Campey 3 Day Pitch Renovation At Greenock Morton FC

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Campey Turf Care Systems three day Mini Pitch Renovation at Greenock Morton Football Club open to all. Campey Turf Care Systems are carrying out a three-day mini pitch renovation at Scottish Championship side, Greenock Morton Football Club, from Tuesday 30th May to Thursday 1st June.

Campey 3 Day Pitch Renovation At Greenock Morton FC

Campey would like to extend an open invitation to all groundsmen and greenkeepers who wish to attend the event, with those who do advised to RSVP to Richard Heywood (richard.heywood@campeyturfcare.com) or via the Campey website.

The renovation of the Cappielow Park pitch will use the latest sports turf maintenance machinery with the KoroÆ FieldTopMakerÆ with UniverseÆ rotor taking centre stage. The heavy-duty fraise mower is used for removing unwanted surface matter such as poa-annua, thatch, weeds or the entire surface to a depth of 50mm.

This leaves a clean and clear surface to work with and allows the KoroÆ RecyclingDresserÆ, Raycam UniRake and Aeraseeder along with a Vredo Overseeder and Dakota 412 Turf Tender to work to the best of their abilities in providing a first-class pitch.

Over the three days the importance of carrying out a meticulous renovation will be shown and attendees will discover how small improvements during the process can lead to long lasting results throughout the season.

The entire renovation process will be on show throughout the three days with visitors welcome to observe the full action, or come and view the stages they feel are most relevant to them.

For further information on this and all Campey Turf Care events and activities visit www.campeyturfcare.com

Nominations Open For 2017 IOG Industry Awards

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Nominations Open For 2017 IOG Industry Awards. Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s Institute of Groundsmanship Industry Awards, with 22 categories of entry recognising the passion, dedication and challenges faced by grounds staff in both grassroots and professional sports, and including a series of new and ‘refreshed’ categories in response to industry feedback.Nominations Open For 2017 IOG Industry Awards

 

With headline sponsorship by Rigby Taylor and Top Green, this year’s awards now feature three new categories:

[] The Private Members Sports Club Grounds Team of the Year, and

[] Two awards for the IOG Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year, to ensure recognition for grounds teams at clubs at all levels. One award is for English Leagues 1 and 2, Scottish Championship and Leagues 1 and 2, and Ireland and Wales Professional Leagues. Another award is for grounds teams at clubs in the Premier League, the Championship and the Scottish Premier League. 

 

The ‘refreshed’ Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award will honour those who have contributed greatly to the groundscare industry over a period of time, short or long. 

Importantly too, the Special Recognition Award (which replaces the Unsung Hero Award) will acknowledge extreme dedication – perhaps performed under the radar – for the good of groundsmanship at any level. 

 

Commenting on the 2017 competition, IOG chief executive Geoff Webb says: “Now in their ninth year, the IOG Awards continue to expand and, importantly, take account of views that will help to improve them year on year. We have, for example, created more opportunity for greater recognition of those working in the lower divisions of professional football. And by redefining the unsung hero and lifetime achievement awards, we are recognising the work of those who sometimes operate under the radar.

 

“In addition, we are also making it clear that applications to every category are encouraged from Scotland, Ireland and Wales, as well as England.”

 

He adds: “These are the only awards for groundsmen that are judged by groundsmen, and we are lucky to have a dedicated group of volunteer judges with their range of backgrounds that encompass the diversity of the industry and profession today. 

 

“The awards are truly all-encompassing and recognise both volunteers and professionals across all levels of sport. So, please take the time to nominate, as you must know many deserving candidates and great examples of sports turf management at every level.”

 

The awards will be judged by an independent, expert panel using criteria that will include equipment utilisation (including the use of IT), training and education, community involvement and career achievements. However, the winner of the Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement Award will be decided by the IOG, while the Ransomes/DLF Johnsons Alex R Millar Groundsman of the Year Award is decided from the winners of the professional grounds team awards.

