Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

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Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers: A fleet of robotic mowers which reduces carbon emissions and enhances greenkeeping capabilities is being trialled at Royal Ascot Golf Club as part of its development strategy.

The Winkfield Road venue introduced BigMow technology to its 150 acre wooded Crown land course this week with a view to further enhancing the playing quality and experience of members and visitors alike.

Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

Each mower is capable of cutting rough, semi-rough and fairway patches of ground for two hours using GPS technology, can operate in all weather conditions and will save an estimated five tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of a return journey by plane from London Heathrow to Perth.

It is hoped the move will streamline tasks currently delegated to the club’s team of eight greenkeeping staff who will be able to invest more resource into green preparation, aeration, top dressing and overall presentation.

The demo will help the club to better understand how technology can be used to its advantage in the long-term with a fleet exchange planned for 2027.

Benefits of BigMow technology

Ian Hockley, Course Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “The benefits of BigMow technology to the club are fourfold.

“Mowing is typically a greenkeeper’s most laboursome task, and although we always aim to be out on the course during quieter hours the occasional disruption to play is inevitable.

“Robotic mowers operate with minimal intrusion and are efficient at providing the best playing surface on areas of rough and semi-rough ground plus our fairways. This allows our existing greenkeeping team to prioritise tasks elsewhere on the course which will be a huge asset for us.

“There’s the environment impact too and due to the weight of each robot we can confidently send them out on the course when conditions wouldn’t be suitable for heavier, more traditional, machinery.

“We’re excited about the benefits this can bring to the aesthetics and playing quality of our course which we take great pride in.”

The trial is taking place after Royal Ascot Golf Club’s senior leadership team attended this year’s BTME Exhibition in Harrogate, Europe’s leading greenkeeping and turf management show.

The exhibition allowed the club to explore the latest equipment, learn about sustainable practices and attend a series of seminars.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, added: “We’re continually exploring how we can remain at the forefront of greens maintenance to continue providing an enviable course in the years to come.

“Ensuring our through the door and playing experiences for members and guests alike are at the highest levels possible is a key priority for the team.

“Trialling BigMow technology forms part of this process and we’re grateful to AMS Robotics for their insights into how we can best utilise the technology while retaining our existing greenkeeping team.”

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Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

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Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation: The Connah’s Quay War Memorial, situated in Wales, serves as a poignant tribute to the residents of Connah’s Quay and Shotton who were killed or reported missing during the First and Second World Wars.

Flintshire County Council aimed to enhance this memorial site by creating a serene garden space that would provide an area for reflection and honour the memory of those who served.

The Solution

As part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity funding allotted to the Town Centre Investment Programme, Flintshire County Council undertook the project to rejuvenate the memorial’s surroundings. The initiative comprised ten projects aimed at improving urban spaces across Flintshire.

As such, the memorial garden at Connah’s Quay War Memorial was identified. Concurrently, the Interservice Committee approached the council for funding to clean the memorial and to add names of soldiers who had not been previously recognised.

Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

This provided the council with the opportunity to consider creating a memorial garden that combines the names in the best way possible. It was decided to use planters around the cenotaph to create a space for reflection and year-round interest for the site. The species identified in the planters offer substantial biodiversity benefits to the area.

To achieve this, Flintshire County Council collaborated with EE Civils, based in Holywell, to install the bespoke planters and Mona Tank 24 irrigation systems and fill them with Green-tree topsoil, all supplied by Green-tech.

This collaborative effort sought to create a peaceful garden area using planters that would contribute to the site’s visual appeal and biodiversity. Additionally, the memorial garden would support community engagement, with plans for local schools to adopt and maintain some of the planters.

Products Used
Green-tech supplied:

  • 30 bespoke planters
  • 30 Mona Tank 24 Irrigation systems
  • 4 Bulk Bags of Green-tree Topsoil

Charlotte Wilcock, Project Development Officer at Flintshire County Council, advises, “Green-tech was selected as the range of planters on offer worked with our requirements and timescales. Our Green-tech advisor, James Renfrew, was supportive in advising and quoting for the required products and discussing the project and its requirements.

Flintshire County Council had previously used Green-tech for another project, and having been pleased with the results and services from that project, there was confidence that this would be repeated on this project.”

The bespoke planters were chosen to provide a specific aesthetic that appealed to the project’s stakeholders while ensuring durability for long-term use. The inclusion of the Mona irrigation system was recommended to facilitate the ongoing maintenance of the planters and enhance their growth and sustainability.

The 100% water-efficient, subterranean plant irrigation system acts as a reservoir to hold water and distribute it to the plant’s roots as and when required.

The Outcome

The transformation of the Connah’s Quay War Memorial into a beautiful garden space was well-received by the community. The planters, now filled with lush greenery, have drawn positive feedback from residents.

Ian Dunbar, Chair of the Interservice Committee, remarked, “We have had many good comments from the public regarding the planters filled with plants, and have a request from some schools to sponsor a planter and look after it, which is brilliant.”

Conclusion

The successful installation of the planters at Connah’s Quay War Memorial highlights the positive impact of collaborative efforts in community regeneration. Green-tech’s commitment to quality products ensured the delivery of a meaningful project that enhances the memorial site, supporting biodiversity and community involvement.

This project is a testament to how thoughtful landscaping can create serene spaces for reflection and remembrance.

