GMA announces first ever #GroundsWeek

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GMA announces first ever #GroundsWeek: Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body for grounds professionals and volunteers, announces the launch of #GroundsWeek.

The inaugural celebration week will take place March (1 -7 March 2021) and will celebrate and highlight the vital role of professional grounds staff, volunteers, and the turf sector play in making sport possible.

GMA announces first ever #GroundsWeek

GMA announces first ever #GroundsWeek

Following a difficult year for the sector, due to the impact of Covid-19, the GMA aims to showcase grounds staff and the amazing work that they do – and have continued to do – despite sport coming to a grinding halt. It also comes after a year where parks and green spaces have been valuable to the public’s health – with increased use for ‘daily exercise’ and physical activity.

Grounds management continues to be challenging beyond 2020 due to limited resources and budgets, coupled with more varied and unpredictable weather conditions that makes planning tasks more difficult.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said: “We know that the skill involved is often misunderstood. We want to inspire sports fans and the general public to celebrate alongside us and get even more people to enter the profession and lend a helping hand at pitches across the country.

“Without the vital work that grounds staff do, many sports would face cancellations and potentially closure. This is a chance to recognise all the hard work that goes into making sport possible and keeping green spaces accessible.”

The GMA’s campaign will encourage individuals and organisations across the industry, whether they have a career in grounds management or volunteer for an hour a week, to get involved both on the pitch and on social media.

Further details about the campaign will follow in February, alongside #GroundsWeek graphics and content for wider use. This will include top tips and a social media pack for organisations wanting to get involved. Businesses can also get involved by pledging to be a #GroundsWeek partner.

Geoff continued:

“Grounds staff are vital and the work they do is essential to getting the nation active – from professional athletes to local communities. After a really tough year, we’re launching this celebration week to raise awareness and give our members the opportunity to get the recognition they deserve.

For more information about the GMA and the important work they do within grounds maintenance, visit: https://thegma.org.uk/

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Bernhard and Company chooses GMS

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Bernhard and Company chooses GMS: Bernhard and Company Ltd, a world leading provider of turf care solutions, has appointed GMS as its international marketing agency.

The company, headquartered in Rugby, England, supplies sharpening systems to over 65 of the world’s top 100 golf courses and over 75 of the top 100 US courses. As a leader in sports surface air movement and moisture control solutions, it also holds an exclusive license to distribute SubAir and Turfbreeze systems to golf and sports facilities across EMEA and parts of Asia.

Bernhard and Company chooses GMS

Bernhard and Company chooses GMS

“At Bernhard and Company, we have amazing partners and associated stories, most of which have not yet been told to their fullest. We’re therefore very excited to partner with such an experienced and reputable agency as GMS,” said Angelique Crosnier, Marketing and Internal Sales Manager at Bernhard and Company.

“Their stable of clients and the length of relationships speaks volumes for their service levels. We’re excited to watch our content and reach flourish under their guidance.”

Over its 150-year history, Bernhard and Company’s precision sharpening equipment and specialist guidance have played an integral role in the setup of a multitude of elite events run by the PGA Tour, European Tour and USGA.

“We’re thrilled to be activating what is an extensive brief from Bernhard and Company,” commented Sam Elder, Director at GMS.

“Through our recent discussions with them, myself and the wider team at GMS have been hugely impressed by the company’s commitment to providing exceptional products and services, but also their vow to continuously improve when it comes to sustainability, conservation and its relationship to golf course and turf maintenance.

“As undisputed pioneers and leaders in their field, we feel they’re a great fit with our other clients and we’re eager to bring their stories to life alongside their experienced team.”

The partnership, effective January 1st, 2021, sees GMS take on the role of global marketing agency for Bernhard and Company, with an emphasis on PR and content production services.

 ABOUT BERNHARD AND COMPANY

A specialist in sports turf technology, Bernhard and Company is committed to providing leading turf care solutions to golf course and pitch care specialists worldwide. From blade sharpening systems to sports surface air movement and moisture control solutions and supplementary lighting solutions, the Bernhard and Company product portfolio is focused on providing its global customer base with championship turf and world-class playability. Bernhard and Company’s turf health solutions are used at top 100 courses and famous sporting venues around the world. For more information, visit www.bernhard.co.uk.

Find Bernhard and Company on their official social media channels:

  • Twitter – @BernhardCompany
  • Facebook – Bernhard Company
  • Instagram – @BernhardCompany
  • Linkedin – Bernhard Company

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LockStar essential for weed control

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LockStar essential for weed control: Alan Abel from Complete Weed Control (South & Central Wales) has claimed that ICL’s residual herbicide, LockStar, has become an essential product in his armoury.

