BALI Award For John O’Conner

/in , , /by

BALI Award For John O’Conner: Award sponsors Toro and Reesink Turfcare, an official UK Toro distributor, are delighted to announce that John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance are the principle award winners for their sponsored Grounds Maintenance – Limited Public Access category, at the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Landscape Awards.

John O’Conner were announced as the winners at a ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House on 7 December, for its work at Emergency Planning College (EPC), The Hawkhills, a leading provider of high-quality training for public, private and voluntary organisations.

BALI Award For John O’Conner

John O’Conner received the award with its client Serco after an adjudicator visited the college and reviewed the grounds to see first-hand the excellent management employed and the work of the on-site staff at the 240-acre estate, which includes landscaped gardens, woods and natural parklands.

Managing Director at John O’Conner, Matt O’Conner, who coincidentally happens to be the BALI chairman, says: “We’re delighted that EPC has been awarded the principle award in its category at the BALI National Landscape Awards. This is the result of a strong partnership with our client and shows what can be achieved when you work hand-in-hand to improve standards.

“Credit must of course go to our on-site staff who have worked so hard to deliver exemplary standards on this prestigious site. It is a great example of the high level of service that we deliver for our customers day in and day out.”

With tough competition for the award, the project impressed the judges with the level of skill and professionalism displayed. One of the judges declared: “The contractor has done a great deal to improve standards in the grounds of this important venue. Client satisfaction is high, and they are aware that as standards increase, staffing and budgets must follow to maintain the overall look of the site. Regardless, this is a very impressive scheme and a credit to the efforts of the contractor’s on-site staff.”

The award was presented to John O’Conner by Reesink Turfcare’s Alastair Rowell, in front of an audience of over 1000 BALI members and guests at the 42nd annual awards. The runner-up and fellow national award winner in the category, announced in September, was Gavin Jones for Brompton Barracks – Royal School of Military Engineers.

Alastair Rowell, Reesink accounts manager for grounds concludes: “We are very proud to sponsor this award with Toro and have the opportunity to commend the most exciting and progressive landscaping projects. As Toro is renowned for its innovation in groundscare equipment, we have a keen interest in helping to shape the future of the turfcare and landscaping industry. We are thrilled to have seen John O’Conner win this award and congratulate all those involved with this year’s winning project.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Toro Longevity At Bedfordshire GC

/in , , /by

Toro Longevity At Bedfordshire GC: Bedfordshire Golf Club has been a Toro customer for 18 years, and much of this relationship longevity has been put down to the service received from Reesink Turfcare.

Part-way through its third five-year agreement with Toro and Reesink course manager John Gubb says he’s remained loyal because “Reesink gives you the premier service you’d expect for a brand like Toro.”

Toro Longevity At Bedfordshire GC

He elaborates: “We’ve been using Toro for quite some time because reliable and hardwearing machines are vital for this course. However, when you sign an agreement with Toro and Reesink it’s not just high-quality machines you’re getting, it’s the whole package.

“It’s every aspect of the experience and service,” says John. “From dealing with the Reesink rep, Julian Copping, to everyone on the parts and servicing team. We have a really good working relationship with them all, which is what you expect when you’re working with the best.”

But it’s not just that, Toro and Reesink have proven to go above and beyond to help the club when it needed it most. Since the club’s relocation eighteen years ago, major floods in 2000, 2007 and two in 2008 hit the course, but with Toro came a helping hand.

“They lent us utility vehicles and pedestrian mowers to help get the course back on track, as our equipment sheds were inaccessible because of the flood water,” John explains. “The loaned machines helped enormously in the turf’s subsequent recovery.”

The most recent addition to the fleet is a replacement Groundsmaster 4100-D for use on the roughs. John says: “We’ve actually sold on our older model to another local club. It’s been an incredibly reliable machine for the last 13 years and still has life in it yet, but for us, the new model means we can stay up to date with Toro’s latest technology.”

With its SmartPower system, the Groundsmaster 4100-D is the perfect combination of power and performance, and better for the environment. For John, there’s no question the hardwearing machine fits the requirements of the club’s 150-acres, made up of an 18 hole course and 9 hole academy course.

“With a large area to cover, having robust and durable equipment is an absolute must,” he says. “We’ve only had the new Groundsmaster for a short time, but already you can see how the new features have improved the machine.”

Looking at how the course has progressed since introducing Toro, John reflects: “We have over 600 playing members in total, and they all expect a high-quality playing surface. And let’s just say that there are no complaints from them when it comes to the course and the greenkeeping equipment.”

He concludes: “There’s nothing out there that beats Toro. So, it’s a no-brainer to keep updating the fleet. With Toro, we’re safe in the knowledge the machines will last, but we can also make use of updates in their technology to keep the club at the top of its game.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

John Deere Management Changes

/in , , /by

John Deere Management Changes: John Deere has announced an important change to its European senior management team, effective from 1st January 2019.

Dennis Docherty has been appointed vice-president, agriculture & turf sales and marketing for Europe, North Africa and the Near & Middle East. He succeeds Christoph Wigger, who has been appointed vice-president, global crop care platform for Deere’s worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division.

