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Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

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Duncan Ross Works to Maintain Wetland Habitats While Improving Playability at Aberdovey Golf Club : Duncan Ross has worked closely with Aberdovey Golf Club to ensure the wetland habitats for flora and fauna were maintained during vital drainage works to improve playability of the course.

Since 2005 Aberdovey started to experience an increase in the frequency and length of course closures due to a combination of reduced ditch maintenance, ageing and collapsing clay field drains in the fairways and changing weather patterns.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

The course, which is flanked by Cardigan Bay and a long sandy foreshore incorporating a semi mobile dune system, is highly valued as a rich source of ecology and biodiversity and is classed as a site of special scientific interest and also serves as a special area of conservation. As such, the club works with the STRI, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Gwynedd County Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.

The ditch system in the centre and northern end of the course supports a population of lesser water plantain which used to be scattered throughout the country but is now mainly found in coastal regions and the East Anglian fens. A vital part of the project was to improve the stormwater run-off from the site while retaining sufficient water in the ditches to maintain the population.

A significant part of the project was lowering the water table, which was high due to the original ditches and pumps not being installed at the lowest possible level. This practise has been commonplace at numerous links courses to prevent drying out in the summer but remains playable in winter. However, due to more regular rainfall during July and August courses no longer dry out in the same way, and the shallow ditches, warm days, and low ditch maintenance have helped the lesser water plantain flourish and the determent of the course.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

David Tomkinson, Greens Chairman at Aberdovey Golf Club, explains: “The contribution made by Duncan and his employees was central to the success of the improved drainage scheme. Work was carried out from first light until dusk, deadlines adhered to and all operations carried out professionally with the very minimum of disruption to the golfers on the course.

“The success of the drainage improvement project has resulted in many fewer days lost to course closures while maintaining the population of lesser water plantain.

“Duncan arrived on site in February 2018, and it was soon established that while the pumping station near the Clubhouse end of the course was effective, the natural flow outfall at the far end was not. Duncan very quickly found that a 250mm drop to the stream, off-site, combined with the fall across an existing seemingly horizontal culvert near the outfall would provide the basis to drop the water table by 750mm.

“The base of the main ditch was increased in depth across half its width, with levelling techniques maintaining a steady fall of 750mm over a 3km length. The area of ditch where the plantain is most prevalent may have caused a problem so Duncan’s suggestion, not taken up by NRW, was to dig a parallel ditch to improve the drainage without disturbing the rare plants.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

“The solution chosen was to reduce the disturbance to the fairway by leaving the old clay pies in place, avoiding damaging the fairway by removing them, and putting in new pipes in parallel but at the new, lower, water level. A sluice was installed near the main outfall to hold back at least 50mm of water in the ditch system while allowing the run-off of stormwater.

“A requirement from NRW was the excavation of wetland scrapes in low lying areas near the 11th green which were constructed and provide an additional area for the plantain to colonise. Also, Duncan was able to weld an extension onto the pumped outfall pipe on the beachside of the dunes, which reduced the amount of sand washed away at the dune base. On the golf course side of this pipe, an area of redundant dry ditch was filled in, and the turf replaced, making the area playable by golfers.”

The club continues to work with NRW and Duncan Ross on several projects relating to the management of the site including monitoring coastal erosion, protecting the wetland areas from seawater ingress, creation of further wetland scrapes and sand scrape areas, monitoring the population of sand lizards, management of rank grass areas to improve grazing for sheep and management of areas of degenerate gorse.

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Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

Toptracer and The Belfry announce long-term partnership

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Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership :  Toptracer has today announced details of a multi-year business partnership with historic British golf venue, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, as the brands join forces to enhance the club’s technology offering and global appeal.

The iconic Warwickshire-based club has played host to the Ryder Cup on four occasions, as well as numerous European Tour events, and is set to stage the British Masters again later this year. The Belfry is also the home of The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) in the United Kingdom.

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

A key feature of the partnership is the installation of a unique blend of Toptracer Range products on-site at The Belfry. Utilising the full covered range and monitor system in 34 bays, as well as elements of the new Toptracer Range Mobile solution outdoors, The Belfry will become the premier practice destination in the country.

 

Toptracer will assist in delivering numerous global activations, designed to offer unique ways for golfers around the world to experience the venue through a modernised platform that enhances ‘The Belfry experience’. More than just the integration of technology, The Belfry and Toptracer will also collaborate on a series of innovative new event experiences and activations over the tenure of the partnership.

 

In addition to the range installation, The Belfry’s famous Brabazon course has also been mapped for use in the Toptracer Range ‘virtual golf’ mode, meaning it will be available to play at more than 400 Toptracer Range locations worldwide in the near future.

