Razor Ultra ‘too good not to have’

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Razor Ultra ‘too good not to have’: After Ian Fraser, head greenkeeper at Pitmedden Bowls Club in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, trialled the Dennis Razor Ultra 560 for just a weekend – he quickly decided he couldn’t be without it.

Ian has long been associated with his beloved Pitmedden Bowls Club. He’s been a player, and still is, a member of the committee and now he is the head greenkeeper. Therefore, he smiles more than most when people lavish praise on the outstanding playing surface at Pitmedden.

Razor Ultra 'too good not to have'

Razor Ultra ‘too good not to have’

Ian has transformed the greens over recent years. Determination, the willingness to learn and his love for the club have all been vital ingredients in his success. However, the modest greenkeeper also claims that the upgrade of various turf maintenance equipment has also been key – perhaps none more so than the new Dennis Razor Ultra 560 mower.

“I trialled a Razor Ultra for a weekend, said Ian. “From that moment I could tell just how good it was. It was easier to handle, it was wider, which meant that I didn’t have to do as many passes and the roller did a better job.

“My previous mower had a 9-blade cutting cylinder but the Razor Ultra has an 11-blade cylinder and I could tell the difference in the quality of cut straight away.”

Superbly balanced and ideal for bowls greens and other fine turf surfaces, the Razor Ultra has an operating width of 560mm (22in) and an 11-blade cutting cylinder for a perfect finish. An ultra-short wheelbase ensures easy manoeuvrability and excellent performance, even on undulating surfaces.

The Dennis Razor Ultra also encompasses the simple ‘no tools required’ click height adjusters for quick and easy operation, a feature which Ian is particularly impressed with.

“It is just so simple, especially if you cut at different heights like I do”, said Ian. “I normally cut at 5mm but when it’s competition time I cut it down to 4mm, and then maybe 3mm in the height of summer when the grass is quite sturdy and growing thicker. Even if you cut at 7mm with this mower, you can still play a good game of bowls on it.

“It’s an operator’s dream,” continued Ian. “It’s comfortable to use and I really like the round handlebars – it makes it so easy for turning and manoeuvring around the green.

“The finish is second to none and I find it hard to believe that there is another mower out there that cuts as well.”

Ian likes the fact that Dennis is a prominent British manufacturer with a great long-standing history and he also claims that he feels like he is in safe hands with the company.

“I’ve had a lot of equipment from Dennis and SISIS over the years and it is always a pleasure dealing with them – they look after their customers, that’s for sure. Ewen Wilson (Dennis and SISIS northern area sales manager) is always very attentive when he is here and is always available if I need him.

“It is a first-class service all round from the company.”

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 and 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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Irelands Farm Machinery takes on Kubota equipment

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Irelands Farm Machinery takes on Kubota equipment: Kubota (UK) Ltd continues to strengthen its dealer network by announcing that Lincolnshire-based Irelands Farm Machinery is to add the Kubota groundcare equipment range to its existing Kubota tractor business, effective from 6 October 2020.

The move will extend the product offering to include a full range of compact tractors from 18-60hp, commercial and domestic ride-on mowers and RTV utility vehicles, putting the firm on a path for further expansion into new markets.

Irelands Farm Machinery takes on Kubota equipment

Irelands Farm Machinery takes on Kubota equipment

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to support Irelands Farm Machinery with the opportunity for further growth of its business,” explains Tim Yates, business development manager, Kubota (UK). “This partnership will help Kubota to further strengthen its position in these important markets with the ability to cross-sell between agriculture and groundcare customers.”

Operating from three locations – Carrington, Sutterton and Market Rasen – Irelands Farm Machinery, run by husband and wife team Jonathan and Fiona Ireland, has become a key dealer for the supply of new and used tractors and machinery.

“The arrival of Kubota groundcare equipment to our existing business is a fantastic opportunity for us,” explains owner and director Jonathan Ireland. “It reinforces Kubota’s commitment to the industry, and we’re extremely pleased to now offer a greater range of Kubota machines to customers old and new, in addition to the wider community.”

The business also operates its own tractor hire fleet, and is an area that Jonathan Ireland wants to replicate by introducing a dedicated hire fleet of groundcare equipment.

