Combination ticks all the boxes for Eastleigh

Combination ticks all the boxes for Eastleigh: Managing a high wear pitch, on a relatively tight budget is probably a story with which most non and lower league club grounds managers can relate.

For Eastleigh FC Head Groundsman Dan Barnes, the task is made slightly easier by getting the right seed in the ground first and foremost – and for this, he turns to Johnsons J Premier Pitch. Along with delivering superior wear tolerance, its resistance to disease has meant Dan has only applied fungicide once in the last four years.

Combination ticks all the boxes for Eastleigh

Combination ticks all the boxes for Eastleigh

Eastleigh FC moved to their home at the Silverlake Stadium in the 1950’s and limited investment since then has resulted in a pitch that struggles with drainage and requires thoughtful management – a challenge Dan picked up four years ago, despite having no previous Groundsmanship experience! “In those first few months I spent a lot of time undertaking qualifications and networking with other groundsmen as I sought to build a bank of suppliers” explains Dan, who is assisted only by a team of volunteers. “When it came to seed, after I tried Johnsons J Premier Pitch mixture, I’ve never wanted to use anything else.”

“Despite our challenging ground conditions, this mixture delivers on all of the key performance characteristics – it’s hard-wearing, gives us fantastic visual merit and has demonstrated fantastic tolerance to disease. In four years, we’ve had just one Fusarium outbreak which we could attribute to the use of pitch covers.” Due to budget constraints, Dan has to be creative when it comes to seeding, usually applying 50g per m2 during summer renovations and then overseeding at 25-30g per m2 in the autumn and again in the spring to see them through to the end of the season.

Last winter, Dan supplemented Premier Pitch with Johnsons J 4Turf to benefit from the lower temperature germination of DLF’s tetraploid ryegrass. “This gave the pitch a real boost through the winter and undoubtedly helped us get through a fixture pile-up we had in February 2021 where we hosted five games in a 19-day period. The increased root length we get with the J 4Turf mixture provides great additional strength and, along with J Premier Pitch, recovers brilliantly.”

“There is nothing more satisfying than being proud of the surface you present” Dan concludes. “This combination of Johnsons mixtures gives us a pitch that is always fit and ready for play which, in turn, satisfies the following of fans we are really fortunate to have here at the 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.

PSD announce new sales appointment

PSD announce new sales appointment: PSD Groundscare, the exclusive UK distributor for AS Motor, Eliet, Koppl and TS Industrie professional groundscare machinery, are pleased to announce the recent appointment of Karl Savill as Business Development Manager covering the South East and East Midlands.

The appointment supports recent growth and ensures that customer’s expectations continue to be exceeded.

PSD announce new sales appointment

PSD announce new sales appointment

Stuart Mercer, Sales Director of PSD Groundscare said:

“Karl brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience including over 12 years working in the agricultural and groundscare industry along with a great amount of enthusiasm and is a fantastic addition to our team. His experience not only covers sales but also parts and service which I’m sure will see him thrive in his new role.”

Karl says of his new role, “I am delighted to have been appointed as the South East & East Midlands Business Development Manager for PSD Groundscare and to be working with a range of high quality brands. My passion has always been groundscare machinery, and I’m really excited and looking forward to working with dealers and getting out and meeting customers and demonstrating the fantastic capabilities and benefits of our machinery”.

Karl can be contacted on:

Mob: 07973 454002    Email: karl@psdgroundscare.com

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.

GrassMaster unveils new GEN-S machines

GrassMaster unveils new GEN-S machines: GrassMaster solutions, the worlds most proven provider of hybrid grass systems, is pleased to introduce the latest addition to our machine feet, the GrassMaster Gen-S. The addition of the new machinery will allow GrassMaster to increase capacity and upgrade the provision of services to clients.

