DLF Help Youngsters On ‘Their Best School Trip Ever’

DLF help youngsters get to hear of environmental issues, turf management and golf on ‘their best school trip ever’ – Kingsdown Golf Club in Wiltshire recently took the initiative to show children from a local primary school how environmental stewardship, sports turf management and the game of golf are positively linked.

DLF Help Youngsters On ‘Their Best School Trip Ever’

Tom Freeman, Deputy Course Manager, coordinated the event and was supported by DLF Seeds who donated wildflower seed for the children to sow around the course.

Plots were prepared on the club’s academy course for groups of children to sow the wildflower seeds.  During the activity they were told about ecology, pollinating species and the benefits wildflowers can bring to the course and its maintenance.  During this, other groups were also treated to chipping and putting tutorials from the Assistant Pro Michael Reeves and the Club Captain Leigh McCarron.

Following the event Tom said, “The day was a great success, the children were engaged and asked lots of questions about greenkeeping, golf and the planting of the wildflowers. Hopefully events such as this will inspire the next generations of sports turf managers, golfers and ecologists and signals the start of a mutually beneficial community relationship between the club and the community around us. We’d also like to say thanks to DLF and Ian Barnett for supplying us with the seed for the day.  Many of the children said it was the best school trip they’d ever been on – and we can’t ask for more than that!”

Evo-Stik NPL unveils GreenFields as official Pitch Partner

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League unveils GreenFields as official Pitch Partner – Sports turf specialist GreenFields was today unveiled as the new official pitch partner to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League (NPL).

Evo-Stik NPL unveils GreenFields as official Pitch Partner

The deal, initially for the 2017/18 football season, was announced at a meeting of the league’s 68 clubs, with an introductory presentation from GreenFields.

GreenFields will provide NPL clubs with surface solutions to meet the growing demand for 3G and hybrid turf pitches, as well as advice on maintaining grass surfaces. As a result, the league hopes to reduce the number of fixture postponements, especially during the winter months.

NPL club Hyde United have already been working with GreenFields for a year having laid a 3G woven pitch. The club is delighted with their choice of surface as Pete Ainger, General Manager, explains. “The feedback has been excellent. Players and officials alike have commented that it is amongst the best surfaces they have experienced. The technology is massively different from other 3Gs, it performs like a grass pitch with increased durability. The woven technology enables the grass to stay upright and it’s an obvious difference to standard 3G pitches.”

Mark Harris, Chairman of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League is delighted to have GreenFields on-board. “We’ve been looking for a pitch partner for some time to meet the information needs and growing demand from clubs looking to artificial turf pitches to generate additional revenues as well as providing a surface to play good football on. GreenFields’ philosophy matches our own so this agreement makes total sense for the league.”

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Over the coming season the Evo-Stik NPL will be working with GreenFields to provide clubs with exclusive pitch installation and maintenance information and advice with a presence from the company at NPL events including the launch of a new ‘Pitch of the Year Award’ selected and presented by GreenFields at the annual awards event next June.

Paul Milton, Director of GreenFields commented: “We are excited by this new partnership and look forward to supporting and advising member clubs on their current and potential sports pitches. With over a decade’s experience, we have the expertise in house to be able to provide clubs with the best possible solution to meet their requirements.”

More information on GreenFields can be found at www.greenfieldsturf.co.uk

Man Mowed Lawn With Tornado Behind

Man who mowed lawn with tornado behind him says he ‘was keeping an eye on it.’  – Cecilia Wessels snapped the picture of her husband, Theunis, on Friday evening as the twister passed near their home in Three Hills.

Man who mowed lawn with tornado behind him says he 'was keeping an eye on it.' - Cecilia Wessels snapped the picture of her husband, Theunis

She said cutting the grass was on her husband’s to-do list, and as he started the task, she went for a nap. Wessels said she was woken by her nine-year-old daughter who was upset that there was something like a tornado in the sky, but her father wouldn’t come inside.

Theunis Wessels said the tornado was actually much further away than it appears in the photo, and that it was moving away from them. There have been no reports of injuries from the tornado, although some other photos show downed trees and a barn with its roof ripped off.

“I literally took the picture to show my mum and dad in South Africa, ‘Look there’s a tornado,’ and now everyone is like, ‘Why is your husband mowing the lawn?’” Cecilia Wessels said Saturday.

“Our whole street, everyone was on their back patios taking pictures,” she said.

Theunis Wessels said he was keeping watch of his surroundings and saw the twister form as the swirling connected from the sky and the ground to form the funnel.

Both said tornadoes are not common in South Africa, but Theunis said he watched a TV program about storm chasers, so he’s familiar with them.

The tornado moved away to the east, he said.

“It looks much closer if you look in the photo, but it was really far away. Well, not really far, far away, but it was far away from us,” he said.

“I was keeping an eye on it.”

To read the original article from Times Colonist, click here

INTURF appoint new Operations Director

INTURF appoint new Operations Director – INTURF has appointed Guy Barrett as Operations Director as part of a strategy to dramatically increase turf production to meet sustained increased demand. He brings with him nearly 40 years of turf production experience in every part of the UK, latterly at board level.

