GMA opens door for feedback

/in , /by

GMA opens door for feedback: The Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body, has this week launched two surveys giving everyone working or volunteering in the industry a chance to shape the future of its member offering.

Members and non-members can give their view on what they value and would like to see going forward, by taking part in two surveys – one for individuals working across the sector and one for businesses or suppliers operating in it. The surveys will be open to all respondents until Sunday 13th September.

GMA opens door for feedback

GMA opens door for feedback

All respondents of the survey will also have the opportunity to enter a prize draw, with four £50 Amazon vouchers up for grabs. Respondents who wish to remain anonymous can do so.

The GMA previously conducted member research in 2016 and looks to do so every five years. Through gathering qualitative and quantitative data, this review will analyse the benefits and offering of the membership, looking at what respondents believe are the most valuable, and what aspects of the offering may require improvement. Any necessary feedback will start to be implemented later this year, following an analysis of all data gathered, and continue beyond 2020.

Geoff Webb, CEO at the GMA, explained:
“We know it’s been a really difficult year, with Covid-19 causing huge disruption and anxiety for grounds staff, volunteers as well as businesses across the country. It felt like the best time to stop and listen to everyone in the industry, so we can determine as an organisation where we can best support through our products, benefits and services.

“With hard times still ahead, we recognise the need for GMA to continue to remain a relevant and leading voice for its members and the sector. To do so, we need to hear current and up-to-date views and feedback to capture how the industry thinks and feels right now.

“With your help, we can ensure we’re supporting, and communicating with, members in the right way and our offering aligns with what the sector needs the most”.

To take part, follow the below links:

For the individual survey, click here: https://bit.ly/3loqXwm
For the corporate survey, click here: https://bit.ly/3ldokNJ

For the full T&Cs, follow the below link: https://thegma.org.uk/GMA-membership-survey-2020

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.

Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf

/in , /by

Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf: THREE leading names within the amenity turf care sector have joined forces to show a commitment to supporting women’s golf, by sponsoring the club that is hosting this year’s Women’s Amateur Championship.

Agrovista Amenity, ICL and Syngenta have provided the greenkeeping team at West Lancashire Golf Club with new Helly Hansen workwear for use during the championship, which is taking place this week (August 25-29).

Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf

Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf

Although being played behind closed doors this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the tournament attracts an impressive line-up of talent. The winner will then gain entry to the AIG Women’s Open, US Women’s Open, The Evian Championship and Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.

With live scoring, news and video feeds being more important than ever, the greenkeepers at West Lancashire will not only play an important part, but also look the part with their new workwear.

Head of Commercial for Agrovista Amenity, Dan Hughes, said: “Course Manager, Stuart Hogg has been a committed user of Syngenta and ICL technologies, building an excellent relationship with ICL’s Phil Collinson and our Amenity Specialist, Gary Potter.”

“As an organisation, Agrovista is keen to support customers where possible, and in a challenging year it was great to work with three keen partners to support women’s golf and provide the greenkeeping team with first class workwear, something they have appreciated given the week’s weather.”

Stuart attributes a programme which includes Syngenta’s Qualibra and ICL’s H2Pro TriSmart wetting agent for helping to maintain excellent water management of greens, fairways and surrounds.

Prior to the tournament, the club used a combination of Greenmaster Pro-Lite and Sierraform GT granular fertilisers as inputs into the greens to maximise tournament presentation.

“The technical support from Gary Potter and Phil Collinson has been extremely helpful with the tournament preparation,” said Stuart.

“I and all the team are very grateful for the gesture of workwear which befits hosting such a high-profile tournament at The West Lancashire Golf Club.”

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.

Toro irrigation talk of the town

/in , /by

Toro irrigation talk of the town: With an irrigation system in desperate need of replacing, Pennard Golf Club opted for a combination of Toro Lynx Central Control and Toro sprinklers, based on multiple recommendations from within the industry. 

Club manager Rhys Morgan explains: “Our previous irrigation system was nearly 40 years old and was suffering everything from leaks to electrical failures, so we needed a new system fast. Instead of spending time seeing different systems demonstrated, we opted for Toro based on multiple recommendations, and in particular from Royal Cinque Ports, who’d seen great results from Toro irrigation. In fact, Toro comes recommended throughout the industry, so we knew it would be a success.”

Toro irrigation talk of the town

Toro irrigation talk of the town

But what the club didn’t bet on was how quickly they would start to see those great results for which Toro irrigation is renowned. “We knew that we would see an improvement to the course, but we didn’t think it would happen so fast. We’ve had the irrigation operational since March and the change to the course has been drastic, particularly to areas such as the approaches which weren’t irrigated previously. It’s almost unbelievable how quickly the course has changed, so it’s obviously very exciting for us to think what the long term results will be.”

And the improvement has been noticed by the club’s members too. With the course having to close in March due to the lockdown, members have come back to quite the surprise.

