Overcoming exposed conditions with Johnsons Sports Seed

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Overcoming exposed conditions with Johnsons Sports Seed: The exposed location and sandy loam soil profile of Cardigan Golf Club mean the links course is subject to harsh conditions, yet the greens and fairways have never performed better according to Course Manager Stuart Adams – who attributes the improvements in visual merit and plant health down to the bespoke seed programme delivered by Johnsons Sports Seed.

Steeped in over 100 years of Welsh history, the hilltop location of the 18-hole links course offers picturesque views over the Teifi Estuary. “Our clifftop position leaves us extremely exposed to the elements, meaning we tend to dry out very fast with the warm sea breeze we experience in the summer” explains Stuart, who heads-up a greens team consisting of two full-time and three-part time greenkeepers, together with an artisan worker. “When it comes to seed selection, we have to find cultivars that will suit our site and predominately choose hard, strong and slender creeping fescues.”

Overcoming exposed conditions with Johnsons Sports Seed

Overcoming exposed conditions with Johnsons Sports Seed

“Our fairways have a track-record for struggling from insect damage and the stresses of longer, hotter summers so I discussed options with my DLF Technical Manager Ian Barnett, who suggested a mixture based around Johnsons J Fescue with the inclusion of additional Hard fescue to suit our situation.”

A 100% fine fescue blend, J Fescue incorporates top-rated cultivars to provide a high drought and salt tolerant mixture for a sustainable sward that requires lower inputs of water and fertiliser. The inclusion of Hard fescue – known for its tolerance to a broad range of turf stresses – has resulted in a mix delivering outstanding resilience and recovery. J Fescue forms part of a comprehensive line-up of fine turf fairway mixtures including J Premier Fairway – incorporating 10% Hard fescue and 10% Sheeps fescue – and a new mixture for 2024, J Sustain Fairway, specially formulated with 40% Hard fescue to deliver a high-performance, sustainable surface with a foundation of natural strength.

“Our fairways look remarkable and are showing incredible improvements in sustainable management.” He explains, “Other brands cannot compare with the high germination rate, purity and overall results we achieve with Johnsons. We get consistent, strong and healthy grass, even in our high traffic areas, and our greens simply speak for themselves!”

With enhanced diversity of both cultivars and species within the sward, Stuart is well-placed to overcome the challenges of the new season. “Not only has our overall quality improved, but we’re building up increased resilience to the range of stresses we now have to overcome from the climate and ongoing reduction in chemistry at our disposal.” He concludes, “I’d recommend Johnsons as the first choice on any budget.”

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2024 golf salary recommendations published

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2024 golf salary recommendations published: Following extensive research, the Committee for Golf Club Salaries (CGCS) has recommended a 7% increase in the salaries of golf club staff for 2024.

With an increase in the National Living Wage due to come into force from April 2024, to ensure all staff remain ahead of that base line a 9% increase has also been recommended for assistant greenkeeper salaries.

2024 golf salary recommendations published

2024 golf salary recommendations published

The increases have been added to the salary calculators provided on the CGCS website and take into account the National Living Wage increase, the prevailing economic environment and the importance of golf facility staff to the overall industry.

The salary calculators take into account geographic regions, facility size, core responsibilities, club rating, qualifications and experience, ensuring recommendations can be tailored to individual members of staff.

The CGCS is comprised of representatives of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) alongside independent golf club experts.

While keen to impress the need for golf clubs to ensure staff are suitably paid and valued by their employers, the committee is also aware that employee reward and retention must be balanced alongside the affordability and financial health of the business.

Alongside salaries, the organisations represented on the CGCS advocate for the provision of resources aimed at supporting employee mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing adequate opportunities for career pathway support, training and development. To find out more about what BIGGA and GCMA can provide in these areas, please do not hestitate to get in touch. Contact details are on the various associations’ websites.

Head to the CGCS website for more information and to explore the salary calculators, guidelines and principles of good pay.

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New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed

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New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed: The Wildflower seed brand of Green-tech, John Chambers Wildflower Seed, is entering its 11th year under new guidance.

With over a decade of experience at Green-tech, Roger McGivern has moved from managing a sales team to leading the John Chambers team through the next period of the brand’s development and growth.

New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed

New leadership for John Chambers Wildflower Seed

John Chambers Business Manager Roger will be responsible for the overall performance of the brand, managing a trade and key account database, and delivering educational and training seminars as well as accredited CPDs to specifiers.  He will be supported by Georgia Gilbert, the John Chambers Technical manager, Jason Brits, the Production and Operations supervisor, and Emily Murray, the JC Wildflower technician.

Geen-tech’s Business Development Director Mark Wood comments, “I am delighted to welcome Roger to the team. He joins with in-depth knowledge of the product portfolio and a wealth of experience and has a mass of ideas on how to develop the brand in line with company strategy and goals. I am looking forward to working with Roger and the rest of the team as we enter the next chapter for John Chambers Wildflower Seed.”