INTURF appoint new Operations Director

“Sales have been increasing exponentially for some time now,” says Alex Edwards, Joint Managing Director of INTURF. “The fact is that, with increased production, we could sell even more so we’re excited by the contribution that Guy can make.”

Guy Barrett was born not far from Pocklington and attended school there, starting turf production ‘on the tools’ and rising through management to board level. “I’ve known and respected INTURF all my working life and now relish the opportunity of using my experience to help them realise their vision for the business,” he says.

Inturf was established in 1985. Since its formation the company has enjoyed a reputation for the excellence of the turf it grows for golf courses, landscapes and gardens as well as for the excellence of its service.

“We are hugely optimistic about the turfgrass industry,” says Stephen Edwards, himself a former chair of the Turfgrass Growers Association. “In particular we know that there are opportunities for INTURF waiting to be exploited and Guy’s appointment will help us to just that.”

Cristiano Ronaldo Furious With Groundsman

Cristiano Ronaldo furious with groundsman after being soaked by sprinkler during warm-up – Tensions were understandably high amongst the players ahead of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus.

Cristiano Ronaldo Furious With Groundsman

But they nearly boiled over when Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates were drenched by a pitch side sprinkler before kick-off. The Portuguese ace then gave the groundsman a glare before marching over to give him a piece of his mind.

Ronaldo was then seen trying to stop the sprinkler himself as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were also given an early shower.

But it didn’t deter the Real Madrid ace from doing what he does best – scoring on the
biggest stage of world football

To read the original article, click here

Greenkeeping Equipment Stolen From Golf Club

Greenkeeping equipment stolen from golf club – Police officers investigating a burglary at Lisburn Golf Club last month have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Greenkeeping equipment stolen from golf club

It was reported that sometime between May 18 and 21, two backpack blowers and a turf cutter were stolen from a shed close to the front of the Eglantine Road property. The burglary is believed to have occurred during operating hours as there were no signs that the shed had been broken into.

“If you or anyone you know has seen anything suspicious in connection with this please contact Lisburn Police via 101 quoting reference 744 23/05/17,” a spokesperson said.

To read the original article, click here

Speed Seed By Name ‘speedy by nature’ Says Murrayfield GC

Speed Seed By Name ‘speedy by nature’ Says Murrayfield GC – A Redexim Speed Seed 1600 has delivered ‘two-fold benefits to the greens’ says Murrayfield Golf Club’s Head Greenkeeper Steve Hulme.  Delivered by Charterhouse Turf Machinery in September 2015, overseeding now takes less time at this 18 hole parkland course, 1.5miles from the centre of Edinburgh.

Speed Seed By Name ‘speedy by nature’ Says Murrayfield GC

Prior to purchasing the Redexim Speed Seed, overseeding was a timely exercise for Steve and his team of 9 greenkeepers as it was all done by hand. “We’d firstly go out with a sarel roller or aerator to open up the surfaces and then follow that up with applying the seed mix in a cyclone spreader – all of which was a rather time consuming process” explains Steve. To make the task more efficient Steve began hiring a seeder, a Speed Seed as it happened, which he’d used for a number of previous seasons. “We got to know the kit and were really impressed with the build quality and both the ease of use and adjustment it offered. For us it offered robustness combined with value for money so when the time was right we decided to purchase one for ourselves.”

The Speed Seed 1600 works by delivering the seed into dimples relatively close to the surface, created by a spiked sarel roller. It is ideal for situations where drill holes need to be avoided. “It’s combined the two tasks into one, reducing the time investment which has given us the opportunity to regularly overseed a bent/fescue mix on our greens.”

For the last 12-18 months a key focus for Steve has been to reduce thatch levels on the greens, thus improving the efficiency of any overseeding work. “We’ve upped the amount of aeration and sand applied to dilute the thatch. We’ve actually used the Speed Seed a couple of times without any seed, putting the weight forward, and using it as a quicker method of sarel rolling. It all helps us to get extra air in the greens. In both of its guises, we’ve been very impressed with the results we’re achieving with the Speed Seed – it’s been a win win for us.”

A Game Of Golf Is Equivalent To A Week’s Worth Of Exercise

Time for a round? Playing a game of golf is equivalent to a week’s worth of exercise as charity says the game’s health benefits are overlooked

A Game Of Golf Is Equivalent To A Week's Worth Of Exercise

It may prove just the excuse to explain to one’s spouse why you are heading off to the golf course again.

The health benefits of golf are being overlooked – according to a leading cancer charity.

While it may seem less energetic than playing more vigorous activities such as football, rugby or tennis, golf can still offer a significant boost to your health.

Macmillan Cancer Support said that during a typical single round of golf, players walk for four to eight miles – and take between 11,245 and 16,667 steps.

This would burn around 1,564 calories if you are carrying your own golf clubs, it said citing research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

As a round of golf amounts to 240 minutes of moderate intensive activity this goes beyond the Department of Health’s recommendation that adults take at least 150 minutes of moderate intense activity.

And being a relatively low intensity exercise, it means that enthusiasts can keep golfing for longer – way into old age – when more vigorous sports may be difficult.