“We are excited about this latest addition which helps keep us at the forefront within the hybrid grass sector. The Gen-S is electrically powered and allows our experienced installation
teams to stitch a GrassMaster pitch more quickly,” said Benjamin Huneau, General Manager GrassMaster Solutions. “The new lighter weight machine allows for lower down-pressures on the surface, thus reducing the machine’s impact when working on young grass.”

GrassMaster unveils new GEN-S machines

GrassMaster unveils new GEN-S machines

BENJAMIN HUNEAU, GENERAL MANAGER

The acquisition of the Gen-S Machines showcases GrassMaster’s contnued investment in people, technology and equipment. Equipped with this technology, GrassMaster gives clients the confidence of x100’s of proven installations allied with excellent stitching quality, fibre resilience and speed of installation.

KEY MACHINE CHARACTERISTICS

• 1760mm stitching width
• 8T fully loaded weight (including fibre)
• Powered by electric (diesel generated or mains)
• Robust hydraulic stitching unit
• 7days to complete a standard pitch (7500m2)
• Accurate + variable stitch spacing & depth

BENEFITS OF GRASSMASTER

IMPROVED PLAYER WELFARE
Fibre reinforces the sand based root-zone, ensuring a fat surface with optimal levels of traction, firmness and energy restitution to reduce player injuries

INCREASED RETURN ON INVESTMENT

The injection of GrassMaster fibre helps to reduce damage to the grass by protecting the crown of the plant from vertical and lateral forces exerted by players to increase the hours of play available on the pitch

GrassMaster unveils new GEN-S machines

GrassMaster unveils new GEN-S machines

MAXIMUM LIFETIME VALUE

GrassMaster is the only stitched system with a proven lifespan of 10 years, with the oldest GrassMaster pitches still performing well at 15+ offering incredible value for money over the lifetime of the pitch

BESPOKE ENGINEERED YARN

The GrassMaster fibre is produced by fellow Tarket Company Morton extrusions in Germany. Employing some of the world’s leading materials scientists the in house expertise and R&D capabilities are leveraged in order to continually improve our fibre characteristics across all of our product lines

GRASSMASTER SOLUTIONS BY TARKETT SPORTS

GrassMaster Solutons is the hybrid grass division of Tarket Sports, which is a worldwide manufacturer and installer of innovative and durable sports surfaces. GrassMaster Solutions covers two hybrid grass technologies: GrassMaster, a hybrid grass system with a proven lifespan of 15 years and more, and PlayMaster, a flexible solution that ensures a quick installation and an instant playability. GrassMaster is currently installed at renowned venues like the Puskás Aréna, FMG Stadium Waikato, Wembley Stadium and countless others.

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.

Kubota launches new V tracked dump truck

Kubota launches new V tracked dump truck: Kubota has expanded its extensive range of track dumpers with the launch of two new Stage V emissions compliant models. The KC300HR-5 and KC300H-5, are compact and powerful and are ideal for transporting construction materials quickly and efficiently, especially in rough terrain. 

Both models have a maximum load capacity of 2,875 kg and are capable of transporting large quantities of material in a short time. In the H version, the machine is equipped with a hydraulic three-sided tiltable loading trough. The tipping angle of this model is max. 55°, the tipping angle of the HR version is max. 84°. In addition, the tipper is equipped with a stepless, hydraulic 180° rotation function (HR – hydraulic rotation 90° right / 90° left). With this version, the rotation function can be actuated at the same time as the tipping of the body. This gives the operator the great advantage of being able to unload the bulk material with pinpoint accuracy, which significantly increases the flexibility of the machine.

Kubota launches new V tracked dump truck

Kubota launches new V tracked dump truck

The heart of these two models is the liquid-cooled Kubota diesel engine V2403, which complies with the current European exhaust gas stage V. The four-cylinder diesel engine enables the machine to be operated with a high degree of flexibility. It provides the operator with a wide power spectrum in all working situations and, if required, a high driving speed of up to 11 km/h, even when loaded. Other design features include a robust crawler chassis that guarantees the operator efficient and comfortable working. Ground clearance is 330 mm, ensuring avoidance of obstacles and making machine use on uneven terrain much easier.

