Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

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Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2025 at a star-studded event on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME).

During the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, hosted by Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk, BIGGA revealed the winners of the annual BIGGA Awards, with a previously unheralded venue in South Wales among the big winners.

Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

Merthyr Tydfil venue Morlais Castle Golf Club was revealed as the winner of the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year Award with Bernhard and Company. The judges selected the three-strong greenkeeping team as winners ahead of the other, more established, finalists from Woburn Golf Club and Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, due to their commitment to including the local community in the hosting of the event.

Morlais Castle was nominated following the successful hosting of the Welsh Team Championship and Head Greenkeeper Stewart Freeman collected the award alongside his wife, Tessa, who also helped with greenkeeping tasks during the championship.

Also picking up an award on the night was the greenkeeping team from Parkstone Golf Club, who was revealed as the winner of the Greenkeeping Project of the Year Award with Price Turfcare. It marks a second awards success for Grant Peters and his team, having previously won a BIGGA Award in 2020.

Parkstone’s greenkeepers overcame multiple setbacks to create an exciting opening tee shot and practice area at the Top 100 course, located on the south coast. They were chosen as winners ahead of outstanding entries from Cowdray Golf Club and Long Ashton Golf Club, with the judges praising the communication and innovation of all three nominees.

The final award of the evening was presented to Stephen Bernhard, founder of Bernhard and Company. Throughout Stephen’s distinguished career he has advocated for greenkeeper training and education, culminating in the launch of the Bernhard Academy in 2019. Through Stephen’s generosity, more than 200 BIGGA members have participated in the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and countless other greenkeepers owe their success to his support and investment in the turf management industry.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Congratulations to our outstanding BIGGA Awards winners. Their achievements extend far beyond the past year – for more than half a century in Stephen Bernhard’s case – and I’m delighted that we’re able to honour them in this way.

“To hear stories of how Stewart Freeman and everyone at Morlais Castle enlisted the local community to build a lasting legacy, or the ongoing success at Parkstone where Grant Peters continues to cement his reputation as one of our industry’s shining lights, it’s been a wonderful evening.

“My congratulations go to everyone who took part and I’d like to extend my thanks to our sponsors, Kress, Bernhard and Company and Price Turfcare, for their support of this year’s BIGGA Celebration.”

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) continues until Thursday 23 January at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.

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Green-tech Supports Regenerative Forestry Ltd

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Green-tech Supports Regenerative Forestry Ltd: Oakcutts Wood, located in the heart of Hampshire, is undergoing an ecological transformation. Intervention was required to restore its natural balance. Non-native species of Spruce and Larch were removed to make way for native tree planting, which aims to enhance biodiversity and create a resilient ecosystem for future generations.

Regenerative Forestry Ltd specialises in woodland management and provides professional consultancy across Southern England. Their expertise in ecological restoration made them the ideal partner for managing this woodland sensitively to ensure its resilience.

Green-tech Supports Regenerative Forestry Ltd

Green-tech Supports Regenerative Forestry Ltd

The Project

The goal of the restoration project was to restock Oakcutts Wood with native tree species, promoting biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of the woodland. Protecting these young saplings during their establishment phase was paramount, as local wildlife, including roe and muntjac deer, posed a significant challenge.

Regenerative Forestry Ltd turned to Green-tech for the products and support to ensure the project’s success. Green-tech is a leading tree planting and protection solutions supplier and a trusted partner for forestry professionals across the UK. It provides innovative products that support long-term environmental health.

Products Used

To address the project’s specific challenges, Green-tech supplied the following essential products, chosen for their durability, effectiveness, and alignment with the project’s ecological goals.

  • 7500 Tubex Standard Plus Tree Shelters (1.2m): These tree shelters are specifically designed to protect young saplings from browsing animals like roe and muntjac deer. In addition to providing physical protection, they create a microclimate that promotes healthy growth.
  • 7500 1.35m Softwood Stakes: Treated softwood stakes were used to securely support the tree shelters, ensuring they remained stable in varying weather conditions.

