EDITOR'S BLOG
CHANGE, CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
At the Amenity Forum Conference
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR
 
Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

I believe from a landscape manager’s perspective, last week's Conference is must attend show, enabling you to keep up to date with the latest pesticide legislation, regulations and implementation of pest, weed and disease strategies.


Last Tuesday (9th October) I was fortunate to attend the Amenity Forum Conference which was held at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton on Trent. A record number attended, representing all areas of this diverse and important amenity sector.


From a landscape manager’s perspective, it should be a must attend show, enabling you to keep up to date with the latest pesticide legislation, regulations and implementation of pest, weed and disease strategies.

 

John Moverley


In his introduction, the Amenity Forum’s independent chairman, John Moverley, said that, "whilst we are certainly in the midst of changing and challenging times, this is in many ways nothing new for the amenity sector. I am confident that, as so many times before, the sector will grasp the opportunity to undertake their vital work. Effective management of amenity spaces impacts upon every UK citizen every day creating safe, healthy and fit for purpose amenity spaces."


The conference programme began with three presentations focussing on policy change. Grant Stark, from the Chemicals Regulation Division of HSE, reported on the achievements to date in the UK implementation of the Sustainable Use Directive. It was confirmed that much progress had been made by the sector in all areas. Grant then described recent policy changes as well as the important current review of the UK National Action Plan, directly related to weed, pest and disease management.


He emphasised an integrated management approach and a need for greater emphasis on continuous professional development going forward.

 


Jonathan Newman from the Environment Agency then took to the floor to focus in on water specifically, with quality issues being key to his presentation. Jonathan also referred to the publication of an over-arching chemicals strategy and identified some current concerns reiterating how the amenity sector could help the country meet current water quality targets.


Richard Davis then provided an excellent account of pesticide regulation and the work of the Expert Committee on Pesticides of which he is a member. His presentation also gave some of his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities of future UK regulatory changes post Brexit.


During breaks in the conference, delegates visited the exhibition area where almost 20 amenity related organisations had stands - and there was opportunity to network and discuss matters.

 


The second element of the conference comprised speakers from various sub sectors of amenity describing the challenges in their areas and of course the opportunities.

 

Speakers included Neil Strong from Network Rail, who spoke of the responsibility for 52,000 hectares of trackside. This was certainly not the easiest of areas to maintain and he spoke of developing techniques and approaches being taken. Guy Barter from the RHS turned attention to the home and garden sector, examining current issues and challenges. Whilst there is not as much detailed information on this sub sector as some others, it is very important. Guy discussed integrated approaches to weed management and called for more research in this area. Steve Hodgson, chief executive of the Property Care Association, then provided a very valuable insight into the issues of weed management in the built environment, which often creates specific challenges - especially in terms of invasive weeds.


He was keen to point out that the threat caused by some of the country’s most invasive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Buddleia can be effectively controlled over time with the correct strategy using a combination of Integrated Pest Management controls.


Other presenters included Duncan Jones from Hortech who looked at the challenges facing contractors, Duncan’s concerns where related to the fact that many client departments are now dramatically reducing contract term times and reducing the scope of work the contractor can perform to control weed problems.


These dramatic cuts in funds and policy in dealing with weeds does not bode well for the future of the industry, with contractors facing difficulties in providing this specialised service at such reduced cost margins and shortened time frames to perform.


We then had an enlightened talk on the role of the R&A by Steve Isaac, director of sustainability at the Royal and Ancient, who provided information on an ongoing project aimed at creating sustainable golf courses for the future.


The conference also had the opportunity to focus on alternative approaches. Francis Bayliss from Royal Holloway, University of London, reported on research into biological control. In particular, she discussed her own current research entitled ‘’Can soil ecology be aided by microbial inoculants?’’ Whilst at the outset seeming very technical, it was clear her research has much practically to offer in how we approach amenity management in the future.


Andy Richardson from the Allium and Brassica Agronomy Centre looked at alternative approaches to weed, pest and disease control and how findings in his own area of commercial horticulture might translate to amenity. It was a presentation which sought to challenge and at times provoke but one that was certainly well received in the hall.
The conference concluded with a fascinating insight into the developments at Manchester City Football Club over recent years in enhancing the landscape across all its areas and activities. It was an excellent example of having a clear vision and then implementing it correctly.


