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Applications open for Bernhard’s #200Club

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Applications open for Bernhard’s #200Club: Industry-leader in turf sharpening equipment and management solutions, Bernhard and Company has announced that the application process is open for the exclusive 2022 BIGGA Delegation trip.

Revered around the country, the Bernhard and Company BIGGA Delegation is one of the most respected and sought-after personal development opportunities for greenkeepers and turf professionals in the UK. The week-long educational trip to the coveted GIS Show as part of the BIGGA Delegation will feature experiences designed to elevate attendees’ careers, and will also include site visits to leading golf facilities in the region.

Applications open for Bernhard’s #200Club

Applications open for Bernhard’s #200Club

2022 will mark the 20th year that Bernhard and Company have worked in synergy with BIGGA to deliver the delegation. As such, successful applicants will form part of ‘The 200 Club’ – an exclusive group of professionals that will form part of the 20th iteration of the delegation.

The chosen BIGGA members will represent the UK’s greenkeeping industry, as they develop their network with likeminded professionals from around the globe. They will also take a deep dive into the educational offering at the largest turf management exhibition in the world, this time taking place at The Harbor Drive Convention Center, in San Diego.

Tom Smith, now a senior greenkeeper at Wylihof Golf Club in Switzerland, and member of the San Antonio, 2019 delegation party, commented: “The education is second to none. The week was packed full of learning experiences relating to different aspects of greenkeeping, as well as site visits to top golf courses in the area. I really can’t speak highly enough of the trip and would encourage everybody to put themselves forward.”

Steven Nixon, Director for Bernhard and Company, added: “We are looking forward to resuming the BIGGA Delegation this year after missing out in 2021. The company is excited to be working with BIGGA once again to give something back to the industry we love. I’m certain it will be a career-defining week for our #200Club attendees.”

The GCSAA educational conference takes place from the 5th – 10th February 2022, in San Diego, and the deadline for applications is Friday 17th September 2021 at 5pm BST.

To apply, head online to: https://www.bernhard.co.uk/bigga2022.

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Wet Sand no issue with Dakota 412

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Wet Sand no issue with Dakota 412: As the most northern links golf course on the United Kingdom mainland, having a top dresser that can spread wet sand like the Dakota 412 from Campey Turf Care Systems is a must at Scotland’s Reay Golf Club. 

The James Braid designed course is positioned on the edge of Sandside Bay with views of the Pentland Firth and the North Atlantic from every hole. The course and its stunning views have been under the control of Head Greenkeeper Jason Norwood, since March 2021, with the new man aiming to put his stamp on the course, starting with the greens.

Wet Sand no issue with Dakota 412

Wet Sand no issue with Dakota 412

As the sole full-time member of staff for the main 18-hole course and junior three-hole, Jason’s priority is the greens, with volunteers giving up two days a week to assist with the fairways and roughs. The limited time available to Jason needs to be spent working, and with the Dakota 412, he’s able to top-dress as and when he needs to regardless of the sand moisture.

“I’ve tried to put my own stamp on things here with different types of machinery and different ways of working, and the club has really been on board with that, and one of those things has been buying the new Dakota top dresser,” Jason explains.

“The equipment we originally had couldn’t cope well with wet sand; it was more of a large-scale fertiliser spreader. As you can imagine at the top of Scotland, there’s a lot of rain about so any sand that we do have is normally quite wet, so that was one of the main features of the Dakota for us because it can deal with that quite easily and we still get a good even spread with it.

“We really want to push forward and make use of the North Coast 500 tourist route, which is literally on our doorstep; it passes directly in front of us, so we get a lot of passing visitors now, and I think all year-round performing greens are the main thing golfers are after on a golf course so it’s making sure that we can provide that for them.

“We’ve had the machine since the middle of April, but because of the weather chances to get it out have been limited. I’ve trialled different settings on our junior course greens to get what we want for the main course, and it’s been good so far.

