Greenkeeping Award For Gregg Hood

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Greenkeeping Award For Gregg Hood: Trainee greenkeeper Gregg Hood has been crowned SRUC Elmwood’s annual John Deere HNC Student of the Year, after making a career change in is early 40s. Greg won the award, sponsored by John Deere and Scottish turf dealer Double A, for a conscientious and enthusiastic approach to his programme of studies during the 2017/2018 academic year.

Born and bred in Glasgow, Gregg had a successful career as a qualified accountant and then a mortgage broker before making the jump into greenkeeping at the age of 42. “It was one of those life changing decisions that I just had to make,” he says. “I had thought for a couple of years that it was time for a change. I’ve always loved my golf, and thought it was a great environment to work in. I was also interested in how golf courses are put together, how they’re looked after and made to look so good.

Greenkeeping Award For Gregg Hood

“My partner Lisa was very supportive, so I finally left work in June 2017 and applied to the SRUC, having been in contact with Elmwood’s greenkeeping coordinator Mike Clark for a year or so before that. We agreed that the HNC in Golf Course Management would be the best entry level course for me, combined with volunteering on a golf course to get some practical experience.”

That golf course turned out to be St Andrews Links, where Gregg started volunteering two days a week from September 2017, about two weeks after starting the course. “It’s been fantastic, and course manager Kevin Muir and his team couldn’t have been more helpful. Everyone’s been very happy to give me the benefit of their time and knowledge, so it’s been an absolutely brilliant opportunity.

“Going in I was obviously a little apprehensive about my age, but both Mike and Kevin said if you show a good attitude and you’re there to learn, then as long as you can do the work and be a part of the team, there are no issues. I haven’t given it another thought since.

“I’ve never been part of anything like this before, certainly not in accountancy, where there’s always that element of competition, even when you’re working in a team. The only competition on a golf course is to improve your skills and make yourself a better greenkeeper. People at St Andrews Links and the college are really impressive, and all round I’ve found it to be a very encouraging environment to work in – I’m still very excited by it all.

“I’m now a BIGGA member and contracted at St Andrews Links until November 2018, and if a permanent position became available then I’d definitely apply. If not then I might try a warm weather grass course abroad over the winter months. Ultimately I would like to hone my skills and get more experience, including tournaments at other courses.”

Course tutor Paul Miller, who is based at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Cupar, Fife, adds: “Gregg’s decision to change career was made after a great deal of research, preparation and consideration of all the implications. This thoroughness of preparation soon became evident in his course work, which he produced most conscientiously and to a very high standard right from day one – his commitment to making the most of the learning opportunity was impressive.

“Quickly realising that he would also need to build up his practical skills and his industry networking, Gregg volunteered to work at St Andrews Links, again demonstrating his enthusiasm and willingness to learn in that environment as well as in the classroom. He also applied for and was successful in gaining an R&A Greenkeeping Scholarship through SRUC.

“Having also secured a seasonal position on St Andrews Links, Gregg’s development continues apace. We all look forward to watching his growth in the industry and the contribution that he will make to greenkeeping as his career progresses.”

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.co.uk

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Ariens’ New Director of Sales EMEAA

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Ariens’ New Director of Sales EMEAA: Ariens Company  can confirm the appointment of Jackie Williams to the role of Director of Sales EMEAA. She will be coming into the role to succeed John Horn, who will be retiring from the Ariens Company at the end of 2018. Jackie, who will report to Vice President of EMEAA, Darren Spencer, brings a wealth of experience to the company and will assume responsibility for sales and distribution of Ariens products through Ariens subsidiaries located in the U.K. and Norway, and Ariens fifty plus distribution partners worldwide. 

Jackie joins Ariens having built a successful career over twenty-five years in international sales and distribution management.

Ariens' New Director of Sales EMEAA

“We’re very pleased to have Jackie become part of the Ariens Company team,” says Darren Spencer, “she brings vast experience of multi-channel product sales and distribution across all continents, at an exciting time in the development of Ariens’ EMEAA expansion.”

Reporting in turn to Jackie will be Ariens European Sales Manager, Massimo Caner, Matt Wilson, UK Sales Manager and Scandinavia General Manager Frank Brenn. Jackie’s previous role was International Sales Director of Derwent, a division of ACCO UK Ltd, achieving year on year growth in sales and profitability. She holds post-graduate diplomas in Marketing, Export Marketing and Business Studies & Finance, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Ariens Company is a family owned business that has built a reputation for engineering excellence, manufacturing Ariens products in the US since 1933. The fundamental principle driving the design of every Ariens product remains the same today: building hard-working, reliable tools that are passed on from generation to generation.

