The Scandinavian Golf Club makes the switch to Baroness

The Scandinavian Golf Club makes the switch to Baroness

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The Scandinavian Golf Club makes the switch to Baroness

After more than two decades at The Scandinavian Golf Club, Course Manager Russell Anderson knows exactly what is needed from the team and their equipment to maintain renowned high standards across two 18-hole courses. High on their machinery ‘must-haves’ are reliability and consistency which, when the time came to replace their existing mower fleet, prompted the purchase of four LM551B fairway mowers from Baroness.

The Scandinavian Golf Club makes the switch to Baroness

The Scandinavian Golf Club makes the switch to Baroness

As the only golf destination in continental Europe with both courses ranked among the Top 50, expectations at the Danish venue are great and the presentation and playability achieved by Russell and his team of 18 is nothing short of world-class. After years of purchasing equipment in package deals, the club decided it was time to change tact and open the door to all manufacturers – what followed was extensive research and testing for new fairway mowers.

“We invited all major brands to come in and demonstrate some options and we looked at various aspects including cut performance, build quality, operator comfort, maintenance demands and the dealer support” explains Russell. “The liking for the LM551B’s from Baroness was universal, including a big thumbs up from my mechanic which was a big factor in us making our decision to purchase four mowers which were delivered in early April 2026.”

He continues, “Both the build quality and cut quality is superb. We knew this is what Baroness was renowned for, but still, it has been impressive to see this first hand. The LM551B’s cut all the fairways on one course each day and leave an immaculately clean finish after every pass to the admiration of the operators and players alike.”

Ticking the box for cut quality, the investment has also addressed previous issues with downtime and costly repairs. “The simplicity and robustness of the Baroness mowers really stood out, there’s just less to go wrong which means more time in the field and less time costing us money in the workshop.”

“We must also praise the patience and support from Lasse Lindholm at dealers Lindholm Maskiner. The decision took quite a number of months and Lasse never put pressure on us and always took the time to answer any extra questions we had” Russell adds.

In addition to the four mowers, the club also took delivery of a Baroness FS900 sweeper for post-renovation clean-up, which has also quickly left a lasting impression! “This is another fantastic, productive piece of equipment, we’ve been extremely happy with it.”

For Russell, the move to Baroness has delivered exactly what The Scandinavian Golf Club was searching for: premium cut quality, dependable performance, happier mechanics and lower long-term maintenance concerns. “Changing brands always comes with an element of trepidation but opting for the Baroness machines has been a very positive experience for us all round” he concludes.

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STIHL to debut ALLPRO battery system and new chainsaw designs at 2026 APF

STIHL to debut ALLPRO battery system and new chainsaw designs at 2026 APF

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STIHL to debut ALLPRO battery system and new chainsaw designs at 2026 APF

STIHL is set to mark its 100th anniversary at the 2026 APF Exhibition with the public debut of its new ALLPRO battery system, showcases of its latest professional chainsaws, and exclusive previews of upcoming products.

STIHL to debut ALLPRO battery system and new chainsaw designs at 2026 APF

STIHL to debut ALLPRO battery system and new chainsaw designs at 2026 APF

The show, which takes place at the Ragley Estate in Warwickshire between 24th – 26th September 2026, is the UK’s largest trade exhibition dedicated to forestry, woodland, and arboriculture.

STIHL ALLPRO Battery System at APF Exhibition

Central to STIHL’s presence at the APF Exhibition will be the launch of its new ALLPRO battery system, engineered to provide increased power output, longer running times, and significantly longer service life, while maintaining the robust durability expected from STIHL products.

The system also introduces ultra-fast charging capabilities. When paired with the new AL 1802 MO charger, batteries can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in just nine minutes, helping to minimise downtime and maximise productivity on-site.

Alongside the new charger, visitors will also be able to see the PS 2000 Portable Power Supply, providing professional users with a complete battery ecosystem designed to keep forestry teams working for longer.

