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Action Lawn sets high ambitions with Etesia

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Action Lawn sets high ambitions with Etesia: Action Lawn and Leisure has been appointed as a new Etesia dealer in Stirlingshire and surrounding areas.

Action Lawn and Leisure was founded in 1998 by Bob Bruce. It is a family run business which prides itself on offering a personal service with good advice and excellent product knowledge. The company works with a variety of groundscare brands, but the time had come to set higher ambitions according to Ian Bruce, son of founder Bob.

Action Lawn sets high ambitions with Etesia

Action Lawn sets high ambitions with Etesia

“Currently we are operating at about 70% domestic and 30% commercial,” he said. “We are looking to venture more into the professional market and want to be able to offer machinery of the highest quality. That is why Etesia kept coming into my head.

“We have dealt with a few Etesia machines over the years and have always been very impressed with what we’ve seen,” continued Ian. “Our local council has an Etesia fleet it was the only machine that came in for a service this year that didn’t need major repairs. This tells me it is of a decent quality because the council are quite boisterous with their machinery!”

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 and pedestrian mowers, and Ian believes the machinery will be the perfect addition.

“I believe the Etesia products will help us attract larger contractors, landscapers with a few vans on the road and potentially some national trust sites – to name but a few,” he said.

“One of the biggest problems we’ve got in Scotland is wet grass and this is always choking up our customers’ machines. The Etesia machines are designed to cope with this very easily.

“This feature combined with their performance and build quality, makes the Etesia range of products highly appealing.”

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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All signs point to Agrovista Amenity

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All signs point to Agrovista Amenity: From fertilisers to furniture, advice to analysis – Truro Golf Club claims that Agrovista Amenity is one of its most trusted suppliers.

Located in the Cornish countryside, this 18-hole, par 67 parkland course stretches a total of 5,372 yards. It is a tight course with surprising slopes which presents a challenging test for low handicap players and enjoyable golf for all.

All signs point to Agrovista Amenity

All signs point to Agrovista Amenity

Head Greenkeeper Dominic Gibbard, who oversees the greenkeeping team, is proud of Truro’s thriving membership and claims that two-way relationships with reputable suppliers, such as Agrovista Amenity, are essential.

“David Bevan, (Amenity Specialist for Agrovista Amenity) is one of my most trusted reps because I know he has been there and done it,” he said. “He’s worked on some very good golf courses around the UK and in Europe, and whenever I have a question or have any ideas, he is usually the first guy I talk to. He always gives me impartial advice and I respect this approach.”

Therefore, when Dominic thought that the time had come to upgrade Truro’s course signs, he enlisted the help of David.

“Course furniture is so important, because they offer nice, finishing touches around the course,” said Dominic. “Golfers notice things like signs and benches, so we have taken our time to really find the right product.”

Immediately David got in touch with British Manufacturing Solutions (BMS), which is a family run business specialising in professional golf course products, signage, flags and more. David arranged for some samples to be sent down to Truro Golf Club and Dominic opted for signs from BMS’ Noroko range

Unlike real wood, Noroko from BMS, never needs treatment or painting. Made from recycled plastic it is UV resistant so the authentic alternative wood-like look will remain for many years. Furthermore, Noroko is able to withstand any weather or temperature change.

“We’ve got a sign on each tee, and we’ve also got the matching tee markers,” said Dominic. “They are durable and really set the course off. We have had lots of great comments from the members.

“It is another integral product David has recommended.”

Dominic singled out four of these integral products for praise: E² PRO phosrite – a liquid fertiliser, Bullet Recharge – a sustainably sourced, zinc, manganese, copper and sulphur fertiliser recovered from recycled alkaline batteries; Humimax – a liquid humate product derived from a naturally occurring source and Biomass Sugar – a product which stimulates growth of both leaf and root.

“I normally use E² PRO phosrite and Bullett Recharge after my autumn maintenance and these would be applied monthly until the end of February. These two products have helped to harden the plant through winter and have significantly supressed disease which we have always been susceptible to. I like the fact that the Bullett Recharge is made from recycled batteries, which is environmentally friendly and is something we are trying to do more at Truro Golf Club.

