The turf professional industry should be proud of the amount of opportunities for further learning it offers its members.

Trade associations and industry bodies should be praised for the breadth of educational courses available as well as for all the talks and seminars laid-on at exhibitions and conferences.

In today's Briefing we have information from both the IOG and BIGGA, illustrating their commitment to continuing professional development. Both the upcoming SALTEX and BTME exhibitions are dedicating ever increasing resources to providing delegates with knowledge-expanding experiences.

I suspect that in recent years, as these offerings have increased and diversified to include a wealth of subject areas relevant to turf professionals, it has been these educational opportunities which have proved more of a draw to visitors than the machinery and services exhibitions. Certainly, it makes it way more justifiable for professionals to spend time away from their workplaces if they are going to come back having learned something new – as opposed to just having kicked a few tyres.

SALTEX now has programmes running in four lecture theatres for each day of the show, whilst Continue To Learn in Harrogate runs all the way from Sunday to Wednesday.

And it's not just the two main trade associations who offer such experiences. Coming up next week on the 12th is the Amenity Forum conference which takes place at The Pirelli Stadium in Burton-on-Trent.

There are going to plenty of presentations on the day to stimulate and expand the thinking of turf professionals who work in the amenity sector. Subject areas being covered include 'Policy & Innovation' 'Research and its application' and 'Taking a more holistic approach to weed, pest & disease control'.

One of the speakers tackling this area for example, will be Dr Colin Mumford, Bayer Technical Manager. Dr Mumford will explain the importance of integrated management programmes, that use cultural and biological controls, ahead of pesticide applications, and how these methods are more effective than relying solely on chemicals.

“Using this management style will help reduce the amount of plant protection products used and therefore aims to prolong the availability of pesticides on the market,” he said.

Dr Mumford will also explain how Bayer is taking measures to bring new sustainable products to the market, through extensive research and development, which will allow users to continue to apply them for the foreseeable future.

So a visit to Burton-On-Trent next week, and indeed to Birmingham or Harrogate further down the line, are incredibly worthwhile for all turf professionals who want to keep learning and to benefit from the expertise of their peers.

Ernie Els, a four-time Major champion, member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and founder of the Els for Autism Foundation, will be the recipient of the 2018 Old Tom Morris (OTM) Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).


Ernie Els

Els also founded The Ernie Els Foundation in 1999 in his homeland of South Africa and then joined forces with the Fancourt Hotel and Golf Estate to establish The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation to help identify under-privileged teens who show talent in golf and give them a chance to reach their full potential in sport and education.

GCSAA’s highest honour, the OTM Award has been presented annually since 1983 to an individual, who through a lifetime commitment to the game of golf, has helped to mould the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris. Morris, a four-time Open Championship winner, was the long-time superintendent at St Andrews in Scotland until his death in 1908.

“I am honoured and humbled to be asked to receive the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association,” said Els. “As I have grown in my involvement with the game of golf, from professional golfer to golf course designer, I have come to value more and more the role of golf course superintendents. They are as vital to this game as ever, and as vital to this game as anyone.”

Known as the Big Easy because of his stature and fluid golf swing, the 47-year-old Els has 70 professional career wins and is a former number one ranked player who spent 788 weeks ranked in the top-10 in the world, a record.

But Els’ significant on-course accomplishments took a secondary role in his life when he learned in 2009 that his son Ben was on the autism spectrum. This diagnosis drove the Els family to lead funding for a $30 million Centre of Excellence for Autistic children, which opened for 300 students in 2015 in Florida. The Centre offers professional and medical resources, therapy and education to help autistic children grow to lead full adult lives.

“Years from now people may remember me as a golfer and a Major champion. But I’d like to be remembered as somebody who took the issue of autism and did something with it,” said Els. “The rest of my life, I’ll be fighting this thing … I hope you’ll join me.”

Els has rallied his business partners and everyday golfers to the cause since 2010, introducing a Golf Challenge series where fund-raising is as important as a team’s final score. Els and his wife, Liezl, have also donated millions of their own money to the cause.

“By any measure, Ernie Els is one of the greats of the game, and it is the distinct privilege and honour of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America to recognise this industry giant for all he has accomplished on and off the golf course,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “He elevates the human spirit in all of us to be better people and a more compassionate society.”