New STIHL chainsaw designs at APF Exhibition 

STIHL will also be showcasing a wide range of new tools at the APF Exhibition, including the petrol-operated MS 300 C-M, the best power-to-weight ratio of a 50 cm³ class chainsaw, engineered to reduce operator fatigue during felling, processing, and delimbing tasks.

In addition, visitors to the stand will be able to view the new MSA 260 C-O. Powered by the new ALLPRO battery system, the chainsaw combines high cutting performance with reduced operator fatigue during thinning and maintenance tasks.

STIHL 2027 chainsaw exclusive at APF Exhibition 

Visitors to the STIHL stand will get the chance to take a first look at its lineup of 2027 battery-powered chainsaw launches. Alongside these future innovations, STIHL will showcase a portfolio of historic chainsaws celebrating its 100-year heritage, as well as its Hexa saw chain cutting system.

STIHL at 100 

STIHL’s appearance at the APF exhibition takes place as the brand celebrates its 100th anniversary. Since 1926, STIHL has defined the global standard for battery and petrol-powered forestry, landscaping, and residential gardening equipment for professional and domestic users.

Find STIHL at APF Exhibition 

The STIHL team will be at Stands 140 – 180 & 610 – 650 throughout the duration of the event for product demonstrations, advice, and guidance on all STIHL machines.

For more information on STIHL products, visit www.stihl.co.uk or contact your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.

Find out more about STIHL’s historic milestone, here: https://100.stihl.com

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Automated robotic technology at the heart of Belfry preparations

Automated robotic technology at the heart of Belfry preparations

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Automated robotic technology at the heart of Belfry preparations

Husqvarna technology is playing a crucial role in preparing The Belfry’s iconic Brabazon Course for the 2026 Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, as the venue builds towards the arrival of the DP World Tour’s leading players from 26–30 August.

Automated robotic technology at the heart of Belfry preparations

Automated robotic technology at the heart of Belfry preparations

In the build-up to the championship, seven Husqvarna CEORA robotic mowers are maintaining the fairways of the four-time Ryder Cup venue, working consistently across the course to help produce the exacting standards required for elite tournament golf.

During the tournament week, Husqvarna will expand its operation considerably. A fleet of 15 CEORA robotic mowers will cut the championship fairways overnight, supported by a dedicated Husqvarna team working from 8pm until 6am. The team will transport the mowers to their designated fairways, oversee the overnight operation and collect the machines at the end of each shift.

Husqvarna CEORA, Automower® 580L and RELOX technology will also be deployed on the driving range, while a Husqvarna 535 AWD EPOS is maintaining the short game area to ensure the rough is always at optimal height for practice. Every machine used during the championship will be cleaned and calibrated daily, with blades changed each day to maintain consistent cutting performance throughout the event. The Belfry’s greenkeeping team is also using a comprehensive fleet of Husqvarna battery-powered handheld equipment, including leaf blowers, grass trimmers and hedge trimmers throughout its preparations. The brand-new Husqvarna 570iBT battery backpack blower will play an important role with 10 units being used to clear tees, bunkers and general course detailing.

The installation brings together autonomous mowing and professional battery technology as part of a modern, integrated approach to golf course maintenance. While robotic mowers deliver frequent and consistent cutting across large areas of turf, the handheld equipment supports the detailed work undertaken by the greenkeeping team around course furniture, including trees, bunkers and other areas that require a more precise finish.

The deployment also reduces reliance on conventional fossil fuel-powered equipment and provides the team access to quieter machinery with no direct exhaust emissions during use. This can help work to continue around golfers and other course operations with less disruption.

For Husqvarna, the installation provides a powerful demonstration of the company’s technology in action at the tournament for which it is Title Partner. Rather than being limited to branding around the event, Husqvarna products are directly supporting both the advance preparation of the course and its presentation throughout championship week. The dedicated overnight operation will put Husqvarna technology and technical expertise at the heart of maintaining the surfaces on which the tournament will be decided.

Andrew Lees, Global Segment Manager for Professional Robotics at Husqvarna, said: “The Husqvarna British Masters gives us an outstanding platform, but the most important story is what our technology is delivering on the ground. Our products are not simply being displayed at The Belfry, they are working every day alongside an exceptional greenkeeping team to help prepare one of the world’s most famous tournament courses.

