ICL Appoints Philip Mayes as Technical Area Sales Manager

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ICL Appoints Philip Mayes as Technical Area Sales Manager: ICL Turf & Landscape has appointed Philip Mayes as Technical Area Sales Manager, South.

In this role, Philip will be responsible for supporting golf and sports clubs across southern counties, predominantly Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, and West Sussex, working closely with distributors, greenkeepers, and sports turf managers to provide technical guidance and tailored solutions.

ICL Appoints Philip Mayes as Technical Area Sales Manager

ICL Appoints Philip Mayes as Technical Area Sales Manager

Philip brings a wealth of experience in sports turf management, with a strong background in golf course maintenance and education. His career spans both the UK and the Middle East, where he has led high-profile projects in golf and sports turf. He holds an MSc in Horticulture (Sports Turf Management) from the University of Reading and a BSc Honours in Turfgrass Science and Golf Course Management from the University of Central Lancashire.

Philip’s UK-based experience is extensive. He spent 11 years as a senior lecturer and programme manager at Merrist Wood College, training future turf professionals in sports turf, landscaping, and grounds maintenance, as well as golf course architecture and construction. Additionally, he held the positions of Deputy Head Greenkeeper and Assistant Greenkeeper at golf clubs, alongside other turf management roles at various sporting venues.

His international experience includes working as Graduate Assistant Superintendent at The Old Collier Golf Club in Florida, and as Senior Sports Turf Manager and Project Manager in Doha, Qatar, where he oversaw the maintenance of five FIFA World Cup stadiums and training facilities before, during, and after the FIFA World Cup 2022. He also played a key role in developing a 430,000m² turf nursery to support the tournament’s pitch requirements. Prior to this, he worked in Dubai as a Project Manager and Training Manager, supporting major sports turf projects across the region.

Philip is also a keen golfer, enjoying the game whenever time allows, further strengthening his connection with the industry and his understanding of the needs of course managers. His hands-on experience in golf course maintenance, combined with his work in large-scale sports turf projects, means he is well-placed to help clubs optimise playing conditions while balancing sustainability and budgetary considerations.

Commenting on his new role, Philip said: “I’m excited to join ICL and help golf and sports clubs achieve the highest turf standards. With experience in golf course management, project execution, and education, I understand the challenges turf managers face. I’m looking forward to offering practical, research-driven solutions that improve playing surfaces.”

Andrew Pledger, Sales & Business Development Manager – UK South, welcomed Philip to the team, saying: “Philip’s extensive experience in both the UK and international turf sectors adds significant value to ICL and the turf industry. His technical expertise, coupled with his hands-on approach, will be a great asset to our customers.”

Philip’s appointment highlights ICL’s ongoing commitment to delivering expert technical support and innovative solutions to the golf industry. By working closely with both distributors and sports clubs, he will ensure that turf managers receive insights that go beyond standard sales calls—providing actionable, research-based guidance that enhances long-term turf performance.

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

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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First Toro international master salesperson award

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First Toro international master salesperson award: Richard Wood from Reesink South East has been named Toro International Master Salesperson by Toro. This is the first time Toro has presented such an award outside the USA and only three are awarded a year globally.

Amy Dahl, Vice President of International Business at The Toro Company, presented the award to Richard under the guise of a launch event at BTME, with the Reesink UK team and an extensive Toro international team present.

First Toro international master salesperson award

First Toro international master salesperson award

She says: “We looked at all salespeople across the international division. Richard’s passion for the Toro products and his customers have seen him achieve over 50 percent market share in his area. With 30 years’ experience in the industry and 12 years at Reesink, he fits all the criteria for this prestigious award.”

The Toro International Master Salesperson of the Year Award is more than just an acknowledgment of high sales; it is a recognition of the ability to understand and anticipate the needs of customers.

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “Richard is consistent with his sales and has grown market share in what is a very competitive area. His customers feel he goes the extra mile for them every day. It probably hasn’t sunk in for him yet how much of a big deal this is globally.”

Richard’s three decades of experience prior to Reesink Turfcare come from dealer JSM, four years selling amenity chemicals and fertilisers for Sheriff Amenity, and before that sales jobs for other competitive turfcare machinery manufacturers.

Richard says winning was a huge surprise: “Winning this award really was totally unexpected – I was shocked! It’s done as part of a team with my depot at Sheffield Park and it’s going to be exciting sharing the news with everyone.”

Amy says: “Richard is so humble. I know he says he just goes out and does his job, but he couldn’t be more deserving.”

The last word goes to Alastair Rowell, Managing Director of Reesink UK, who talks about the pride he and the company have in Richard’s achievement.

“Richard has an obvious passion for the Toro products and his customers and makes a valuable contribution to the industry,” he says. “He goes above and beyond in his job and his work and it’s this commitment that has resulted in sales excellence and customer satisfaction for so many years. He’s done himself and the company incredibly proud, and I am proud to be his boss.”

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Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

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Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager: DLF are pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Morgan as their new Regional Amenity Technical Manager for the North East.

With more than two decades of hands-on experience in the turf industry, Ben is well placed to support customers across the DLF portfolio of brands on grass seed selection and sustainable surface management.

