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EDITOR'S BLOG

HOT & BOTHERED
A sizzling summer of sport!
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

With all the top-level sport we have enjoyed this summer, recognition must be given to the turf professionals preparing playing surfaces in extreme conditions.

What a feast of sport we have been enjoying these past few weeks – during one of the warmest summers on record!

Wimbledon, cricket, golf, the successful Women’s Euros Championships and not forgetting the recent 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.

We must thank all the organisers of these events and more importantly recognise the hard work and detailed preparation carried out by the turf professionals at all these venues.

I was lucky enough to have the chance to attend the Games, watching the rugby sevens at the Coventry stadium. A feast of high-class sporting endeavour over three days, with a total of 16 teams competing in the men's tournament, while eight contested the women's tournament.

Australia's women won the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens gold, beating Fiji 22-12, while South Africa took gold in the men's competition with a 31-7 victory, also over Fiji.

It would seem from talking to a few people who attended the Games that the championships were well attended and well organised. I personally very much enjoyed the experience.

The sheer scale and logistics of staging an event on this scale is mind blowing. The actual cost of holding these games was £800m, however they have ensured a lasting legacy with all the newly-built facilities, providing a marvellous resources and jobs for the people of Birmingham.

With most of the summer sports now completed, the football season is now in full swing with turfpros busy preparing and repairing playing surfaces in sweltering conditions.

Certainly, a worrying time for those who do not have efficient watering systems. Which leads me on to . .

Hosepipe bans

There have been several hose pipe bans declared already, including early announcements from Hampshire and the Isle of Wright and areas of Kent and Sussex.

Yorkshire Water has also announced its first hosepipe ban in 27 years in the wake of low rainfall and high temperatures. It said reservoir levels had fallen below 50% for the first time since the drought of 1995 and it would take months of rain for them to recover.

The GMA have helpfully published a guide on temporary use bans, or hosepipe bans, with some up to date information.

A recent visit to Olton Golf Club allowed me to see the how the extreme hot temperatures had affected the facilities. The whole course was tinder dry, with the exception of the irrigated greens.

What are the rules of a hosepipe ban?

Don’t use a hosepipe to water plants or clean your vehicle
Don’t fill - or clean - a swimming pool, paddling pool, pond or fountain
Don’t use a hosepipe to clean windows, walls, paths, patios or decking
Don’t use a hosepipe to cool off in the heat
But you can use other water sources, like using your mains water supply but with buckets or watering cans instead of hosepipes, or using stored rainwater from a water butt.

What’s the penalty during a ban?

Anyone found not following the rules could be prosecuted in a criminal court and fined up to £1,000, under section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

What’s allowed during a ban?

Using a hosepipe for health and safety reasons
Watering newly laid turf for the first 28 days
The watering of newly bought plants for the first 14 days
Watering plants that are grown for sale or commercial use or that are part of a National Plant Collection or temporary display
Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared
People who are paid for car washing, window cleaning and graffiti removal can still use hosepipes
Operating water features with religious significance
Filling new pools, or those with religious significance
To prevent or control the spread of disease or invasive species
A hosepipe ban will end when there’s enough rainfall to fill affected reservoirs.

NEWS

GMA PUBLISH GUIDANCE
On temporary water restrictions

In our first WEB ONLY story the Association aims to help turf professionals understand what bans are currently in place and whether or not their local water company has granted an exemption for continued use.

ROBOT IS ANSWER TO SKILLS SHORTAGE
For Haileybury School

In our next WEB ONLY story grounds manager, Andy Richards, says, "Skilled labour is difficult to get, and line marking is a technical job."

OVERCOMING MORE FREQUENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Microclover suggested as a solution

Producer says clover generates its own nitrogen from the atmosphere making it one of the most tolerant varieties to drought and other high stress environments.

Seed producer DLF, have said that amongst the current brown and baron land, green patches of clover remain.

The effect of clover throughout the year during trials conducted by DLF in France

The company says clover generates its own nitrogen from the atmosphere making it one of the most tolerant varieties to drought and other high stress environments.

Alongside more frequent periods of sustained hot and dry weather, DLF say the rise in fertiliser prices is driving seed producers to look for varieties that can be maintained with a more sustainable nitrogen programme. The unique root nodules on clover are formed by the Rhizobium bacteria, capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a natural fertiliser available for the clover as well as the companion grasses. Sourced in this way, the supply will also be gradual and ongoing, contributing to more sustained growth when compared to the ‘flush’ that can occur when larger quantities of nitrogen are applied as part of a managed feeding programme.

Microclover, DLF say, is a special bred dwarf white clover which joins in well with other turf species. The smaller leaves and lower growth habit contribute to a dense, uniform appearance as well as delivering strong wear qualities and heat/drought tolerance.

According to the producer, all of this means that the inclusion of Microclover can result in a sward that suffers from less weed and disease invasion, and one that requires less water, fertiliser and ultimately cost, to sustain. In trials conducted by the STRI, DLF say Microclover is proven to deliver enhanced coverage and improved colour when compared to pure grass swards.

The producer says that Masterline’s PM82 Microclover Sport mixture has been specifically blended with these benefits in mind.

