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NEWS ARTICLES

Bathgate Golf Club invests in Jacobsen

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Bathgate Golf Club invests in Jacobsen: New recipients of a Jacobsen Eclipse 360 Hybrid 3WD greens mower are greenkeepers at Bathgate Golf Club.

The West Lothian club is famous for its close links to the Ryder Cup, having produced Ryder Cup captains, Eric Brown and Bernard Gallacher, and a third Ryder Cup player in Stephen Gallacher.

Bathgate Golf Club invests in Jacobsen

Bathgate Golf Club invests in Jacobsen

Head greenkeeper, Rab Burns, took delivery of the hydraulic-free ride on mower from Robert Marshall, Area Sales Manager at Scottish dealers, Fairways GM at Inchinnan.

Rab, who has been at the James Braid-designed course since 1995, said that the new arrival would bring extra precision and quality to the tees and greens.

“This is our third successive Eclipse. The others were owned for 5 years and 7 years, so this new one takes us into our 13th year. It’s brilliant, just the best cut around and not something we would compromise. We’ve had it out already and it’s fantastic and what we expected.”

When specifying the latest Eclipse, the three-wheel drive option was vital to help the Bathgate team reach two greens that have machinery access only via a steep incline.

“With two-wheel drive, particularly in the damp or wintertime, it would be tough to get up that slope. In all it runs to about 130 metres, this just makes it effortless.”

Rab, who heads a team of four, moves to a new post at Kingsfield Golf Centre, Linlithgow next month.

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New Etesia dealer announced in Ireland

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New Etesia dealer announced in Ireland: Irish Grass Machinery has been appointed as a new Etesia dealer in the Republic of Ireland.

Founded in 1998 by brothers Tony and Michael Smyth, Irish Grass Machinery distributes a wide range of ground care equipment. Over the years the company has gone from strength to strength and is renowned for providing its customers with leading machinery, quality parts and a first-class customer service.

New Etesia dealer announced in Ireland

New Etesia dealer announced in Ireland

Irish Grass Machinery can now add the Etesia brand to its impressive portfolio.

“We want to work with the best brands and that is how we came to be an Etesia dealer,” said Michael Smyth.

Specialists in manufacturing high quality grass cutting machinery for both the professional and domestic market, Etesia’s extensive range of products have been in consistent high demand for a number of years. It is for this reason that the company’s vast dealer network continues to grow. From the UK to Ireland, Etesia dealers are providing their customers with innovative solutions for their green space requirements.

Etesia’s complete product range includes ride-on mowers, scarifiers, brush cutters, green technology, pedestrian mowers, and the all-new award-winning ET Lander electric utility vehicle – something which Michael is particularly excited about.

“I first became acquainted with the ET Lander when I went over to Etesia UK’s headquarters. I had a good look and a drive of it, and it certainly is the benchmark for electric utility vehicles. We will be the exclusive dealer of the ET Lander in the Republic of Ireland, so it is a great opportunity.

“Etesia machines in general are built with real quality and the brand is recognised as the original and best cut and collect mower.

“In Ireland I believe that a lot of people would have heard about the Etesia brand but maybe they haven’t had a chance to see them in action. We’re hoping to put that right and convert a lot of our customers over to Etesia.

“We are very excited about the road ahead with Etesia.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

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

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Bernhard Academy launches educational workshops

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Bernhard Academy launches educational workshops: The Bernhard Academy, the turf industry’s foremost education provider, has announced a pair of upcoming educational workshops designed to offer expertise on a range of key topics.

The Bernhard Academy will be running two, one-day courses, on Tuesday April 25 and Wednesday April 26, at its satellite training facility, at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds. The courses, designed for operators of cylinder mowers and anybody wanting to gain a better understanding of turf appearance through quality of cut, will operate on a first come, first served basis, with limited space available.

Bernhard Academy launches educational workshops

Bernhard Academy launches educational workshops

Director of Education for the Bernhard Academy, Craig Haldane, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for greenkeepers and grounds people from around the country to join us for a day of enlightening education. This facility at Moortown is a great space to come to learn, and enhance your knowledge of mower set up, the importance of grinding, and how to communicate with stakeholders.

“There are a great number of learning outcomes,” he added. “These include the agronomic benefits associated with quality of cut, best modern practices in mower set up, the skills to effectively communicate with your stakeholders, and what impact you have on the day-to-day running of the business.”

Attendees will be introduced to a wide range of information they can take away, while learning the correct way to set up units, depending on site conditions and/or turf species and time of year. They’ll better understand the principles of cutting units and be able to take control of their cutting unit maintenance regime by understanding the fundamentals of using grinders to get the best out of mowing equipment – ensuring the highest quality of cut year-round.

These one-day educational workshops are aimed at course managers, equipment managers, deputies, mechanics, greenkeepers, apprentices, and anyone who operates cylinder mowers and wants to gain a better understanding and appreciation for turf appearance through quality of cut.

Attendees can find sign up links below:

Sign up for workshop on Tuesday 25th April – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-1-cutting-unit-set-up-grinding-perfection-communication-tickets-595859811737

Sign up for workshop on Wednesday 26th April – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-2-cutting-unit-set-up-grinding-perfection-communication-tickets-591569198397

Alternately, to submit your interest in attending one of these workshops, email hello@bernhardacademy.co.uk

Both workshops will take place at Moortown Golf Club Maintenance Facility, The Fairway, Leeds, LS17 7PE. A light lunch will be provided between 12pm-1pm. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.