“Having the opportunity to add to what we do with the development of a groundcare machinery hire fleet will also create additional opportunities with golf clubs, parks and sports grounds,” says Jonathan.

Established in 1994, Irelands Farm Machinery has developed its core business to include a wide range of cutting-edge equipment, while earning a reputation for providing a knowledgeable, reliable and helpful service. In addition to the premium-brand Kubota tractor range, which the firm has been selling since 2014, the dealership also has prestigious franchises from respected machinery brands.

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BIGGA’s online conference programme

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BIGGA’s online conference programme: The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has led the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association to rethink how its members will access local and regional education in 2020, with the association launching a new initiative known as the National Regional Conference.

Traditionally BIGGA’s five regions – Scotland and Northern Ireland, Northern, Central England, South West & South Wales and South East – host their own gatherings for BIGGA members to meet up and hear talks from some of the most influential people in the industry. However, restrictions on social gatherings and the fact many greenkeeping teams are stretched to the limit due to busier courses and reduced staffing means that these in-person events aren’t able to take place through this autumn.

BIGGA's online conference programme

BIGGA’s online conference programme

BIGGA has already announced its popular Continue to Learn education programme, usually held at BTME each January, will become an online event, and the regional conferences have now followed suit.

The National Regional Conference, so called because it will be accessible from anywhere, but will also retain some of the great features of a regional conference, will take place on 10 November 2020 from 10am to 1pm and registration has now opened on the BIGGA website.

The programme for speakers is:

Seven things I’ve learned about turf around the world

Presented by Dr Micah Woods, chief scientist, Asian Turfgrass Center

A fast-paced look at seven things that can be learnt from turf around the world:

  1. Choosing the right grass is really important
  2. The textbooks aren’t always correct
  3. Where’s the most difficult location to grow good grass?
  4. Greenkeepers must be expert irrigators
  5. Plant nutrition is easier than it’s made out to be
  6. Could sand topdressing be overdone?
  7. The growth rate is more important than I thought

Simple steps to encourage wildlife on the golf course

Presented by Dr Marie Athorn, Business Conservation Advisor (R&A), RSPB

Golf courses can play an important part in the conservation of rare and protected species with fantastic green spaces that offer significant opportunities to provide desperately needed sanctuaries for wildlife. This session will help you to consider some simple low cost, low resource ideas that you could do on your golf course to make a difference.

From Lockdown to the Rose Ladies Series

With Callum Wark, golf course manager, JCB Country Club

When Justin Rose and his wife Kate announced the Rose Ladies Series, a one-off Ladies European Tour event, shortly after golf reopened following lockdown, the greenkeeping team at the JCB Country Club in Uttoxeter had their work cut out for them – to get the golf course in shape for a behind-closed-doors, COVID-19 safe, televised tournament – all with one month’s notice!

The renovation of Loch Lomond

Presented by David Cole MG, director of golf course and estates, Loch Lomond Golf Club

Since winter 2017/18 the team at Loch Lomond and golf construction contractors Golflink have been working on what is considered to be one of the biggest renovations in British golfing history. Taking place over three consecutive winters, in one of the wettest locations in the UK, 16 holes have been rebuilt, a new irrigation system installed, a full rebuild, extension and new forward tees added, bunkers rebuilt and the renewal of the drainage infrastructure. This was followed by a sand cap and re-grassing plan across the golf course. The final two holes are planned to be completed this winter (if COVID-19 restrictions allow).

2019 – Parkstone’s busiest season on and off the course

Presented by Grant Peters, course manager, Parkstone Golf Club

To say that the Parkstone greenkeeping team had an exceptional 2019 might be a bit of an understatement. In this session you will hear about their experiences including the development of their new maintenance facility, delivering the Ladies European Amateur Championship and managing one of the busiest courses on the south coast.

Head to the What’s On section of the BIGGA website and select BIGGA’s National Regional Conference for more information and to book your spot.

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Greenkeeper tells of mower crushing

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Greenkeeper tells of mower crushing: In the Daily Record, Jon Hebditch tells the story of how a greenkeeper was crushed under a mower for nearly two hours on a Scottish golf course.

Read the full article here

Greenkeeper tells of mower crushing

Greenkeeper tells of mower crushing

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