GMA Awards judging panel announced

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GMA Awards judging panel announced: The GMA’s annual awards will take place later this year when we will celebrate industry excellence across sports turf and artificial surfaces.  

With the closing date to submit applications for the GMA Industry Awards fast approaching, the Grounds Management Association is delighted to announce the judging panel for this year’s ceremony.

GMA Awards judging panel announced

GMA Awards judging panel announced

GMA Awards judging panel announced GMA Awards judging panel announced The ten judges have been tasked with selecting seventeen worthy winners from an industry-wide talent pool who, among them, represent every corner of the sector. Comprising of leading industry professionals, the stellar line up includes seasoned professionals, some with long and distinguished careers; many have judged the annual awards several times before and keep coming back!

The 2023 judges include:

  1. Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
  2. Adrian Kay, Head Groundsman at York Racecourse
  3. Meg Lay, Groundsperson at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
  4. Lee Metcalfe, Senior Grounds Manager at Manchester City FC
  5. David Roberts, Director at Training Unlimited
  6. Anthony Facey, Area Sales Manager at Tuckwells
  7. Stuart Kerrison, Head Groundsman at Essex County Cricket Club
  8. Derek Walder, Operations Director at SALTEX
  9. Nasa Hussain, Head Groundsman & Facilities Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club
  10. James Wright, Senior Maintenance Manager at Leeds University

Derek Walder said:

“To be invited to judge the Industry Awards applications this year is a real privilege. Having worked in the industry for over 56 years, it’s fantastic to be able to play a part in supporting the sector by recognising the hard work and dedication of those who contribute so much to maintaining the grounds they manage.  

I’m very much looking forward to the judging process, as well as attending the ceremony in November to celebrate the profound and often unnoticed achievements of the industry.”

Geoff Webb, CEO of Grounds Management Association said:

“It’s wonderful to have received the support of such established industry professionals in helping us to shine a spotlight on the groundscare industry.  

Each judge comes with years of insight and invaluable experience from across all areas of the industry that will be put to good use when carefully considering applications and selecting our 2023 Industry Award winners.  

We look forward to welcoming the industry to Headingley Stadium this November to give a platform to those worthy of recognition.”

You can found out more about this year’s judging panel at gmaindustryawards.uk/judges/

The deadline to submit applications is 14th August at gmaindustryawards.uk/awards-categories/

Tickets to attend the awards ceremony at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 29 November are now on sale at gmaindustryawards.uk/tickets

To discuss sponsorship and other brand partnership opportunities, email Sales Manager Jill Rodham at jrodham@thegma.org.uk.

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Foley holding live demos at GroundsFest

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Foley holding live demos at GroundsFest: Foley Company through its UK distributor Prosport UK Ltd, is looking forward to attending the first Groundsfest event 2023.

As a working demonstration event, you will have the opportunity to see the finest professional grinders in action. From a selection of the latest in grinding technology and technique, Foley will be showcasing the Accu-Pro 633 cylinder grinder and the Accu-Pro 672 bedknife grinder.

Foley holding live demos at GroundsFest

Foley holding live demos at GroundsFest

Whatever the size of your golf club, the quality you want to achieve for your members is the same. There is a Foley model for everyone at every professional level of play.

At Groundsfest, you will also have the chance to discuss any requirements with the UK and Ireland distributor ProSport UK Ltd, Ian Robson.

Foley Company is the leading manufacturer of professional grinders delivering quality, state-of-the-art spin, and relief grinders across the world. UK distributor ProSport UK continues to supply Foley professional grinders to the top golf courses in the UK impressing greenkeepers with the speed and versatility of the Foley range.

Many clubs across the whole spectrum, such as St Andrews, Carnoustie, the Buckinghamshire, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie Links, and The Grove, to name but a few, have embraced the Foley method to achieve and retain the sharpest blades, longer.  The recent Open at Royal Liverpool was supported by Foley Company throughout the week pre-ceding the competition, to ensure the best surfaces were delivered right up to and throughout the Tournament.

And dealer outlets too, when looking to deliver an excellent reliable service to their customers, have chosen to go with Foley. The choice of spin or relief is no longer the question. Foley machines will do both and some models, such as the ACCU-Sharp, ACCU-Pro and ACCU-Master, have automatic grinding pre-sets and adjustment systems to decrease time and labour.

Ask the question; how do I get the most out of my workshop resources? Then choose the most effective method to sharpen your cutting units.

Using the advancements in technology to streamline grinding has been a significant positive with all the latest Foley grinders, so when it comes to grinding, the best got even better.

Foley delivers every time.

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Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement

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Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement: Pitched against Toro distributors from across the globe, Reesink has been awarded by Toro the International Outstanding Sales Achievement award for 2022 – high praise indeed for the company.

In order to qualify for the award, distributors must have exhibited excellence in sales growth, a positive market share trend, and win rate – which includes new projects, large fleet replacements, and renovations. They must have participated in relationship building activities and delivered solid industry support.

Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement

Reesink awarded outstanding sales achievement

Reesink Turfcare has succeeded on every level in demonstrating these core components. Jon Cole, divisional business manager for Reesink Turfcare, says: “To be considered for this award at all is an honour, and to win it is a massive achievement for our sales team and dealer partners.

“The number of machines we’ve managed to get into clubs, even amid the challenges of industry wide shortages, speaks for itself and is testament to the hard work our sales team and dealer partners put into building those relationships with our customer base. Over the past year we’ve seen more and more clubs invest in electric models and increasing numbers turning red as they look to invest in quality machines. I cannot emphasise enough just how thankful we are to all our customers for their patience and understanding in what have been, and remain, extremely challenging circumstances.

“Our aim is always to set the customer up with the right machines for their course, and deliver to them a product that is going to perform, and last a very long time. This sales achievement award is a reflection of those values and the passion Reesink and our partners share in delivering quality equipment.”

To talk to someone about Toro technology and how the Toro range could suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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Kubota appoints Will Barker

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Kubota appoints Will Barker: Kubota (UK) has appointed Will Barker as agricultural and groundcare dealer manager for the east Midlands and Eastern Counties.

Will is passionate about machinery and farming, coming from a family-owned dairy farm in Buckinghamshire that operates two Kubota tractors and a utility vehicle, supplied by local dealer George Browns.

Kubota appoints Will Barker

Kubota appoints Will Barker

“Coming into the tractor business as a former end-user, I have an appreciation of what customers expect from their relationships with dealers,” explains Will. “And this is a great opportunity to introduce more customers to the ambitions and capabilities of Kubota agricultural and groundcare machinery.”

As part of his university education, Will joined Kubota’s marketing department as a placement student, providing him with a taste of the tractor manufacturing business. On graduating from Harper Adams University with a degree in business management and marketing, he headed to New Zealand to widen his practical experience working with an agricultural contractor.

Returning to the family farm for a two-year period, Will realised that his future in the industry

was beyond the farm gates. He joined the marketing department of an industrial lighting company to gain supply chain and distribution experience, before returning to Kubota earlier this year as a regional dealer manager.

Speaking about Will’s appointment, Kubota’s agricultural and groundcare sales manager Tim Yates said: “Will’s youthful energy provides us with a great opportunity to continue supporting dealers as they continue to build on the growth already achieved in agricultural and groundcare markets across the East Midlands and Eastern Counties.”

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