Turf News is the perfect place for professionals working within the UK’s vibrant turf industry – keeping you up-to-date with topical news, latest market developments and much more across all areas of the industry.
NEWS ARTICLES

EZGO newcomers for The Royal Burgess Golfing Society

/in , /by

EZGO newcomers for The Royal Burgess Golfing Society: The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh has welcomed eight electric EZGO RXV Elite golf carts, fitted with the latest Pace GPS System technology.

Each of the two-seater carts is liveried in the Society’s distinctive branding and features Lithium technology by Samsung.

EZGO newcomers for The Royal Burgess Golfing Society

EZGO newcomers for The Royal Burgess Golfing Society

Light, compact and whisper-quiet, the carts are nimble and kind to the turf of the Barnton club in Edinburgh, that rather uniquely, can chart its history over 280 years.

Chris Yeoman, The Royal Burgess Golfing Society’s Course Manager said:

“These new carts have been so well received by our members, guests and visitors that already we plan to add more in the future.  I’m really happy with everything.

“Steve Alabaster from EZGO was invaluable throughout the installation with his help and knowledge, while Rob Hogarth, at dealer Fairways GM, conducted the purchase and delivery aspect smoothly and promptly.”

Giving a fantastic ride experience the EZGO vehicles have road-style pedals and a built-in parking brake. An enormous ‘bag well’ allows golfers easy access and huge space to store their bags and clubs.

However, it is their Pace Technology, the on-board dashboard display that makes them extra special. The high-definition screen system gives the golfer accurate course data, as well as the smoothest and effortless way to travel.

Our picture shows, Rob Hogarth, Fairways GM, Sales & Business Manager, left, with Chris Yeoman, Course Manager, The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, right.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Win a Union Jack Turf Tank robot at GroundsFest

/in , , /by

Win a Union Jack Turf Tank robot at GroundsFest: Turf Tank is returning to GroundsFest with the industry’s leading autonomous line-marking robot on stand OSA481.

Attendees will be able to experience Turf Tank Two live, with the robot regularly marking out pitches over the two days at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. The Turf Tank UK and Ireland team will be on hand to discuss the technology, its benefits, and how it can make a grounds operation more efficient.

In addition to live demonstrations and the opportunity to speak to the Turf Tank team, attendees who visit the Turf Tank stand will also have the chance to win a Union Jack Turf Tank robot for a year! Details on how to enter will be available on stand OSA481.

A Turf Tank robot can address labour shortages, save time, or bring consistency, but for Galaxy Sports Little Kerse, a 35-acre site in Falkirk, Scotland, with 11 pitches ranging from 11-a-side grass to full-size 3G and astroturf 6-a-side pods, matching precision line marking with sustainability was the aim.

“The Turf Tank runs on a completely carbon-neutral site; it’s all on green energy,” Operations Manager Sean explained. “The energy that charges the Turf Tank batteries comes from the sun that’s shining today, so it’s a fantastic example of our sustainability and priorities at Galaxy Sports Little Kerse for the way forward.

“We used to go out and manually mark the pitches, but we realised we weren’t meeting the standard we wanted. Now, the lines are night and day. They’re a great standard, and the precision of the Turf Tank is fantastic. We’re over the moon with it, and it’s definitely saved us hours on end. We probably mark lines now for half a day and only mark out what we need, so we’re saving paint and time.”

While overall efficiency is an important aspect of the Turf Tank, its positive impact on turf teams has also been highlighted. At Dollar Academy, a co-educational day and boarding school at the base of the Ochil Hills in Scotland, Head of Grounds John Vaughan-Davis and his team have experienced an improvement in their mental health since using the robot.

“I think the mental health of our team has improved because of the Turf Tank,” John begins. “Historically, leading up to athletics marking, initial rugby marking, and football initial markings, there’s always been a bit of anxiety, a bit of stress, and it was a really, really anxious environment to be around.

“Now that we’ve got the Turf Tank, it’s completely changed the team’s mindset. It’s gone from being tense to just relaxed and having faith and trust in the Turf Tank. It just eased everyone’s concerns. It’s made a much better working environment for all of us leading up to those points by removing an added stress and taking it away.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest

/in , , /by

Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest: Foley Company’s UK and Ireland distributor, ProSport UK Ltd, will be on stand OSA540 at GroundsFest 2024, demonstrating the unrivalled benefits of relief grinding and the new floor level Foley 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder.

Foley’s automated Accu-Pro 633 cylinder grinder and Accu-Pro 672 bedknife grinder will be in action across the two days, allowing people to experience the whole process from setup to the finished product.

Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest

Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest

The automated features on the Accu-Pro 633 provide a step-by-step tutorial for new technicians and a quicker setup and spin grind feature for the more experienced operators. You tell the machine what you’re working on, and it automatically spin or relief grinds to completion. Pre-programmed spin speeds, relief torque, and in-feeds are only a few features in the ACCU-Touch 3 system that ensure efficiency and guarantee a quality grind with every use.

Joining the two machines will be Foley’s new floor level 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder. The new grinder is designed to accommodate the widest of mower cylinders and is a simple roll-on roll-off solution to grinding, with the machine sitting at floor level. The roll-on roll-off solution removes the need for heavy lifting facilities, revolutionizing how equipment managers view touch-up spin grinding.

It offers a fast, easy-operated option for providing a quick touch-up spin between regular relief grinding schedules, and is a solution for sharpening the extra wide, heavy mowers used on sports fields/pitches. The Foley 642 Quick-Spin features simple to use controls, counter balanced spin drive, patented front and rear clamping system for pedestrian mowers, and power rear positioning levers for cylinders. It will accept up to 42-inch reel width and operates on 240v/15a power.