 

The winners will be announced Oscar-style at The National Conference Centre, within the National Motorcycle Museum, on Wednesday 1 November, on the evening of the opening day of the SALTEX exhibition at the Birmingham NEC.

 

Visit www.iogawards.com to make your nominations online.

 

The full list of award categories is: 

 

• IOG Bowling Greenkeeper/Team 

• IOG Best Maintained Artificial Pitch  

• IOG Ransomes Environmental/Innovative Project  

• IOG Toro Most Promising Sports Turf Student  

• IOG Redexim Charterhouse/Kubota Volunteer Groundsman/Team 

• IOG Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Groundsman 

• IOG Countrywide Turf & Amenity Independent School/University/College Grounds Team 

• IOG Private Members Sports Club Grounds Team 

• IOG NGB Professional Sports Grounds Team 

• IOG NGB Grassroots Sports Grounds Team  

[Both of the above are co-sponsored by the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, the Premier League, Rugby Football League and the RFU (Rugby Football Union)] 

• IOG Professional Cricket Grounds Team 

• IOG Professional Tennis Grounds Team 

• IOG SISGrass Professional Football Grounds Team 

(English Leagues 1 and 2, Scottish Championship and Leagues 1 and 2, Ireland & Wales Professional Leagues)

• IOG SGL Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year

(Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League)

• IOG John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team 

• IOG Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team 

• IOG Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team 

• IOG Contractor 

• IOG International Ambassador 

• IOG Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement   

• IOG Ransomes/DLF Johnsons Alex R Miller Groundsman   

• IOG Special Recognition. 

 

Nominations close on Monday July 31.

ClearWater is Number One at BTME 2017!

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Talking-ClearWater-on-the-Highspeed-stand-at-BTME-2016Highspeed Group is focusing on their Number One product ClearWater and sees BTME 2017 as the ideal platform to build on the last twelve months success.

Highspeed Group’s joint M.D. David Mears commented: “BTME is always an excellent show for us and 2016 exceeded expectations with us taking a record number of ClearWater enquiries. For BTME 2017 we have made ClearWater even better with some specification changes, free upgrades and an exceptionally attractive price! The time to buy and comply could not be better, particularly for those that have been fortunate enough to receive VAT refunds! ”

Highspeed’s stand (C12) will feature a mini ClearWater display unit to demonstrate some of the new features and, yes, there will be a Show Offer and an even better Prize Draw! If you are interested in bringing your washpad up to legal requirements, do make sure you visit the stand; it may not be as expensive as you thought and you could be a winner!

Highspeed Group’s Show Offers not only cover ClearWater but also a superb deal on diesel refueling tanks and an attractive waste management package; WasteAway.

Call Matt Mears on 07912 981103 for more information or to make a show appointment. The Highspeed Team looks forward to seeing you at BTME 2017: Stand C12.

For more information visit www.highspeed.co.uk

HUXLEY GOLF INSTALLS PRACTICE AREA FOR UK’S JUNIOR CHAMPIONS

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Huxley-Golf-Installs-Practice-Area-for-Junior-Champions---Press-Release-..Huxley Golf was commissioned by Merchiston Castle School near Edinburgh to strengthen its on-campus golf facilities with a comprehensive all-weather practice zone.

The leading independent boys’ school is known for its high level sporting programme and has its own Golf Academy at the nearby Kings Acre Golf Course. Led by PGA Professional Alan Murdoch, Merchiston Golf Academy nurtures students through a progressive system that allows them to work on personalised golf performance programmes. Its success is such that the International Schools Golf Association (IGSA) has ranked Merchiston the number one golf school in the UK. In 2015 and 2016 the Golf Academy Junior Team won the title of joint National ISGA Junior League Champions.

