Printer Friendly Version

EDITOR'S BLOG

THE COMMON SENSE COURSE MANAGER
Practical thinking, innovation and value for money
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

After 38 years at Fulford Heath Golf Club, I spoke to Kim Blake who reflects on a career built on practical thinking, innovation and getting the most from every pound invested.

NEWS

EVIDENCE-LED APPROACH ON GLYPHOSATE URGED
By the Amenity Forum

The Amenity Forum has released a statement

In our WEB ONLY story, a statement the Forum has warned against what it describes as an increasingly polarised debate around vegetation management.

EXPERT-LED INDUSTRY TAKEOVERS
For show's educational sessions

Organisers say they will offer visitors access to even more targeted education and expert insight from leading organisations across the grounds management, amenity, sports turf and landscaping sectors.

The organisers of November's SALTEX, the GMA, say they are set to strengthen their Learning LIVE programme for 2026 with the introduction of a series of specialist industry takeovers on the Spotlight Stage, giving visitors access to targeted education and expert insight from leading organisations across the grounds management, amenity, sports turf and landscaping sectors.

They promise the new takeover sessions will shine a spotlight on some of the industry's most significant and rapidly evolving topics, including synthetic turf management, weed, pest and disease management, and landscaping best practice.

Among the organisations already confirmed is the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA), which will host two specialist sessions exploring end-of-life synthetic pitch recycling and the latest trends in player-surface interaction research.

The Amenity Forum will also take over the Spotlight Stage, leading discussions on safeguarding the future of amenity protection and developing strategic approaches to integrated pest, weed and disease management.

The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) will share expert guidance on business protection through professionalism and explore the importance of standards with a session titled Raising Standards - Why BS 7533-102 Matters.

The GMA says further takeover sessions and industry partners will be announced in the coming months.

EDUCATIONAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS TECHNOLOGY
For commercial landscaping

The one-day event combined presentations with live demonstrations, covering topics including battery-powered equipment, robotic mowing, commercial battery systems, operator safety and current legislation.

GroundsFest Academy recently teamed up with Kress to host a free educational event showcasing the latest developments in commercial landscaping technology.

Held at Bearwood Park Training Ground, the home of Reading FC's training facilities, the one-day event combined presentations with live demonstrations, covering topics including battery-powered equipment, robotic mowing, commercial battery systems, operator safety and current legislation.

Attendees also saw demonstrations of Kress commercial products, including robotic mowers, blowers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers and the CyberTank Power Station, before taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the training ground to see how the site is maintained.

Jim Kirkwood, director of product management at Kress UK, said the Academy offered a valuable opportunity for professionals to explore emerging technology. "It's a great opportunity to learn on a one-to-one basis, discover new equipment, understand new technology and see how it could improve their business, increase efficiencies and help prepare for the future," he said.

Among those attending was Ewen Kenny, assistant groundsman at Cheltenham College, who said he had attended to gain a better understanding of robotic technology and its role in sports turf management.

The event forms part of the GroundsFest Academy programme, which delivers free CPD-focused educational events throughout the year, supported by industry partners.

DUNBLANE GC MAKES STRATEGIC FLEET MOVE
Following a comprehensive evaluation process

Course manager says making a change from machinery relied on for many years is a significant decision.

Dunblane Golf Club has announced a major investment in Toro equipment through a new fleet agreement with Reesink Scotland.

Course manager, Grant Donaldson, right, and Reesink Scotland area sales manager John Rankin

The club says the decision follows a comprehensive evaluation process conducted alongside Reesink carefully assessing the latest turfcare technology available. Driven, they say, by a commitment to continually enhance playing conditions and maintain exceptional standards throughout a busy schedule of competitions, events, and charity days, the club identified Toro as the ideal partner for its future ambitions.

Extensive discussions between course manager Grant Donaldson and Reesink Scotland area sales manager John Rankin focused on ensuring the chosen machinery would deliver the performance, reliability, and long-term value required by the club.

“Making a change from machinery you’ve relied on for many years is a significant decision,” says Grant. “There are many stakeholders involved, including the board and management committee, and it’s important that everyone is aligned. Toro demonstrated that it could meet a range of objectives while supporting our long-term vision for the course.”

A key element of the decision-making process was gathering hands-on feedback from the greenkeeping team. Multiple demonstrations were conducted, with particular attention given to the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 electric mowers. The response, the club says, from operators was overwhelmingly positive.

“The team’s input was incredibly important,” Grant explains. “They work with the equipment every day, and their reaction to Toro, particularly the electric units, was extremely encouraging. The enthusiasm they showed gave us real confidence in the decision.”