In his conclusion, John Moverley, referred to the words of Charles Darwin in that, ‘’It is not the strongest of the species that survives but the one most adaptable to change.’’ John also introduced the development of an all embracing assurance scheme for the sector allowing those who employ organisations to undertake work can be sure of their professionalism and qualifications.


Also during the course of the day the category winners of the 2018 Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award were announced. The Forum administers the awards whose main sponsors are ICL and Syngenta and BASIS registration who also offer free training vouchers for the winners.


Each category winner received a trophy and framed certificate. The overall winner will now be decided upon and be announced at BTME in Harrogate in January. The overall winner is awarded the Amenity Forum Shield and earns him or herself a trip to the USA to a major amenity exhibition.


Professor John Moverley said “The Amenity Forum is the voluntary initiative for this important and essential sector. We promote best practice and these awards are a demonstration of the high professional standards in our sector.”


2018 saw a record number of applicants for the award.


The category winners were:


LANDSCAPE AND INDUSTRIAL USING A KNAPSACK SPRAYER


Winner Ryan Shepherd, Hortech
Runner Up Colin Peters, Perfect Ground Solutions


LANDSCAPE AND INDUSTRIAL USING VEHICLE MOUNTED EQUIPMENT


Winner Keith Gallacher, CWC SSE
Runner Up Steven Lambert, JSD Rail


SPORTS TURF USING A KNAPSACK / BOOM SPRAYER

Winner Andy Baker
Runner Up Paul Gater, Caldy Golf Club

 

At the end of the event, all agreed that it had been another extremely valuable and informative conference and made a note of next year’s event date as Thursday 10th October 2019.


Also a big thank you must go to all the companies that support and sponsor the conference :-


BASIS, BAYER,CITY & GUILDS, COMPLETE WEED CONTROL GREEN-TECH, HEADLAND AMENITY, HOZELOCK-EXEL, ICL, JSD RAIL, LANGUARD VM, LANTRA AWARDS THE NATIONAL SPRAYER TESTING SCHEME, NOMIX ENVIRO, PROGREEN, RIGBY TAYLOR

NEWS
TOP GRADE FOR FIRST GREENKEEPING APPRENTICE IN LANDBASED SECTOR
Announced by Greenkeeping Training Committee
 
Tom Sherreard

Thomas Sherreard from The London Club and Hadlow College has become the first Golf Greenkeeping Apprentice to achieve the new City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping associated with the new apprenticeship standard.

 


The GTC say they are proud to announce that Thomas Sherreard from The London Club and Hadlow College has become the first Golf Greenkeeping Apprentice to achieve the new City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping associated with the new apprenticeship standard.

 

And he did it in style, receiving an overall mark of Distinction in reward for all his hard work.

 

Tom Sherreard

 

Not only is Tom the first golf greenkeeper to achieve his apprenticeship, he is the first land-based apprentice to undertake the new style End-point Assessment.

 

After considerable work carried out by the Greenkeepers Training Committee and the dedicated support and direction from their Employer Group and Technical Working Group, the new-style apprenticeship was launched in September 2016.

 

The new Apprenticeship hones in on the knowledge, skills and behaviours of every apprentice and is quite different to the former work-based diploma. The Training Providers focus more on the learner journey - teaching the apprentice the skills and knowledge required to be a fully-qualified golf greenkeeper with the support of the apprentice’s employer.

 

The biggest change is that the learner, although continually taught and assessed throughout their programme of education, is now faced with a series of graded End-point Assessments.

 

David Croxton, GTC Trailblazer Chairman said: “It is through the hard work and dedication from the Employer and Technical Working Groups and City & Guilds, that we have a great qualification to offer greenkeepers of all ages.

 

“Credit has to go to a number of people, not least, Tom for the hard work and commitment he has put into his apprenticeship; his employer, the London Golf Club and mentors, Lee Sayers and Darren Cuddihy and his course tutor, Anthony Stockwell from Hadlow College.

 

“It is wonderful to see the tireless work that has gone on behind the scenes over the past few years has finally come to fruition. Congratulations to Tom for such a fantastic achievement and we wish you all the best for your future career.”

 

Dr Robin Jackson, Industry Manager (Land-based), City & Guilds said: “City & Guilds is delighted to have undertaken the first end-point assessment for the Golf Greenkeeper apprenticeship standard. Although an achievement in itself, this is also the very first end-point assessment within the Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care route, so we are especially proud.