To facilitate coaching and enable daily practice, Huxley Golf helped Merchiston to convert a disused basketball area into an all-weather golf practice area for its students. It comprises three practice nets which provide a safe and effective zone to practise drives and long shots, as well as a 15ft (4.5m) x 18ft (5.5m) putting green, finished with Huxley Golf Premier Leisure Turf surround. The high quality surfaces used do not require any specialist greenkeeper knowledge as they are virtually maintenance free, making them ideal for use in schools and universities. For technical details see www.huxleygolf.com.

Director of Merchiston Golf Academy, Alan Murdoch, commented: “Our golf programme offers a completely customised approach to cater for the specific needs of each individual player. Our new Huxley Golf practice area will support the boys’ formal coaching programme and complement the facilities at Kings Acre by enabling them to work on their golf skills every day, come rain or shine. I am confident that it will help us to achieve competitive advantage in future junior golf competitions.”

Paul Chester, General Manager at Huxley Golf, added: “We have an excellent track record of working with some of the UK’s premier educational establishments to provide the best possible environment in which to nurture the next generation of golf stars. The materials
that we use are the same PGA-accredited, tournament quality golf surfaces that are specified by the world’s top golf clubs and championship courses, thus providing a realistic experience for juniors at the outset.”

He continued: “It was an honour to work with Merchiston Castle School which is clearly setting new standards when it comes to junior golf and we wish the boys continued success.”

Huxley Golf provides premier all-weather surfaces for golf around the world. Clients include training and coaching establishments, golf resorts, ranges and academies as well as many of the world’s best known golf courses. For more information about Huxley Golf premier all- weather golf surfaces, visit www.huxleygolf.com or call 01962 733222.

Britain Guaranteed Representation at World Cup Final 2018

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Britain will be guaranteed representation at the World Cup Final in 2018 no matter what the result between England and Scotland on Friday night.

Luzhniki Stadium’s pitch in Moscow has been laid by British company SIS Pitches using the revolutionary SISGrass and was completed for handover earlier this month.

The brand new SISGrass hybrid surface will make the Luzhniki Stadium the most technologically advanced pitch in World Cup final history.

The laser-guided installation took just eight days to complete and boasts 95% natural turf alongside the 5% specially designed PE yarn.

The 2018 World Cup will be the first to have a SISGrass natural turf reinforced pitch and SISAir technology.
SISGrass is an advanced reinforced turf system featuring patented fibre injections, which offers increased pitch stability and delivers considerably more playing hours than natural grass surfaces.
SIS Pitches CEO and owner George Mullan said: “It’s the first time a World Cup final has been played on anything but all-natural grass and we are honoured to have been chosen to install it. We have come so far to get this system to the pinnacle of world sport.
“The quality of SISGrass will ensure that the pitches are resilient in all conditions, and I am sure the 2018 World Cup Final is one that we all remember.”

SISAir is a revolutionary system that proactively manages soil moisture and removes excess water from the soil via a network of under pitch pipes that can blow hot or cold air depending on the climate requirements.
The SISAir system helps to optimise the root zone’s growing conditions and assists the promotion of healthier turf.
On SISAir, SIS Eastern European Managing Director Ilyas Kobal explained, “SISAir, through our specialised piping infrastructure, ensures the root zone is in excellent condition, in particular in challenging climates such as in Russia.

“We are confident that the pitches constructed by SIS Pitches for the World Cup in 2018 will exceed the expectations of both the players and officials and SISGrass could be vitally important in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.” said Kobal.

SIS Pitches has many years experience in delivering natural turf pitches and synthetic turf pitches to some of the greatest names in sport as well as to schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs and local authorities. SIS Pitches has offices in the UK, Ireland, Russia, Turkey, Holland, Middle East and Angola.
As well as the work at the Luzhniki Stadium, SIS Pitches has also been hard at work elsewhere in Russia in recent times. The global pitch-specialists have also completed work at the homes of FC Krasnodar and Spartak Moscow.

For more information on SIS Pitches go to www.sispitches.com