BIGGA and Campey announce award winners

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BIGGA and Campey announce award winners: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association and Campey Turf Care Systems have revealed the winners of the BIGGA Excellence in Communications Awards.

Whether using digital and social media, community outreach or by producing an article for the monthly journal of BIGGA, Greenkeeper International, the awards recognise those greenkeepers who have embraced communication as a vital tool available to the modern turf professional, helping to improve understanding and appreciation of the greenkeeping industry among the public or sharing ideas and best practice for the turf management community.

BIGGA and Campey announce award winners

BIGGA and Campey announce award winners

Three awards categories were up for grabs and the winners will receive their prizes at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration on the opening night of BTME 2022, which is taking place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 22 to 24 March.

The Innovation and Thought Leadership Award is given to the BIGGA member who has written the most thought-provoking article for Greenkeeper International in the previous calendar year. The judges selected as the winner a feature written by Prestonfield Golf Club’s course manager Shaun Cunningham. Included within the February 2021 edition of the magazine, Shaun discussed the topic of out-of-play areas and whether a golfer’s enjoyment of a golf course depended as much upon the wider environment and landscape as it did the playing surfaces.

The New Media Award is given to a BIGGA member who has embraced the possibilities of digital media to raise understanding of what goes on behind-the-scenes at a golf course. This year’s New Media Award winner is John Rowbottom, greenkeeper at Woolley Park Golf Club in Barnsley. John began using social media as a bit of fun but quickly gained a large following with his entertaining look at life at this West Yorkshire golf club, often joined out on the course by his ‘turf dogs’. One video of the greens team preparing a bunker was viewed over 23 million times.

The Outreach Award seeks to recognise those BIGGA members who have taken their message beyond the normal work boundaries. This can be to the local community, schools or environmental groups. The winner of this year’s award is John Milne, head greenkeeper at Garmouth & Kingston Golf Club. John has presented in schools and at careers events to raise awareness of life at the golf club. He also invites students to the golf course to show how golf facilities can be beneficial for the natural environment. Activities have included primary school pupils planting trees and taking part in an on course wildlife safari, the establishment of an ecology group and encouraging wildlife photographers to visit the site.

Karl Hansell, head of marketing and communications at BIGGA, said: “At BIGGA we work tirelessly to raise awareness among the public about just what it takes to maintain a modern golf course. Greenkeepers too must do their bit if the message is to reach a wide audience and so I’m pleased that we are able to highlight the incredible work of these three BIGGA members, who go far beyond the requirements of their daily working lives to try and improve the lot of greenkeepers everywhere. The wide range of activities they have undertaken shows not only what a wonderful profession greenkeeping is, but how golf clubs can play a positive role in the health and wellbeing of the wider community.”

“Our thanks also go to Campey Turf Care Systems for enabling us to reward these three BIGGA members with such fantastic prizes. To see BIGGA, our members and the turf industry working together in such a great way gives confidence that there is a bright future ahead for the greenkeeping industry.”

BTME is taking place this week at the Harrogate Convention Centre, having been postponed from January 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Registration is free and more details can be found at www.btme.org.uk

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Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang

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Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang: After a pandemic-enforced two-and-a-half-year break, Collier Turf Care were delighted to resume their ever-popular bowls seminars. Hosted alongside Robert Jack and Andy Walker of Dennis and SISIS, over 40 attendees across two days were able to listen to talks on industry relevant issues, see some excellent machinery demonstrations and take part in thorough Q&A’s.

John Noyce & Chris Humphrey of Collier Turf Care led the presentations covering all things bowls! Turf disease, pests and future methods of prevention were top of the agenda. After a very informative morning the attendees were led outside to watch a very interactive demonstration of Dennis and SISIS’s latest equipment – after being fuelled by a hearty lunch of course.

Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang

Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang

The day was enjoyed by all and we would like to thank both Horley Bowls Club and Newick Bowls Club for being excellent hosts and also providing the brilliant weather!

Testimonials

We were so blessed with a perfect spring day for the Seminar jointly hosted by our friends from Collier Turf Care in association with Dennis and SISIS.

After morning coffees, we were treated to a talk on Disease Management from Chris Humphrey followed by another very interesting insight into Earthworm Management by John Noyce, both representing Colliers.

After lunch, the Fine Turf Management talk and Machine demonstrations by Rob Jack and Andy Walker from Dennis/SISIS showed off some very nice machines.

All in all, we had a very informative and enjoyable day and everyone who attended got a great deal out of it.

Brian Wilson – Greenkeeper (Horley Bowls Club)

Just wanted to say thank you to you and all your team at Horley Bowls club, yesterday, for an excellent day.

Found all the talks and demonstration very interesting and informative. All in all, we had a very informative and enjoyable day and everyone who attended got a great deal out of it.

Philip Waterman – Tandridge District Council

The events also saw the launch of our new Bowling Green Groundsman’s Maintenance Guide. This booklet is full of excellent tips and advice on keeping your bowls green looking its best. To get your copy please get in touch with your local Collier Turf Care representative or call our offices on 01328 700600.

If you are interested in updates of future seminars or think that your club would be interested in hosting such an event, please get in touch by emailing benb@collier-turf-care.co.uk

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MKM launch 2022 landscaping brochure

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MKM launch 2022 landscaping brochure: MKM Building Supplies, the U.K’s largest independent builders merchant, has launched its new 2022 landscaping brochure detailing its complete offering of garden and outdoor space products.

