Toro Lead The Way At Celtic Manor

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Toro Lead The Way At Celtic Manor: The latest Toro fleet, which includes greens, tees, fairways and rough mowers as well as utility vehicles, for Celtic Manor marks a relationship spanning a quarter of a century.

And the reason why is because Toro is “head and shoulders above the competition”, says director of golf courses and estates management, Jim McKenzie MBE.

Toro Lead The Way At Celtic Manor

“We originally chose Toro in 1993 because it was the only machinery manufacturer that could deliver us a full fleet of machines, or the closest to it anyway. That sums Toro up, it has always led the way and been market innovators, and that’s why the relationship has lasted.”

Machinery was replaced as and when, but in the main every three years from 1993 to 2008 when Jim decided it was time to agree to a five-year partnership agreement: “Toro and Lely, as Reesink was then, were our preferred suppliers for many years. And the timing was right to formalize the deal in 2008 with us hosting the Ryder Cup in 2010, to have the back up and support that being in such an agreement brings as we took on one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

“Our Toro fleet is as complete as it’s possible to be. We have literally hundreds of bits of kit. And the reason for that is because Toro holds its value and ages well. Toro is part of our image. They look good for many years, and as a result we tend not to sell on the older machines as we replace them. They continue working on estate developments and with the gardening team.”

And at Celtic Manor there’s always something over and above the usual to be getting on with! Whether that’s the redevelopment of all the courses, preparation for The Open and the Ryder Cup, or coming up soon assisting in the planting of thousands of trees around the £4.5 million International Convention Centre Wales which is currently under construction. As Jim says: “We had pretty much every bit of machinery involved in the redevelopment of the courses and the events, and the Workman in particular will be stepping up to the plate when it comes to the woodland management for the ICC. They’re so dinky and can get to all the places a tractor can’t.”

With so many machines at his disposal and his experience of using them over the years, is it possible to pick a favourite? Jim, who was awarded his MBE for ensuring the conclusion – with a helping hand from Toro! – of the 2010 Ryder Cup despite half of the average monthly rainfall landing on the Twenty Ten Course in just two days, says yes.

Step forward the ProCore 648 aerator. Favoured by Jim for its versatility across the three world-class Championship courses, the golf academy and the 9-hole municipal course Caerleon Golf Club: “The ProCore is excellent for all fine turf aeration applications. The club is built on old farmland and is well drained, and hollow coring with the ProCore helps ensure the ultimate condition of the turf.”

But it’s not just the machinery that counts, Jim says the partnership with Reesink and local dealer Ted Hopkins, is just as important: “There’s always been a really good synergy between us, Ted Hopkins, Reesink/Lely. It just works and has done so for 25 years!”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Germinal Launch Organic Based Fertiliser

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Germinal Launch Organic Based Fertiliser: Germinal has launched an organic based phased-release fertiliser which provides up to five months’ worth of nutrients and trace elements from a single application at a budget-friendly price point.

GSR Tri-Phase is an 18-3.5-8 NPK fertiliser which also supplies one unit of MgO plus trace elements including copper, zinc, boron, manganese and molybdenum. *

Germinal Launch Organic Based Fertiliser

Recommended for use on all fine grass swards including golf greens, tees and fairways, sports pitches and all amenity areas, GSR Tri-Phase’s mini-granular (1-2mm) formulation delivers a cost-effective and consistent supply of nitrogen and potash over a period of 16-20 weeks.

Richard Brown, Germinal Amenity Sales Manager explains: “We recognise that, for many landscapers, local authorities and golf, rugby and football clubs, grass and groundcare budgets can be very tight.  We have therefore developed our own phased-release fertiliser which is as good as anything else on the market but at a more affordable price.  It can be used either as a base feed as part of a wider fertiliser programme, or, where budgets are severely restricted, as a standalone, single application product.”

GSR Tri-Phase contains three forms of nitrogen to provide three phases of nutrient release into the rootzone: an initial hit of quick release nitrogen gives way to methylene urea which is subsequently followed by a final release of organic based nitrogen.  In addition, potash is also released slowly throughout the growing season to regulate water uptake and to ensure nutrients and trace elements remain mobile and available for uptake.

“This not only reduces plant stress throughout the growing season, but also enhances the sward’s ability to withstand drought conditions,” Mr Brown adds.  “A single application of 25-35g/m2 in the spring – typically in late March or early April – will instigate good early season growth and recovery and provide the necessary nutrients required by high performance grass swards for the majority of the growing season and certainly through until August or September.  During this time GSR Tri-Phase will release a slow and steady supply of available nitrogen ensuring a consistent rate of grass growth with no intense bursts of activity.”

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ICL Expand SierrablenPlus Range

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ICL Expand SierrablenPlus Range: ICL has announced the addition of two new analyses to its leading range of SierrablenPlus fertilizers. 

