Ladyback Golf Club commit to Ventrac

Ladyback Golf Club commit to Ventrac: Ladybank Golf Club, situated in wooded heathland 10 miles west of St Andrews in Fife, is the latest prestigious Scottish golf club to purchase Ventrac equipment to assist in the maintenance of their challenging heathland championship course.

Designed by Old Tom Morris, Ladybank is a rare course; although situated in Fife, it’s not one of the famous links courses that dots the coast. It measures almost 6,800 yards from the championship tees, making great use of its heathland terrain and has changed little over the years. It requires the golfer to display real precision to hit the small and contoured greens.

Ladyback Golf Club commit to Ventrac

Ladyback Golf Club commit to Ventrac

Grant Frogley is the Course Manager and is responsible for a team of 8 full-time greenkeepers, who maintain this beautiful and challenging course. During the winter of 2021-22, the club purchased an ex-demo Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractor and two attachments to help maintain the course.

“I’m one of the many converts to the Ventrac compact tractor and attachments,” he said. “We had two rough mowers when I came in, each one for different areas of the course. We’re a relatively flat site in terms of elevation, but we do have quite a lot of subtle movement with some extreme hollows and bumps. The rough mowers weren’t the best at following contours, so we found ourselves doing a lot more hand work.

“I’d seen the Ventrac at a demonstration at Gwest and knew it would be the perfect piece of kit here; a versatile machine that could do more than one task. We got it in on demo and sure enough it flew round, coped with every contour out there, without a problem.

“We’ve got the Contour deck and the Tough Cut deck. We use the Tough deck a lot during the winter to clean up the woodlands and remove the gorse and broom. We basically cut everything that’s not on the maintained grass areas. We cut every blade of grass during the winter, so it’s very versatile and mobile for getting in amongst the trees. As I said previously, it’s very good at removing brash, gorse and broom.

“It came with a rear three-point linkage kit, which is brilliant. We bought a small sprayer with hand lance that hooks up on the back of it and we also have a terra rake, which we use a lot during winter projects, especially if we’ve got soil that just needs a tilth-up before we re-turf. It’s brilliant and such a light footprint, it just glides over the surface.

“The options are endless; we’ve demoed the stump grinder and blower. We’ve got a rear-mounted blower on a tractor, and perhaps it’s just my age, but I find looking out the back for a period of time is very uncomfortable. The seating position on the Ventrac is very comfortable and the out-front blower makes it much more user-friendly. We’ve had nothing in the way of breakdowns, servicing has been fine, one little repair on the deck and it’s hardly missed a beat.”

Grant began his career at Gleneagles in 1999, working under Peter Pattenden, and six years later went to New Zealand for a year, before returning to Gleneagles at a time when the renovations for the Ryder Cup were taking place, remodelling the PGA Centenary course. This led to construction work at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club near Dublin followed by a spell in Sweden constructing the PGA of Sweden National Golf Course near Malmo.

Returning to the UK, he was appointed deputy course manager at Gwest, where a new championship course was being built next door to Gleneagles. Gwest never materialised into the great golf course and property that it could have been, so he took up his first course manager’s job at The Roxburghe in the Scottish Borders. Three and half years later he returned to Gwest as course manager, with a commitment from the owners that it would be completed. Covid struck and, and unfortunately, progress with the development stalled, so in 2021 he applied for, and was successful in securing, the vacant course manager’s position at Ladybank.

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Ticking boxes across the board

Ticking boxes across the board: An FSI D60 tracked stump grinder has become the latest addition to the busy team at Proarb Professional Arboriculture – tackling commercial stump clearance tasks of all sizes and on all terrains.

Complementing a smaller grinder already on their fleet, Managing Director John Paul Williams explains that in the few short months following its delivery, the FSI D60 is already proving itself to be a robust and reliable workhorse.

