Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale

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Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale: British greenkeepers selected to represent their industry on a global scale as BIGGA and Bernhard and Company unveil the delegation to the GCSAA’s Conference and Trade Show

Following a record-breaking number of applicants, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Bernhard and Company are proud to reveal the 10 association members who have been selected to represent the best of British greenkeeping at the world’s largest gathering of sports turf professionals in Orlando, Florida next February.

Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale

Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale

A BIGGA Premium Partner, each year Bernhard and Company invites 10 BIGGA members to attend the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America’s (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show. The BIGGA delegation sponsored by Bernhard and Company is one of the most respected and revered educational opportunities for BIGGA members.

With experiences designed to elevate the careers of those in attendance, the delegation is a week-long educational trip to the coveted GCSAA Trade Show and Conference. The week features site visits to leading golf courses in the region, as well as seminars, networking events and educational demonstrations.

The members selected for the 2023 BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show are:

  • Alex Brougham, assistant course manager, Trentham Golf Club
  • James Bruder, head greenkeeper, Old Course, Walton Heath Golf Club
  • Michael Budd, course manager, Shirley Park Golf Club
  • Scott Corrigan, deputy course manager, R&A Lethamhill
  • David Edmondson, head greenkeeper, Prestwick Golf Club
  • Andrew Kerr MG, course manager, Surbiton Golf Club
  • Steven Thomas, deputy head greenkeeper, Prestonfield Golf Club
  • Brian Toall, course manager, Baberton Golf Club
  • Jeremy Ward, course manager, Renishaw Park Golf Club
  • Bradley White, senior greenkeeper, Wentworth Club

The BIGGA Delegation with Bernhard and Company has helped define the careers of some of the most ambitious names within the greenkeeping industry. The delegation is known throughout the industry for building business and social relationships that last a lifetime.

Stefan Carter is head greenkeeper on the West Course at Wentworth Club. He said: “I went to San Diego in 2019 and it was a fantastic opportunity. The delegation really helped me expand my horizons and increase my network. You’re with nine other greenkeepers who you can bounce ideas off and share situations.

“At the show you experience the education and you get to look around the show, where they have technology that is unheard of in the UK. You pick up tips and techniques that you bring back home to push the boundaries of what you can achieve.”

Steven Nixon, Managing Director of Bernhard and Company, said: “We are once again excited to take the successful applicants on this incredible educational experience. We are passionate about giving back to the industry we love so much and, in collaboration with BIGGA, we are able to offer 10 of its members this potentially career-defining opportunity.”

The BIGGA Delegation with Bernhard and Company is just one of countless exclusive opportunities that have been specifically tailored to help BIGGA members achieve their professional ambitions and fulfil the association’s overarching ambition of elevating the reputation of greenkeeping in the UK and creating a stronger and more dynamic golfing industry. For more information about BIGGA, head to www.bigga.org.uk

For more information about Bernhard and Company and its products and services, visit www.bernhard.co.uk

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SAGE announces WEIBANG as main sponsor

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SAGE announces WEIBANG as main sponsor: SAGE has announced machinery expert WEIBANG as the main sponsor of the UK’s biggest outdoor trade show for the sports and grounds maintenance industry, which returns to the stunning Three Counties venue in Malvern, Worcestershire, on 19th – 20th July 2023.

Industry heavyweight, WEIBANG, has a wide range of products made from heavy-duty, professional quality components and the highest quality materials, with its range including everything from mowers to leaf and litter vacuums to stump grinders.

SAGE announces WEIBANG as main sponsor

SAGE announces WEIBANG as main sponsor

As well as sponsoring the event, WEIBANG will be exhibiting at the SAGE show in July 2023, where it will also be taking advantage of the live demonstrations and experiences opportunities on offer.

Of the sponsorship, Lewis Anderson from WEIBANG commented: “For us, SAGE is an event where we can show and, most importantly, let our customers get hands-on with the product!

“We believe that allowing customers to try and feel products in the real environment they are designed to work in is invaluable. We see the sponsorship of the show as a commitment that we have at WEIBANG to getting the industry together to allow end users to share knowledge, information and the opportunity to try products to ensure that they are purchasing the best machine for their application.”

For more information, or to book exhibition space, please visit https://sportsandgrounds.events  or contact Vicky Panniers vp@sportsandgrounds.co.uk.

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ISEKI fleet is the top gun

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ISEKI fleet is the top gun: A landscape maintenance contractor has revealed why he insists on using ISEKI tractors for maintaining two former RAF (Royal Air Force) stations.

