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South Staffordshire Invests to Prevent Wash-Out

South Staffordshire Invests to Prevent Wash-Out

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South Staffordshire Invests to Prevent Wash-Out

Faced with frequent heavy rainfall, and nearly 70 wash-out prone bunkers, South Staffordshire Golf Club has invested in the long term playability and maintenance of the course with a program of bunker improvements.

South Staffordshire Invests to Prevent Wash-Out

South Staffordshire Invests to Prevent Wash-Out

After thorough research, the team at South Staffs decided on a trial with industry leading erosion management specialists EcoBunker and its proprietary EcoTec™ bunker liner.

“Whenever we get heavy rainfall 50% of our bunkers get washed out and it takes us several days to get the course back in good condition,” said Mark Guy, Course Director at South Staffordshire Golf Club. “We needed a solution that drained well, held sand in place and reduced contamination. After a lot of research we settled on the EcoTec™ liner from EcoBunker and we’re delighted with the results.”

To accurately test the effectiveness of the EcoTec™ liner, the team installed three different options on the course. In one bunker they installed pipe drainage, hardcore and two layers of sand, in another simply hardcore and sand, and in the three bunkers surrounding the 18th green they installed pipe drainage and the EcoTec™ liner.

“The results have been quite clear. While drainage has improved in all cases, the EcoTec™ bunkers are now virtually maintenance free. They’re holding sand incredibly well, sand contamination has been eliminated and the amount of sand we are using has reduced dramatically,” continued Mark. “Drainage and wash-out were the main presenting issues, but in addition to performing brilliantly on those fronts, we are seeing many benefits including freeing up time to focus on other areas of the course.”

In addition to the final results of the trial, the team were impressed with the simple installation and the long-term cost savings from being able to take on future projects themselves.

“One of the deciding factors was that we could easily fit the liner ourselves,” concluded Mark. “Richard from EcoBunker came and trained the team on the first bunker and then we took over from there. It was such a simple process that the team picked up with ease. We’re now planning on upgrading the bunkers on the second and look forward to reaping the benefits for our maintenance team and keeping our members on course, whatever the weather.”

For more information on EcoBunker please visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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TGA Advises Temporary Cost Adjustment

TGA Advises Temporary Cost Adjustment

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TGA Advises Temporary Cost Adjustment

The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) is advising its grower members to introduce a temporary “Energy & Production Cost Adjustment” in response to recent increases in key input costs driven by external factors.

TGA Advises Temporary Cost Adjustment

TGA Advises Temporary Cost Adjustment

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and continued volatility in global energy markets have led to sharp rises in fuel prices, alongside sustained pressure on fertiliser costs. These inputs are critical to turf production, and the speed and scale of recent increases are creating immediate cost challenges for growers across the UK.

In response, the TGA is encouraging grower members to apply a clearly identified, temporary adjustment to invoices. The proposed “Energy & Production Cost Adjustment” is intended to provide a transparent and proportionate mechanism to reflect these short-term increases in input costs.

This recommendation follows discussions with grower members and is positioned as a shortterm response to exceptional market conditions. The level of the adjustment will be regularly reviewed by the TGA and adjusted or removed as conditions stabilise.

Separately, the TGA’s most recent Market Survey, conducted at the end of 2025, highlights the longer-term cost pressures facing the sector. Growers reported consistent increases in production costs over recent years, including an average rise of 5.64% in 2025. Importantly, many businesses indicated that selling prices have not kept pace, placing ongoing pressure on margins.

Richard Owens, Chair of the Turfgrass Growers Association, commented:

“Growers are facing a combination of sustained long-term cost pressures alongside more immediate increases driven by external factors, particularly fuel and fertiliser. This recommendation provides a clear and transparent way to reflect those short-term increases, while the wider industry continues to address the underlying cost challenges.”

The TGA continues to monitor developments closely and is working with its members and industry partners to support a resilient and sustainable turfgrass industry.

For further information, please contact:

Turfgrass Growers Association
info@turfgrass.co.uk
www.turfgrass.co.uk

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Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

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Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

As the first team moves into AFC Bournemouth’s new training complex at Canford Magna, a new fleet of Toro machinery arrives to look after the first four pitches to be built.

Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

Toro entrusted by Bournemouth for new centre

The machinery choices by Head of Grounds Ian Lucas are strategically made on how to cut more efficiently according to European regulations and meet the Premier League standards in place for all pitches.

Ian explains, “The products we chose come with adjustments to match the width of cut to the pitches exactly. The Toro Reelmaster 3100 with SideWinder, which is usually a mower favoured by golf clubs for cutting around bunkers and obstacles, allows us to mow as efficiently as possible with no overlap.”

It’s a machine also favoured by other premier football clubs, says Ian: “I visited other training centres and saw how other clubs had fitted a wider arm kit on the SideWinder but without the wider front units meaning they could cut 30 inches across instead of 26. That meant they the cutting width worked better with the required striping pattern within the dimensions of the pitch.”

The patented SideWinder technology brings more benefits than that to the football pitch though as Ian continues: “Being able to use the SideWinder cutting unit from left to right brings a more even weight distribution eliminating wear marks.”

Also ably assisting Ian and his team of 11 looking after the 57-acre training grounds are Toro’s Workman HDX utility vehicles with cabs for improved operator comfort and a Toro Reelmaster 3550 for its light footprint and turf-friendly tyres.

