TM1000 Tackles Golf Course Thatch

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TM1000 Tackles Golf Course Thatch: Normanby Hall Golf Club Head greenkeeper Michael Burgin has reported hugely successful results from using the SISIS TM1000 tractor mounted heavy duty scarifier to combat high levels of thatch on the greens.

This delightful golf course in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, adjoins the picturesque Normanby Hall country park and is set in 117 stunning acres of mature woodland and parkland. The 18 hole, par 72 course is widely considered to be one of the toughest courses to play in the area, providing a challenge for players of all abilities.

TM1000 Tackles Golf Course Thatch

Michael, who has been in the greenkeeping industry throughout his entire career, has been at Normanby Hall for eleven years. Two years ago, he was promoted to the position of head greenkeeper and one of his first tasks in charge was to tackle an abundance of thatch which had occurred on the greens.

“We established that we had a large layer of thatch on the top of our greens; it was on all of them throughout the whole course. This resulted in some drainage problems and I knew that we desperately needed a new piece of equipment which could help us solve the problem.

“I did a lot of research and came across a number of videos online of greenkeepers using the TM1000. I then read an article about the course manager at Greetham Valley Golf Club using it and what he said about the machine pretty much persuaded me to buy it.”

The SISIS Rotorake TM1000 is a tractor mounted heavy duty scarifier and linear aerator and is un-rivalled when it comes to removing and controlling thatch. It includes a collector box and floating unit to follow ground contours and its contra-rotating reel throws debris forward ensuring a clean, consistent groove resulting in an excellent finish. The TM1000 also features interchangeable blades and a quick, simple depth setting without tools.

The fact that the TM1000 collects debris was a key factor in his decision and also something which was incredibly important to the greenkeeping team according to Michael.

“There were other machines on the market but the ones we looked at didn’t collect. This would mean that you would require two or three guys going behind the machine clearing up.

The hydraulics on the back of the TM1000 means that the operator doesn’t have to keep jumping in and out to empty the grass box – which would be very time consuming. For a small team, if you can get one man to do this job then it is a massive benefit.

TM1000 Tackles Golf Course Thatch

“I also like the fact that the TM1000 can go down to 50mm deep. The SISIS TM1000 runs straight through the turf – like a knife through butter.

“We have found that the time of year doesn’t really matter when it comes to using it. The first time we used the TM1000 was mid-February in winter conditions and we found that it did not phase the machine whatsoever.

“No matter what the weather you can’t even tell that the TM1000 has been across the greens and that has really impressed me. It’s a reliable machine with very little maintenance required.

“Overall it is just a fantastic piece of kit. There has been a big improvement in the greens and our soil samples have proved that the thatch levels have dropped dramatically since using the TM1000.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter and Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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PRO 34R The Ultimate Rotary

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PRO 34R The Ultimate Rotary: After a long-term search for the ultimate rotary mower, Shrewsbury School grounds manager, Andy Richards, believes that he has finally found the mower he has been looking for in the Dennis PRO 34R.

Shrewsbury School has a world-class reputation for all-round excellence. As well as boasting fantastic academic results the school is also renowned for highly competitive sports teams. The pupils compete internationally in cricket and its football teams are considered to be some of the best in the UK.

PRO 34R The Ultimate Rotary

In matching the reputation of its teams, the sports pitches are also highly regarded and there’s a reason that the first team pitches at Shrewsbury School are on par with most Premier League football pitches or County Cricket pitches. That reason is grounds manager Andy Richards, who has been in his current position since 2010. Ever the perfectionist, Andy and his team arguably encounter some of the highest usage in sports turf, and even still he insists on leaving no stone unturned.

Andy demands the best in all aspects of his role and even more so when it comes to turf maintenance equipment. After struggling to find a rotary mower which matched his expectations, Andy claims that the solution arrived in the newly launched Dennis PRO 34R.

“Over recent years we have struggled to find a rotary mower that actually ticked every box – they were either too fast or not fast enough; some were too heavy and some felt too light; and there were some that would not pick up the debris clean enough or produce a good enough cut.

“I saw the new rotary mower at SALTEX and knew it would be good because it is a Dennis mower and I already know the quality of cut from their cylinder mowers. It actually seemed to me that a rotary mower was something which was missing from their portfolio so when it did finally come to market I put my name down as soon as possible to get one. It is safe to say that it definitely hasn’t let me down.”

