Training Committee releases revised learning materials

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Training Committee releases revised learning materials: The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Learning Materials, developed for the Level 3 Apprenticeship, are now available for golf clubs and individuals to purchase from the Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC).

These best practice learning materials, compiled by industry specialists, are based upon principles and practices for advanced golf course maintenance and management.

Training Committee releases revised learning materials

Training Committee releases revised learning materials

Originally compiled to provide the underpinning knowledge for the Level 3 qualification, the GTC Board of Directors and the Employer Group have championed the revision of the copyright Learning Materials. Divided into 10 chapters, they cover best practices including health and safety, advanced golf course preparation and maintenance, construction of golf course features, environmental management, finance and project management.

All GTC–BIGGA Approved Training Providers will receive a copy of the Learning Materials, for use with all greenkeeping students on the advanced greenkeeping courses.

The 392-page publication is now available in digital format from the GTC shop. Visit: www.the-gtc.co.uk/shop/

GTC Learning and Development Executive, Fiona Lyttle, said: “We are incredibly proud to present the revised Level 3 Learning Materials. After recently reviewing and updating the Level 2 Learning Materials, it became necessary to develop materials appropriate for students learning at the higher level. The Level 3 qualification now incorporates more knowledge and skills that are required at a supervisory level. These materials home in on the knowledge required and how to deliver those skills. The GTC has ensured the Learning Materials are suitable for everyone, from apprentices to golf course managers, with all subjects comprehensively covered.”

The GTC is supported by England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf, The PGA and BIGGA.

For further information on the GTC’s Learning Materials, contact Fiona Lyttle on 01347 838 640 or fiona@the-gtc.co.uk

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Kubota makes significant donation

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Kubota makes significant donation: Leading construction machinery manufacturer Kubota is donating €200,000 to the flood-stricken Rhineland-Palatinate region in western Germany.

The area was subject to devastating flashfloods in July, after unprecedented levels of rainfall caused the Rhine to burst its banks. The flooding claimed more than 100 lives and causes millions of Euros worth of damage to towns and cities throughout the state.

Kubota makes significant donation

Kubota makes significant donation

Kubota employs more than 600 people in the region via its facility in the town of Zweibrücken, with company president Mikio Taguchi compelled to action after seeing images of the flooding online.

Having witnessed the impact of natural disasters in his home country of Japan, Taguchi spearheaded the donation of €200,000 to the region’s state treasury, saying: “Because I am a neighbour, I have to help.”

The donation will go towards those impacted by the flooding, with clear-up and rebuilding efforts currently underway throughout the region.

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BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship

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BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship: With the return of in-person learning at Continue to Learn in January 2022, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and plant nutrition specialists ICL have launched applications for their influential education scholarship.

The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship invites five BIGGA members to Harrogate, North Yorkshire, each January to participate in BIGGA’s world-leading education programme, in addition to three nights’ accommodation, a visit to the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) and networking opportunities with fellow greenkeepers and the sponsor.

BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship

BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship

The scholarship is now in its sixth year, with 2021 scholars participating online as BIGGA’s education programme shifted to a virtual platform due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications for this year’s scholarship are being encouraged from CPD Active BIGGA members at any stage of their careers. Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 31 August 2021. The selected scholars will then be announced in BIGGA’s monthly journal, Greenkeeper International.

2021 Scholar Laura Sayer-Hall of Ardfin Golf Club on the Isle of Jura said: “I think it’s important at the early stages of your career to attend as many educational events as possible so as to build knowledge quickly and have this tie in with the practical work you’re doing on course. I’d highly recommend applying to anyone who is wanting to develop their greenkeeping career.”

Sami Strutt is BIGGA’s Head of Learning and Development. She said: “For BIGGA members serious about their education and progressing in their career, this scholarship provides a fantastic opportunity to develop both personal and professional skills. To date, ICL has supported 25 BIGGA members through this scholarship and we are immensely grateful for their continued support and investment in the greenkeeping industry.“

Ed Carter, UK Sales and Development Manager at ICL said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the ICL scholarship scheme again in 2022, which will be the sixth year we have been involved. Taking a step back, that means 25 greenkeepers have benefitted from a total of 375 hours of education and 75 nights’ accommodation at BTME, which is amazing. As always, it’s brilliant to be able to support a scheme that allows greenkeepers to have the Harrogate experience, who otherwise may not have been able to make it.”

To apply, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ICLC2L2022

For more information about becoming CPD Active, visit: https://www.bigga.org.uk/education/continuing-professional-development.html

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Toro’s game-changing versatility

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Toro’s game-changing versatility: For the ultimate versatility, Toro’s Sidewinder technology seen in the Reelmaster 3100-D and Groundsmaster 3500-D is game-changing.

Close strimming from a large ride-on mower is nifty innovation indeed and means areas that typically require two different machines can be maintained by one efficient mower. It’s no wonder these machines are so popular with greenkeepers and groundsmen across the industry.

Toro's game-changing versatility

Toro’s game-changing versatility

Toro first patented its Sidewinder technology in 2000 for cylinder mower applications, with a second patent following in 2002 to cover all mower applications. Its USP is without question, its ability to move all three cutting units 12 inches right or left from the centre position for a full 24 inches of travel, adjusting overhang on both sides to fit every need.

The Reelmaster 3100-D is the only cylinder mower with Sidewinder technology, which when paired with its powerful 21.5hp Kubota diesel engine and one-click dial Dual Precision Adjustment cutting units guarantees an unparalleled quality and consistency of cut.

It means you can get under and around trees and other hard-to-reach places and bring precise control to delicate jobs such as trimming around sand traps, water features, tee boxes and greens edges on the golf course.

It also means that more junior members of staff can perform expert edging, trimming neatly and closely around sensitive areas while keeping the mower’s wheels a safe distance away. This is especially handy around bunkers where you want a close cut and want to keep the tyres back from the edges at the same time.

Groundsmen will be particularly interested in how the cutting units on this machine can be repositioned and the tyre tracking varied to prevent rutting and turf compaction in areas where the same patterns are mowed.

The Groundsmaster 3500-D meanwhile is a piece of equipment able to transform an easy maintenance rotary mower into a versatile and safe rotary mower with the aid of Toro’s side-shifting Sidewinder system – perfect for any sports venue maintenance team with tricky to reach areas.

The 173 cm width-cut allows you to move generous swaths, yet its compact size and Sidewinder also allow you to make tight manoeuvres in tight areas. With a 24.8 Kubota diesel engine and 3-wheel drive hydrostatic series/parallel closed-loop transmission, the Groundsmaster 3500-D helps maintain large green spaces with longer cutting cycles.

Choosing a ride-on mower with Sidewinder technology cuts down on the number of machines required to carry a wide range of tasks, which will not only save time and money but also increase productivity and efficiency. It is multifunctional machinery at its finest.

To talk to someone about how Toro’s Sidewinder technology can benefit you, call Reesink Turfcare, the sole Toro distributor in the UK for golf and sports fields equipment and irrigation products, on 01480 226800.

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