GMA supports launch of new Sports Turf apprenticeship

/in , /by

GMA supports launch of new Sports Turf apprenticeship: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has welcomed the creation of a new Level 5 Sports Turf Technical Manager apprenticeship, developed by the industry-led Sports Turf Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group.

The new apprenticeship, which includes an integrated Foundation Degree (FdSc), has now been published, subject to final funding band approval. Delivery is proposed for late 2025 or early 2026.

GMA supports launch of new Sports Turf apprenticeship

GMA supports launch of new Sports Turf apprenticeship

Designed to meet the technical demands of modern turf management, the apprenticeship offers a clear and funded progression route into higher-level learning. The inclusion of the Foundation Degree in Sports Turf means apprentices can achieve a high-quality, industry-relevant qualification as part of their training.

As the professional body for grounds management, the GMA has submitted a letter of professional recognition to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) to support the mandate of the qualification.

The apprenticeship also aligns directly with the Grounds Management Framework, which brings together a range of training and education opportunities provided by both the GMA and other providers, including apprenticeship providers, to ensure a clear and coherent career pathway for those working, or wishing to work, in sports turf maintenance and management.

Levy-paying employers can draw down funds up to the approved maximum, while non-levy payers contribute just 5% towards training costs. The accessible funding model helps remove barriers for both apprentices and employers, encouraging wider participation and supporting the continued professionalisation of the industry.

Jason Booth, Chief Operating Officer at the GMA, said: “This new Level 5 apprenticeship is a significant step forward for the sports turf sector. It creates a vital link between hands-on experience and degree-level learning. Currently, just under 17% of the professional workforce has come through apprenticeships so by offering a technical qualification that aligns with industry needs, we hope to widen access and attract more people to a rewarding and skilled profession.”

The Sports Turf Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group is a voluntary collaboration involving Whitgift School, Leicester City Football Club, STRI Group, Myerscough College, LANTRA, International Greenkeepers for Hire, Ashton Gate Stadium, Grounds Management Association, The RFU, Bridgewater and Taunton College, Warwickshire CCC, Warwick Schools, Wiltshire College, Perfect Pitches, York Racecourse.

The full apprenticeship standards are available here:

Expressions of interest for the Level 5 Sports Turf Technical Manager apprenticeship are welcome via this form.

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.

GKB Sandspreader proves tough to beat

/in , /by

GKB Sandspreader proves tough to beat: What’s top of the priority list when it comes to purchasing a topdresser? For Gavin Playford of Royal West Norfolk Golf Club it’s build quality, which is why he opted for an SP100 from the GKB Sandspreader range.

So impressed when he first saw the machine on display at The Doe Show 2025, Gavin placed the order there and then – without even having a demonstration!

GKB Sandspreader proves tough to beat

GKB Sandspreader proves tough to beat

Nestled between the beach and salt marshes, the traditional links course at Royal West Norfolk has been under the stewardship of Gavin for the last 39 years. Currently assisted by a team of six, Gavin outlines that the club opt for a ‘little and often’ approach to topdressing. “Depending on conditions and available resources, we try to dress the greens every two to four weeks which not only benefits plant health but helps to keep the golfers on side compared to less frequent, heavier applications.”

“Over the years we’ve used a various makes and models of dresser but were struck by the build quality of the GKB machine as soon as we saw it at The Doe Show back in February. We had the opportunity to have a really good chat with GKB’s Tom Shinkins and discussed opting for the electronic controls to enhance consistency and make setting the distribution rates much easier. Nothing was too much trouble, and just a few weeks later the SP100 was delivered by Eddie Jack of Ernest Doe, just in time for renovation season.”

The GKB Sandspreader range features four different hopper capacities and trailed or mounted models for ultimate versatility on every surface. With an existing John Deere ProGator in the shed, Gavin opted for the mounted SP100 with its 1.0m3 hopper and up to 10m working width.

“The hopper is slightly bigger than our previous topdresser which has given us some noticeable productivity gains and the electronic controls have definitely made adjusting the rates much easier.” He adds, “Along with topdressing greens, we’ve also used the SP100 to apply compost to the fairways which worked very well! Overall, the team have been very impressed.”

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.

Consider chipper maintenance this nesting season

/in , /by

Consider chipper maintenance this nesting season: After a busy winters work, operating in all weathers and ground conditions, nesting season provides the ideal opportunity to consider giving your woodchipper some well-needed TLC!

GreenMech offer operators some top tips on simple, routine maintenance to consider conducting over the summer months to prevent costly repairs and downtime.

Consider chipper maintenance this nesting season

Consider chipper maintenance this nesting season

Looking firstly at towed woodchippers. If you’ve been working in dusty environments, check and clean radiators and filters to ensure water-cooled engines retain adequate airflow to perform effectively. If your engine is air-cooled, the engine inspection panels and any debris should be removed to prevent any ‘hot spotting’ of the cylinders. Like a vehicle, fluid levels should be monitored to maintain the operational integrity of your chipper. If the radiator has a header tank, check the level in the radiator and change the fluids/filters as instructed in the machine manual.