Keith Clipsham works for Urban and Civic, and he looks after two unique, former RAF stations. RAF Waterbeach and RAF Alconbury have since made way for new housing developments and Keith is the man responsible for keeping the vast areas of green space intact.

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

“We cut approximately 350 acres at Alconbury and 400 acres at Waterbeach, so we need machinery that is 100% reliable,” he said. “This is why we have three ISEKI machines.”

“My first ever ISEKI tractor was a 47hp, and that has carried out approximately 3,500 hours with a flail on the back of it which is still going strong. Based on the success of that, we bought a larger 80hp model and again it is brilliant.

“Most recently we wanted one in between the two models we already have and our dealer, Fentons of Bourne, recommended the ISEKI TG6687.”

The ISEKI TG6687 is fitted with a Stage V 67hp engine and is compact in size with all the accessories and options of the higher specification tractors. The technology allows for easy operation and less fatigue on the driver.

With a superior lift capacity of up to 1,600kg, the ISEKI TG6687 allows you to run all your implements without the need to increase the size or horsepower of your tractor.

The HST model also gives users the benefit of cruise control, which is perfect for a variety of turf maintenance implements where accuracy is required. The PS model has an F12/R12 Power Shuttle transmission.

It is safe to say that Keith is pleased with the newest addition to his ISEKI fleet.

“It is excellent for what we want it to do,” continued Keith. “It is so quiet in operation and its fuel consumption is between 50-60 litres per day which we are very happy with. Furthermore, it is very user-friendly and comfortable. On other brands of tractors, I struggle with leg length, but I don’t with an ISEKI. The options to adjust the seat are great and you are not jumping about like a kangaroo like you are on others. None of us that use the ISEKI machines struggle with bad backs which is a good sign!

“The air-conditioning is very beneficial, and maintenance wise it is very simple – for example it is very easy to declutter the radiators of any debris, dirt or dust.

“Overall, I would highly recommend ISEKI – it cuts a huge amount of grass and cuts it quickly.”

Full video interview can be found at https://www.iseki.co.uk/iseki-fleet-is-the-top-gun/

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Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

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Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair: A Trilo S4 is proving that multi-functional machinery doesn’t have to mean compromised performance for the team at Calcot Park Golf Club.

Assisting Course Manager Tom Jennings with various maintenance tasks including scarification and cut and collect of the sites biodiversity areas, the S4 is currently tasked with keeping on top of leaf collection with assistance from their new Trilo BL960.

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

The undulating 18-hole parkland course designed by Harry Colt resides within an exclusive private estate in Berkshire, providing the picture-perfect backdrop for players of all abilities. Pre-empting the amount of time and resources that would be required to keep on top of leaf clearance, an S4 was one of the first investments Tom made when he joined Calcot Park four years ago. “With such a huge number of trees, investing in equipment to collect leaves as quickly and efficiently as possible was a priority. As soon as we saw the Trilo S4 it was a no brainer.”

“We purchased the whole package, including flail and scarifier heads which converts the machine into one we can use year-round. The board don’t want to spend money on a machine that spends most of the year sat in the shed, or that doesn’t do a good job of what it is supposed to do – the S4 ticks all of the boxes.” Over the year, the team are utilising the S4 for cutting the eco grass areas and scarifying the roughs, along with vacuuming scarified material and other debris from the fairways. “With all the attachments, its versatile, but conducts every operation really well.”

“In the autumn, the amount of labour this machine saves us is brilliant. Where before the team would have to get into ditches and clear leaves manually, now we can use the S4’s wander hose to suck up the leaves in a matter of minutes.” To complement the S4, the club have recently purchased a BL960 blower from Trilo, delivered by local dealer Lister Wilder. “The blower we had on our fleet ran on unleaded and with fuel costs going up, we worked out it was costing us £50 per day to run. I had used a BL960 at my previous club and it’s bulletproof so bearing this in mind, along with the savings we could make by running it straight off the PTO shaft and tractor, it was an easy decision.”

The BL960 arrived in September 2022, just in-time for a busy autumn and winter season. “This blower is so powerful – it moves material quicker and leaves a much cleaner finish than our previous machine. To clear the fairways previously would have taken ten passes or more… with the BL960 the job is complete in two so not only are we getting better results, it takes fewer resources and is done in less time. I, the team and the club couldn’t be happier with our investment.”

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