The Outcome

The Oakcutts Wood restoration project demonstrates the power of collaboration in achieving environmental sustainability. With Green-tech’s high-quality products and Regenerative Forestry expertise, the young trees are well-protected, setting the stage for a thriving and biodiverse woodland.

Colin Corkhill, owner of Regenerative Forestry Ltd, comments, “I have worked with Key Account Manager George Barton for three planting seasons. I find his swift responses and ease of ordering a pleasure and vital to providing a smooth and professional service to my clients.”

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Aqua Aid continues to grow

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Aqua Aid continues to grow: Aqua Aid Europe, the leading provider of soil water management solutions, is proud to announce that Christiaan Arends will join the Aqua Aid Europe team as Commercial Director as of February 1, 2025. Arends will play an important role in the further growth and development of the company.

Christiaan Arends brings extensive industry experience and a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be of value to Aqua Aid Europe. He has previously held various positions at Barenbrug Holland and the Vanmac Group, both nationally and internationally.

Aqua Aid continues to grow

Aqua Aid continues to grow

“We are very pleased to welcome Christiaan to our team,” says Hans de Kort of Aqua Aid Europe. “His experience and skills fit perfectly with our ambitions for the future. We look forward to his contribution and are confident that he will play an important role in the further growth of our company.”

Aqua Aid Europe BV remains committed to providing sustainable soil water management solutions in Europe and beyond. With the arrival of Christiaan Arends, the company expects to further strengthen this mission and make an even greater impact in the market.

About Aqua Aid Europe

Founded in the Netherlands, Aqua Aid Europe is a leading innovator in sustainable water management, offering advanced solutions tailored to the irrigation and grass industries. With a strong European footprint and a growing global presence, Aqua Aid Europe delivers high-quality products and services that enhance water conservation, soil health, and environmental sustainability.

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Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

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Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution: The Retreats Group, which encompasses three of the leading luxury hotels in Wales—Twr y Felin Hotel, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory—has always been dedicated to maintaining immaculate grounds that reflect the beauty of its locations.

For Ollie Davies, the groundskeeper and supervisor for The Retreats Group, maintaining these stunning landscapes has become significantly easier since the purchase of a Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

“The properties are undulating and steep in places,” says Ollie. “My brother used to help me look after the grounds, and when he left, we decided that instead of employing someone else full-time, we would invest in one of these machines and see how it would benefit me.”

Before the Hydro 100, Ollie managed the extensive lawns using pedestrian mowers—a task that was both time-consuming and physically demanding. “Prior to the Etesia machine, I would cut them all with a pedestrian mower. It was a lot of hard work. This Etesia saves so much time and money. It is a great bit of kit.”

The Etesia Hydro 100 III ride-on mower is designed for professional users who require top-quality mowing and collection performance in all weather conditions. Powered by an 18 HP twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, it features a modern hydraulic drive transmission with differential lock, a large 500-litre grass box, and a cutting deck with rear central ejection for efficient grass collection.

Ollie initially considered the Etesia Buffalo ride-on mower, having seen impressive footage of its performance on social media. However, after careful evaluation, he realised that the Buffalo was too large for the more intricate formal gardens within the properties. “We wanted to get a demo of a Buffalo because it looks great, but we figured out it was a bit too big for the formal gardens. We wouldn’t have got it around some of the benches and flower beds.”

Given the uneven terrain of the properties, Ollie decided on the Hydro 100, known for its differential lock and sturdy design. “With the grounds being so uneven, we went for the Hydro 100 because it has a diff lock and it seemed very sturdy.”

Ollie’s decision was reinforced during a particularly wet demo session. “We got one on demo to start with—it was really wet—but these pick up the grass in wet conditions, even when it is long. It worked a treat on our demo; it picked up the grass and didn’t leave a mess, so we were really impressed with it, and we just went from there.”

