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Golf’s ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognised

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Golf’s ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognised: GEO Foundation has announced an exciting new initiative to recognise and celebrate individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to advancing sustainability in golf.

These ‘Sustainability Champions’ are honoured for their significant and measurable achievements in club and course management, and in the future, this will extend to course design, tournament staging and advocacy.

Golf’s ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognised

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, GEO Foundation said: “Golf’s positive contributions to the environment and communities come from the commitments, actions and results generated by real people across the sport, around the world. It is their voluntary leadership that is helping deliver stronger and more sustainable businesses; changing the image of the game; and delivering even more value to society. This is our way of recognising and rewarding them, as individuals, and will hopefully inspire many others to step forward and follow suit.”

See the eligibility criteria and inaugural list of Sustainability Champions

One of the first Sustainability Champions is Richard Mullen, Course Manager at Banchory Golf Club. Richard said: “Always within our professional industry we try to create the best surfaces we can, we should not however create these surfaces to any detrimental measures. We must work day-to-day with a sustainable approach to ensure not just the future of our game but the environment we live in. No bigger reason to change the way we think.”

New individuals will always be welcomed as Sustainability Champions, as they meet the criteria, to create a recognisable, public listing of sustainable golf leaders around the world.

Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability, The R&A said: “Addressing sustainability often requires behavioural change and investment in infrastructure. It takes courage for individuals at golf facilities to take the lead in promoting such activities to their managers and employers. Those that succeed have to be truly committed and persuasive. ‘Sustainability Champions’ recognises these individuals who not only follow their conscience and do what is right, but who take action that reflects favourably on the golf business and on the sport itself.”

Each Champion is provided with a recognition mark and supporting materials to represent their important roles in the workplace, on their CV and in their communities.

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New Jacobsen launches at BTME

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New Jacobsen launches at BTME: Jacobsen is set to launch the brand-new Eclipse 360 ELiTE, Eclipse 2 Lithium and AR730 at BTME 2020.

Exhibition attendees will be able to experience the new machines for the first time in Purple Hall, Stand 422 across the three day exhibition in Harrogate with the Jacobsen team ready to talk greenkeepers through the mowers and their new features.

New Jacobsen launches at BTME

Jacobsen was an early innovator of electric golf mowers, and the ride-on Eclipse 360 ELiTE showcases that unique decade’s worth of experience while delivering the signature Jacobsen quality of cut. That knowledge has also been built into the Eclipse 2 Lithium. A patented true floating head and Classic XPÔ reel combine to produce a lithium powered mower that has already proven itself at the renowned Pebble Beach.

Focusing on the end-user has been an integral part of the 2020 product updates, and the comfort, size and power of the new AR730 make it perfect for mowing hilly terrain with sharp undulations while reducing the chance of scalping.

Ransomes Jacobsen director of international product development, Richard Comely, has been central to the growth of these new products and is excited to unveil them to the industry.

He said: “BTME is always a significant exhibition in the golf industry calendar, and it is the perfect place for us to launch these innovative new models. During product development, we were focused on the end-user and their everyday needs, while also concentrating on the environment they work in. Electrically powered technology is becoming increasingly important for many reasons, and we want to continue providing the industry with electric golf mowers that provide the performance and cut quality needed to produce a world class course.

New Jacobsen launches at BTME

“Harrogate is the ideal setting to welcome greenkeepers onto the stand and show them what we’ve been working on as well as listening to their thoughts on what they would like as an end-user.”

Another example of industry leading battery technology will be on the stand in the shape of the E-Z-GO Freedom RXV Elite with Textron Fleet Management (TFM) installed. This golf car is unmatched when it comes to performance, efficiency, and standard features. Models are available with the option of a 48-volt AC electric drivetrain with patented IntelliBrakeÔ technology or the first of its kind EX1 closed-loop EFI petrol engine which provides unmatched energy efficiencies. Headlights, taillights, brake lights and a modern dash come as standard with the option of rear facing seats and a choice of 13 colours.

The Cushman Hauler 800X Elite, Cushman Truckster with mounted Turfco 1550 Top Dresser and Smithco Ultra Lite Roller will also be on the stand to showcase the full range of Jacobsen turf maintenance equipment.

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Could you be the new BASIS FACTS Chairperson?

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Could you be the new BASIS FACTS Chairperson?: BASIS is seeking to recruit a new Chairperson for the BASIS FACTS Advisory Committee, starting in March 2020.

The FACTS Committee comprises of representatives from a range of academic, advisory and commercial organisations, which the new Chair will oversee.

Could you be the new BASIS FACTS Chairperson?

BASIS CEO, Stephen Jacob, explains the FACTS Committee is taking forward some important changes to the FACTS scheme, to ensure professional standards are kept up to date and aligned with developments in the technical, regulatory and policy environment.

“We’re looking for a Chair that can manage robust debate around the ever-changing landscape and gain buy-in from members, as well as the bodies they represent,” says Stephen.

“The Chair will be responsible for setting the agenda, liaising with the BASIS team and ensuring that Committee members views are heard and acted upon.”

