OAS delivers precision irrigation and better water efficiency

OAS delivers precision irrigation and better water efficiency

/in , /by

OAS delivers precision irrigation and better water efficiency

For Head Greenkeeper Stephen Leighton, the installation of a new Rain Bird irrigation system provided by Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) has been transformative! Part of a course-wide redevelopment programme, the system is delivering unprecedented control over applications resulting in significant reductions in overall water usage and improvements in plant health.

OAS delivers precision irrigation and better water efficiency

OAS delivers precision irrigation and better water efficiency

The heathland-parkland course sits on a free-draining sandy soil, presenting challenges for Stephen and the team of five when it comes to maintaining turf quality through increasingly unpredictable weather conditions. This made the replacement of an aging and progressively unreliable irrigation system a priority. “I was racking up the hours monitoring the system in the evenings and found myself constantly battling breakdowns” he explains. “We evaluated the options and opted for a new Rain Bird system based on the reliability and flexibility it offered and the fantastic support and advice of Origin’s Greg Milton, Peter Robin and Angus Finlayson.”

Stephen continues, “One of the most significant differences and improvements has been the move from an outdated block system on the greens and single-row fairways, to valve in head Rain Bird 752IC and a double row of 952IC on fairways. This enables us to be much more precise with every application, adapting to wind strength and direction and limiting the amount of water thrown into heather and long roughs.”

“In numbers, this system and more efficient control has resulted in around a 50% reduction in our water usage. This is incredibly important for us not just from a sustainability standpoint but also in terms of plant health and the condition of our heather which is improving now that we can control the water more effectively and ensure it is not being overwatered.”

Making life even easier for Stephen and the team is the Rain Bird CirrusPro app, putting total control of the irrigation system in the palm of their hands. “OAS were selling this as the best software in the irrigation market and, having worked with it, I’d say that’s absolutely true! It makes monitoring so much quicker and easier, with any identified dry areas overcome with the touch of a button.”

Beyond the technology itself, Stephen credits the OAS team for making sure the project ran smoothly from concept to completion and beyond. “While I designed the system myself, Greg, Peter and Angus have all been fantastic at helping us to get the maximum out of the system.” He adds, “I must also give huge credit to my team here at Holme Hall for getting the system installed. It’s been a massive team effort and it’s great to already be reaping the rewards of all the hard work.”

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 and Instagram 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

Wildwood Machinery adds another prestigious manufacturer to its portfolio

Wildwood Machinery adds another prestigious manufacturer to its portfolio

/in , /by

Wildwood Machinery adds another prestigious manufacturer to its portfolio

Wildwood Machinery – the groundcare arm of the Bastian Group, which comprises commercial property, sports, leisure and hospitality businesses across Hampshire – has added another prestigious manufacturer to its growing portfolio of brands.

Wildwood Machinery adds another prestigious manufacturer to its portfolio

Wildwood Machinery adds another prestigious manufacturer to its portfolio

Wildwood is now the exclusive dealer for Tru-Turf Golf & Sports Turf Rollers in London, Surrey and West Sussex.

Australian brand Tru-Turf set out to create a roller unlike any other and their golf and sports turf rollers are used on golf courses and in sporting stadiums worldwide.

Wildwood Machinery Managing Director, James Bastian, says that representing Tru-Turf in London, Surrey and West Sussex is a unique opportunity to bring truly innovative products to the region, and to build the brand by supporting it with outstanding service back-up.

“As a groundcare specialist in the south of England, we’ve set out our stall to represent and support the world’s best turfcare products, and to ensure we offer our customers the optimum solution for their specific tasks and challenges. The opportunity to work with Tru-Turf in this region is a perfect fit for that strategy, particularly with the success of their market-leading electric rollers. We’re very much looking forward to working with Tru-Turf.”

Tru-Turf General Manager, Nick Thornton, commented: “We are very excited to bring the team at WildWood Machinery on as one of our dealers in the UK,” said Thornton.  “Wildwood is surrounded by a superb golfing region in England, and the region is home to some of the world’s best courses. We know that this new partnership will provide them with great sales and service expertise. At Tru-Turf we’re all about delivering rolling perfection and we’re looking forward to doing just that as part of this partnership with the team at Wildwood Machinery.”

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 and Instagram 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

The Cambridgeshire Golf Club raises standards

The Cambridgeshire Golf Club raises standards

/in , /by

The Cambridgeshire Golf Club raises standards

When Steve Pateman joined The Cambridgeshire Golf Club in 2023, he inherited a course with huge potential, but a machinery fleet which was holding the club back. Together with support and a major equipment upgrade from George Browns, Course Manager Steve and his team now have the reliability, confidence and foundations to elevate course standards to new heights.

