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NEWS ARTICLES

Anfield to host 2025 GMA Awards

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Anfield to host 2025 GMA Awards: Following the exciting announcement of the Industry Awards 2025 and #GroundsWeek dates last week, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) is delighted to confirm Anfield Stadium as the host venue for the 2025 GMA Industry Awards ceremony.

The prestigious event will take place on Thursday 13 March 2025 at the iconic home of Liverpool Football Club.

Having previously been hosted in November alongside SALTEX, the awards moved to Headingley Stadium last year and will now be held at the grand setting of Anfield Stadium in 2025. Known for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, Anfield will provide a spectacular backdrop for this prestigious occasion.

The GMA Industry Awards has continued to recognise excellence in grounds care across the professional, amateur, and voluntary sectors since 2009. This prestigious awards ceremony brings together many of the UK and Europe’s leading practitioners and suppliers to pay tribute to the very best in the sector and is therefore the perfect event to kick off the GMA’s annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, which will take place between 17 – 23 March 2025.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the evening will feature a three-course meal, entertainment, and the opportunity to network with industry peers and leaders. Guests will have the chance to connect, share insights, and celebrate the grounds management sector’s collective achievements.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association said:
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to host our annual GMA Industry Awards at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium in 2025. The change of venue promises a fresh and exciting backdrop for one of the biggest events in the sports turf industry calendar. We look forward to recognising and celebrating the contributions of both professionals and volunteers in such an iconic setting.”

Details regarding the awards categories along with the how to enter or nominate someone deserving will be announced soon.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emily Herrington by emailing eherrington@thegma.org.uk.

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JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

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JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach: The prestigious JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, Staffordshire is preparing to host the LIV Golf UK event next week, from 26-28 July 2024, replacing Centurion Golf Club in Hertfordshire as LIV’s UK LIV stop.

JCB has hosted events in the last two years on the Legends Tour, the DP World Tour’s veteran circuit. They now join an ever-growing list of UK golf courses in connection with LIV Golf and its financial investment in the professional game.

JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

The new Golf and Country Club opened less than five years ago in September 2019 and its testimony to Golf Course Manager Callum Wark and his 33-strong team that this is already a tournament standard course, having hosted events on the Legends Tour and the DP World Tours veteran circuit.

Previously from Loch Lomond Golf Club, Callum joined the original JCB Course Manager Euan Grant as a Senior Greenkeeper in June 2016, along with another 15 people who were all instrumental in the construction and grow-in of the course.

Kerr Hunter from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), which encompasses Symbio, Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, and Turfkeeper, has dealt with Callum since his inception at the club.  Callum explains, “JBC wanted an organic and sustainable course. Euan had been working with Kerr from his former club and wanted the same results. With the active ingredients in fungicides being slowly removed from the market we wanted to proactively manage our greens moving forward and wanted to adopt a biological programme that required less input from us.”

In 2018 Euan became the General Manager and Callum was promoted to Golf Course Manager. He oversaw the official launch of the JCB Golf and Country Club, which was designed to reflect the bold, ambitious vision of Lord Bamford, Chairman of the iconic construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer JCB who wanted nothing less than the creation of a tour-ready contemporary masterpiece in course design.

Internationally renowned Robin Hiseman of European Gold Design was commissioned to create the stunning, contemporary layout in beautiful rural Staffordshire. The 7308-yard par 72 course has been designed to challenge elite golfers at full distance while allowing corporate golfers an enjoyable experience.

Callum continues, “I’m not against chemical inputs and where I need to, I do use them, but I find that by following a biological programme we only have a limited need for them. There is a high level of expectation that the course is in immaculate condition. We cannot afford for our members to see any disease or scarring so as a preventative we currently spray fungicide preventatively on the greens three times a year, but we are planning on reducing this to two times if possible. I see it as a safety net.”

The course is built on land close to the JCB headquarters in a mixture of established woodland and farmers’ fields. The site wasn’t the easiest to work on as there was a lot of clay and drainage was a challenge. Hiseman and his team moved over 400,000m3 of earth to produce the course.