In addition to outstanding versatility and performance, special emphasis was also placed on driver comfort when developing these new track dumpers. The comfortable, reversible seat allows the driver to turn 180 degrees and face the opposite direction of travel. This allows the driver to quickly and easily adjust his seating position to the corresponding loading direction at all times, even in tight construction sites. Joystick operation and a digital display showing all important engine and machine data ensure simple and smooth operation and are always in the operator’s field of vision, even in reverse gear and with the seat direction adjusted.

Glen Hampson, Construction Division Manager at Kubota,  said, “These two KC300H-5 and HR-5 models are an exciting new addition to our track dumper range and the result of years of experience and continuous investment in new product development. The KC300-5 meets the latest European Stage V diesel emissions regulations and combines power and speed with unbeatable flexibility – all in a compact design.

For more information on the Kubota KC300H-5 and HR-5 models, visit: https://kuk.kubota-eu.com/constructionmachinery/products/track-dumpers/kc300h-hr-5/

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.

Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley

Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley: Since the construction of Sage Valley Golf Club in 2001, Jacobsen mowers have covered every blade of grass on the 4000-acre site, and in those two decades, they have always impressed.

The private members club located just outside of Augusta, Georgia, sits within thousands of acres of preserved southern pine forest, and at its heart is the 18-hole, 7,344-yard course and three practice holes. Along with every blade of grass on the 4000 plus acre site, these courses are maintained by the Director of Agronomy, Dustin Purdue, and his team.

Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley

Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley

With roadsides, fields, common areas and the courses under his control, the importance of having mowers for specific areas can’t be underestimated. For Dustin, it is the Jacobsen machines’ versatility that has played a significant part in their success.

“We maintain 125 acres of turf, so it’s a large area,” Dustin begins. “Most golf courses are in the 80 to 90-acre range, so when we are growing, and in the growing season and full-on mowing, we need every day and every minute just to stay on top of the amount of grass we have to mow.

“We’re maintaining things from a tenth of an inch on the greens all the way to two inches in the rough and then fields per se or just native roadside grasses. So having the ability for one supplier to have all of those pieces of equipment is definitely helpful.

“On our greens, we use the Eclipse 2 walk mowers, 22-inch. We have floating head units that we use on the bent grass greens on the big course, and then we have the fixed head units that we use on our TifEagle Bermudagrass greens on the Par 3 course.

“We also use the fixed head units to mow all of our tees on the big course, and we use the GP400s to mow approaches on both courses. We use SLF530s to mow fairways, and I use the TR330s to cut the rough.

“For quality of cut, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I feel like they hold up very well; they don’t need adjustments that often, the quality of cut, the quality of the steel and the materials used is great. Once they’re set, we’re able to go out and not have to make adjustments that often.”

Over 20-years at Sage Valley, Jacobsen has become part of the team. As the expectations from golfers and the world at large have changed, so has the product offering and speed of customer service. For years Dustin’s Jacobsen team off the course has kept the greenkeeping team on it, and it is that combination that makes everything click into place at Sage Valley.

“For us Superintendents, I’d say at the end of the day, it’s just our plan, but our plan’s no good if we don’t have a team to help us implement it. So I definitely would like to deflect and give my team any praise if possible because, again, I can have the best plan and dream in the world, but if we can’t go out and get it done, then it’s no good.

“I think in this day and age, specifically in the golf industry, but I also believe abroad, customer service is a huge part of the success of larger companies.

“I believe society nowadays just moves at a faster pace, and you kind of need everything right then, and I believe we’ve just come to expect it, so having great service is huge.”

Find your nearest Jacobsen dealer on their new website: https://www.jacobsen.com/?utm_source=Turf%20Business&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Turf%20Business%20E-Newsletter%20April

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.