was keen for me to meet up with Miles and find out for myself how 360 Ground Care had started and find out more about its ambitions for the future. I was invited to attend a U20’s Six Nations International rugby match at the Zip World Stadium Conway in March, as the company are responsible for maintaining the stadium’s pitch.

Miles had in fact booked a hospitality box and invited several guests including me to attend the match and enjoy the experience of a six nations U20’s international rugby match between Wales and Ireland. Ireland Under-20s showed the spirit of champions to roar from behind to beat Wales 26-17 and claim a historic Grand Slam. Already crowned Under-20’s Six Nations winners after results went their way in Round Four, the visitors were indebted to late tries from Colm Reilly and Tom Clarkson as they turned the tables in the final ten minutes.

Miles began his career in Greenkeeping at Rhuddlan Golf Club straight after leaving school. During his seven years at the club he managed to work is way up to the post of Deputy Course Manager while at the same time gaining relevant greenkeeping qualifications and becoming one of Toro’s Greenkeepers of the Year.

He then left Rhuddlan GC to become course manager at Maesdu GC at the age of twenty four and during his time there was selected as an member of the Bernhard’s delegation to San Antonio. He also was a founding member of the YGC (young greenkeepers committee) and served a two-year stint. Miles also took the opportunity to volunteer and work at three Open Championships.

After eleven years of working in the greenkeeping sector Miles, with the aid of a financial backer, took the decision create 360 Ground Care toward end of 2016 and began trading in January 2017.

He created the company after becoming increasingly disillusioned with the golfing industry and wanted a new challenge. He saw an opportunity to provide a professional grounds maintenance and renovation service for both the golf and sports turf sectors, as he was acutely aware of clubs having less capital budgets for machinery and moving towards hiring contractors to undertake specialist / renovation works to save money.

Miles has invested in a fairly large fleet of machinery that includes three tractors, Vredo 214 seeder, Imants re-cycle dresser, Imants Shockwave, Imants Koro, Imants Rotosweep / scarifyer, Weidenmann XF spiker, Air2g2 aerator, Dakota 410 spreader, Trilo dropspreader, Trimax mower, Bomford flail remote control mower, along with transport trailers and vehicles and a pedestrian and ride on mowers. A considerable investment for a small company of four employees.

In their short time of trading, they are now an approved contractor for the WRU and the FAW and work closely with both sporting bodies to improve their playing surfaces. The company has also been granted approval to undertake work for the NRW (Natural Resources Wales) framework for whom they carry out vegetation and ecology management on many of their sites, including sssi sites.

Working with Miles is Ian Somerville, who joined the company in August 2107 as contracts manager. An old head to help grow the business, he was followed by Jordan Wynne who came on board in November 2018 when the company secured the RCG contract at the Zip World Stadium.

Jordan spends three days a week looking after the Zip World Stadium preparing the playing surface for a plethora of sports throughout the year. Jordan previously worked at the All England Lawn Tennis Club for three years (Wimbledon 2016, 2017, 2018) whilst also taking time out to work at the Westpac stadium and Shrewsbury school before taking up his present job with 360 Groundcare.

The company is steadily building up a reputation for delivering high quality workmanship across several disciplines particularly sports turf and managing ecological sites. They now have several long-term customers seeking their expertise.

Miles and Jordan are currently undertaking the end of season renovations at Kings School, Chester utilising the Imants Recycler to rejuvenate the football pitches, followed by some oversseding.

Recent work has also included the restoration of some heathland at Delemere Forest GC removing large swaths of gorse, bramble, grass and bracken on many steep slopes using their Bomford remote flail mowers.