Grease the chipper as per the manufacturer’s instructions and inspect all safety features such as the control bar and cut-out switches to ensure these are working as intended. Sharpen the blades to avoid the transfer of shock loads into the bearings – a good edge on the shear bar/anvil is also needed for efficient chipping. As obvious as it may seem, give the chipper a wash down! Keeping your investment clean will help to prevent degradation of the paint from residual dirt and salt.

While inspecting your towed chipper, don’t forget the trailer. Ensure the brakes, lights, floor, ramps, securing points and tyres (including the jockey wheel) are all in good, road-legal condition.

For tracked woodchippers, all of the above tips also apply. In addition, ensure that the tracks are in good order, with no visible signs of damage and that tracking components and controls are operating as intended. Next, double check the toolbox – if you needed to refit a lost track as per the manufacturer’s instructions, would you have the right tools to do so? Finally, check the condition of any additional accessories, particularly winches which should be equipped with quality rope in good condition.

Those operating a tractor mounted/powered woodchipper will note that many of the pointers already listed will be applicable to both the chipper and the tractor. In this scenario, you’ll also want to ensure that the correct specification PTO shaft is fitted, in good order and with the correct guarding. Some have a ‘slip clutch’ which will need to be set at the correct torque settings. Others may need a ‘shear bolt lobe’, so check you have some spare bolts in the toolbox.

Check the hydraulic hoses are correctly fitted and that the in-cab controls are working as they should. If a 12v supply is needed to run the ‘No Stress’ device or beacon, ensure that the correct light cable is refitted if the tractor is intended for highway use. Finally, grease as required – not forgetting the UJ spiders and plastic guards covering the shaft.

More details can be found within GreenMech operator manuals or by speaking to your local approved dealer. To find your nearest GreenMech expert, visit www.greenmech.co.uk 

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.

Sustainable relationship and machinery for Gullane

/in , , /by

Sustainable relationship and machinery for Gullane: A sustainable relationship is one that is easy to maintain and doesn’t feel like hard work – and that’s certainly something Gullane Golf Club, one of Scotland’s most prestigious members clubs, and Toro know something about as their relationship nears its third decade. 

The reason for this enduring and continued success is, according to the club, down to the attention to detail the machinery provides in creating the best possible conditions for the fast-draining Scottish links microclimate.

Sustainable relationship and machinery for Gullane

Sustainable relationship and machinery for Gullane

Course Manager Paul Armour, who has been at the club for 20 months but is aware of the ‘Toro effect’ from his time as Supervisor on the Old Course at St Andrews, explains why the relationship has stood the test of time: “The quality of product and the brand’s obvious role as the market leader are instrumental. But it’s as much the relationship with Reesink Scotland too which has been built up over time and works well for both Toro and Gullane.”

As the club receives its latest fleet order there’s an obvious focus on sustainable machinery to align with the club’s overall ethos says Paul: “Gullane as a club strives to be as sustainable as possible, whether that is reducing diesel use or recycling materials onsite. The plan is to have as many electric machines as possible and for all our hand mowers, utility vehicles and triplexes to be electric in the next couple of years.”

It’s a plan already well in play. Three years ago, the club invested in five Toro Workman GTX Lithium utility vehicles and has been so impressed with their performance it has invested in another four bringing it to a total of nine.

Paul explains how they have proved themselves so thoroughly in that time: “The GTX machines have been a massive success here at Gullane. They have coped well with the terrain, and we have found them useful for most tasks thanks to being able to load the back and tow. That covers most jobs we throw at them such as transporting raking bunkers, changing holes, pulling greens and tees mower trailers, divoting fairways and building bunkers – and they have an impressive longevity of charge.”

Similarly, the club’s five all-electric Toro Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 greensmowers collection is about to become eight. Paul says the obvious answer as to why he’s almost doubling the numbers of this machine is the minimal noise.

“With the golf course bordering the village these machines have meant we can be more efficient earlier in the morning,” he says. “Plus, we save on fuel, but still get the same quality of cut as a diesel mower.”

Neil Mackenzie from Toro distributor Reesink Scotland says: “The Toro’s Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 with its lithium-ion battery was first to market and we’re seeing its popularity increasing year on year as clubs embrace the benefits of running a much quieter greens mower with zero exhaust emissions and no hydraulic fluid. With these mowers a burst hose is a thing of the past and lower maintenance costs come as standard.”

Despite the increase in fleet numbers of battery powered equipment, there’s little infrastructure accommodations that have had to be made confirms Paul: “We haven’t had to change too much in the shed. We’ve added individual charging points for each machine just in case we have any points trip, but that’s just a contingency.”

These sustainable machinery choices form part of a bigger sustainability plan as Paul explains: “The long-term plan is to cover as much of our electric costs as possible with the installation of solar panels on the equipment shed. We’re in discussions about that now.”

It appears the long-term plan is to continue sustaining its relationship with Reesink too, as Paul concludes: “I’ve really enjoyed building a relationship with Reesink. Our sales representative Neil Mackenzie has been great to deal with, he keeps in touch with any queries or issues that may arise, and the servicing and parts teams are great too, always available when I need them and on the other end of the phone.”

That certainly defines a sustainable relationship!

Discover how choosing Toro could benefit your course by calling distributor Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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.