Roger adds, “I am very happy to join the John Chambers team. My existing knowledge and expertise of the customer base, product portfolio, and systems mean I am starting in a strong position. The John Chambers Wildflower Seed brand has undergone phenomenal growth over the last decade, with sales increasing tenfold over this period.  I am joining at an exciting period in the brand’s development and growth, and I look forward to working with the dedicated and skilled team and introducing new ideas and initiatives.”

John Chambers Wildflower Seed has a 40-year history of supplying native British-produced wildflower seed and mixes to landscape and garden lovers across the UK. John Chambers is one of the leading authorities on native wildflower seed, distributing a comprehensive range of products that protect, enhance, and improve the landscape environment.

Mark Wood continues, “We have orders for some major infrastructure projects that are planned over the next five years for the John Chambers brand. Roger has an experienced and robust team behind him to deliver upon these. I’m looking forward to the next chapter for this brand.”

If you are interested in joining Green-tech and building a career within the landscaping industry, click the link below to check out their careers page with all current vacancies. https://www.green-tech.co.uk/about-us/careers

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Can-Am ATVs take centre stage at LAMMA

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Can-Am ATVs take centre stage at LAMMA: LAMMA 2024 will mark the UK show debut of the new Can-Am Outlander 500 (HD5) and Can-Am Outlander 700 (HD7) models on stand 6.850, spearheading a selection of ATVs and SSVs from the 2024 Can-Am utility line-up.

These new models have been designed and developed from the ground up by BRP’s engineers to provide an improved rider experience through increased performance, comfort, storage and versatility, so they handle the demands of utility users and the multitude of terrains they work across with ease.

Can-Am ATVs take centre stage at LAMMA

Can-Am ATVs take centre stage at LAMMA

The new Can-Am Outlander BASE PRO HD5 T is a work-ready vehicle that provides the user with consistent performance with the help of its class-leading power from the all-new Rotax engine, ground clearance, suspension travel, towing and rack capacity.

The new Can-Am Outlander PRO XU HD7 ABS puts out 50 horsepower and 41 ft-lb of torque, so travelling up the side of hills or towing and carrying cargo on the flat is now easier and more efficient.

To complement the ATVs on display will be Can-Am’s SSV line-up, which includes the Can-Am Traxter HD7 and the Can-Am Traxter 6×6 DPS HD10.

The Can-Am Traxter HD7 provide users with consistent performance and has the ability to stay out in the field for longer with the help of its  40-litre fuel tank.

The Can-Am Traxter 6×6 DPS HD10 is a workhorse SSV that handles everything from hauling machinery to transporting workers and equipment to job sites while providing owners with the comfort, power and performance that is expected from a Can-Am Traxter.

In addition to showcasing its ATVs and SSVs, Can-Am will be hosting a responsible rider panel with the NFU, Yellow Wellies, NAAC and HSE at 11am on stand 6.850. The discussion will cover several topics ranging from training to educating users, no matter their age, on the importance of wearing the correct PPE when riding and what best practices can be implemented before, during and after an ATV has been used.

Rachael Turner, BRP commercial manager UK and Ireland, says, “This show is one that our team circles in the calendar because it brings together a wide-ranging audience under one roof, from students studying at college to smallholders, to large landowners. We are excited for the UK show debut of our new ATVs, the Can-Am Outlander 500 and Can-Am Outlander 700. These two models are the latest evolution of the Outlander line-up and have been designed from the ground up with the user in mind.  Our team is looking forward to showcasing the models on display and explaining how their versatility makes them suitable for the job at hand. In addition, we are excited to be part of the panel with the NFU, Yellow Wellies, NAAC and HSE as it is a great platform from which to discuss the importance of responsible riding, ATV training and best practices when using an ATV with an engaged audience.”

For more information visit https://uk.brp.com/off-road/ https://www.lammashow.com/

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Introducing Nano-Spray

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Introducing Nano-Spray: Sprayer manufacturers Martin Lishman Ltd are thrilled to be showcasing their new Nano-Spray, along with a small selection of their compact amenity sprayers at this year’s BTME event.

The little sibling to the industry-leading Micro-Spray, the Nano-Spray is an ultra-compact, 36 litre, fully-electric self-propelled sprayer that delivers a high precision spray application with no impact on fine turf.

Introducing Nano-Spray

Introducing Nano-Spray

Targeted for use on smaller amenity areas and serving as an invaluable tool for contractors, the Nano-Spray is small enough to fit through most gateways and comes fully equipped with an array of professional-grade features.

Martin Lishman Ltd has embraced industry changes and stringent customer requirements to drive the development of their sprayer range to the point where they now offer a whole plethora of options and sizes to cater for almost any situation. Their sprayer range includes tractor, trailed, UTV, ATV and pedestrian options which are all fully customisable to suit any use case scenario.

The Nano-Spray along with a small selection of the Martin Lishman sprayer range will be on display at BTME 2024 in January, stand 248.

For further information, visit www.martinlishman.com. Sales enquiries can be made directly to sales@martinlishman.com.

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