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EDITOR'S BLOG

DIFFICULT TIMES FOR PARK FUNDING
But some still finding success
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

It is especially pleasing to hear of parks being awarded Green Flag standards when one considers that many local authorities are facing difficult budgetary cuts to services.

I read with interest recently that over 2,250 of the UK’s best parks and green spaces have been awarded the coveted 2025 Green Flag Award.

As a Green Flag judge, I always find it rewarding to judge these amazing venues and see the hard work and effort it takes to maintain these diverse public open spaces.

The Green Flag Award is the benchmark international quality classification for parks and green spaces, providing the high standards against which sites are measured, and which land managers, local authorities and volunteers pledge to achieve when applying for the award.

The scheme was launched 29 years ago, with the first awards given a year later, to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country - four parks that received their first Green Flag Award back in 1997 have flown it every year since. They are:

Cockington Country Park – Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Worden Park – South Ribble Borough Council
Queen’s Park – City of London
Highgate Wood – City of London

This year I was able to judge several parks in and around the Midlands and I’m happy to report that many achieved the Green Flag standard.

This is especially pleasing when one considers that many local authorities are facing difficult budgetary cuts to services.

I read a recent article published by Paul Rabbits, chairman of the Parks Management Association that sums up the frustrations of many parks professionals regarding ever decreasing budgets for parks. You can read it in full here.

Paul passes comment on a government spokesperson who says a £9 million UK-wide Levelling Up Parks Fund will provide grants to deliver over 100 green spaces in communities with the lowest access and a new £30 million fund will pay to overhaul 30 local parks in England with a focus on improving facilities for young families.

Given the number of parks across the country Paul says the government’s response is “frankly stunning in its lack of understanding of the reality.”

He goes on to say, “Play for children should be a given, quality parks and green spaces should be a given… when oh when oh when will government realise this and start doing something about it rather than pathetic responses like they give … parks and play and green spaces are vote winners. So fund them.”

I feel most of the comments Paul mentions in his piece are warranted. I also tend to agree that many new politicians are only interested in their own career advancement and often do not have any affinity or interest (or even a grasp) of what our industry is about - and what is needed to improve and deliver parks services.

For me, they need to spend more time with senior parks managers and get to know in detail the frustrations and issues we are currently facing in the local authority sector.

But more importantly they need to understand the value of what parks and public open spaces bring to the community. For many years we have produced plenty of evidence of what parks bring to the table, in terms of health and wellbeing - but for some reason these politicians are still not prepared to invest properly in parks. Which I believe is because we are not registered as a statutory service.

NEWS

GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL PITCHES TRANSFORMED
Organisers describe it as a "game-changing initiative"

In our first WEB ONLY story, with over 200 playing surfaces supported since September 2024, the initiative is helping to enhance facilities and improve playing conditions.

REBUILDING, RECOVERY, & LONG TERM IMPROVEMENTS
At Royal Troon

In our next WEB ONLY story, one year after the return of The Open Championship, course manager Billy McLachlan says attentions have turned to machine performance and precision.

CLASS OF 2025 REVEALED
Future Turf Managers Initiative

Training programme to help talented greenkeeper candidates progress towards head greenkeeper and course manager roles, announces cohort.

BIGGA and Jacobsen have announced the delegates of the FTMI 2025 Future Turf Managers Initiative, a training programme to help talented greenkeeper candidates progress towards head greenkeeper and course manager roles.

FTMI is a hybrid programme of online and in-person education and mentoring. The 2025/2026 schedule begins with face-to-face training at Jacobsen HQ in Ipswich this September, followed by further sessions online during October, November and December. The course concludes with two and a half days of learning at BTME in Harrogate in January 2026.

BIGGA say the initiative is designed to give the participants an insight into management skills that they will need as they progress through the ranks in their careers. Topics covered include presentation skills, communication, time management, interview skills, CV writing, stress awareness, budgeting and leadership.

The FTMI Class of 2025 includes the following greenkeepers:

Callum Atkinson - first assistant greenkeeper, The Wilmslow Golf Club
Tod Bannerman - senior greenkeeper, Taymouth Castle Golf Club
Patrick Brown - senior greenkeeper and spray technician, Fulwell Golf Club
George Edwards - deputy head greenkeeper, Walton Heath Golf Club
Alistair Hogg - senior greenkeeper, A&M Fife Golf Club
Alex Hudson - assistant greenkeeper, Sharpley Golf Club
Chris Keeler - deputy course manager, Prestbury Golf Club
Ronan Latham - senior greenkeeper, JCB Golf & Country Club
Toby Long - first assistant greenkeeper, Broadstone Golf Club
Carl Moore - deputy head greenkeeper, Kings Norton Golf Club
William Moore - assistant course manager, Kilworth Springs Golf Club
Euan Polson - first assistant greenkeeper, Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Phillip Shields - first assistant greenkeeper, The Blackwood Golf Club
Greg Smith - first assistant greenkeeper, The Berkshire Golf Club
John Thornton - irrigation technician, Copt Heath Golf Club

Delegates are assigned to mentor groups throughout the programme. The mentors for this year are all previous FTMI graduates and are course managers Leigh Powell (Windlesham), James Parker (Machrihanish Dunes) and Ben Williams (Royal Cinque Ports).

