Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

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Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days: Bunker specialists EcoBunker welcomed 20 greenkeepers and club managers from across Devon & Cornwall to its latest club open day, hosted by Newquay Golf Club. 

The EcoBunker open day series is being held across the summer, giving club officials and greenkeeping teams around the U.K. the chance to draw on EcoBunker expertise in bunker design and maintenance, and to better understand the benefits to be gained from employing EcoBunker technology at their course.

Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

“Bunkering is a complex topic, so we want to give clubs across the U.K. the chance to draw on our vast experience,” said Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker. “Courses need to consider bunker design, drainage, sand choice, which liners to use, edge irrigation and many other factors. We want to help them unpick the topic and find solutions that best fit their needs. We have chosen venues for the open days that have installed EcoBunker technology so we can show examples at work and also introduce them to greenkeepers and course officials who have benefitted from investing in their bunkers.”

The recent event at Newquay G.C. showcased the results of phase one of the club’s bunker renovation project, where all Par 3 greenside bunkers and the bunkers on the first hole were replaced in Autumn 2024.  Now fully bedded in, attendees were able to see the benefits of EcoBunker technology in action and discuss the impact of the project with Head Greenkeeper Dan Kendle.

“We’ve been delighted with the impact of Phase one,” commented Dan. “We’re exposed to the elements so the maintenance of the bunkers was a huge issue. Replacing sand, weeding, repairing eroded sections, it all added up to a real drain on our resources. Not only have we massively reduced that burden, but the course also looks better and plays better. We couldn’t be happier with phase one and it was a real pleasure to share our experience of working with EcoBunker with the visitors who attended the Open day.”

This was the third open day in the series, following events at Cotterell Park G.C. and Lexden Wood G.C. The events have seen the team share information on course design, irrigation and drainage, and at Lexden Wood they were able to show the current full course project installing EcoTec™ bunker liners.

“When people hear EcoBunker, they will often think of our high revetted bunkers, but there is far more to our service than that,” continued Richard. “Our expertise is unrivalled. We bring a holistic approach to every project that considers the course type and layout, the ground conditions, the local climate and many more factors, before applying the most suitable technology, or even removing bunkers completely where they’re not needed! Our Open days are a fantastic chance for us to show people what we can do, and for them to learn what is possible at their venue.”

For details of upcoming stops on the EcoBunker Open Day schedule, please contact ceri.richards@ecobunker.co.uk

And for more information on how EcoBunker can help meet the challenges faced at your course, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB

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Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB: Continued investment in the facilities at AFC Bournemouth has seen the purchase of two new LX401 compact tractors from Kubota.

With a Kubota ST401 already based at the club’s Vitality Stadium, the two new additions will be shared between the existing training ground and brand-new state-of-the-art training complex – where they’ll be key to executing the year-round maintenance on the four sand-based, desso pitch constructions.

Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB

Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB

The investment off the pitch appears to be paying dividends on it with the club, nicknamed ‘The Cherries’, at the end of one of the most successful seasons in Bournemouth’s history. In charge of facilities is Head of Grounds Ian Lucas who is, currently, maintaining four sites assisted by a team of 11. In equipping the new 24-hectare training ground with its own machinery fleet, Ian explored all the options when it came to compact tractors – with Kubota proving more ‘compact’ than others…

“No groundsman wants to be putting more weight on their pitches than they need to – it’s critical to find the balance of retaining a low footprint but having enough lift capacity for all the implements we use” Ian explains. “We compared a number of options in the mid-compact arena and found that not only was the Kubota specification better, it had a slightly higher lift capacity and was half a tonne lighter. When the competition indicated it was down to build quality, I told them I’d never had a Kubota break down on me!”

“Just like our ST401 at the stadium, the new LXs are incredibly comfortable to operate and have demonstrated their capability on a range of maintenance tasks at the two training grounds including aeration and regular drag-brushing.”

With time a precious commodity for the team, and the cost of materials ever-increasing, Ian made the decision to have all three tractors equipped with GPS systems. “Initially we thought this would be useful for seeding, where it can be difficult to monitor accuracy when passing on bare sand. However, we now utilise the technology to optimise our spraying and fertiliser programmes and improve efficiency on tasks that can otherwise be quite monotonous.”

The adaptations on the tractor fleet, together with all sales, support and service, is delivered by local Kubota dealer E G Coles. “We’ve always had fantastic back up from the team at E G Coles, particularly Andy Frost who always goes out of his way to help us out when we need information or assistance.”

Ian adds, “It feels like an incredibly exciting period for AFC Bournemouth. With the three Kubota compact tractors at our disposal, we’re in a much better position to deliver surfaces not just fit for the first team, but for players of all ages and abilities across the club, putting us in great stead for the future.”

