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EDITOR'S BLOG

ROBOTICS ON THE FAIRWAY
Greenkeepers attend practical demo
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

I recently visited an informative day, hosted by dealership Buxtons, where local greenkeepers got a chance to view and learn about robotic mowing solutions for their courses.

I recently attended a robotic solutions seminar, held at the prestigious Beau Desert GC in Staffordshire. The event was organised by local dealer Buxtons, based near Penkridge Staffordshire. Having been kindly invited by the company’s MD Kelly Burgess, I went along to hear the latest developments of their Husqvarna range of robotic mowers.

With over 20-plus greenkeepers in attendance representing several local golf clubs, it was a great opportunity for me to ask them their thoughts on how robotic technologies could help them in their roles.

The day began with a welcome from Ellis Adderley, Buxton's commercial sales manager who organised the event and gave an introduction to the day’s proceedings, introducing Craig Stoba from Husqvarna.

Ellis Adderley

Craig Stoba, key account manager, Automower Pro for Husqvarna, was in attendance and highlighted the benefits of golf course automation. His presentation stated that robots can handle basic tasks like cutting fairways and roughs, freeing up greenkeepers to focus on more skilled tasks.

Craig Stoba

He argued that robots offer increased safety, reduced carbon footprint, low noise emissions, and flexibility in operation. A single machine can cut up to 1800 square meters per hour, and fleets can be managed remotely. Clubs like Hillside and Royal Birkdale have significantly reduced labour costs and improved course conditions, he said. The robots, made in the UK, offer 83% lower carbon impact compared to diesel mowers and can handle steep slopes and various terrain.

We then went outside to see one of their robots in action out on the course. Husqvarna had set up it up to mow a fairway at a height of cut of 10mm.

Whilst out on the course, Craig was able to show the cutting deck and explain how easy it was to set up, run and clean. Craig outlined the versatility of their robots to handle a range of golfing environments - for smaller areas or hilly, more complex roughs, semi-rough or fairways, he said the Automower can make easy work of the most difficult of challenges and are suitable for maintaining areas up to 16,000 m² every second day. The all-wheel drive model is capable of handling steep slopes up to 70%, said Craig, making it useable in areas unsafe for brushcutters, hover mowers, or traditional ride-on mowers.

Also available is their Ceora, which Craig said was suitable for a wider range of turf applications, including fairways and semi-rough, and for golf course areas of up to 50,000 m².

Craig told us Husqvarna's range of robotic mowers can cut the following areas of turf :-

The Ceora can mow up to 25,000m2 per day.
The AWD model can mow up to 2500m2 per day
The 580L can mow up to 8000m2 per day

As for costs, the Ceora, 546 robotic mowers are around £30,000, whilst the Automower 580L EPOS is £7,799.00.

The number of robots needed to maintain an 18-hole golf course can range from approximately 4 to over 10, depending on the specific layout, terrain, and desired finish. A typical fleet will use a combination of large-area mowers and smaller, more agile models.

The Ceora can cut down to 10mm, but the Beau Desert fairways were being cut at 14mm

I spoke to several of the head greenkeepers who all said they feel there is a place for this new technology on their courses - especially if it frees up time and helps (but doesn’t hinder) their work.

However, the worry for many is the concern that over time some golf club managers will see the robots as an excuse to reduce staffing levels and reduce costs.

For me personally, it still early days on the performance of robots working on fine turf playing surfaces. Expectations are high at the professional level of facilities. Having said that, Husqvarna have being developing robotic mowers for a long time now and have developed high-quality machines that are capable and are steadily turning heads in the golf industry. As for other brands, they too will start to catch up and will bring to the marketplace a range of robotics that can serve our industry well.

Currently, I believe it is a case of choosing the right robotic technologies that compliments the traditional mowing equipment to deliver the expectations of your end users. I think it will be a collaboration of innovative machinery that helps us all to deliver customers’ expectations.

NEWS

WAGE INCREASE RECOMMENDED FOR GREENKEEPERS
By Committee for Golf Club Salaries

Wage increase for greenkeepers recommended

In our first WEB ONLY story, in making their recommendation the CGCS says challenges remain in finding and retaining the right people to maintain golf's momentum.

RFU REVEALS OFFICIAL GROUNDSKEEPING PARTNER
Multi-year partnership announced

Ian Ayling, Jack Brown, James Gordon, and Claudio Borges

In our next WEB ONLY story, as part of the agreement, the brand will support the maintenance of pitches and green spaces across the country.

TRAILER RELEASED
For Equip Digital Special Report

Watch the brand new trailer for TurfPro and Service Dealer's forthcoming Digital Special Report, covering the recent Equip exhibition in Louisville, Kentucky.

Watch the trailer for TurfPro and Service Dealer’s 2025 Equip Digital Special Report, fronted by owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke – who is joined by dealers Pete and Emma McArthur from Strathbogie Forest & Garden.

During their visit to the world’s largest outdoor powered machinery exhibition - held in Louisville, Kentucky - they spoke with U.S manufacturers, dealers, trade associations, and specialist trainers to take the temperature of the market.

The full Equip Digital Special Report, published soon, will be packed with interviews, insight and plenty of content to fascinate dealers from the UK and Ireland. Keep an eye on this Weekly Update and our social channels for details.

Watch the trailer above or via Service Dealer's YouTube channel.