Ariens Company Limited manufactures the Countax and Westwood garden tractors. The business also distributes ECHO outdoor power tools and the Ariens lawn, garden and snow products through a network of UK dealers.

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EcoBunker’s North America Arrangements

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EcoBunker’s North America Arrangements: EcoBunker, a global market leader in synthetic bunker edge construction, is making a number of changes to its distribution arrangements in North America.

From June 2016 until this month, EcoBunker marketed in the US exclusively via Binghampton, NY-based IVI Golf, the supplier of the well-known Sandtrapper bunker liner, with the product renamed PermaEdge. That exclusive arrangement has now lapsed, with EcoBunker now selling direct into the US and Canadian markets, and, to give full coverage across North American, is appointing new distributor and agents. The first of these is a new agent, George Fry, formerly superintendent of Kiawah Island’s Ocean course, covering Georgia and the Carolinas. Another appointment, to cover Canada, is Jay Morgan, a specialist in erosion control products, based into Ontario.

EcoBunker's North America Arrangements

“Opportunities exist for individuals and organisations to represent EcoBunker across North American, and we will be delighted to hear from interested parties,” said Richard Allen, EcoBunker’s CEO. “We have learned that the size and complexity of the American market needs widespread representation, and so we plan to build a substantial distribution network.”

Allen continued: “We have always maintained a presence of our own in the US – some of our best projects, such as at the Medalist club in Hobe Sound, Florida, and Secession GC, in Beaufort, South Carolina, have been won and delivered that way. But, as our business grows, and our brand becomes known across the world, it is important for us to have better control over our operations in the world’s largest and most dynamic golf market. From now on, we will operate solely under the EcoBunker brand in all geographies.”

Between 150 and 200 courses globally have now installed the EcoBunker solution.

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STRI Expands Ecology Team

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STRI Expands Ecology Team: The STRI Group has appointed a new consultant to their UK team in order to strengthen ecology services.

Rowan Rumball joins STRI as ecological consultant with six years commercial experience in the industry. Rowan has a Masters degree in conservation from the University of Lancaster, and previously worked at AECOM as a bat and great crested newt specialist.

STRI Expands Ecology Team

He has a wide range of experience working on both small to large scale projects such as High Speed 2, North Wales Connect and the M6 Smart Motorways, conducting European protected species surveys and data management.

Bob Taylor, head of ecology and environment, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rowan to our team of chartered ecologists, where his specialist knowledge and extensive project experience will be of major benefit to our diverse client group in the sports industry.”

Speaking about his appointment, Rowan, said: “I am very excited to have joined STRI as the new ecology consultant. After a walk around the office and talking to a lot of my new work colleagues I can see myself getting involved in lots of interesting projects. STRI will give me the opportunity to use my specialist skills in a direct and practical way on projects that make an immediate positive change to the conservation of a site.

“The most important lesson I have learnt in my career so far is that it is very rare for there to be no solution that is not beneficial for both the client and nature, whether that is in terms of abundance, diversity or habitat creation. I am looking forward to working with new clients and colleagues to find sustainable solutions and promoting ecological best practice in the sportsturf industry.”

STRI has expanded in the last five years to provide ecological and environmental services to the global sport, amenity and aviation industries. Their ecology consultants administer the annual Golf Environment Awards and are official verifiers for GEO (Golf Environment Organization). They work with elite sport governing bodies such as the R&A, for whom they are engaged as official ecological consultants to The Open Championship and Open Qualifier venues.

Rowan will be presenting a station at STRI Research 2018 on 19 and 20 September. Places are available by email info@strigroup.com or by calling +44 (0) 1274 565131.

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Pitchworks Grow With New Area Manager

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Pitchworks Grow With New Area Manager: Pitchworks, market specialists in supplying superior ground equipment and products to the sports industry, have confirmed the appointment of Lee Williams as its new Area Manager. Lee’s role will involve covering North Wales, Shropshire, Merseyside, Cheshire and surrounding areas.

Founded in 1993 by former Manchester United FC player Garry Worrall, Pitchworks has significantly grown in size and reputation over recent years.

Pitchworks Grow With New Area Manager

The company prides itself on its commitment to develop close customer relationships which are created through its dedicated sales representatives who provide in-depth one-to-one consultations.

Lee’s previous roles have included being the Head Groundsman at Rydal Penrhos School – a position which he held for 30 years. With experience in the polo industry as well, Lee is also a keen golfer and has represented the County of Flintshire.

As the company continues to grow, the appointment of Lee is another step in the right direction and continues to ensure that the Pitchworks team is perfectly placed to understand the daily demands faced by modern day groundsmen and greenkeepers.

Lee can be contacted at lee@pitchworks.co.uk

For more information please visit www.pitchworks.co.uk or call 0161 427 0857.

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