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NEWS ARTICLES

Celtic Manor’s academy investment

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Celtic Manor’s academy investment: The Celtic Manor Resort is relaunching its Golf Academy next month with a £500,000 facelift featuring the installation of brand-new, industry-leading Toptracer Range technology.

Toptracer Range’s ground-breaking technology allows golfers to practise like never before, offering real-time shot data and accurate, interactive visuals alongside a host of different game modes to make range sessions more enjoyable.

Celtic Manor's academy investment

Celtic Manor’s academy investment

Toptracer interactive screens are being installed into every one of the 28 bays at the Golf Academy driving range, allowing golfers instant access to live shot analysis such as distances hit, accuracy, ball speed, launch and landing angles.

Furthermore, Toptracer Range will be incorporated into the expert tuition packages available from a team of PGA professionals at Celtic Manor Golf Academy, allowing the resort professionals to take their teaching analysis to the next level.

The Celtic Manor Golf Academy will show off its new facilities for the first time at a launch event on Sunday 12th December, where anyone can try out the new tech and compete for a host of brilliant prizes provided by Callaway.

The extensive refurbishment will be completed in January by the opening of a state-of-the-art VIP suite equipped with the latest Callaway equipment. The suite will be bookable for groups looking to celebrate a special occasion, enjoy a night out with a difference, or for corporate team-building.

Celtic Manor Resort Director of Golf, Spa and Leisure David Griffin said: “Toptracer Range is the ultimate game-improvement and entertainment tool, and I am sure golfers of all standards will really benefit from its many functions when they come here to practise.

“The addition of Toptracer will further enhance the academy’s credentials as the premier practice facility in South Wales, and we are also always looking for ways to encourage more people to take up golf. Toptracer will transform our academy facilities, and we look forward to improving our experience for every golfer that visits our resort.”

David Cederholm, EMEA Sales Director for Toptracer, commented: “It’s very exciting to start this partnership, and it represents a fantastic opportunity to continue the growth of the game of golf in Wales. It’s brilliant to be working alongside such a prestigious venue, and we look forward to seeing how Toptracer can enhance the visitor experience at Celtic Manor.”

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Vandals strike at golf course

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Vandals strike at golf course: Vandals have struck at a Herefordshire golf club as a car is driven across two of the course’s greens.

Read the full article from County Times here

Groundsman to play on his 'sacred' pitch

Groundsman to play on his ‘sacred’ pitch

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Waterscapes takes advantage of Rain Bird irrigation training

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Waterscapes takes advantage of Rain Bird: Waterscapes Limited, the UK’s leading water feature and irrigation specialist, has been the recipient of the first in a series of irrigation training events hosted by Rain Bird in the UK.

Sponsored by UK distributor Landscape Watering Services (LWS), it took place in Slough during Autumn 2021 and covered Rain Bird’s IQ4 Central Irrigation Control system and IVM smart valve irrigation technology. Some 14  Irrigation Installation Engineers and members of the contracts management team from Waterscapes attended the event.

Waterscapes takes advantage of Rain Bird irrigation training

Waterscapes takes advantage of Rain Bird irrigation training

The hands-on training covered the technical capabilities and applications of IQ4 and IVM products which offer users maximum irrigation efficiency through advanced real time water management and diagnostics capabilities. “As a company we continually invest in training at all levels. This ensures that Waterscapes can give clients the best advice and service for their water feature and irrigation projects, saving them money and conserving water throughout the lifetime of an installation,” says Waterscapes’ Managing Director Paul Jeffery.

Waterscapes undertakes new and regeneration projects across many sectors, from business parks and public spaces to commercial spaces, roof gardens and residential schemes. In London alone, the company has completed installations within many prominent developments including Sky Garden, Crossrail, The Kings Cross Estate, Kew Gardens and RHS Wisley. Clients cover many disciplines from commercial property development & construction to architectural practices, landscape contractors and homeowners.

“We recognise the importance of being fully up to date and informed with the latest Rain Bird irrigation technology as it forms an important element of all our irrigation projects, ” concludes Paul.

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Kubota showcases latest innovations at BTME

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Kubota showcases latest innovations at BTME: Kubota returns to BTME at Harrogate from 25-27th January, where the company will once again join forces with Baroness to showcase outstanding Japanese technology and engineering.

A selection of Kubota’s extensive range  of machinery for golf and turf will be on show, including some of the raft of new products introduced in 2021.

