Rounding up the news which came out of the eventful BTME a couple of weeks ago, today we have a report on who won this year's Golf Environment Awards.

These awards are a great way of highlighting the sterling work which is being carried out in the profession. Environmental excellence is taking place at clubs across the country and the GEAs are a superb way of shining a light on what could be a little realised facet of greenkeeping.

Bob Taylor, head of ecology at the Sports Turf Research Institute, who organise the awards along with the R&A, said: “The awards recognise the achievements of individual golf clubs working to ensure best practice through all areas of sustainable management. This brings industry credibility and dismisses the long-held misconceptions that the golf industry overuses chemicals, fertiliser and water."

This misconception about the over use of water for example, is something which clubs can often face from a public unfamiliar with methods used by them to act sustainably. Many clubs for example will have a recyclable water wash-off system installed.

An interesting development where clubs in the future might be using their waste water for environmental good, which I read about last week, came from the University of Surrey. The clever people there are undertaking a three-year project, funded by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) UK, which is looking to turn waste water into energy.

The research, which will be led by Dr Siddharth Gadkari, will run for three and a half years and aligns with the UK Industrial Strategy, which highlights ‘clean growth’ as one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Dr Gadkari, a Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, will focus on developing mathematical models for something called "microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems". These MES systems are apparently a type of bioelectrochemical system (BES) which make it possible to use the chemical energy from wastewater to generate electricity, hydrogen and valuable chemicals. Dr Gadkari’s project will involve collaboration with Newcastle University and Harbin Institute of Technology, China.

The University of Surrey says that currently billions of pounds and a significant amount of energy are spent in the UK every year on treating industrial, domestic and municipal wastewater, but this wastewater typically contains organic compounds which can be used as a valuable resource in MES systems.

Renewable energy sources can be used to supply the power which MES systems require to achieve an electrochemical reaction. This offers a novel way to store renewable electrical energy, which is not constantly available due to the nature of solar and wind power, in the chemical bonds of organic compounds.

The mathematical models Dr Gadkari aims to develop will improve engineers’ understanding of the mechanisms of MES systems and how they affect the environment.

Dr Gadkari said, “I am delighted to have been awarded this NERC Innovation Fellowship, which will support a very promising area of research. The ability to simultaneously process wastewater and CO2, and produce chemicals which will enable renewable energy, could be an important step towards cleaner energy in the UK. The project will deliver critical data which, complemented by experiments, will help develop the technology towards commercialisation.”

This sounds a great project and one which would be entirely suitable to tie in with not only golf clubs, but any other environmentally conscious turf professional work place.

It’ll be fascinating to follow the project’s progress and, if it does choose to use facilities from our sector, that could definitely act as more evidence to combat long-held misconceptions.

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is piloting a new approach to the ‘measurement’ of the standard of football pitches at grassroots level.

The Institute says the new Pitch Grading Framework will not only highlight the level of an individual playing surface quality but also the appropriate training and education, and the recommended levels of qualifications needed by those who maintain it.

In terms of calculating the standard of a pitch, each level of the Framework has certain parameters and, after measurement, the overall result/level of a pitch will be calculated. It is a system that has been used successfully within cricket by the IOG and the England and Wales Cricket Board for over ten years.

The recommended appropriate training and education will match each level of the Framework. For instance, for pitch maintenance at the Basic level (volunteer), an IOG Level 1 course (or equivalent) would be the minimum training recommended. Training/education would increase through the levels with IOG Level 5 (or equivalent) being recommended for individuals maintaining pitches at the Elite level. At all levels, the experience of those in situ will be taken into account and catered for individually.

Working closely with the Football Foundation and Football Association Pitch Improvement Programme, regional pitch advisers from the IOG-led Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP) are now piloting the Framework to identify any potential improvements before the scheme’s full implementation in November, when it is envisaged that each grass sport will have its own specific pyramid.

The IOG says a range of highly-experienced people have been consulted leading up to the pilot, including Sport England’s Framework Agronomists as well as leading professionals, volunteers and organisations attached to the groundscare industry.

Commenting on the development, GaNTIP director Jason Booth, said: “This really is an exciting time for the future of groundsmanship and to be part of it at the beginning is great for GaNTIP and the programme’s team.

“The system is not designed to identify what is missing; it is to identify where support and development is required, and the initial feedback from the National Governing Bodies of Sport which have viewed the concept has been nothing but positive.”

Geoff Webb, IOG chief executive, added: “The roll out of this revised framework for natural turf will bring much needed clarity to what constitutes a surface that’s fit for play, and it will lead to advanced knowledge and understanding of what input and experience is required to improve the quality of a playing surface and the enjoyment of sports in general.”

It was reported last week that a Russian agriculture ministry official fears a 'global scandal' from pitches used in the World Cup being attacked by swarms of locusts.

