Scarify In Autumn For Benefits Next Year

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Scarify In Autumn For Benefits Next Year: Scarification is a vital part of lawn maintenance that involves the removal of thatch or moss from the lawn, helping with air flow and keeping it health. If you do not scarify, debris will build up and lead to other problems. For example, thatchy and mossy lawns will not be very wear or drought tolerant. 

It is important to scarify at the right time of year, otherwise you will either risk having an unsightly lawn just when you want to be enjoying it, or you will open it up to more problems and damage. A light de-thatching or scarifying is recommended in spring, just as the weather is heating up, and there is an increase in the growth and recovery of the grass.

Scarify In Autumn For Benefits Next Year

In the autumn, however, is when a more intense, heavier scarification can take place. At this time of year there are a number of jobs to do around the garden to ensure that you leave in the best possible state over winter, and this is one of them. Whilst intense scarification sounds like very hard work, there are machines available to take the strain out of your lawn maintenance. The XC1 B40 from Cub Cadet, for example, steps up to the challenge with a powerful 35 H OHV Cub Cadet engine and a 1.7 litre fuel tank. The 34 verticutter blades, each with a width of 163mm, scratch out the dead grass and moss with ease, allowing in light and rain all the way down to the roots.

The machine also has the added benefit being able to aerate the lawn if necessary. To do this, simply use the higher position with a gentle touch of the blades and springs on the surface of the soil. When scarifying use a deeper blade and spring setting to allow for a more aggressive action on the lawn surface. A central height adjuster knob enables infinite working depth adjustment.

Featuring a wide 35cm working width, the machine has folding handles for easy storage or transport and an optional collection bag for collecting the debris can be purchased if desired, although due to the volume that is raked out of the lawn, most people will find it more effective to go over with their mower to collect the debris.

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Hove Haven Gets Upgraded 3G

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Hove Haven Gets Upgraded 3G: A haven for dog walkers, runners, playing kids and sports players in Hove has had its football pitch upgraded.

Brighton & Hove City Council appointed Essex-based ETC Sports Surfaces to the 70x31m pitch reconstruction at Hove Park, East Sussex.

Hove Haven Gets Upgraded 3G

The project consisted of the resurfacing of an existing Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with a modern 3G artificial grass surface, fencing, pitch divider, sports equipment & associated works.

AGPs are commonly Astroturf, but ETC combine this surface with their 3G surface to make a more durable pitch that is all-weather.

ETC worked alongside Desso Sports UK, who supplied the iQ3 50 artificial grass, while Zaun Ltd manufactured and provided 225m of its Duo8 Super Rebound sports fencing system plus two pairs of double gates and one single leaf pedestrian gate.

Duo8 Super Rebound forms a robust play area that is highly durable, low maintenance and ‘graffiti-proof’, with great rebound properties similar to a wall and rubber inserts between panels and posts to keep ‘rattle’ during play to a minimum.

Hove Park is popular with local residents, dog walkers and runners.  The park covers almost 40 acres and features a mix of large areas of open grass, mature trees, flower beds and recreational facilities.

At the eastern edge of the Park is the ‘Fingermaze’, a piece of public sculpture carved into the park and lined with stone and lime mortar.  The Fingermaze is a giant fingerprint which incorporates a Cretan labyrinth within its whirling design.

The 3G football surface is growing in popularity among clubs and schools as one of the best synthetic pitches.

3G pitches are split into two broad varieties: the dynamic base, which is a hardwearing, cost-effective choice of synthetic grass surface; or the non-abrasive engineered base, considered the optimum 3G pitch with the ideal look, feel and endurance, providing the right shock and slide performance. A major advantage of modern all-weather artificial pitches is their adaptability.

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Polaris’ ‘Ultimate RANGER Experience Winners

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Polaris’ ‘Ultimate RANGER Experience Winners: The winners of the ‘Ultimate RANGER® Experience’ competition were announced on Monday 16th July on the Polaris website at www.ranger20thanniversary.com.

