Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution

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Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution: Wildflower Turf Ltd are delighted to celebrate their 20th birthday as the original innovators of Wildflower Turf. Their remarkable journey has seen Wildflower Turf Ltd expand from their Hampshire HQ to Shropshire and Yorkshire.  

This news comes in the wake of many groundbreaking initiatives and accomplishments of the company, including:

Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution

Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution

  • How their first square metre of wildflower turf was discarded, only for it to flourish in the yard one month later!
  • Their first RHS Chelsea Flower Show appearance in 2004.
  • How a green roof above a playhouse in 2004 is now eclipsed by huge projects such as Skelton Lake Services.
  • The highly acclaimed 256-page book ‘How to make a Wildflower Meadow’ by James Hewetson-Brown was released in 2016.
  • In 2023, Wildflower Turf Ltd James Hewetson-Brown was voted onto the GRO (The Green Roof Organisation) board.

To learn more about the 20 year milestone, click here.

About Wildflower Turf Ltd: Founded in 2003, Wildflower Turf Ltd pioneered and developed a soil less growing system which has transformed the concept of turf growing. As the original innovators of Wildflower Turf®, the research laboratory at their Ashe Warren Farm headquarters reinforces them as leading experts in Wildflower spaces, with unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable practices and biodiversity.

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Ormskirk and Farleigh greenkeepers earn prestigious awards

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Ormskirk and Farleigh greenkeepers earn prestigious awards: One has an obsession with board games while the other is a rock climber who scales cliffs around the UK, but the winners of the 34th Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards are united in a passion for the greenkeeping profession.

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), Toro and Reesink UK have revealed the winners of their prestigious student greenkeeping awards following a day of judging in the historic surroundings of Cheshire’s Carden Park.

Ormskirk and Farleigh greenkeepers earn prestigious awards

Ormskirk and Farleigh greenkeepers earn prestigious awards

With finalists representing eight education providers from across the UK, the awards also provide the students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and expand their professional network.

The winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was revealed to be Michael Russell, assistant greenkeeper at Ormskirk Golf Club in West Lancashire. Michael’s nomination was endorsed by Phil Lomas, tutor at Oldham College.

Michael, 31, switched career four years ago from a role in the Civil Service and hasn’t looked back. A keen board game collector, he was a finalist in the 2021 hosting of the awards and has optimised his BIGGA membership, becoming an ICL Continue to Learn Scholar and graduating from the Future Turf Managers Initiative. He is married to Megan and has a one-year-old daughter, Millie. Michael was also the first finalist to ever score full marks in the multiple choice stage of the examination.

Michael said: “It was a little bit of a shock, but I know how much preparation I’d done coming into the finals. I think you can always underestimate yourself, seeing those around you and how much experience they have and their passion for the industry, but I was absolutely delighted to win and I know in terms of the rewards that are available as part of the event and just networking has been a brilliant opportunity.”

Runner-up in that category was Ryan Fiander, deputy course manager at Lees Hall Golf Club in Sheffield. Ryan’s nomination was endorsed by Andy Kenworthy, his tutor at Myerscough College.

The winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was revealed to be Daniel Martin, first assistant greenkeeper at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey. A keen mountain biker and climber, Daniel is a thrill seeker who has found a professional passion in the greenkeeping industry. Daniel’s nomination was endorsed by Wayne Syres, tutor at Hadlow College. In another awards first, Daniel’s grandparents were in the area and stopped by the awards ceremony, making it extra special that he came out on top in his category.

Daniel said: “It’s a really good recognition of all the work that you have put into your career and studying to gain the extra knowledge to differentiate yourself from everyone else, so I felt satisfaction in the recognition of that work. For me, if I’ve achieved something well then it’s satisfaction of a job well done and on to the next one.”

Runner-up in the Young category was Jake Rose, apprentice greenkeeper at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds. Daniel’s nomination was endorsed by his course manager, Steven Robinson.

You can watch extended interviews from Michael and Daniel on the BIGGA YouTube channel.

The nomination period for the 2024 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will begin at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January 2024.

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Reesink’s Reeown scheme

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Reesink’s Reeown scheme: Kilspindie Golf Club has its hands on a new used Reelmaster 3550-D as part of Reesink’s ReeOwn scheme that refurbishes and rehomes preloved Toro equipment.

When it came time for a new machine to cut the surrounds and small bankings on the tees and greens, head greenkeeper John Arbuckle, who has been at the club for 40 years now and has a team of four, decided that using Reesink’s ReeOwn scheme was the best course of action.