John Deere Management Changes

Since Denny Docherty joined John Deere in 1998 he has held numerous roles with increasing responsibilities in sales, strategic planning and marketing for both key divisions of Deere & Company, Construction & Forestry and Agriculture & Turf.

In his most recent role as director, ag & turf global marketing, Denny has overseen global planning focused on an innovative product and production system portfolio. The most prominent products launched under his leadership include the new 5R Series, 6230R & 6250R, 8400R and 9RX Series tractors, in response to European customer requirements. Most recently, the launch of the 9000 Series self-propelled forage harvester range is another example of his customer-centric leadership approach.

In his new role, Christoph Wigger will focus on expanding the company’s crop care portfolio with special emphasis on precision agriculture, as John Deere seeks to further grow its global leadership position in this area. Chris will also define growth strategies for recently acquired companies such as PLA, Mazzotti and King Agro, and drive the introduction of Blue River’s precision farming technology.

John Deere Management Changes

Chris Wigger joined John Deere in 1991 and has held several roles of growing responsibility in sales and marketing. For the past 11 years he has led the successful transformation of John Deere’s sales & marketing organisation as well as the Dealer of Tomorrow strategy in Europe, the CIS, North Africa and the Near & Middle East.

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Sports Pitch Ruined By Quad Bike

/in , , /by

Sports Pitch Ruined By Quad Bike: Three junior football teams have had their pitch ruined by mindless vandals.

Bosses at Cleck Sporting Juniors believe a quad bike was taken onto the field, in Mann Dam Park, off Spen Lane, in Cleckheaton, and used to churn up the grass earlier this week.

It has left the pitch unplayable and forced the club to cancel the home games of the under 7, under 9 and under 10 teams which play there.

Large tyre tracks have been left all over the grass, with some deep enough to cause injury to anyone playing on the field.

Colin Harding, chairman of the club, said they will now have to re-arrange the games or play them away from home if they are to complete their fixture list for the current season.

The club was contacted on Facebook by someone who walks their dog on the field and club members of all ages were left devastated when they saw the damage.

“It’s quite badly damaged and will probably never be the same again.

“People don’t think about the long term impact this can have on the people who play there.

“We will probably have to travel outside the area.

“There has been no thought about us from whoever did this.

The future of the pitch is also under-threat, given the substantial damage done to the grass, which Mr Harding believes can not be repaired.

He has contacted Kirklees Council to see if there is anything they can do to help the stranded teams, which all play in the Huddersfield Junior League.

The club has teams in age groups right up to under 16s, but it is the younger players who will feel the brunt of the extensive damage done to their home pitch.

Mr Harding added: “With the weather we have got it won’t help because it has already caused more damage to the grass with it being so wet.

“This means we will have to travel outside of the area and play games away from home.

“Our next games is in early January, but I don’t think we will get that to go ahead.

“There’s not enough access for a car, so it would have to be a bike that got through and onto the field.”

Click here to read the original article

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Toro Reliability At Rookery Park

/in , , /by

Toro Reliability At Rookery Park: Rookery Park Golf Club in Suffolk has recently purchased three Toro machines because “reliability is key” for course manager Neil Davey.

Neil explains: “We’re gradually replacing all of our old machines and the time had come to update two of our fairway mowers. They were continuously breaking down and we were putting money into repairs for machines that just weren’t dependable, and we couldn’t rely on to deliver what we needed. So, to replace them, we turned to Toro and bought two Reelmaster 3575-D mowers at the start of the year, and more recently we invested in another Greensmaster TriFlex 3400.”

Toro Reliability At Rookery Park

Even though Toro already makes up 90 percent of the greenkeeping equipment at the club, each machinery purchase is done on a case-by-case basis and Toro has been chosen again, predominantly for its reliability but also for the results it produces. “It’s not a given we’ll go with Toro the next time we update the fleet but from my experience it’s highly likely! We base ourselves on hard work, so what we need are trustworthy machines. Everywhere I’ve worked throughout my career, there’s been Toro, and for good reason. It consistently provides high-quality for a good price, and that allows us to do the best job possible with the budget we have.”

After contacting Julian Copping from Reesink Turfcare who set up a demonstration, Neil and the team put the machines to the test. With the features of the Reelmaster 3575-D including a powerful 24.8hp diesel engine as well as smooth turf-friendly tyres to reduce compaction and damage, it was no wonder Neil and the team were impressed.

He enthuses: “I particularly liked the three-wheel-drive system on the Reelmaster, it allows for tight turns easily and the handling in general was great. In fact, the whole team loves to use Toro, it’s easy to operate and whenever there have been any issues, they get sorted immediately. The service from Reesink is great.”

When it came to the Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, Neil didn’t need much convincing. “It’s definitely one of the best machines I’ve ever used,” he comments. “It has such good flexibility; the quick-change units make servicing the cutting units fast and easy. We’ve purchased a new model but we’re keeping the old one. Toro is known to keep its residual value and this machine is proof of that, it’s still in great condition with plenty of life yet.”

The 27-hole course set as it is in parkland, provides not only a challenging game for its 700 members, but a challenge for Neil and the team to keep in top condition too, but with Toro in the shed Neil says: “Our members have all seen an improvement in the course since we’ve brought in more Toro machines, the results are clear and prove we made the right decision. I know I’m doing my job right by going with Toro and I can know I can trust them not to let us down.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.