Polaris launched a competition in May to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their best-selling utility vehicle, the RANGER®. Entrants were given the chance to win an ‘Ultimate RANGER® Experience’, by uploading a picture and caption showing their own personal RANGER® experience. The competition was a great success with over 320 entries being submitted throughout May and June from 36 participating countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa, to be selected for one of the two European experiences, with the RANGER® at the heart. The top 3 finalists were selected from each country before being reviewed by a panel of judges, including a representative from Polaris Industrial Design in the USA, to select the winners. The judges were looking for authenticity, inspiration and enthusiasm for the brand.

Polaris’ ‘Ultimate RANGER Experience Winners

Rodrigo Lourenco, Vice President and General Manager of Polaris Off-Road Vehicles EMEA, said: “I’m sure the judges had a very difficult decision when picking the winners, as many of the entries show a real passion for our brand, with amazing stories from every country and uses for the RANGER® that we had never seen before. Thank you to everyone who took part and made this competition a success – the perfect way to celebrate the RANGER® 20th Anniversary this year.”

The two winners have been announced:

Peter from the UK, who is part of the NHS North West emergency response services, with his entry showing a Polaris RANGER® 6×6 being used to assist the team where conditions are treacherous and do not allow conventional ambulance access.

Judges said “It is truly inspiring to know the RANGER® can, and is, being used to save lives by the North West Ambulance Service – what a wonderful way to showcase how versatile the RANGER® is.”

Peter will be sent to the Greece, to explore the Greek island of Naxos in a RANGER®. They will take a trip around the mountain villages, tour the ancient ruins and soak up on the sun on the long stretches of beach. They will also be a chance to take the RANGER® on a drive to Kasto, a hilltop castle dating back to the 13th century.

Manya from Belgium, who submitted a photo of their custom-built RANGER® 570 in Northern Spain’s Picos de Europa National Park. Located in the mountains, the national park is known for rocky terrain, beautiful scenery, and its resident Cantabrian Brown Bears. It makes sense then, that Manya built an aluminium trunk cover to prevent any bears taking food and materials from the RANGER® whilst visiting.

Judges said “Another perfect example of how our RANGER® can be adapted to suit any adventure and master any environment, even if that does involve hungry bears!”

Manya will enjoy a trip to Iceland, where she will enjoy the stunning landscape of the Icelandic mountains and see how the iconic RANGER® is customised and used by owners of lodges in the mountains to access their remote cabins.

Twenty years ago, Polaris introduced the very first RANGER® vehicle. Since then, the RANGER® has become known as one of the most dependable side-by-side and is the No.1 selling utility vehicle worldwide. With industry-leading capabilities in some of the most relentless conditions imaginable, its’ legacy continues to grow stronger year on year. Fueled by consistent innovation, the Polaris RANGER® range has been designed to be the hardest-working, smoothest-riding SXS ever built.

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Carbon Gold Achieves Business Certification

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Carbon Gold Achieves Business Certification: Carbon Gold, the Bristol-based supplier of enriched biochar to the turf, arb and grower markets in the UK and Europe, has achieved B Corp status.

The certification, which is a global standard used to measure a for-profit company’s social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency, is described as being to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee.

Carbon Gold Achieves Business Certification

The accreditation means Carbon Gold has successfully surpassed the rigorous standards set by the non-profit B Lab to become certified as a conscientious business that operates sustainably in its markets, cares for its employees, and has a positive impact on the world.

Craig Sams, Executive Chairman at Carbon Gold, says, “Carbon Gold has always been about making a difference.  Whether that’s helping trees flourish in the face of pests and diseases, boosting commercial growers’ yields to help them meet growing demand and stay profitable, or sequestering carbon permanently in soil to combat climate change.  It’s important that, as a business, we reflect those positive commercial goals.”

“I think in the corporate world, if you were to think of companies as people, you wouldn’t want to be friends with a lot of them.  From the beginning, we’ve always said we would not operate like that.  We want our team to enjoy working for us and we want our customers and commercial partners to enjoy being part of our stakeholder group.”

