Using Attraxor for growth regulation

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Using Attraxor for growth regulation: A Scotland based golf club has explained the key benefits of using Attraxor for growth regulation and the suppression of Poa annua.

Head greenkeeper, John Cunningham, based at the Isle of Skye Golf Club, explains that he has been using Attraxor for the past two years on golf greens and surrounds.

Using Attraxor for growth regulation

Using Attraxor for growth regulation

Officially formed in 1988, the Isle of Skye golf club boasts an 18 hole course across 9 greens, nestled at the foot of the Red Cuillins. The club welcomes golfers of all ages and abilities to visit and enjoy the wonderful scenery it has to offer.

John discussed the reason he began using Attraxor at the Isle of Sky Golf Club: “I began using Attraxor mainly as a growth regulator, and I believe it is the best growth regulator on the market. Its longevity out performs other competitors.”

Attraxor has been shown to effectively regulate growth of managed amenity turf. The active substance, Prohexadione-calcium, inhibits the gibberellic acid pathway, which results in a reduction of turf height and turf biomass. Root growth is also promoted through use of Attraxor whilst turf colour and quality are maintained.

John confirmed: “Using Attraxor has led to lower maintenance levels across the course, resulting in a reduced need to cut and roll.”

Attraxor also limits the spread of annual meadow grass, Poa annua, by reducing seed-head production and physiological weakening. John states: “Attraxor has obliterated Poa annua seed heads. It’s absolutely fantastic and very quick acting.”

John has also noticed that there has also been improvement in grass quality: “Since using Attraxor the sward has thickened, providing a smoother, more uniform putting surface”.

John was very impressed with the results from using Attraxor compared to other PGR products: “I have previously used other alternatives, and none work as well as Attraxor. Its longevity also outperforms other competitors.

“Using Attraxor has reduced costs, there’s no doubt about it. The growth regulation results in less cutting and less rolling. It’s a win-win all round.”

To find out more about Attraxor, visit https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Growth-Regulator/Attraxor.html#section-benefits

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Convenience is key with Toro MVP kits

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Convenience is key with Toro MVP kits: Now more than ever, any opportunity for businesses to reduce the cost of goods is welcome, so Reesink Turfcare is reminding customers about its Toro MVP kits.

Standing for Multi Value Packs, these kits save 20 percent on the cost of the individual parts for over 100 different maintenance issues such as rebuilding rollers, replacing hydraulic hoses or overhauling cutting units.

Convenience is key with Toro MVP kits

Convenience is key with Toro MVP kits

Michael Hampton, Reesink Turfcare parts manager, comments: “One of the greatest money vacuums on the golf course is machinery downtime, but with an MVP kit ready to go you can both protect your equipment and see it working all season long. The thing about machinery parts is that they’re not really needed until something has already gone wrong. With Toro MVP packs, you’ll never be caught short in a crisis – any genuine Toro part you need is right there conveniently packaged in one handy box.”

Toro’s MVP packs are all about convenience and minimising downtime, enabling customers to respond quickly to problems so that their turfcare machinery can spend less time in the workshop and more time working. Having everything in a single package makes ordering and completing the job easier.

Michael continues: “At this time of year, productivity is key so machines need to be able to perform constantly and consistently. You can’t always prevent hiccups with machines, but having an MVP kit on the shelf means you can get a machine back up and running quickly without wasting time sourcing individual parts as issues arise.”

MVP kits are also ideal for keeping on top of routine maintenance, having parts to hand making the process hassle-free. And it’s not just the maintenance itself that’s made easier with MVP kits, they allow for more accurate forecasting when setting budget aside for parts and servicing too.

“When things get busy at this time of year, there’s always that temptation to run turf machinery harder and longer without proper maintenance. The kits also provide instructions on when to carry out maintenance depending on the model and number of hours of use so that operators can prevent issues before they ever happen,” Michael adds.

Toro MVP kits are a smart investment, ordering is easy and handy presentation boxes make storage easier. For more information contact distributor Reesink Turfcare’s Toro parts department on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Soil Scout announces partnership with Bernhard and Company

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Soil Scout announces partnership with Bernhard and Company: Soil Scout are pleased to announce a new and exclusive distribution partnership with Bernhard and Company to supply our world-leading real-time, wireless soil monitoring solution to golf courses and sports turf facilities in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Bernhard and Company is the industry-leader in fine turf management solutions, and its team has considerable experience in the turf care industry, with expertise across multiple disciplines including; engineering, agronomy and product design. All of this, combined with unrivalled understanding of the development and maintenance of playing surfaces makes the company the perfect partner to take our business forward, with the support of Sales and Sports Turf Specialist, Nick Durkin.