 

“City & Guilds supported the greenkeeper employer group which developed the standard and have subsequently worked closely with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) to develop what we believe is a high-quality independent end-point assessment. This is now offered through our team of well-respected Assessors who are standardised to ensure all apprentices have access to fair and impartial assessment to demonstrate their competency.

 

“City & Guilds are thankful of all the support and guidance we have received from the golf greenkeeping industry and look forward to maintaining our close working relationship in the future. Ultimately, we believe that with industry backing for the standard and City & Guilds end-point assessment, employers and apprentices will continue to have confidence in greenkeeping as a rewarding professional career.”

WGM RELINQUISHES DEERE PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS
Retains Homeowner franchise
 
Winchester Garden Machinery

Winchester Garden Machinery Ltd has decided to relinquish its professional golf & turf business at the end of October 2018 - with neighbouring dealers taking on sales responsibilities.

 


John Deere dealer Winchester Garden Machinery Ltd has decided to relinquish its professional golf & turf business at the end of October 2018, while retaining Deere’s full homeowner equipment franchise.

 

Winchester Garden Machinery

 

Neighbouring dealers Farol Ltd and Hunt Forest Group will share WGM’s existing professional sales area of responsibility, with Farol’s Midhurst outlet covering West Sussex and Surrey and Hunt Forest Group at Chilbolton taking on Hampshire.

 

Winchester Garden Machinery has been supplying and maintaining garden and commercial grass care machinery since 1969. It will continue to trade as a main John Deere homeowner dealer, specialising in walk-behind mowers and lawn tractors, from its three domestic machinery sales locations at Winchester and Liss in Hampshire and Sunningdale in Surrey. The business also includes a Forest & Arb Sales division, which was introduced in the early 2000s.

 

“After over 20 years of supplying and supporting the professional golf & turf sector, Winchester Garden Machinery Ltd has taken the decision to relinquish the franchise for this side of John Deere’s business,” says WGM dealer principal Andrew Hoskings, the company’s owner and co-founder with industry stalwart Robin Nettle, who sadly died of cancer earlier this year. “This decision has not been taken lightly, and with the growth in other sectors of our business - domestic, forestry and commercial - we will continue to be strong trading partners with John Deere on homeowner equipment.

 

“We will continue to support John Deere’s professional machinery with warranty within the valid dates and undertake service work as required. Winchester Garden Machinery is very proud of its association with John Deere and of our reputation as one of the UK’s largest specialist dealers of lawn and garden machinery, and we look forward to the future with confidence.”

 

Farol will now manage a total of six John Deere agricultural and turf dealerships from the Midlands down through London to the south coast of England.

 

“Being awarded the new area of responsibility for John Deere’s golf and turf product range in West Sussex is an incredibly exciting prospect for Farol Midhurst,” says managing director Matthew Vellacott. “We will look to continue and build on the high standards of service established by Winchester Garden Machinery, and aim to grow the business with the additional benefits of resources and specialisms that come from being part of a larger group.

 

“Since Farol’s debut in the professional golf and turf machinery business eight years ago, we have seen exceptional business and market share growth. This now contributes over £20 million to the group’s turnover, which makes Farol one of the largest professional groundscare machinery dealerships in the UK.

 

“We believe that our industry leading machine technology and aftersales departments have been key to this success, and we now look forward to demonstrating this support to our new customers in the south of the country. This latest addition to the group will undoubtedly take our golf and turf business from strength to strength.”

 

R Hunt Ltd and New Forest Farm Machinery Ltd recently signed an agreement to merge their two businesses under the new name Hunt Forest Group from January 1, 2019. R Hunt has been a John Deere agricultural equipment dealer since 1971 and currently runs four outlets covering Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight. New Forest Farm Machinery trades from two outlets in Hampshire and Somerset and has been a John Deere agricultural dealer since 1979, and a professional turf dealer since 1986.

 

“This new area of responsibility sees our business expand its professional turf coverage and capability into Winchester and East Hampshire by adding the John Deere turf franchise to our existing Chilbolton facility,” says Hunt Forest Group managing director Tim Hunt. “We will be providing full sales, service and parts support for all John Deere professional turf products from Chilbolton, alongside our other outlets at Blashford, Sparkford, Tilshead and Isle of Wight, from November 2018.

