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Successful dealer days at Carden Park

Successful dealer days at Carden Park: Managers from some of the largest groundscare contractors in the UK and over 50 representatives from Ventrac’s UK dealer network attended demonstration days at the Carden Park Resort in Cheshire recently.

Hosted by the UK importer, Price Turfcare, the event was split into two days; the first day exclusively for contractors and the following day for the dealer staff.

Successful dealer days at Carden Park

Successful dealer days at Carden Park

This was the largest gathering of Ventrac equipment ever assembled in the UK and provided the Price Turfcare team with the opportunity to demonstrate to both groups that Ventrac is so much more than just a mower.

Both days followed a similar format with a mid-morning ‘meet & greet’ over coffee followed by a presentation on the Price Turfcare company and the Ventrac product offering from Managing Director Rupert Price. Following a light lunch, the afternoon sessions were dedicated to demonstrations of the numerous attachments in the Ventrac range and the opportunity for delegates to operate some of the equipment.

Interspersed between the demonstrations, there was the opportunity for delegates to use some of the extensive sporting facilities at Carden Park, which included axe throwing and archery. A convivial dinner completed each day.

Commenting at the conclusion of the second day, Rupert Price said,

“I was absolutely delighted with the success of the meeting. The first day was the ideal opportunity to demonstrate to the contractors present, some of them existing customers, that Ventrac is much more than a mower. It’s a multi-tool with a wide range of attachments that can add definitely add value to their business. We had eight tractor units and over 20 attachments and it was the biggest gathering of equipment we’ve ever had at one location.

“The second day was the first time, since we launched the business back in 2017, that we were able get our UK dealers together. We have had unprecedented success with this product, in fact there are now well over 400 machines operating in the UK today. Many of the dealer staff present have sold multiple machines and I wanted to remind some of the others that this a unique piece of equipment and once demonstrated, there’s a high percentage of a sale. It was also an opportunity for some fun, with axe throwing and archery proving particularly popular. Thankfully we had no casualties!

“Carden Park was the ideal venue and Peter Pattenden, the Golf Courses and Estate Manager, and his team were very accommodating in allowing us to use their facilities. They could not have been more helpful and they allowed us to use the trencher, stump grinder and power rake; pieces of equipment that are quite aggressive, enabling some of the delegates to see them in action for the first time.

“All in all, a very successful couple of days.”

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BIGGA relaunches Your Course

BIGGA relaunches Your Course: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has relaunched Your Course – the magazine that invites golfers to gain a deeper appreciation of what preparing and maintaining a golf course really involves.

Your Course is a twice-yearly print offering produced by BIGGA, the UK’s membership association for golf greenkeepers, in collaboration with 18 Players, the golf publishing specialists who also produce BIGGA’s monthly journal, Greenkeeper International.

BIGGA relaunches Your Course

BIGGA relaunches Your Course

With copies landing in golf clubs in spring and late summer each year, Your Course explores the most relevant topics relating to golf course management. In forthcoming issues, the maintenance of bunkers, greens and water hazards will be tackled alongside cutting-edge features on climate change, autonomous mowers, technology and legislative challenges.

This will create an ever-growing resource that informs golfers about what it takes to maintain a modern golf course and the challenges faced by the greenkeepers at their own facility.

Golfing venues of all shapes and sizes across the UK will be featured, with a clear message that every golf course is different but that well-supported greenkeepers have both the training and knowledge to present outstanding playing surfaces.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Campaigning on our members’ behalf is one of BIGGA’s key mission statements and we found Your Course to be an extremely effective tool when it was introduced back in 2018. I am delighted that with the support of our publishing partners at 18 Players, we are now able to reintroduce Your Course to golf facilities across the UK. I hope the print product and growing online database again become a valuable resource for anyone interested in what goes on behind the scenes at a modern golf course.”

Dan Murphy, Director at 18Players, said: “We are proud to work with BIGGA and we relish the opportunity to work on Your Course again and help to share greenkeeping expertise in a way that resonates with golfers.”