Soil Scout announces partnership with Bernhard and Company

Soil Scout announces partnership with Bernhard and Company

Bernhard and Company are associated with some of the most prestigious golf clubs and courses around the world. Its expert teams support the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and the United States Golf Association by providing specialist tournament support for high profile competitions, such as the US Open, the Ryder Cup, and the Open Championship. The company’s machines are also used by more than 65% of the world’s top 100 golf courses.

Through this exciting new partnership, we will look to make certain that we service all our current clients with even greater efficiency whilst also creating lots of new opportunities with potential customers through this new and exclusive distribution channel.

Bernhard and Company are, of course, already synonymous with the Soil Scout brand, having installed the solution worldwide on numerous occasions on behalf of their partner, leading subsurface and moisture management solution, SubAir Systems. Most recently and successfully installing multiple soil monitoring sensors in all eight of the stadium venues for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Soil Scout CEO, Jalmari Talola commented; “Soil Scout continues strong international growth as a leading supplier of soil monitoring solutions. The UK represents the most significant market potential for professional turfs in Europe, and our goal is to help the industry operate more efficiently by making critical soil information available to all users.

“Bernhard and Company is well known all over the world for its leading turf health products and, above all, for its high-quality expertise in the industry. Bernhard has been our familiar partner for seven years, and last year’s successful collaboration at the 2022 World Cup contributed to strengthening the relationship.”

Jalmari continued; “We are very pleased to have Bernhard onboard as the Soil Scout UK distributor and bring the company’s 100+ years of experience to the Soil Scout family. This is an exciting opportunity and we are very much looking forward to getting to work with them!”

Soil Scout’s UK Sales and Sports Turf Specialist, Nick Durkin said; “I am very pleased to announce Bernhard and Company as our exclusive dealer for the UK. The industry leading experts have been providing the highest level of turf care machinery, support and education for many years.

“It’s extremely important we continue to align ourselves with like-minded partners who also value the importance of soil and plant health. We have been working with Bernhard for some time thanks to our relationship with SubAir Systems, and I am excited to continue growing this relationship and provide world leading turf management solutions together.” Steven Nixon, Managing Director for Bernhard and Company, added: “A partnership with Soil Scout was a very easy decision for us to make. We have been working together through SubAir Systems for many years now, and it feels like a natural evolution for us to add this product to our portfolio of turf health Solutions. We are very excited to be part of the continued business growth in the UK.”

Scott Purdy, Business Development Manager EMEA for Bernhard and Company, said: “Soil Scout has already done a great job developing its brand in England, Scotland and Wales. I am really looking forward to taking these conversations forward, and supporting customers with an additional way to understand their turf needs.”

The agreement starts with immediate effect, and for more information, Bernhard and Company can be contacted on 01788 811 600 and info@bernhard.co.uk, or visit Bernhard.co.uk for more.

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Tillers Turf and Fineturf fleet expands

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Tillers Turf and Fineturf fleet expands: Whether it’s through the delivery of expert construction and renovation services, or the supply of 26 different varieties of turf, the combination of Fineturf and Tillers Turf have proudly worked with a huge number of the UK’s leading sporting venues – and at the heart of nearly every operation is a Kubota.

Following the delivery of six more Kubota units to their fleet, Managing Director Simon Hutton explains how it’s the reliability of the brand that keeps them coming back for more, having not let them down on a job in over 28 years.

Tillers Turf and Fineturf fleet expands

Tillers Turf and Fineturf fleet expands

Working for high profile clients across the sporting sector comes with high expectations and means that for Simon and the team, reliability is key when it comes to specifying new equipment. “The oldest tractor we have is a Kubota L4630 which is 18 years old, with close to 11,500 hours on it and continues to give us what we need day in, day out” explains Simon. “The simplicity of operation, consistency in performance and value for money we get from the brand is unparalleled.”

Among the recent delivery were two L2522 tractors from Kubota’s popular L2 series of cabbed, compact tractors – taking Simon’s total tally of L-Series machines up to the mid-twenties! “These are the workhorses on our contracting division” he explains. “We’ll have at least one on most jobs, and they’ll remain on site for the duration of the contract whether that’s one day or six months. The operators love the durability of the L2’s, they work long hours and stand up to every task. Because they’re not ‘over-computerised’ we can also conduct all of the servicing and maintenance ourselves and, if something does go astray while we’re on a job, nine times out of ten the team can resolve it quickly and easily to get the work complete.”

