Anyone who is both a supporter of non-league football and an advocate of natural turf will have been put into a real quandary over the situation that Sutton Utd are facing - which was highlighted by their manager Paul Doswell last week.

Sutton are flying high in fifth in the National League and having won away at fellow promotion chasers Dover on Saturday, are in with a very real chance of going up to League Two at the end of the season.

However Sutton play on a 3G pitch and EFL rules clearly state that artificial pitches are not permissible in their league. Furthermore, the National League has a new rule in place which imposes a double relegation on any club playing on 3G which finds itself in a promotion position at the end of the season but refuses to replace its 3G pitch with a natural grass pitch.

This means that should Sutton want to avoid this penalty they need to agree to rip up their current surface, which they say has proved a valuable community resource and a successful revenue model.

In a series of impassioned Tweets posted last Sunday, manager Paul Doswell said, “Really struggling at moment to make sense of Sutton’s situation.

“Have always loved non league football and very proud that we are playing at the highest level through sheer hard work and prudence, never spending more than we have and building a community club which welcomes all.

“If we gain promotion, it will cost half a million pounds to replace the pitch and deny hundreds of children the chance to play football. Every chance as well that we would suffer huge financial pressures as all the basic award £472,000 would go on replacing the pitch.

“For those championing grass as a surface, we played on a cowfield yesterday and didn’t play the week before either. National League and League 2 pitches were shocking in the main this weekend.

"It’s a sad day when I know in my heart of hearts that I could be putting this great club at risk by winning promotion."

Paul went on to accuse the authorities of an "archaic approach" and damaging both Non League and League Two for years. "I guarantee they will look fools in years to come," he Tweeted. "American footballers worth £150 million each play on field turf the same company as Sutton use."

He concluded by saying, "It’s a disgrace that we could be relegated twice for deciding it’s not right putting our club at the risk of financial ruin as we’ve seen with NL these last few weeks.

"Ambitious yes, putting our club at risk NO. This has taken a lot of soul searching, it’s only my personal view and one that I’ve been worrying about for months. Instead of enjoying this season it would break my heart to rip up the pitch."

However much one advocates the use of natural turf as a preferred surface, it's hard not feel that Sutton and other non-leagues clubs like them, are being put into an impossible position with these rules.

Non-league clubs need to maximise their revenue streams as much as humanly possible. Which means getting all scheduled fixtures played and making the most out of their facilities by opening up their ground to community use.

The EFL are due to meet in the summer to vote on the issue of 3G pitches once again. It may feel against the grain for some, but perhaps for the good of non-league clubs like Sutton, long-held views that natural turf is the one and only way, might need to be rethought?

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, now in its 29th year, is known and respected in the greenkeeping industry for finding the most promising talent in the country, thanks to the support of the profession’s college lecturers.

John Millen, sportsturf tutor at Plumpton College, has praised the award as someone who has witnessed firsthand the benefits of a student being nominated and winning.

John Millen, sportsturf tutor at Plumpton College, left, accepts the award from David Cole, managing director of Reesink Turfcare

“I have nominated a student most years I have been a lecturer and that’s more years than I care to remember," John said. "There are plenty of good reasons for this. To start with the award generates career interest and that’s something I wholeheartedly support. I think more needs to be done to push greenkeeping as a viable career option and this is one way to do that.

“It’s also a positive way to promote the college. It’s important for students coming into college to see the success and recognition of their course peers and be confident that their college is going to support them too, in any way it can. I believe being consistently attributed to such an award as a nominator will attract more people to the course and college.”

This year was the first year that the award had opened up nominations to employers, and having been a course manager himself for many years, this is a development John welcomed.

“I think of this industry as one big family; we all play a part in supporting the next generation, nurturing them and helping them achieve their goals. As such I don’t think it makes a difference who nominates the student, it’s just important that we all keep spotting the talent and not assuming someone else will.”

In fact, this year’s winner, Nick Machin, was nominated by his employer, the course manager at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, a decision supported by John as Nick’s lecturer at Plumpton College. David Cole, managing director of the award sponsor Reesink Turfcare, reiterates: “This year’s winner Nick didn’t just prevail through his own efforts, but through the support of his employer and educators. Nick has benefitted from the excellent support of his employer and we are pleased to recognise Plumpton’s important influence on his career to date. It’s a successful combination.”

Not only has John been a lecturer and a course manager, but he was also chairman of BIGGA in 1994. “Education and training are paramount in any industry, no matter whether you are fresh out of college or, like me, decades into your career,” he says.

With the paid-for prize of a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts for the winner and a trip to the Golf Industry Show in America for the student and nominator, there’s huge benefits at stake here, as John confirms.

“Having been to the show as a result of one of my nominations, I can vouch that it’s an incredible show; the learning experiences, whether you are a lecturer or employer, are fantastic and well worth the application form!”