“Following the success of our operation at Royal Porthcawl during the 2025 AIG Women’s Open, we are proud to bring the same level of tournament support to a very different venue. Every machine will be cleaned and calibrated and its blades changed daily, helping The Belfry present The Brabazon to a global audience at the first Husqvarna British Masters.”

Designed for large-scale professional turf management, CEORA uses satellite-based EPOS navigation to operate systematically within virtual boundaries. This produces accuracy to just 1cm, meaning fairways perimeters are delivered with high definition and confidence that the integrity of the fairway shape is maintained. CEORA’s autonomous operation allows mowing schedules and designated work areas to be managed digitally, giving course teams the flexibility to adapt cutting programmes around weather, playing schedules and operational requirements.

In the build-up to the event, the seven CEORA units at The Belfry regularly maintain the fairways without the need for a driver, supporting consistent turf presentation while freeing members of the greenkeeping team to concentrate on agronomic and detail-focused tasks elsewhere on the course. During the championship itself, fairway mowing will become a managed overnight tournament-support operation. Fifteen CEORA units will be transported to and from the fairways and overseen by Husqvarna personnel, allowing the fairways to be maintained outside playing hours while giving the tournament team daily oversight of machine condition and performance.

Husqvarna became Title Partner of the British Masters through a multi-year agreement announced earlier this year. The company is also the Official Robotic Mowing Partner of the DP World Tour, building on a partnership that has already demonstrated autonomous mowing technology on some of golf’s most prominent stages.

At the 2025 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, 15 Husqvarna CEORA robotic mowers cut the championship’s playing surfaces, marking the first time Husqvarna robotic mowers had performed this role at a major golf championship in the United Kingdom.

Hosted by six-time Major champion and Husqvarna Brand Ambassador Sir Nick Faldo, the 2026 Husqvarna British Masters will begin with the celebrity pro-am on Wednesday 26 August, followed by four days of championship play from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August.

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Redexim Overseeder Helps Pollok Golf Course

Redexim Overseeder Helps Pollok Golf Course

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Redexim Overseeder Helps Pollok Golf Course

When Chris McGhee took over as Course Manager at Pollok Golf Club in January, one of the first things he identified was the need to improve the heavily worn areas around the course.

Redexim Overseeder Helps Pollok Golf Course

Redexim Overseeder Helps Pollok Golf Course

Founded in 1892 and situated on the south side of Glasgow, Pollok Golf Club is a traditional, tree-lined members’ course with design influences from both James Braid and Alister MacKenzie. While its rich history is part of its charm, it also presents modern-day maintenance challenges.

“Being designed so long ago, the spaces between greens and tees are quite small,” explains Chris. “On newer courses you might walk 20, 50 or even 100 yards to the next tee. Most of our tees are right beside the greens, so those areas get heavily worn, especially through the winter.”

With an active membership that continues to play throughout the colder months, alongside increased traffic from trolleys and ride-on buggies, maintaining grass cover in these high-traffic areas is a constant battle.

“It was one of the main reasons I wanted an overseeder,” he says. “I wanted something that would help bring these areas back quicker and improve the quality and density of the turf.”

That search led Chris to the Redexim Overseeder 3D 1575.

Having previously used Redexim equipment, including a Verti-Drain and a Redexim dimple seeder during his time working in Norway, Chris already had confidence in the brand.

“I’d worked with pretty much all of the disc seeders on the market,” he says. “For me, the Redexim offered the right balance of ease of use, practicality and price. We have a lot of trees and a lot of manoeuvring to do around the course, and I felt the 1575 was the best fit for our needs.”

Purchased in March this year, the Overseeder 3D 1575 has quickly become a regular part of Pollok’s maintenance programme.

Designed for use across a wide range of surface types, the machine features a seed delivery mechanism with single-point adjustment, while durable discs cut precise grooves into the soil before a rear roller closes the groove and covers the seed. The result is accurate seed placement, excellent seed-to-soil contact and consistently strong germination rates. An adjustable seed aperture accommodates a variety of seed types, which can be easily adjusted to accommodate a variety of different seeds.