Tillers Turf and Fineturf fleet expands

Tillers Turf and Fineturf fleet expands

While the L2522’s are additions to meet with demand, the new Kubota M6111 and M4073 are replacing another brand and join an M6002 series already in use on the Tillers Turf operation. “We use these tractors at every stage of turf production on our 2200 acres – from getting the seed in the ground to getting the turf onto the pallets and out to the customers.”

“Where we are now and with the scale of the operation, I honestly believe that without the level of service we get from our equipment and the fabulous people at Kubota who provide outstanding ongoing support, we wouldn’t be in business.”

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Morpeth Golf Club looks to the future

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Morpeth Golf Club looks to the future: Morpeth Golf Club has a new approach to running its 117-year-old business; utilising every asset to broaden its appeal and be much more than just a great course. 

With new leadership and investment across the site, Morpeth is focused on drawing in customers to the clubhouse, restaurant, pro shop, simulator, events space and personal training facilities, as well as its flourishing 18-hole golf course.

Morpeth Golf Club looks to the future

Morpeth Golf Club looks to the future

A more positive and profitable future is being spearheaded by general manager Chris Liddell and course manager John Scurfield whose new strategy has included a significant investment in new course machinery from John Deere.

“If everything around the course is doing well, we have the budget to ensure our greenkeeping team gets all the tools it needs to keep the place looking great,” Chris said.

He joined the club in January to support its development through the bar and catering aspect of the business. As a former regional director for branded hospitality groups such as Pizza Express and TGI Friday’s, Chris has also been a member at Morpeth for 20 years.

“Where I feel I’ve been able to add a bit of value to the club is bringing in the big company principles such as implementing budgetary processes and more structure in how the club is run,” says Chris. “What will be pivotal in growing the club in the future is not only appealing to our current membership, but also broadening our appeal to the wider community. A part of what we have to do here is appeal to every demographic.”

Morpeth has 650 playing members, with over 20 more joining since the New Year. Chris projects the club could have about 750 members by the end of the year.

One aspect he wants to rejuvenate is the junior golf initiatives by developing an academy membership for young golfers to progress.

“In recent years I’ve seen that golf clubs have taken a hit in the number of junior memberships and that is something that I want to change,” says Chris. “I want to start getting more juniors into golf because I remember having such great days here when I was a junior member myself.”

To maintain the club’s growth, the stunning parkland course must be maintained to the highest standard, which is helped by Morpeth’s long-standing relationship with John Deere dealer Thomas Sheriff & Co.

Course manager John has been working at the club since he left school and has always used John Deere machinery. It’s a course he knows better than most ¬– holding the record with a six-under-par 65.

“We’ve had this partnership with John Deere for about 30 years, and the investment in the machinery has been necessary,” says John. “As the number of golf clubs in the area increases it dilutes the market, so we have to provide the best possible standard of our course to keep our current members and attract future ones.”

Morpeth’s latest investment includes an 8000A E-Cut Hybrid Fairway Mower, a HPX 815E Work Utility Gator, a 2550 E-Cut Riding Greens Mower, a HD 200 Precision Sprayer, and a 2030A Gator. All the machines are on a five-year finance lease with John Deere.

With only a five-person greenkeeping team, a busy playing membership and the course driven to staying open all year round, there are challenges. But John has taken to visiting other clubs to see how other teams manage.

“On volunteering at various clubs including Royal Cinque Ports and Royal Liverpool Golf Club, I went to see what I could bring back to Morpeth, even though we’re worlds apart from those bigger clubs,” says John. “One thing I brought back was that staff morale is so important. Despite these guys starting at 4am and working all day, they never stop laughing and joking around with each other and they keep a real team spirit.

“When handpicking new people to work with us, I’ve learned to base them more on their character than their skillset because team morale is so important.”

John’s team are all now experienced in using the John Deere machinery, and are proud to do so, being particularly impressed by the reliability and efficiency of the mowers that they use.

“Before they came here to Morpeth these guys hadn’t really had much experience with John Deere machines at the previous clubs they worked at,” John says. “So when they came here and started using the John Deere mowers, they straight away said that it’s top notch. It’s always a good sign when your team are proud of what they’re working with.”

In developing and maintaining the course for the future, John is interested in looking into John Deere’s GPS technology for future investments, looking at how implementing it could further increase efficiency in maintaining the grounds and also help in keeping costs down.

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