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Suståne supports switch to finer fescues

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Suståne supports switch to finer fescues: Boasting panoramic views over the sea and the South Downs National Park, Brighton & Hove is the oldest golf club in Sussex – its nine hill-top holes situated near the picturesque Devil’s Dyke.

Its location leaves the course exposed to the elements and has posed challenges for Course Manager Jason Sarna and his assistant Kevin Paynter as they work to reinstate some of the site’s downland and links qualities. The success of the project, Jason says, is largely down to improvements with the soil, and that’s thanks to products from Suståne.

Suståne supports switch to finer fescues

Suståne supports switch to finer fescues

After working in various roles at the Maddens Resort in North Minnesota, Jason moved to the UK in 2000 and has been Course Manager at Brighton & Hove since 2007. “When I joined, the greens were predominately meadow grass and this was something I started working on straight away, to introduce more tolerant and sustainable species. I first spoke to Russell Riley eight years ago and began incorporating some Suståne products into my feeding programme and the benefits we saw to the finer grasses were instant.”

“I’m a big believer in feeding the soil, not the plant and working to create the environment which favours the species you want to encourage.” Jason’s greens programme revolves around regular granular feeds – 6-2-4 Turf Revival® as a kick-starter in the spring and following any renovation work, Suståne 5-2-4 applied every six to eight weeks in the main season and Bolster 4-4-4+3Fe as he reaches the more dormant winter months. This is then supplemented with Bolster™ Liquid Biostimulant, applied at 5L per 0.5 hectares every two to three weeks through the main growing season.

“As we’ve transitioned almost solely over to Suståne, we’ve noted deeper rooting, improved plant health and reduced disease pressure – having only applied three fungicides in the last five years.” Jason adds, “We conducted some renovation work in August this year, overseeding with a pure fescue blend for the first time. We applied Bolster™ 4-4-4 and within a week we had germination. Being able to create the conditions to favour fescues will complement the links characteristics and will help with the workload we have to manage as a small team.”

In addition to delivering results on the ground, Jason has also been impressed with the honest and transparent approach he’s had from the Suståne technical team. “With our conditions, we have to be careful about inputs and if I ask a technical question about a product, they have the answer (and more!) to hand. It’s the whole package.”

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Dunblane New replaces the old

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Dunblane New replaces the old: Dunblane New Golf Club’s course is located in the centre of the cathedral city of Dunblane in one of the most picturesque areas of Perthshire. The course’s elevated position provides beautiful panoramic views over the Forth Valley, the Campsie Fells and beyond, including Stirling Castle, the Southern Highlands and the peaks of Ben Lomond and Ben Ledi.

The ‘New’ name came about because until 1922 golf was played on a small nine-hole course adjoining the River Allan on what is now a public park. History states that play started on the new course in April 1923, after a horse, cart and harness with a roller box and two mowers were bought and Mr J C Ross was appointed as greenkeeper at £3 10s a week.

Dunblane New replaces the old

Dunblane New replaces the old

Almost 100 years on, course manager Wes Saunders has taken delivery of 11 new machines from local dealer Double A, the club’s first John Deere fleet deal, as part of an ongoing landscaping and maintenance programme designed to continue the enduring quality and appeal of the course to members and visitors.

The latest fleet comprises two 2750E triplex and three 220E walk-behind hybrid electric greens mowers, two 7700A PrecisionCut fairway mowers, 9009A and 7400A utility TerrainCut rotary mowers, plus a Tru-Turf RB70 greens roller and a Campey Turf Care Air2g2 air injection machine.

These were bought using a tailored John Deere Financial agreement with six-year PowerGard Protection plans for full maintenance and servicing, allowing the club to have a fixed machinery budget with no extra costs. This is the first part of a replacement programme that Wes and Double A’s golf key accounts manager John Bateson are working through together, with tractors and utility vehicles being looked at this year to complete the fleet.

Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia where he did his greenkeeping apprenticeship at Elanora Country Club north of the city, Wes Saunders has 27 years’ experience working on golf courses across the world. After leaving his home country, he spent several years in the US and Canada before joining Dunblane New Golf Club six years ago as course manager.

“I first put a proposal to the club two years ago to update the equipment fleet, but the timing wasn’t quite right for the finance so the idea was postponed for a year,” says Wes. “The board then agreed what we could spend on a monthly basis and we held a competitive tender with the main manufacturers, bringing in various machines for demonstrations and assessment by the greenkeeping team.