He says the Board is looking for an independent candidate who is not involved in the industries which BASIS serves.

“The new Chair needs to be an experienced manager who can demonstrate being a team player. It would also be beneficial to have experience of land-based or related industries, but this isn’t vital,” he adds.

The role requires chairing a minimum of two meetings a year, which are held in Peterborough, but the candidate can be based anywhere in the UK. In addition, the successful individual will be appointed as a Trustee of BASIS. This involves joining a further three Board meetings each year.

The FACTS Chair will be appointed by the BASIS Board of Trustees for an initial three-year term, which can be renewed annually for a further four years.

Outgoing FACTS Chair, Susannah Bolton, says she has thoroughly enjoyed the role.

“I have relished working with an engaged, expert Committee and a dedicated team at BASIS, in an area where I feel we can really make a difference and build trust in our industry,” says Susannah.

For an informal and confidential discussion to learn more about the position, please email Stephen Jacob on stephen@basis-reg.co.uk to arrange a mutually convenient time.

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Carrick Sports acquires Phil Day Sports

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Carrick Sports acquires Phil Day Sports: STRI Group’s construction division, Carrick Sports, has expanded its UK operation by acquiring leading sports turf contractor Phil Day Sports Ltd (PDS).

Due to high demand for Carrick Sports services, the Glasgow-based business has strengthened its UK footprint by taking on Phil Day Sports’ employees, machinery, offices and existing client contracts. It will operate solely under the Carrick Sports Construction brand from January 20th 2020, working within STRI Group’s Plan-Design-Build-Operate model.

Carrick Sports acquires Phil Day Sports

The acquisition will allow Carrick Sports to operate from two regional offices in Glasgow and now Worcester, significantly expanding its reach and capabilities across the UK and overseas. Carrick Sports will continue to offer a first class, cutting-edge construction service to create playing surfaces and sports & amenity facilities of the highest standard.

Carrick Sports’ managing director, Stewart Aird, said: “We are really pleased to be welcoming the PDS team to the Carrick Sports and STRI Group. These are exciting times for Carrick Sports. We are growing our global footprint and bringing more world class services and talented people to the sports industry.”

Phil Day Sports operated for over 20 years as a sports turf contractor and specialist in the sports amenity sector. Working alongside a wide range of customers, including Premier League football clubs, county cricket teams, top class rugby and golf clubs and leading independent schools. Existing PDS clients can be assured a smooth transition to Carrick Sports, with all assets, and staff, being retained.

PDS business development manager, Toby Grace, said: “I see the acquisition as a fantastic opportunity to grow the Carrick Sports brand across the UK and beyond. We’ve secured staff jobs and plan on creating more in the future, so I’m delighted that Phil Day’s staff will become part of Carrick’s ongoing expansion strategy.”

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Agrovista Amenity launches at BTME

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Agrovista Amenity launches at BTME: Maxwell Amenity and Sherriff Amenity, the professional turf and landscape division of Agrovista, have joined forces to herald the start of an exciting new era.

Agrovista Amenity, launched at BTME in January, brings together two of the most experienced and progressive teams in the amenity turf market and is the result of a long-term strategy for growth and evolution.

Agrovista Amenity launches at BTME

The new company represents a shared vision – an emphatic passion for this much-loved industry, a desire to create and implement new innovations, to deliver real results for customers and suppliers, to provide technical and service excellence and to empower and inspire staff to help them flourish and prosper.

Agrovista Amenity is just the latest step in delivering these values to the market.

Spearheaded by an experienced senior management team, customers will now benefit from a wider breadth of innovative products and specialist technical expertise. Furthermore, Agrovista Amenity is committed to offering improved customer interaction across on and offline platforms, through a modern, technical approach to amenity care.

It is the perfect addition to the Agrovista family – a company established more than 60 years ago, that takes pride in its traditional values of professionalism, cutting edge technology, and customer service.

Already servicing the sector through established brand Sherriff Amenity, Agrovista now extends a warm welcome to Maxwell Amenity.

Maxwell Amenity trades in the amenity, landscaping and horticultural sectors, offering product supply, media, sports turf contracting, and grounds training.

The consolidated expertise will enable Agrovista Amenity to thrive in the industry it knows best, operating across a wide range of turf sectors including greenkeeping, sports turf, the public sector and landscaping.

This future-proof, customer-centric business model will benefit all, according to John Marland, Head of Amenity:

“Agrovista Amenity has been built upon a commitment to innovation and the highest standards of customer service. There is a clear fit between our two businesses, as our services are highly complementary, so it creates exciting potential.

“As one, Agrovista Amenity will be well-equipped to pursue new opportunities for growth, to the benefit of our customers, suppliers and employees.”

Managing Director of Maxwell Amenity, Dave Saltman, added, “We are very excited about this new era; both our teams have highly-qualified and knowledgeable staff. Together with the greater research and product development support available, the new business will be a leading force in the professional turf sector, providing all customers with an even greater level of service.”

For more information, visit www.agrovista.co.uk

To view the video with Agrovista Amenity Head of Amenity John Marland at BTME, click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF_K1Q75ZGw

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