The Cambridgeshire Golf Club raises standards

The Cambridgeshire Golf Club raises standards

Set among 160 acres of Cambridgeshire parkland, The Cambridgeshire combines a busy members’ club with a thriving hospitality business. With all eyes firmly set on growth and expansion, for Steve, the problem was clear from the outset. “The club hadn’t had any machinery upgrades for 20 years, so an audit of the equipment showed that much of it was no longer fit for purpose. With outstanding support from my Golf Director, we knew that investment was long-overdue and well-needed.”

“I immediately got in contact with George Browns as, in my opinion, they stock the best range of franchises and machines in the country and from the off, the support we’ve received from the team has been amazing.” Within a matter of months, Steve and the team of five had taken delivery of a suite of equipment including a Kubota L2622 compact tractor and RTV, and AgriMetal roller from Baroness.

“I’d used Kubota in my previous role and knew without doubt, it’s what we needed here.” He explains, “The reliability you get from Kubota is incredible. They are machines that are built to work and will tackle every task and all terrain without hesitation. The AgriMetal roller, again, is the best roller in the market by a country mile. The comfort, the ease of hitching and unhitching and the quality of the roller itself leaves a finish that no other roller comes close to.”

Another standout addition to Steve’s armoury has been the Trimax Snake Rotary mower. “It’s another unbelievable machine which has made a huge difference to our productivity. Where we would previously lose a member of staff for the entire week to cut fairways twice over, we can now do the same task in under two days.” He adds, “This machine alone has effectively gained us an extra member of staff.”

The theme of durability extends to the final piece of the puzzle, The Cambridgeshire’s new Redexim Verti-Drain 7416. “This will make a huge difference to course condition, handling our tree-lined layout well, particularly during wet periods and intensive seasonal work.” He jokes, “You could use this thing on a motorway and it’d still poke holes in the ground!”

It’s not just been the equipment that has impressed, the support from Luke Farrow and the team at George Browns has provided the team with a complete, ‘turn-key’ solution. “Whether it’s health and safety training, parts or just general advice, nothing is too much trouble.”

Steve concludes, “The impact this equipment has had has been immediate. Players are noticing the improvements in condition to the point where, at a recent golf day, we signed up six new members in a day! The return on our investment is evident and everyone involved with the club couldn’t be happier. We’re not standing still either – with the Lithium Sand Pro and Baroness greens mower now firmly on our radar, we’re excited about continuing to build on the progress we’ve made with the support of George Browns.”

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 and Instagram 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

Dunblane GC drives course excellence with move to Toro

Dunblane GC drives course excellence with move to Toro

/in , /by

Dunblane GC drives course excellence with move to Toro

Dunblane Golf Club has taken an exciting step forward in its commitment to course excellence, announcing a major investment in Toro equipment through a new fleet agreement with Reesink Scotland.

Dunblane GC drives course excellence with move to Toro

Dunblane GC drives course excellence with move to Toro

The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation process conducted alongside Reesink carefully assessing the latest turfcare technology available. Driven by a commitment to continually enhance playing conditions and maintain exceptional standards throughout a busy schedule of competitions, events, and charity days, the club identified Toro as the ideal partner for its future ambitions.

Extensive discussions between Course Manager Grant Donaldson and Reesink Scotland Area Sales Manager John Rankin focused on ensuring the chosen machinery would deliver the performance, reliability, and long-term value required by the club.

“Making a change from machinery you’ve relied on for many years is a significant decision,” says Grant. “There are many stakeholders involved, including the board and management committee, and it’s important that everyone is aligned. Toro demonstrated that it could meet a range of objectives while supporting our long-term vision for the course.”

A key element of the decision-making process was gathering hands-on feedback from the greenkeeping team. Multiple demonstrations were conducted, with particular attention given to the Toro Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 electric mowers. The response from operators was overwhelmingly positive, with the team highlighting its comfort, ease of use, and overall performance.

“The team’s input was incredibly important,” Grant explains. “They work with the equipment every day, and their reaction to Toro, particularly the electric units, was extremely encouraging. The enthusiasm they showed gave us real confidence in the decision.”

The club was also attracted by Reesink’s ReeAssure maintenance package, which provides fixed servicing costs and dependable support throughout the agreement. The package offers greater budget certainty while helping ensure the fleet continues to operate at peak performance.

“Having clarity around maintenance costs is a real benefit,” says Grant. “It removes uncertainty and gives us confidence that we’ll continue to receive a high level of support”.