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface. It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“We bought two of them and I would say that they are easily our most used machines,” said Andy.

“We originally just bought them to hoover up the debris but we quickly found that the cut is comparable to a cylinder mower so we started mowing with them too. Our first team football pitch is surrounded by 30 trees so in autumn we used to come out in the morning of a match day and leaves would be all over it. We actually used to use a cut and collect ride-on mower and then follow up with a Dennis cylinder mower but now we just use the Pro 34 R. It does a brilliant job, saves us time, keeps the weight off the pitch and avoids wheel marks from the heavier ride-on machines.

“I had a feeling it would also work well on our cricket pitches and it has. The amount of debris that is produced during the cricket season is huge. We blow it off with blowers from the surrounding wickets so they can get covered and then the morning after we just hoover it all up with the PRO 34R.

“Maintenance wise, it has been completely trouble-free. It’s my favourite machine at the moment and I think it will take some beating,” said Andy.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter or Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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E. Corr Put The Boot In Elsenham

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E. Corr Put The Boot In Elsenham: E. Corr Plant Hire, the Hertfordshire based hirer of a wide range of plant, skips and associated machinery have purchased an X-BOOT footwear cleaning module from Trime UK.

The X-BOOT is an on-site footwear wash system. It recycles 100% of the water used, enabling a site to utilise the water many times. The X-BOOTs’ filtration system collects the soil and mud for easy disposal via a removable textile bag.

E. Corr Put The Boot In Elsenham

The X-BOOT had been made to collect up to 1000 kg of dirt, mud and other contaminates, saving over 20,000 litres of water per week. Seven persons can use the X-BOOT at any given time, using the handy cleaning brushes to ensure that their footwear to properly cleaned. The X-BOOT operates from safe 110v and can be positioned onto site using a forklift truck or telehandler. It is set up for use within a matter of moments.

Explaining the decision to purchase the X-BOOT, Gary Mills, E.Corr’s Purchasing Manager said, “We first spotted the X-BOOT during an online search for a foot cleaning system we needed for use on our own premises, here at Elsenham. Mark Taylor from Trime UK came over and demonstrated the X-BOOT and we were impressed by its good design and solid build.”

The X-BOOT is already in use and is helping to keep the E.Corr offices and surrounding areas clean, tidy and free from mud.

E. Corr Plant Hire is a family business that has been trading for over thirty years. The company is based in Elsenham, Bishops Stortford. They hire a wide range of equipment from 1 tonne mini-diggers, right through to 30 tonne bulk earthmovers.

Trime has significant experience in producing energy and water saving products for the UK construction rental markets. In 2018 their X-SPLASH Wash Bay was given a Green Apple Award by the Green Organisation. The Trime manufacturing plant is based in Cassinetta di Lugagnano, near Milan and the Trime UK is situated in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

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Jensen Success At Arb Show

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Jensen Success At Arb Show: The team behind the UK distribution of Jensen woodchippers, the world’s first and original woodchippers developed in 1884, were delighted to host a stand at the 2019 Arb Show this month.

With a prominent stand overlooking the entrance, Jensen woodchippers were on full display to several thousand visitors that attended over the course of the two-day event, drawing in crowds of interested people and resulting in a large number of demonstration bookings throughout the country.

Jensen Success At Arb Show

Jensen are known for supplying the widest range of woodchippers in the industry, from 6” to 12” capacity; towed, PTO, tracked and hydraulically-adjustable ‘Spider’ tracks; as well as turntable functionality on all 8” and above machines.

A wide variety of Jensen machinery was available to see at the show, including towed and tracked machines, having both petrol and diesel models on display.

The 6” capacity, diesel A530L woodchipper is road-towable at less than 750kg, which made it one of the most popular machines on the stand from interested tree surgeons and arborists looking for a powerful but lightweight all-round chipper.

Similarly, the 6” A530L, petrol version, at under 700kg fully braked attracted much attention on the stand. With a 35hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine, and electronic safety touch-sensors fitted as standard, the A530L offers power, performance and safety in a practical sized machine.

Always one of the machines to draw a crowd is the Jensen A540 Spider, and at this year’s Arb Show it was no different.

Capable of tackling timber up to 190mm effortlessly, the A540 with Spider tracks is designed for embankments and awkward terrain.