BIGGA CEO, Jim Croxton, said, “It’s always a thrill to learn of the successful delegates for the Future Turf Managers Initiative as the developmental opportunities they receive and the chance to become an FTMI graduate can turbo-charge careers. I look forward keenly to seeing how the Class of 2025 develop and to meeting them all at Jacobsen HQ in September."

NEW PARTS ORDERING SERVICE INTRODUCED
Digital marketplace for customers

Manufacturer says launch will streamline process, with customers gaining instant access to dealer stock levels.

Kubota (UK) Ltd has introduced a digital marketplace for customers that they say will streamline ordering of genuine parts using mobile or desktop devices.

It is called Terrako and enables Kubota parts to be ordered through an online portal that also provides instant access to dealer stock levels.

“As an all-new digital marketplace, the development of Terrako has made it very easy and convenient for customers to order genuine parts for their Kubota equipment, even if they’re unsure of who their local Kubota dealer is,” explained Simon Chadbone, Kubota UK’s division manager for parts. “This is particularly useful for those who are working away from base, for example contractors, as it can save the customer a lot of time while also contributing to a reduction in downtime.”

Access to Terrako requires customers to create a free online account, which also highlights the location of their closest Kubota dealers. Doing so gives the customer direct access to view dealer stock levels and recommended retail pricing, when searching for parts. Terrako also provides access to schematic drawings and parts numbers, simplifying parts identification and ensuring customers order the correct parts for their equipment.

Payment is made at the point of ordering, using secure online payment processes, with customers receiving an email confirmation of their order. Customers can choose to collect parts from their nearest Kubota dealer, or request dealer delivery to site, or seek direct delivery from Kubota.

“It may be that the nearest dealer might be out of stock, but another Kubota dealer within easy reach may have those parts sat on the shelf,” says Simon. “Searching with Terrako will speed up the process of finding and buying the correct genuine parts. And it’s operational 24 hours/day, seven days/week.”

Terrako can also be used to buy service kits, oils and filters, and will enable Kubota dealers to highlight promotional offers and create bespoke promotions for their customers.

“The introduction of our Terrako digital marketplace has now made it much easier for Kubota customers to buy the correct genuine parts without having to take the required items to a dealership for identification,” said Simon.

FGM CLAYMORE EXPANDS ROBOTICS DIVISION
Key appointment and new line

Company says the developments reflect their growth in the autonomous turf care sector.

FGM Claymore say that since acquiring UK distribution rights for the Echo brand three years ago - and more recently introducing the Echo Robotics range of commercial robots, they have ". . . experienced significant growth in the autonomous turf care sector."

In support of this, the company have announced the appointment of James Tatters, who they say brings over 10 years of experience with the Echo Robotics commercial product line. “James’s expertise will further strengthen our support and service offering as we continue to lead in autonomous turf care,” said Paul Butterly, managing director of FGM Claymore.

James will work closely with Sam Daybell, head of robotics for the UK and Ireland, as the robotics division continues to grow. FGM say this growth is further marked by the launch of Sunseeker Elite, a new domestic robotic line.

AGIF BOARD ROLE FOR CAMPEY MANAGER
First time appointment for company

Company believes to be able to positively influence the direction of the industry is a unique and valuable opportunity.

Campey Turf Care Systems has announced that for the first time, a member of their team, export sales manager Nick Brown, has been appointed to the board of the Asian Golf Industry Federation Board (AGIF).

“We have been working closely with the AGIF for many years, contributing advice, information and practical assistance on the ground to the golf course managers and turf professionals across Asia," said managing director Julia Campey. “To be able to positively influence the direction of the industry, through Nick’s experience and insight, is a unique and valuable opportunity.”

Chris Gray, AGIF president said, “We’re delighted to have an individual of Nick’s experience and understanding of the golf industry join the AGIF Board. We look forward to the fresh perspectives he will bring with him."

Nick added, “My role on the AGIF board allows me to directly engage with members, understand emerging trends, and advocate for their needs while building high-level networks in both developed and emerging markets."

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