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NEWS ARTICLES

Hunter Grinders Returns to GroundsFest

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Hunter Grinders Returns to GroundsFest: After a successful GroundsFest 2023, Hunter Grinders is excited to announce its return to GroundsFest 2024, where it will be showcasing the enhanced Jupiter ATI ‘All in One’ Grinder.

The Jupiter ATI is a fully automatic relief spin grinder, designed to deliver precision grinding at its best. It features automatic traverse, indexing, and in-feed, ensuring that every grind is accurate and consistent. This machine meets all CE compliance standards and Health and Safety requirements for noise, vibration, and airborne dust particles.

Hunter Grinders Returns to GroundsFest

Hunter Grinders Returns to GroundsFest

Key Features of the Jupiter ATI:

  • Fully Automatic Operation: The grinder can be set to operate independently, allowing operators to perform other tasks simultaneously.
  • Precision Grinding: Achieves original manufacturer’s specifications for returning cylinders and bottom blades.
  • Stable and Accurate: The cast bed provides stability, and heavy-duty linear bed rails ensure smooth and accurate traverse of the grinding wheel to within 0.05mm.
  • Operator Safety and Comfort: Liquid coolant prevents airborne dust and heat distortion, maintaining operator comfort and safety.
  • Versatile Tool: The 360-degree electric 200kg hoist can be used for other heavy lifting tasks in the workshop.
  • Comprehensive Capabilities: Grinds both top and front faces of the bottom blade, takes data measurements from the cylinder shaft, and has a 1067mm (42”) cylinder & bottom blade capacity.
  • Programmable Grinding: Fully programmable for relief and spin grinding, with automatic docking of the wheel head and cycle countdown.
  • Robust Construction: Features a cast bed, liquid coolant on all operations, 240-volt power supply, linear bed rails with self-adjusting bearings, and a slow/soft start spin grinding motor.
  • Additional Features: Flexi drive to cutting cylinder, bearing pack, universal bracket pack, hands-free indexing attachment, twin LED work lights, fully enclosed guard, variable speed spin and traverse motor, 3” wheel head attachment, rotary blade attachment, two emergency stop buttons, and full installation and training.

Hunter Grinders invites all GroundsFest 2024 attendees to visit Stand 50 in Hall 1 to learn more about how this state-of-the-art machine can enhance your grinding operations.

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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Origin marking out the future at GroundsFest

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Origin marking out the future at GroundsFest: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) has announced its return to GroundsFest for the 2024 exhibition after a successful debut last year. OAS will showcase its comprehensive range of products and services, aimed at servicing the fine turf, sports, and grounds care sectors. You can find their prominently branded trailer and dedicated team in the outdoor arena on stand OSA 240.

Focus on Line Marking Excellence

With an expanded team of line marking specialists, OAS is positioned to offer the most comprehensive line marking solutions and support in the UK. Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to see a diverse range of line marking machines, from pedestrian spray markers to the latest innovations in GPS-guided TinyLineMarker robotic line markers.  Experts will be on hand to demonstrate these cutting-edge machines and discuss their applications in various settings.

Origin marking out the future at GroundsFest

Origin marking out the future at GroundsFest

Additionally, they will be highlighting their industry-leading IMPACT ready-to-use paint range, known for its durability, vibrancy, and ease of application. This paint range, coupled with advanced line marking equipment, ensures that every marking project is executed to the highest standards.

Exclusive Show Offers

Exclusive show offers will be available to show visitors. Furthermore, an exciting competition will be announced on the stand which is likely to attract a lot of attention.

Looking to the future

Reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the future, Glen Howard, OAS Line Marking Product Manager, shares his thoughts: “I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made over the past year. Our dedicated line-marking team is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. At GroundsFest 2024, we are excited to showcase our product range and demonstrate how our solutions can make a real difference for our customers. Our goal is to continue leading the way in line marking technology and support, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible service and products.”

Continued Commitment to Excellence

OAS’s presence at GroundsFest 2024 reaffirms its commitment to providing high-quality, innovative solutions. Since the successful merging of four leading brands, OAS has continued to evolve, making strategic changes that benefit its customers. Their dedicated line-marking offering includes the widest selection of equipment, paints, and accessories available in the UK, supported by the largest sales and support team in the industry.

