Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

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Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

As the first team moves into AFC Bournemouth’s new training complex at Canford Magna, a new fleet of Toro machinery arrives to look after the first four pitches to be built.

Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

The machinery choices by Head of Grounds Ian Lucas are strategically made on how to cut more efficiently according to European regulations and meet the Premier League standards in place for all pitches.

Ian explains, “The products we chose come with adjustments to match the width of cut to the pitches exactly. The Toro Reelmaster 3100 with SideWinder, which is usually a mower favoured by golf clubs for cutting around bunkers and obstacles, allows us to mow as efficiently as possible with no overlap.”

It’s a machine also favoured by other premier football clubs, says Ian: “I visited other training centres and saw how other clubs had fitted a wider arm kit on the SideWinder but without the wider front units meaning they could cut 30 inches across instead of 26. That meant they the cutting width worked better with the required striping pattern within the dimensions of the pitch.”

The patented SideWinder technology brings more benefits than that to the football pitch though as Ian continues: “Being able to use the SideWinder cutting unit from left to right brings a more even weight distribution eliminating wear marks.”

Also ably assisting Ian and his team of 11 looking after the 57-acre training grounds are Toro’s Workman HDX utility vehicles with cabs for improved operator comfort and a Toro Reelmaster 3550 for its light footprint and turf-friendly tyres.

Ian says: “The Workmans have a big cargo bed which is perfect for the development stage of the project we’re in – it can easily cope with the amount of grass we need to move and the attachments we load it up with like the tipper trailer.”

This will be followed up with another machinery order in the new year as the next four pitches for the £36 million Performance Centre open. Ian comments: “We’re ready for that. I’ve already chosen the Toro machines I want and submitted the lists. I’ve been using Toro for around 15 years, so I know how good it is, especially with the back-up and support of Reesink, our local dealer D J Scott and our mobile mechanic Lee Read.”

He concludes: “When it comes to the turfcare machinery entrusted to look after this huge investment in sport, it had to be Toro.”

Mark Winder, Area Sales for Reesink, says: “Just as AFC Bournemouth’s ambition and commitment to excellence is shown with its new state of the art training complex, Reesink’s focus is on working with Ian and the team to ensure they have the turfcare equipment they need to maintain all the pitches to the highest of standards.”

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GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

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GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

Supporting contractors Parkers Pitches in their ongoing expansion is a fleet of efficient, robust equipment from GKB Machines. Pushing firmly into larger drainage and construction projects across East Anglia has demanded machinery that can step-up, and stay reliable under pressure and that’s exactly what owner Will Parker says they’ve enjoyed with their V-Strong, Combinator and, most recently, their SP100 topdresser.

GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

Will together with wife Lydia run Parkers Pitches, with a further team of three full-time operatives on the ground. In just a few short years, the contractors have built a strong reputation for cricket and football renovations, increasingly undertaking projects on other sports surfaces including drainage-led projects in golf. “As we began to expand, we found we were picking up more topdressing work and needed something faster and with more capacity” explains Will.

With a V-Strong and GKB Combinator already demonstrating fantastic build quality and versatility, Will was confident enough to purchase the Sandspreader without the need for a demonstration. They opted for an SP100, a broadcast disc-dresser with a 1.0m3 hopper – the ideal size for mounting on their existing John Deere ProGator.

“It’s been absolutely bulletproof” he exclaims. “We’re putting thousands of tonnes through it every year and you wouldn’t know it. It runs perfectly every time, we’ve barely had to put a spanner on it… even the paint is still immaculate inside the hopper! This productivity and reliability is crucial for keeping our schedule on track in tight renovation windows.”

The performance of the SP100 has come as no surprise to the team, with similar qualities on show from their V-Strong scarifier and Combinator. “The V-Strong is exactly that – unbelievably strong! Cricket square can be really hard come the end of a season and where our previous machine would struggle on renovations, the V-Strong doesn’t blink – getting the job done in less than half the time.”