Kate Sandle, Community Manager at B Lab UK, says, “As a movement of companies who believe business can be a force for good, we are delighted to welcome Carbon Gold to the B Corp community.  We need more businessmen like Craig Sams to champion the health of our planet.  The addition of Carbon Gold to our diverse community is important to continue driving the change we seek across all sectors.”

B-Corp status is the latest in a suite of accreditations for Carbon Gold which is also FSC certified, approved by the Soil Association for use in organic food production, approved for use in biodynamic systems through the globally recognised Demeter standard, and corporate members of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).

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Tributes Paid To Simon Tullett

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Tributes Paid To Simon Tullett: It’s sad to report that Simon Tullett, founder of STM Co Ltd of Warwickshire – a supplier of SCAG equipment, and a well-known member of the industry, died in hospital recently.

He had health problems for a couple of years and was awaiting heart surgery, but sadly succumbed to kidney failure.

Tributes Paid To Simon Tullett

Simon’s family have thanked the hospital where Simon was patient after it helped with arrangements for a wedding blessing to take place at his bedside for the marriage of his daughter Olivia so that he could give her away. It is a testament to the man that, despite his weak condition, he still managed to come out with “and I’m not having her back, either”.

Simon had always been involved in the outdoor machinery industry and spent a number years in Sales with Tony Turner at Turner International, then worked for Agria before taking the decision to set up on his own.

A successful trial venture with SCAG machinery led to a thirty year association, still thriving today under the ownership of the Dominic Mason, who originally came to the company as a young lad working on Saturday mornings, subsequently to be trained by Simon in Sales.

He made a mark in the industry and is greatly respected for the company he developed and his involvement in the groundcare industry.

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STIHL To Showcase New Chainsaws

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STIHL To Showcase New Chainsaws: STIHL will be exhibiting its latest developments in professional chainsaws and forestry equipment at this year’s APF Exhibition, where visitors will have the opportunity to see the products in action at the manufacturers demo area based on the woodland demo circuit.

In addition to its own demo area, STIHL will have a large range of of high performance tools for professionals on display within the main arena on the static circuit, including the latest MSA 161 T cordless top-handled chainsaw and the lightweight MS 462 C-M petrol chainsaw.  STIHL will also be giving visitors a look at the new MS 500i – the world’s first lightweight petrol chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection.

STIHL To Showcase New Chainsaws

Rounding off its offering, professionals will also be able to discover more about STIHL’s range of PPE including the new VENT & X-VENT helmets and range of breathable and weather resistant ADVANCE chainsaw clothing.

Ahead of this year’s Stihl TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship at The Echo Arena in Liverpool in October, guests will be able to see the extreme sport in action as some of Europe’s top lumberjacks will take to the TIMBERSPORTS® Roadshow stage to compete in the six events.

Simon Hewitt, Head of Marketing at STIHL GB, said: “It’s a pleasure to be present at APF this year, and the exhibition is a great opportunity to showcase our ever expanding range of high quality tools for professionals.  Having a demo area on site is the perfect way to demonstrate the capability of our products, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to find out more about STIHL.”

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Las Brisas Invests In The Future

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Las Brisas Invests In The Future: Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, based in Marbella in Spain is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, as well as its first full golf course maintenance equipment fleet deal with John Deere and local dealer Agronimer.

Arranged through David Fernandez, the head of Agronimer’s golf division, the new fleet has been acquired in a five-year John Deere Financial agreement worth one million euros, and is supported by full PowerGard maintenance cover. Machinery includes tees, fairway, greens and rough mowers, both compact and larger utility tractors, Gator utility vehicles, sprayers and bunker rakes. The latest E-Cut hybrid electric models now make up 100 per cent of the club’s ride-on greens and fairway mower fleet.

Las Brisas Invests In The Future

Originally created by Robert Trent Jones Sr and more recently redesigned by Kyle Phillips, the 18-hole course is currently ranked #6 in Spain and #37 in continental Europe’s top 100 courses for 2018. It is notable for its raised greens, numerous bunkers and water hazards, as well as the botanical garden style landscaping that features many rare species of plants and trees from all over the world.