Agile and manoeuvrable, visitors to the stand were impressed to learn about the stability benefits of the A540 Spider, which features independently adjustable hydraulic tracks both horizontally and vertically.

Visitors to the stand were varied with hugely interesting careers and equipment requirements, from independent tree surgeons looking for a single woodchipper for daily tasks through to large, crane-fed machines for highway and railway maintenance.

“This is the third year we’ve attended the Arb Show with Jensen and we were delighted with not only the turn out to the event but the huge level of interest in the brand”, says Bill Johnston, Head of Machinery Imports division and Business Manager for Jensen in the UK.

He continues, “It was excellent to meet a large number of existing Jensen owners who were pleased to share their experience of Jensen machinery with us, as well as a whole host of new customers booking on-site demonstrations.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing lots of those visitors again over the coming weeks, giving them the opportunity to try a Jensen for themselves and experience the power and performance of the world’s original woodchippers.”

The Jensen dealer for Wales, Riverlea, supported the stand at the show and was represented by Sales Manager Paul Austin.

“This was my first time at the Arb Show and I found it very interested. We were pleased to speak to visitors and leave at the end of the show with some leads, which I hope will generate some more sales for Jensen over the coming months.”

To find out more about the wide range of Jensen woodchippers available, and to locate your local Jensen dealer, visit www.jensenchippers.co.uk

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John Deere Awards Apprentices

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John Deere Awards Apprentices: A total of 31 young service technicians have formally graduated from the latest John Deere Ag Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, which are run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ at the purpose-built John Deere Apprentice Training Centre in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.

Apprentice of the Year for 2018 was Henry Smith of Cornthwaite Agricultural Ltd in Ormskirk, who received a crystal plaque, winner’s certificate and a John Deere tool kit worth £500. The runners-up were Martyn Burnett of HRN Tractors Ltd, Insch and William Storr of Rea Valley Tractors, Sudbury, who each received a certificate and high street vouchers worth £250.

John Deere Awards Apprentices

The annual apprentice graduation ceremony was held at the East Midlands Conference Centre on the University of Nottingham campus for the first time, with the students’ parents and dealer representatives also invited to celebrate the occasion. John Deere Limited managing director Jonathan Henry presented the apprentices with their graduation certificates, while after-dinner guest speaker and TV presenter Guy Martin, together with ProVQ chairman Julian Lloyd, handed over the three apprentice of the year awards.

These awards are based on the trainees’ consistently high standards of work, both at their dealerships and at the training centre, over the three years of the apprenticeship. In addition, all central government approved apprenticeships in England now require an end-point assessment, over and above the log of work progress that was kept for each apprentice before last year. The majority of the 2018 graduates were therefore the first John Deere technicians to qualify under the new EPA rules.

“With the new EPA tests, which were held at Langar in April, both John Deere and our dealers are now able to quantify more effectively the skills of the apprentices we are training,” says John Deere Limited training centre manager Allan Cochran. “An EPA pass mark of above 90 per cent was required to earn a distinction and well over half the apprentices we tested achieved this, which was well above our initial expectations, so we have got off to a great start with these new assessments.”

John Deere’s three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships involve students being trained in engineering, electronics, hydraulics, diagnostics, communication skills, computing, sales and marketing. The programmes lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering and Vehicle Parts Competence, and registration at LTA Intermediate level in the industry’s Landbased Training Accreditation scheme.

In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA Master Technician accreditation.

New student intakes are in September each year; apprentices need to be resident in the UK, sponsored by a John Deere dealer and aged 16 or over. The standard programmes include on-the-job training and assessment as well as eight weeks each year at the John Deere Apprentice Training Centre. Further details can be found at http://apprenticeshipfinder.co.uk/john-deere.

Now in its 27th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, over 750 apprentices have graduated through the three main schemes and are now working in the company’s nationwide dealer network.

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SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation

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SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation: One of the world’s leading turf manufacturers has enhanced its diverse product range, following a £1.8m investment in a new factory and technology.

Industry-leading SIS Pitches, based in Cumbria, has developed its products to extend the life of its 3G pitches and improve overall player experience.

SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation

The improvements could see pitches last up to 10 years – two years more than the industry standard.

Exclusively available from SIS Pitches, the SISTurf Xtreme and SISTurf Xtreme Ultra products features a new premium yarn.

The yarn is made in the UK with specially developed polymer to create a natural look and feel. The new technology makes the product more resilient, improves performance and increases durability.