At Pollok, the machine has been deployed extensively across tees, aprons, walk-off areas, grass pathways and other worn sections of the course.

“In all honesty, we’ve used it everywhere apart from the greens,” says Chris. “The walk-off areas and paths have probably been the biggest focus because they’re the areas that suffer most from wear, but we’ve used it across the course.”

The results have been immediate.

“It’s been a really good investment,” he says. “The strike rate has been brilliant. We’re mainly using ryegrass in these areas to improve wear tolerance and the germination has been excellent. You can see the lines very clearly and they establish quickly. There’s very little seed waste as well.”

Ease of operation has also been a major advantage.

“We’ve all used it,” says Chris. “Everyone in the team has had a go setting it up and adjusting the sowing rates. The instruction manual includes a table that makes calibration very straightforward.

“The hopper size is another big benefit. It holds around three full bags of seed, which means we’re not constantly stopping to refill or carrying bags around the course.”

The improvements haven’t gone unnoticed by club members either.

“The members have definitely commented on it,” he says. “They like seeing the seed lines because it gives them a visual indication of what’s being done and where the investment is going. We regularly share photos of the germination and recovery work through our WhatsApp updates, and people have been really positive about the results.”

Support from local dealer Hamilton Ross Group and Redexim also helped ensure a smooth introduction to the machine.

“Allen Whellans from Redexim came out with Paul Johnstone when it was delivered,” says Chris. “The training was excellent. It was thorough, easy to understand and focused on exactly what we needed to know. We were confident using it straight away. We always get great support from Hamilton Ross.”

After several months of use, Chris has no hesitation in recommending the Overseeder 3D 1575 to other turf professionals.

“The ease of use, the strike rate, the hopper capacity and the compact storage all stand out,” he says. “It’s very well built, very well made and it does exactly what it’s meant to do. That’s the most important thing.”

For more information, visit https://www.redexim.com/uk/

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GroundTech automation delivers new levels of efficiency

GroundTech automation delivers new levels of efficiency

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GroundTech automation delivers new levels of efficiency

Romford’s Whalebone Golf Club is discovering the many benefits of automous maintenance following the installation of a completely automated driving range system from GroundTech. Director Ed Blacker notes that the combination of ECHO robotics and the innovative Drop Pit wash return system has been pivotal to consistent presentation of the range and central to the venues wider growth and development.

GroundTech automation delivers new levels of efficiency

GroundTech automation delivers new levels of efficiency

Acquired by its current owners in September 2025, Whalebone Golf Club is currently undergoing an exciting period of investment, with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for golfers of all ages and abilities. Central to achieving that ambition is maintaining a well-presented driving range and optimising the utilisation of the club’s greenkeepers.

“Our previous range set up presented a number of challenges” says Ed. “The entire range needed to be cleared before we could cut the grass, with the whole process taking valuable time away from the greenkeeping team’s daily responsibilities on the golf course.” After exploring available alternatives, Whalebone appointed robotic specialists GroundTech to install an ECHO RP1250 robotic ball picker, ECHO TM-1050 mower complete with deflection kit and the revolutionary Drop Pit wash return system – enabling ball collection and grass cutting to take place simultaneously and maintaining a constant supply of clean golf balls for the range.

A few short months after the installation, Ed says the set-up has transformed the upkeep of the busy range, which can see as many as 15,000 golf balls used in a single day. “We estimate we’re saving four or five hours of labour each day which can be redirected into more valuable work elsewhere around the site.”

The finish of the ECHO TM-1050 has also impressed. “We can cut in all conditions, maintaining presentation throughout the year which is vital for creating a good first impression. It makes a real difference to the customer experience hitting into an outfield that is well manicured and not covered in golf balls.”

Ed also praised the installation and support provided by the GroundTech team. “They offered a complete solution, from consultation and planning through to installation and full training. The team were efficient and friendly and, with minimal construction and groundworks needed, the whole project was completed very quickly, and we’re pleased with the outcome.”

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