MJ Abbott acquires TIS (Scotland) Ltd

/in , /by

MJ Abbott acquires TIS (Scotland) Ltd: We are pleased to announce that on Friday 30th August 2024, MJ Abbott Holdings Ltd acquired the leading Scottish irrigation contractor Turf Irrigation Services (Scotland) Limited, and we welcome all of the TIS team into the MJ Abbott group family.

Established in 1994 by Quentin and Margaret Allardice and based in Linlithgow in Scotland, TIS has grown to become Scotland’s leading specialists in irrigation installation and all aspects of water management.

MJ Abbott acquires TIS (Scotland) Ltd

MJ Abbott acquires TIS (Scotland) Ltd

After the recent successful TIS Scotland contracts at prestigious courses such as Prestwick St Nicholas, Murcar Links and Brora, this exciting change will allow TIS Scotland and MJ Abbott to go from strength to strength, cementing their position as the leaders in irrigation in Scotland and the UK.

Margaret and Quentin would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped make TIS (Scotland) Ltd the company it is today.

We welcome Siobhan Smith and new Director, Shaun Anderson, and look forward to working closely with the TIS team to develop the business and increase our presence in the Scottish golf and sports irrigation markets.

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.

Water Savings and wash-off

/in , /by

Water Savings and wash-off: Thetford Golf Club is a free draining course set in a wonderful part of Heathland in East Anglia. The Breckland Forest where the course is located, winds its way through many variations of trees and heathland, sets the perfect scene for any golfer to enjoy.

After joining the club in the early part of 2024 Course Manager, Matt Perks and the club had ambitious plans to drive the course condition forwards by improving water security resources and irrigation. Part of this included upgrading the wash facility in the greenkeeper’s facilities. However aware of the impact on the environment that washing off so many machines could have, his and the club’s attention focused to address the issue. Two matters high on the agenda 1) The conservation of water and obligation to sustainability  and 2) Prevent pollution of the ground water ensuring compliance with current Groundwater Regulations. Matt believed that a new wash-off facility with water recycling was the way forward and researched suitable solutions.

Water Savings and wash-off

Water Savings and wash-off

A ClearWater wash pad recycling system from Acumen Waste Services looked to be the ideal solution for the club and a site meeting was arranged. Following this visit by the company, specifications were drawn up and a quotation provided.

Matt wanted to make use of existing concrete in the yard and amend this to ensure budgets could be achieved, this was no problem for ClearWater.

Matthew Mears ClearWaters director explained: “With sustainability being a major factor in business now and multiple machine washing at one time, ClearWater’s 5,000 litre (1320 gallon) capacity with two powerful hoses is more than adequate and also allows sufficient dwell-time for the biological treatment.” Thetford chose a turnkey package quoted by Acumen ClearWater and all work was carried out within a week schedule.

What was it that made ClearWater the choice for the club? The club takes their environmental responsibilities seriously and sustainability is key, so is a compliant washpad and water savings became a must. Matt Perks said; “ClearWater was the best choice after seeing that it could be installed below ground and that we could utilise an existing redundant area.” ClearWater does provide advantages over other solutions: there’s no noise as the system is below ground, all you will hear is the wash water jet leaving the water guns! Also, the system recycles treated water with very little loss, as the dedicated wash pad with it low curb surround is constructed in such a way as the waste wash water is discharged through grass traps and into the underground tank by gravity for treatment. Some water loss will occur through evaporation, particularly in hot weather. However, the system is topped up by rainwater falling on the wash pad , so no mains water feed needed.

Machinery wash-off for many has clearly demonstrated huge water consumption and wastage for many years at an ever-increasing cost, financially and environmentally. Water has become an increasingly valuable resource. Washpad water recycling is the way forward for those in the turfcare maintenance sector and other business needing wash off. With water savings in excess of 90% achievable.

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.

Suståne improving disease resistance from the ground up

/in , /by

Suståne improving disease resistance from the ground up: The combination of Suståne 5-2-4 and 5-2-10+Fe is providing the perfect platform for a switch to finer grass species at Ely City Golf Club.

Looking to improve disease resistance from the ground up is Course Manager Alan Magee, who explains how the tried and tested programme from Suståne is the ideal base feed for encouraging bent grass to flourish on the greens at the parkland club.

Suståne improving disease resistance from the ground up

Suståne improving disease resistance from the ground up

Ely City is regarded as one of the finest courses in East Anglia, located on the outskirts of Cambridge and delivering a challenging but picturesque 18-holes of mature parkland. Assisted by a team of five, Alan has been at the club for the last two and a half years. “With the ongoing reduction in chemicals and the drive towards more sustainable practices, as greenkeepers, we’re having to tackle the issue of disease management in new ways – for me, that’s looking at how we can increase our tolerance with better, more resilient, grass species” he explains.

No stranger to Suståne, Alan has been a longstanding user of their 5-2-4 all natural slow-release nitrogen fertiliser at his previous club in Dorset. “The 5-2-4 is really the building block for the rest of our inputs. We apply this at eight-week intervals from the spring onwards, with complimentary liquid feeds put down as and when required.”

The original Suståne formula, 5-2-4 promotes enhanced disease suppression and quick green up, without excessive growth. Suitable for most turfgrass environments, Suståne 5-2-4 increases the soils’ ability to hold water and nutrients, improving suppression of plant pathogens and strengthening the plant’s tolerance again heat, drought and other environmental stress factors. “This product is a fantastic spring starter, getting us moving and providing all the nutrients we need to support bentgrass and strengthen our greens ahead of a busy playing season.”

“For some extra oomph, we use the 5-2-10+Fe every eight weeks from July onwards as we begin to prepare the surfaces for winter” Alan adds. With its 1:2 N to K ratio, Suståne 5-2-10+Fe aids plant hydration and disease suppression, also enhancing chlorophyll production for outstanding turf colour without excessive top growth.

“This combination gives us great consistency and the versatility to adapt to surface requirements depending on the weather.” He continues, “As we pursue a bigger bent population in our greens, I’m a firm believer that if we get the biology right in the soil, the rest of our programme will fall into place. Both the surfaces and the players will hopefully be thanking us as a result!”

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.