Ticking boxes across the board

Ticking boxes across the board

Proarb Professional Arboriculture was established in 2003 and has gone on to set the benchmark for domestic and commercial vegetation management across North Wales and the North West. The team of 40 work on a number of large-scale commercial contracts, including in the area of utility arboriculture, which is what drove the demand for an upgrade on the existing stump clearance solution. “I had seen lots of positive feedback and comments on social media about FSI and, while it wasn’t a brand we’d used before, it impressed us from the first demonstration” explains John Paul.

Boasting a 60hp Hatz diesel engine, the FSI D60 delivers impressive power and productivity combined with class-leading manoeuvrability and traction. Efficiency is further improved with the full-feature remote control system which provides the best possible view of the work area and facilitates the clearance of stumps in hard-to-reach areas in full safety.

“The track base and remote control is incredibly important for us because of the variety of terrain we have to work on. With the FSI D60 we enjoy the versatility of being able to navigate fields and other rural areas as well as having the ability to work in small, confined spaces with limited access as narrow as 800mm. We can also tackle stumps of all shapes and sizes with the machines impressive 2.2m sweep.”

He continues, “It ticked a lot of boxes. Not only did it fit our requirements in terms of specification, but it was also clear the machine was very well-built, good attention to detail right down to the high quality of paint finish.”

“In addition, our experience with dealer’s GGM – particularly their Arb Product Manager Phil Edmondson – has been excellent” he adds. “In our line of work, downtime costs money, so good back-up support is incredibly important to us. We feel confident in the service we’ve had from both GGM and the team at FSI that we are in safe hands.”

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Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite

Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), a leader in innovative turf care solutions, proudly launched its highly anticipated Microlite range at BTME 2025. The unveiling of this cutting-edge fertiliser range captivated turf professionals attending the industry’s premier event, setting a new benchmark for precision nutrition and turf health.

The Microlite range, featuring unique micro-granulation technology, was designed to address the challenges modern turf managers face. Offering superior coverage, rapid granule dispersion, and specialist formulations, Microlite provides a solution for consistent turf performance with a flexible, reliable approach.

Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite

Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite

Jamie Lees, Nutrition and Specialities Product Manager at OAS introduced the range at BTME, highlighting its benefits, “Microlite represents the culmination of our commitment to delivering innovative turf management solutions and understanding both requirements and challenges faced by turf managers. This range was carefully formulated considering nutritional expectations in different markets, to provide a product range of the highest level.”

The Microlite range comprises six expertly formulated products tailored to meet specific turf requirements:

  • Microlite Links (4-0-4+4Fe) – For a low-input approach, containing seaweed, Naturvigor, and iron for six weeks of natural colour and healthy growth.
  • Microlite Advance (8-0-16+3.3MgO+4Fe) – Designed for managing summer stress, with gradual nitrogen release and enhanced colour response.
  • Microlite Performance (12-0-12+8CaO+3MgO+2Fe) – Balanced analysis for high-quality sports surfaces, ensuring consistent growth and vibrant colour.
  • Microlite Complete (10-2-5+15MgO+3CaO+2Fe) – An all-season solution delivering robust plant health and vibrant colour, even in cooler conditions.
  • Microlite Premier (15-0-10+9CaO+3MgO) – Suited for recovery from wear damage, providing high nitrogen availability and promoting plant health.
  • Microlite All-Round (6-0-20+10CaO+2Fe) – A versatile year-round product for stress resistance and immediate aesthetic improvements.

Unmatched Performance with Innovative Technology

Microlite’s micro-granulation technology allows for flexible application rates down to 15g/m² without the risk of speckling. The blend of nitrogen sources, from nitrate for an immediate response, to methylene urea for longevity, provide solutions for cold-weather growth, stress resilience, and recovery from wear.

The launch of Microlite at BTME 2025 received widespread acclaim, with turf professionals praising its versatility, ease of application, and ability to support exceptional playing surfaces.

To learn more about Microlite and other OAS solutions, visit www.originamenity.com.