“Our soil analysis results have shown a rise in some of the trace elements that these products have helped to introduce. These are making the plant stronger and healthier, and there is a very decent colour too.

“In the summer, we really like the Humimax and Biomass Sugar because they support my use of compost teas and biology,” continued Dominic. “These two products, which we apply from April through to September, are good building blocks that give the plant energy.

“From the Biomass Sugar and the Humimax we’ve seen better root development; better root mass and the plant is more resilient to drought. I see a real noticeable boost to the plant as soon as I start using these in the spring.

“The results prove these products are working on our site. It really is the full package we get from David and Agrovista Amenity.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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GMA announce judges for industry awards

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GMA announce judges for industry awards: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is delighted to announce the names of this year’s panel of judges who will be recognising talent from across the grounds care industry by selecting the winners of the 2022 GMA Industry Awards.

The thirteen judges represent a variety of sectors operating in the grounds care industry, and together, will collectively select a winner for each of the nineteen award categories.

GMA announce judges for industry awards

GMA announce judges for industry awards

Listed alphabetically, the judging panel includes:

  1. Adrian Kay, Head Groundsman at York Racecourse
  2. Anthony Facey, Area Sales Manager at Tuckwell Group
  3. Cheryl Hill, Groundswoman at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club
  4. David Roberts, Director at Training Unlimited
  5. Derek Walder, Operations Manager at Saltex
  6. Jackie Evans, Head of Grounds at Wellington College
  7. John Wright, Head of Grounds at Southampton Football Club
  8. Lee Marshallsay, Grounds Manager at Eton College
  9. Lee Metcalfe, Senior Grounds Manager at Manchester City Football Club
  10. Nasa Hussain, Head Groundsman and Facilities Manager at Bradford Park Avenue
  11. Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
  12. Stuart Kerrison, Head Groundsman at Essex County Cricket Club

Grounds Management Association CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“The GMA Industry Awards dinner has always recognised all parts of our varied sector by celebrating those who work hard to keep green spaces accessible and make sport possible.

“We are grateful to all of our judges for giving their time to help us recognise the achievements of individuals and teams who are making a real difference in communities, clubs and educational settings across the regions. The GMA Awards are uniquely determined by fellow grounds staff and people who have wide and diverse experience, making the GMA Industry Awards a truly authentic and peer-to-peer-led event.

I would also like to thank our sponsors, Origin Amenity Solutions, Kubota UK, Redexim, Infinicut, AMS Robotics and SGL, whose support is what makes events like this possible.

“We’re really looking forward to the GMA Awards making its post-pandemic return after two challenging years and we’re delighted to see the nomination entries continuing to flow in. The evening will provide a great opportunity to socialise and celebrate colleagues and peers and I would encourage all in sports turf and grounds care to save the date.”

Full details of the award categories and how to nominate is listed on the GMA website. Nominations must be submitted before 17.00 on Friday 29 July 2022.

The GMA Industry Awards dinner is taking place at The Vox, NEC Birmingham, on the evening of Wednesday 2 November, the evening of the first day of SALTEX.

Tickets to attend the awards will be released on Friday 1 July. To find out more about the purchase of tickets, please email vnewton@thegma.org.uk. To discuss sponsorship packages, please email scunningham@thegma.org.uk.

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When red leads the green revolution

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When red leads the green revolution: How green are the UK’s golf clubs? If the number of those approaching Reesink Turfcare about its all-electric and hybrid mowing and utility vehicle range from Toro is anything to go by, then the answer is they’re making the green machinery choice wherever possible.

The latest case in point is Fulwell Golf Club in Middlesex who has set itself the goal to be the most sustainable club in the county and, through its machinery choices, boost its relationship with the community.

When red leads the green revolution

When red leads the green revolution

Director of golf, Peter Hall, explains: “The reasons for making the green choice were two-fold. We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint as well as bringing the club closer to the community and lessening the impact on our neighbours. We’re surrounded by residential houses and have certain restrictions for when we can work. Having all-electric and hybrid machines means we can mow early in the morning and cut the greens without disturbing anyone, increasing efficiency and productivity.