“Our 1.6m Combinator also is getting used more and more and, again, it’s rarely missed a beat. On the odd occasion we’ve needed support, GKB’s Tom Shinkins and the team at Ernest Doe have gone above and beyond to get us back up and running and keeping us on track.” Will concludes, “As we continue to grow and move into new areas, we know we have the right equipment and right support with GKB to make it a success.”

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GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

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GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group is pleased to welcome three new members: James Williamson, Sonny Keywood and Calum Clarkson.

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

The trio join after a strong application process with an impressive number of candidates from across the sector.

The GMA NextGen group brings together young professionals who act as ambassadors for the industry. Their mission is to inspire and support more young people into careers in grounds management, helping to secure a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future.

Introducing the New Members

James Williamson, Club Development Partner at Cricket Wales, has been a passionate sports person from a young age. Growing up in Cornwall, he supported sports development through a variety of coaching roles before moving to Cardiff in 2019 to study Sport and Exercise Science (BSc). After graduating, he chose to stay in Wales and turn his passion for sport into a full-time career. James now helps Cricket Wales create welcoming, sustainable cricket facilities across the country. James is particularly motivated to help young people discover the wide range of opportunities within the sector.

Sonny Keywood, Groundsperson at Brighton & Hove Albion FC, has always loved sport and spending time outdoors, making grounds management a perfect career. Sonny first learned about the industry through his dad, realising early on that it offered far more variety and opportunity than he had imagined. He enjoys the fast pace of his role and the day-to-day challenges that come with maintaining elite playing surfaces. He sees NextGen as a platform to raise the profile of the profession and help young people see grounds management as a respected and rewarding career choice.

Calum Clarkson, Groundsperson at George Heriot’s School, takes great pride in preparing top-quality cricket pitches and sports surfaces. Alongside his work maintaining the grounds at George Heriot’s School, he is Head Groundsman at Royal High Corstorphine Cricket Club. Growing up in sport, he understands how much high-quality surfaces matter for safety, performance and player experience. Having once been unaware of the career routes available in turf care, he is now committed to championing the profession and inspiring future talent.

Jack Langley, Co‑Chair of the GMA NextGen group, said: “James, Sonny and Calum bring real energy and industry insight to the existing group. Each of them has a brilliant story about how they found their way into grounds management, and they share a willingness to supporting young people entering the profession. We’re excited to have them on board and to see the impact they’ll make.”

Meg Lay, Co‑Chair of the GMA NextGen group, added: “The NextGen group exists to give young professionals a voice and to help drive the industry forward. James, Sonny and Calum each bring fresh perspectives and valuable experience. Their excitement is exactly what we need as we continue promoting the sector and inspiring the next generation.”

Find out more about the NextGen group by visiting www.thegma.org.uk/nextgen

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How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

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How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

Maintaining top-flight playing surfaces across a large, multi-use facility demands more than just quality turfcare equipment – it requires absolute reliability, operational efficiency and a consistently high standard of finish.

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

For The Vale Resort, Baroness has become an increasingly important part of that equation, with the recent delivery of four LM551 fairway mowers adding to the finesse delivered by four LM331 surrounds mowers already at the venue.

Recognised as one of Wales’ most prestigious resorts, the site nestled among the Vale of Glamorgan countryside has undergone significant expansion over the years. Within the 650-acre private estate is a hotel, health and racquets club used by leisure members and six football and rugby pitches, for training by the FAW and WRU. Under the longstanding involvement of Head Greenkeeper Mike Bevan, the golf element has grown from a modest nine-hole layout into two 18-hole championship courses, maintained by a team of 12 greenkeepers.

“We try to limit the sharing of equipment between departments as, when you get a break in the weather, it tends to be the same machines that are in demand site-wide” explains Noel Werner, Golf Manager at the Vale Resort. “This drove a conscious decision to invest in equipment that is dedicated for golf. In exploring the options available in the mower market with the support of Geraint Richards at GJR Machinery, the quality of cut from Baroness stood out immediately.”

