SNOW PROBLEM Closures & postponements by TurfPro Editor, Steve Gibbs
The snow days last week brought difficulties to turf professionals across the country - but highlighted once again the value of our parks.
It's been a very trying past week for turf professionals across the UK.
The snow brought chaos and cancelled fixtures to the sporting calendar. Groundstaff were doing their utmost to get surfaces cleared and safe to play on - sometimes helped by volunteers, sometimes helped by players!
I know amused onlookers from countries much more used to regular, heavy snowfall than we are, scoff at the disruption the white stuff causes us - but the fact remains, the conditions last week were highly unusual and therefore were always going to cause some difficulties.
A few days of golf courses closed and football matches postponed, seems perfectly natural for a country with a temperate climate such as ours. When it comes down as much as it did last week, grassed areas are always going to suffer.
Although actually, you could argue that one particular type of grassed area has a unique lease of life when the snow falls - our parks and open spaces.
These areas looked beautiful last week. And many would have been just as busy, being enjoyed by families taking advantage of snow days, as when their surfaces are being used by people having picnics or playing games. It's just the games being played last week included sledges and snowballs.
We've talked on here many times before about the value of our parks and green spaces. How they enrich the lives of communities, contributing to both physical and mental health - and how therefore their funding should not be left to stagnate. The snow days last week were just more evidence of that value.
If further, less anecdotal, evidence is required of the value of parks, a report was released last week by The Land Trust which highlights the direct economic benefits as a result of the creation of a park.
The report entitled 'The Economic Value Of Our Green Spaces' shows how parkland lifts nearby house prices, creates jobs and generates revenue for local businesses.
From studying evidence from the creation in 2013-14 of Port Sunlight River Park in Wirral, Merseyside, and from making comparisons with comparable nearby areas, the study identified a range of benefits around the park’s creation, including:
Adding £7.8 million to houses within a 500 metre radius of the park - an average of £8,674 per property.
Generating £48,000 annual revenue for the small businesses that operate in the park, such as dog walkers and ice cream vendors.
Adding £38,000 revenue to other local businesses, where people have spent money while visiting the park.
What's great about this study is that it puts a monetary value on the benefits which parks bring to local areas - hopefully grabbing the attention of those in charge of budgets.
It goes further as well though and addresses what it describes as the barriers which need to be overcome for their vision of the future of parks across the country.
The Land Trust’s report concludes that:
Developers need to start quantifying the impacts of green spaces on their housing development revenues - and factor-in from the outset the long-term costs of maintaining green space in order to maximise its value.
Local authority planners need to make sure local planning decisions take into account funding for long-term maintenance of green space associated with developments - and ensure that new developments contribute to existing green spaces.
Government must drive a culture change through planning policy guidance - to guarantee the necessary investment for maintaining green spaces in and around developments.
Euan Hall, chief executive of the Land Trust, said, "We need developers, local authority planners and central government planning guidance to come together and change how we think about green spaces - not just as places which support the government’s objectives around health and wellbeing, but also as assets that boost local economies."
If you want to find out more about the research and download the report you can do so by clicking here. As ever, anything which makes a sound case for the increase in professionally maintained, grassed areas, should be shown the support it deserves.
BIGGA members who gain a place on the team are given unprecedented access to the event, with a greenkeeper on hand to assist every single match.
The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has unveiled the line-up for the volunteer support team that will be heading to Carnoustie Golf Links this July as the Scottish venue hosts The Open for the eighth time.
The BIGGA Open Support Team 2017 at Royal Birkdale
BIGGA members who gain a place on the team are given unprecedented access to the event, with a greenkeeper on hand to assist every single match that will take place throughout the championship.
Each year the R&A requests BIGGA’s assistance with hosting the championship. Every BIGGA member is eligible to apply to take part and Kimberley Yeldham, deputy head greenkeeper at Royal West Norfolk, is joining the Support Team for the first time.
She said, “I applied to be a part of the team because last year I was given the opportunity to volunteer at the RICOH British Ladies Open, which made me see a different side of greenkeeping and I fell in love with it. I’m really excited to have gotten a place on the team as I hope to be able to promote female greenkeepers and to encourage more to join the industry.
