The new value of golf’s green spaces

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The new value of golf’s green spaces: Playing golf and spending time in nature could be an important solution to the predicted “tsunami of mental health problems” following the Covid-19 pandemic.

That’s the view of leading environmental psychologist Professor Jenny Roe of the University of Virginia, who says golf course environments possess many of the natural features – including water, biodiversity, spatial variety and light patterns – that help reduce stress and induce calm.

The new value of golf’s green spaces

The new value of golf’s green spaces

In a new multimedia editorial feature from Syngenta Growing Golf, broadcast on World Environment Day, Prof. Roe is joined by Olympic golf course architect Gil Hanse, who explains how golf courses can be beneficial for the environment.

The comments come as many golf clubs report strong demand for play and membership following periods of course closures during the Covid-19 pandemic.

And it builds on global market research from Syngenta that suggests prospective players are attracted to the game because 1) it is outdoors and 2) offers relaxation and stress relief. (Physical exercise benefits ranked fifth.)

The feature poses the question: in the new normal, post Covid-19, could golf clubs and courses reposition themselves as valuable green space destinations in an increasingly urbanized world?

Mark Birchmore, Syngenta Global Head of Marketing, Turf and Landscape, who commissioned the feature, said: “On World Environment Day, at a time when the globe continues to face the challenges of Covid-19, this is a timely exploration of the deeper value and benefits golf and its course environments offer both people and the planet.

“In a world where access to green spaces is becoming more important and more valuable than ever, this is also an opportunity for golf to reposition and make itself relevant to a larger, more diverse audience.

To read the full article and watch the interviews, visit: https://growinggolf.shorthandstories.com/the-new-value-of-golf-s-green-spaces/index.html

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2020 Conference to go ahead

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2020 Conference to go ahead: The Amenity Forum has announced that its 2020 Conference will go ahead on October 15th at the Kettering Conference Centre. The conference will also be made available on-line to registered delegates.

The Forum will be using specialist conferencing software for those unable to attend in person. Having liaised with the venue and all concerned, it is felt possible to run the event at the conference centre and all measures will be taken in terms of social distancing and related matters.

2020 Conference to go ahead

2020 Conference to go ahead

Professor Moverley, Chairman of the Forum, said ‘’ We did consider delaying the event but we believe that there are so many important issues facing the sector currently, not least the on-going review of the National Action Plan by the UK and national governments. The conference has become an important one for the sector. We can assure delegates that all precautions will be taken and feel the offer of on-line access is a positive step. We recognise some delegates may still have reservations on attending in person’’.

The title of the conference is ‘Amenity Management – Planning for the Future’ and a range of high-quality speakers has been secured to address the issues. Indeed, our first speaker from Defra will bring up to the minute policy statements and will be followed by other speakers covering current issues. It is definitely not to be missed.

For further information on the programme, please contact admin@amenityforum.net  Delegate rates have been kept at a very competitive rate we believe.

Rates for Attending at Venue
£85 + VAT for Members
£95 + VAT for Non-Member

An early bird discount of £10 for full conference delegates applies for bookings made before September 1st

Online Attendance
£45 + VAT for Members
£50 + VAT for Non-Member

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GEO Foundation World Environment Day

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GEO Foundation World Environment Day: Today marks the UN’s World Environment Day. Last year, we focused on how golf courses could play an important role in Beating Air Pollution.

And whilst so much has changed in the world since then, some underlying trends and issues are as important as ever.

GEO Foundation World Environment Day

GEO Foundation World Environment Day

This year we are celebrating golf’s contribution to nature – how it helps to conserve the rare and the common, the iconic and the invisible – and how golf’s global diversity of landscapes and ecosystems (the woodlands, the wetlands, the grasslands and the dunes) all offer safe haven for our wildlife.

Of all the environmental and sustainability issues we face, perhaps no other fits so well with golf – an outdoor sport and recreation that brings people into direct contact with their local green spaces, and the species that live there.

We also highlight some of those Sustainability Champions and leaders in golf who are making sure this doesn’t just happen by accident.  Who, through careful stewardship, are ensuring their courses are as valuable to nature as possible.

There’s also a firm focus on the benefits to golf clubs and golfers. For example, how nature can create new efficiencies; provide natural solutions to course issues like flooding; add to the experience and fun golfers have; and be a point of genuine pride in the local community.

Watch the World Environment Day video below to find out more: https://youtu.be/rL-BNJNFzLY

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STRI launches Project Pathfinder

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STRI launches Project Pathfinder: STRI is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Project Pathfinder’ which forms part of the UK Government’s emergency Covid-19 innovation strategy.

The project will provide sports facilities and green spaces, affected by the COVID-19 crisis, with stage one consultation advice for free between June and August 2020. If required, STRI will also deliver roadmaps to give facilities business plans to assist with their longer-term financial stability.

STRI launches Project Pathfinder

STRI launches Project Pathfinder

This initiative is available to any sports or green space facility that is currently experiencing issues directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 crisis. This may involve advice on turfgrass maintenance practices with reduced staff, planning applications, potential cost savings, or longer-term options to put facilities on a stronger financial footing such as redevelopment or land sales.

By funding this project, the government has recognised the huge health and mental wellbeing benefits sports facilities provide to the UK. However, many of these sports facilities are especially vulnerable since the Covid-19 outbreak, which has impacted revenue and long-term business survival. STRI aims to assist as may sports facilities as possible to help them on the road to recovery.

STRI consultant Kelly-Marie Clack, said: “Project Pathfinder will provide a lifeline to sports facilities who are impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our services will fill the gap in knowledge for facility managers who need to rapidly adapt to new financial and practical pressures. This is truly a unique opportunity to reach out and offer advice to all sections of our industry, regardless of budget or location.”

To take part in Project Pathfinder please complete this short and simple survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/stripathfinder

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The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser

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The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are providing you with the ability to dress natural grass sport pitches in a cost-effective way, thanks to the GKB Ecodresser.

Sports pitches often need increased aeration, especially when wanting to create the best seeding conditions. Combining multiple operations into one, the GKB Ecodresser is the ultimate machine for the maintenance of sport pitches and golf courses. With the combination of cutting discs, coulters and fixed tines, turf is intensively aerated whilst dressing is applied to the upper layer and sub layer.

The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser

The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser

Developed in the 1990s with the Council of Rotterdam, the GKB Ecodresser also removes the need to purchase and spread dressing. Extracting the desired dressing soil from the existing upper level, the robust machines uses the dressing soil from the sports pitch to bring the overall cost down.

Providing the ability to level imperfections, this impressive machine also carries recycled dressing onto the conveyer belt and scatters it on the desired place. Ultimately, this creates excellent seeding conditions, improves the drainage conditions and enhances rooting. Equipped with a cutting roller, the GKB Ecodresser also ensures minimal operating damage to the turf. These adjustable blade rotors extract soil from the upper layer and the heavy-duty rotor is protective with slipping clutches on each blade flang.

GKB continue to constantly make adjustments to improve the user experience of their reliable machinery, which is why a stone screen and collection tray are made available. The spring-loaded coulters remove the risk of damage from stones when aerating the upper layer and when combined with the stone screen and collection tray a homogenous upper layer is accomplished.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617 to enquire about the GKB Ecodresser.

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