The Hydro 100’s differential lock has proven invaluable on the steep, slippery slopes of the properties. “It is quite undulating and steep, and especially when it is wet, the diff lock comes in handy. As soon as you start feeling it slip a bit, you just engage the diff lock and it doesn’t leave a mess or wheel spin.”

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

During the peak growing season, Ollie faces the challenge of keeping up with rapidly growing grass. The Hydro 100 has made this task much more manageable. “If I was on my own and I only had my walk-behind mower, I would be completely swamped with grass and I would just be chasing my tail all the time. So having the Hydro 100 means I can stay on top of things. I’m no longer physically tired all the time from having to use my little walk-behind mower when I can use this instead.”

Ollie also appreciates the Hydro 100’s ability to cut and collect grass on formal lawns, ensuring that the grounds remain pristine for guests. “We cut and collect on the formal lawns because we don’t want guests to get their shoes clogged with grass and walk it into the castle—it wouldn’t be very popular with the housekeeping staff.”

The ease of adjusting the cutting height is another feature Ollie values. “To change the height of cut, you have something that looks like a handbrake. You just push the thumb button in and set the height using the lever. I tend to use a medium setting because we want to take the top third off the grass to keep it green.”

Ollie has also been impressed by the mower’s reliability, even in less-than-ideal conditions. “Considering how wet it has been over the past year I have never experienced any form of blocking, even if the grass is long and wet.”

For Ollie Davies and The Retreats Group, the Hydro 100 has proven to be an essential tool in maintaining the high standards of their luxury properties, ensuring that the grounds are always perfectly presented, no matter the conditions.

A video review with Ollie Davies can be found by visiting:  https://youtu.be/Uq4WoC4rPMo?si=o0iz9J20uf5OiPnX

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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Pitch Perfection at Plymouth Argyle

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Pitch Perfection at Plymouth Argyle: Chris Ralph, Grounds Manager at Plymouth Argyle Football Club, knows that maintaining consistent, high-quality playing surfaces across the club’s grounds is essential for performance and safety.

With a wealth of experience that spans both golf and football, including stints at Torquay United and now Plymouth Argyle for the last six years, Chris has seen firsthand how Mansfield Sand’s products can elevate pitch quality.

Pitch Perfection at Plymouth Argyle

Pitch Perfection at Plymouth Argyle

“When I moved to Plymouth Argyle using Mansfield Sand was a natural choice,” Chris explains. “Our contractors also recommended it, so when we decided to upgrade to a hybrid pitch, we went with their 90/10 rootzone blend.”

The club recently underwent a pitch transformation, installing a SIS hybrid system with a 90/10 rootzone mix from Mansfield Sand. This blend, made of 90% sand and 10% organic materials, offers the ideal balance for aeration, drainage, and stability—especially crucial for the demands of high-level football. “We also took out about 1,400 tonnes of Fibresand from the old stadium pitch and moved it to a training pitch,” Chris explains. “This upgrade has massively improved the quality of that pitch.”

In his role, Chris oversees maintenance not only for the stadium pitch but also for the training ground and academy surfaces. His team of six relies on Mansfield Sand’s products for consistency across all locations. “Sand is hugely important. Once you get the right product, it helps maintain drainage rates and keeps things uniformed across all the sites ensuring the pitches are consistent.”

Chris plans to incorporate periodic mini-renovations on the new hybrid pitch, using Mansfield Sand’s products to keep the surface clean, smooth, and high-performing. “We’ll probably add around 16 to 20 tonnes a couple of times over the season,” Chris notes, emphasising the importance of ongoing care in maintaining the surface’s quality.

Reliability is also key for Chris and his team, and Mansfield Sand has consistently delivered. “We’ve never had any issues with their products,” Chris says. “They’re clean, high-quality, and always delivered on time. Gary Cunningham, our contact, is always available to help out whenever needed.”

With Mansfield Sand’s support and high-quality products, Chris and his team have found a trusted partner in maintaining Plymouth Argyle’s pitches.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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