Sherriff A Hit At Hampton Court Palace

/in , /by

Sherriff A Hit At Hampton Court Palace: A range of Sherriff Amenity products have improved the overall health of the turf on the fairways at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club, according to course manager Richard Hill.

Set within the royal grounds of Home Park where King Henry VIII once hunted deer and with the beautiful Hampton Court Palace looming in the background, there could hardly be a more regal setting to enjoy a round of golf.

Sherriff A Hit At Hampton Court Palace

The acclaimed 18-hole course is a 6,513 yard, par 71 parkland and inland links course which dates back to 1895. It was later re-modelled by Willie Park, who was also the designer of Royal Birkdale and Sunningdale, leaving the course beautiful yet demanding.

Richard Hill has been at the Club since May 2008 and was promoted to the position of course manager in 2013. Throughout his time Richard has maintained the course to an excellent standard despite some obstacles such as the huge 16th century lime-trees which surround the course and a bizarre lack of rainfall – as he explains.

“This site is an absolute anomaly when it comes to rainfall,” he says. “It can rain at the nearby Heathrow airport, it can rain on the M4 motorway but just not rain here at Hampton Court. I have my theories on why but that is another matter!”

As a result, the lack of rainfall tends to apply more pressure on the fairways at Hampton Court and Richard admits to embarking on a lengthy search for a winning formula which could help to relieve some of the stress.

“I was always looking at options that could make an improvement to the fairways and I tried so many different combinations of wetting agents and seaweeds – believe me, I must have tried all of them. The best results by far has been from Goemar seaweed and Excel wetting agent from Sherriff Amenity. When I first applied them, the fairways went from brown to green in just a week.”

Goemar is a high quality liquid seaweed extracted using a unique cold process that removes unwanted alginates and cellulose to leave a 100% seaweed juice. It is harvested in Brittany where they have some of the strongest tides in the world and these extreme tides lead this seaweed to experience high exposure to sun and heat at low tide. To counter these stresses the seaweed produces high amounts of the active ingredients required for plants to survive long stress periods. The cold extraction process then concentrates these ingredients in the finished product and Richard explained just how unique it is.

“Quite simply, it mixes perfectly,” he said. “You get all of the benefits without the organic matter and therefore the plant responds a lot quicker. It is full of beneficial sugars that combined with the Excel wetting agent, helps the grass to hold on to the nutrients. It is perfect for fairways.”

Its tank-mix partner Excel is a multi-purpose, low dose wetting agent which is ideal for use on larger areas, such as golf fairways and sports pitches.  For the tank-mix he applies Excel at 1 L/ha and Goemar at 3 L/ha but due to the weather conditions Richard believes that timing is key.

“I don’t have a set time to apply the products, instead I spray when I feel it is needed and when we have the correct weather window. Historically I used to have everything all in one tank – the fertiliser, the wetting agent and the seaweed but now I do it separately. So, I will apply my feed one day and then the seaweed and wetting agent another day.”

For his fairway feed, Richard relies on Sherriff Amenity’s Evolution Xtra Soluble 46.0.0 and feels that he now has the ideal products in place.

“I will always get an application of the Evolution Xtra out so that it is sitting there waiting to take all the nutrients in. It washes it down to the roots and then away it goes. It might be six weeks from when we spray the feed to when the Goemar and Excel go out and you can really see the benefits. The colour is great and you can see the Poa still hanging on which you normally wouldn’t see.

“I remember when we first applied this combination and they looked like different fairways.

“I will continue with this method because I want to encourage more water to go down to the roots and these products are doing the fairways a world of good.”

For further information, please contact Sherriff Amenity on 01638 721 888 or visit www.sherriffamenity.com

For more news and insightful views, you can follow Sherriff Amenity on Twitter @SherriffAmenity.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

AriensCo To Make Zero-Turns In UK

/in , , /by

AriensCo To Make Zero-Turns In UK: AriensCo has announced that production of Ariens brand zero-turn mowers will commence at the company’s factory in Great Haseley, Oxfordshire.

It’s believed these will be the first zero-turns to be manufactured in Europe. AriensCo reports seeing an exceptional growth in demand for zero-turn mowers in the UK and Europe. This follows similar trends in the US, where sales have more than tripled since 2003 as the popularity among users has soared. According to industry analysis, zero-turn sales in Europe have grown more than 30% over the last four years, making them the fastest growing category of ride-on mowers and third fastest in the lawn and garden power equipment sector.