Introducing electric machinery to the fleet for the first time is an exciting milestone for the club. The new fleet includes two all-electric Toro Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 mowers dedicated to greens and tees, alongside a Reelmaster 5610 for fairways and a Groundsmaster 4500 for rough and semi-rough areas. The club is already looking ahead, with plans to further expand the Toro fleet in the years to come.

Sustainability and operational efficiency were also key considerations. By incorporating electric technology into its maintenance programme, the club expects to reduce fuel consumption while delivering both environmental and financial benefits, supporting its broader sustainability objectives.

Throughout the process, Reesink Scotland’s commitment and customer support played an important role in building confidence in the transition.

“The support has been outstanding,” says Grant. “The team has been readily available whenever we’ve needed advice, and they’ve maintained regular contact throughout. Their professionalism and commitment have been excellent.”

Grant highlighted the value of trusted industry relationships, noting his long-standing connections with Reesink service specialists Rab Wilson and Gordon Graham. “Working with people you know and trust makes a real difference. The team worked in partnership with us from day one, taking the time to understand our vision and helping us build a package that aligned perfectly with our ambitions. Their support, expertise and commitment throughout the process have been outstanding, and we’re excited to see the benefits this investment will bring.”

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 and Instagram 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

Green-Tech supports DTMS with sustainable landscape solutions

Green-Tech supports DTMS with sustainable landscape solutions

/in , /by

Green-Tech supports DTMS with sustainable landscape solutions

The Goole Public Realm Project is a phased regeneration scheme designed to enhance key locations across Goole Town Centre, including the railway station, market hall, library and main pedestrianised high street. The project combines hard and soft landscaping improvements to create a more attractive, welcoming and sustainable environment for residents, visitors and local businesses.

Green-Tech supports DTMS with sustainable landscape solutions

Green-Tech supports DTMS with sustainable landscape solutions

As part of the wider town centre transformation, DTMS Group’s scope of works included the installation of Hydroleca drainage media within pre-built planters, supply of topsoil, planting of 2,000 perennial and herbaceous shrubs and application of a surface bark mulch. These landscape enhancements will introduce greenery throughout the town centre, improve urban biodiversity and strengthen the visual appeal of key public spaces.

THE CHALLENGE

To establish healthy, long-lasting planting within a series of modular planters located in busy urban environments. Creating suitable growing conditions within these confined planting spaces was essential to support long-term plant performance, while ensuring effective drainage, moisture management and weed suppression.

GREEN-TECH INVOLVEMENT

DTMS Group, a specialist landscaping contractor, was responsible for delivering the soft landscaping elements of the project, including planting 2,000 perennial and herbaceous plants in newly constructed planters throughout the town centre.

To support successful plant establishment and long-term landscape performance, Green-tech supplied a range of specialist landscape materials designed to improve drainage, provide a high-quality growing medium and enhance moisture retention. These products formed an integral part of the planter build-up and helped create optimal growing conditions throughout the scheme.

GREEN-TECH PRODUCTS USED

The planting programme was supported by a range of sustainable landscaping materials to create ideal growing conditions within the scheme’s modular planters and to support long-term planting success. This included Hydroleca lightweight clay pebbles, which were supplied as the drainage layer within the planters. Their lightweight, porous structure provides excellent drainage, aeration and water retention to support healthy root development and help to create a balanced growing environment.

Green-tree topsoil was supplied as the primary growing medium, with approximately 18 tonnes used across the project. Manufactured from recycled organic materials, it provides a fertile, consistent and sustainable rooting environment, supporting healthy plant establishment while helping to reduce the use of peat-based products.

Scotbark ornamental bark was applied as a surface mulch across the planting areas. The bark helps retain moisture, suppresses weed growth and regulates soil temperatures while providing an attractive finish that enhances the overall appearance of the scheme.

IMPACT AND OUTCOME

The Goole Public Realm Project is an important part of the town’s wider regeneration programme and demonstrates how high-quality landscape materials can support the successful delivery of attractive, sustainable public realm schemes. It is delivering significant improvements to the town centre environment, helping to create cleaner, greener and more welcoming public spaces.

The introduction of perennial and herbaceous planting has enhanced urban biodiversity, providing valuable habitats for pollinators while improving the overall visual character of the town centre. The combination of effective drainage, sustainable growing media, and moisture-retaining mulch has helped create resilient planting areas within a challenging urban setting.

Nick Rogers from DTMS Group explains: “Green-tech provided excellent support throughout the project, from the initial enquiry stage through to product supply and delivery. The quality of the products supplied was consistently high and they performed as required on site. Having reliable materials, expert advice and dependable service helped us deliver a successful planting scheme and achieve strong establishment across the project.”

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 and Instagram 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