Could scenes like this plague the World Cup?!

Games will be played at 12 stadiums in 11 cities this summer.

The Guardian reported that Pyotr Chekmarev, head of the agriculture ministry’s crop farming department, said the pitches could be targeted by locusts during the summer months.

“One way or another, we have learnt how to deal with locusts, but how do we not fall into a global scandal with locusts this year?” he is quoted as saying at an agricultural event in Moscow last Wednesday.

“The whole world is coming here. Football fields are green. Locusts love it where there is lots of green. How would they not come to the place where football is being played?“

Chekmarev said around a million hectares of land in southern Russia was infested with locusts, including around the World Cup host city of Volgograd.

The winners of the 2018 Golf Environment Awards (GEA) were announced at The Crown, Harrogate, in a ceremony hosted by STRI Group and the R&A.

The organisers say the annual Golf Environment Awards provide the platform from which the golf industry can demonstrate environmental excellence in all its forms. Established in 1995, the awards have gone from strength to strength and in 2018, attendees to the awards almost tripled in numbers.

Carnoustie Golf Links (above) were awarded Environmental Golf Course of the Year for their incredible work within the local community and their continued environmentally conscious practices in all areas of golf course management. Each decision at the golf facility considers the impact on the environment and each member of staff is trained to work in such a way.

Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year was received by Stephen Thompson (above) of John O’Gaunt Golf Club for his passionate dedication to nature conservation within golf. Stephen has extensive biodiversity records for both courses at his club, enabling him to tailor the management of the mosaic of habitats accordingly.

Abergele Golf Club (above) won Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year for their Tir Gwylllt (Wild Land) area. Darren Anderson, his team of greenkeeping staff and several members have created a wildlife haven from materials ready to hand or donated. The project is a remarkable example of people pulling together to create something spectacular.

Operation Pollinator was awarded to Kingsdown Golf Club where Tom Freeman (above) had introduced extensive native wildflower areas with the help of local primary school children. Not only did this Operation Pollinator project provide for nectar and pollen loving insects, it also provided a great golf education to the younger generation.

STRI ecology consultant, Sophie Vukelic, said: “A huge congratulations to the winners and finalists of this year’s awards, you each showcase what sustainable management is within golf. The golf environment is a better place with you all working to protect it.”

The John Deere TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programme is organised annually in partnership with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GCSAI).

The 2018 TPC Sawgrass greenkeeping volunteers are pictured on the John Deere stand at BTME 2018, together with GCSAI general manager Damian McLaverty, BIGGA chief executive officer Jim Croxton and John Deere Limited divisional sales manager Chris Meacock

Held at the legendary TPC Sawgrass course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, THE PLAYERS Championship is considered by many to be golf’s fifth major. As such it presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for BIGGA and GCSAI members to network, learn and gain a huge amount of invaluable experience.

THE PLAYERS is made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of a course preparation force of over 90 volunteer greenkeepers from 14 different countries, who join the home team in getting and keeping the course in shape. Following the final day’s play, the greenkeepers also get the chance to attempt to hit the 17th hole’s intimidating island green.

For the first time this year, the programme has been expanded with John Deere’s support to allow a seventh member to take part, from BIGGA’s International Region.

The six successful BIGGA members who have been selected to join the course preparation team at the 2018 tournament, which takes place from May 10 to 13, are:

• Scottish Region - Paul Armour, course manager at Dunbar Golf Club, East Lothian;
• Northern Region - Joe Barnes, deputy head greenkeeper at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, Lancashire;
• Central England Region - Nicholas Thorley, greenkeeper at Little Aston Golf Club, West Midlands;
• South West and South Wales Region - Jamie Blake, head greenkeeper at Broadway Golf Club, Worcestershire;
• South East Region - Antony Kirwan, deputy course manager at Aldeburgh Golf Club, Suffolk;
• International - Craig Cameron, superintendent at Golf Club St Leon-Rot, Baden-Württemberg in Germany.

They will be joined by GCSAI member Jonathan Kelly, head greenkeeper at Ballyhaunis Golf Club, Co Mayo in Ireland.

This is the fourth such UK & Irish group to travel to the US with the John Deere Limited sponsored programme, which started in 2015.

The first of the 2018 Dennis and SISIS bowling green maintenance seminars has been announced and will take place at the Ipswich & District Indoor Bowls Club on Tuesday 13th March.

Dennis and SISIS say they have a long history of supporting the sport of bowls and the seminars which are designed to ultimately help club greenkeepers and volunteers maintain their bowling greens, have significantly grown year on year.

Combining practical tips, demonstrations and key information from industry experts, the organisers have now revealed the programme details for the first of these 2018 events and it provides all delegates with a taste of what to expect throughout the series of seminars.

Chris Humphrey from Collier Turfcare will deliver a presentation entitled Chemicals and Fertilisers in which he will be revealing how to get the best value and best results no matter what the budget is.