NH CONFIRM DEALERSHIP BRANCH CLOSURE
Announce plans for future coverage

New Holland has announced dealership territory expansions including plans for a new outlet, to cover the area previously held by the closed branch.

New Holland has issued a statement that - further to the announcement made earlier in the year regarding changes to their dealer network in Scotland - confirms to their customers in the Lothian area that Lothian Tractors Ltd closed their depot at Tranent at the end of business on Friday 5th August 2022 and have left the New Holland network.

As a result, the manufacturer states the Lothian area will now be managed exclusively by:

Lloyd Ltd who have already expanded their territory to Mid Lothian and East Lothian and who New Holland say will shortly will announce plans to open new outlet in the area close to Tranent to serve customers in that area. Additionally, they have recruited several former members of the Lothian staff to provide continuity of service in the area.
Bryson Tractors Ltd have also recently expanded their territory and will cover the West Lothian area customers from their current main depot in Lanark in addition to their Ayrshire expansion with the addition of a depot in Dundonald.

In an official statement New Holland went on to thank " . . all the staff and management from Lothian tractors who have represented the brand down the years for their hard work and dedication and look forward to working with the new team in the area and continuing to serve our customers in the Lothians."

EXTENSIVE PREPARATIONS REVEALED
At St. Mellion Estate

Details have emerged of the extensive preparations being made ahead of a highly anticipated event at the course.

Details have emerged of the extensive preparations being made by St. Mellion Estate ahead of their hosting of the British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management. The Cornish facility has confirmed the completion of a series of improvements both on and off the course.

Following a 15-year wait to welcome back elite golf to the West of England, St Mellion say the preparatory work is almost complete on the 36-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

The changes, which include new tees at the 12th and 14th, have extended the course to over 7,000 yards for the first time. Also, all of the 47 bunkers have been reshaped by Nicklaus Design while significant additional drainage works and a Toro irrigation system has been installed.

As significantly, the fairways have been top-dressed with 500 tonnes of sand annually to improve surface drainage and year-round playability. The extensive work has been overseen by BIGGA Master Greenkeeper Mike Bush.

“The changes made to The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course form part of a much wider ethos to continually seek improvement in every aspect of the resort,” said Mike. “The new tees and refurbished bunkers will be the most obvious additions, but committing to an annual programme of top-dressing for the fairways, as well as the greens, tees and landing areas, has made a significant difference in terms of playability. Add to that the new irrigation system, and I would safely say we’ve never been better prepared to host a top-class tournament such as the British Challenge.”

The British Challenge takes place at St Mellion from 6-9 October, 2022.

SENIOR APPOINTMENT FOR ARIENSCO
VP of sales for EMEAA

The manufacturer says the new appointment highlights their continued investment in operations and will help continue to grow its commercial presence throughout the region.

AriensCo has announced the appointment of Brad Stiles as its new vice president of sales for EMEAA.

Brad Stiles

In a statement the company said that Brad, who has been with them for over 11 years, brings, " . . unparalleled expertise that will help drive AriensCo’s sales throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa while also ensuring continued growth in Asia Pacific and across UK business activities."

They went on to say, "The new appointment highlights AriensCo’s continued investment in its operations and will help AriensCo continue to grow its commercial presence throughout EMEAA. This includes the acquisition of German professional mower manufacturer, AS-Motor, appointing Jochen Schneider as Executive Vice President of EMEAA and moving its CE zero-turn mower production to Oxford, United Kingdom."

Brad, whose father worked for the company for over 25 years, vacates his previous position of director of sales and ,arketing for EMEAA - which he was promoted to in 2020. It was in this post, the company says, that he demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the Ariens business in the UK, including the key differences between the UK, European and US markets, built lasting relationships within the EMEAA distributor networks and helped customers achieve their goals.

“Brad continues to be the driving force behind AriensCo’s remarkable growth throughout EMEAA,” said Jochen Schneider, executive vice president of EMEAA. “Having worked at AriensCo for over a decade he not only embodies our family values but is best placed to ensure our customers get the products and support they depend on.”

Brad, who will report to Jochen Schneider, said, “For over a decade I have witnessed AriensCo’s fast paced growth and now, in this new position, I can play an even greater role in keeping up that momentum. From strengthening current markets to reaching new ones, these truly are exciting times for AriensCo and all its customers, present and future.”

Regional sales managers in Germany, France and UK along with the export sales teams from EMEAA will report into Brad.

LANDSCAPE SHOW ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP
With another trade event

Show says the partnership is a coming together of two organisations with the common goal of championing the outdoor industry.

The trade event aimed at the landscaping community, The Landscape Show 2022, have announced they have now partnered with LOFA (Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association) the organisers of SOLEX the Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition.

Event director, Jeremy Storey-Walker, said, "For the first time in its history, the Landscap Show and LOFA are collaborating. This partnership is a coming together of two great organisations with the common goal of championing the outdoor industry. By joining forces, we will be able to offer an even wider range of benefits and services to our visitors and members.

"The synergy between these two shows is undeniable. They both work to promote great products and innovation within the outdoor industry. This partnership will be sure to bring a new level of excitement to both events."

The Landscape Show takes place at NEC, Birmingham on the 28th and 29th September 2022.

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