Florida Golf Club's Quest in Syngenta Docuseries

Florida Golf Club’s Quest in Syngenta Docuseries

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Florida Golf Club’s Quest in Syngenta Docuseries

The pursuit of a never-before-achieved level of environmental excellence in global golf is the subject of a new episode of Syngenta’s YouTube docuseries, The Green Report.

Florida Golf Club's Quest in Syngenta Docuseries

Florida Golf Club’s Quest in Syngenta Docuseries

Collier’s Reserve Country Club in Southwest Florida, is vying to become the first ever facility to be recognized with Audubon Platinum Signature Sanctuary certification. The status represents the highest possible acknowledgment of a club’s community-wide commitment to sustainable practices and biodiversity.

In 1994, Collier’s Reserve made history as the first-ever Audubon Signature Sanctuary. Over 30 years later, the club is attempting to break new ground again. The episode follows Superintendent Ken Kleinedler who describes a passion for environmental stewardship that has seen the club become a safe haven for the native Gopher Tortoise.

“At one stage they were on the endangered species list,” Ken explains to host Gary Firkins. Now, Gopher Tortoises and their burrows are a common sight across the golf course, as the club works actively to help the population thrive.

“We teamed up with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and whenever they need to rehome a local Gopher Tortoise they give us a call. We do that multiple times throughout the year,” Ken explains.

Elsewhere, host Gary Firkins explores the property-wide pollinator program and meets resident bird expert, Brian Beckner, to see how the club ensures native, diverse bird populations flourish.

Lastly, Gary speaks with Club Association Manager, Greg Anderson, who describes the sympathetic development of the club and residential community – and what makes it different.

Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape for Syngenta, said: “Collier’s Reserve is a pioneering example of how residential golf developments can support biodiversity and encourage wildlife to flourish.

“More than that, it demonstrates the role golf courses can play in providing essential safe havens for endangered species and working in partnership with local organizations to make a positive contribution.”

The new episode will be released at 12PM ET / 5PM CET today, and will be free-to-watch for all golf industry professionals and stakeholders on YouTube.

To watch all episodes of The Green Report and for more news, features, videos and case studies on sustainable golf, as well as links to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast, visit Syngenta Golf.

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Agrovista fertilisers support Hamilton Racecourse

Agrovista fertilisers support Hamilton Racecourse

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Agrovista fertilisers support Hamilton Racecourse

Maintaining a consistent, high-quality racing surface is a year-round challenge at Hamilton Park Racecourse, but Head Groundsman Prentis Russell believes a well-planned nutrition programme, supported by Agrovista Amenity, is helping the track perform at its best.

Agrovista fertilisers support Hamilton Racecourse

Agrovista fertilisers support Hamilton Racecourse

Prentis joined the racecourse around eight months ago, stepping into his first head groundsman role after more than a decade in the industry.

“I spent 11 years at Ayr Racecourse before coming here,” he explains. “It was my first ever job and I just fell in love with racing and the work that comes with it. I’m not from a racing background originally, but once I started, I knew it was something I wanted to do.”

During his time at Ayr, Prentis gained his Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications, which enabled him to progress into management. When the opportunity arose at Hamilton, he was encouraged to take the next step.

“My previous boss said to me, ‘Go for it, it’s your next step.’ And it’s been amazing so far. This is my first head groundsman role, and it’s been a brilliant challenge.”

Hamilton presents a unique test for turf management. Unlike many race courses, its layout includes several different start positions and a testing uphill finish, placing varying demands on the surface throughout the track. The soil profile also differs from his previous role.

“At Ayr, the soil profile was sandy because it’s a coastal course. Here at Hamilton, it’s more clay-based, so it holds a lot more moisture. That means we’re always thinking about drainage and how we manage the surface through the year.”

With a four-person team responsible not only for the racecourse but also surrounding grounds and facilities, efficiency and reliability are key. Since arriving at Hamilton, Prentis has worked closely with Agrovista Amenity technical sales manager Stewart Carbray to build a structured fertiliser programme tailored to the track.