Ian says: “The Workmans have a big cargo bed which is perfect for the development stage of the project we’re in – it can easily cope with the amount of grass we need to move and the attachments we load it up with like the tipper trailer.”

This will be followed up with another machinery order in the new year as the next four pitches for the £36 million Performance Centre open. Ian comments: “We’re ready for that. I’ve already chosen the Toro machines I want and submitted the lists. I’ve been using Toro for around 15 years, so I know how good it is, especially with the back-up and support of Reesink, our local dealer D J Scott and our mobile mechanic Lee Read.”

He concludes: “When it comes to the turfcare machinery entrusted to look after this huge investment in sport, it had to be Toro.”

Mark Winder, Area Sales for Reesink, says: “Just as AFC Bournemouth’s ambition and commitment to excellence is shown with its new state of the art training complex, Reesink’s focus is on working with Ian and the team to ensure they have the turfcare equipment they need to maintain all the pitches to the highest of standards.”

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GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

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GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

Supporting contractors Parkers Pitches in their ongoing expansion is a fleet of efficient, robust equipment from GKB Machines. Pushing firmly into larger drainage and construction projects across East Anglia has demanded machinery that can step-up, and stay reliable under pressure and that’s exactly what owner Will Parker says they’ve enjoyed with their V-Strong, Combinator and, most recently, their SP100 topdresser.

GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

GKB Powering the Progress of Parkers Pitches

Will together with wife Lydia run Parkers Pitches, with a further team of three full-time operatives on the ground. In just a few short years, the contractors have built a strong reputation for cricket and football renovations, increasingly undertaking projects on other sports surfaces including drainage-led projects in golf. “As we began to expand, we found we were picking up more topdressing work and needed something faster and with more capacity” explains Will.

With a V-Strong and GKB Combinator already demonstrating fantastic build quality and versatility, Will was confident enough to purchase the Sandspreader without the need for a demonstration. They opted for an SP100, a broadcast disc-dresser with a 1.0m3 hopper – the ideal size for mounting on their existing John Deere ProGator.

“It’s been absolutely bulletproof” he exclaims. “We’re putting thousands of tonnes through it every year and you wouldn’t know it. It runs perfectly every time, we’ve barely had to put a spanner on it… even the paint is still immaculate inside the hopper! This productivity and reliability is crucial for keeping our schedule on track in tight renovation windows.”

The performance of the SP100 has come as no surprise to the team, with similar qualities on show from their V-Strong scarifier and Combinator. “The V-Strong is exactly that – unbelievably strong! Cricket square can be really hard come the end of a season and where our previous machine would struggle on renovations, the V-Strong doesn’t blink – getting the job done in less than half the time.”

“Our 1.6m Combinator also is getting used more and more and, again, it’s rarely missed a beat. On the odd occasion we’ve needed support, GKB’s Tom Shinkins and the team at Ernest Doe have gone above and beyond to get us back up and running and keeping us on track.” Will concludes, “As we continue to grow and move into new areas, we know we have the right equipment and right support with GKB to make it a success.”

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GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

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GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group is pleased to welcome three new members: James Williamson, Sonny Keywood and Calum Clarkson.

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

The trio join after a strong application process with an impressive number of candidates from across the sector.

The GMA NextGen group brings together young professionals who act as ambassadors for the industry. Their mission is to inspire and support more young people into careers in grounds management, helping to secure a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future.

Introducing the New Members

James Williamson, Club Development Partner at Cricket Wales, has been a passionate sports person from a young age. Growing up in Cornwall, he supported sports development through a variety of coaching roles before moving to Cardiff in 2019 to study Sport and Exercise Science (BSc). After graduating, he chose to stay in Wales and turn his passion for sport into a full-time career. James now helps Cricket Wales create welcoming, sustainable cricket facilities across the country. James is particularly motivated to help young people discover the wide range of opportunities within the sector.

Sonny Keywood, Groundsperson at Brighton & Hove Albion FC, has always loved sport and spending time outdoors, making grounds management a perfect career. Sonny first learned about the industry through his dad, realising early on that it offered far more variety and opportunity than he had imagined. He enjoys the fast pace of his role and the day-to-day challenges that come with maintaining elite playing surfaces. He sees NextGen as a platform to raise the profile of the profession and help young people see grounds management as a respected and rewarding career choice.

Calum Clarkson, Groundsperson at George Heriot’s School, takes great pride in preparing top-quality cricket pitches and sports surfaces. Alongside his work maintaining the grounds at George Heriot’s School, he is Head Groundsman at Royal High Corstorphine Cricket Club. Growing up in sport, he understands how much high-quality surfaces matter for safety, performance and player experience. Having once been unaware of the career routes available in turf care, he is now committed to championing the profession and inspiring future talent.

Jack Langley, Co‑Chair of the GMA NextGen group, said: “James, Sonny and Calum bring real energy and industry insight to the existing group. Each of them has a brilliant story about how they found their way into grounds management, and they share a willingness to supporting young people entering the profession. We’re excited to have them on board and to see the impact they’ll make.”

Meg Lay, Co‑Chair of the GMA NextGen group, added: “The NextGen group exists to give young professionals a voice and to help drive the industry forward. James, Sonny and Calum each bring fresh perspectives and valuable experience. Their excitement is exactly what we need as we continue promoting the sector and inspiring the next generation.”

Find out more about the NextGen group by visiting www.thegma.org.uk/nextgen

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