TNS groundcare stalwart retires

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TNS groundcare stalwart retires: After 46 years with Kubota ground care machinery dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS), machinery stalwart Laurie Brown is to retire.

“I’ve now decided to practice what I’ve been preaching, by investing in a walk-behind Kubota W819R-Pro so I can continue to keep my lawn presentable during my retirement,” explains Laurie, who steps down from his role as branch manager of TNS Kennett, near Newmarket, Suffolk, in May 2021.

TNS groundcare stalwart retires

TNS groundcare stalwart retires

“I wouldn’t buy anything else, and based on the reliability and durability of Kubota equipment I’ve seen over the years, this is likely to be the only mower I’ll need,” he adds. “I’m proud to say that I have two customers who still use their G3 HST mowers that were bought new in the late 1970’s.”

“Japanese reliability is legendary and the machines are still serviceable; so it is down to us, as the supplying dealer, to deliver with aftersales and service,” he says. “I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some fantastic people along the way, and I’ll certainly miss the camaraderie from our suppliers, and our customers.”

Mr Brown has worked with Kubota since TNS became a ground care dealer in the late 1970’s supplying products up to 100hp. He says it’s been a journey that has also led to developing extremely enjoyable working relationships with customers.

“When you enjoy the job this much, it’s not a chore – it’s a way of life,” he says.

Having joined the business straight from school in June 1975 and worked his way up through the business, Mr Brown has spent time as regional aftersales manager, and enjoyed being branch manager of several TNS depots including Littleport, Melton and Hinderclay, before moving to Kennett four years ago.

“There’s no doubt that reliability has driven the success of the Kubota product, and customers do keep coming back because of the service and support we provide,” he says. “Over the years, when customers invest in TNS-supplied Kubota machinery, they also invest in the people who look after them. And I’m pleased to say it’s rewarded me with many long-term relationships with customers – I consider a lot of them to be good friends.”

Aside from taking care of his lawn and creating those sought-after green stripes, Laurie is looking forward to spending quality time with his family, and embarking on travelling with his wife, when it’s safe to do so.

“We do like cruises, and we’re looking forward to doing many more of them,” he says. “Though if I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

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GMA takes 3G pitches course online

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GMA takes 3G pitches course online: Following a year of significant growth to its online resources, the Grounds Management Association launches its Level 2 ‘Effective Maintenance of 3G Pitches’ training course.

The online course is designed to help participants understand how to effectively maintain a 3G pitch to provide a safe surface, whilst meeting performance criteria and optimising its longevity. ‘Effective Maintenance of 3G Surfaces’ also helps participants understand the signs when a surface is coming to the end of its life.

GMA takes 3G pitches course online

GMA takes 3G pitches course online

With the role of grounds staff and volunteers diversifying, it is increasingly important for more individuals to understand how to maintain and extend the life of different types of playing surfaces. The course is suitable for both professionals and volunteers with basic experience, as well as others involved in sports facility management who wish to gain a better understanding of the maintenance and upkeep of these surfaces on varying budgets.

The course is available to purchase via the GMA’s website for a member and non-member rate. The association now holds seven online courses and aims to relaunch its Continuing Personal Development programme next year alongside its new website.

With restrictions now easing, the GMA hopes to reopen its face-to-face practical sessions that complement its online resources, such as its online courses and the Grounds Management Toolkit, later this year.

To sign-up to Level 2 ‘Effective Maintenance of 3G Pitches’ visit: https://bit.ly/3fKVzWG

Jason Booth, COO at the GMA commented:

“We have seen increasing pressures on grounds staff and volunteers like never before. Facilities are often understaffed, so groundspeople are expected to understand more about a range of surfaces and offer a helping hand across local networks. Contrary to belief, 3G surfaces are not low maintenance and they require a high level of knowledge to fulfil their lifespan.

“This course compliments our wider learning programme that focusses on grass pitches, helping grounds people gain relevant skills and best practices when dealing with 3G surfaces.”