Las Brisas general manager Paul Muñoz and course manager Rafael González-Carrascosa head up a team of 24 greenkeeping and workshop staff. They have overseen an ambitious five-year multi-million euro project to redesign and renovate the course, which was necessary because the original design had begun to show its age.

“We felt that a complete remodelling of the golf course was required, but we needed to get the members to agree the necessary investment,” says Paul Muñoz. “A first phase was approved to renovate some aspects of the front nine back in 2012, and it was then that the project gained credibility and members felt that further investment was necessary.

“The final phase of works on the back nine holes was completed in 2015 but then had to be redone after severe flooding in 2016 caused widespread damage, and the course had to be closed for three months. However, once the membership saw what could be achieved they very quickly moved to have the whole course upgraded, and the final three holes were finished last summer.

“Everything has been addressed, from improving the grasses, bunkers, tees and greens to the drainage and irrigation system, as well as relocating several holes to create a better flow of play – even down to redesigning and rerouting the cart paths to make the initial visitor experience more pleasant.

“As a disciple of Robert Trent Jones Sr, Kyle Phillips fully understands his design philosophy, so he was the natural choice of architect for the new design, which is now cleaner, more open and natural. He has maintained the essence of the old course, but brought it more up to date, so it’s a better experience for the golfer. When you play the course now it feels like it’s been here for years, and you realise what a great job he’s done.”

Rafael González-Carrascosa adds: “This new agreement with John Deere and Agronimer includes not only the purchase of all the equipment necessary to keep our course in perfect condition, but also continuous training programmes for the operators and mechanics, customised parts management and tournament support when required.

“One of the key factors in choosing John Deere was that we only had to deal with one supplier, one brand and one dealer offering the right finance deal, so it made things easier all round. The John Deere range is comprehensive and offers good quality engineering as well as reliable dealer service and support.

“We’re very happy with the hybrid electric mowers, particularly the 8000E fairway machines, which were chosen for their quality of cut and light weight. The Gators and tractors are really good machines too, so we’re confident we’ve made an excellent choice. Most importantly, the members are really happy with the improvements we’ve made and the way the course now plays.”

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.co.uk

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Tournament Opportunity For Members

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Tournament Opportunity For Members: BIGGA members have been invited to become part of the championship support team for the Evian Championship 2018.

An incredible opportunity to gain experience preparing the course for one of golf’s major championships, BIGGA members who are invited to join the team for the duration of the event will receive return air fares, accommodation, subsistence and uniform.

Tournament Opportunity For Members

The Evian Championship is the fifth and final major of the 2018 LPGA Tour and greenkeepers will be required to be on site from 2-16 September.

The successful applicants will work alongside the club’s greenstaff and other volunteers from across Europe.

The Evian Course is situated in Evian les Bains, bordered by Lake Geneva on one side and the Alps on the other.

If you are interested in this rare opportunity email Peter Wisbey at pwisbey@btinternet.com

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Kubota Helps Young People

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Kubota Helps Young People: Kubota UK has joined forces with PACCAR Scout Camp, a charity funded organisation dedicated to helping young people achieve their physical, intellectual and social potential.

PACCAR Scout Camp, located in Buckinghamshire, provides a fun and exciting camping experience for youth organisations, including Scouts, Guides and school groups. Visitors have the opportunity to experience an assortment of activities, from abseiling and archery, to climbing, high ropes and bushcraft.

The Japanese manufacturer is working in partnership with PACCAR Scout Camp as part of its on-going initiative to support charities that are focused not only on improving the prosperous life of humans, but also protecting the environment.

Karen Tipping, Kubota UK’s Marketing Manager, said: “We are delighted to support the PACCAR Scout Camp.  The work and commitment of its 120 volunteers to give children of all ages the opportunities to experience the great outdoors is fantastic.

“For many of the camp’s 50,000 visitors a year, it can be the first time they will have ever experienced the outdoors like they can at PACCAR Scout Camp.  It’s an adventurous experience that’s not only fun and entertaining, but it can help build self esteem, confidence and team building skills.