AriensCo To Make Zero-Turns In UK

“Sales of zero-turns in Europe have experienced exceptional growth over the past three years,” says Darren Spencer, Vice President – EMEA and Asia. “AriensCo has experienced this growth in numerous markets and, based upon extensive research with our distribution partners, we expect the growth to continue. This industry analysis points to the many opportunities to be met by producing zero-turns at our Great Haseley plant. We currently sell into ten different countries within Europe and aim to increase our European footprint in 2020. Future growth will accelerate as the benefits of zero-turn mowers are understood by customers. Zero-turn users are experiencing increased speed of cut and greater versatility over tractors and out-fronts.”

During 2019 AriensCo continues to make significant investment in the Oxfordshire factory in preparation for zero-turn production, including a new production line, fixtures and tooling. The UK will be manufacturing CE zero-turns for European markets only and will initially be producing the IKON, APEX and ZENITH models. Close collaboration with the US will be maintained to ensure products match up to Ariens’ reputation for manufacturing quality.

Zero-turn production in the UK is seen to offer significant advantages, allowing for rapid delivery and improved availability throughout the year. There is also potential for zero-turns to be adapted with features and benefits to meet local market needs.  Increased utilisation of the manufacturing facility at Great Haseley will provide operational cost benefits and will generate a number of new jobs for the area. The first zero-turn to come off the production line will be at the end of October.

For further information or to become a dealer for AriensCo, please call 01844 278800 or email uksales@ariensco.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

AGS Win Best Business Award

/in , , /by

AGS Win Best Business Award: Advance Grass Solutions Ltd (AGS) was named winner of Best New Business category at the 2019 Best Business Awards.

The BBAs pride themselves on having a large panel of independent expert judges who select winners according to strict criteria for each category and sector.

AGS Win Best Business Award

The Best Business Awards judges said:

Commenting on Advance Grass Solutions Ltd, the winner in the Best New Business category, the chairman of the judges said:

 “Advance Grass Solutions has come up with a sound formula for the perfect playing surface that incorporates consultancy, agronomy programmes, scientific and technical analysis, product selection and solid turf management principles. Through its all-in-one package and policy of using environmentally-friendly products, AGS has grown a quick reputation for creating sustainable, top-quality playing surfaces for major sporting venues including Premiership Football Stadia, Top 100 Golf Clubs and Independent Schools”.

“The AGS management have shown true entrepreneurial skills setting credible foundations around a solid business model which augurs well for the future. Congratulations to AGS for coming up with market leading solutions and achieving strong growth in terms of turnover and new business.”

Upon receiving the Award, Jamie Bennett, Chairman and CEO said: “We are extremely proud to have won our first national business award and being recognised for excellence in our in our particular field is very satisfying. This award is a credit to the whole AGS team whose dedication is directly related to our success. I would also like to thank our loyal customers who have shown faith in our products and service support which has made this award a reality.”

The Best Business Awards are one of the UK’s highest profile awards and winning this accolade speaks volumes about the quality of your organisation. Due to its high profile, the Awards attract a wide range of entries from across all sectors from large international PLCs and public sector organisations to dynamic and innovative SMEs. The winners all have one thing in common – they are truly excellent at what they do and Advance Grass Solutions Ltd (AGS) have proved this by winning a Best Business Award.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Eliet Offer New Renovation Solutions

/in , /by

Eliet Offer New Renovation Solutions: As we say goodbye to the last of the summer, thoughts turn to completing turf regeneration before the Autumn sets in.

September is a perfect time to do this, when the weather is damp and cool and turf can quickly establish a strong root system, allowing lawn and turf the best chance of recovery.

Eliet Offer New Renovation Solutions

PSD Groundscare, the national distributor of niche specialist landscaping equipment, has an extensive range of products from market-leading names, including a comprehensive range of specialist lawn and turf care machinery from leading Belgian manufacturer Eliet,  all designed to make turf regeneration more efficient. Two key products are available which are specifically designed to efficiently deal with even the toughest conditions.

The New C550ZR Collector scarifier is an innovative new machine, set to dramatically reduce the time landscapers and groundsmen spend undertaking scarifying operations and disposing of thatch and moss.

It brings a new standard in turf maintenance, collecting moss and thatch into narrow rows for easier disposal, resulting in huge time savings for the operator by reducing the cleaning time by up to 50%.

The C55OZR Collector provides efficient scarification, moss and thatch removal with improved collection. As material is removed from the turf, it is deposited into a discharge channel with an Archimedean screw that carries it to the side of the machine. It is deposited into a narrow row, which on the next pass of the operation can be re-collected by the machine and integrated into a new row, along with the raked-up material from the second strip of turf. In this way the C550ZR can collect the moss and thatch of a 1m working width into one row, which is hugely time saving.