Chris will be followed by Luke Hunt from Barenbrug who will proceed to advise on Choosing the Correct Seed for a Bowling Green.

Following a mid-morning break, Chris will return to the stage to explore a number of ideas and methods titled Controlling Pests in the Future.

Before a complimentary lunch, an open question and answer session called the Turf Clinic will take place – presenting all delegates with the opportunity to ask any pressing questions relating to their own situations.

The afternoon will see all attendees head outside to witness an On-Green Demonstration. This demonstration not only provides an opportunity to see some of the sport’s latest turf maintenance equipment in action but will also offer guidance in the way you prepare greens and provide delegates with advice on how to get the very best out of their equipment.

The seminar will start with registration at 9am. To register for the free seminars, contact Roger Moore on 01332 824777 or email roger.moore@dennisuk.com.

In a move to bring clarity and certainty to its distribution channel, Bailoy Irrigation Control Systems has decided to bring the distribution of all its products in the UK and Ireland in-house.

In effect from the 1 January 2018, this means customers with GTI Gemini and Trident products should contact Bailoy, rather than previous distributor Reesink Turfcare, for spares, support and sales.

Adam Lovejoy, Bailoy’s managing director, says, “We have enjoyed a productive working relationship with Reesink and Toro for 25 years, but with recent changes in product and service ranges for both companies it made sense to bring the sales and support of our Gemini and Trident products in-house.

“We believe this move will end any uncertainty about who controls the sales and support of the GTI range in particular. It means we can focus on supporting and forging relationships with the contractors and dealers who sell our products directly and that is something we are very much looking forward to doing.”

The move mainly affects customers with the Toro-badged CDS and SC3000, which, although labelled Toro in an exclusive distribution agreement, were designed and manufactured by Bailoy. Those customers in particular should now contact Bailoy direct for sales, support and technical information, says Adam.

“For most customers very little changes, but for those with Toro-badged CDS and SC3000 products or for those who don’t have an account with Bailoy, it’s a simple phone call.”

GGM Groundscare continue to expand their operation from their Haydock depot with the appointment of Jason Lord as Business Development Manager.

Jason will be working alongside Peter Mercer, and the rest of the GGM team to develop the sales of Kubota, Baroness & Amazone and GGM’s other groundscare franchises in the Cheshire area. 

Chris Gibson, Managing Director (left) and Andy Melville, Commercial Director (right) of GGM Groundscare welcome Jason Lord to the team

Andrew Melville, Commercial Director of GGM Groundscare said, “Jason brings with him over 25 years experience within the groundscare sector coupled with a wealth of knowledge and a great amount of enthusiasm. He is a fantastic addition to our team and he joins us with substantial selling and account management experience within similar markets and I’m sure he will thrive in his new role.”

Jason says of his new role, “I am delighted to have been appointed as Business Development Manager for GGM across Cheshire and to be working with a range of brands of such high quality. I’m excited and very much looking forward to getting out and meeting customers and demonstrating the fantastic capabilities and benefits of our range of machinery”.

Jason can be contacted on:

Mob: 07957 308376 Email: jason@ggmgroundscare.co.uk

Doosan Construction Equipment has announced that the Central Belt region of Scotland will now be handled jointly by the company’s dealers, James Gordon Ltd (Gordons) and Balgownie Ltd.

Based at Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway, Gordons was appointed last year as the Authorised Dealer for the Doosan Heavy range in the South West and Borders regions of Scotland and for the county of Cumbria in Northern England.

Gordons, Strathaven

The existing Gordons territory has now been extended with the addition of the following central-belt areas - Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and all the Lothian Counties, Argyle and Bute, Isle of Mull, Stirling, Fife, Falkirk and the parts of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire that the company did not previously cover.

Balgownie, based at Inverurie, is responsible for the Doosan range in Aberdeenshire, Morayshire, Angus and the Highlands as well as Perthshire and Kinross-shire. To these areas have been added the Isle of Skye and remaining Highlands postcodes. Perth and Kinross had already been added 12 months earlier.

Balgownie

According to Doosan, Gordons and Balgownie have been awarded the extended areas purely on merit, despite very strong interest from other parties. The company is looking forward to working closely with both companies to continue its success in the Scottish market.

Gordons has six depots across its territory and will operate the new Central-Belt area through the Strathaven and Berryhill depots, with support from the headquarters branch in Castle Douglas.

Balgownie will handle the extended territory from the headquarters in Inverurie and the company‘s branch in Turriff.

Dooson say as well as covering existing contracts, Gordons and Balgownie provide flexible service agreements, depending on the requirements of the customer. They offer service and warranty work on all existing Doosan machines in their areas, backed by a full selection of genuine accessories and parts. Both companies hold a stock of new and used Doosan branded machines, to respond quickly to customers’ needs.