Speaking about the machine, Foley President and CEO Paul Rauker said: “The 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder is the first of its kind, and I’m delighted to acknowledge the significance of our latest development. It is a machine that will appeal to all grounds professionals who are looking to improve the performance and efficiency of their grinding programs. As the leading manufacturer of grinding equipment, Foley is once again leading the way in grinding technology. We have developed and patented simple to use controls to save time without compromising on performance.

“The patented clamping system effortlessly secures any cutting unit in all configurations, and the roller clamp is adjustable for any variety of rollers and groomers. This machine really will change the way we look at grinding in the future.”

ProSport UK Ltd’s Ian Robson will run demonstrations throughout both days of GroundsFest and be available to discuss any questions or requirements.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Campey Returns to GroundsFest 2024

/in , , /by

Campey Returns to GroundsFest 2024: Campey Turf Care Systems are returning to GroundsFest with a top-tier lineup of machines, including the Imants ShockWave, Dakota Turf Tender, Foley Company Air2G2 336, and Campey UNIRAKE©, which are all poised for live demonstrations.

GroundsFest’s blend of outdoor and indoor stands provides an ideal platform for Campey to offer visitors hands-on insights into the operation and benefits of their machines. Reflecting on last year’s event, Campey Turf Care Director Lee Morgado commented:

Campey Returns to GroundsFest 2024

Campey Returns to GroundsFest 2024

“GroundsFest prioritises the visitor experience, and live demos are a key component. Showing the equipment in action is invaluable, and it allows us to solve more problems for people on the stand because they can physically see what our solutions can do.

“We can demonstrate performance, operational ease, and expected results, and that really allows us to engage with customers more effectively.”

Campey Machines in Action

For 2024, Campey has selected a diverse array of maintenance machines that cover aeration, top-dressing and surface grooming. The UNIRAKE© stands out for its versatility in managing organic matter. Users can easily adjust the grooming severity to remove varying amounts of material or to stand the sward up for growth, with adjustments taking less than 30 seconds.

Wide Area and Focused Aeration

The Imants ShockWave will demonstrate wide-area aeration. Renowned as the best linear compactor for heavily used areas, it revitalises fine turf and sports fields by alleviating soil compaction, enhancing aeration, and removing surface water, all with minimal surface disruption to ensure quick and safe play resumption.

For reactive, preventative and routine aeration on smaller or concentrated areas, the Foley Air2G2 336 remains the leading pedestrian aerator. Its ability to deliver instant results and allow immediate play has cemented its place in the industry since its debut and the chance to see it in action shouldn’t be missed.

Precision Topdressing

Dakota Turf Tenders are renowned for their consistency and infinite adjustment set-up. With a model for every application, it is the best top-dressing option in every situation.

Electric control boxes enable users to set and adjust the spread width precisely, ensuring an optimal application every time while spreading wet or dry material. Getting hands-on with the controls of this machine is a fantastic opportunity to see how it can benefit your own operation.

Precision Overseeding

For areas needing overseeding where it is not possible to work with large machines, the Vredo Turf Buddy is the perfect fit. Designed for small repairs on sports fields and golf courses, the Vredo Turf Buddy is known for its precision overseeding with its slit seeding operation. It is an essential piece of equipment for improving and maintaining the quality of grass surfaces on golf courses, sports fields, and other similar areas.

For even more targeted seeding post-game, the new Campey Seed Shot deposits a precise quantity of seed into the soil for optimal germination rates.

Campey Specialists for Expert Advice

Regardless of what turf you manage, a Campey product specialist will be on hand to provide expert advice, talk turf or give live demonstrations during the two-day event.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

/in , /by

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries. The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

The Amenity Forum competition, supported by ICL and Syngenta, seeks to share guidance and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The Awards’ finalists will be announced at the Amenity Forum Conference on 10 October, with the overall winner presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME in January 2025.

All ASOOTY applicants will also be entered into a competition to win one of five Syngenta Sprayer Calibration & Application Kits.  BASIS CPD points for participating in the awards have been applied for.

Along with assessing operators’ skills of spray application and use of products, the ASOOTY judging panel also now incorporate the importance of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to any issues involving turf and landscape maintenance.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2024 Awards, Amenity Forum Chairman, Ian Graham, announced: “This competition seeks to highlight the remarkable talent that exists within our sector, and I encourage as many spray operators as possible to engage with the process.

“Our industry has many highly skilled spray operators working within it, using a diverse range of products accurately applied through a huge range of complex application equipment. The environments in which these applications take place can also be varied and are often challenging.”

Amenity businesses and sports turf managers are urged to actively encourage their sprayer operators to enter the awards this year. “Past winners have ably demonstrated the professional approach to meeting  these challenges, and I very much look forward to meeting the finalists at the Amenity Forum Conference.”

Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, highlighted: “The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications is essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry.

“The ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience,” he says.

“For the best possible results, today’s professional sprayer operators must also fully understand the wider aspects of why an application is being made, and what other integrated options they can also employ for better long-term management of potential problems.”

Last year’s winner, Dan Waring, professional spray technician at JCB Golf and Country Club in Uttoxeter, encourages all sprayer operators to get involved and enter the ASOOTY Awards.

A keen advocate of the Awards, Dan would urge all sprayer operators to take every opportunity to gain more knowledge on the products being used and the latest application technology. “That will enable people to be more confident in what they are doing, and give the spray tech’s role the credit it deserves,” he says.

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative, with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it provides a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application across the amenity sector,” he points out.

This year the entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector through an initial on-line question form, including questions to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

“We’re looking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application.”

Entries to the ASOOTY Awards 2024 closes on Friday 13 September. The on-line entry form is available at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CTF76GD

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.