Sea change for Greg Harris

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Sea change for Greg Harris: Ex-Royal Navy weapons engineer Greg Harris from Fife in Scotland has won SRUC Elmwood’s annual John Deere HNC Golf Course Management Student of the Year Award, sponsored by John Deere and Scottish turf dealer Double A.

Greg was chosen particularly for the leadership and mentoring skills he displayed during the 2018/2019 academic year.

Sea change for Greg Harris

Born in Dundee and brought up in Kirkcaldy, Greg took up an apprenticeship with the Royal Navy at the age of 19 and spent 12 years with the service until he was medically discharged in 2016 with knee problems. However, this paved the way for his next career move into greenkeeping and golf club management, as he was still encouraged and able to play golf.

While deciding what to do next, Greg was playing regularly at The Duke’s Course at St Andrews as well as his father’s local club at Glenrothes, where the pro mentioned the SRUC course.

“I realised I was never going to be a good enough golfer to turn pro, but taking up the greenkeeping option meant I could still be active and involved in the industry,” he says. “I attended an open day at the college, where I spoke to course tutors Paul Miller and Ian Butcher who outlined the opportunities and were very supportive, so I put in my application and was accepted.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course and the people I met. I think my Royal Navy background prepared me well for many aspects such as planning and teamwork, which are key skills for any greenkeeper. The academic side of things was never a problem, and I also enjoyed the hands-on time spent as part of the tournament support team at Kingsbarns Golf Links during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

“Everyone there was really accepting of me, considering my relative lack of practical skills. They recognised that I was there to learn and it was a great experience, apart from my least favourite job, swishing the dew off the greens!

“The John Deere award was mentioned at the beginning of the course, but I never gave it another thought. When Ian told me towards the end of the academic year that they were going to nominate me and I then found out that I’d won, I was really surprised but also very proud of the achievement.

“Since graduating I’ve ended up away from greenkeeping, and moved more towards golf operations – I worked in the pro shop at The Duke’s Course for the season following the course, and currently I’m assistant store manager for American Golf in Dundee. I did plan to return to Elmwood and do the HND course, but as that isn’t running this year we’ll see what happens next. If it runs again it would be a really good opportunity to go back and see how I can progress in my second career.”

Course tutor Ian Butcher, who is based at the Elmwood campus in Cupar, Fife, adds: “Throughout his time at SRUC Greg was a positive influence on the student group. He was a natural leader, and many times supported both individuals and the HNC team as a whole to meet various challenges. He consistently showed initiative, enthusiasm and a capacity for mentoring which is rare. This is of real value to us as an organisation, as we seek to involve our students more in the development of the SRUC programmes.

“Greg is one of a new breed of graduates who are open-minded as to their career paths, and is enthusiastic about gaining experience beyond the golf course maintenance shed. Taking advantage of workplace experience in customer services at The Duke’s clubhouse within the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort at St Andrews is an example of Greg having a more varied role in golf operations during last summer.

“His passion for the game combined with a long-term career perspective opens more doors for Greg, and we trust he finds the right opportunity to progress in his chosen profession. We look forward to him being a great ambassador for us.”

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Syngenta to launch Application Academy

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Syngenta to launch Application Academy: The pioneering world-first Syngenta Application Academy will give turf managers and sprayer operators the chance to delve into the world of precision application.

Launching the Application Academy at BTME (Harrogate 21-23 January), Syngenta Technical Manager and application specialist, Glenn Kirby, highlighted it will give a select group the chance to become an industry leader in accurate application – and get the very best from every turf treatment.

Syngenta to launch Application Academy

Prospective candidates can visit Syngenta stand 428 at BTME to apply, or register on GreenCast after the show in January. 

“The Syngenta Turf Application Academy gives an opportunity to really learn about the science behind the skills involved. Attending the Academy will take spray application to a new level,” said Mr Kirby.

Focusing on scientific research and practical advice, the three day Application Academy will be held in June, at the dedicated Application Laboratory of Syngenta Jealott’s Hill International Research Station in Berkshire.

Syngenta to launch Application Academy

The Application Academy syllabus modules include:

  • Understanding spray dynamics
  • Nozzle design and development
  • Microscopy of droplet movement
  • Digital Innovations Laboratory
  • Setting-up testing and operating your sprayer

The course will be led by Syngenta specialists and independent experts in spray research and accurate application. Successful candidates will achieve Academy test certification.

“The Application Academy is open to all golf course or sports facility managers or dedicated sprayer operators,” added Mr Kirby. “All applicants will get to join the Syngenta Application Club, providing advice and sharing best practice throughout the season.”

Syngenta to launch Application Academy

A selected short list of candidate applications will be invited to undertake a Skype interview. Costs of the course, accommodation, subsistence and tuition is provided by Syngenta.