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

Driven by a sense of accomplishment in growing businesses and solving challenges, Ben is a true professional who takes pride in every blade of grass he nurtures – and having been in the industry for 24 years, that’s a lot of blades! During his tenure as a Consultant Agronomist for the STRI Group, Ben developed a deep technical knowledge and understanding which was combined with a genuine passion for sustainable turfgrass management. Holding a BSc (Hons) and a Foundation Degree in Sustainable Turfgrass Management, along with BASIS and FACTS certifications, he’s built an impressive career across technical sales roles within Countrywide, AGS and Origin.

Ben’s expertise extends beyond the theory, with years of ‘on-the-tool’ greenkeeping work in both the UK and USA under his belt. His career highlights include working at prestigious sites such as St Andrews’ The Old Course and Pinehurst Golf Resort in North Carolina USA. Whether as a greenkeeper or an agronomist, Ben has cultivated a reputation for delivering results and tackling turfgrass challenges, with a firm belief that seed holds the key to many future solutions.

On his new position, Ben comments, “As a self-confessed turf enthusiast, working with the team at DLF was an opportunity I could not turn down. The incredible research and development taking place across DLF’s global breeder network puts us in great stead to provide the right solutions for our customers now and long into the future. I look forward to hitting the road and helping facilities across the sporting spectrum to make informed, tailored decisions on their seed selection over the coming months and years.”

When not ‘talking turf’, Ben enjoys a range of different hobbies. You’ll often find him fishing for barbel on the River Derwent or tending to his 15 colonies of bees. A black belt in kickboxing, he balances a love for precision and discipline with an appreciation for light-hearted banter with colleagues, customers and friends.

Ben can be contacted on 07801 459623 or via email on Ben.Morgan@dlf.com

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Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001 

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John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to award John Ledwidge Pioneer Mark #001 in recognition of his contributions to the industry.

The ‘Pioneer Legacy’ initiative celebrates individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry through the GMA’s NextGen group, formerly known as the GMA Young Board.

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001

Pioneer Mark

Each Pioneer Mark is uniquely numbered and represents the individual’s contribution to supporting the next generation of grounds people.

The presentation of John’s award is particularly timely during National Apprenticeship Week, which highlights the crucial role apprenticeships play in creating career pathways in the industry.

Ledwidge, himself, began his career as an apprentice at Coventry City Football Club and, after 18 months away, returned as Grounds Manager where he was also part of the first GMA Young Board cohort between 2011-2014.

As the group’s inaugural chair, he played a key role in laying the foundations for its evolution into GMA NextGen which supports and develops emerging talent within the industry.

Since his time with the Young Board, Ledwidge has progressed through senior positions at Leicester City Football Club and is now Head of Grounds and Landscapes at Manchester City Football Club.

What they said

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications and Marketing at the GMA, said: “John’s journey not only with the GMA but within the industry highlights his dedication to the profession and his ability to inspire meaningful change.

As the first chair of the Young Board, he showed great leadership that set the foundation for GMA NextGen. Seeing his achievements recognised with Pioneer Mark #001 is a proud moment for everyone who has worked alongside him.”

Commenting on the award, John Ledwidge said: “It is a genuine honour to be awarded with the #001 pioneer mark from the GMA. As the first chair of the young board and part of the founding group, we created something that had never been done before, hopefully laying the foundations for today’s NextGen group to continue the legacy we left.

Personally, I feel we all have a responsibility to encourage and develop new and emerging talent and to share our knowledge and expertise with them. I have always been proud of what I do and will always be grateful for the opportunities this wonderful industry has given me and my family, so it is such a pleasure to receive this recognition from the GMA.”

For more information about the Pioneer Legacy initiative or GMA NextGen, please visit thegma.org.uk/who/ambassadors/.

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Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

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Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA: The Toro Company is pleased to announce that Richard Walne has been named managing director of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for its International Business. In his new role, Walne will have leadership responsibility for the company’s equipment and water businesses in the region with a focus on advancing strategic customer priorities, strengthening its market positions and evolving the portfolio of innovative solutions.

Walne’s impressive career at The Toro Company spans 45 years, during which he has held various roles across the International Business. His journey with Toro began as a technical representative in Europe and from there he has had responsibilities around the world. He held senior marketing and product development roles in the United States, demonstrating great versatility and leadership. He then transitioned to the Asia Pacific, Australia and China (APAC) region, ultimately serving as managing director, APAC, a position he had held since 2000. With a deep passion for helping customers and a proven ability to inspire teams, Walne has made significant contributions to Toro’s growth and success throughout his career which he now brings to the EMEA region.

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

Well-known and respected in the golf and premium sport markets for his extensive product knowledge and expertise, Walne played a key role in founding the Asian Golf Industry Federation and continues to drive education as chairperson of the Certificate in Greenkeeping Committee. A passionate supporter of Variety, The Children’s Charity, Walne has participated in the Annual Variety Bash since 2001, raising significant amounts to help children in South Australia who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disability.

“Richard’s industry knowledge and impressive career at The Toro Company have been nothing short of exceptional,” said Amy Dahl, vice president, International at The Toro Company. “His contributions have significantly shaped our international business across the globe, and his dedication to our customers and teams is unparalleled. We are thrilled that Richard is moving into this role and are confident that he will help expand our market leadership and accelerate growth in this region moving forward.”

Walne will relocate to the United Kingdom over the next few months, marking a return to where he first began his storied career with The Toro Company.

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