 

“Following the recent news regarding the creation of Hunt Forest Group, we are able to quickly leverage the experience and staff within our new organisation. We are pleased to say we have immediate coverage for the new professional turf area of responsibility in Hampshire, with knowledgeable staff who will already be very familiar to many customers. We are very excited about the opportunity this brings and look forward to our customers and Hunt Forest Group growing together.”

LORD'S RELEASE VIDEO TRIBUTE TO MICK HUNT
Upon his retirement after 49 years of service
 
Mick Hunt

MCC is also accepting donations to a special fund, the proceeds of which will be presented to Mick upon his retirement.

 


The MCC has released a video in tribute to head groundsman Mick Hunt, who retires at the end of the year after 49 years tending the hallowed turf at Lord’s.

 

You can watch the five and a half minute film below.

 

MCC Head Groundsman Mick Hunt - My life at Lord's | MCC/Lord's

 

The MCC has also announced that as Mick's work has benefitted every spectator coming to Lord’s for nearly half a century and in recognition of this exceptional service to the game, they are accepting donations to a special fund, the proceeds of which will be presented to Mick upon his retirement.

 

The MCC say anyone who would like to contribute can send a cheque made payable to “MCC – M Hunt Testimonial Fund”, together with a note giving your name and email or postal address (in order that your donation can be acknowledged) to: Testimonial Fund, MCC, Lord’s Ground, London NW8 8QN.

JOHN DEERE APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
48 young service technicians graduate
 
Allan Cochran presents the John Deere Ag Tech Apprentice of the Year award to Ewan Edwards of dealer RBM Agricultural Ltd

Four of the company’s apprentices won overall awards for the 2017 graduation year.

 


A total of 48 young service technicians have formally graduated from the latest John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ.

 

John Deere hosted its annual apprentice graduation ceremony earlier this year in Germany, with the apprentices visiting the company’s cab factory and European Parts Distribution Centre in Bruchsal before being presented with their awards at the John Deere Forum in Mannheim.

 

Allan Cochran presents their awards to (clockwise from top left) John Deere Ag Tech Apprentice of the Year Ewan Edwards of dealer RBM Agricultural Ltd; Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year Sean Murphy of Charlies Groundcare; joint Parts Tech Apprentices of the Year Max Evans of Tallis Amos Group and Jack Norman of Masons Kings.

 

Four of the company’s apprentices won overall awards for the 2017 graduation year. Ewan Edwards of dealer RBM Agricultural Ltd, Louth was named Ag Tech Apprentice of the Year, for which he received a crystal plaque, a certificate and vouchers for workshop tools worth £250.

 

Sean Murphy of Charlies Groundcare in Newtown was awarded Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year and joint Parts Tech Apprentices of the Year were Max Evans of Tallis Amos Group in Bristol and Jack Norman of Masons Kings in Exebridge. All three also received a crystal plaque and certificate, and the same value vouchers.

 

The presentations were made by Deere & Company’s Region 2 training delivery manager Dr Lutz Schueppenhauer and John Deere Limited’s newly appointed branch training manager Allan Cochran.

 

John Deere’s three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering and Vehicle Parts Competence, and registration at LTA Intermediate level in the industry’s Landbased Training Accreditation scheme. In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA Master Technician accreditation.

Now in its 26th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, well over 700 apprentices have graduated through the three main schemes and are now working in the company’s nationwide dealer network.

 

Allan Cochran took over the role of John Deere Limited branch training manager for the UK & Ireland from his predecessor Richard Halsall at the beginning of March, and works closely with training partner ProVQ on the John Deere apprenticeship programmes.

 

Allan joined the company in 1997 as a management trainee after completing an HND in mechanisation, planning and business management at SAC Auchincruive. His subsequent responsibilities have included sales demonstrator instructor for tractors, service training instructor, area manager product support for Scotland and then Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and product specialist for tractors and loaders.

 

In 2005 Allan was promoted to technical services manager and then senior product support specialist, and from 2009 he was technical support specialist for the tractor dealer technical assistance centre (DTAC) system and a harvesting customer support specialist.