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FM48 Flail Mower redesigned

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FM48 Flail Mower redesigned: Managing fields and meadows can be a difficult task once the growth hits a certain height. It doesn’t take long before grass, nettles, brambles, and all sorts of nasties make it impossible for a lawnmower or strimmer to bring it back under control.

A flail mower is ideal for maintaining rough grassed areas where a conventional mower would get clogged up and struggle to cut.

FM48 Flail Mower redesigned

The FM48 is a powerful, towed, long grass cutter with a working width of 1220mm (48″). A reliable 13Hp Honda engine with an electric start drives two ‘V’ belts and 42 cutting flails. These sharpened flails are easily replaceable to extend the lifetime of the machine.

As of 2020, the FM48s transport wheels situate at the rear of the machine, instead of the side. By mounting the transport wheels in the new position, the mower cuts closer to the edge and can squeeze through narrow pathways.

Mounted at the rear of the cutter is a one-piece roller. This roller is easily adjusted to fine-tune the cutting height and alleviates scalping by ensuring the flails lift above the highest peaks on uneven ground.

A screw jack effortlessly raises or lowers the transport wheels, allowing you to travel two and from storage on pneumatic wheels, before dropping the mower onto its steel roller. This steel roller flattens and neatens the ground behind it, it protects the user from the rear of the flail mower, and it is invulnerable to punctures, unlike rival mowers which operate on wheels.

The tow bar is typically mounted central to the mower, and it can be offset to the side of the vehicle when it’s desirable not to flatten the grass by running it over.

The safety of the operator is very much in mind when designing this type of machine. The throttle control and engine emergency stop switch are reached easily from the tractor seat. Full skirt guards are provided to stop the operator’s feet from being accidentally offered to the flails.

A jockey wheel is mounted onto the tow bar to help manually move the 245kg machine in and out of storage.

The SCH FM42 Flail Mower is identical in many ways to the FM48, however instead of having a width of 48″, its width is (you’ve guessed it) 42″. This compact machine is ideal for towing vehicles with less pulling power and smaller areas to manage.

For a free 80 page brochure featuring over 200 British built machines, contact SCH on 01473 328272, email sales@schsupplies.co.uk, or visit the website www.schsupplies.co.uk

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Campey set to exhibit at STMA

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Campey set to exhibit at STMA: Campey Turf Care Systems is exhibiting at the 31st annual STMA conference and exhibition on the 15th and 16th January 2020.

This year’s event is taking place at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre, Florida. It will feature the Campey’s latest synthetic, hybrid and natural turf grooming products the Campey Uni-Scratch and UNIRAKE. The Uni-Scratch is the ideal solution for those looking for professional and effective maintenance of natural and synthetic grass surface.

Campey set to exhibit at STMA

The machine has been developed to infill or refill when installing or looking after synthetic grass carpets. It can also be used for the final organic matter removal on natural grass hybrid carpet pitches when carrying out annual renovations. The Uni-Scratch moves on four supporting rollers which are adjustable in height to allow the most appropriate working depth. The rotors can be equipped with springs or linear brushes in PPL, with rear linkage to tractors of at least 30hp.

The UNIRAKE serves a similar purpose by removing organic matter. Still, users can adjust the severity of grooming to remove a varying amount of organic matter or simply stand the sward up to encourage growth. Altering the severity of grooming is quick and easy and can be done in no less than 30-seconds.

As always, the weeklong STMA event, starting on 13th January, will provide a number of invaluable seminars, training opportunities and networking events. Throughout the week, Campey product specialists will be available to give advice on machinery and answer any turf related questions.

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Insight into the Emirates

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Insight into the Emirates: In conjunction with DLF Seeds, over 40 Grounds Professionals from schools, colleges and sports clubs across the country were recently invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium.

Visitors gained an insight into the grounds programme that keeps the surfaces performing at elite levels, and how new technologies are playing an ever-increasing role in monitoring and maintaining these professional standards.

Insight into the Emirates

Head Groundsman Alan Russell, assisted by Deputy Lee Blythe and Assistant Jack Bayford, led the day which included a pitch walk, a tour of the machinery workshop, as well as a look around some of the off-pitch highlights including the Home Dressing Room and Managers Office. The Arsenal Grounds Team took questions throughout the day, with DLF Technical Manager David Rhodes and Regional Support Manager Craig Spooner on hand to provide advice on the topics of turf and seed.

Daniel Negus, Head Groundsman at Devonshire Park Tennis Club, was one of those in attendance. He said, “The day was a fantastic opportunity to see how one of the leading Premier League stadiums operates both on, and off, the pitch. It was hugely beneficial to hear the first-hand experiences of Alan and his team, meaning we all came away with an understanding of the knowledge and practices that they employ.”

Craig added, “The dedication, professionalism and knowledge of the Emirates grounds team is a real credit to the Club. A big thank you must go to Paul Ashcroft, Grounds Manager at the Emirates Stadium and Hale End Academy for hosting us and making it such a successful and informative day for all of those that attended.”

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