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‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

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‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution: Rebuilt a few years ago by architect and former European Tour player David J. Russell, the famous Machrie links on the Scottish island of Islay has now almost finished the construction of the bunkers on the new-look course.

And, according to course manager Dean Muir, it is only the use of the EcoBunker synthetic edging system that has made the installation of the bunkers possible.

‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

“Now, there are almost fifty bunkers on the course,” says Muir. “When DJ started the redesign project, the original intention was to have none. Had they been natural, we could never have managed to maintain those bunkers, because of the flymowing and strimming, and we would have had trouble building them too. Because of our island location it is difficult and expensive to get revetting turf, and our small turf nursery could never provide enough. It is the use of EcoBunker that has made these bunkers possible.”

Muir, who comes from Dunbar in the east of Scotland, first saw the EcoBunker method in use on a project in his home town, and realised quickly that it could be a help at The Machrie. Some links courses have resisted using EcoBunker, for fear that their bunkers will look artificial, but Muir believes he has found a solution to this issue. “After I saw photographs of the EcoBunkers built with double stacks of astroturf at the new Dumbarnie Links course in Fife, I realised they were just right for us,” he says. “The bunker faces were hydroseeded with fescue: once this started to grow, it made the bunkers look even better. So we rubbed fescue seed into the faces – you don’t want a lot, but a little bit of growth makes the bunkers look much more natural. Some of our EcoBunkers are nearly three years old, and a bit of age helps the naturalisation process too. The local golfers know they are EcoBunkers, but the majority of our play is visitors, and I don’t think they have any idea that the bunker faces are synthetic.”

Muir’s team has been constructing the EcoBunkers itself, following some training from the EcoBunker team. “We have built 22 EcoBunkers since October, and have just ten to go. We hope the project will be completed by Christmas,” he says.

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Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

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Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director: Toptracer has announced the appointment of David Cederholm as the company’s new EMEA Sales Director as the business continues its global expansion.

Cederholm, who joins the company with a wealth of experience across several different industries, will be tasked with overseeing sales strategy and the overall growth of Toptracer Range across the region.

Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

“We are delighted to welcome David to his new role at Toptracer,” commented Ben Sharpe, Toptracer President. “His experience in helping to implement technology to elevate businesses to the next level is something that really resonated with us.”

“We look forward to seeing the impact that David will have as we continue to accelerate our worldwide growth and help golf ranges and facilities turn their offerings into modern, forward-thinking entertainment destinations – and in turn, offer the tech driven experience the consumer now expects.”

A lifelong golfer currently playing off a handicap of 4, the role represents his first steps into the industry having garnered a wealth of experience leading sales strategies across sectors.

Cederholm began his career at Just Eat in 2006 as one of just four employees in the UK. He was with the company for six years, in which time orders grew from 100 a month to over a million, and saw the team grow to over 600 people. He led the sales function in the first nine of 13 eventual international market entries.

After leaving Just Eat, Cederholm started and scaled two other start-ups from day one of market entry: one in fashion, the other in automotive.

Since then, he’s worked on market expansion in the app-based taxi business and, most recently, returned to the takeaway food world with a SaaS platform that allows owners to take control of their own business and customer retention.

“The common element between these different verticals was it was all about selling change into traditional owner/operator businesses, where the introduction of technology and then user expectation drove change – something they had previously been reticent to adopt,” commented Cederholm.

“That’s something that I see as a common link with Toptracer Range, and the goals that I am aiming to implement in my new role. There’s an exciting, technology-led future for the golf and entertainment industries, and I will look to drive that forward with Toptracer Range at the forefront of the revolution.”

ABOUT TOPGOLF ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Topgolf Entertainment Group is a global sports and entertainment community that connects people in meaningful ways through the experiences we create, the innovation we champion and the good that we do. What began as a technology that enhanced the game of golf now encompasses a range of unmatched experiences where communities can discover common ground at brand expressions including Topgolf venues, Lounge by Topgolf, Toptracer, Toptracer Range, Topgolf Swing Suite, Topgolf Studios, Topgolf Live, World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf and Driving for Good.