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Capillary Bunkers at Newnan CC

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Capillary Bunkers at Newnan CC: It’s only two weeks since Newnan CC, about thirty five miles southwest of metro Atlanta in Georgia, completed the installation of the Capillary Bunkers liner product on its golf course. But superintendent Andy Scott already is already seeing major benefits.

“We’ve had three big rainstorms – three inches overnight – since we finished the installation, and we have come in the following morning and found little or no washouts in our new bunkers,” says Scott. “Member reaction has been great. I’m getting compliments every single day about how they look and play. It’s probably too early to say this is the best decision of my life, but I’m pretty close to it.”

Capillary Bunkers at Newnan CC

Capillary Bunkers at Newnan CC

Newnan was founded in 1919, though the golf course dates from later, but Scott says it was showing its age. “This project was a long time in the making,” he explains. “I have been here ten years, and I have been asking to do a bunker renovation ever since I joined the club! We are a fairly typical small town country club, so for us it was a significant long term investment. As such I was determined that when we did the bunkers, we were going to do them properly – not a half job. I wanted to go all-in.”

This determination to do the job properly, combined with Scott’s pre-existing relationship with business development manager Cory Blair, led him to select the Capillary Bunkers product. “I did look at other liners, but I felt certain I was making the right choice,” Scott says.

Lining the bunkers wasn’t the only component of Scott’s project. Decades of wear and tear had left many of them misshapen, and with surface water draining into them. Newnan hired contractor David Johnson of Florida-based JGCC Golf N Sports Turf to deliver the job. “We gave him a lot of input, but broadly we let David guide us in the right direction,” says Scott. “If he proposed something that we thought over the top, we discussed it between us, and reached agreement.”

Johnson broke ground late in January and finished construction in early May. “We kept the course open, closing holes as needed,” says Scott. “Our membership is quite small and close-knit, so communicating which holes were closing when was not too difficult.”

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Maximum mowing, minimum effort

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Maximum mowing, minimum effort: With smart speakers, heating systems that can be controlled from afar and the ability to turn the oven on without having to get off the sofa, automation in the home is becoming the norm. So why not extend that to the garden?

For many years, robotic lawnmowers have been popular in Europe and Scandinavia in particular, but the market in the UK has been slow and options deemed too expensive. But now, like lawns, demand is growing. Cobra, which is already known for having the largest range of lawn mowers available in the UK, has an affordable solution.

Maximum mowing, minimum effort

Maximum mowing, minimum effort

The Mowbot is the latest evolution in garden machinery, maintaining a beautiful, healthy lawn with minimal effort.

The process is simple. Set up the electric parameters in which the Mowbot is to do its work by laying a thin wire around the edge of the lawn, under the turf, which will keep it on track and stop it straying onto paths and flowerbeds. Then leave it to mow! When it has done its job, it will return to its charging station so it is ready and raring to go out again next time. It will also know to return to the charging station when the battery is running low, or if the weather turns bad.

You can choose how often you would like it to mow, even programming it to do multiple cuts for a little-and-often approach at the height of the season. All without having to lift a finger!

For the ultimate mowing convenience you can control it via Bluetooth connectivity by programming the frequency as desired, or use the Mowbot app to send it on its way from afar. You can even relax in peace on holiday knowing that mowing the lawn is being ticked off the to do list whilst you are away!

There are two models of Mowbot available. The Mowbot800 is for gardens up to 800m2, and the Mowbot1200 is for larger lawns up to 1200m2. Both have a 180mm cutting width and are powered by 28v lithium-ion batteries; the charging house comes as standard with both models. The cutting height ranges from 20mm to 60mm, allowing for regular trims as well as the option to leave the grass a bit longer.

A truly unique feature of the Mowbot is its variety of designs. Each model comes in a choice of colour, with the options of Midnight Black, Metallic Red, Metallic Green and Racing Green. For those wanting a change from time to time, there are also additional covers available in Carbon Fibre, Camouflage and Floral patterns.

Prices start from £599 for the 800m2 model, and £759 for the 1200m2, with the covers costing £59.99 each.

Find out more information at mowbot.co.uk

Mowbot Full Installation Video

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