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NEWS ARTICLES

Bionema Appoints Andrew Turnbull

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Bionema Appoints Andrew Turnbull: Bionema Group Ltd, winner of the King’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation 2024, is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Turnbull as Biological Technical Specialist.

Andrew joins the team with an impressive 25 years of experience as a turf professional, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the company. Before joining, Andrew was at Biotechnica as a Business Development Manager. Andrew’s appointment starts in his role on July 8th, 2024.

Bionema Appoints Andrew Turnbull

Bionema Appoints Andrew Turnbull

Bionema is a leading biocontrol technology company specialising in developing and producing natural products to protect crops, improve plant health, and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilisers. With a solid commitment to sustainability and innovation, Bionema collaborates with research institutions and industry partners to deliver effective and environmentally friendly solutions to the agricultural sector.

Andrew’s academic background includes a BSc (Hons.) and a Master of Research in plant sciences. His career has been distinguished by his pioneering work in using plant and soil biostimulants, particularly in the UK and European turfgrass markets. Andrew has demonstrated exceptional abilities in identifying challenges that growers, farmers, and turfgrass managers face, sourcing potential solutions, and implementing innovative treatments for optimal plant growth and health.

Andrew will work closely with existing and new markets in his new role, leveraging his extensive experience to enhance plant health through optimised rhizosphere interactions, plant nutrition, and natural responses to pest and disease attacks. His expertise will be instrumental in advancing Bionema’s mission to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder of Bionema commented on the appointment: “We are excited to welcome Andrew to the Bionema team. His vast experience and innovative approach to plant health and biostimulants align perfectly with our goals. Andrew’s appointment will significantly strengthen our capabilities and expand our reach in delivering sustainable solutions to our clients.”

Andrew Turnbull expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “I am excited to join Bionema and contribute to their pioneering efforts in sustainable agriculture. I look forward to working with the team to develop and implement cutting-edge biostimulant solutions that enhance plant health and productivity.”

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Highwoods Golf Club celebrates centenary

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Highwoods Golf Club celebrates centenary: As Highwoods Golf Club celebrates its centenary year with a week’s worth of celebrations, the East Sussex club reveals how Toro’s complete turfcare offering has been central to its ongoing success.

“We’re a Toro club through and through,” says Jamie Melham, course manager at Highwoods. “Alongside our new fleet of turfcare machinery, we’re also using Toro’s Lynx irrigation system, which, together, ensures all the greens, tees, approaches, and fairways are maintained to the highest standard.

Highwoods Golf Club celebrates centenary

Highwoods Golf Club celebrates centenary

“A strategic plan has been put in place to take the course to the next level and continue to push, year-on-year,” he adds. “With all eyes on us for our centenary, that’s never been more important.”

There is a lot for the club to prepare for as part of its centenary celebrations. Highwoods has been invited to host the County Championship in July 2024, and, as general manager Rebecca Prout points out, preparation for 100 years at Highwoods has been some time in the making, beginning in earnest back in 2017.

“Over the last seven years or so, Jamie and the greenkeeping team have been working hard on several projects to celebrate our hundredth year, including a new centenary pond on hole fourteen,” explains Rebecca.

“Toro has played a pivotal role in these developments and, thanks to our new fleet, the brand will be central to ongoing improvements at Highwoods, particularly when it comes to pushing those fine turf areas to the next level.”

To do so, Highwoods has invested in a variety of new turfcare machinery. However, thanks to the club’s long-standing relationship with Toro distributor Reesink, it has been able to do so in a simple, affordable way.

With a range of finance packages available, clubs like Highwoods can have all the benefits of market-leading mowers without the upfront investment.

“Leasing Toro machinery through Reesink guarantees first-rate performance year-on-year, as we will always be using the latest kit,” explains Jamie. “That way, we’re always going to get the highest quality of cut, delivering the consistency we know our players love.”