ABOUT TOPTRACER RANGE

Toptracer Range, a brand expression from Topgolf Entertainment Group, connects communities of fans in meaningful ways by equipping driving ranges with Toptracer technology that offers an interactive and social experience that is perfect for all levels. With real-time data, players can compete in a variety of games, improve their skills or simply be introduced to the game of golf.

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BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme

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BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has unveiled its programme of education for January 2021, with members offered access to BIGGA’s world-renowned Continue to Learn via an entirely-online platform for the first time ever.

With the cancellation of BTME 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the continued use of the Harrogate Convention Centre as an NHS Nightingale Hospital, BIGGA’s Learning & Development team, alongside lead supporter The R&A, has put together an incredible two weeks of online learning, available to members of the sports turf profession wherever in the world they may be based.

BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme

BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme

Continue to Learn 2021 is testament to BIGGA’s commitment to enabling members of the association to continue their professional development despite the difficult global situation that has had a negative impact on the lives of so many.

The education programme will be split into two distinct sections, with Continue to Learn: Conference taking place from 19 to 21 January 2021 and Continue to Learn: Classes being held from 25 to 29 January 2021.

The Conference will feature three days of sessions on a wide variety of topics relating to all things turf management and professional development. Among the key note speakers will be Dr Frank Rossi of Cornell University and world-renowned golf architect Augustin Pizá of Pizá Golf.

The 24 Classes being offered by the association will enable BIGGA members to focus on an individual topic of interest with a wide range on offer, from developing personal confidence to the control of leatherjackets and other pests or the writing of reports and proposals.

Full details of the education programme, include more information about speakers and a special Golf Course 2030 session that will be taking place during the event, head to the BIGGA website, www.bigga.org.uk.

Continue to Learn usually takes place in the week of BTME, beginning the Sunday before the trade exhibition and featuring a range of workshops, seminars and major conference events. With 3,000 delegates attending the education programme in a normal year, Continue to Learn is hugely influential in shaping the direction and future of the golf greenkeeping and wider golf industry.

Continue to Learn 2021 follows a summer of online learning opportunities provided by the association, with the regular Continue to Learn Extra webinar series held since the start of the first Full Lockdown in March and featuring guest speakers who count among the most influential names in the industry. Turf professionals have also been able to access most of this learning in an audio format via the Green Room Golf Course Podcast, hosted by BIGGA and available on most podcast platforms, while BIGGA’s website also provides a vast library of exclusive learning opportunities.

In November, BIGGA hosted its first entirely online education event, called the National Regional Conference, which brought together the association’s regular regional conference sessions into a single day of learning. The event was widely praised and gave encouragement to BIGGA’s Learning & Development team that they could pull of an event as ambitious in scale as Continue to Learn 2021.

Registration for the programme is on three levels – individual, team or group – and BIGGA hopes that members utilise the excellent discounts on offer by clubbing together with their peers. For example, a group of 10 greenkeepers can experience the entire conference and have access to all of the content online for three months for less than £100 per person.

BIGGA’s Head of Learning & Development, Sami Strutt, has been involved with the organisation of the Continue to Learn education programme every year since 1994, taking up the management and delivery of the event in 2009.

Sami said: “After what has been for many the toughest year in living memory, the team at BIGGA was unwavering in its commitment to provide our members with an event that instils hope that things will soon get better and so I’m delighted that we’re able to present this extraordinary programme of online learning in January. With fewer job opportunities and increased pressure on greenkeeping teams to present golf courses in excellent condition following the surge in popularity experienced by golf this year, Continuing Professional Development has never been more important for greenkeeping teams, given they are responsible for the presentation of a golf club’s most important asset, the course itself.

“My immense gratitude goes to our headline supporter, The R&A, for their backing of this project and my thanks go out to all the speakers who have taken time out of their own lives to offer these learning opportunities for our members. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everybody’s lives, but events such as Continue to Learn are a reminder of what an incredible, close-knit community this is. I’m excited to meet you online via our virtual conference platform and hope to see you all there.”

For more information about Continue to Learn 2021, head to the BIGGA website, www.bigga.org.uk. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact the BIGGA Learning & Development team by emailing education@bigga.co.uk or by calling (01347) 666 580.