 

John Deere’s 2017 Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech graduate apprentices at the John Deere Forum in Mannheim, Germany (in alphabetical order by sponsoring dealer):

 

Ag Tech
Luke Bryant, Ben Burgess, Beeston; Samuel Coote & Callum Luker, Ben Burgess, Newmarket; Reece Crowe, Dean Revell, Mark Southgate & Benjamin Swallow, Ben Burgess, Norwich; Ben Anderson, Burden Bros Agri, Framfield; Josh Green, Doubleday Group, Kings Lynn; Ronnie Gardner, Farol, Byfield; Marcus Lewis & Jack Meeks, Farol, Hinckley; Ross Leathley, HRN Tractors, Balbeggie; Steven Scott, HRN Tractors, Insch; Liam Butt, Masons Kings, Chudleigh; Anton Pettitt, P Tuckwell, Ardleigh; Robert Wallbank, P Tuckwell, Cromer; Jack Waterfield, P Tuckwell, Great Dunmow; Oliver Bradshaw & Daniel Stearn, P Tuckwell, Worlingworth; Samuel McGee & Daniel Watson, RBM Agricultural, Brigg; Ewan Edwards, RBM Agricultural, Louth; William Harper, RBM Agricultural, Malton; William Hill, RBM Agricultural, Retford; Daniel Evans, Rea Valley Tractors, Welshpool; Robert Newsam, Ripon Farm Services, Ottringham; Ben Ellis & Curtis Radford, Sharmans Agricultural, Grantham; Reece Stanbury, Smallridge Bros, Barnstaple; Matthew Morley, Tallis Amos Group, Evesham; Struan Stevenson, Thomas Sherriff, Coldstream; Callum Banks, Thomas Sherriff, Jedburgh.

 

Parts Tech
Leslie Cletheroe, Ben Burgess, Aylsham; Jack Watkin, Charlies Groundcare, Newtown; Callum Reilly, Macgregor Industrial Supplies, Inverness; Jack Norman, Masons Kings, Exebridge; Campbell Moir, Netherton Tractors, Forfar; Kieran Simpson, Netherton Tractors, Glenrothes; Dustin Edwards, Sharmans Agricultural, Stamford; Matthew Smith, Tallis Amos Group, Bibury; Max Evans, Tallis Amos Group, Bristol; Tyler Moorhouse, Tallis Amos Group, Narberth.

 

Turf Tech
Sean Murphy, Charlies Groundcare, Newtown; Ryan Parsonson, P Tuckwell, Ardleigh; Thomas Breeds, P Tuckwell, Cromer; Polat Sadrazam, Tallis Amos Group, Evesham; Robbie Weir, Thomas Sherriff, Haddington.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL EVENT HOSTED AT AELTC
By Limagrain UK
 
Limagrain UK recently hosted an independent school event at AELTC

Independent school groundsmen were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most famous sporting venues in the world.

 


Limagrain UK recently hosted an event at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, in which a number of independent school groundsmen were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most famous sporting venues in the world.


The access-all-areas tour was conducted by Neil Stubley (head of courts & horticulture) and Grant Cantin (head groundsman), in which the attendees were taken to the exclusive players-only area, the media centre and the legendary centre court. Delegates also got to see first-hand some of the exciting developments which are currently underway.

 


The club is now in its final year of the Court 1 retractable roof project and is set to be completed in time for 2019 Championships. Other works include a new office building for staff, a complete refurbishment of the player dressing rooms and a brand new members’ brasserie.


Commenting on the developments, Grant said, “This is the norm here to be honest because we are always trying to be better and provide a better venue - not just for the players but for the public and everyone who comes here.”


The tour offered an insight into the meticulous planning that is required to successfully host the greatest tennis championships in the world. Grant revealed that while they face many sleepless nights during the Championships, there is still no let off when the games come to a close.


“In terms of grounds staff, there are eighteen of us here full-time and that includes two full-time mechanics and two irrigation engineers. Every year from March until October we bring in another twelve or thirteen people just to get the numbers for the busy times. The Championships are obviously busy but after that it is actually our busiest time with the renovations. Every grass court is renovated and most of them are stripped off back to soil and then re-grown. All this work needs to be completed before the weather starts turning in October or November, so it is a very busy time for us.”


For the renovations, the grounds staff choose to use Limagrain grass seed for the grass courts - as Grant explains, “We have been using Limagrain seed for quite a long time now and we are very happy with the product. The mixture is very similar to MM50 with two of the three cultivars being the same. The STRI actually do all of the research for us and they, along with Limagrain, recommend which cultivars to use.


“Every year we are confident that the seed is the very best it can be and the results are great,” he said.