Both products use SISGrade infill made from Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). It is both fire resistant and odourless, making it ideal for indoor use. The product is highly resistant to ageing, weathering and UV. It also conforms to the strictest REACH and EN safety standards.

SISTurf Xtreme and SISTurf Xtreme Ultra also feature a SISBond polyurethane premium backing which has been specially engineered to provide a much stronger and durable backing than other systems. It is primarily used for elite performance, providing enhanced fibre retention and improved moisture-resistance.

SIS Pitches is a full-service provider in specialist sports pitches and landscaping grass. Last year, they designed, constructed and installed SISGrass hybrid pitches at six 2018 World Cup venues, including the Luzhniki Stadium pitch for the opening match and the final.

Luke Edwards, SIS Pitches technical director, said: “We have evolved our product range and are excited to offer our best-performing yarn to date.

“Both SISTurf Xtreme and SISTurf Xtreme Ultra include our premium infill and backing systems, and deliver outstanding performance, durability and resilience.

“Our synthetic pitches are being used all around the world in a variety of sports and we are vey proud to be able to make these products available to our customers.”

SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation

Last month, SIS Pitches reaffirmed its commitment to UK manufacturing when it announced its new turf production facility in Maryport. The new factory, which covers an area of more than 2,100 square metres, is one of the most technologically-advanced production facilities in Europe, designed to deliver high quality, long-lasting synthetic surfaces.

The factory utilises the latest technology in thermal insulation, LED lighting, laser-fire detection and advanced cladding systems, while the new backing plant will be the most advanced turf backing system in the UK.

George Mullan, SIS Pitches owner and CEO said: “Our new state-of-the-art factory features world-leading turf production technology and provides us with the platform to increase our production volumes.

“We can produce pitches six times faster than before which equates to more than six million square metres of turf every year.

“At SIS Pitches, we are always looking at ways to stay one step ahead and these recent improvements in innovation and technology reaffirm our position as the market leader in the manufacturing of synthetic turf.”

For more information, please visit the SIS Pitches website: http://www.sispitches.com

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Emergency Chafer Summit Held

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Emergency Chafer Summit Held: The Turf and Amenity industry united to declare that an integrated pest management (IPM) is need of the hour for Chafer and Leatherjacket control.  This was the conclusion of the sell-out Emergency Chafer and Leatherjacket Summit that took place on 9th May 2019 at Burton Albion Football, Staffordshire.

With many chemicals now removed from the turf and amenity sector, crucial practices such as monitoring and using a range of preventative measures within the IPM approach was encouraged. It was also recognised that the identification and understanding the life cycle of these pests is key to successful control.

Emergency Chafer Summit Held

With limited time to act upon, a cross section of industry stakeholders gathered at Burton Albion Football Club and agreed that a co-ordinated industry-led Chafer and Leatherjacket centred strategy from all areas of the supply chain is needed.

Speakers covered topics including pests and disease problem, natural solution including plant extracts and biocontrol, biostimulants, pest monitoring and case studies on Chafer and Leatherjackets.

The event was organised by Bionema with the support from Rigby Taylor, Maxstim, Ecospray and E. Marker in association with BIGGA and IOG.  The summit brought those affected by these pests, in order to discuss effective methods of control that are available now.

Alternative controls such as biopesticides and entomopathogenic nematodes were discussed throughout the event and attendees were encouraged to consider options available based on plant susceptibility, growth stage, crop culture (indoor/outdoor) and to focus on the behaviour and life cycle of the Chafer and Leatherjacket in identifying suitable products, treatment times and application methods.

“The more we know about these insect pest issues – their biology, what they do, identification, different developmental stages and susceptibility to biocontrol agents such as entomopathogenic nematodes – the better. We can control,” explained Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema.

Dr Ansari also added that “there are several species of chafer in the UK and greenkeepers need to know which one of them attack their greens as different Chafers have different life cycles”. The most common in amenity and sports turf is the Welsh Chafer, with a two-year life cycle and Summer Chafer and Garden Chafer have a one-year life cycle. A fourth Chafer found in turf is the May beetle, or Cockchafer, with a three- to four-year life cycle. There are 303 species of Leatherjacket, the most common in turf being Tipula paludosa, and it is on the increase.

Peter Corbett, Speciality Products Manager for Rigby Taylor reminded those present of the importance of applying different products in the correct manner and at the full label dose rate in order to achieve control.