The organisers of this year's SALTEX Learning LIVE say the education programme will offer grounds and open space practitioners across all disciplines, volunteer as well as professional, a daily feast of free knowledge-gathering sessions in a programme that has never been bigger.

Featuring industry-leading experts and some of the top names in European groundsmanship - including participants from some flagship stadia and sporting venues - the organisers boast that this year's presentations will educate, enthral and entertain visitors like never before.

There are four dedicated seminar theatres running at the show, plus the Young IOG Conference.

Visitors can now view all the available sessions on the SALTEX website. All sessions are free to attend and booking is now open for attendees to reserve their space at their prefered sessions.

There will also be walk in places available for all sessions on a first come, first served basis.

BIGGA and ICL have revealed the five successful recipients of the second ICL Continue to Learn scholarship.

The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship offers five BIGGA members the opportunity to attend the Continue to Learn at BTME education programme. The scholarship, worth approximately £500, comprises three nights’ hotel accommodation and a 15-hour education bundle.


ICL scholars at BTME 2017

The successful BIGGA members are:

• Daniel Ashelby, assistant greenkepeer at Wilmslow;
• Michael Barnard, junior assistant greenkeeper at The Royal Automobile Club;
• Philip Billinghurst, assistant greenkeeper at Woburn;
• Michael Hughes, deputy course manager at Scotscraig;
• Simon Pyett, greenkeeper at Halesworth.

Sami Strutt, BIGGA’s head of member development, said: “After the success of the scholarship at Continue to Learn earlier this year, we had a great response when we relaunched it for 2018.

“I’m confident that the five selected scholars will all greatly benefit from the education and networking opportunities available at BTME 2018.

“Our thanks go to ICL for supporting this great initiative for BIGGA members.”

Continue to Learn at BTME will take place at Harrogate Convention Centre and The Majestic Hotel from Sunday 21 - Wednesday 24 January 2018. The extensive education programme will run alongside the BTME exhibition.

Hogs Head Golf Club, a brand-new course located in County Kerry, Ireland, has chosen equipment from Textron Golf to maintain its surfaces.


Left to right: Brady Sherwood, Golf Operations Manager, Kevin Broderick, Managing Director of Broderick Grass Machinery, David Daly, Golf Course Superintendent at Hogs Head Golf Club

The course replaces Skellig Bay Golf Club and has been built in the picturesque town of Waterville, with golfer’s able to enjoy spectacular views of the Irish coast and Atlantic Ocean. Local dealer Broderick Grass Machinery demonstrated and delivered the new machinery.

The machinery purchased by the Club includes three LF577 fairway mowers, one AR522 rough mower, one AR-3 rotary mower, two GP400 greens mowers, two Eclipse 322 greens mowers, 10 Greens King mowers for tees and greens, a Jacobsen Truckster, two ISEKI tractors, 20 E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE Freedom golf cars and a Cushman Hauler PRO.


A selection of the new machinery, with Hogs Head peninsula in the background

David Daly is the golf course superintendent at Hogs Head Golf Club. Commenting on the opening of the new course, and the equipment purchased, he said, “This is a very exciting time for everyone involved in this project. We started construction in March 2016 where we used 150,000 tonnes of sand to cap all playing areas with eight inches of sand. The course will play firm, fast and dry all year round. It has been an eye-opening experience, but the results speak for themselves.

“We chose equipment from Textron Golf because Jacobsen was recommended by Michael Murphy at Waterville Golf Links, and I have used the machines in the past and they have always been very good. 

“A crucial part of the decision-making process was the relationship with the dealer and the back-up support we would receive. This is where Brodericks, and our local dealer Pat Geaney, really made our minds up for us. The companies both provide the best service around, and I know I can have parts delivered the same day if needed. I’m very happy with the equipment from Textron Golf, and the support from our dealers.”

The course is the first in Ireland designed by the RTJ II firm, and has been planted with three varieties of fescue grasses - all of which are native to the Irish coast. The 18-hole golf course will be complemented by a 48-room lodge and spa opening in May 2018, and five four-bedroom golf cottages. The lodge and cottages are being built on the site of the old hotel, which has since been demolished. A new state-of-the-art clubhouse has also been built on-site and is welcoming visitors to experience the impressive facilities.