“With it having four wheels the weight is distributed incredibly well, so it doesn’t leave a mark on the greens, and the first time I used it you’d have no idea that anything had been done or any heavy equipment had been over the greens it because the footprint was minimal.”

The Dakota 412 features accurate and easy to operate calibration with no manual adjustment and has four Ultra-Trac turf tyres on independent floating beam axels for maximum weight distribution, allowing Jason to work without causing viable disruption to the surface.

As part of Campey’s installation, and to help Jason get the most out of the machine, Campey Product Specialist, Richard Heywood, walked him through the various settings and features, which Jason views as an invaluable experience.

Jason explains: “Because we are so far north, there is a lot more to consider when ordering machinery. Something that was great for me was being supplied through my machinery dealer Double A with support from Campey by sending Richard to demonstrate how to use the top dresser to the best of its abilities. This proved invaluable to me not having used one before.

“He went through it all, explained what all the different settings were, how to adjust it all, and that was vital. Having someone who knows how to operate it fully really maximises its performance and helps us get the best out of the machine.”

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Kubota launch smart energy range

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Kubota launch smart energy range: Kubota, the market-leading manufacturer in mini construction equipment, has launched an LPG-powered mini-excavator alongside a fully electric track dumper, offering users even more options to drive down emissions.

Forming part of the manufacturer’s Smart Energy Solutions range, the new KX019-4 SI HGL (LPG) mini-excavator and KC70H-4e track dumper utilise next-generation low and zero emissions technology, all while providing the same proven performance and capabilities of Kubota’s most compact and versatile machines.

Kubota launch smart energy range

Kubota launch smart energy range

Powered by LPG, The KX019-4 SI HGL (LPG)’s Spark Ignition engine enables dramatically reduced emissions and toxicity in the familiar form factor while offering the same levels of performance and productivity as the standard KX019-4. Compared to diesel engines, the new excavator emits almost zero particulate matter and reduces nitrous oxide and hydrocarbon emissions to just 5% of an equivalent diesel engine.

On site, LPG offers a number of advantages over traditional fuels. Refueling is simpler, faster, and unlike diesel fuel, the canisters cannot contaminate the work site through spillages.

Kubota’s Spark Ignition engine no longer requires a diesel particulate filter, reducing the need for maintenance, and operates at lower noise levels, while providing the same levels of power as before. The KX019-4 LPG’s all-day uptime, quieter operation and 2.5m dig depth ensure the new machine is among Kubota’s most versatile mini-excavators, capable of operating anywhere and at any time of day or night.

The KC70H-4e offers the same performance and productivity improvements introduced with the KC70 in a fully electric, zero-emission solution.

Its fast charge time and all day continuous run time work hand-in-hand to maximise time on site, while its 700kg load capacity, compact design and low noise engine make the machine perfect for use in any environment at any time of day, including in low emissions areas.

Glen Hampson, Construction Division Manager at Kubota, said: “We believe our customers shouldn’t have to compromise on productivity or power when it comes to the tools that help them get the job done. That’s why when we introduce a new technology, such as the KX019-4 SI HGL (LPG) Spark Ignition engine or the KC70H-4e’s lithium battery, we do so in a way that ensures our customers can rely on the machine’s quality and reliability just as much as before.

“Both new machines offer the same power and capabilities our customers expect, alongside new enhancements set to reduce Kubota’s impact on the planet and deliver on our mission: For Earth, For Life.

“We can’t wait to get these new machines into the hands of customers to show them the future of the Kubota lineup.”

To learn more about the KX019-4 SI HGL (LPG) or KC70H-4e, or locate your nearest dealer, please visit: https://kuk.kubota-eu.com/constructionmachinery/product-category/smart-energy-solutions/

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No weed out of reach

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No weed out of reach: Campey Turf Care Systems latest innovation, the AIR Trolly Pack from Dutch manufacturer WeedControl BV brings the hardest to access weeds into reach.