OAS helped with the specification of a full assembly grow-in programme to enable the course to be built with a biological base. Some of the products used included Mycorrhizal Inoculant for greens and tees and Mycorrhizal SeedCoat for fairways and outfields

along with Caviar, calcium and magnesium.

Callum adds, “Today the soil is biologically active and the course is maintained with a vigorous organic and biological programme. We have four Compost Tea brewers and use Compost Teas every two weeks to feed the soil life and enhance the soil food web. We have a full greens programme to aid in the prevention of disease and improve plant health.  We have fantastic results and the OAS biological products maintain the quality. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!”

Origin Amenity Solutions is the major supplier to the JCB Golf and Country Club for their putting greens. As well as a myriad of biological products such as ThatchEater, seaweed, CMS Shoot, DegrAid, Biotabs and Liquid Aeration, Callum has been using OAS Iron products for the fairways, ‘it is a high-quality product and one that works with our programme.”

‘Symbio ThatchEater is a core product for us. Our members demand high-performance surfaces. They must be firm and fast at all times. We still need to aerate regularly but ThatchEater is my go-to product.”

“The service and advice I receive from Kerr at OAS is invaluable.  We have a planned programme, but we tweak it accordingly.  A few years ago, I had a problem with plant parasitic Nematodes. Kerr recommended Root Repair.  The problem was eradicated, and I’ve never had an issue since.  The biological approach works for us, our greens are tournament-ready, and the club is looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

For further information or to discuss a bespoke programme for your club contact the OAS team on 0800 138 7222 or email sales@originamenity.com

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Paxster eCompact Air launched in the UK

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Paxster eCompact Air launched in the UK: UK distributor, BOSS ORV has introduced the new Paxster eCompact Air, a Norwegian, electric, and stylish alternative to traditional utility vehicles. Paxster is the leading Norwegian manufacturer of compact electric vehicles and the eCompact Air continues the tradition of its utility series, offering both new and refurbished models with up to 110 km (68.3 miles) of range.

It follows over a decade of Paxster’s commitment to innovation in electric vehicle technology, providing small, efficient vehicles used for delivering post and parcels to thousands of homes. This latest model retains all the excellent features of its predecessors but introduces a bolder, more robust design.

Paxster eCompact Air launched in the UK

Paxster eCompact Air launched in the UK

“We understand that design matters, whether the vehicle is for work or personal use. That’s why we’ve crafted a stylish design without compromising the versatility and high-quality features,” says Aleksander Säfvenbom, CEO of Paxster AS.

Described as rugged elegance with an eco-smart design, the eCompact Air offers quiet efficiency with the electric vehicle’s silent drive. A maximum power of 7.48 kW from battery type LiFePo4 combines with a 2×4 RWD drivetrain featuring enhanced traction. It has a crisp, responsive feel with a snappy performance that’s smooth yet energetic and perfect for everyday driving and task completion. The ride is comfortable with a fully adjustable seat, excellent side support, and built to withstand rough use in all-weather conditions. Access is easy, with no barriers to negotiate. The ergonomic handlebars feature minimal switches and there are optional heated grips. Homologated for road use, the eCompact Air has LED front lights for optimal illumination. There’s plenty of storage area with a spacious cargo bed, versatile front trunk, and lockable side pockets.

“This latest addition to the Paxster range we offer in the UK is incredibly versatile,” says BOSS ORV MD Phil Everett. “They’re tough little vehicles suited to work anywhere from horticulture, groundscare, construction and equestrian to agriculture, estates, and leisure.”

In the field, the eCompact Air can be used to power tools and equipment, delivering up to 3000 watts of onboard electricity. Hitch systems front and rear allow for a variety of attachments and there is a wide range of accessories available. Paxster vehicles come with a three-year commercial warranty and a five-year battery warranty. There is a special launch offer, with a saving of £2,620.00 on orders before 1st October 2024.

For more information you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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Jacobsen™ electric fleet to prepare Le Golf National

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Jacobsen™ electric fleet to prepare Le Golf National: Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd., a Textron Inc. company and the renowned manufacturer of Jacobsen™ high-quality turf maintenance equipment, is proud to announce its support of Le Golf National in Paris, the flagship facility of the French Golf Federation, as they work together to prepare this summer’s world’s stage for the biggest names in golf. This will be the first all-electric fleet of mowers to maintain an entire course in the world.