“I also hope to be able to meet new people and take the things I learn back to my own course.”
Peter Allam rakes a bunker as Jordan Spieth prepares to putt on the 18th hole of the final round of The Open 2017
The 147th Open Championship will be the eighth hosted at Carnoustie. BIGGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said, “Carnoustie has played host to some incredible moments in Open Championship history. Who can forget Padraig Harrington’s play-off victory in 2007, or Paul Lawrie’s dramatic victory over Jean Van de Velde in 1999? I’m delighted that once again The R&A has requested the assistance of BIGGA, allowing us the opportunity to offer some of our most hard-working members with such an incredible opportunity to get inside the ropes.
“It’s a long week, and our team works extremely hard, but the rewards are incredible. Playing a small part in the success of the world’s greatest golf event is hugely satisfying.”
The BIGGA Support Team will be provided with accommodation, food, refreshments and uniform for the event.
The 147th Open Championship takes place from 19-22 July 2018.
Here are the BIGGA members who will be assisting the home greenkeeping team for the duration of the event:
Former Buxton groundsman was mowing a grass bank when he slipped on a tree stump, hit his head and passed out.
A former Buxton groundsman who suffered a serious head injury and lost part of his big toe in an accident at work has secured £80,000 in compensation.
The individual who has chosen not to disclose their identity, is 47 years old and was mowing a grass bank in Buxton when he slipped on a tree stump, hit his head and passed out. The mower continued running, cutting through his boot and left big toe.
According to a report from his solicitors, his big toe was partially amputated and he later needed treatment for an infection. He was also diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, causing him headaches, memory loss and leaving him with a risk of developing epilepsy in later life.
He spent nine days in hospital and needed three months off work, before returning on lighter duties, such as painting and decorating. Soon after, his contract ended and he has had to take lower paid work as his injury limits his ability to work and drive.
“My injury has changed everything,” said the individual in a statement. “Now that I can’t drive manual vehicles, my job prospects are limited. I’m taking part-time work here and there, but it’s nowhere near as stable as before my accident.
“It’s not just affected my work but my personal life, too. I’ve lost confidence and even getting around the house is a lot more difficult. I’m only 47 but I feel like this injury has slowed me down so much.”
The individual was aided by accident at work specialists Thompsons Solicitors and, with their help, he pursued a compensation claim against his employer, High Peak Borough Council, and successfully secured £80,000.
Angela Staples, of Thompsons Solicitors, said their client, "was injured because of his employer’s failure to risk assess the job. The grass verge was unsafe as there was a tree stump hidden in the ground. With some basic pre-planning, he wouldn’t have had to put himself at serious risk of injury.
“The accident has caused significant physical and psychological harm to our client and left him unable to do jobs he could do before.”
Steven Taylor mucked in with the Peterborough groundstaff last Tuesday (Feb 27) when the ref stopped the game due to heavy snow with 10mins to play.
There have been challenging conditions for professional sports pitches across the country this past week with the nationwide snowy conditions.
A game which managed to get underway last Tuesday evening February 27th, was Peterborough vs Walsall in League One.
However, Peterborough were 2-1 up having failed to win a game in their previous seven, when referee Lee Swabey called a halt to proceedings with around 10 minutes left to play.
As heavy snow fell at the ABAX Stadium, the referee told players that the match could only continue if the lines were visible.
Not wanting to forfeit 3 valuable points, 32-year-old defender Steven Taylor and forward Morias picked up some shovels and helped clear the lines of snow, alongside the Peterborough groundstaff.
Their hard work paid off as the match reached its conclusion ensuring Peterborough gained a valuable win.
Caretaker manager David Oldfield told reporters post-match, "When the referee stopped play, he told us that we had five minutes to clear the lines of snow.
"Everybody leapt into action from office staff to stewards, and from ground staff to players. It showed the togetherness this football club has."
Competition has sought for 30 years to recognise and acknowledge the brightest talents in the future of the industry.
Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year is returning for 2018, with two prizes once again up for grabs.