The Honda GX120 motor with compressor powers the LPG/propane 3x15kw hot-air burner head with an adjustable operating temperature between 190°C – 290°C. The small footprint of the trolley and burner means it can easily access hard to reach areas such as around poles, along walls and road edges, under street furniture and in narrow street passages and alleys where weeds consistently grow. The AIR Trolly Pack is also ideal for inner-city areas and the after-treatment of larger weed removal projects.

No weed out of reach

No weed out of reach

Flame weeding is a very effective and environmentally friendly way to remove weeds against alternative methods such as potentially harmful herbicides. Most annual and some perennial weeds can be eradicated using a flame that essentially explodes the weeds’ cells, turning them into ash. This ash then mixes with the soil or disperses with no harm to other plants while there is no risk of drift onto other areas, which can be common with chemical applications.

WeedControl has explored all health and safety concerns associated with working with a flame during the development of the product. Special attention was paid to the ease of operation to ensure that any user can safely and easily operate the machine. All WeedControl products are made to meet legal requirements when working in public and private areas and impact the environment as little as possible with a focus on sustainability.

The AIR Trolly Pack can be optionally supplied with a hot-air bin at the front side. This is equipped with a 3x15kW hot-air burner head. For this, the AIR Trolly Pack is modified at the front side for stability.

For more information or a demonstration of the AIR Trolley Pack, contact Campey Turf Care Systems.

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Oxford GC encouraging Covid vaccine

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Oxford GC encouraging Covid vaccine: An Oxfordshire golf club is doing its bit to encourage young people to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations by offering free membership for a year to one lucky player.

Oxford Golf Club will include all student and Colt members who can prove they have been double vaccinated by Christmas Day in the one-off draw which will entitle the winner to a year of free golf.

Oxford GC encouraging Covid vaccine

Oxford GC encouraging Covid vaccine

The historic course, located on Hill Top Road in Cowley, Oxford, is running the competition after NHS England data revealed only 70% of all 18 to 29-year-old’s living in the UK had received their first jab by August 12.

It hopes the prize, worth up to £1,225, will encourage its Student and Colt members, aged up to 35 to get vaccinated. On top of a year’s worth of free golf membership includes free function room hire, reciprocal golf at selected UK courses, up to 15% bar discount and the chance to win Oxford United tickets.

Steve Greenwood, General Manager at Oxford Golf Club, said: “Oxford has been at the heart of the UK’s vaccine rollout, which is responsible for the freedoms we are so privileged to currently have. Being vaccinated means you are not only protecting yourself, but also those around you.

“We appreciate it is a personal choice and some people have concerns, but as a community-based club we felt it was our duty to help raise awareness of the benefits of getting vaccinated and encourage youngsters to do so.

“The team were talking about what we can do, and we decided to be bold and do something to really help make a difference. It should appeal to our younger members, but at the same time also help spread this important message.”

Oxford Golf Club Professional Joe Pepperell backed the club’s giveaway and said getting the jab is quick, simple and stress-free.

He said: “My experience of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination was excellent. In minutes, I booked my jab online and, on the day, I was in and out within half-an-hour.

“The pandemic has truly underlined the importance of taking care of our own physical and mental health. Right now, there is no better way to protect your physical health by getting the jab.

“Golf has been a lifeline to many people in the last year with participation levels reaching a new peak as players of all abilities enjoy our great sport in a fun, outdoor, environment.

“Being outdoors and enjoying exercise is proven to be one of the biggest contributors to boosting our mental wellbeing. We’re lucky to be located so close to the city centre yet provide our community with 18 quality holes set in picturesque green surroundings.

“Our location means we have a lot of student members from the city’s universities and colleges, which is another factor in why we felt it was important we played our part in the vaccination education campaign.

“It’s a fantastic prize and I would like to wish everyone who is eligible to enter the best of luck.”

Founded in 1873 Oxford Golf Club was the original club of Oxford University and to this day features an 18-hole course designed by legendary golf architect Harry Colt.

Further information about the club’s free membership draw to student and colt members is available via admin@oxfordgolfclub.net.

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