Reesink's Reeown scheme

Reesink’s Reeown scheme

John says: “We went with the ReeOwn scheme because of price. We were aware of the scheme and it made total sense to make use of it to get the best machine for the budget available. Reesink can be trusted to take care of the refurbishment, making sure that the machine was reliable and up for the job on our links course. The machine comes with a one year warranty too.”

The Reelmaster 3550-D in particular saves more than just its upfront cost, as it’s known to be both fuel efficient and economical to run.

Kilspindie Golf Club’s links course is hidden away amongst the nature reserve of Aberlady Bay, making the gentle tread of the Reelmaster 3550-D the ideal choice. It is 15-20 percent lighter than comparable models, providing the ideal combination of turf friendliness and productive performance.

John says: “The lightweight units is one of the key reasons we picked this particular machine. We bought it to complement the work we do with our Toro fairway mower. We’re cutting things a bit higher than we’d do with that, and since the 3550 has 5” cutting reels instead of rotary decks, it lets the growth recover more quickly.”

With a lightweight build, highly manoeuvrable three wheel drive, a generous 208cm cutting width, and a proven power unit, Toro has created a mower ideal for links and heathland courses complemented by a 7 mph mowing speed for fast and effective cutting.

John is no stranger to using Toro around the course, having worked with Toro equipment for over 20 years. “We’ve got a 3100 SideWinder, a greens triple and a Workman HDX,” he says. “Of course it always depends on the condition of the machine but it was great working with Reesink’s ReeOwn scheme and we’d definitely use it again when considering new machines.”

Discover more about how your course can benefit from the UK’s only used Toro professional turf machinery network by visiting reeown.co.uk or contact Reesink Scotland by calling 01480 226800 or by email at info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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SoilsCon returns in 2024

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SoilsCon returns in 2024: After a four-year break, during which time the world has experienced pandemic, dramatic changes to its climate patterns, and major advances in science and technology, SoilsCon – the landscape industry’s ‘go to’ conference for soil-related topics – is returning.

The one-day conference will take place on Wednesday, 28th February 2024, at the elegant Phyllis Court in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare, it promises landscape architects and specifiers, housebuilders, landscape contractors and designers, developers, topsoil manufacturers, local government officers, and professionals from the wider industry, a day of invaluable professional development, discussion and debate, with presentations by some of the leading experts in their respective fields.

SoilsCon returns in 2024

SoilsCon returns in 2024

So far, the SoilsCon 2024 speaker line-up features:

Tim O’Hare, Principal Consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates

Tim White, Senior Associate, Tim O’Hare Associates

Dr Iain Gould, Associate Professor in Soil Science, University of Lincoln

Helen Elks-Smith, Principal, Elk-Smith Landscape & Garden Design

Jennifer Mui, Director, MRG Studio

Katherine Iles (Principal Engineer) and Ryan Coghlan (Senior Landscape Architect), ARUP

Subjects will include:

  • Soil health and functions in landscapes – a practical approach
  • Soil requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain typologies
  • Soil organic matter and carbon sequestration
  • The challenges of garden construction
  • Species-rich soils – a National Trust case study
  • Biochar and Dolerite – the science behind these soil conditioners

A Soil Surgery, popular with delegates at previous SoilsCon events, will be held during the day’s networking periods with members of the Tim O’Hare Associates team on hand to help delegates with their specific soil issues.

The final programme and conference details will be issued shortly but to express your interest in attending, please email sharon.frost@toha.co.uk or call 01491 822653.

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Ryan Beck joins ICL

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Ryan Beck joins ICL: ICL is delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Beck as the new Technical Area Sales Manager, covering Scotland.

Ryan brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, having spent several years in the turf industry, making him a valuable addition to the ICL team.

Ryan Beck joins ICL

Ryan Beck joins ICL

Ryan’s journey in the turf industry began at Broomieknowe Golf Club, where he worked as a greenkeeper. He then joined The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield). Ryan’s career progressed to the position of Head Greenkeeper at Melville Golf Club.

Drawing from his vast experience as a greenkeeper, Ryan later transitioned to the trade side of the industry with Fleet Line Markers and then Aitkens.

In his new role as the Technical Area Sales Manager for Scotland, Ryan will be responsible for overseeing sales activities, building and maintaining relationships with clients, and providing expert guidance on ICL’s range of innovative turf solutions.

“I am excited to be joining such a high-profile company and market leader in ICL,” Ryan expressed. “I look forward to meeting customers and relish the opportunities that this role offers.”

ICL, with its commitment to excellence and cutting-edge turf solutions, is confident that Ryan’s appointment will further strengthen its presence in Scotland and reinforce its position as a market leader in the turf industry.

For more information, please visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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