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EDITOR'S BLOG

GROUNDSFEST KICKS OFF
New show on the scene
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

A new industry event took place last week, offering exhibitors both indoor and outdoor space to show off their wares.

Last week I attended the new industry show, GroundsFest, that was held at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Billed as a new show format enabling exhibitors to exhibit their wares and products both indoors or outdoors, it allowed for visitors to see demonstrations of manufacturers products.

This was coupled with a number of educational seminars during the show and a dedicated landscape area that seemed to attract a number of new exhibitors that we don’t usually see at either SALTEX or BTME.

My colleague Steve Gibbs and I entering the show

At the end of the first day (5pm) the show organisers provided some after-show entertainment in the form of three live bands and the chance to buy some food and continue with the opportunity to network with those who chose to stay on after the exhibition closed.

As for me, it was an opportunity as always to catch up with the many industry personalities and businesses, I have known for many years with the added bonus of meeting some new clients and customers.

Personally, I do like the feel of an outdoor environment to showcase our industry wares and products. It seems more appropriate if it is on show or being demonstrated outside.

However, we all know that being outside comes with some issues, with the weather being the main worry for the exhibitors. For all the years that I attended Windsor, in most we were blessed with good weather. However last week, the opposite occurred. The first day was battered with high winds and torrential rain throughout. This must have affected the numbers attending the show. As for the second day the weather improved, and we had plenty of clear skies for most of the day.

Groundsman Training team

With over 100 exhibitors there was plenty for those attending to see. During the show I caught up many old friends and acquaintances. On entering the exhibitor halls, I came across Ellie and Chris Parry, Keith Kent and Martin Samson who promote and run Groundsman Training. They had a stand and demo area outside where they were showing people how to mark out a running track and talk about the essential elements of line marking sport pitches.

Rugby School Grounds Team

I then bumped into James Cavanagh, HG at Rugby School, who had come with a few of his staff to see the show. I also met up with Professor John Moverley who writes our Sustainability Focus features on the LANTRA Stand. And In between the rain showers it was nice to catch up with Adam King and Andrew Turnbull.

L-R: Andrew Turnbull and Adam King trying to see some outdoor equipment.

As for others, I mainly caught up with many of the exhibitors and called in on a number of companies who I have arranged to trial some of their latest products. I am looking forward to testing the range of the New Pro X hand tools from EGO, along with a range of other battery powered equipment from the likes of STIHL, Kress, Makita, Cobra and Eliet.

EGO demonstration team in action

Eliet equipment on show

As for robotic machines, there were plenty to see at the show with many companies now showcasing their latest technology advancements in mowers and line marking devices. I believe a number of golf courses are now looking at the possibility of robotic mowers cutting their fairways, mainly due to the overall cost of running and servicing of large fairway mowers.

The day as usual flew by, with it soon time to attend the after-show entertainment and to sample some of the street food on offer. A good number of mostly exhibitors stayed on to see the live bands and try the food. A time to reflect on the first day. Most of the exhibitors I spoke to had a positive response to my questions about the show and had felt it had gone reasonably well, especially as the weather had been so bad for most of the day.

As for Thursday, the weather was much improved with clear skies for much of the day. It will be certainly interesting to find out the success of this show in light of the forthcoming SALTEX at the NEC in November and following on with the BTME show in January.

The organisers of GroundFest will have learnt a lot from this inaugural show and based on their findings will be looking at how to prepare for the follow-up show next year.

You can also read my fellow editor, Steve Gibbs’ comments on the show, written for Service Dealer, here.

NEWS

APPROVAL FOR GREENS AND TEES
Recently granted for fungicide

Microdochium patch developing on turf surface

In our first WEB ONLY story, manufacturer of product says timing of the announcement gives greenkeepers the chance to clean up greens and tees while there is early autumn growth for recovery.

WORLD'S FIRST IN GOLF CONSTRUCTION
Star-shaped tees

In our next WEB ONLY story the R&A say they hope that their new vision will revolutionise golf by making it more accessible and inclusive to the whole community.

NEWS

SOCIAL SPACE ANNOUNCED
For this year's SALTEX

A "relaxed, licensed, social space" on the show floor promised by organisers.

SALTEX organisers say they know from post-show feedback that networking was the second biggest highlight for visitors attending the 2022 show and with that in mind are launching The Clubhouse - what they describe as a "relaxed, licensed, social space" for 2023 on the show floor.

Organisers say the area will feature a bar, relaxed seating options and a private area called The Trophy Room which can be booked for pre-arranged meetups.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, said, “Creating a space where visitors and exhibitors can relax, unwind and build connections with old friends and new colleagues has been a priority following visitor and exhibitor feedback from the last two shows. Crucially, we wanted to create a space that means attendees can sit down and catch-up without having to leave the show floor.

“The Clubhouse will cater to these desires perfectly, offering attendees a comfortable place to sit down and a bar where they can purchase drinks and food at competitive prices. The Clubhouse is all about maximising the visitors’ experience and bringing the industry closer together.”

As a space for groups to host dedicated meet-ups, the GMA say they are working with a number of grounds management communities to host members’ meetings in The Trophy Room with more details promised for the weeks leading up to the show.

1-DAY LAWN RENOVATION COURSE OFFERED
To professionals and enthusiasts

Organisers say attendees will learn the science behind renovating their lawn this autumn to ensure it is in tiptop shape come spring.