After a complimentary lunch, and as the event came to a close, attendees were left reflecting on the revealing tour and James Pope, grounds manager at St Paul’s School, was certainly pleased to be a part of it.


“This place is just unbelievable and I didn’t realise how much of a big scale they are working on every day. The standards that they work to when the courts are closed is incredible; everything is just immaculate all the way through to the pathways, gardens, courts and renovations. Then there is the preparation that goes into the tournaments - I’ve never seen anything like it.


“For me personally, I don’t get to see my fellow colleagues too often so to come to a place like this, which is very different, and to see and talk about something that we haven’t all seen together is huge. We were able to bounce ideas of one another and I was able to exchange ideas with other groundsmen that I look up to and speak to those who have more experience than me. To talk about the products and techniques used here, and to network with other school groundsmen, has been invaluable.”

ARIENSCO ANNOUNCE NEW LOOK
For corporate branding
 
AriensCo

Ariens Company, now referred to as AriensCo, has launched refreshed corporate branding.

 


Ariens Company, now referred to as AriensCo, has launched refreshed corporate branding.

 

 

In a statement the company said the new identity "celebrates its portfolio of global brands, building upon and protecting the company’s reputation, while separating its corporate efforts from its product brands." They go on to say of the logo that it personifies their "premium global presence while establishing the corporate enterprise with an identity of its own."


The re-branding also helps to differentiate between the corporate brand and product brands, specifically the Ariens® brand. Sometimes confused due to their shared name, colour palette and iconography, the new identity will prevent future confusion by establishing a "neutral, versatile and high-end feel with the company’s core values as the focus". The updated styling also uses textural images of distressed copper, concrete and steel that symbolise the company’s manufacturing heritage.


In operation since 1933, AriensCo began in rural Wisconsin when Henry Ariens and his three sons developed the first American-made rotary tiller. In 1960, the company manufactured its first snow blower, the Ariens Sno-Thro®.


Since then, AriensCo has ceated a portfolio of brands including Ariens®, Gravely®, Countax® and Westwood®. AriensCo has its UK and EMEAA headquarters based in Oxfordshire.

OPEN 2020 PREP BEGINS
At Royal St George's
 
Royal St George’s chairman of greens Chris Healey (left) shakes hands with Reesink’s Robert Jackson

With The Open Championship returning in 2020, the golf club has chosen Toro irrigation to ensure the course is looking its best when the world’s top golfers arrive.

 


With The Open Championship returning to Royal St George’s Golf Club in 2020, the south coast club has chosen Toro irrigation to ensure the famous old course is looking its best when the world’s top golfers arrive in under two years’ time.

 

The simple rationale which pushed course manager, Paul Larson, into lobbying for a Toro irrigation system, when the club made the decision to replace the existing 20-year-old one, was accuracy he says: “I want to irrigate in millimetres and not in minutes.”

 

Royal St George’s chairman of greens Chris Healey (left) shakes hands with Reesink’s Robert Jackson. They are accompanied by, from left, head greenkeeper Graham Royden, Ocmis’ Peter Dawson, club secretary Tim Checketts, Robin Hulme Associates’ Adrian Mortram and course manager Paul Larsen

 

Now in place and guaranteeing the kind of accuracy Paul was after is Toro’s Lynx GDC system from Reesink Turfcare, an official Toro UK distributor. He says: “In fairness, the alternative system we looked at did offer the type of accuracy I was looking for, but while I could achieve three millimetres of water on a specific part of the course with one click of a button on the Toro system, the other system required some calculations and seemingly two or three clicks.”

 

Complete with pump and weather station integration and installed with a course map and Toro’s round-the-clock support in their handheld and NSN apps, the club’s adoption of the system might not have been the case had Paul not given Rob Jackson, irrigation field sales manager at Reesink, the chance of a trial on a small patch of the golf course.

 

“I told Rob that I’d more than likely stay with the original system provider but that I was happy to learn of anything new as I like to be open-minded. And I'm glad I did. What I found was that Toro was easier, better and more suited to our course. I’ve had full confidence in the company and the system ever since. Everything has been first class,” revealed Paul.