Last year Nick Machin of Royal Cinque Ports and Angus Roberts of Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course were crowned winners of the awards, which for 30 years have sought to recognise and acknowledge the brightest talents in the future of the industry.
2017 winners Angus Roberts and Nick Machin
Nick was crowned Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2017, while Angus became only the second winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award.
Nick said, “The whole process was quite nerve-wracking, but at the same time it was really enjoyable and something I worked hard on. As nervous as I felt at times, I wish I could do it all again!
“All I can say is that if you are thinking about applying for Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year, then do it. If you know someone you could nominate, then put their name forward and help them to apply.
“To win the competition is a potentially life-changing event, but it is also one of the best experiences you’ll ever have!”
The prize for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner is a six-week scholarship, which sees them travel to the University of Massachusetts to study turf management and also includes a trip to the Golf Industry Show and a visit to the Toro factory in Minneapolis.
The winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year award receives a two-week work placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in France, plus a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME.
Major prizes are also available for the awards runners-up and those who nominate the students.
Reesink Turfcare is the UK distributor of Toro machinery and irrigation products and one of the award sponsors. Managing Director David Cole, an award judge, said: “We recently caught up with last year’s winners and both have reported similar benefits of winning. It was deemed life-changing and both said it had offered them career-enhancing opportunities they simply wouldn’t have had before.
“Another point they made was how anyone passionate about greenkeeping should ‘have a go’ and apply. As it was so rightly pointed out, we’re not looking for the ‘perfect’ student, we’re looking for talent and knowledge, of course, but also self-belief, determination and promise. Winning is possible, whoever you are.”
The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award is available to all greenkeeping students studying for eligible qualifications, while the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year award is specifically for greenkeeping students aged 20 years and under at the time of the closing date for entries.
The deadline for applications is 18 May 2018. Regional interviews take place from 2-13 July 2018, and the national final will take place at BIGGA House, near York, on 17-18 September 2018.
The organisers of SALTEX say that for the third successive year they have seen an overwhelming amount of exhibitors re-book their stands.
Organisers say that early indications for the 73rd edition of SALTEX are "extremely positive" after they reported another record-breaking loyalty period, stand upgrades and an influx of debut exhibitors.
For the third successive year, the organisers say SALTEX has seen an overwhelming amount of exhibitors re-book their stands.
With nearly 200 companies confirming stand space early, the organisers are pleased that the 2018 floor plan already boasts a strong showing of exhibitors, many of which have purchased extra stand space.
GKB Machines is one of those exhibitors that has significantly upgraded its stand for example. The company, which specialises in maintenance machines for sports pitches, took the decision to increase its presence at the show based on a successful SALTEX 2017.
Operations director Tom Shinkins said, “We’ve been at SALTEX for three years now and each year we have found it a great show to highlight new products and introduce our machines to the market. Off the back of SALTEX 2017 I’ve already been out to do a lot of demonstrations and have sold kit as a direct result of the show."
SALTEX 2018 will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 31 October and 1 November.
In what's been described as an local authority first, Thanet District Council is introducing new Mean Green electric lawn-mowers to its open spaces fleet.
In what's been described as an local authority first, Thanet District Council is introducing new Mean Green electric lawn-mowers to its open spaces fleet.
Thanet Council team
Run on lithium-ion batteries rather than diesel, these mowers will be used at Ramsgate Cemetery and Margate Crematorium and are all part of the council’s commitment to creating a clean and welcoming environment in Thanet.
The council has purchased six new mowers; two commercial ride-on mowers, two walk behind mowers and two commercial stand-on mowers to be used equally across the two sites.
Cllr Fairbrass, Deputy Leader of Thanet District Council said, “Electric mowers, which last for 7 hours of constant work, are vastly preferable to diesel models because they generate no carbon monoxide emissions and are low noise. The mowers don’t just offer public health and environmental benefits, they also reduce risk to our staff.
What’s more, they enjoy low running and maintenance costs which is part of the council’s ongoing efficiency drive.”
Winners of the 2017 BALI National Landscape Awards, recently enjoyed a tour of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, hosted and organised by ICL Green-tech.