Peter commented “It is important to ‘break the cycle’ of the Chafer and Leatherjacket and employ combined solutions which can work synergistically. Turfgrass is susceptible to the pest at the larval stage, affecting the roots.  The adult stage causes no damage but capturing via trapping can limit population growth for future seasons. It is Important to check with your turf supplier to see if the turf is already infested with Chafers or Leatherjackets and if necessary apply beneficial nematodes before egg laying.”

Ecospray’s EGC nematicide is also reported to have an effect on leatherjackets when used as a nematicide when the threat from Leatherjackets are present causing behavioural modification to egg laying females as well as direct ovicidal and early larvicidal activity and is suggested as a useful tool prior to applying beneficial nematodes. Nicholas van Cutsem, Sports and Amenity Manager for Ecospray says: “An IPM programme integrating the use of EGC and entomopathogenic nematodes that attack leatherjackets may result in longer-term control but timing the timing interval between the different products is critical, with EGC being applied first followed by the other treatment.”

Richard Salvage, MD, Maxstim said, “Look after the root zone to optimise turf and root zone health in order to discourage problems.” That includes the use of biostimulants to help the plant help itself.

The event established the true extent of the problem faced by the turf and amenity sector and gave a more in-depth look at the pests and the current controls available.  An important element of the day was hearing first hand from course managers who had successfully reduced their reliance on conventional chemical treatments.  Phillip Chiverton, course manager at The Grove Golf Resort shared his experience where chafer grubs had caused >£70,000 worth of damage. Phillip said, “There was light at the end of the tunnel as how effective Bionema’s biological approach has been which provided up to 80% control in year one”. A case study on Philip experience is available on YouTube or via Bionema’s website www.bionema.com.

Mark Tucker, head greenkeeper, Neath Golf Club, South Wales said: “TourTurf STA slows down the activity of Leatherjackets prior to applying Bionema NemaTrident®L with Nemaspreader®, a compatible wetting agent which is a viable solution to this devastating issue, but correct application is vital to  success”.

Speaking in the emergency summit, Prof John Moverley, Amenity Forum said: “The demand for high quality pest-free turf is higher than ever and greenkeepers, race course managers and groundsmen’s jobs are all the more strained because at present there is no ‘silver bullet’ control option due to the removal of conventional chemical pesticides”.

The final summit session was an interactive panel discussion, focusing on research and development into the control of Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets, questions from the audience were plentiful, as the frustrations of the Chafers and Leatherjacket were overwhelmingly expressed.   Highlights of this panel discussion will be made available via website www.bionema.com shortly.

The Emergency Chafer and Leatherjacket Summit was organised as a matter of urgency, as failure to prepare properly prior to May this year could have detrimental effects on turf and the livelihoods of many.

If you have not taken steps to treat Chafer and Leatherjacket already this year, then the next 2 weeks is the optimal time to contact your pest control supplier and ask them to work with you to implement an IPM solution.

These biological approaches will continue to be explored at Bionema’s second event this year, The Biopesticide Summit and Global Biopesticide Awards, to be held on the 2-3rd of July at Swansea University www.biopesticidesummit.com

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Royal Cinque Invest In Otterbine

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Royal Cinque Invest In Otterbine: Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club has recently invested in two Otterbine High Volume aerators to improve the water quality of its reservoir and help prevent stagnant smelling water and the build up of weeds.

The club in Deal, Kent has a 13,000m3 reservoir, the water from which is used to irrigate the 18-hole Championship Links course, but with no aeration to keep the water clean and clear James Bledge, course manager, was noticing a significant deterioration in water quality.

Royal Cinque Invest In Otterbine

“The water was starting to turn stagnant and was giving off a strong smell, and there was a considerable amount of weed and algae forming on the bottom of the reservoir,” he explains.

To solve the worrying problems the club opted to have two Otterbine aerators installed at the same time as a new Toro irrigation system and a renewal of its Toro fleet, all delivered by distributor Reesink Turfcare.

The club is a Toro Total Solutions club meaning it has a 100 percent Toro fleet as well as a Toro irrigation system, but that didn’t mean an automatic order for Otterbine, which is also distributed by Reesink Turfcare.

In fact, the Otterbine aerators were suggested by Robin Hume Associates when designing the new irrigation system. With success at similar clubs in the same application, the irrigation design consultancy was confident Otterbine would help to solve the issues at Royal Cinque Ports, and it seems that judgement was right.

