Golfs sustainable topdressing method

/in , /by

Golfs sustainable topdressing method: Now more than ever, golf clubs are battling the rising cost of materials, with sand being one of the highest, but by using the Koro RECYCLINGDRESSER® from Campey Turf Care Systems, clubs can reapproach topdressing.

Whilst the Imants-made machine has traditionally been used on football pitches and larger areas, The Worcestershire Golf Club Course Manager, Steve Lloyd, thinks the process of the RECYCLINGDRESSER® could save up to £2.5k across an 18-hole course.

Golfs sustainable topdressing method

Golfs sustainable topdressing method

The RECYCLINGDRESSER® aerates the underlying soil vertically and horizontally, removing soil from the root zone and re-distributing it across the playing surface. Layering and compaction are eliminated, biological activity is increased, and existing fertilisers in the soil are better utilised. The RECYCLINGDRESSER® reduces the amount of new topdressing required, therefore saving labour and material costs and promoting sustainable maintenance.

The waste of material during hollow tining got Steve thinking about the machine, and after seeing it work on his USGA specification practice green, he sees a place for it in golf.

“If the cost of the material goes up substantially, then you start to question how much of it I need or if there is an alternative way that is more cost-effective, sustainable, and fits both boxes,” Steve said.

“If you hollow tine a lot, probably 80% of what you’re bringing out is good material. Where does that go? Most of the time, it gets thrown away, which is a waste, so I thought about how other sports reuse material, and that brought me to the RECYCLINGDRESSER®.

“The demo on our golf green by Jason Moody Product Specialist for Campey, went really well. It settled down within a week, and the recovery was really good. We followed up with our usual granular feed and a light top dress the following week to help restore surface levels, which is what we’d do on all the greens anyway.”

For Steve, the pressures on sand use will only continue to grow. The cost of raw materials and haulage are already becoming issues, and the demand from other industries, such as construction, means golf is down the pecking order.

With the RECYCLINGDRESSER®, he believes there are two approaches clubs could use that would bring sustainability and financial benefits.

“For me, there are two ways to do it,” Steve begins. “You can have half as much top dressing coming in because you’ll still need some topdressing, but it’ll mean instead of six loads a year, we might just have three, so we’ve ticked the box there by getting some fresh material in, but we have reduced our costs while utilising the existing material.

“The other way of looking at it is to carry on with the same number of loads but use the RECYCLINGDRESSER® to get more out. Therefore, you might be able to spread that material over a wider area, and with worm control, the more sand you can get on a golf course, the less impact there is from worm casts.

“That’s another element, so there are quite a few layers of this that can be seen as beneficial to golf clubs, especially inland golf courses.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

iPro v2.5 Holecutter

/in , /by

iPro v2.5 Holecutter: Experience the future of golf course upkeep with the new and improved iPro Golf Holecutter 2.5, now available from BMS and our esteemed distribution network.

A Decade of Innovation, Led by James and His Team: Our latest model stands as a testament to over ten years of dedicated design and innovation. The iPro Golf Holecutter 2.5 is a true game-changer, offering unmatched precision and ease of use.

iPro v2.5 Holecutter

iPro v2.5 Holecutter

Ergonomic Design for Ultimate Comfort: The iPro sets a new standard in ergonomic design. The custom-designed Anti-Vibration hand grips provide a comfortable, secure hold, reducing fatigue and enhancing user experience. The redesigned blade top holder, made from precision materials, guarantees a seamless cutting experience while protecting the delicate root zone of your greens.

Precision Cutting, Refined: The heart of the iPro’s design is its unparalleled precision. Advanced internal blade engineering greatly reduces plug drop issues, ensuring each cut is precise and consistent. The auto-locking handle system is meticulously balanced, allowing for effortless transport after each use.

Enhanced User Comfort: In response to valuable feedback, the iPro has been redesigned for your comfort. The improved Easy Ratchet mechanism, along with hardened internal components, significantly reduces back strain. This makes it a safer and more user-friendly tool for your course team, complete with full and FREE backup during the first 2 years of ownership.

Thousands of Man-Hours in Design and Manufacture: Crafted with pride by BMS in the UK, the iPro is versatile enough for both USGA and Push-Up Greens. It offers various cutting blade options for internal and external use. For added precision, consider our optional adjustable depth stop gauge.

Protect Your Investment: The iPro’s longevity is enhanced with our optional Docking Station, designed to protect your greens and extend blade life. Our comprehensive annual service package, including collection, repair, and delivery, ensures your iPro Holecutter remains in peak condition.

Elevate your golf course maintenance with the latest iPro Golf Holecutter – a perfect blend of ergonomic design, precision, and user comfort, making it the ideal choice for modern greenkeepers & superintendents.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface

/in , /by

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface: After intensive in-house operations to relieve severe compaction failed to deliver the desired results, the decision was made to undertake a full renovation on one of the pitches at Hove Prep School in Sussex.

Word of mouth led Grounds and Gardens Manager Adam Bedson to speak with AMS Contracting Ltd who he cites, from the outset, delivered outstanding customer service and confidence in their capability to fix the situation to the standards required – which they did, to the satisfaction of the school and pupils alike!

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface

Outstanding Service leads to an Outstanding Surface

Hove Prep School is one of three sites belonging to Lancing College, with its own sports facilities supporting a packed programme of year-round play and coaching. “It became evident that years of overuse had contributed to severe compaction problems that became almost impossible to recover” explains Adam, who has been at the college since 2019. “Kit we hired failed to rectify the problem so we reached out to Ashley and Myles Strange at AMS who immediately put us at ease.”

“Having not conducted a project of this scale for a good number of years the Bursar naturally had a lot of questions, which the AMS team answered in-depth and in a timely manner. The level of care and knowledge shown definitely helped to secure the funding we needed to get the project underway in the summer of 2023.”

The full pitch renovation included surface removal, soil profile upgrade, laser-levelling, seeding and nutritional programme, conducted by a team of four operatives under the guidance of Ashley and Myles. “We felt in safe hands every step of the way. What really stood out for me was the hours the team were prepared to work – on site from sunrise and non-stop until the early evening. They understood our need to get the work, which also included renovating our cricket square, complete in the window available in order to get the surfaces back into play as quickly as possible.”

The results, Adam says, speak for themselves. “Within seven days we went from a sandy field to seeing the green hue of germination. Since then, we’ve nurtured the pitch to full strength and coverage and the pupils are now enjoying playing on it.” He continues, “This wet start to winter has also highlighted how incredibly well the pitch drains now. Within an hour of the rain stopping, the pitch is playable which was previously unheard of.”

“The sports staff are over the moon and everybody is really invested in protecting the asset we now have. The success of this project signals the start of a fantastic partnership between ourselves and AMS Contracting, and we’re already in touch with the team about what’s next!”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.