“These values are important to Kubota and we are extremely proud of our manufacturing excellence and our commitment to the environment, highlighted by our ‘For Earth, For Life’ brand statement. Being partnered with PACCAR scout group is excellent and we are so pleased that we can aid them with the brilliant work they do’’

 To help the camp’s volunteers get around the 67-acre site, Kubota has donated its rugged and robust RTV-X900 utility vehicle.

 Cliffe Brooke, Operations Manager at PACCAR Scout Camp, commented: “On behalf of everyone at PACCAR, we would like to thank Kubota and our local dealer George Browns for their support. We are a charity organisation, and like all charities, we need funding to be able to survive. With Kubota donating us the RTV-X900, it means we can focus our funds on what’s most important – continually improving our site and facilities to make the experience our visitors have when they come here, even better.

“The machine will make a huge difference operationally, making life much easier for our volunteers, from ferrying equipment around for activities, to woodland management and general maintenance. It will also allow us to access areas of the 67-acre site that we previously couldn’t.

“The Kubota brand is synonymous with quality and reliability, we’ve had a Kubota compact tractor now for over ten years and it never lets us down. We are really looking forward to putting the RTV-X900 through its paces now and seeing what it can do. It will be an integral piece of machinery that will be used every single day so we are delighted to receive Kubota’s support.”

For more information on Kubota UK call 01844 268000 or visit www.kubota.co.uk.

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Linnets Aim For Perfect Pitch

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Linnets Aim For Perfect Pitch: The Walks might be a far cry from the old Wembley Stadium and Portman Road, but Steven Curtis is relishing the change in role after becoming groundsman at King’s Lynn Town Football Club.

Mr Curtis, who has worked at a number of iconic venues during the last 40 years, is enjoying the challenge of trying to make the surface at Lynn pitch-perfect.

Linnets Aim For Perfect Pitch

So much so that he has even put his property at Beck Row on the market so he can be closer to Lynn.

As if the task in hand wasn’t big enough when he took the job on, the lack of rain during one of the hottest summers for many years has hindered his hard work even further.

“The weather has been horrible for a groundsman,” said Mr Curtis.

“Water has been a problem, as it has been for everyone, and trying to get the pitch green has been a nightmare.

“Richard (Simper) has been an angel, coming in and moving the hose pipes which we’ve had on the go constantly.

“We’ve literally had two hose pipes on the go 24/7 so I think that Mr Cleeve might have a very sorry water bill, but what do you do?

While several players were dusting down their flip-flops for the summer holidays at the end of last season, Lynn’s groundsman was plotting a pristine playing playing surface for the new campaign.

Mr Curtis, 63, was left with the unenviable task of transforming the surface – which came in for much criticism from the club’s previous manager – into tip-top condition after leaving his position at Mildenhall after two-and-a-half years.

Lynn’s pitch had four thousand metres (two-and-a-half miles) of new drainage installed before it was eventually verti-drained, overseeded and fertilised.

“I’ve certainly done my 10,000 steps a day,” quipped Mr Curtis.

“We’ve had to constantly back fill the trenches to keep them topped up. We’ve shifted about 20 tonnes of sand to help us keep it topped up.”

As previous Linnets turf-tenders will concur, sustaining the pitch’s quality throughout a nine-month campaign is a mammoth task considering its heavy-duty usage.

But it isn’t such an issue for Mr Curtis who worked at the old Wembley between 1986 and 1994, along with clubs such as Ipswich, Norwich City, Leyton Orient and Cambridge United during 40 years as a contractor.

“The club approached me and I was happy to come here,” he admitted.

“It was a step up, bigger facilities, better players and better everything really.

“The players have been great and appreciate what has been done, everyone has been great which is why we’ve put our house on the market and our thinking of moving this way.”

And the chances of Lynn having a surface to be proud of come kick-off on August 11?

“At the moment it’s a seven out of ten for me,” said Mr Curtis.

“Come another three weeks and given a bit of moisture, I think we will be there or thereabouts.”

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