 

Toptracer Range technology transforms a golf range into a veritable sports entertainment destination. The industry-leading ball tracing provides golfers with accurate, live shot data that can be used for practice purposes or to compete in challenges and games with friends.

 

Cameras mounted around the facility trace every shot to produce an array of data, including distance, speed, launch angle, shape, and more, that is then displayed on a 21-inch monitor in each hitting bay for the covered solution, or the users’ mobile phone for Toptracer Range Mobile-enabled sites.

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

“We are delighted to be working with Toptracer and are looking forward to relaunching our upgraded Academy in April,” said Chris Reeve, Golf Director at The Belfry. “We’ve reviewed all technology options and identified Toptracer as the optimal game-changer for us. It will allow guests with any level of golfing experience, from beginners and non-golfers to frequent players, to enjoy a wide range of games and activities with family and friends,” he added.

 

“Everyone at The Belfry is very excited to begin what we hope will be a prosperous partnership with Toptracer.” Commented Chris Eigelaar, Resort General Manager at The Belfry. “Toptracer will be a fantastic addition to the already top-class facilities here, and will aid us in continuing to deliver a world class golfing experience. We truly believe there is nowhere better than here to learn and play golf.” He added.

 

Ben Sharpe, President of Toptracer, added: “This is a monumental partnership for us. The Belfry is an historic venue, and this is a landmark installation and agreement that is broader and more progressive than almost anything we’ve seen worldwide to date. We can’t wait for golfers to enjoy our full technology offering at what is undoubtedly a world leading facility.

 

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with The Belfry to deliver on some global projects they have planned and play a role in enhancing their offering to customers for the foreseeable future.”

 

For more information on the Toptracer, head to www.toptracer.com.

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Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

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Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity : Ingersoll Rand Inc. a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions, has entered into an agreement to sell its Specialty Vehicle Technologies Segment (“Club Car”) to the global private equity firm Platinum Equity. The all-cash transaction is valued at $1.68 billion, which is approximately 12.1x 2020 Specialty Vehicle Technologies Segment Adjusted EBITDA, and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

“Today’s announcement to divest Club Car demonstrates swift progression on our transformation journey,” said Vicente Reynal, chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand. “The Club Car divestiture achieves a premium valuation for the leader in the golf, commercial and consumer low-speed vehicle market. We are excited about future opportunities to create long-term value for stockholders with the cash from the transaction, including significant organic and inorganic investment into our core business segments as we advance our growth strategies and expand our addressable market. We continue to leverage IRX to drive results and execute strategy, including portfolio optimization, and will continue to devote our energy to driving innovation across our businesses with a portfolio focused on core, sustainability-oriented, mission-critical flow creation technologies and industrial solutions supported by long term growth trends.”

Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

Ingersoll Rand selected Platinum Equity because of their financial, operational and marketing expertise as well as their focus and interest in the automotive industry and mobility trends. Platinum is an ideal fit for Club Car and will serve as a strong partner in driving long-term, sustainable growth for the business.

“Club Car has a long history of leadership in golf, utility and consumer low-speed vehicles, and we look forward to nurturing their core business and supporting the diverse needs of the company’s customers,” said Tom Gores, chairman and chief executive officer of Platinum Equity. “We are excited to partner with the Club Car team and support the business as it executes on its strategy of operational excellence and ongoing, profitable commercial growth.”

Goldman Sachs is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Ingersoll Rand and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel. Credit Suisse and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisors to Platinum Equity on the acquisition of Club Car and Morgan Lewis is serving as Platinum Equity’s legal counsel. BofA Securities will lead the debt financing for Platinum Equity and Club Car. Willkie Farr is providing financing counsel to Platinum Equity on the transaction.

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North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

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North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines : EMY Plant Hire, a new start-up rental business based in Wrexham in North Wales in the UK, has purchased over 20 new machines of all types from the full-liner range offered by Bobcat. The new Bobcat mini-excavators, compact loaders, telehandlers and attachments available to rent from EMY Plant Hire were supplied by Norwest Plant Ltd, the local Authorised Bobcat Dealer.

EMY Plant Hire was founded by Joint Directors, Emily Roberts and Andrew Dickens, concentrating first on the local area, including North Wales, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire, before looking to eventually operate nationwide.

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

(l to r) Sam Lockert, Hire Manager at EMY Plant Hire with Joint Directors, Emily Roberts and Andrew Dickens

As well as general plant and other products for users in diverse markets such as construction, landscaping, utilities and agriculture, EMY Plant Hire has been formed to also offer the more unusual and specialist products for its wide customer base. To illustrate this, the company is one of the first rental businesses in the UK to offer the articulated version of the Bobcat E85 8.5 tonne mini-excavator.