The Bernhard Academy will be launching further educational content, designed to offer the turf industry valuable information to take back to their facilities. A key part of this will include ‘The Bernhard Academy Leadership & Management Series’. This series of interactive and engaging workshops will provide guidance to those in supervisory, middle management, and senior management positions, supporting the transition through their careers.

For more information on the Bernhard Academy, head to https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernhard-academy/

You can find the Bernhard Academy on Twitter at @BernhardAcademy or on Instagram at @bernhard_academy

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BGL apprentice greenkeeper selected to work at The Open

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BGL apprentice greenkeeper selected to work at The Open: BGL (Burhill Group Limited) is delighted to announce that a member of the greenkeeping team from its Abbey Hill Golf Centre in Milton Keynes has been selected to be part of the support team at this year’s Open Championship.

Sam Norman, who joined the BGL group and Abbey Hill in 2018, has been selected as one of just two apprentices who will join the support team at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in the week prior to the 151st Open. At the event, he’ll share responsibilities such as hand-mowing Hoylake’s greens, before joining the famed bunker raking squad that follows each group during The Open Championship tournament days.

BGL apprentice greenkeeper selected to work at The Open

BGL apprentice greenkeeper selected to work at The Open

Norman’s selection further demonstrates BGL’s continued commitment to supporting staff development across the group, by providing its teams with the best opportunities to grow their skillsets and enhance their CVs.

“I’m very excited to head up to Royal Liverpool Golf Club for this summer’s Open Championship,” commented Norman. “To be selected as one of just two apprentices to join the greenkeeping team in July is a great honour, and I’m looking forward to having the chance to represent Abbey Hill and BGL, and hopefully learn a huge amount at such a high-profile event.”

Colin Mayes, CEO of BGL (Burhill Group Limited), added: “Everybody at BGL is extremely proud of Sam for being selected as one of just two apprentices to work at golf’s most historic event. We’re passionate and committed to supporting our staff in their endeavours to develop their careers. Whether it be via our internal learning platform or national programmes, we’re delighted to offer opportunities for personal and professional development and champion the success of our people.”

Since joining in 2018, Norman has grown to become one of Abbey Hill Golf Centre’s most valued employees. He secured a full-time role on the greenkeeping team in 2021, and his stellar efforts saw him recognised as Abbey Hill’s Employee of the Year for 2022.

In early 2023, Norman’s BIGGA membership gave him the chance to apply to be part of the greenkeeping team at The 151st Open. He was one of more than 60 applicants and, following a conversation with Royal Liverpool Golf Club’s Links Manager, James Bledge, he was selected for the role.

The BGL group continues to be an industry-leader in personnel career development. The group offers an Online Training Academy platform, which contains more than one thousand training courses which are accessible to team members throughout the group. It also actively encourages employees to explore external development opportunities that they find interesting and feel will further their careers.

For more information on BGL (Burhill Group Limited), visit www.bglcompany.co.uk

For more information on Abbey Hill Golf Centre, visit www.abbeyhillgc.co.uk

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Hundreds of brands commit to GroundsFest

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Hundreds of brands commit to GroundsFest: Over 100 exhibitors have booked to attend GroundsFest 2023 with more confirming their presence each week.

The event, which is the talk of the industry, will be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September 2023.

Hundreds of brands commit to GroundsFest

Hundreds of brands commit to GroundsFest

Over 9,000 square metres of space has already been taken by a wide range of exhibitors with over 75% of allocated space accounted for as the event continues to grow.

These impressive figures are testament to just how well the show has been received by the industry. Close to 5,000 visitors, which includes grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, local authorities, estate managers and contractors, have already signalled their intention to attend by registering for the GroundsFest visitor newsletter.

Attendees can expect to see hundreds of brands at the event. Some of the latest names to confirm their presence at GroundsFest include Honda, STIHL, AMS Robotics, The Pitchmark Group, KAR UK, Wicksteed Leisure, ICL, Dennis & SISIS, Shelton Sportsturf Drainage, Origin Amenity, Kress UK, EGO, Makita, Greenbest, Soil Scout, Karcher UK, Foley Grinders, RT Machinery and Etesia UK.

Commenting on Etesia UK’s decision to exhibit at GroundsFest, Managing Director Les Malin, said:

“I believe GroundsFest could be exactly what the groundscare industry needs in terms of trade shows. We have all been attending the same existing shows which have not changed for several years. Therefore, I think we should all be looking forward to something different.

“There is no such thing as too many shows in my opinion; it is more about having events that work for individual companies. We are all different, but we all want to give our customers the chance to experience something new and exciting. GroundsFest will offer exactly this.”

The indoor halls and outside areas of GroundsFest will not only feature hundreds of exhibitors and products in action, but it will also include a free-to-attend LANTRA accredited education programme, free practical training sessions, the largest retail area ever to be seen at a groundscare event, a dedicated landscaping zone, a music festival and much more.

Commenting on the event’s promising start, GroundsFest’s Event Director Christopher Bassett, said: “GroundsFest continues to grow, and the sales team are receiving new enquiries every week. We have also been upbeat about how much interest we are receiving from visitors. There promises to be a diverse visitor profile at GroundsFest this year and we can’t wait to see the magic unfold in September.”

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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

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