“The relationship with Agrovista started when I came in,” he explains. “Stewart had already been helping the team before I arrived, supplying fertiliser, grass seed and advice. I’ve definitely made use of that knowledge since coming in.”

Prentis now works with Stewart to plan seasonal applications, using a range of fertilisers from Agrovista’s Absolute Premier and Evolution Naturelle ranges to support turf health throughout the year.

Spring and summer nutrition is built around products such as Absolute Premier 12-6-6 and Absolute Premier 20-10-10, mini-granular compound fertilisers designed to deliver balanced nutrient input and consistent growth across large turf areas.

“The products are performing amazingly,” says Prentis. “We’re getting really good coverage and response from them, which is exactly what we need on a surface like this.”

The programme continues into the autumn with Evolution Naturelle Sport Autumn 7-0-21, an organo-mineral fertiliser that provides a gradual nutrient release while supporting soil biology and turf strength heading into winter.

“After racing we applied our autumn feed, which is a slow-release product,” Prentis explains. “It’s worked right through the winter for us. The grass coverage out there is amazing, and the colour is looking really good.”

Hamilton stages 18 fixtures between May and September, after which the team enters a renovation and recovery phase before winter conditions arrive.

“We’ll put the track to bed after the season and try to get as much work done as possible before the weather turns,” says Prentis. “The fertiliser programme really helps keep the turf healthy through that period.”

Beyond the products themselves, Prentis says the support he receives from Agrovista is equally valuable

“Stewart is a massive help,” he says. “If there’s an issue or something I need, I can just contact him, and he’ll always manage to help me out. Whether it’s fertiliser, seed or advice, he’s always able to guide me in the right direction.”

For Prentis, having a reliable partner makes a demanding job a little easier.

“It’s good knowing you’ve got someone you can call for guidance,” he adds. “The products perform well, and the support behind them makes a big difference.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

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AI-powered accessory available for Husqvarna Automower® range

AI-powered accessory available for Husqvarna Automower® range

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AI-powered accessory available for Husqvarna Automower® range

Husqvarna has introduced a new AI-powered Vision Technology accessory for its professional Automower® range, further strengthening the brand’s position at the cutting edge of autonomous turf care technology.

AI-powered accessory available for Husqvarna Automower® range

AI-powered accessory available for Husqvarna Automower® range

Designed to help robotic mowers detect and avoid obstacles more intelligently, the new accessory supports improved operational efficiency and a more seamless mowing experience across golf courses and other professional turf environments.

Compatible with selected professional Automower® EPOS® models, the Vision Technology accessory combines AI-assisted camera technology with infrared illumination to support obstacle detection in both daylight and low-light conditions. The system is designed to enable robotic mowers to better interpret their surroundings, helping reduce unnecessary interruptions while maintaining consistent mowing performance.

“As robotic mowing technology continues to evolve, professional turf managers are looking for solutions that deliver not only outstanding cutting results, but also greater intelligence and autonomy,” said Andrew Lees, Global Segment Manager at Husqvarna. “The new Vision Technology accessory is another important step forward in helping robotic mowers operate more efficiently in complex turf environments.”

The AI-assisted Vision Technology enables the robotic mower to detect, classify and avoid obstacles on the turf. Operating in both daylight and low-light conditions, the system can identify objects such as animals, balls, clothing and standing water, helping maintain mowing efficiency while reducing unnecessary interruptions. Installation of the accessory is carried out by an authorised Husqvarna dealer.

For decades, Husqvarna has led the development of robotic mowing technology, continually advancing autonomous solutions for professional and commercial green space management. The introduction of Vision Technology represents the latest evolution in Husqvarna’s long-term focus on intelligent automation, connectivity and high-performance turf maintenance.

Developed for professional users maintaining golf courses, sports facilities and other large green spaces, the technology is designed to support reliable autonomous operation in environments where changing conditions and unexpected obstacles are a regular part of day-to-day maintenance.