“We made the decision based on whether the kit was fit for purpose, our likes and dislikes, serviceability and previous history with the suppliers. We chose John Deere, not just on price – although that was a prime consideration – but also on the key aspects of quality and reliability of the equipment and, most importantly, the strong relationship with the Double A dealership and their parts and service backup. The terms from John Deere Financial were also very flexible, which enabled us to get what we needed to meet the club’s budget.

“All the machines were in place by the end of April this year, and everything’s working out a treat now. We use the 2750E hybrid electric triplex mowers to cut the greens for most of the year, and the 220E walk-behinds for special tournaments when we need a little more refinement in the finish, then these are used on the greens throughout the winter.

“The new A Model mower technology is also proving particularly useful – even though we’re still experimenting a little with its capabilities, the use of the programmable TechControl system to achieve the desired results consistently across the course is proving to be a game-changer.

“Overall I am very pleased with the performance of the new machines. We have quickly seen improvements to the course as well as labour savings with the extra control provided by the new mowers’ advanced technology features.”

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Toro chosen to improve operations

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Toro chosen to improve operations: Sustainable machinery in the form of Toro’s all-electric Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 and three electric Workman GTXe utility vehicles lead Wallasey Golf Club’s new order with Cheshire Turf Machinery.

Situated on the Wirral Peninsula overlooking Liverpool Bay and the Irish Sea with views of the Snowdonian landscape in the distance, Wallasey Golf Club is carved out of ancient sand dunes that have bordered the Wirral coast for hundreds of years. The links landscape is not only home to the England Golf Championship venue designed by Tom Morris Snr of St Andrews, but also rare species of fauna, flora and wildlife.

Toro chosen to improve operations

When John McLoughin joined the club as course manager at the end of 2020, a key part of his job was to sensitively manage the course to provide a wonderful test of golf and safeguard the haven the rare species call home. Sustainability was therefore a key requirement in his first fleet deal for the club – and where Toro steps in as market leader.

As the only all-electric riding greensmower on the market, Toro’s Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 formed the basis of the order, designed as it is with zero emissions, no hydraulic leaks and less noise pollution.

John says: “I was looking to make the sustainable choice wherever possible and reduce the impact on the environment in terms of pollution, vibration and noise. Toro is a brand I have used in my previous roles and trust implicitly to do the job well. The eTriFlex is exceptional and everyone loves using it. It’s quiet and smooth to use, the cut is refined and we’re able to cut 1.8 hectares of greens using the 14 blade cylinders with groomers attached with under 50 percent of charge.”

It goes without saying the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 fits the bill when it comes to sustainability, so too does the Workman GTX-e utility vehicle which is why John ordered three. John confirms: “These electric options from Toro match what we want to do in terms of improving the club’s environmental footprint and we’re delighted with their contribution and performance so far.”

Also included in the order were machines to help with strategic decisions to make specific improvements or deal with specific issues, as John explains: “We have purchased two Greensmaster 1026 pedestrian mowers to enable the team to hand mow the tees. This has greatly improved their presentation, surface refinement and aesthetic appearance.”

The Groundsmaster 4500-D mower meanwhile was brought in to improve operations, John says: “Previously cutting the roughs was taking 14-man hours, with the Groundsmaster it takes five allowing the team to deliver a greater level of attention to detail across the site.”

The deal was struck with Cheshire Turf Machinery with whom John has a long-standing relationship. Steve Halley, managing director at the dealers in Stockport, near Manchester, says: “We’re so pleased to be doing business with John in his new role at Wallasey having worked with him previously at Warrington Golf Club. Part of his role has been to lead the development programme on the golf course with an eye on sustainability and improved productivity and we’re delighted to hear the Toro machines have been instrumental in helping the team achieve their goals.”

The club confirms that under the stewardship of John and his team, with the aid of Toro, the work carried out reinstating the links’ natural dunes and clearing degenerate scrub and woodlands has seen the wildlife return and true rolling links’ mosaic enhanced helping improve the agronomic characteristic of the holes, and that is great news for the environment and golfers alike.

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S&C partner with PRO Padel Courts

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S&C partner with PRO Padel Courts: Renowned sports construction specialist S&C Slatter is partnering with PRO Padel Courts to serve up first-class facilities for the fast-growing sport in England and Wales

The unique partnership combines the sports construction expertise of S&C Slatter with the innovation and craftsmanship of PRO Padel Courts, providing schools, universities, and clubs with a high-quality padel solution designed and manufactured specifically for Britain’s climate.

S&C partner with PRO Padel Courts

S&C partner with PRO Padel Courts

Leading experts in sports facility planning, design, construction and maintenance, S&C Slatter work at all levels of the education, sports, and leisure sectors, with clients including Charterhouse School, the AELTC and Royal Holloway University.