Dealers Johnston Gilpin & Co based in County Down, Northern Ireland have been appointed by Overton (UK) for the range of Mean Green Electric Commercial mowers.



Randal McConnell Managing Director commented, “We are exceptionally pleased to be chosen by Overton (UK) to represent them in selling the Mean Green Electric mowers. These mowers are at the forefront of electrical technology having the ability to cut grass in a commercial application.

"We know that electric mowers will be in great demand by councils and large operators who are keen to do their bit for the environment and especially as the maintenance costs will be minimal compared to a similar diesel engined version. With no belts, no filters no refuelling and build quality derived from the aircraft industry, I am confident that these machines will do well for us”

For dealers interested in stocking the machines, the company will be exhibiting at the forthcoming SALTEX exhibition.

Students across the UK will be competing at multi-sport facilities this new academic year due to SIS Pitches.

The comapny has installed a range of its SISTurf playing surfaces at six universities, including The University of Manchester, University of Hull, Durham University, Loughborough University, the University of Bradford and the University of Cumbria.


SIS pitch opened at University of Manchester

SIS Pitches won the prestigious ‘Award for Excellence’ at the annual Sport & Play Construction Association (SAPCA) Awards earlier this year after the opening of four new floodlit synthetic turf pitches at the University of Manchester’s Fallowfield campus - setting a new record in the process.

The 42-week project is not only a record-breaking first as the UK’s biggest single new build project, but marks the largest single value £2m plus project for SIS Pitches. The revamped site includes two hockey and single rugby, football pitches and practice cricket wickets, featuring SISTurf Hockey Elite, SISTurf Scrummager 60 and SISTurf Superior 60 surfaces respectively.

SIS Pitches was able to undertake the work in conjunction with sports lighting specialist Halliday Lighting, who were responsible for construction and management of floodlighting at the venue.

In addition, SIS Pitches has installed four new pitches as part of an upgrade of the sports facilities at the University of Hull.

The Cumbria-based company refurbished two football pitches with its SISTurf Superior surface and upgraded an existing hockey pitch with SISTurf Pro Hockey Champion. A brand new rugby pitch featuring SISTurf Scrummager has also been constructed.

New 3G rugby pitches have been installed at both Durham University, at its Graham Sports Centre, and Loughborough University.

SIS Pitches has also overseen the refurbishment of tennis courts and football and rugby pitches at Bradford University, while a new hockey pitch has been installed at the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster Campus.

The University of Warwick is also in the middle of an upgrade, with SIS Pitches constructing a brand new 3G artificial grass pitch for football and rugby.

SIS Pitches UK Projects Director, Simon Mroczek, said: “We are extremely proud of the projects we have completed at universities and schools around the UK and look forward to showcasing the benefits of SISTurf to many more in the coming months.

“Both the high quality and durability of SISTurf enables extended, multi-purpose use that not only meets the needs of universities and schools, but also their wider communities.

“The University of Manchester project is our biggest of its kind to date and will provide world class facilities for years to come while, at the same time, maintaining the university’s reputation as a leader in the sporting field.”

Vicky Foster-Lloyd, Head of Sport at The University of Manchester, added: “With SIS Pitches, we have achieved everything we set out to and are the proud owners of an excellent facility that we know will add massively to the student experience and will provide a world class environment for them and the local community well into the future."

Reesink Turfcare has appointed John Addy to its TYM Tractors team as northern regional sales manager.

This appointment is, says Steve Haynes, TYM sales manager, part of a strategy to accelerate growth of the TYM business in the UK. John has vast sales experience in the sector, having worked at dealer level for some time, not only in the groundscare market, but also working with construction equipment sales.

Steven says, “John has experience in all the key areas important for this role, he has a good understanding of the tractor market and a proven track record for sales having worked within the dealer network for some time. It’s this knowledge of working with dealers that makes John ideal for the role and our plans to grow the TYM dealer network and further strengthen and support the relationships that already exist.”

Concluding the news from the brand is that Scott Turner, who had previously held the position of TYM product specialist takes responsibility for sales in the south.