TurfPro has learned that Dave Roberts has left his position as Managing Director of Kubota (U.K.) Limited to take the position of CEO Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV, located in Newcastle Upon Tyne - as of 1 April 2018.

Dave Roberts on the Kubota stand at SALTEX 2016

In what is described as a 'holding statement', a spokesperson for Kubota said, "On behalf of Kubota Corporation, we would like to thank David for his significant contribution to the business in both the UK and Europe over the years and we wish him well for the future.

“Mr. Kazunari Shimokawa, the President of Kubota Europe and Executive Vice President of the European Tractor Business Unit, has been appointed as the interim Managing Director of Kubota (U.K.) Limited with immediate effect.”

Dave Roberts said of his move, "I’m really excited to be joining Hitachi. My new role will not only allow me to expand on my own experience, but also build on the incredible success that the retiring John Jones and the experienced HCMUK team have enjoyed in the past."

Dave Roberts has had a long association with Kubota. Following 21 years of service, he left the company in 2010 to join dealers Farol Ltd as Operations Director. He spent two years at Farol before returning to Kubota in 2012 as Sales and Marketing General Manager, to head up their three product sectors - Construction, Engines and Tractor & Groundcare.

In May 2013 he was appointed Managing Director, the first UK national to hold that position, responsible for heading up all UK operations.

TurfPro would like to wish Dave all the very best with his future endeavours. .

The Amenity Forum is once again running a series of free Updating Events at venues across the UK and has announced the dates and locations.

This Forum says the series of free events seek to address topical issues of interest and relevance to all involved in the amenity sector and will comprise short presentations by speakers drawn from the Chemicals Regulation Division of HSE, BASIS Registration, the National Sprayer Testing Service, STRI, the various host organisations and from the Amenity Forum itself.

They are timed to occupy half a day, normally mornings, and on dates between February and April 2018.

The series has been given the title of ‘Meeting The Challenge’ and there will be adequate time for questions and discussion. Whilst the events are free, delegates are required to register in advance.

For those who require further information, the Forum asks that interested parties email admin@amenityforum.net. 

Locations and dates confirmed are:

• Belfast 8th February
• Peterborough 15th February
• Wales 20th February
• Stoneleigh 6th March
• Pontefract 1st March
• London 14th March
• Reading 21st March
• Essex 22nd March
• Edinburgh 10th April
• Darlington 11th April
• Devon 19th April

This year there will also be three events within the programme especially designed for grounds staff and greenkeepers and hosted by Forum members, IOG and BIGGA.

Dates and venues are yet to be confirmed but will take place at locations in the North, Midlands and South. If you wish to register interest for these again contact admin@amenityforum.net

Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum, said ‘’We offer these events as a convenient way for those involved in, or with an interest in, amenity to keep updated on current issues. The locations are spread across the UK and we are especially grateful to member organisations for providing venues and our speakers and supporters which make it all possible.’’

The Forum has also announced the date for its annual conference and exhibition. In 2018 it will be held once again at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, on Tuesday, October 11th. The conference will be entitled ‘Change, Challenge And Opportunity’.

The Toro Company has announced a 'strategic minority equity investment' in GreenSight Agronomics, a Boston, Massachusetts based provider of analysis drones for turfgrass and agricultural markets.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“As the golf industry expands its efforts to improve play and more efficiently use water, the application and advancement of technology will play a vital role,” said Philip Burkart, vice president of The Toro Company’s Irrigation and Lighting Businesses. “We are intrigued and see great potential to align with GreenSight Agronomics to apply their technologies and analytics with our water management expertise to further provide our customers with the best solutions."

GreenSight Agronomics' patent-pending system combines automated drones and sensors, providing thermal mapping and detection analytics to help golf course professionals improve turf health. The technology enables customers to identify issues before they become visible, and achieve better outcomes with less water, fertiliser and pesticide use.

"GreenSight is redefining precision agriculture by packaging automated drones, custom sensors and machine learning into a turn-key service. We are excited to partner with The Toro Company to deliver customers the ultimate in irrigation management technology for golf courses and beyond,” added James Peverill, CEO of GreenSight Agronomics.

The shortlist for Allett’s Pitch To Play competition has been announced.

Three teams have fought off stiff competition from many other clubs all vying to win a brand new Allett lawnmower and expert advice from the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) to help them maintain their pitch and improve their club’s prospects for the future.

Hambledon FC

The three clubs are Hambledon FC in Surrey, Young Elites FC in Sheffield and St Day Youth and Sports Association in Cornwall.

Teams entered across a variety of sports including cricket, football, hockey rugby, bowls, croquet, tennis, lacrosse, rounders, golf and even, the lesser known, stoolball! Allett was overwhelmed by the amount of entries it received in the competition and the number of amateur groundsmen who are working away with incredibly limited resources.

Leigh Bowers, sales director at Allett, said, “We were shocked to see some of the pitches that some teams are having to work with; it really reiterated to us just what a great job amateur groundsteams and volunteers do. It was a tough decision, but these three teams really stood out to us.”