The lead feature in the relaunch edition is a fascinating conversation with the Ryder Cup player turned television personality Ken Brown, who worked as a greenkeeper early in his career, and offers some fascinating and forthright insight from his lifetime in the game.

Alongside the print magazine, BIGGA is building a database of articles and other resources that are intended to be read by golfers and shared by those interested in the industry, as a means of raising awareness for the activities of greenkeepers. This content can be viewed under the Resources tab of the BIGGA website, www.bigga.org.uk. 18 Players will also share the content directly with a consumer audience via their flagship website www.nationalclubgolfer.com under the Club banner.

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Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX

Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX: Visitors to the Mansfield Sand stand (E150) at SALTEX 2024, taking place on 30 and 31 October at the NEC, Birmingham, will have the opportunity to explore a comprehensive range of sand-based products designed to enhance the health and performance of sports pitches.

With over 170 years of expertise, Mansfield Sand has been at the forefront of developing premium silica sand-based products. The company offers a wide array of innovative solutions for sports, landscaping, and equestrian applications, including stadium and training ground facilities, championship golf courses, and world-class show jumping arenas.

Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX

Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX

At SALTEX, Mansfield Sand’s industry experts will be available to discuss how their products can transform your sports turf projects. Key products on display will include:

Reinforced Rootzone

Mansfield Sand’s Reinforced Rootzones are engineered to maximize the use of natural turf surfaces while meeting the high standards required by today’s sports industry. The reinforcement technology used in these products provides enhanced stability and durability, ensuring that sand-dominated rootzones remain free-draining and consistent across the entire surface.

The range includes:

Fibre Reinforced Rootzone – reinforced with polypropylene fibres for added strength.

Fibrelastic Rootzone – combines polypropylene fibres with flexible Elastane fibres to enhance surface resilience.

Fibresand – ideal for maintaining surface integrity when grass cover is reduced due to heavy usage or winter wear.

Sand Soil Rootzones

Mansfield Sand is dedicated to helping turf managers achieve the ideal surface condition week after week. Their Sand Soil Rootzones are crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring exceptional results whether used for renovation or construction. The Mansil 40 Silica Sand blended with screened topsoil creates an optimal rootzone foundation.

Sand Compost Rootzones

For projects requiring a rootzone rich in organic content, Mansfield Sand offers a range of premium sand compost blends. These products are designed to retain nutrients and enhance drought resistance, promoting healthier, more resilient turf.

Top Dressing

Tailored for the fine turf market, Mansfield Sand’s Soil Top Dressing combines their superior silica sands with top-quality soils. The mixture is sterilised and screened to create a smooth, stone-free dressing that is easy to apply. Custom dressing blends and soil amendments are also available to meet specific turf management needs.

Mansil Silica Sand Sports Range

Mansfield Sand’s Mansil range of silica sands, sourced from their Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, is essential for constructing and maintaining a variety of sports surfaces, from winter sports pitches and golf courses to bowling greens and other amenity turf areas.

For more information, visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk , follow them on Twitter at @MansfieldSand, or connect on Facebook at Mansfield Sand Sport Surfaces.

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Experience the Jupiter ATI Grinder at SALTEX

Experience the Jupiter ATI Grinder at SALTEX: Hunter Grinders, part of the Howardson Group, is thrilled to announce its participation at SALTEX 2024, where it will be showcasing the enhanced Jupiter ATI ‘All-in-One’ Grinder.

The Jupiter ATI Series 5 is a fully automatic relief spin grinder, designed to deliver top-notch precision and consistency in every grind. It features automatic traverse, indexing, and in-feed capabilities, ensuring each operation meets the highest standards of accuracy.

Experience the Jupiter ATI Grinder at SALTEX

Experience the Jupiter ATI Grinder at SALTEX

Key Features of the Jupiter ATI Series:

Fully Automatic Operation: Operates independently, allowing for multitasking and increased efficiency.

Precision Grinding: Meets original manufacturer’s specifications for both cylinders and bottom blades.

Stable and Accurate: Equipped with a cast bed and heavy-duty linear bed rails, ensuring precise grinding.

Operator Safety and Comfort: Liquid coolant system minimises airborne dust and heat, enhancing operator comfort and safety.