Macmillan have released the information ahead of a fund-raising event called the Longest Day Challenge.

On the longest day of the year, 21st June, the charities encouraging golfers to play four rounds of golf over the 16 hours of daylight.

Challengers will be playing from sunrise (4.45am) through to sunset (21.21pm), using every minute of the 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight available to them.

Clubbing together a team of four, contestants will play 72 holes, take some 300 shots and cover a good 20 miles, as they fundraise to support people affected by cancer.

esearch undertaken into 300,000 Swedish golfers found that the death rate for golfers is 40 per cent lower than for other people of the same sex, age and socioeconomic status.

This amounts to a 5 year increase in life expectancy, with the golfers with the lowest handicaps, in other words the most skilled golfers, benefiting most.

Elizabeth Connare, Marketing Programme Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support said: ‘Some people might be surprised to hear that a game of golf sees players walking well over their 10,000 daily steps and burning over 1,500 calories.

‘As our supporters gear up for Macmillan’s Longest Day Golf Challenge we are reminding people that golf is fun, sociable and a great way to get some exercise’.

TV presenter and golfing fan, Tim Lovejoy, says: ‘Tackling 72 holes in one day will really test your golfing prowess but with a bunch of mates by your side and the knowledge that it’s all for a great cause, it will be a fantastic day.

‘I know from personal experience the difference Macmillan can make to a family that is affected by cancer and I’d encourage any golf fan to sign up for the Longest Day Golf Challenge and help Macmillan to ensure no one faces cancer alone.’

More than 3,000 teams teed off for last year’s event, and raised more than £1.5million for Macmillan.

This could pay for nine Macmillan nurses for three years providing emotional, practical and financial support for people affected by cancer and their families.

To read the original article from the Daily Mail, click here

Exteris™ Stressgard® fungicide now available

Exteris™ Stressgard® fungicide now available – Greenkeepers can now get their hands on the new turf fungicide, that has been developed to treat for Microdochium Patch and Dollar Spot. Exteris™ Stressgard®, was launched by Bayer at BTME this January, and is now available to purchase from exclusive distributors, Headland Amenity and Rigby Taylor.

Exteris™ Stressgard® fungicide now available

“Over 10 years of development, and analysis of more than 100,000 potential active ingredients has gone into the new fungicide, that’s been specifically engineered and optimised for turfgrass using Stressgard® Formulation Technology,” says Neil Pettican, Bayer head of sales.

“Exteris™ Stressgard® adds another tool to the greenkeepers diminishing armoury, it contains a new active ingredient (Fluopyram) and is part of a totally new chemical group (SDHI).  It should play a vital role in the greenkeeper’s disease management strategy, to help reduce the chances of resistance occurring.”

Neil explains that, in bringing Exteris™ Stressgard® to the market, Bayer and its partners have undertaken a number of independent UK based trials.

“We’ve been really impressed by the results so far.  One particular trial, undertaken during the heavy disease pressure experienced in the UK in late 2016, displayed outstanding results for the treatment of Microdochium Patch. Trial plots treated with Exteris™ Stressgard® experienced a maximum of 5% disease activity whilst the plots that were untreated displayed up to 75% disease activity.”

New Low Drift Nozzles For ProShield

New low drift nozzles for ProShield – ICL has announced that all bottles of ProShield – a barrier acting, pre and post-emergent non-selective herbicide, are now being supplied with low drift sprayer nozzles.

New low drift nozzles for ProShield

As part of the new product authorisation, which has been officially registered by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD), ProShield will now come with two low drift sprayer nozzles as well as a stewardship checklist attached.

The newly authorised bottles are registered through to 2020 and any individuals who possess old label stock will have until 31st March 2018 to use them up.

Many turf and landscape professionals have been benefitting from ProShield for a number of years now. Rainfast in one hour and providing rapid knockdown, one application is all that is needed. It is renowned for killing a range of problematic weeds and its barrier action prevents germination for up to six months while protecting against re-growth on gravel and soft surfaces.

Although a huge success to date, Mark Pyrah – Landscape and Industrial Business Development Manager for ICL Turf & Landscape in UK and Ireland, believes that the new nozzles will have an even greater impact.

“With these new low drift sprayer nozzles, the operator will notice an immediate improvement,” he says. “The product will only affect the targeted area with minimized chemical drift. Not only will it make the task more effective but you are essentially getting more out of the product because there will be significantly less wastage.

“In such uncertain times in which a number of products are being removed from the market, it is vital that updates such as these are made to the packaging. At ICL we champion best practice and are always looking to make improvements that are in line with current legislation, to enhance an individual’s operations.”

Professor John Moverley OBE, chairman of the Amenity Forum, also voiced his support.

“As an independent organisation, the Amenity Forum fully supports product stewardship and the importance of choosing the correct nozzle so that the product is applied exactly where needed for effective and economic impact,” he said.

ProShield has an ultra-low dose rate of 4.5 litres/ha and its water-based, non-solvent formulation is classed as non-hazard and non-irritant to the operator. It can be applied with a knapsack sprayer and the new universal nozzles can be attached to existing equipment.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.