First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

/in , /by

First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced: Nathan Lewis from Lewis Garden Machinery is the proud winner of a range of battery-powered Pellenc equipment – a GroundsFest registration prize that added an extra layer of excitement to the spectacular event.

The inaugural GroundsFest proved to be a huge success, captivating visitors with the largest display of outdoor machinery demonstrations in the UK, free educational sessions, live music performances, and the opportunity to engage in hands-on practical training.

First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

Amidst the countless opportunities at GroundsFest, every participant who registered and attended the event had a chance to win some exceptional prizes. The first prize was a battery-powered Rasion Basic lawnmower and a Selion telescopic polesaw from Pellenc.

Weighing less than 25 kg, the Rasion redefines working conditions for green space professionals. Its ultra-manoeuvrability, easy transport, and unmatched power ensures impeccable cut quality for various mowing tasks. With a reach of up to 14.76 ft, work can be carried out with the Selion polesaw without a carrying harness because of their lightness.

They are ideal for use in noise sensitive areas and powerful enough for forestry work.

The Pellenc prizes were won by Nathan Lewis from Lewis Garden Machinery, a well-established and reputable family business specialising in garden and landscape maintenance since 1987. The company, known for its bespoke maintenance schedules, has built a large portfolio of domestic and commercial clients through continued investment in equipment and improved work practices.

In recent years, Lewis Garden Services has made significant investments in battery equipment, particularly suitable for noise-sensitive areas such as offices, nursing homes, and hospitals. The addition of the Pellenc Rasion and Selion to the company’s machinery fleet aligns seamlessly with their commitment to providing an efficient, sustainable, and affordable service.

Ecstatic about the prize, Nathan admitted that winning was the perfect way to conclude his first memorable GroundsFest experience, emphasising the outdoor demonstrations, the wide variety of exhibitors, and the lively performance by the Queen tribute band as particular highlights.

Anticipation now builds for the announcement of the second registration prize winner, which will be announced soon.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

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.

Groundbreaking turf innovation at BTME 2024

/in , /by

Groundbreaking turf innovation at BTME 2024: Envu, a leading provider of turf management solutions, is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) from January 23-25 at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

At stand 134, Envu will showcase a range of products including the first and the only bio-control fungicide on the market in the UK and Ireland, Harmonix Turf Defense.

Groundbreaking turf innovation at BTME 2024

Groundbreaking turf innovation at BTME 2024

The company’s National Accounts Manager for the UK and Ireland, Phil Logan, will also be hosting a seminar titled ‘The future of disease management’ on January 24, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM on the Seminar Stage.

Offering a deep-dive into the changing landscape of managing and controlling fungal diseases on golf greens, the seminar aims to provide attendees with insights into regulations affecting plant protection products in the UK and EU.

“I’ll be exploring the importance of alternative approaches to disease management, explaining biological fungicides’ mode of action and discussing how bio-controls can be integrated into disease management strategies for reduced reliance on conventional fungicides,” explains Phil.

“Visitors are welcome to join us on our stand to find out more about Harmonix® Turf Defense.”

Boasting broad-spectrum contact fungicidal activity, Harmonix® Turf Defense is a revolutionary bio-control fungicide and the first and only registered product of its kind in the UK and Ireland. With its proven ability to reduce the reliance on chemical products, it is set to transform attitudes towards turf disease management.

“It is designed to combat common turf diseases such as microdochium patch, anthracnose, and dollar spot,” says Phil.  “Importantly for users, Harmonix® Turf Defense is suitable for use on golf courses and sports turf throughout the year, whether the grass is in vegetative rest or actively growing.”

“This groundbreaking fungicidal innovation is based on a patented strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, QST 713, which naturally produces high volumes of bioactive compounds known as Lipopeptides, which exhibit fungicidal activity upon direct contact with plant pathogenic fungi,” notes Phil.

Visitors to the Envu stand will also have the opportunity to participate in the Batak competition, where the fastest in turf can win a £250 Amazon voucher, with a £50 runner-up prize.

Find out more https://www.uk.envu.com/turf-management/harmonix-turf-defense

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.

Tom Bailey joins Price Turfcare

/in , /by

Tom Bailey joins Price Turfcare: Tom Bailey, the former Sales Manager at RT Machinery, has joined Price Turfcare, the UK distributor of the Ventrac 4520 all-terrain compact tractor and multiple accessories.

Tom joined RT Machinery Ltd in June 2015 as a trainee Area Sales Manager, rising through the ranks before being appointed Sales Manager in November 2022. Prior to his career at RT Machinery, he worked initially as gardener for The National Trust, then as a senior gardener at Coworth Park, prior to taking the position of craft gardener at SAS Ltd, a US-based multinational developer of analytics software, with premises situated within a 110-acre estate in Berkshire. In 2019, Tom won Price Turfcare’s Dealer Sales Achievement award.

Tom Bailey joins Price Turfcare

Tom Bailey joins Price Turfcare

Commenting on his appointment, Rupert Price, Managing Director of Price Turfcare, said,

“We are delighted to have secured Tom’s services; he is a very welcome addition to our sales team. His sales record at RT Machinery was second to none and that can be seen by his 2019 dealer sales award. He fully understands the attributes of the machine and its accessories and his knowledge of the golf and groundscare industries across the south of England is superb, with the added bonus that he is well respected across his territory.

“The industry tends to forget that we are still a relatively young business; it was only 2017 when we first introduced this unique compact tractor, with its multiple range of dedicated accessories, to the UK market. Now we are in an excellent position to move the company forward and Tom will be an integral part of our growth strategy.”

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.

Overcoming exposed conditions with Johnsons Sports Seed

/in , /by

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.”

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.

2024 golf salary recommendations published

/in , /by

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.

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.