Join them on stand OSA 240 to experience firsthand the expertise, innovation, and customer-focused approach that defines Origin Amenity Solutions. Whether you’re looking to enhance your line marking practices or simply explore the latest technology, their team is here to help you mark out the future of your grounds care needs.

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Dennis Mowers Partners with Edgbaston Stadium

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Dennis Mowers Partners with Edgbaston Stadium: Dennis Mowers is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Edgbaston Stadium and Warwickshire County Cricket Club. This collaboration is aimed at achieving two significant objectives: becoming the most sustainable cricket ground in the country by having a fully electric range of mowers and enhancing education and support for local grassroots cricket clubs.

A Sustainable Future for Edgbaston

Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Edgbaston Stadium, are committed to becoming fully sustainable by 2030. This ambitious goal includes transitioning to a completely electric fleet of mowers. The partnership with Dennis Mowers, part of the Howardson Group, is a crucial step toward this objective.

Dennis Mowers Partners with Edgbaston Stadium

Dennis Mowers Partners with Edgbaston Stadium

Gary Barwell, Head of Sports Turf at Edgbaston, explained the vision: “We have made a commitment that by 2030 we would like to have a fully electric fleet of mowers. We didn’t want to do it as a half-baked project; we wanted it to be across the main ground and the training ground, making us the first club to be fully electric. It was a case of finding a manufacturer that could supply everything we needed.

“Choosing to work with Dennis Mowers was an easy decision due to their high standards and their extensive experience supplying mowers to top-tier sporting teams. Bringing them in was a secure and confident move for both the club, the venue and myself. The quality and reliability of the mowers also ensure we maintain the high standards we have adhered to over the years.”

The Dennis E-Series range, including the ES-22 Ultra, ES-36, ES-760, and ES-34R, has been chosen for this transition. These battery-powered mowers offer exceptional performance, with features like adjustable speeds, interchangeable cassettes, and superior cutting quality, all while being environmentally friendly.

Gary highlighted the advantages of the mowers: “The performance levels have been so good, the grass is healthy, the cut is so strong and there has been no drop-off from switching from petrol to battery. In fact, I would argue that there has been an upturn. The balance and overall performance are being praised by all of the team members.”

Cascading Knowledge to Grassroots Clubs

In addition to sustainability, the partnership focuses on educating and supporting local grassroots cricket clubs. The aim is to help improve the skills of groundstaff, enhance pitch quality, and ultimately increase participation in the game.

Gary is enthusiastic about this educational aspect: “The partnership is incredibly exciting and is going to be very promising for the industry. I want to help people by demonstrating the work we are doing here at Edgbaston and extend this knowledge to other clubs. I am extremely passionate about turf and cricket, and the idea is to work together with Dennis to improve cricket pitches.”

Dennis plans to involve Gary in educational seminars and training sessions for cricket clubs, sharing best practices and demonstrating the capabilities of their equipment. This hands-on approach aims to create a lasting legacy by empowering local clubs with the knowledge and tools to maintain top-quality pitches.

A Partnership for the Future

Roger Moore, Head of Marketing at The Howardson Group, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Gary Barwell. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to sustainability and community support. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that will benefit cricket clubs at all levels.”

Ben Seifas, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Edgbaston, added: “We’re delighted to welcome the Howardson Group into our partnership family. Dennis is a brand renowned around the world within elite sport venues for innovation and excellence, aligning with our values and our sustainability ambitions. This is the first partnership of its kind for the Howardson Group, and we are delighted to be the venue of choice to showcase their high-quality products.”

As Warwickshire County Cricket Club moves forward with its sustainability initiatives and educational outreach, the partnership with Dennis Mowers stands as a testament to their shared vision for a greener, more knowledgeable future in cricket.

To view a video interview with Gary Barwell, Head of Sports Turf at Edgbaston, click here.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

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

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Appointment to oversee Greenkeepers Training Committee

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Appointment to oversee Greenkeepers Training Committee: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has appointed experienced turf educator and golf course manager Rob Phillips as Learning & Development Manager – Technical, with responsibility for managing the technical elements of greenkeeper training in the UK.