Emily Roberts commented: “At EMY Plant Hire, we are fully committed to offering a first class rental service for our customers, but we would also like to offer more unusual and innovative products for hire. We are one of the first rental companies to offer the articulated boom version of the E85, which is an unusual feature in the UK market, where the preference is for straight boom models. The articulated boom allows users to bring the arm on the E85 closer and to reach a lot higher, potentially providing them with a larger working range.

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

“We are also targeting specialist areas such as the tree surgery and forestry markets. By offering both the conventional and the leading edge, we have much to offer not only our own customer base but also by cross-hire through other rental and contractor companies. We have already laid the ground for these relationships and feel very positive about the local market and beyond.”

As well as the E85, Norwest Plant has delivered a further 13 Bobcat mini-excavators including four E10z 1 tonne, two E17z 1.7 tonne and eight more models above 2 tonne, including E20z, E26 and E45 models. With the machines from Norwest Plant, EMY Plant Hire is also offering Bobcat S100 and S450 skid-steer loaders and a Bobcat T450 compact track loader. Alongside these are TL30.70 7 m and T40.180SLP 18 m telehandlers from Bobcat and seven different Bobcat attachments including pallet forks, an auger and buckets.

Garry Wheawall of Norwest Plant, based in Wigan in Lancashire, said: “We are very impressed with the innovation being shown by EMY Plant Hire. Even during the last 12 months of the pandemic, rental companies have continued to operate and in some places have been flat out. I think this is a good time for EMY to enter the market, offering a broader set of products and solutions for customers.”

 

Authorised Bobcat Dealer for North Wales and North-West England

As well as the Bobcat range of mini-excavators, skid-steer and compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, telehandlers, light compaction and attachments, Norwest Plant offers a full selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and parts to support both new and existing Bobcat customers in its area. Customers also benefit from the company’s on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance.

Norwest Plant is part of the Construction Equipment Division of Northern Ireland-based Ballyvesey Holdings Ltd, a privately-owned group with a wide range of trading subsidiaries. As the Authorised Bobcat Dealer for North-West England and North Wales, Norwest Plant covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside (including the Wirral), Cheshire, Anglesey, North Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham.

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com

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THE DREAM MACHINERY TEAM AT THORPE HALL GOLF CLUB

The Dream Machinery Team at Thorpe Hall Golf Club.

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The Dream Machinery Team at Thorpe Hall Golf Club : Thorpe Hall Golf Club has seen for itself the benefits not one, but two Reesink Turfcare brands can bring to a course after investing in both Toro and Nordic Plow.

With a hectare of greens and a course stretching 90 acres in total, it’s no easy feat to keep up excellent turf maintenance at Thorpe Hall Golf Club. And no one knows that better than course manager Chris Wright, who’s been at the club for nearly 19 years.

Chris Wright, course manager, with the Toro ProCore 648 and Nordic Plow Core Solutions attachment, at Thorpe Hall Golf Club.

Chris Wright, course manager, with the Toro ProCore 648 and Nordic Plow Core Solutions attachment, at Thorpe Hall Golf Club.

“I’ve been course manager since 2013 and before that I was deputy course manager, so I definitely know the course and the best ways to maintain it,” explains Chris. “Which is why in 2018 we signed our first Toro lease deal. Not only did signing a lease deal bring with it financial benefits, but Toro machinery is built to last.”

 

With a comprehensive Toro fleet that includes the Reelmaster 3575-D fairway mower, Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420, Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, Groundsmaster 3500-D Sidewinder, Groundsmaster 4500-D and a Multipro 5800 sprayer, the only thing missing was an efficient and reliable aerator, but it didn’t take Chris long to add that to the shed.

 

“We decided to go with the Toro ProCore 648 to replace our old aerator in 2019, as well as Core Solutions, the Nordic Plow core collector attachment,” says Chris. “The ProCore is without a doubt the best pedestrian aerator on the market, it contours incredibly well and with three-wheel drive it’s proved to be more versatile.”

 

“The Core Solutions core collector was an improvement on our previous attachment, which would always leave us needing to clean up after it. It’s also great value for money and works really well with the ProCore on the greens.”

 

Designed for both golf courses and sports surfaces, the core collecting blade attachment from Nordic Plow fits perfectly onto all brands and models of aeration equipment and bunker rakes, providing an efficient and cost-effective way to remove cores from a playing surface in minutes.

 

“We’re always making small improvements where we can to the course with our ongoing maintenance,” concludes Chris. “The Toro ProCore and Nordic Plow Core Solutions combined have helped hugely with course maintenance and saved a lot of time, and overall our new machinery lease with Reesink has proved to be a big success.”

 

To find out more about the Toro range or the machinery attachments available from Reesink, call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

 

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