SUPPORTING EDUCATION Always worthwhile and a safe bet by Service Dealer Ireland Editor, Alan Mahon
There are many benefits in supporting education, particularly in the sportsturf industry - and there are areas that dealers can get involved in too.
I was delighted to hear about Lorcan Finnegan being selected to join six other greenkeepers from the UK to volunteer for the tournament preparations at The Players Championship in Florida this March. Lorcan is a mechanic and a greenkeeper at Malahide Golf Club in Dublin. The trip he will be involved in is supported by John Deere’s Golf and Turf division. They have been doing this for many years and Irish greenkeepers have benefited from this experience. It is wonderful to know that machinery manufacturers are giving something back to the industry, especially in the area of education.
Another company giving similar support is Bernhard and Co., through their Bernhard Academy. With collaboration from The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), they bring a delegation of ten greenkeepers to the Golf Course Superintendents of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show each year for an unforgettable and knowledgeable experience. The Bernhard Academy are going one step further this year by offering ten GCSAA members the opportunity to attend BTME in 2025.
Over in the US The Toro Company also gives a grant each year to the GCSAA Foundation for its Rounds 4 Research (R4R) programme. Toro is a longtime partner of the GCSAA Foundation, donating more than $2.6 million since 1987 to help support scientific research, education and scholarships for future turfgrass professionals.
There are many benefits in supporting education, particularly in the sportsturf industry. For example, in the area of agricultural mechanic training courses, it may be beneficial to get involved in offering incentives such as sponsoring students or part subsidising the course, making it financially more attractive for students to participate in these courses. We all know too well how difficult it is to get qualified mechanics in our industry, especially in the sportsturf sector where more specialised skills are required. By creating an easy pathway for students to get qualified could reap dividends for us in the long term.
Another area of education that needs to be addressed is the safe use of farm machinery. I feel that this is something dealers could get more actively involved with at no great expense. It was only recently that a friend of mine was involved in a farm accident involving a tractor. He is an experienced tractor operator but a simple misjudgement caused him some injury. Thankfully he survived the experience but it could have ended a lot worse.
It shouldn’t be too difficult for dealers to organise a safety training evening where they could invite their customers to a venue, demonstrating to them, using real machines, how to operate equipment safely. Perhaps several dealers, in close proximity to each other, could pool together and organise such an event. We are well aware of the dangers that exist on farms and sportspitches. Far too many deaths occur on farms each year, most of which result from accidents using farm equipment. If one life could be saved by organising a farm safety event then it would be a worthwhile venture.
A family-run business based on the Claremorris Road in Balla, County Mayo, has joined the ever-expanding list of Ireland partners.
Keane’s Farm Machinery, a family-run business based on the Claremorris Road in Balla, County Mayo, has joined the ever-expanding list of Argo Tractors Ireland partners through its new McCormick dealership.
Kevin Phelan, country manager for Argo Tractors Ireland. Photo: Dylan Vaughan
Keane’s Farm Machinery, which has been operating for over 40 years, has a back-up team of fully-trained, experienced mechanics and a well-stocked store of spare parts. The dealership says they are delighted to be showcasing the McCormick range to new and prospective customers alike in mid-Mayo and beyond.
“We are now stocking the McCormick X5.120 range, the winner of Best Utility Tractor of the Year for 2024,” said Gerard Keane of Keane’s Farm Machinery, who will be adding various other models as the demand arises.
Welcoming the latest addition to his company’s team of Irish dealers, Kevin Phelan, country manager for Argo Tractors Ireland said, “We’re delighted that Keane’s Farm Machinery has joined our expanding Irish network. Having first-hand knowledge about the day-to-day reality of managing and maintaining a farm has certainly helped Keane’s Farm Machinery to establish repeat business since opening its doors in 1978."
Manufacturer recently recognised and honoured the achievements of its dedicated dealers.
Avant Tecno recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in the UK with an event held at Carrow Road Stadium in Norwich, Norfolk.
Avant’s award winning dealers
The occasion also served as an opportunity to recognise and honour the achievements of its dedicated dealers through the Avant Dealer Awards. The company says the awards served as a fitting occasion to express gratitude to their network of dealers who have played a pivotal role in the brand's growth and success.
One standout winner of the evening was Ferrybridge Ltd., recognised as the Avant Dealer of the Year. The manufacturer said with nearly two decades of expertise in the plant and machinery industry, Ferrybridge has recently emerged as an authorised dealer for all Avant compact loader products in Ireland.
Andrew Shore from Ferrybridge expressed delight at winning the award. He said, “The beauty of the Avant brand is that it has given us a doorway into a lot of industries. You name the industry, and we have probably sold an Avant machine into it. Becoming an Avant dealer was a good opportunity for us to get another world-renowned strong brand.
"Winning the award was an extremely pleasant surprise - we have only been selling the machines for just over a year now. We've put a lot of work into it to really try and push the products, and it has been going really well. It is great to be recognised.”
Watch Service Dealer speak to Tony Macer and Jim Kirkwood of Kress UK, who tell us about their new end-of-life battery recycling scheme for their dealers.