Eliet Offer New Renovation Solutions

This new machine is self-propelled and features an above-average 55cm working width which limits the number of rows to collect, and opreates at 2.5km/hr. The scarifying blades are spaced every 15mm to provide an intensive treatment to the turf and are designed to rotate forwards; thus maximising dethatching performance. This contra-rotation results in improved removal and collection of material which is pulled out and thrown vertically onto the collecting auger, increasing the efficency of dethatching by up to 30%. In addition, the extremely fine blades have Permanently Sharp BladesTM technology to ensure minimum turf damage and extended blade life. The machine also features controls with an anti vibration damper for improved operator comfort and safety.

Once the ground is scarified, then seed needs to be sewn and the Eliet DZC600 Pedestrian Overseeder is the perfect rejuvenation partner and offers impressive results – in a short amount of time. It’s innovative overseeding technology allows new grass seed to be inserted between existing vegetation, scarifying and overseeding in one process allowing faster germination and maximised growth opportunities. In addition, the process is enhanced by the new Tungsten tipped blades, which have been developed to give a clear slot which allows for better seed penetration of the soil, as well as extended life.

The machine offers visible benefits in less than a month and the treated area is available for normal use immediately after the overseeing has taken place. This is the only machine on the market than can achieve this unique renovation technique following a unique six step process.

  1. Cutting open the soil
  2. Removal of excess soil
  3. Precision sowing
  4. Injection
  5. Rollers
  6. Covering the seed

The machine is suitable for all types of grass seed and can be used on both general grass areas, fine turf and sports turf including golf greens.

The Eliet DZC600 has been extensively trialled and tested and is approved by STRI. As the world’s leading sports turf consultancy, STRI provides a state of the art testing and research centre offering innovative testing techniques to improve the quality of turf and sports turf. Carried out at the STRI research facility in Bingley, West Yorkshire, the main objective of the trial was to investigate the optimal configuration of the Eliet DZC600 overseeder for use on a golf green and on tees & surrounds. These environments were specifically chosen as they represent some of the finest sports turf surfaces that require renovation.

STRI said of the machine:  “The DZC600 is effective for sowing in a fine turf environment and offers grounds workers a very useful tool, particularly on small, localised problem areas”.

The Eliet DZC600 Overseeder dramatically increases productivity, via the multi-step system which saves the operator time and money with precision seeding at a pre-determined rate, with the benefit of additional operator comfort and is the ideal turf renovation partner.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Amenity Forum Speakers Confirmed

/in , /by

Amenity Forum Speakers Confirmed: The Amenity Forum Conference is now well established as a must attend event for those involved in or with an interest in all aspects of amenity management.

In 2019 it is being held once again at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, on Thursday, October 10th. The conference will be entitled ‘21st Century Amenity Management’ and it will have a strong focus upon innovation and taking an integrated approach to weed, pest and disease management. It will also provide updates on policy issues and is a great opportunity to network.

Amenity Forum Speakers Confirmed

To book your place, contact Admin@amenityforum.net Delegate places are competitively priced thanks to our supporters who will be exhibiting throughout the event. For non-members, the rate is £95 + VAT. Member organisations receive a £10 discount on the above rates and, if you are a member of a local authority a further discount may be available on enquiry.

Once again the event has an impressive range of speakers and the full programme can be found at https://amenityforum.co.uk/conference/the-amenity-forum-conference-2019/ The speakers include Professor Michael Eddleston from the University of Edinburgh who is set to provide an entertaining and informative presentation on Human Health issues and Dr.David Hughes from Syngenta who will give a fascinating insight into new technologies and innovations coming the way of amenity managers in the future. There will be what promises to be a very informative session on approaches to integrated management with contributions from practitioners covering all aspects. These will be supported by other key speakers giving their views on the future. The conference will round up with a presentation from Jim McKenzie, MBE, Director of Estates and Golf Courses, Celtic Manor entitled ‘The pressures and challenges of creating and maintaining high quality playing conditions and facilities for a major golfing venue’

During the conference category winners for the Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards will be announced. There will also be the launch of the new Amenity Standard. This is seen as very much a game changer in our sector providing a standard akin to the Red Tractor in food and agriculture.
Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said ‘’this conference has attracted an enviable reputation for the quality of its speakers and the opportunity to network with the key people in our sector. I look forward to seeing you there”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.