Versatile Tool: Includes a 360-degree electric 200kg hoist for additional heavy lifting tasks in the workshop.

Comprehensive Capabilities: Grinds top and front faces of the bottom blade, measures cylinder shaft data, and supports up to a 1067mm (42”) cylinder & bottom blade capacity.

Programmable Grinding: Fully programmable for relief and spin grinding, featuring automatic wheel head docking and cycle countdown.

Robust Construction: Built with a cast bed, liquid coolant system, 240-volt power supply, linear bed rails with self-adjusting bearings, and a slow/soft start spin grinding motor.

Versatile: Capable of sharpening bottom, chipper, rotary and flail blades.

Visit Hunter Grinders at Stand E070 to see how the Jupiter ATI Series 5 can elevate your grinding operations to the next level.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Hunter Grinders on 01332 824 777 or visit www.huntergrinders.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Hunter Grinders on Twitter and Instagram @huntergrinders and like the company’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/HunterGrinders/

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An Impressive Lineup from SISIS at SALTEX

An Impressive Lineup from SISIS at SALTEX: At this year’s SALTEX, SISIS (Stand E082) will present an impressive lineup of turf maintenance equipment, each designed to address specific needs in the care of sports pitches, golf courses, and other fine turf areas.

Here’s a closer look at the standout products that will be on display:

Quadraplay

The Quadraplay is a versatile and compact machine that offers a complete solution for turf maintenance. This all-in-one system allows users to perform up to four different operations simultaneously, such as aeration, brushing, rolling, and surface grooming. With its easy-to-attach system and adjustable features, the Quadraplay is ideal for use on sports pitches, providing a cost-effective and time-efficient way to keep playing surfaces in top condition. Its multifunctional design makes it an invaluable tool for grounds persons looking to achieve a professional finish with minimal effort.

An Impressive Lineup from SISIS at SALTEX

An Impressive Lineup from SISIS at SALTEX

Auto Rotorake MK5

The Auto Rotorake MK5 is a powerful scarifier designed to remove thatch, moss, and organic matter from the turf surface, promoting healthier grass growth. Equipped with a range of interchangeable blades, the Auto Rotorake MK5 provides precise and efficient scarification, helping to improve drainage and reduce the risk of turf diseases. Its adjustable depth settings and ergonomic design make it suitable for a wide variety of turf types, ensuring that it meets the high standards required for maintaining pristine sports fields and ornamental lawns.

Multitiner

The Multitiner is a versatile aerator designed for effective turf aeration, which is crucial for maintaining healthy grass and soil. The Multitiner is suitable for use on various turf surfaces, from golf greens to football pitches, and offers a range of tine options to suit different aeration needs. Its unique design allows for easy handling and manoeuvrability, making it a practical choice for grounds persons looking to improve soil compaction, water infiltration, and root development. The Multitiner is renowned for its reliability and efficiency, providing consistent aeration results with minimal disruption to the playing surface.

Variseeder

The Variseeder is a precise overseeder designed to deliver accurate seed placement and even distribution, essential for promoting strong and uniform grass growth. This machine is perfect for renovating worn or damaged areas, as well as for establishing new turf. The Variseeder features an adjustable seed rate and depth control, allowing for customised seeding to match specific turf conditions. Its user-friendly design ensures that operators can achieve optimal seeding results quickly and efficiently, making it an excellent choice for groundskeepers looking to enhance turf density and quality.

Dart

The Dart is a high-performance aerator specifically engineered to provide clean penetration into the soil, enhancing aeration and promoting healthier root systems. It is particularly effective for use on compacted areas and high-traffic sports surfaces such as bowling greens, croquet lawns, cricket squares and ornamental lawns. The Dart’s unique design allows for maximum soil penetration with minimal surface disruption, ensuring that playing surfaces remain smooth and playable. With its robust construction and easy-to-use features, the Dart is an ideal choice for grounds persons looking to maintain the health and resilience of their turf.

The SISIS team will be available throughout to provide expert advice, answer questions, and demonstrate how their innovative products can help improve turf quality and maintenance efficiency.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery 

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