You can view a video of Rob discussing his new role here.

Rob was previously head of land-based apprenticeships at Berkshire College of Agriculture and spent six years as a trainer, assessor and programme manager for greenkeeping apprenticeships. Prior to that he spent 30 years as a greenkeeper, including 21 years as course manager at Sandy Lodge Golf Club in Middlesex. Rob is also an independent end point assessor for the certification awarding bodies City & Guilds and LANTRA.

Appointment to oversee Greenkeepers Training Committee

Appointment to oversee Greenkeepers Training Committee

The GTC is the employers’ organisation for the golf industry that controls greenkeeper education standards, ensuring training provision is consistent and regulated across the UK. In the role of Learning & Development Manager – Technical, Rob will be responsible for delivering the requirements of The GTC under their service level agreement with BIGGA. He will liaise with training providers and also seek to implement BIGGA’s innovative accreditation strategy.

As part of BIGGA’s Learning & Development department, Rob will work alongside the existing team in their mission to enhance the association’s various educational initiatives, the continuing professional development scheme and the wider efforts to attract people to the industry.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “With almost 40 years’ experience, including seven years focusing on the training of student greenkeepers, Rob was the outstanding candidate for this position and we’re delighted he has joined the association.

“As the landscape becomes more challenging for turf professionals in the face of climate change, resource availability and suchlike, it is vital that greenkeeper training develops apace and adapts to reflect the requirements of a modern turf maintenance workforce.

“Rob’s expertise and passion for the industry means he will have a key role to play and I look forward to working with him moving forwards.”

For more information about The GTC visit www.the-gtc.co.uk

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Coventry Hearsall’s success with Sierrablen Plus

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Coventry Hearsall’s success with Sierrablen Plus: ICL Controlled release fertiliser technology has helped to transform the fairways at Coventry Hearsall Golf Club.

Chris Low, the Course Manager at Coventry Hearsall Golf Club, has witnessed outstanding results since introducing ICL’s Sierrablen Plus Spring & Summer CalMag 23-0-5 + 7CaO + 2.5MgO controlled release fertiliser (CRF) into the club’s fairway programme.

Coventry Hearsall’s success with Sierrablen Plus

Coventry Hearsall’s success with Sierrablen Plus

Decision to choose Sierrablen Plus

After seeing numerous positive posts on social media and conducting thorough research, Chris decided to incorporate the fertiliser into his turf management programme to help boost turf density and health.

The availability of larger 500kg bags, which are both cost-effective and easy to apply with a tractor-mounted spreader, further influenced his decision.

Benefits of Controlled Release Fertilisers

Controlled release fertilisers (CRFs) are engineered to release nutrients gradually, ensuring more precise and targeted nutrient delivery to turfgrass.

This is achieved through a coating process that regulates nutrient release, guaranteeing that the turf receives essential nutrients at the right time and in the right quantities.

This method not only maximises the efficiency of nutrient uptake but also minimises waste and environmental impact. Sierrablen Plus CalMag 23-0-5 + 7CaO + 2.5MgO can be applied from early in the growing season through to summer, providing over five months of sustained healthy plant growth.

The controlled release of nitrogen supports continuous development, while added magnesium enhances the turf’s green colour and calcium increases cell strength.

Member and Visitor Praise

Since adopting Sierrablen Plus Spring & Summer CalMag 23-0-5 + 7CaO + 2.5MgO, the improvements in turf density at Coventry Hearsall Golf Club have been nothing short of remarkable.

The fairways have drawn praise from both members and visitors alike. “Members and guests have commented that the fairways are like carpets and the best they have ever been,” says Chris.

The benefits of Sierrablen Plus extend beyond just aesthetics and playability. The fertiliser’s controlled release technology provides sustained nutrition for over 5 months, reducing the need for frequent applications and thereby saving time and resources.

Additionally, the environmental benefits of using a controlled release fertiliser, such as reduced leaching and runoff, align with the club’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Sierrablen Plus Spring & Summer CalMag has proven to be a transformative addition to the turf management programme at Coventry Hearsall Golf Club.

“We’ve seen a noticeable improvement in the turf’s resilience and overall health, making our maintenance efforts more effective and efficient,” Chris notes.

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

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

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

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