Introducing electric machinery to the fleet for the first time is an exciting milestone for the club. The new fleet includes two all-electric Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 mowers dedicated to greens and tees, alongside a Reelmaster 5610 for fairways and a Groundsmaster 4500 for rough and semi-rough areas.

The club is already looking ahead, with plans to further expand the fleet in the years to come.

BALMERS APPOINTED MAIN DEALER FOR NEW FRANCHISE
After relinquishing John Deere

The dealership say they are proud to represent a brand with such pedigree and are already seeing strong interest from local turf managers.

After relinquishing the John Deere franchise earlier this year, Balmers GM has now been appointed as a main dealer for Ransomes Jacobsen and Cushman, part of the Textron Group.

The dealership described this strategic expansion as marking a significant development for professional turf care across their territory - bringing renewed visibility and access to the Ransomes Jacobsen range.

Balmers says that turf professionals across their territory have had limited opportunity in recent years to see, demonstrate, or evaluate the latest Ransomes Jacobsen equipment which is manufactured in the UK and known worldwide. With themselves now supporting the wider territory, they say that gap is now firmly closed.

The dealership said turf managers, golf courses, local authorities, and sports venues will once again benefit from hands on demonstrations, expert product guidance, and full access to the complete portfolio. Balmers GM has strengthened its offering with a dedicated team of specialist golf and commercial sales representatives, who they say each bring extensive industry experience and deep product knowledge.

Andrew Meeks, group sales manager at Balmers GM, said, “Ransomes Jacobsen has a heritage that means something in this industry. The build quality, the engineering, and the finish these machines deliver is genuinely impressive.

“What’s exciting is that many professionals in our region haven’t seen Jacobsen equipment in years – and the reaction when they do is fantastic.

“We’re proud to represent a British built brand with such pedigree, and we’re already seeing strong interest from turf managers who want performance they can trust.”

Balmers concluded that this appointment reinforces their position as one of the UK’s leading groundcare machinery specialists and marks an exciting new chapter in their 47 year history.

FLEET RENEWAL HIGHLIGHTS DEALER COLLABORATION
Equipment selected on suitability not price

Contracting company has renewed its national specialist groundcare fleet with a range of machines, including its first adoption of remote-controlled mowing technology.

CBRE, the provider of integrated facilities and property management services, has renewed its national specialist groundcare fleet with a range of AS-Motor machinery, supplied by Lawncare Garden Machinery in partnership with AriensCo UK, following an operator-led evaluation process.

Rather than selecting equipment on price, CBRE asked the teams who use the machines every day to choose the products they felt best suited their work. The resulting fleet includes AS 940 Sherpa XL and AS 1040 Yak XL ride-on mowers, the Ovis Evo 1000 RC remote-controlled mower, AS 901 Flail, AS 63 Allmäher and AS 510 ProClip walk-behind machines, with AS 30 WeedHex units also being introduced for weed control.

The investment also marks CBRE's first adoption of remote-controlled mowing technology, supported by BAGMA-accredited handover and operator training from AriensCo UK.

Paul Clark, national grounds and maintenance manager at CBRE, said the decision reflected the confidence operators have in the brand. "We asked the people who use the equipment every day to identify the best machines for the job, with one simple instruction - don't let price influence the decision. The outcome was unanimous. Time and again, our teams selected AS-Motor because of its proven capability, reliability and performance in demanding environments."

For supplying dealer Lawncare Garden Machinery, they said the project extended well beyond machine delivery. Barbara Green said: "This has been a significant project involving teams across the UK, and it has been a real collaborative effort from everyone involved." She also thanked Ashley Mowers in Altrincham and G & W Lawnmowers in Dundee for helping prepare and hand over machines for customers in the north of the UK, alongside AriensCo UK for its support with operator training.

Sam Lewis, general manager of AriensCo UK, added, "Projects of this scale are only successful through strong partnerships.

"Together, we've demonstrated what can be achieved when manufacturers and dealers work in partnership to deliver the very best outcome for our mutual customers."

SPONSORED CONTENT

YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE COULD REACH THE UK TURF PROFESSIONAL SECTOR
Promote to our readership

Take out an Sponsored Product Announcement

Highlight your product or service to the people that matter by taking out a Sponsored Product Announcement in TurfPro.

Contact Nikki Harrison for details - 01491 837117

JOBS

ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS HERE
Amazing success rates!

Advertise your jobs on TurfPro Weekly Briefing

Advertise your recruitment needs on TurfPro Weekly Briefing and reach our targeted audience of recipients every week.

Contact Nikki Harrison for details - 01491 837117