Kubota showcases latest innovations at BTME

Kubota showcases latest innovations at BTME

Heading up the launches is the new LX Series, a range of multi-purpose compact tractors from 35-40hp that allow users to handle a wide variety of tasks ranging from mowing and snow clearance to materials handling and cultivations. With an impressive lift capacity, optional front loader, front linkage and pto, this is a tractor for all seasons that will be the perfect workhorse for golf clubs and sports pitches.

Kubota’s mowing equipment is the mainstay of leading grounds maintenance contractors and local authorities across the country, and latest addition to the renowned F Series front mowers, the 38hp F391, will be revealed offering unmatched output and performance for commercial mowing.

Leading the way in utility vehicles for demanding applications, the RTV-X1110 will be on show and Kubota specialists will be on hand to discuss the many ways that it can be deployed and the multitude of attachments available for work on greens, tees and fairways. With a powerful 24hp engine, Kubota’s VHT-X variable hydrostatic transmission and dynamic engine braking, the RTV-X1110 is built for hard work and difficult terrain.

Kubota looks forward to welcoming visitors to stand Red Zone 230.

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BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives

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BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and its Partner Bernhard & Company have revealed the 10 sports turf managers who will be heading to San Diego, California in February 2022 for the GCSAA Conference & Show.

The delegates will represent the UK greenkeeping industry as they network with peers from around the globe and sample the education on offer at the world’s largest golf course management event.

BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives

BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives

Each of the delegates was chosen after demonstrating their commitment to professional development and a passion for the greenkeeping industry. This year’s delegation will mark the 200th BIGGA member participating in this incredible initiative, which was first introduced in 2001. As such, BIGGA is tremendously grateful for the ongoing support of Bernhard & Company, which hosts this invaluable opportunity for 10 members of the association each year.

The members selected for the 2022 BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show are:

  • Joe Curtis, head greenkeeper at Diamond Club Ottenstein, Austria
  • Matthew Dobbs, course manager at Ringway Golf Club, Cheshire
  • Allan Duncan, head greenkeeper at Broomieknowe Golf Club, Edinburgh
  • Craig Haldane, golf course manager at The Gleneagles Hotel & Golf Courses, Perthshire
  • Colin Hopper, head greenkeeper at Elsham Golf Club, Lincolnshire
  • Matthew Houseman, head greenkeeper at Scarcroft Golf Club, West Yorkshire
  • Chris Low, head greenkeeper at Walsall Golf Club, West Midlands
  • Darren McLaughlan, course manager at North Berwick Golf Club, East Lothian
  • Scott McTaggart, course manager at Sandyhills Golf Club, Glasgow
  • Andrew Wilson, deputy course manager at Whitecraigs Golf Club, Glasgow

The BIGGA delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show is considered one of the leading opportunities available to greenkeepers and the experience can be truly career-defining.

For Allan Duncan, the head greenkeeper at Broomieknowe Golf Club, a place on the delegation is reward for nine years of investment in his own professional development. Allan had been a greenkeeper for 20 years but had never really attempted to progress his career, until he considered the future he could provide for his children.

Allan explained: “I took stock of my career nine years ago. I had two young sons and I realised that in 10 years they would be learning to drive and going to university. The position I was in at the time wouldn’t have enabled me to support them, so I went to my boss and asked for a pay rise, but the club couldn’t afford it. I decided to go back to college and get myself the qualifications I needed to progress my career and since then I’ve done so many amazing things.

“To say that I am excited is an understatement. I come from a smallish town in Scotland and I was in the same job for 20 years, just going through the motions. Now, a few years later, everything has changed and I am overwhelmed to have been selected for the delegation. I don’t think it’s ever too late if you apply yourself and I hope I can inspire others to do the same.”

Bernhard & Company Director Steven Nixon said: “We are very proud to have been supporting the delegation for so many years. The quality of applicants is always incredible, making the selection process quite challenging. We are looking forward to taking our 200th delegate in 2022 and offering the 10 successful candidates a fantastic career opportunity.”

The BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show is just one of countless exclusive opportunities that have been specifically tailored to help BIGGA members achieve their professional ambitions and fulfil our overarching ambition of raising standards of greenkeeping in the UK and creating a stronger and more dynamic golfing industry. For more information about BIGGA, head to www.bigga.org.uk

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

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