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Makita’s new cordless earth auger

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Makita’s new cordless earth auger: Leading power tool manufacturer, Makita UK has announced the release of its Brushless LXT 36V (18Vx2) DDG460 – Earth Auger. Suitable for a variety of earth boring tasks up to 200mm diameter, this powerful tool is breaking new ground in the field of cordless solutions.

Powered by two 18V LXT lithium-ion batteries, the new DDG460T2X7 (with two 5Ah batteries and twin-port fast charger) and DDG460ZX7 (body only version) Cordless Earth Auger is capable of producing a maximum torque of 136Nm. Thanks to its 36V brushless motor, the solution is suited for even the most demanding tasks with the ability to drill approximately 155 holes with a 150mm earth auger, and 90 holes with a 200mm earth auger all from a single charge (figures may vary depending on ground conditions.)

Makita's new cordless earth auger

Makita’s new cordless earth auger

The tool incorporates a number of features to protect the tool and battery from potential over use, including Makita’s integrated Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT) that automatically changes the drilling speed according to the load condition, thus enabling more optimum operation.

To protect the operator, the tool also features a torque limiter, that will activate if the auger binds in the ground, which is required due to the high torque output generated by this machine. Here, the motor will disengage from the output shaft and the machine will stop. Should an auger bit jam in soil with high resistance such as clay, the reversing switch enables the operator to extract the bit in reverse rotation. Makita has also included a Handle Set with a bar and auxiliary handle to assist the operator in controlling the rotation torque generated by the powerful motor and gearbox.

With a number of convenient controls such as soft-start function, an electric brake two-speed gearbox and variable speed control, the DDG460 can easily switch between tasks with its versatile auger bit adapter, whilst the twin LED job light makes working in low-light environments far easier.

The power unit can be fitted with a selection of 100mm, 150mm and 200mm earth augers and Makita has also introduced a 540mm extension bar to achieve greater hole depth when required.

Speaking on the new release, Mark Earles, OPE Business Development Manager at Makita UK commented: “The new DDG460 Cordless Earth Auger is ideal for many fencing and landscaping companies, with the power and performance required to tackle a variety of soils without the constraints of petrol engine alternatives. Powered by a brushless motor, the tool is engineered to run more efficiently for longer life and is fuelled by our LXT battery platform for fast charging and on-site productivity.

“We are looking forward to releasing more cordless, outdoor products as part of an exciting and expanding roadmap of cordless products in 2021.”

To see the DDG460 in action and to find out more, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80PGP5QzBXo

For more information about Makita, please visit: www.makitauk.com

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Soil Scout appoint Richie Stephens

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Soil Scout appoint Richie Stephens: Richie Stephens has been appointed to the position of Sales Executive for Soil Scout, effective from 4 January 2021. In his new role Richie will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities and generating sales, whilst also developing existing customer and reseller relationships.

Richie will be working alongside Soil Scout’s VP of International Sales, Adam Sedgwick.

Soil Scout appoint Richie Stephens

Soil Scout appoint Richie Stephens

Prior to his new position, Richie was Course Manager at Ringway Golf Club in Cheshire and previously Head Greenkeeper at Flixton Golf Club. Richie has spent much of his career in management roles building fantastic relationships with fellow greenkeepers, groundsmen and contractors from across all sports. He has also been commended for demonstrating a forward thinking approach to his work and embracing new technologies and better working practices.

Richie commented: “I am delighted to be joining Soil Scout at a really exciting time for the company. I’m looking forward to working with a great team promoting the huge benefits of such an innovative product. It’s a change of direction for me, but I hope to bring my 20-years experience in the sports turf industry to help Soil Scout’s customers achieve their soil monitoring goals.”

Commenting upon the appointment, Soil Scout CEO Jalmari Talola said: “We are delighted to welcome Richie to the Soil Scout team. He joins us with a wealth of industry knowledge and will be a huge asset to our relatively small but fast-growing operation.”

Adam Sedgwick commented: “We are really pleased to be able to appoint someone with Richie’s understanding and enthusiasm for the industry. He demonstrated a real passion for our remote real-time soil monitoring products and he’s a highly driven individual who will bring a new dynamic to the sales team.”

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