Consistency key for the open at St Andrews

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Consistency key for the open at St Andrews: St Andrews trusted Toro maintenance equipment to maintain ‘the home of golf’ for the 150th Open. And ahead of and throughout the week-long tournament in July 2022 distributor Reesink Turfcare was called upon to provide set-up procedure training to ensure consistency in after-cut appearance.  

Reesink provided five days of Cutting Technology training before the tournament as well as specialist technical staff on site throughout the tournament to support the team using a fleet of battery-powered mowers and riding greens mowers.

Consistency key for the open at St Andrews

Consistency key for the open at St Andrews

After-cut appearance training was vital to ensuring the perfect finish across the different courses as Stephen Terreblanche, technical trainer at Reesink Turfcare, explains: “The training was to prepare the team for the Open competition. But more than that, it was to achieve consistency in set-up procedures across all the different courses at St Andrews.

“To get the course ready and keep up with maintenance while the tournament was taking place multiple machines were being operated by different members of the turf professional team at the same time on a single green, and the cut delivered by each machine had to be perfect and consistent across all the machines in the fleet.

“To achieve this the machines had to be set up the same way to avoid different after-cut appearance issues, which would be easily visible if machines with different set-up adjustments were operated side-by-side.”

It was by all accounts a successful investment as the machines proved on the world stage how a golf course can use battery power and riding greens mowers to sustainably achieve ideal playing conditions to test the best golfers in the sport.

Reesink’s range of training courses are designed to be delivered on the customers’ premises and give the team the training it needs to ensure they can operate the chosen machinery safely and efficiently in an environment they are familiar with for the best possible results. (Disclaimer: This isn’t specific to world tournaments!)

For further information on the courses available and to book, visit https://www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk/resources/training-courses

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Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines

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Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines: Combining versatility and value-for-money, GKB Machines have launched their new Combi-Tool.

With a GKB engineered 3-point linkage frame and an ability to equip a range of maintenance attachments, the Combi-Tool gives turf managers the option of conducting multiple operations such as slitting, raking, rolling and brushing in one quick and simple pass.

Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines

Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines

On show for the first time at SALTEX 2022, the Combi-Tool features four attachment slots which can be tailored to the venue or the task to be conducted on a given day. Brush heads, rake tines, slitting tines, slitting discs and a range of rollers are available – with the option of equipping the Combi-Tool with multiple rows of the same attachment for a more intensive operation if required. Because of its multi-purpose functionality, the Combi-Tool is ideal for multi-sport venues such as winter sport facilities, schools, local authorities and contractors.

The Combi-Tool comes in 1.6m and 2.0m working widths and, as with all GKB Machines, is precision engineered for strength and durability. Swapping between attachments is fast, with the ability to independently adjust each implement once fitted to suit desired working depths.

Commenting on its introduction, UK Operations Manager Tom Shinkins said, “This is a brilliant addition to the GKB portfolio and has been introduced in direct response to demand from our dealer network. Its versatility is its biggest selling point so we’re expecting to see a lot of interest from those managing pitches at grassroots level who don’t always have the budgets or resources available to invest in multiple machines to conduct some of the basic maintenance operations that can have a massive impact on the presentation, playability and health of their surface.”

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Etesia launches new Hydro 80 model

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Etesia launches new Hydro 80 model: Etesia UK has launched the Hydro 80 MKHPF ride-on mower which has been designed specifically for long, rough grass areas.

The new MKHPF ride-on mower combines the working comfort of a Hydro 80 with the mowing power of the ATTILA SKD brushcutter. The MKHPF can mow in any weather and is the ideal model for users with high mowing demands. Compact, flexible and efficient, the new Hydro 80 MKHPF is suitable for mowing any terrain. It boasts four cutting heights for perfect mowing from 50 to 92 mm. Furthermore, its extremely short turning radius makes it ideal for small areas or heavily wooded fields.

Etesia launches new Hydro 80 model

Etesia launches new Hydro 80 model

The Hydro 80 MKHPF has been built with the operator in mind and is extremely user friendly. It boasts hydrostatic transmission for instant advancing, reversing, and braking with differential lock; easy maintenance thanks to quick access to all mechanical parts; perfect visibility of the working environment and all functions are accessible from the driver’s seat.