Jason Douglass, S&C Slatter Group Director, commented:

“With a commitment to work with the very best manufacturing partners in our industry, we are delighted to be partnering with PRO Padel Courts for padel court construction in England and Wales. We strive for constant innovation in both traditional and emerging sports, such as padel. We’re thrilled to be able to offer clients a one-stop solution for their padel needs, from initial design to planning, finance, construction and maintenance.”

PRO Padel Courts are the UK’s premier padel court producer, working with clients such as The Roehampton Club and The Bourne Club. Offering the only courts on the market designed and manufactured in the UK, for use in the UK, PRO Padel courts are specifically built to withstand British weather, utilising specialist weather-proofing and British steel and glass for superior performance, durability, and safety.

Paul Regan, Founder, PRO Padel Courts, commented:

“We are excited to be partnering with S&C Slatter, who have a first-class reputation built around the quality of their work over many years. We have many shared values and both parties pride themselves on delivering the best quality products and services to their clients. It is also imperative that our high quality padel court structures are placed on expertly constructed groundworks – and we know we can guarantee this with S&C Slatter.”

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Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards

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Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards: A greenkeeper from Rudding Park Golf Club was celebrating for the second Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year competition in a row as Matthew Milligan secured the prestigious award at grand finals hosted at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Myerscough College student Matthew, 26, is First Assistant at Rudding Park, the same venue that Jason Norwood was employed at when he won the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award in 2019.

Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards

Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards

Joining Matthew in celebrating at the event was Rhian Barton, 22, of The Wisley Golf Club, who became the first woman to win the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Award since its inception in 2016.

This year the finals were hosted for the first time in the championship surroundings of the Celtic Manor Resort, host of the 2010 Ryder Cup. Director of Golf Courses and Estate Management Jim McKenzie MBE welcomed the finalists to the venue with a walk around the Twenty Ten course. Jim then spoke to the finalists about that experience and offered sage advice on how to develop their careers.

With the awards split into two separate categories once again, candidates for the Toro Young Student of the Year Award, who must be aged 21 and under when nominated, undertook an exam and then a hole walk with the awards judges, intended to test the finalists’ knowledge in a real world setting. The finalists in the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year main category also completed an exam but in addition were judged via a grass and seed identification challenge, by answering an essay question and by delivering an individual presentation about their careers so far.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards were introduced in 1989, with an additional ‘Young’ category introduced in 2016. The awards did not take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the reintroduction in 2021 enabled David Cole to participate one final time ahead of his retirement as managing director of Reesink Turfcare in spring 2022.

David said: “We knew this year’s award was going to be special. Being back after last year’s lockdown absence with a fantastic calibre of finalists in the grand setting of Celtic Manor Resort, plus a course walk around the Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course and after-dinner speech, both by Jim McKenzie MBE, made it one to remember before we’d even conducted the finals.

“All the finalists showed how much promise there is and how much there is to celebrate in the next generation of greenkeepers. So, it is a huge achievement for the winners, Matt for the main award and Rhian for the young award, to have triumphed. I know both will make sure they maximise the opportunities presented by their educational, international prizes.

“However, the event was bittersweet for me as it is my last. I am leaving Reesink this spring, but to see two such worthwhile winners and especially to see Rhian, our first ever female young finalist let alone winner, makes it the perfect one to finish on.”

BIGGA Head of Learning and Development Sami Strutt said: “I’m delighted to be able to present these awards to Matthew and Rhian at the culmination of this year’s Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. The competition began in March with a record-breaking number of nominations and concluded over the past two days with 12 outstanding finalists who all deserve to be applauded for their knowledge, passion and dedication to the greenkeeping profession.

“The Celtic Manor Resort provided a breathtaking venue for this year’s finals and we continue to be incredibly grateful to Toro and Reesink Turfcare for providing this career-defining opportunity for our most ambitious and talented student members.”

Winners of the main award receive a Toro Scholarship that includes a turf management study course at the University of Massachusetts, a trip to the Golf Industry Show and a visit to the Toro factory. Should coronavirus restrictions prevent this, an alternative prize of equal standing will be organised.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France, plus a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME.

Prizes are also given to the winners’ endorsers and the runners-up in each category, with Craig Woodman of Broadstone Golf Club and Will Pallister of Cleckheaton & District Golf Club coming second in their respective categories. For Craig it was the second time he had finished as runner-up at the awards, having also done so in the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category in 2017.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will return for 2022, with nominations opening in March next year.

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