Steven says: “Scott moves from his role of TYM product manager where he used to work with all dealers across the UK to now focusing on dealers in the south. This new structure focusses on the skills of two individuals who are tractor specialists. By splitting the sales area between the two guys we can now fully focus our efforts on the day to day tractor activity and developing our dealer network to further grow the TYM business in the UK.”

Steven concludes by saying: “Reesink Turfcare introduced the TYM brand to the UK five years ago and it’s been very well received by the market in that time. Brand development has been progressive and we’re now in the perfect position to enhance our focus on the opportunities for our dealers across the country.”

The 27-hole private members club, Portmarnock Golf Club, has updated its previous irrigation system with a Toro Lynx control system and 1,220 Toro Infinity Series Sprinklers across the site.

The club now has the ability to Irrigate the challenging course round-the-clock via apps synced to the new Lynx control system.


From left: links manager Gary Johnstone shakes hands with Reesink Turfcare’s irrigation manager Robert Jackson, with Aquaturf’s managing director, Stephen Daly, and Portmarnock’s golf manager, Brian Hurley

Portmarnock Golf Club not only offers golfers a stunning view of Velvet Strand beach, but the William Chalmers Pickeman, George Ross and Mungo Park designed course makes the most of the natural terrain to keep players on their toes. Links manager of ten years Gary Johnstone also thrives on the challenges presented by the course, saying it: “keeps the job interesting.”

So when the club’s cable network started to degrade, leaving the old irrigation system unreliable, those at Portmarnock Golf Club saw it not as an obstacle but an opportunity to update the system to suit the course down to a tee.

Gary explains: “We looked at all the irrigation products on the market over a two-year period to find out which company had the best products to suit our needs, and Toro was the clear winner.”

He continues: “Local contractor Aquaturf Solutions Ltd installed our Toro irrigation system and carried out the work over six months with minimum disturbance to the course, in a very professional manner.”

According to Gary, setting up the new system was simple. "With Lynx, it’s easy to set up specific irrigation programmes to meet the needs of Links turf.”

Gary continued, “The control system is easy to operate and can be accessed anywhere via apps, allowing us to monitor the course’ water needs at all times. This gives us greater control over our irrigation management, as real-time adjustments can be made to give turf the right amount of water.

“Before, it was difficult to keep the course up to Championship standard with our failing irrigation system. Now irrigation is easy thanks to Toro and we can focus on the challenges ahead, such as hosting the Amateur Championship in 2019, knowing the grass plants will be healthy and play will be great.”

The countdown to Europe’s largest annual turf management event has officially begun, marked by the opening of online visitor registration.



SALTEX 2017 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 1-2 November, and has already attracted over 250 exhibitors - a number that’s set to grow further in the weeks leading up to the event. Confirmed to return are a number of leading brand names spanning the whole turf management industry including manufacturers and suppliers of world-class products and services for the maintenance of pitches, grounds, landscaping, parks and estates.

SALTEX will also once again boast unique show features such as:

• Learning LIVE - an all-encompassing free-to-attend education programme offering grounds and open space practitioners across all disciplines, volunteer as well as professional, the chance to increase their CPD points.
• Outdoor demonstrations - providing an opportunity to see a number of products in action directly outside the SALTEX halls 6, 7 and 8.
• The SALTEX College Cup - a national student-led sports-turf challenge sponsored by Ransomes.
• Pathology & Soil Science LIVE - allowing visitors to look in detail at the symptoms of some common turfgrass fungal disease problems.
• The Young Groundsmen’s Conference, sponsored by Rigby Taylor and Top Green - an ideal opportunity for young people looking to advance their career in the groundscare industry
• Ask the Expert – free pitchcare advice from the IOG’s team of regional pitch advisors based on the IOG Hub
• The IOG Industry Awards - the UK’s biggest celebration in groundsmanship held on the evening of the first day (1 November) at the National Motorcycle Museum.
• NEW for 2017! The Job Clinic – the chance to receive one-to-one advice from industry expert Frank Newberry on how to progress your career, write a compelling CV and perform well in an interview situation.

Located in the centre of the UK, whether you are travelling from overseas or within the UK, the NEC is incredibly easy to get to by car, rail or air.

SALTEX 2017 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