The powerful Kawasaki engine, based on the latest technology, ensures a very high quality of work. The chassis of the MKHPF has already proven itself in the Hydro 80 models, and the bumper has been reinforced and adapted for mowing so that the MKHPF can pass through even the tallest grass.

This robustness is also apparent in the Hydro’s mastershock mowing deck. It is impact resistant and durable. Steel reinforcements on both sides allow for a side opening for easy cleaning of the interior of the housing and for sharpening the blades. It is also corrosion resistant.

The MKHPF offers the possibility to add many accessories. You can spread, scarify, and clear snow with the mower.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

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Updated standard for greenkeeping apprentices

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Updated standard for greenkeeping apprentices: The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) has released information about a new qualification that will provide golf greenkeepers and other sports turf apprentices with advanced knowledge as they work to produce exceptional playing surfaces from grassroots through to professional levels.

The Level 3 Advanced Sports Turf Technician apprenticeship has been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and is now available for delivery.

Updated standard for greenkeeping apprentices

Updated standard for greenkeeping apprentices

Sponsored by the Department of Education, IfATE is an employer-led organisation that supports employer groups in the development of world-leading apprenticeships and technical education systems. During 2020, IfATE undertook a review of apprenticeship standards within associated industries. The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship had been approved for delivery in January 2020 but as a result of the review, the Greenkeeper Trailblazer and Sports Turf Trailblazer groups were approached by IfATE to develop a Level 3 Standard and End-point Assessment Plan (EPA) that could sit across both disciplines.

Trailblazer groups are responsible for developing a new apprenticeship for an occupation and then revise the apprenticeship as needed. Both groups understood it would be challenging to develop an apprenticeship that aligns comfortably across greenkeeping and the various other sports turf disciplines, but after many months of discussions between employers, training providers and IfATE, the Level 3 Advanced Sports Turf Technician apprenticeship has been produced and approved.

Improvements to the apprenticeship include more comprehensive assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), which are undertaken through a written test, the creation of a project that must then be presented and a professional discussion and facility walk.

The Standard and End-point Assessment Plan can be accessed on the IfATE website.

Les Howkins MG is chairperson of the Golf Greenkeeping Trailblazer Group. He said: “It is great that we have been able to come together and work with the Sports Turf Trailblazer Group to develop a comprehensive Level 3 apprenticeship that we feel works across all disciplines within the sports turf sector and provides a career progression from the well-established Level 2. Following a lot of hard work alongside the Sports Turf group, we believe the Advanced Sports Turf Technician apprenticeship delivers what employers and apprentices in our sector need.”

Delivery director at IfATE, Robert Nitsch, said: “We are pleased to announce that the Advanced Sports Turf Technician Level 3 apprenticeship has been approved for delivery. The Sports Turf and Golf Greenkeeping Trailblazer groups have worked together to develop a standard suitable for sports turf technicians across a wide range of settings. This apprenticeship will form part of a suite of sports turf and golf greenkeeping apprenticeships and will provide a progression route for those previously achieving Level 2 qualifications. The apprenticeship will become the recognised standard for all advanced sports turf technicians.”

The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper apprenticeship will continue to be offered until it is decommissioned in 2023. The latest start date for apprentices will be 31 August 2023. There is no impact on those already registered on that standard.

The following employers all contributed to the creation of the new standard, along with support from training providers and End-point Assessment Organisations: British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), Crosfields School, Edgbaston Stadium, England Golf, Frilford Heath Golf Club, the GTC, Gaudet Luce Golf Club, Grounds Management Association, Highfield Sports Ground, Leicester City FC Sports Turf Academy, Leyland Golf Club, Portmore Golf Centre, The Richmond Golf Club, Trentham Golf Club, Myerscough College, Kings School, Nottingham University, Oaklands College, Whitgift School.

For more information on the Advanced Sports Turf Apprenticeship, contact The GTC’s Fiona Lyttle on (01347) 838 640 or fiona@the-gtc.co.uk

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