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FairWays Foundation could fund your next project

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FairWays Foundation could fund your next project: The FairWays Foundation is not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting conservation, stewardship and education within the turf industry and beyond.

The foundation supports environmental projects; both big and small by granting funds to successful applicants globally. The projects funded help to preserve the environment we live and work in whilst also encouraging education and stewardship; not only within our own industry but also within wider communities. The FairWays Foundation believes that environmental stewardship is not an initiative; it is a long-term investment into our future and the future of our industry.

FairWays Foundation could fund your next project

FairWays Foundation could fund your next project

Since being founded in 2019, The FairWays Foundation has granted over $440,000 to 29 projects across the USA, Canada and UK. Now in its 4th grant cycle, The FairWays Foundation is currently accepting applications until April 30, 2023.

Projects that have been funded to date include a Great Salt Lake Field Trip program, the expansion of the Irvine to Girvan Nectar Network, an on-course vegetable garden to serve the golf club restaurant, the installation of bat boxes, restoring an agricultural field to prairie, invasive specied removal, canal bank restoration and more. It does not have to be a golf-related project to be considered.

On average, golf courses range in size between 100 to 190 acres. With nearly 7,000 golf courses in Europe alone, that is a lot of nature to have a potential impact on. Golf courses have the opportunity to make a positive impact within their communities by providing shelter to wildlife, supporting native wildlife and plants, promoting positive stewardship to the public, and more. However, The FairWays Foundation understands that a lot of those things require additional time and resources that are not always feasible within a course’s budget. That’s exactly why The FairWays Foundation was created. The foundation funds projects and activities that impact communities within the turf industry for the better. Some examples of this are conservation-based projects, community education, and the enhancement of environmental stewardship practices.

Conservation-based Projects

These projects can be described as work that would conserve or safeguard the environment and natural resources on course or within the community. Please note that course-based projects that would be considered capital improvements to the course are excluded from funding.

Examples of Conservation-based-Projects:

  • Pollinator Gardens
  • Wildlife and Habitat Management
  • Bird Boxes
  • Duck Houses
  • Bug Houses
  • Composting Vegetative Waste

Community Education

An important part of safeguarding the environment is educating others on how and why they should do so. Golf courses are full of learning opportunities for this and the foundation wants to help provide the resources needed in order to spread environmental knowledge around the course and community.

Examples of Community Education:

  • Monitoring Nest Boxes with a Local Scouting Group
  • Environmental Workshops at Your Local School or Library
  • Engaging Members in an Ongoing Wildlife Species Inventory

Environmental Stewardship Practices

The large footprint of a golf course helps to maintain green spaces for native flora and fauna, and offers incredible potential for positive environmental impact. While regular maintenance practices may be implemented in an environmentally conscious manner, other beneficial projects may fall beyond the scope of what the annual budget would allow.  The FairWays Foundation can help provide funds to implement projects and practices that promote greater environmental stewardship.

Examples of Environmental Stewardship Projects:

  • Installing Natural Buffer Strips Near Waterways
  • Management of Native Negation
  • Heather Management
  • Creating Rain Garden Wash Pad Area
  • Creating/Maintaining Wildlife Corridors

The above are just a few examples of what The FairWays Foundation can fund. All are welcome to submit grant applications for projects that fall within these over-arching categories during the grant submission period which opens annually between February 1 and April 30. Questions or concerns regarding the foundation or how to apply for grants can be directed to the foundation team at info@thefairwaysfoundation.com.

Matt Foster, CEO & President of Aquatrols and President of The FairWays Foundation said, “We understand making a difference locally takes tremendous grit from a local champion.  It might be a green keeper or parks manager or a program volunteer.  Regardless, without their will, these projects would never move forward.  Our message to those individuals out there with a wish for a healthier environment is The Fairways Foundation can help with the way to get there.”

For news and to learn more, follow The FairWays Foundation on Twitter: @TheFairWaysFdn

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Toro U.K. and Cyril Johnston tour around Ireland

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Toro U.K. and Cyril Johnston tour around Ireland: Toro U.K. Limited was proud to tour Ireland with Cyril Johnston, their Irish Distributor for both the Hayter and Toro brands. 

A successful tour of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland saw Toro and Cyril Johnston host Dealers at three venues over a week.  Showcasing the Consumer, Landscape Contractor, Siteworks and Construction products, Dealers were updated on the product ranges and Toro’s plans for the future. They also had the opportunity to get hands on with the product range itself.

Toro U.K. and Cyril Johnston tour around Ireland

Toro U.K. and Cyril Johnston tour around Ireland

Dealers were able to test out for themselves some of the innovative Toro features such as the MyRIDE ® suspension system on the Zero-Turn range, which reduces impacts, bumps and vibrations reaching the operator, resulting in a superior ride.

Dealers also got hands on with the Toro Landscape Contractor and Construction ranges, testing the Z-Master® 7500-D 72” Diesel Zero Turn, TRX-16 Trencher and the new Toro Dingo® TX700, Compact Utility Loader.

Craig Hoare, Toro Sales & Marketing Manager commented that “We are proud to have Cyril Johnston as our exclusive Toro Distributor for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and we are pleased to support them and their Dealers, old and new with this tour.  We look forward to growing the brands in the Irish market.”

Tom Black, Managing Director of Cyril Johnston, praised Toro U.K. Limited on their support adding, “I am really looking forward to building on this initial visit. The product range Toro offers us is vast and allows us to offer our Dealers unrivalled opportunities to grow their Dealerships.”

To register interest or find out more, please email  contactcentre@cyriljohnston.com

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Syngenta appoints new business manager

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Syngenta appoints new business manager: Syngenta has further added to its Turf & Landscape team in the UK, with the appointment of Sarah Hughes as a dedicated Business Manager to strengthen support for its broadening product range.

Joining from the company’s Seeds division, Sarah is an experienced agronomist with a background in plant science and genetics. She has a wealth of knowledge in bringing products from the Syngenta R&D pipeline into the commercial market for customers.

Syngenta appoints new business manager

Syngenta appoints new business manager

“It is an incredibly exciting time in the turf and landscape business, with the introduction of new chemistry to add to the existing Syngenta portfolio, alongside pioneering biological and biopesticide innovations.

“Working with Syngenta’s R&D scientists, technical support and commercial partners, there’s now the opportunity to develop more effective and consistent integrated turf management solutions to benefit our customers and achieve better results,” she said.

Allied to further developing initiatives including Syngenta’s Operation Pollinator, new digital decision support resources and enhancing accurate application technology, Sarah reinforced the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions.

A Nuffield Scholar in innovative plant growing technology, Sarah will work with Daniel Lightfoot MG, who is now responsible for Syngenta’s Professional Solutions business across Western Europe and Italy.  She will also be supported in the UK by specialist Technical Managers, Sean Loakes and Glenn Kirby.

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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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