Allett Mowers has announced they are inviting professionals and enthusiasts to gain the Allett Level 1 Lawn Academy Qualification.

The one-day course, to be held at the Old Fold Manor Golf Club on October 10th 2023, is described as opportunity to learn how to achieve a more impressive and healthy lawn all year round. In the course, attendees will learn the science behind renovating their lawn this autumn to ensure it is in tiptop shape come spring.

The learning will begin with classroom training led by leading lawn expert Richard Salmon from Pro Lawncare UK. Richard is described as a well-known figure in the industry, with over 38 years of experience in agronomy and a successful career in lawn management. Subjects to be covered on the day will include the history of grass, the lifecycle and types of grass, grass/lawn maintenance, thatch, soil, nutrients, weeds, moss, and irrigation. A lawn care yearly calendar will be set out where attendees can learn exactly what should be done to their lawns each month of the calendar year.

The classroom will be followed by a hands-on workshop with Allett MD Austin Jarrett. He will talk about the company's cartridge system, showing how each cartridge works and how to use them. There will be the opportunity to use a range of machines and learn the techniques of how to employ a number of lawn tools to get the best from a lawn. The price of the course will include a soil analysis test of attendees' own lawns from a sample brought on the day. Results can be used to help develop a personalised lawncare plan.

More information and booking for the event can be found here.

CLUB SEES REDUCTION IN TURF DISEASES
Managing moisture and turf stresses

Course manager says they were looking for something that would boost the good bacteria in the profile and not be harmful to the environment or aquatic life.

Wellow Golf Club has said how a year-round programme from Suståne Natural Fertilizers has been effectively managing moisture and turf stresses to keep their 27-hole course disease-free.

Course manager Lee Payne has described how the ‘perfect combination’ of Suståne products including 5-2-10+Fe and 6-2-4 Turf Revival has seen a drastic reduction in the frequency and severity of a variety of turf diseases, lowering fungicide applications and delivering long-lasting visual appeal.

Wellow boasts a 27-hole course maintained by Lee and his team of five. Privately owned and broken down into three 9-hole courses; the rotation of the Ryedown, Blackwater and Embley courses enable a ‘TLC week’ to take place one in every three.

“We’re constantly busy,” says Lee. “We conduct a lot of in-house drainage projects as we’re quite a heavy site meaning that for most of the winter months, we can’t get a sprayer out. That leads me nicely onto how good the Suståne product really is, an annual programme from whom keeps us ticking over superbly well.

“It was the organic aspect that led me to Suståne initially. We were looking for something that would boost the good bacteria in the profile and not be harmful to the environment or our aquatic life, while also keeping on top of the variety of turf diseases that appear.”

The programme, drawn up by the comany's Russell Riley and Neil Rogers from AGS consists of 4-6-4 slow-release fertiliser, 5-2-4+Fe for a boost of colour during December, January and February before a switch to 5-2-10+FE during spring and autumn. Lee also uses Bolster Liquid Biostimulant and Suståne 6-2-4 Turf Revival which he claims provides instant recovery following heavy renovations in March and August.

“Recovery is one of the biggest factors for us, with tight turnarounds in maintenance windows and this is where Suståne has been fantastic. The extended slow-release nitrogen within the 6-2-4 product gives us an instant boost followed by a month or two of consistent recovery.” Lee continues, “We also have a couple of greens particularly susceptible to Anthracnose. If this starts to appear we simply put down a half rate of the 5-2-10 which provides enough goodness back into the soil to effectively control any outbreaks.”

A noticeable consistency to overall plant health has meant that Lee doesn’t feel the need to try anything else. “We know our programme, we know it works for us and we know that advice is always available from Russell or Neil to tweak things if required. Not only that, but it’s also reassuring to know that we’re running the course in a way that is sympathetic to the environment we’re in to protect what we have here now and into the future."

CELEBRATION SPONSOR REVEALED
For opening evening of BTME

Free-to-attend welcome event is held in the Harrogate Convention Centre and is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of BIGGA members from throughout 2023.

BIGGA has revealed turf machinery manufacturer Jacobsen as its headline sponsor for their BIGGA Celebration, taking place on the opening evening of BTME.

Members of the FTMI Class of 2022 sponsored by Jacobsen joined the BIGGA team on the Celebration stage in January

The free-to-attend welcome event is held in the Harrogate Convention Centre and is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of BIGGA members from throughout 2023. Hosted by a golfing celebrity, event is described as an opportunity to celebrate everything that’s great about the greenkeeping industry.

At the Celebration, the association will reveal the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2024 as well as recognising the latest life members, Master Greenkeepers, the FTMI Class of 2023, BIGGA Photography Competition winner and others.

BIGGA’s head of business development, Lauren Frazer, said, “BIGGA members do extraordinary things every day of their working lives and this event is an opportunity for the association to celebrate their achievements. The BIGGA Celebration is a wonderful event that is growing in popularity each year and I’m thankful to Jacobsen for their incredible support.”

Jacobsen’s International marketing manager, Adam Underwood, added, “The significance of BIGGA’s role within the greenkeeping industry and their vision of elevating the recognition of association members for their exceptional contributions as custodians of the game of golf, align seamlessly with our core values at Jacobsen Fine Turf Mowers. We take great pride in our longstanding sponsorship of the Future Turf Manager’s Initiative and we eagerly anticipate extending our support to the industry by sponsoring the BIGGA Celebration at BTME in Harrogate.”

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