Since its launch last year, LockStar has been well received in the turf and landscaping sector. It arrived at a time when public green spaces, amenity areas and transportation infrastructure were coming under increasing pressure from reduced budgets, weed infestations and a reduction in chemical solutions available on the market. This new herbicide, which controls a broad spectrum of weeds, has been keeping areas such as these weed-free, functional and visually pleasing.

LockStar essential for weed control

LockStar essential for weed control

Alan has been using LockStar throughout the past season and has reported some hugely encouraging results.

“I’ve found it to be excellent and the longevity is fantastic,” he said. “It has been effective on all fronts for up to five months with just one application.”

When applied before germination, LockStar creates a dual barrier at the soil surface ensuring that soil is kept weed-free for up to five months. The innovative formula contains diflufenican and iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium – which is the first new weed control active ingredient to be released in the UK for many years.

When applied pre-germination, LockStar creates a dual barrier on the soil surface preventing weed growth and establishment. To control weeds that are already present, it can be tank-mixed with glyphosate or a ‘fatty acid’.

“For those weeds that are already present, I have tank mixed LockStar with both glyphosate and another herbicide,” said Alan. “I’ve applied them at half rate and again, the results have been fantastic.”

Alan claims that the product has been a huge hit with local authorities and councils especially when it comes to the treatment of areas that need strimming frequently.

“We have applied LockStar to many fence lines, wall lines, tree bases – areas that need strimming at least once every three or four weeks,” continued Alan. “With LockStar applied to these areas, they don’t require to be strimmed at all, which saves our grounds teams a lot of time.”

ICL recently announced an update to the UK label of LockStar, which provided users with more effective and flexible weed control. The label update included extended use of the product meaning it can now be applied at any time of year instead of the previous limited window between February and June.

It was most welcome news to contractors and grounds managers as it gave them the opportunity to adapt their approach and give them greater control over weed growth. Alan agreed.

“It is great that LockStar was given these new permissions as it provides us with a lot more flexibility,” he said. “It is now a very important product in my armoury. I explain to customers about its strengths and how it provides them with more protection against weeds which in turn gives my customers confidence too.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Lockdown update from BIGGA

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Lockdown update from BIGGA: Following the rapidly-escalating situation regarding a return to full national lockdown restrictions for England, which followed on the heels of similar restrictions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has sought clarification regarding the level of course maintenance work that is able to take place on golf courses and other facilities.

BIGGA has reviewed the UK Government guidance and liaised with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf and The R&A and can confirm there will be no limitations placed on maintenance activities able to be undertaken by the greenkeeping teams at golf facilities, driving ranges and other venues where golf and shorter forms of the game take place.

Lockdown update from BIGGA

Lockdown update from BIGGA

While golf courses in Scotland are able to remain open, golf courses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are closed. Taking place primarily outdoors with limited opportunities for cross-contamination, greenkeeping teams have adapted well to ensure staff stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff at all facilities should continue to be aware of social distancing requirements and ensure any activities are undertaken in a manner that minimises interaction with others.

Golf clubs may choose to take advantage of the extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which is expected to run until at least April 2021, and BIGGA is asking facilities to consider the mental health and wellbeing of all staff, both those who have been under significant pressure to work with reduced staff levels for an extended period and those who have been asked to remain at home. Rotation of staff may be deemed appropriate, as is enabling all team members to take part in professional development opportunities, such as BIGGA’s Continue to Learn online education programme that is taking place during January 2021.

BIGGA is also appealing to the operators of golf clubs to use common sense when assigning tasks to the greenkeeping team and reminds club managers of their responsibility to provide a COVID-safe working environment for all members of the team.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “With widespread vaccinations taking place across the country, our hope is that this is the final hurdle and golf courses will take the opportunity presented by reduced playing levels to prepare their courses for what we hope will be a busy and prosperous summer season out on the fairways. In the meantime, the focus must be on safety and not putting anyone at risk. Course managers should have an awareness of what work is considered a priority during this period of the year and advise senior management as to these requirements, adjusting staffing levels to suit the needs of the golf facility and to ensure the continuing safety of the entire team.”

BIGGA will continue to monitor this situation and provide addition guidance as appropriate.

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Greenkeeper retires after 47 years

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Greenkeeper retires after 47 years: Clonmel Golf Club greenkeeper Sean Harte is retiring in 2021 after a fantastic 47 years of loyal service.

Read the full article from Tipperary Live here

Greenkeeper retires after 47 years

Greenkeeper retires after 47 years

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