The new volume includes popular landscaping features such as decorative aggregates, decking, artificial grass, fencing and a selection of porcelain, natural stone and concrete paving options among much more – allowing patrons to turn any garden or outdoor space into a little piece of heaven. A host of creative designs and varying materials are also featured with real-world examples of landscaping projects completed with MKM products included, encouraging inspiration and highlighting the supplier’s expert knowledge and leading offering.

MKM launch 2022 landscaping brochure

MKM launch 2022 landscaping brochure

“The 2022 landscaping season is fast approaching, and with more time spent in the comfort of our own home and garden now more than ever, the trend of renovation and expansion to outdoor spaces is growing,” explains Nicola Ollett, Head of Marketing MKM Building Supplies. “Our new landscaping brochure provides choice, inspiration and top-quality products to those looking to turn their outdoor spaces into areas they’re proud of and can spend more time in.”

As outdoor dining and entertaining becomes increasingly popular, seating, patios, fire pits and other outdoor features such as lighting and heating become required in order to host friends and family during those sought-after long summer evenings. While garden outbuildings are also growing in popularity as the perfect location for an office space, personal bar, tranquil hideaway or al fresco dining.

“Unlike other merchants, these fantastic designs and products are not just for trade customers, they’re equally available to the general public looking to develop personal spaces themselves,” continues Nicola. “With our in-branch landscaping specialists, friendly and experienced team and free local delivery, anyone can pay a visit to their local MKM branch and get started on their next project, today.”

Most MKM branches across the nation have their own landscaping displays for budding landscapers to use as inspiration, with landscaping specialists also on hand to help identify hidden opportunities and discuss project ideas. And, with every branch across the U.K, offering free local delivery, it’s never been easier to finalise that personalised garden or outdoor space.

To find out more about landscaping opportunities, download the new brochure, or contact your local MKM branch, visit mkmbs.co.uk

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John Deere’s futuristic vision

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John Deere’s futuristic vision: John Deere has set out its vision for a more connected, guided and electrified future for greenkeepers as the company prepares to make more ground-breaking technology available to UK golf courses.

Utilising proven JDLink™ technology from John Deere’s agriculture division in tandem with the integration of cloud-based management software and electrified machines, course owners and managers will have the power to create a more efficient and sustainable future.

John Deere's futuristic vision

John Deere’s futuristic vision

At the international turf management exhibition, BTME, in Harrogate this week, John Deere outlined how recent product development and acquisitions had provided the foundations for three new principles for golf course care; Connect, Guide, Manage.

Key to this vision is John Deere’s acquisition of cloud-based golf course management software, OnLink, in 2019 which has been developed and will soon be launched across Europe, starting in the UK.

It allows users to automatically synchronise selected machines working anywhere on the course, managing activity remotely.

The technology delivers integrated labour and fleet management tools. OnEquip provides information on fleet activity such as engine hour tracking and servicing intervals, while OnLabor provides labour tools such as electronic job boards to improve overall management and to track assignments.

OnLink connects to machines using John Deere’s long-established JDLink and the John Deere Operations Center which have been used on the company’s farm machinery for more than 15 years. For greenkeepers, this means connected machines will also provide their real-time location on the course through the OnLink mapping feature.

Data gathered can be used to plan and improve operation efficiency, as each machine’s working hours can be balanced across its life cycle to reduce the cost of ownership. Mowing patterns, reducing the time required to complete work, can also be managed.

The technology provides owners settings for geofences and curfews to send alerts if the machine is working outside of set locations or hours, increasing its security profile.

OnLink offers customers the ability to plan for weather conditions, track the speed of greens, and monitor soil moisture while also creating accurate budget forecasts and use the workboard updates to plan tasks.

OnLink will be available on any internet connected device; desktop, tablet and mobile devices.

The company recently announced the launch of the world’s first fully autonomous tractor in the USA – a statement of innovation which will feed across to the golf business over time, allowing more guided and semi-autonomous operations on the course.

John Deere’s Sales Manager for Turf and Golf, Chris Meacock, said: “At John Deere, we believe the future of golf course maintenance is about connectivity, sustainability, autonomy and intelligence, while embracing electric.

“Our exciting plans for the next few years involve applying our proven technology innovations to all our golf equipment, so that greenkeepers can better plan for weather conditions, forecast accurate budgets and meticulously manage equipment and labour costs.

“The John Deere OnLink golf course management solution will be key for allowing greenkeepers to save valuable time, increase operational efficiency by identifying the problem areas causing delays in task completion, reduce cost of ownership, and provide increased security and peace of mind. I also envisage greenkeeping teams harnessing its data for future decision making and increasing effective communication.”

Electrification

John Deere is also committing to electrify its golf portfolio.

In February the company presented its 185 / 225 E-Cut™ Electric Walk Greens Mowers in the USA for the first time. Powered by 48V Lithium-Ion Battery, the electric mowers produce zero emissions and low sound levels.

John Deere’s journey to electrification, as well as developing battery drive equipment, will emphasise the addition of smart features to make operation easier and more comfortable, putting the decision making into the hand of head greenkeepers so the performance in the field is the same on every area, at every time, independent from the operator.

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