Service Dealer spoke to Tony Macer, national sales manager, and Jim Kirkwood, director of product management at Kress UK at BTME '24, who told us about their new end-of-life battery recycling scheme for their dealers.
They also offered some insight on where the brand will be heading throughout 2024.
At the tournament in Florida, the seven-strong contingent will get the unique opportunity to work alongside greenkeepers from around the world.
Lorcan Finnegan, who is a greenkeeper and mechanic at Malahide Golf Club in Dublin will join six other greenkeepers from the UK travelling to TPC Sawgrass to volunteer at The Players Championship in March.
L-R: Chris Meacock (John Deere), Lorcan Finnegan, David Feeney, Ian Kirwan, Aidan Wright, Colin Hopper, Adam Brackley and Stuart Barber (John Deere)
The contingent was selected to be part of the programme organised annually by John Deere in partnership with BIGGA and the Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland (ATPI).
At the tournament in Florida they will get the unique opportunity to work alongside greenkeepers from around the world, gaining invaluable experience of elite championship agronomy as they prepare the course for the world’s best golfers.
The 2024 BIGGA volunteers are:
Aidan Wright (Camberley Heath Golf Club)
Adam Brackley (La Grand Mare Hotel)
Colin Hopper (Elsham Golf Club)
Ian Kirwan (Chorlton-cum-Hardy Golf Club)
David Feeney, (Prestwick Golf Club),
and Adam Champion (Bearspaw Golf Club, Canada).
The ATPI’s chosen representative is Lorcan Finnegan (Malahide Golf Club).
At the BTME event in Harrogate recently the volunteers from Britain and Ireland met each other for the first time and spoke with John Deere’s golf and turf experts about what to expect from trip.
Chris Meacock, John Deere’s division sales manager for Golf and Turf, said, “The TPC Sawgrass experience is just a few weeks away so the excitement is building among the group.
“Professional development of greenkeepers is fundamental to both the individual and to the golf courses they will work on during their careers. There can be fewer better ways to test their skills and learn from others than by being part of The Players championship.”
Volunteer David Feeny, who is the deputy course manager at Prestwick Golf Club, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity which I can’t wait to take part in.”
Lorcan Finnegan, said: “To have won a place on this programme feels like a dream. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done and learnt as a greenkeeper so far, but TPC Sawgrass is going to be on a different level.”
Applications for the 2025 John Deere TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programme will open shortly on the BIGGA website.
Organisers say the conference provides a timely platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The FTMTA (Farm Tractor & Machinery Traders Association) will be holding their conference at The Heritage Hotel, Kiienard, County Laois this Thursday the 8th of February. The conference starts at 9am. The theme of the conference will be Navigating the Evolving Agricultural Machinery Landscape: Embracing Change and Opportunity for Sustainable Success.
The organisers say the conference provides a timely platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and will serve as an informative forum for those within the industry planning for strategic growth. The day will be moderated by Irish journalist and broadcaster, Sean O’Rourke. There will be a formal, sit-down lunch with the chance to engage with industry leaders, exhibitors, and sponsors.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD will give an opening address, along with FTMTA President, Karol Duigenan.
Speakers include Ian Fairbairn, director, VFM Associates Ltd; Jeff Sheridan, managing director Matrix Internet; Paul McNeive (keynote speaker), chartered surveyor and motivational speaker.
Topics for discussion include: Unlocking Financial Excellence; Mastering the Art of Sales Behavior; Marketing Your Business.
A panel discussion on Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities will take place in the afternoon.
Vehicle was equipped with two high-pressure hydrogen tanks (25L each) positioned under the driver's seat and on the back of the rear seat.
Yamaha Motor Europe N.V., Branch UK has announced that the Yamaha Golf Car Company (YGC) has developed a hydrogen-powered engine golf car concept model, the Drive H2.
The concept model, described by the manufacturer as a world first, was exhibited at the PGA Show in Florida recently.
The concept model is based on Yamaha’s Drive2 Concierge 4 four-seater golf car, which is sold predominantly in the United States, but also around the world. It is equipped with two high-pressure hydrogen tanks (25L each) positioned under the driver's seat and on the back of the rear seat.
Hydrogen engines are internal combustion engines that can make use of existing technologies and at the same time do not emit CO2 during the combustion process. For this reason, Yamaha say they are also conducting research and development of this technology as it has the potential to achieve both the continued use of internal combustion engines and decarbonisation.
The Drive H2 joins other Yamaha concept models evolving with hydrogen technology, including generators, ROVs and motorcycles and marine outboard engines.
Commenting on the new concept model Matt Taylerson, Divisional Manager, Marketing, said, “Back in February 2022, Yamaha Motor president, Yoshihiro Hidaka, announced that we are working toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We have ‘Motor’ in our company name and have a strong passion for, and level of commitment to, the internal combustion engine. This is the manifestation of Yamaha’s commitment to continue to develop clean internal combustion engines utilising our existing engine technology and it also dovetails with our commitment to decarbonisation and sustainability.”
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