“We purchased four LM331 mowers in 2022 which are used daily during the main growing season on banks, tee and green surrounds and other peripheral areas. These mowers tick a lot of boxes – not just the quality of cut they deliver and the fact they stay on cut incredibly well, but from a maintenance and servicing perspective everything is super simple to work on.” Noel adds, “Their reliable performance is invaluable to us as such a busy resort where downtime just isn’t an option.”

Building on the success of the LM331’s, the club expanded its Baroness fleet further in October 2025 with the purchase of four LM551 mowers for the fairways. While winter conditions have limited their usage to date, expectations are high for the season ahead.

“The whole team are really looking forward to getting them out when new season growth arrives. Based on our experience with the surround mowers, we’re confident they’ll deliver the same precision, consistency and reliability on the fairways.”

Support has been another key factor in the relationship – with GJR Machinery and Baroness’s Paul Watson delivering fast, effective back-up when needed. “For a complex of this size, support is critical.” He emphasises, “Knowing there’s a team behind us, that understands our operation and is available to offer help and advice just further reinforces our confidence in the brand. It makes a massive difference.”

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How Wildwood and Stogger is Lighting Up Brighton

How Wildwood and Stogger is Lighting Up Brighton

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How Wildwood and Stogger is Lighting Up Brighton

Winchester-based Wildwood Machinery has partnered with Dutch giant Stogger Turf Care to install and maintain a state-of-the-art grow-light system for Premier League football club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Grow-lights are used to optimise germination, root development and shoot growth in grass pitches.

Stogger Turf Care’s state-of-the-art LED light rigs represent the way forward for elite sports clubs in terms of quality, efficiency and sustainability.

How Wildwood and Stogger is Lighting Up Brighton

Managing director of Wildwood Machinery, James Bastian, says: “We’re delighted to be working with two major names in elite sport to install and maintain one of the biggest LED grow-light projects in the UK.

“A lot of Premiership and Championship football clubs, and other elite sports clubs will be watching this development with interest, especially with HPS lights likely to be outlawed from 2027 due to their inefficiency.”

Stogger Turf Care LED lights vs competitors

The Stogger Turf Care grow-light system is acknowledged to be the leader in this sector.

With the highest overall light levels in the market, 4-channel dynamic light spectrum, superior glass lens design, upgradeable LED engines, and advanced thermal management there are clear advantages in sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness.

“Wildwood Machinery worked closely with Stogger Turf Care on a lengthy pre-installation trial and due diligence,” says James Bastian.

“We’ll now provide a complete aftercare, backup and support service for the groundcare equipment, as per our exclusive UK partnership with Stogger Turf Care.”

“Brighton FC is widely regarded as one of the best-managed, most sustainable clubs in the Premier League, while Stogger Turf Care technology is the most efficient LED grow-lighting system available.

Supporting Brighton’s Ambitions

We’ll be doing everything we can to support Brighton’s ambitions on the pitch and to help showcase Stogger’s outstanding technology in the UK.”

The installation at Brighton & Hove Albion FC includes: 9 × Booster Carbon 460 units; 2 × Booster 60 units; 4 × Booster Carbon Compact units and 4 x turf fans covering 4,300 square metres of surface area, which makes this one of the three largest LED grow light projects in the UK.

Phil Fifield, Head of Sports Turf Stadia at Brighton FC, said: “We are committed to excellence in all of our operations, and of course the playing surface is a key part of that.

We’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with Stogger Turf Care and Wildwood Machinery on our side.”

Florian Mans, International Sales Manager at Stogger Turf Care, said: “At Stogger Turf Care, we remain fully committed to working closely with end users across the industry to engineer and develop practical, innovative and forward-thinking solutions.

“We thank Brighton & Hove Albion and their outstanding grounds team for the trust placed in Stogger Turf Care. Together, we are committed to making this an unprecedented success.”

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