Winners of the 2017 BALI National Landscape Awards, recently enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, which was hosted and organised by ICL and awards headline sponsor Green-tech.
The event began with an introduction from Mark Pyrah, ICL’s Landscape & Industrial Manager for UK & Ireland and Tom Parker, Purchasing and Commercial Director of Green-tech, before handing over to Head of Courts and Horticulture Neil Stubley.
Neil described in great detail the meticulous planning and hard work that is required to successfully deliver the greatest tennis championships in the world - which is watched by an audience of over 1 billion people worldwide. He then proceeded to present a captivating overview of the site and its facilities which includes 44 grass courts, 5 indoor courts, 8 American Clay courts, 8 Plexipave Acrylic courts and 3 croquet lawns.
As well as highlighting the progress of trial work which is currently being conducted in partnership with the STRI, Neil revealed just how much tennis is played on the courts at Wimbledon. Last year, 658 matches were played totalling a staggering amount of 3,177 hours. This was across 38 grass courts during the championships, which was in addition to a further 25 tournaments as well as regular usage from the club’s 375 private members who are free to play on the courts until they close in September.
After lunch, the award winners received an access-all-areas tour by Neil which included a visit to the legendary Centre Court, a tour of the media centre, and a look at the current construction works of the No.1 Court. Work on the extensive reconstruction, which will see a retractable roof and wider, more comfortable spectator seating, began after last year's Championships and is set to be completed in time for 2019 Championships.
Reflecting on the successful day, Mark Pyrah from ICL, who organised the event, said, “We were delighted to welcome the 2017 BALI award winners and show them the world class facilities at Wimbledon. They were hugely impressed by Neil and his team’s attention to detail. It was a very successful event and I’d like to thank Neil for his time and expertise in offering us an insight into groundsmanship practices at the highest level.”
Tom Parker from Green-tech added, “We feel privileged to have been able to visit such a world class venue to celebrate the success of the Bali Award winners. The level of quality, technical development and ambition of Wimbledon is extraordinary and it was amazing to have such an exclusive experience.”
Course manager, Gavin Kyle who is in charge of one course which plays host to two clubs, says he chose Toro machines to create firm, true, fast surfaces.
Located within the boundaries of Knole Estates in 1000 acres of outstanding Kent parkland and with 600 deer roaming freely around the estate there is a club like no other.
Knole Park is one of the most unique courses in the country; not only for the aforementioned reasons, but also for the fact that this one course plays home to two clubs.
Knole Park’s new Toro Greensmaster TriFlex 3420-H machines join 600 deer at the 1000-acre parkland course in Kent
Course manager at the club, which is home to Knole Park Golf Club and Sevenoaks Town Golf Club, is Gavin Kyle who has been at the club for 15 years. Gavin keeps a regular annual machinery replacement programme and this year he had a focus on choosing the right machines to create firm, true, fast surfaces, which is where Toro joins the story.
“It is important to consistently maintain a challenge for players,” says Gavin. “It’s for this reason that recent years have seen us extend the course by 200 yards, with further extension planned in the next year. There is a fine balance between offering a good game to all golfers, including those with a five handicap and below. We have players of all abilities across our two-club membership including a lot of scratch players and our greens needed an update this year to offer a consistent challenge to all.
“When choosing our next greens machines we checked out the market, going through rounds of demos from distributors. If I’m honest I haven’t bought Toro since I’ve been at Knole Park, so for 15 years! But Toro is renowned for its greens machines in particular so were naturally included on the demo list. What appealed with the Greensmaster TriFlex 3420-H machines, which we went for, was that they’re hybrids. I sought to reduce the risk of hydraulic leaks on the greens and I wanted the advanced control these machines can offer.
“Firm, true and fast greens is what we’re all after and the Toro TriFlex is helping us achieve this,” he confirmed.
But as Gavin goes on to say, it’s never just as simple as the machines: “A machine is often only as good as the backup that comes with it. We’re dealing direct with Reesink Turfcare for the first time and we’ve found that to be a great experience so far.”
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