Jacobsen equipment has more than 100 years of experience producing the highest quality cut for golf, sports turf, and commercial use. To drive a more sustainable future for turf management initiatives, Jacobsen offers the same precision cut with powerful, long lithium battery life using its ELiTE series of equipment, activated by Samsung SDI technology. These fully electric units enable one to keep up with the needs of the course, and maintain a cleaner, fresher environment without hydraulics, to minimize the risk of spills or tailpipe emissions. This results in a quieter course for golfers, without the addition of harmful chemicals to the land, air and water surrounding them.

Jacobsen™ electric fleet to prepare Le Golf National

Jacobsen™ electric fleet to prepare Le Golf National

“We could not be more excited to bring this groundbreaking technology to the world,” said Simon Rainger, Vice President, Turf for Textron Specialized Vehicles. “This relationship aligns perfectly with our mission to provide superintendents and golfers with exceptional experiences, and we look forward to showcasing our commitment to creating low maintenance and greener solutions for participants and fans on the world stage.”

Jacobsen, with the addition of Pace Technology, is the answer that the world has been waiting for when it comes to golf course maintenance. The Pace Technology systems in place allow Le Golf National to know when, where and exactly what needs to be tended to on the courses at a given moment through a centralized process. Pace Technology can be accessed from any device and features real-time tracking and task management to maximize the effectiveness of your operation. Users can track and measure the power output per hole of the machines to maximize their performance and develop a bespoke picture of how they work on the course. While this is the first facility to go all electric, Ransomes Jacobsen is committed to fully electrifying golf and sports turf facilities across the globe in the years to come.

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Tidy by name, tidy by nature

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Tidy by name, tidy by nature: A Turf Tidy 3000 has become the latest addition to a rapidly expanding Redexim fleet at Craigielaw Golf Club. Delivered with both a flail and scarifier shaft in April 2024, the Turf Tidy is set to deliver effective fairway scarification and rough management at the East Lothian venue.

Described as ‘a golfers paradise’, the 18-hole Championship Links course is one of 22 which make up Scotland’s Golf Coast. In charge of the maintenance alongside a team of six is Head Greenkeeper Paul Hay. “We had a machine for scarification and cutting the rough but that wasn’t giving us the results we wanted so we got in touch with Henderson Grass Machinery who, along with Allen Whellans at Redexim, gave us a demonstration of the Turf Tidy” he explains. “From the off, it was impressive – the fully floating head handled cut and collection on our undulating rough areas really well. In addition, we could see how effective the unit would be for scarification of the fairways, leaving a tidy finish and bringing the surfaces back into play swiftly.”

Tidy by name, tidy by nature

Tidy by name, tidy by nature

“Since its delivery, we’ve scarified a couple of areas on selected fairways to remove thatch and lateral growth with fantastic, clean results. Come the winter, we’re already planning to use the Turf Tidy to cut back the roughs, taking out some of the density and removing the unwanted vegetation which will bring multiple benefits to both the course and the players alike” Paul adds.

The Turf Tidy joins a Redexim Multiseeder 1200 and Verti-Drain 7316 on Craigielaw’s fleet, both also installed by Henderson’s over recent years. “The Multiseeder was a fantastic purchase! We’re into our third year with this machine which is used on the greens, tees, approaches and even some parts of the fairways. It’s an incredibly versatile dimple seeder, which we can quickly and easily adjust to suit ground conditions or seed type. We’re currently working to incorporate more fescue into our playing surfaces so are utilising the Multiseeder with a single roller which works perfectly for us.”

“The delivery of the Verti-Drain® 7316 was incredibly timely, arriving ahead of the winter meaning we could get a pass in on the tees, greens and approaches before the worst of the weather arrived.”

Paul concludes, “We’ve got to know what to expect with the Redexim equipment. Everything we have is reliable, versatile and is backed up with brilliant support from both the dealer and Redexim directly. We will certainly be looking to add more machines in the future.”

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