“We’re dedicated to improving our place in the community whilst producing great results and promoting sustainability at the club. Toro was the only partner to help us achieve that. It was fundamental to get the right equipment – you can only be as good as the machinery you have, and that’s the reason why we invested in Toro. They’re proven to have the best cut, quality and reliability on the market for their diesel mowers and lead the way with electric and hybrid technology.”

Fulwell’s team selected two Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 riding greensmowers, two Workman GTX Lithium-Ion utility vehicles, a Greensmaster e1021 pedestrian greensmower and the hybrid Reelmaster 5010-H fairway mower from the Toro range available from distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Course manager Ryan Bezzant, who has been at the club for just over four years and manages a team of eight full-time staff, explains why the time was right to bring in a Toro fleet, the club’s first: “Toro are market leaders and very good at what they do, so we felt confident that buying fully electric machines from them wouldn’t make us lose performance. And it’s proved to be true: they’re very efficient and cut just as well and as quickly as the diesel ones.”

Ryan says these choices have significantly improved operations, he continues: “We don’t have to worry about hydraulic fluids leaking and damaging the greens; there’s a lot less maintenance and it’s a lot cleaner too and charging is so easy – we just plug them in at the end of the day and they’re ready to go the next morning. The guys are over the moon with them.”

The club plans to continue to invest over the next two or three years in Toro with Reesink, as Ryan concludes: “We’re at full capacity at the moment with 100 golfers a day every day, seven days a week, and golf seems to be turning into an all-year round activity. Having the option of all-electric means we can mow whenever needed especially with the handmowers.

“We need to make sure the course is always kept at a high standard, and with Toro, we know it is. And we can’t fault Reesink, they’ve been very good with communication, making us aware of delivery times so it was easy to plan. We’re also hoping Toro will offer even more electric options in the future, as we’d like more now!”

To talk to someone about Toro technology and how the Toro range could suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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Redexim Rink proves a versatile solution

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Redexim Rink proves a versatile solution: With approximately 80 acres of sports turf making up the 250 acre estate of Merchant Taylors’ School, the key word for Grounds Manager Richard Ayling when it comes to maintenance is ‘efficiency’.

Delivering that efficiency when it comes to topdressing is a Rink 2020 dropdresser from Redexim – purchased originally for the purpose of applying loam to the schools 11 cricket squares, but now demonstrating versatility for year-round applications around the site.

Redexim Rink proves a versatile solution

Redexim Rink proves a versatile solution

Richard and his team of nine are responsible for the upkeep of the surfaces, which alternate between summer and winter sports for use by both the pupils and a number of teams from the community. “It’s a high usage site and the equipment we use needs to be able to keep up with the tight turnarounds and renovation windows we have to work to” explains Richard, who has been at the independent day school for 26 years.

“Every cricket renovation season, we’re applying around 32 tonnes of loam dressing and our previous machine would only hold a quarter of a tonne at a time so we needed something bigger to make the job quicker and less labour intensive.” After researching the options available, it was a Rink 2020 that fitted the bill – accurately and evenly distributing dressings and offering a 2.0m3 hopper capacity, equating to two tonnes of cricket loam per load.

“What we didn’t want with a bigger machine is something that would result in increased compaction. The design of the Rink, with its large rear tyres, effectively spreads the weight so we pass over the squares and leave no marks. It’s incredibly easy to use and adjust meaning we can simply load it up and go – getting the operation done, quicker and with improved quality of distribution.”

Thanks to its ability to accurately adjust the spreading thickness, once cricket renovation season is complete in early autumn, the Rink will then switch to hold sand and/or topdressing soil for in-season dressing and repairs to the football pitches and lawned areas. “What was initially purchased as a solution to one specific problem, has become a versatile machine which we use in different ways throughout the maintenance calendar. It’s been a fantastic addition to our fleet.”

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