“Our members hadn’t seen the course for a good couple of months,” says Rhys. “And when they came back, they saw the full effect that Toro irrigation had made. The feedback from them has been fantastic. They are all amazed by the difference!”

The club is now benefitting from a winning combination of Toro Lynx Central Control system and FLEX 34, 35, 55 and FLEX B sprinkler heads installed across the tees, greens and approaches. And it’s not just the products that have won over the club, but the customer service from Reesink Turfcare as well.

“The installation began in November last year,” explains Rhys. “We appointed Roger Davey, a well-known independent irrigation consultant, as our project manager because we wanted to make sure we had the best expert advice.

“Lakes and Greens was the successful installing contractor supported by Reesink Turfcare. Both have been fantastic the whole way through, and in particular Rob Jackson from Reesink. He’s always been on hand for any questions, and we know that even now after the installation has been completed, if we need any help from Reesink and Lakes and Greens they will be there.”

As a club that has made significant strides in the last few years and is now consistently making the cut for a number of Top 100 golf course lists, the new Toro irrigation system is set to help boost the club even more.

“We’ve been making steady improvements to the course in recent years, and this new irrigation system is the cherry on top of the cake,” concludes Rhys. “And with our 125th anniversary next year, Toro has come at just the right time to help make the course the best it’s ever been.”

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.

A fleet perfect for artificial turf maintenance

/in , , /by

A fleet perfect for artificial turf maintenance: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf provide groundsmen with a trustworthy range of machinery to rejuvenate, decompact and assist in the deep cleaning of artificial sports turf.

Consisting of the GKB Rotobrush, Quick-Brush and Quick-Clean, this combination of machines leaves grounds in prime condition.

A fleet perfect for artificial turf maintenance

A fleet perfect for artificial turf maintenance

Built with a straightforward and simple operational principle, the GKB Quick-Clean is a synthetic turf cleaner made for powerful in-depth cleaning of all types of synthetic turf pitches. Hitched within two minutes and thanks to the high max operating speed of 5 km/h, this machine can work quickly and effectively. Cleverly engineered the GKB Quick-Clean features a synthetic turf brush, this works to brush the infill material to remove contamination that is within the layers and throws it onto a vibrating screen. Also featured on this innovative machine is a collection container which helps to remove coarse dirt and for dust and other lightweight dirt, the GKB Quick-Clean houses a suction unit with a dust bag.

Enabling to brush deeper and more effectively is the GKB Rotobrush. This machine uses the rotating brush disc to provide rigid bristles which are pressed into the synthetic turf. Where the functioning of normal brushing and cleaning stops, the GKB Rotorbrush will continue.

No matter the requirements, the GKB Quick-Brush allows the carry out of correct synthetic turf maintenance. Included are a spring tine rake bar, two brushes and rubber finishing mat, this machine gives you the ability to adjust the height of the modular brush to suit each specific task. The cleverly engineered ‘flip-over tool,’ means the GKB Quick-Brush is also able to add infill material easily to new fields and always orientates itself in the operating direction.

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 for a demonstration.

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.

JCB expands E-Tech line

/in , /by

JCB expands E-Tech line: JCB has introduced an electric version of the popular HTD-5 Dumpster tracked carrier, adding to its growing range of innovative fully electric E-Tech models.

The HTD-5e E-Dumpster is offered as a high-tip, walk-behind model, capable of carrying up to 500kg. The addition of electric drive makes the machine suitable for urban and indoor applications, that require low noise and zero exhaust emissions. Key features include:

JCB expands E-Tech line

JCB expands E-Tech line

·        9kW electric motor delivers travel speeds of up to 3km/h
·        Maximum two-hour charging time
·        Zero emissions at point of use
·        500kg capacity and 1,450mm skip ground clearance in tipping position

The E-Dumpster is powered by a 48V lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged using a standard 240V or 110V electrical supply. Maximum recharge time is just two hours, making it possible to top up the battery when not in use during the working day or overnight.

Designed to meet the needs of contractors and rental companies, the E-Dumpster provides a zero-emissions carrying solution for indoor work, tunnelling applications and other urban sites requiring zero emissions equipment. With no internal combustion engine, service and maintenance requirements are also greatly reduced, boosting uptime and availability.

JCB has taken an industry-leading position in the development of innovative E-Tech fully electric construction and industrial machinery. The company has already introduced the increasingly popular 19C-1E fully electric mini excavator and the 30-19E Teletruk industrial telescopic forklift. In addition, JCB offers a wide range of electrically-powered access platforms, while JCB’s Power Products division has launched a line of electric powerpacks, to provide recharging facilities for electric machinery in off-grid applications.

The HTD-5e E-Dumpster adds to this rapidly-growing range of zero-emissions construction, agricultural and industrial machinery solutions, offering customers additional choice in the compact dumper market.

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.