COMMUNITY CLUBS TO BE BROUGHT CLOSER
At upcoming trade show

Organisers are promising a fresh programme of features designed to provide resources and networking opportunities.

SALTEX 2025 returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 12-13 November with what organisers are describing as a fresh programme of features designed to provide resources and networking opportunities for grounds professionals and community clubs.

The Community Sports Zone is desgned for clubs and volunteers seeking to engage with suppliers and manufacturers. Exhibitors will be on hand to showcase their latest products and services tailored to grassroots sports. Located next to the GMA Hub, the Zone also provides access to national governing bodies including the Football Foundation, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League who will be offering guidance and advice on sport-specific development.

A new addition for 2025 is the Football Foundation Grant Funding Desk - which the GMA says is a one-stop service for clubs seeking advice on how to secure vital support for grassroots pitches and facilities through grants and funding opportunities. The desk equips volunteers and clubs with the practical tools and guidance they need to grow and maintain their facilities.

Visitors can access information on:

• Up to £100,000 in grants for pitch maintenance machinery

• The Huddle - funding support for catering units at clubs

• Groundskeepers Corner - join a thriving online community of peers

• Step-by-step guidance on grant eligibility and application processes

• Home Advantage Programme - up to £250,000 to help clubs take on grass pitch sites

Community clubs and volunteers will also be able to benefit from a series of sport-specific meet-ups and guided tours for football, rugby (Union and League) and cricket, designed to help visitors network with fellow clubs, the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service team and key National Governing Bodies.

Tours will start in the SALTEX Clubhouse before taking visitors around the exhibition floor, highlighting the most relevant exhibitors as well as key show features including the Community Sport Zone, The Workshop and the GMA Hub.

Each session offers practical guidance and the opportunity to explore support tailored to community clubs.

“We understand how vital grassroots sport is to the wider sporting ecosystem in the UK, and it’s important that SALTEX provides a platform to support clubs and volunteers alike,” said Sarah Hunter, head of events at the GMA.

“This year, with the introduction of the Funding Desk alongside our ever-popular Community Sports Zone and Clubhouse sessions, we are giving visitors even more opportunities to access guidance and gain the tools and connections they need to thrive.”

LATEST DEPOT SUPPORTING GROWING PROFESSIONAL CUSTOMER BASE
Satellite branch in operation

Now fully operational, the latest depot is now receiving daily deliveries and is fully staffed.

Reesink UK expanded its presence in Scotland with the opening of a new depot in Lossiemouth this January, which they say enhanced sales and aftersales support for customers in the area north of Aberdeen.

Jim McKay and Gordon Rodgers

Operational since February, the Lossiemouth depot is now receiving daily deliveries and is fully staffed with Jim McKay, Area Sales Manager North, and Gordon Rodgers, a full-time engineer/mechanic.

Matching the product range of the Reesink Scotland Livingston branch, the depot sells leases primarily for Toro machinery. ReeAssure maintenance plans are available through the satellite branch, too.

Reesink Scotland branch manager, Mike Turnbull runs the depot, drawing on over 25 years’ industry experience at Reesink UK and Toro Spellbrook. He said, “I’m setting a clear trajectory for growth with the new depot, closely modelled on the operations down in Livingston. This is a really exciting venture - I’m pleased Reesink UK and Toro let us expand our business to support the growing customer base.”

Rather than a standard walk-in depot, customers can continue to contact Reesink Scotland in Livingston to enquire about prices or demos, buy a lease, or book a service, who will then connect them to the appropriate branch depending on their location.

The Lossiemouth depot currently stocks all the fast-moving genuine parts, and in most instances, when needed, can courier other parts from Livingston so they reach Lossiemouth by the next morning.

DEALER EXPANDS PORTFOLIO
Looking open new sales opportunities

Dealer says that welcoming the new ATVs and UTVs into their business fills a clear gap in their market.

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) is continuing to expand its Can-Am off-road dealer network in the UK with the appointment of Beckside Machinery, a family-run business based in Market Rasen with strong roots in the agricultural sector.

BRP's Rachael Turner with Beckside Machinery's James Marks

Rachael Turner, BRP commercial manager UK & Ireland, said, “Beckside Machinery has hit the ground running from the day our products reached its showroom, and we’re confident its knowledge and drive will strengthen our community. Together, we’re excited to meet the constantly evolving needs of its customer base and showcase what our ATVs and UTVs bring to the table.”

James Marks, director, Beckside Machinery Ltd, added, “Can-Am has been firmly on our radar for some time and we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome its ATVs and UTVs into our business. This is a brand that truly stands out, not just for the exceptional build quality of its machines, which align perfectly with our commitment to premium, high-performance equipment, but also because it is a petrol-powered range that fills a clear gap in our market. This is another milestone for our growing business, and we’re excited about what this partnership means for our customers and our future growth."

JOBS

SALES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT – HYDROSCAPES
Reesink UK Ltd

To cover the area from Birmingham to the South coast of the UK promoting/selling Toro Golf, Res Comm, & Perrot irrigation products and complete system sales.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Reesink UK Ltd

Providing Technical after-sales/product support to the retail sales team, service centres, dealer network and end-user customers.

MOBILE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – SHEFFIELD PARK
Reesink UK Ltd

To provide practical, field, technical and repair support to end user customers of the brands enhancing their product satisfaction and experience.

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