“We’re seeing a substantial difference since the installation of the new Otterbine aerators,” says James. “The water doesn’t smell anymore and we’re already seeing an improvement in the water quality.”

The Otterbine High Volume aerator adds an impressive 3.3lbs or 1.5kg of oxygen per horse power, every hour and is constructed from marine-grade, 316 stainless steel, thermoplastics and a rugged, energy efficient, low speed motor to withstand even the toughest of aquatic environments.

But it’s not just that which has impressed James, the ease of use of the control system has too: “It’s been set on a timer, so that way it doesn’t disturb any nearby residents and helps us to save on energy.”

The importance the club places on its water quality, sustainability and the technology that it manages, is evident in James’ decision to assign greenkeeper Nick Machin the role of supervising all the irrigation and aeration technology. Coincidentally, Nick happens to be the 2017 winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award and James feels confident the day-to-day management of the new additions will be in safe hands.

“With the technology we now have at our fingertips and the supervision from Nick, I am confident about the improvements we’ll see in the long term. It will be interesting to see, for example, how the turf benefits from the better-quality water irrigating it.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Police Hunt For Golf Vandals

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Police Hunt For Golf Vandals: Police are investigating a case of vandalism on two greens at the Crookwell Golf Club.

The incident occurred sometime between 9pm on Friday, May 24 and 8.30am on Saturday, May 25.
Police Hunt For Golf Vandals

First and second hole greens were ripped up by vehicles which were deliberately driven across the golf course.

This is a blow for a volunteer workforce who maintain the course and its 200 members and visitors.

Golf Club treasurer Hal Rickard-Bell estimated that the lost revenue and repairs would amount to thousands.

“How many people does it put off?,” Mr Rikard-Bell asked.

“If you lost ten golfers a week that’s $500 a week, for a small club that’s a lot of knock-on effects.

“For a small business, $50 could be the difference between being a profitable day and a not profitable day.”

The damage was discovered by golf club members on Saturday morning after teeing off at 8am.

“They spun the wheels here [the first green] and drove off and then done circle work down at the second.”

“It’s happened before, but it’s been a long, long time since.”

Every Saturday a competition is held with up to 40 golfers in attendance.

“We touch on a fairly big part of the community in some way or another. There’s a lot of vested interest for a lot of people,” Mr Rikard-Bell said.

The greens director, Tim Reid, will work overtime to have the course ready for upcoming competitions.

“It’ll be a big job for them to solve the problem and have it playable.

“Is it going to be really, really bad in three weeks? I don’t know. It’ll probably be a bit bare.

“Twice a year we core the greens, it’ll take that time to get rid of it.”

Mr Rikard-Bell said the club would happily press charges. “If they’re on their watch list they’ll slip up somewhere, it’s not like they’re super smart.”

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STRI Group Announce Open Day

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STRI Group Announce Open Day: STRI Group has announced that its annual research open days will take place on 25 and 26 September 2019.

The event, which takes place at STRI’s UK research and development facility in Bingley, West Yorkshire, offers an opportunity for sport facility managers, owners, groundstaff and greenkeepers to learn about and discuss the development of the latest products and technology for the sportsturf industry.

STRI Group Announce Open Day

Dr Christian Spring, research operations manager, said: “STRI Research Days are an excellent way to gain insight into the latest developments and thinking on tackling current and future turf management issues.

“STRI Research Days offer turf managers a unique opportunity to network with, not only fellow turf managers, but to view and discuss the latest developments in turf maintenance with turfgrass scientists and industry professionals. This is reflected in feedback from previous events, where those attending have valued learning about what is new and upcoming in our industry and to have an opportunity to discuss these ideas.”

Delegates will be taken on a tour around a range of live research stations by an STRI staff member. At each station, there will be a joint presentation on the research being undertaken delivered by a member of STRI’s research team and representatives from the sponsor company. There will be time at the end of each presentation for delegates to ask questions.

STRI Research 2019 attendees can look forward to a freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and refreshments at no additional cost, as well catching up with fellow sport industry professionals. A limited number of discounted rooms are available and will be provided on a first come, first-serve basis.

Places are filling up quickly so if you would like to book a place for 2019 please email enquiries@strigroup.com, call +44 (0) 1274 565131 or tweet @striturf and indicate which day you would like to attend.

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