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Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability

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Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability: Holcim UK has launched a Pro Range of sports sands and rootzones developed to keep football pitches in peak condition throughout the year.

With many pitches struggling to open during the wetter winter months, the Pro Range of sands has been developed to help improve drainage, durability and ultimately aid player performance.

Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability

Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability

The Pro Range, which includes world renowned specialist sands Levenseat and Garside from quarries at Fauldhouse, Scotland and Leighton Buzzard in England, are laboratory-tested sands that can be matched to different applications and ground conditions.

For football and rugby grounds staff, Holcim has developed a range of sands for both natural and synthetic pitches.

Levenseat ProPitch is a specialist washed silica sand for natural pitches that can be used for medium fine moist top dressing, rootzone sand or where pitch amelioration is required.

Both the ProPitch 20 & ProPitch 25 have a high performing percolation rate which will improve any area where drainage is an issue – in turn improving durability, playability and player safety.

The range also includes Levenseat ProPitch Rootzone for improved grass root growth and an enhanced version, Levenseat ProPitch™ 20 Rootzone. Both versions use silica sand to enhance drainage.

Four different versions of the Garside ProPitch sand are available, including ProPitch Medium for amelioration and top dressing on natural pitches and ProPitch Elite, a highly permeable infill sand for artificial pitches requiring increased penetrability.

In addition, ProPitch 2EW is a specific sports infill sand that can be used on both natural and artificial pitches and is ideal for sports pitches because of its inherent drainage characteristics and consistent hard-wearing capabilities.

Top dressing sand is also a key part of the range. ProPitch Top Dress is crucial for maintaining a pitch’s permeability, especially in wet conditions, providing a more stable playing surface.

Holcim UK, recently rebranded from Aggregate Industries, can supply the Pro Range using its nationwide logistics network that promises contractors and grounds staff rapid delivery of the sand products needed for their facility or event.

Mark Hickingbottom, General Manager for Garside Sands at Holcim UK says the Pro Range is not just for elite sports: “The Pro Range is aimed at those professional grounds staff who want to give their members, players and users the ultimate performance-ready surface, either natural or synthetic, that combines both playability and durability.

“In recent years, often due to changing rainfall patterns resulting from climate change, sports facilities of all kinds have been forced to close temporarily, postpone fixtures and deny their use to members, which has had an enormous impact on club finances and the health and well-being of players and participants.”

Duncan McCool, Sales Manager for Levenseat Sands at Holcim UK adds: “The Pro Range with its market-leading percolation rate, improved aeration and stable surface, aims to help keep facilities open by providing outstanding surfaces that can withstand the changing seasons and be performance-ready throughout the year.”

To learn more about Holcim’s Pro Range of specialist sports sands, visit www.holcim.co.uk/products/aggregates/sands/sports-sands.

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Green-tech’s new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure

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Green-tech’s new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure: Green-tech, the UK’s leading landscaping and grounds maintenance supplier, has launched a new 50-page seasonal brochure packed with essential products and trusted solutions for summer maintenance.

The brochure can be downloaded from the Green-tech website (www.green-tech.co.uk), or you can request a printed copy by emailing marketing@green-tech.co.uk.

Green-tech's new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure

Green-tech’s new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure

Tailored for landscape contractors, grounds maintenance teams, estate managers, and local authorities, it brings together Green-tech’s most popular and effective products to help maintain green spaces during the demanding summer months.

The brochure includes a wide choice of professional grass seed and wildflower seed mixes suited to a range of applications, from high-wear school pitches to biodiversity-rich verges and open spaces. It also features fertilisers, weed control products, pesticides, barks, composts, soil improvers, and weed suppressant fabrics; all supported by technical advice from Green-tech’s experienced team.

To support year-round maintenance, the brochure showcases hard surface cleaners, application equipment, reinforcement products for grass and turf areas, and a comprehensive range of edging systems and landscaping tools.

Green-tech’s Sales Director, Richard Gill, comments, “Our new brochure is designed to simplify summer maintenance planning. Whether you’re maintaining school grounds, public parks, commercial or domestic landscapes, you’ll find proven products that work. Green-tech holds high stock levels and delivers quickly to give landscape professionals the products they need when needed, from one supplier.”

Green-tech is recognised as the go-to supplier for the UK landscaping industry, offering over 5,000 products and an unrivalled level of service and technical support. Working across landscaping, forestry, construction, and amenity management sectors, the company champions product innovation and sustainability.

In 2025, Green-tech was proudly named Pro Landscaper’s Service and Supplier Company of the Year, acknowledging its commitment to customer excellence and its leading role in supporting the success of the UK landscaping sector.

To view the brochure or explore the full product range, visit: www.green-tech.co.uk

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