The new products – “Renovator” 11-11-5 + 4CaO + 8MgO and “Turf Starter” 5-28-0 + 16MgO both contain Pearl® Technology, which has been proven to greatly enhance root development.

ICL Expand SierrablenPlus Range

The mini-granular range of SierrablenPlus fertilizers have for many years been a popular choice for those looking to achieve even coverage at low rates for their sports or amenity turf. This is due to the micro-granular formulation containing Poly-S and resin-coated PACE technology with conventional nitrogen sources to provide the best long-term nutrient release patterns.

Depending on the requirement, there are a wide range of solutions in the SierrablenPlus range to supporting healthy turf growth though the season. The latest products to be added to the portfolio, “Renovator” and “Turf Starter”, have been specifically added because of their ability to greatly enhance root development due to the inclusion of Pearl® Technology.

Pearl® Technology blends a unique, recycled, slow-release phosphorus into these 2 new analysesto provide significantly increased rooting and more efficient nutrient use over traditional phosphorus sources.

As with all ICL products, both the “Renovator” and “Turf Starter” have been rigorously tested through independent trials. Data has revealed significantly increased rooting when SierrablenPlus with Pearl® Technology is used  as part of a seedbed preparation and during turf-laying. Furthermore, there was a 2.5 x increase in rooting when compared to another existing high-performing product.

Key features

  • Controlled-release Poly-S nitrogen with 3+ month longevity for strong turf response.
  • Root-activated Pearl® Technology, slow-release phosphorus for increased rooting.
  • Contains Polyhalite with K, CaO and MgO.
  • Includes recycled nutrients N, P and MgO.
  • Earlier harvest time demonstrated when used for turf production.

Both Renovator and Turf Starter are ideal for use in turf production and laying as well as incorporating into the seedbed when renovating stadium pitches, sports fields, tees and fairways.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

Please contact ICL on +44 (0)1473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie.

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Headland Deliver Strong Fairways At Abridge GC

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Headland Deliver Strong Fairways At Abridge GC: In what was a challenging year for Greenkeepers up and down and the country, Course Manager at Abridge Golf Club Geoff Smith had no complaints with the way the course emerged from the prolonged period of hot weather. The fairways, in particular, came out looking better than ever, which he puts down to the timely installation of a new Perrot irrigation system, and his tried and tested nutritional programme from Headland Amenity. 

Geoff joined Abridge, a Regional Open Qualifier 2009-2013, as an assistant greenkeeper 17 years ago, on the back of learning his trade at The London Golf Club. “When I took charge 12 years ago in the autumn of 2006, I found out within my first 3 months at the helm that we were going to be hosting a large national tournament in the summer of 2007, which was a daunting challenge to say the least! I decided to call on the expertise of some trusted industry contacts – one of whom was Claire Harley of Headland Amenity.”

Headland Deliver Strong Fairways At Abridge GC

“All those years ago she recommended we apply Multigreen® 28-3-15 temperature-controlled release fertiliser on the fairways, a programme we still follow to this day.” Multigreen® is the only long-term fertiliser where nutrient release is governed by soil temperature only and not affected by other factors such as moisture, pH or microbial activity. Ideal for use on fairways, coarse turf or winter sports pitches, the prills contain their nutrients within a permeable resin-coating to prevent severe leaching loss.

“Abridge can be a bit of a grass factory but with the controlled release of Multigreen®, we get a consistent, healthy growth on the fairways that continues for months. Last year was a great test for our nutritional programme and we’ve emerged with flying colours!” Geoff applies Multigreen® once a year, and compliments this with a tank mix of TriCure and Elevate Fe, applied in September/October, to help in the management of Dollar Spot – another recommendation from Claire.

Geoff adds, “I have a great working relationship with Claire and know she’s always on the end of the phone if I need help or guidance. Undeniably, the Multigreen® feeds, together with a verti-drain and scarification programme, has helped me to produce fairways that our visitors and members describe as carpets! They love to play on them and that’s really what counts.”

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Vandals Cause Golf Course Closure

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Vandals Cause Golf Course Closure: Golf course bosses have been left gutted after vandals went on a spree at the site, forcing the course to close.

Bishopswood Golf Course, in Tadley, had to be closed today after, overnight, vandals caused extensive damage to the course’s greens.

Rakes and flags were used to cause the damage before they were either broken or thrown into the water hazards at the course.

General manager at the course Kevin Pickett said: “We have greenkeepers here who work hard and give a lot of dedication and then they come into work to see this, it is just gutting for them and for everyone.

“It is just malicious vandalism.

“We have had to close for the day which means there are loss of earnings for us, but it is more the time it takes to repair all of the damage.

“It has happened before with damage done to the course, but this is a bit more.”

Police say the damage was believed to have been done from between 7.30pm on Wednesday and 7.15am today though the golf course staff believe it was more likely to have happened yesterday evening.

It is hoped the course will reopen on Friday.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious or who may have any information about this crime is asked to call 101, quoting reference 44190062690.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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