Highwoods’ new fleet includes the Toro Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420, which, according to Jamie, has created a real buzz amongst his team.

“Everyone has been really excited to try the 3420,” he says. “It eliminates ribbing around our greens and, as the cutting units are so stable, we’ve already noticed significant improvements in the overall finish.

“By fitting an eight-bladed cutting cylinder, we can also use the 3420 on tees and approaches, which has totally transformed the way they look. The way it glides and follows the contours of the ground is truly remarkable.

“My team always takes a moment every Friday afternoon to appreciate the work and notice how beautiful the course looks,” he goes on. “It’s one of the best things about greenkeeping – the satisfaction you get when you can see the difference all your hard work has made, and Toro helps us achieve that feeling week in, week out.”

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Kibworth thrives with DSV EuroGrass Solutions

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Kibworth thrives with DSV EuroGrass Solutions: Martin Anderson became Course Manager at Kibworth Golf Club in 2019, aiming to improve the course in Leicestershire. With a strong connection to the club, Martin’s journey from apprentice to leader shows his dedication to its success. One significant change he made was using DSV EuroGrass seed mixtures, which greatly improved various areas of the course.

Martin’s connection with Kibworth runs deep, tracing back to his earliest memories. “I took my first ever steps here at a New Years Eve party,” he reminisces. Little did he know then that Kibworth would become not just a backdrop to his life, but a stage for his growth and passion.

Kibworth thrives with DSV EuroGrass Solutions

Kibworth thrives with DSV EuroGrass Solutions

From those first toddler steps to his formative years as an apprentice, Martin’s bond with Kibworth only strengthened. “My mum and dad were members, and I was a junior member before becoming an apprentice,” he shares, illustrating the club’s integral role in shaping his journey. It was here that he honed his skills, learned the art of greenkeeping, and even found love, meeting his wife in the clubhouse where she worked as a waitress.

In 2019, Martin landed the position of Course Manager, a role that held both challenge and promise. Armed with a vision to elevate standards and restore Kibworth’s reputation, Martin embarked on a journey of transformation. “Some areas of the course needed attention,” he recalls, “but with a new committee and investments in equipment and products, we set out to make a difference.”

Among the pivotal changes was the introduction of DSV EuroGrass seed mixtures, a decision born out of research and collaboration with trusted partners like Rhys Norville from ReGen Amenity. “Rhys put us in the direction of DSV,” Martin explains, emphasising the importance of building relationships with reliable suppliers. The trial of DSV’s Dual Use blend delivered promising results, paving the way for its integration into Kibworth’s approach.

For the fairways and tees, Martin turned to DSV’s 3-way rye mix, renowned for its quick establishment, vibrant colour, and disease resistance. The impact was profound. “The strike rate was really good,” Martin reflects, “and it keeps coverage throughout the season, even going into winter.” Remarkably, this season marked the first time in years that the tees remained disease-free—a testament to the efficacy of DSV’s seed.

“We have not had to put a fungicide on the tees at all,” adds Martin. “That is extremely remarkable when you consider that it has been so wet and warm – perfect conditions for disease to thrive.”

 

With its proven track record of performance, reliability, and innovation, DSV’s seed mixtures instil confidence with every application, ensuring that the areas it is applied at Kibworth remain vibrant and disease-free year-round.

“I am confident every time we apply DSV seeds. I know it is going to come through and deliver good results,” affirms Martin.

Backed by decades of research and expertise, DSV’s seed mixtures continue to redefine standards of quality and performance, offering greenkeepers and course managers like Martin the tools they need to achieve remarkable results.

As Martin’s journey at Kibworth Golf Club continues, the future looks brighter than ever. With products like DSV EuroGrass seed mixtures leading the charge, the club is poised for continued success and excellence in greenkeeping practices.

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Toro stands up to tough terrain

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Toro stands up to tough terrain: In a theme of fives, Calcot Park Golf Club has received five new Toro machines on a five-year lease. Headlining the fleet is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cutting units for tackling the challenging terrain of the course with unrelenting ease for years.