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Putting a spring in your aeration step

Putting a spring in your aeration step: Always keen to support its customers, Reesink is not only maintaining 2024 parts prices in 2025 but offering customers a further 10 percent off genuine Toro tines this spring. The promotion is for all tines, including Titan, on orders placed up until 31 March.

A key part of spring maintenance, aerating is a practice that cannot be overlooked, and tines are the key ingredient to successful results.

Putting a spring in your aeration step

Putting a spring in your aeration step

Michael Hampton, Purchasing and Sales Process Manager at Reesink, says: “As the grass begins to wake up after winter, there are multiple things that can be done to ensure a good start to the growing season and desired standards are achieved. Arguably the most important is decompaction through aeration.

“There are however many different aeration practices and tines available depending on what the customer is looking to achieve.”

Deep tining is the preferred for this time of year as it decompacts the profile after the cold, often wet months of winter and helps promote drainage. In addition, there’s hollow tining to control organic matter and as an effective way of soil exchange when used alongside topdressing.

Solid tining, both shallow and deep, provides enhanced gas movement between the root zone and the atmosphere. Shallow (less than 150mm) is useful for aerating the upper level of the root zone and particularly good for sandy soil that doesn’t need much turf compaction relief.

With over 150 Toro tines to choose from, customers can be assured there is something in the range for all seasons, surfaces, purposes, and soil conditions. And with Toro genuine parts guaranteeing the best form, fit, and function on the market – and all included in the 10 percent off deal – now is the time to stock up ready for the all-important spring maintenance weeks.

All Toro tines are designed for performance, durability, and longevity, leaving pure holes for the best aeration techniques, but Toro Titan tines take things a step further and last four times longer than standard non-Toro tines meaning less replacements and change-outs for greater productivity.

Michael concludes: “The phrase we often apply to Toro parts is buy smarter and get much more for your money. With Reesink maintaining 2024 prices and offering promotions on genuine Toro parts not just now but throughout the year, the value is the best it’s been.”

Reesink is reminding customers that all Toro parts can be purchased through their local dealer or service centre, where they will receive help and advice getting the right part with the exact engineering specifications for their equipment at the best possible price.

To find your nearest Toro dealer, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load

GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load: Visitors to BTME 2025 were the first to see a brand new addition to the GKB machinery portfolio, as the Leaf-Blower (LB100) made its global debut. Delivering more airflow with less power demand on your tractor, the LB100 promises greater efficiency and fast, effective clearance of leaves and other debris.

In development for a number of years, the GKB Leaf-Blower has been designed to meet the exacting requirements of modern golf course and sports turf management. With low power requirements of under 40hp and a PTO-driven fan, the blower offers powerful performance with limited load on your tractor.

GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load

GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load

As is now expected with GKB, the new machine incorporates the very best of robust, precision engineering for durable, long-lasting reliability. It features solid tyres, an anti-scalp roller and a lightweight, yet study, 875mm diameter metal fan. With an air capacity of 380 m³/min, the Leaf-Blower provides outstanding productivity for the fast and effective clearance of leaves, pine needles and other debris.

The hydraulically operated rear chute allows you to swiftly change speed or direction of airflow, saving time on the job. The freewheel PTO and gearbox transmission ensure smooth operation and long ma­chine life, while attaching the unit and setting the working height is quick and simple.

Its compact dimensions, weight of 360kg and a noise level of only 97 decibels make the GKB Leaf-Blower suitable for daily use on golf courses and other amenity spaces in close proximity to the public.

Commenting on its introduction, UK Operations Manager Tom Shinkins said, “It was great to finally be able to introduce the Leaf-Blower into the GKB range, and what better place to get it in front of thousands of turf professionals than at BTME! We had an incredibly positive reaction from visitor and dealers alike, all excited to get out and get hands-on with the machine in the field ahead of the busy autumn season. Sitting alongside sustainable solutions like the GKB Leaf Reducer, we now offer the full complement of machinery for leaf clearance to suit all sports, situations and settings.”

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