Pitch to Play was launched by Allett in co-operation with the IOG to find the amateur pitch that is most in need of a makeover and will award the chosen club with some top of the range groundskeeping equipment as used at higher level Stadiums.

The winning team will receive £3,000 to be used on the purchase of a new Allett lawnmower to help maintain the pitch to a more professional higher level. The runner up will win £500 towards the club kitty and third place will win £250. All prize winners will also receive a tailor-made maintenance programme from the IOG to help maintain the pitch for the future, along with a new kit and pitch side sponsorship.

The winner and final results will be announced later in the year.

This summer Syngenta will be working with Le Golf National, hosts of the Ryder Cup 2018, to sponsor the huge International volunteer greenkeeping team working at the course in September - and share their experiences and insights with greenkeepers worldwide.

Course Manager, Alejandro Reyes, highlighted the golf course maintenance operation for Ryder Cup week will involve around 180 people. “Approximately 140 of these team members will be volunteers. They will be coming from all around Europe, USA and even from the Middle East,” he said.

Alejandro Reyes

“The volunteers and Le Golf National staff members will work hand-in-hand in order to provide a golf course of the best possible quality.

“Le Golf National is the proud host of this prestigious event and we look forward to presenting the golf course at its highest standard to 24 of the world’s greatest players,” added Alejandro.

As part of the Le Golf National sponsorship, Syngenta will be supporting five UK greenkeepers working with the Club’s team, and bringing you regular live news of their exploits, through social media and Greencast TV channel.
 
Syngenta European Turf Manager, Rod Burke, highlighted the Club’s Albatros course is recognised as one of the top Championship courses in Europe. Its design has sought to combine a traditional feel of the links, along with modern golf course features.

Le Golf National

“Alejandro and the greenkeeping team has created an exceptional facility for the prestigious competitions it hosts throughout the year, as well as golfers who get to play the resort venue’s three courses 365-days a year.

“There’s a lot to learn from their experiences and approach to golf course management and tournament preparation; it will be incredibly exciting to be part of that and to view it all through greenkeepers’ eyes,” he added.

The Club anticipates that the Ryder Cup will have a television audience of over 500 million viewers worldwide, while roughly 65,000 supporters will be on-site each day of the event.

“This will truly be a once in a lifetime experience for all involved,” pointed out Alejandro Reyes. “As the golf course superintendent, I take great pride in being able to share this event with greenkeepers around the world.”

ICL and Syngenta have announced some developments and a wider selection of rewards for the Turf Rewards loyalty scheme in 2018.

Turf Rewards provides the opportunity for customers to earn points from purchases that can then be exchanged against a selection of agronomic or turf related items and learning opportunities.

Turf managers across the UK and Ireland have been benefiting from the scheme since its creation five years ago and it continues to grow significantly year on year.

2018 sees the addition of some new rewards added to the range of items already on offer. 

New rewards for 2018 include:

• Beepol Hive and Villa
• 3M Peltor WS Protac XP Headset
• iPad Pro 12.9” 64BG
• MacBook Air 13.3” 128GB
•  £150 Machine Mart voucher

An updated and improved Turf Rewards website is now live. The site has a similar feel to the previous version but has some new features such as product trackers and promotion trackers, designed to help end users maximise the number of Turf Rewards points that can be collected. Extra points for promotions will now be automatically be added to user’s points totals.

ICL and Syngenta have also announced that a new Turf Rewards App will be available to download shortly from both the App Store and Google Play.

The all new app will feature the same tracking bars as the website. To improve efficiency and speed up the claim process Turf Rewards users can now upload their invoices as proof of purchase (blanking out any information not relevant to the claim, including prices and other products not relevant to Turf Rewards). The app will make the verification process easy and the current points total will be available at a touch of a button.

Formby Golf Club is now the proud owner of a new Gambetti Pro 300 tractor-mounted sprayer after winning Rigby Taylor’s 2017 Autumn Fungicide Promotion.

From the right to left, David Weir, Paul Swift, Jim Croxton, Stuart Leech and two members of Formby Golf Club’s greens committee

In addition, and as part of the promotion, the Liverpool club’s course manager Paul Swift has won an expenses-paid trip to the GCSAA convention and trade show in San Antonio, Texas.

The formal presentation of the sprayer was made at the recent BTME exhibition where Formby Golf Club secretary/manager, Stuart Leech, along with Paul Swift and members of the club’s greens committee, were congratulated by BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton.

Also attending the presentation was Rigby Taylor representative David Weir, who recommended the fungicide programme (based on Bayer’s new Exteris Stressguard fungicide) to the club. David will also be travelling with Paul to the USA.

There were five runners up in the competition - Moor Hall GC, Hindhead GC, Ralston GC, Enfield GC and Leicester City FC - and each club will receive an Evolution knapsack sprayer and their course/grounds managers a Bayer Helly Hansen waterproof jacket.