The Vision Technology accessory is available through authorised Husqvarna dealers.

For more information, visit: https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/attachments/vision-technology-accessory/

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BOSS announces new dealer for AODES

BOSS announces new dealer for AODES

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BOSS announces new dealer for AODES

BOSS Off-Road Vehicles has announced the appointment of TH White Agriculture as a dealer for AODES off-road ATVs and utility vehicles. The AODES vehicles will be initially sold and supported by TH White’s Knighton branch in the market town on the England/Wales border. There are plans to expand to other branches. Well-known in the industry, TH White is a family and staff-owned company that has its roots dating back nearly two centuries when it began trading in 1832 from humble beginnings as an agricultural ironmonger. It is the main dealer for an impressive line-up of manufacturer brands covering a broad diversity including agricultural machinery, dairy equipment, lorry cranes, professional groundscare, country stores and much more. The company also handles the design and installation of commercial and farm projects for dry goods handling and bulk storage.

BOSS announces new dealer for AODES

BOSS announces new dealer for AODES

Alex Ross, Area Sales Manager, says, “The appointment as AODES dealer is a first for TH White and Knighton. We have not sold ATVs and UTVs before, and we’re really looking forward to this exciting development for the business. AODES is the ideal product for the area and a perfect offering for our agricultural and groundscare customers.”

AODES ATVs and UTVs are sold in over 100 countries and regions, dating back thirty years to when it was established as ODES in China. Today, the company has R&D and development in the USA and China, and a distribution centre in California. AODES vehicles have been developed for work and play and designed for the serious off-road navigation of difficult terrain. The range comprises ATVs and UTVs, featuring 525cc and V-Twin engines in 650cc and 1000cc displacements.

BOSS ORV National Sales Manager, Neil Everett says, “We’re very excited TH White has joined us on the AODES journey and we look forward to working together in selling and supporting the vehicles. They offer customers in Knighton’s area a high-quality and competitive alternative to other established brands. The team of AODES dealers is going from strength to strength.”

For more information about BOSS ORV distributed machinery, you can call 01785 561046

E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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GGM Group Raises Over £10,000 for North West Air Ambulance

GGM Group Raises Over £10,000 for North West Air Ambulance

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GGM Group Raises Over £10,000 for North West Air Ambulance

GGM Group is delighted to announce that it has successfully reached its fundraising target of £10,000 in support of the North West Air Ambulance Charity, following a series of dedicated team initiatives.

GGM Group Raises Over £10,000 for North West Air Ambulance

GGM Group Raises Over £10,000 for North West Air Ambulance

The fundraising campaign brought together colleagues across the business, who took part in a range of activities including 50-mile cycle rides, 10K runs, and collection drives at key industry exhibitions. The milestone reflects a collective commitment from the entire GGM Group team, as well as the generosity of customers, partners, and the wider community.

Chris Gibson, Managing Director GGM Group commented:
“We are incredibly proud to have reached our £10,000 target for the North West Air Ambulance Charity. This was truly a team effort, with colleagues across the business stepping up to take part in a variety of challenges and events. The support we’ve received from our customers and partners has been fantastic, and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed.

The work carried out by the North West Air Ambulance Charity is vital, providing life-saving pre-hospital care across the region. Knowing that our efforts will help support such an essential service makes this achievement even more meaningful.”

Chris Andrews, Corporate Partnership Officer for the North West Air Ambulance Charity added:
“We are extremely grateful to GGM Group for their incredible fundraising efforts. Reaching £10,000 is a fantastic achievement and will make a real difference in helping us continue to deliver critical care to patients when they need it most. It’s inspiring to see such a strong team commitment behind this campaign, and we thank everyone involved for their support.”

The North West Air Ambulance Charity relies entirely on public and corporate donations to operate its fleet of helicopters and critical care cars, bringing advanced medical care directly to patients across the region.

GGM Group’s fundraising success highlights not only the company’s commitment to supporting important causes, but also the strength of its team culture and shared purpose.

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