The club, situated on the Berkshire border, is no stranger to Toro. In fact, according, to Course Manager Tom Jennings, 100 percent of its machinery fleet is red and that’s as much for its longevity as it is its performance.

Toro stands up to tough terrain

Toro stands up to tough terrain

“Toro machinery is bulletproof when it comes to longevity. We have fairway mowers here that are up to 13 years old, which is impressive for the amount of work they do,” says Tom.

It’s no surprise then that when the time came to upgrade its machines with a five-year lease deal, Toro was the only option considered. And one machine in particular that has made its mark is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cylinders.

“The topography at our course is very up and down, and being a heavy clay site, we need a machine that can handle that, especially in the winter,” says Tom. “As a parkland course, we’ve got thicker grasses and lots of them and the sheer quantity and the coarser texture can be tough to get through, but it presents no problem for Toro and in particular the five-cylinder mower.”

In a fleet deal that also includes two new Greensmaster 3400 mowers, a Reelmaster 3100 sidewinder, and Groundsmaster 4000 – all provided by Reesink Turfcare, Tom says all the mowers work hand in hand to navigate the Harry Colt designed course and also singles out the Reelmaster 3100 for commendation.

“We’ve got the 3100 coming in on the lease as well. It’s a smaller machine which is why we chose it. Our course was built in 1930 and a lot of the complexes are quite small and tight; this sidewinder is flexible enough to get around them, whereas others on the market tend to be too bulky for the job.”

The club benefits from Reesink’s lease deal which allows it to renew its range of machines every five years. “Opting into a lease deal works well for the club,” says Tom. “I know that if we get a five-year lease, in five years from now I’m not only going to get the machines and the brand that performs best on the course; but benefit from the latest technology and the latest machines that could also benefit the course.”

And Tom and his team have their sights set on electric power next. “We’ll be considering some of the electric machines next time. We’re in an urban area and I think this will be helpful with our mowing routines,” he concludes.

Learn more about Toro’s technology and how it could benefit your course, by calling distributor Reesink at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

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International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), in conjunction with other global greenkeeping associations, is recognising those who are essential to golf’s success with the return of the popular Thank A Greenkeeper Day.

On Tuesday 10 September, all golfers, those who are in the golf business or anyone who benefits from the game is encouraged to thank greenkeepers and other turf technicians for their hard work and dedication to creating the playing surfaces enjoyed by millions around the globe.

International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

In addition to BIGGA, other groups taking part in the global event include:

  • Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
  • Australian Sports Turf Managers Association
  • Canadian Golf Superintendents Association
  • Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations

Together the groups represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in 78 countries around the world.

The celebration will include commercials that will appear on the Golf Channel, print advertisements and social media messages, all sharing the many ways that greenkeepers benefit the game and their communities. Golfers and others are encouraged to join in the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThankAGreenkeeper (in the UK) or #ThankASuper (United States and elsewhere).

Celebrities to already record messages of support include Jimmy Bullard, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole, as well as reality TV star Mark Wright, social media influencers Mia Baker and Gaz Beadle and Sky Sports personalities Kirsty Gallagher and Trey Niven. But it’s not just about celebrities or professional golfers and everyone associated with golf is encouraged to get involved.

Golf courses and other groups are encouraged to provide special recognition for their greenkeeping team. In previous years this has included providing a clubhouse meal or a token of gratitude for the team or just sharing a message of support across club newsletters and websites.

During the 2023 Thank A Greenkeeper Day, social media messages reached more than 14.7 million followers around the world, while broadcast media reached an additional 18 million people.

A social media tool kit will be made available in early August with materials to aid in the celebration and this will be shared on the BIGGA website.

More information about Thank A Greenkeeper Day is available on the BIGGA website, where you can view some of the amazing messages of support that have already been received, as well as reflect on the success of the 2023 instalment.

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