 

“We have Infinity sprinklers on the greens, surrounds, approaches and fairways, which give us 360 degree spread, and we can control every head on every sprinkler individually. This morning I have had someone out taking moisture levels everywhere on the course and, for example, if we find a reading of 24 percent at the back of a green and a reading of 18 percent at the front we can set the sprinklers to level it out. My goal is round 20 percent,” said Paul who added that the tees have the FLEX B series, with main nozzle multi-trajectory adaptors. “Everything is just so easy to adjust; we are currently tweaking everything so that it will do exactly what we want.”

 

Paul continues: “The user friendliness means that I am able to sit with my tablet and control the system remotely, safe in the knowledge that we are irrigating the areas that require it and not wasting water by irrigating the rough or tee banks which was happening with the previous system.”

 

Installation expert, Ocmis, was able to use most of the original pipework, just replacing all the joints and heads, with only a small amount of new pipework so disruption was minimised.

 

“The work was carried out over the winter and finished by early spring and by closing a hole at a time there wasn’t much disruption to the golf,” said Paul, who is looking forward to preparing the course for what is always a spectacular Open at Royal St George’s.

STIHL CHAINSAW PROMOTION RETURNS
Running until 14th December
 
STIHL accessories

The STIHL chainsaw promotion is back where users can receive STIHL accessories worth up to £87 when purchasing selected cordless and petrol chainsaws.

 


The STIHL chainsaw promotion is back where users can receive STIHL accessories worth up to £87 when purchasing selected cordless and petrol chainsaws.

 

 

With the promotion running until 14th December 2018, any customer purchasing either a cordless MSA 160 C-BQ or MSA 200 C-BQ chainsaw, as well as a petrol powered MS 180 or MS 181, before this date will receive a pair of clear contrast goggles, a filing kit and ADVANCE MS Ergo gloves free of charge.

 

For users looking for a bigger saw, purchasing the petrol powered MS 211, MS 231 or the MS 251 saws will gift customers with ADVANCE MS Ergo gloves, a filing kit, a forestry axe and a pair of clear contrast goggles.

 

All of the chainsaw models within the promotion are designed for domestic use.

JOBS
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Amazing success rates!
 
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Contact Michelle Elford for details - 01491 837117


Sponsored Product Announcements
SALTEX 2018
Pre-reg up & outdoor demos a sell out
 
The outdoor demonstrations feature at SALTEX 2018 has completely sold out

Event organisers have reported a significant increase in pre-show visitor registration ahead of SALTEX 2018, which takes place at The NEC, Birmingham on 31 October - 01 November.

 


Event organisers have reported a significant increase in pre-show visitor registration ahead of SALTEX 2018, which takes place at The NEC, Birmingham on 31 October – 01 November.


It certainly is encouraging times for the show which will be celebrating its 73rd anniversary. Since moving to the NEC, the show has grown steadily in terms of exhibitors, floor space and visitor numbers and current figures for this year appear to hint towards SALTEX 2018 continuing the trend.

 


Visitor pre-registration for 2018 is at an all-time high with current figures 11% up on last year which reflects not only the quality of the show but also how accessible the NEC is. In the post-show survey, SALTEX 2017 attendees said that the venue, and convenient dates were key reasons behind their decisions to attend the FREE event. Located in the centre of the UK, whether you are travelling from overseas or within the UK, the NEC is easy to get to by car, rail or air.


Visitors from 41 different countries have already registered for SALTEX 2018. The majority will be travelling to the NEC from various parts in Europe but according to pre-registration data there will also be a large proportion of visitors attending SALTEX from as far as the likes of Australia, the USA, Japan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia – to name but a few.


Visitors will no doubt be looking forward to an impressive line-up of world-class innovation from over 300 exhibitors on the show floor. In addition to the wide range of innovative products on display within the indoor environment, visitors to SALTEX will have the chance to see many of these in action through the outdoor demonstrations which will be taking place on a grass area directly outside the SALTEX halls 6,7 and 8.


In fact, the outdoor demonstrations feature at SALTEX 2018 has completely sold out with a high number of exhibitors choosing to take outdoor plots.


This year, visitors can expect to see the latest line marking technology as demonstrated by Rigby Taylor, Intelligent Marking and Fleet Line Markers; Groundwater Dynamics will be showcasing equipment which helps deal with flooding and standing water issues; Skarper will be featuring their fabulous array of wood chippers and idverde will be constructing a mini football pitch consisting of Mixto reinforced natural hybrid turf.


SALTEX 2018 is free to attend. To register your attendance and beat the queues visit www.iogsaltex.com


Follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX

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