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Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

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Birkdale introduced two new timber screws: The UK’s leading fencing and gate accessories manufacturer, Birkdale, has introduced two new screws to its SITEMATE® range – the Flat Head Timber Screw and the Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw.

With power and efficiency in mind, both feature unique characteristics to guarantee easy installation and long-lasting results.

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

The SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw features a torx flat head for improved clamping, a part knurled shank to prevent timber to timber jacking and a Type 17 point to reduce splitting and drive torque. The screw is finished with an olive grey coating, providing a neutral, clean finish suited to any outdoor aesthetic. Available in a range of lengths, the screws come in boxes of 25 or 50 and include a free torx bit for added convenience.

The SITEMATE® Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw is an ideal alternative to traditional coach screws for timber to timber applications, and fixing hook on plates to gate posts. The screws also have a Type 17 point for ease of insertion, to reduce torque and to help prevent timber splitting, along with a wax lubricant to increase drive and reduce drag. A variety of sizes are available – bags of 10 and boxes of 25 and 50 – with a hex socket driver included in each pack for easy installation.

Both the SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw and Flanged Hex Head Screw are tested with a neutral salt spray (NSS) test for 1,000 hours to ensure that they remain corrosion free over time.

For more information about the SITEMATE® screws and other products in the range, visit: https://products.birkdalesales.com/core/core__sitemate-fix/.

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Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities

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Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities: This National Apprenticeship Week, Leeds Rhinos Head Groundsperson Ryan Golding is urging employers, including sports clubs and organisations, to invest in apprenticeships and help secure the future of the grounds management industry.

Data from the Grounds Management Association (GMA) shows the industry will face an employment crisis if more isn’t done to attract and train the next generation of grounds care professionals.

Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities

Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities

National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 10th – 16th February, is an annual event that raises awareness about apprenticeships and the long-term recruitment solutions they can offer employers.

Ryan began his career at Leeds Rhinos as an apprentice, initially working under former Head Groundsperson Jason Booth, who had also started as an apprentice at the club.

Data from the GMA shows around 40% of the current grounds management workforce are over 50 and up to 15% of those employed in the industry are planning to retire in the next 3 years.

The GMA is the not-for-profit organisation that supports volunteer and professional groundspeople, including those looking to get started in the industry. The GMA’s NextGen programme aims to inspire more young people to get involved in grounds management. As a former member of the GMA’s NextGen, Ryan was recently awarded a Pioneer Mark by the GMA, recognising his work to help young professionals build their careers in grounds management.

Ryan says: “I’m delighted to have received a Pioneer Mark from the GMA, bringing through the next generation is a huge passion of mine – and apprenticeships are central to this.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without an apprenticeship. Grounds management is a brilliant career, and we need more young people coming through to fill the gaps that are opening up. Apprenticeships can help clubs and organisations find and develop ambitious young professionals.”

“If you don’t have an apprenticeship scheme in place, there’s support available, including from the government. You can also check out the GMA website for more information on training and career pathways.”

For more information about hiring an apprentice, go to www.apprenticeships.gov.uk

To learn more about career and training in grounds management, go to: www.thegma.org.uk

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ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency

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ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency: As part of a modernisation of their machinery fleet, ALS Contracts have invested in three Redexim machines which are delivering newfound efficiency and user friendliness to the task of aeration and secondary drainage.

Delivered by Charlies Ag & Turf Ltd over the course of 2024, two Redexim Verti-Core’s and a new Vibra-Sandmaster are set to boost productivity and profitability for the sports turf contractors according to Operations Manager Anthony Shingler.

ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency

ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency

Established over 35 years ago, ALS Contracts offer the full range of maintenance services for all types of sports turf. While the work schedule may rotate between fine turf renovations in the spring and autumn, and work on winter sports pitches in the summer months, one of the consistent requirements is the demand for effective, regular aeration. “Hollow coring has long been ‘core’ to our offering” explains Anthony, who has been with the company for the last twenty-five years. “With demand high, we recognised the time was right to look for something that would increase efficiency, boost productivity and reduce costly downtime.”

The solution was two Verti-Core III 2100’s from Redexim. “We took delivery of these six months ago and the whole team have been incredibly impressed. At 2.1m, they’re slightly wider than our previous machines and work quicker, yet the action is smooth and gentle resulting in less wear on the tines. Since they arrived, we’ve used them for all of our autumn work on golf fairways and haven’t had to put a spanner on them – they’ve not missed a beat.”

The Redexim Verti-Core III offers a high work rate to bring quick compaction relief and thatch management to golf and sports turf, with minimal surface disruption. With a range of tine options, the robust build quality is matched by equally well-designed operator controls for ease of depth adjustment.

“The team are no strangers to the Vibra-Sandmaster, having used the predecessor model on jobs around the country for the last 16 years” Anthony explains. “We were, however, really pleased to discover that while the principle of the machine remained, it has all been thoroughly modernised not only enhancing output but making it more user friendly for the operator.”

He continues, “Having the right machinery with excellent back-up support has been critical to ALS’s success over the years, and in Charlies Ag & Turf Ltd we have a dealer who will always go out of their way to keep kit rolling in whatever way possible. By making the right investment in equipment, we can reduce the amount of downtime we experience which is not only better for the team on the job and our customers but ultimately improves how profitable we can be.”

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