Dates announced for #GroundsWeek 2023

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Dates announced for #GroundsWeek 2023: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced that its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, is returning from 20 – 26 March 2023.

The campaign, now in its third year, recognises the work of turf care volunteers and professionals in the UK, with a focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry.

Dates announced for #GroundsWeek 2023

Dates announced for #GroundsWeek 2023

According to research carried out by the GMA, the industry is facing an impending employment crisis. Currently, 40% of the workforce is over 50 years-old and, without an influx of new recruits, this could result in a significant employment gap within 5 years.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says: “Our job is to look out for the interests of our members and the wider industry. Part of that means ensuring new talent is entering the industry. The turf care industry provides a chance for younger people to learn new skills, work in a wide range of sectors and contribute to making sport possible. It also offers incredible career opportunities and health benefits. Connecting with new recruits is what #GroundsWeek is all about.

“As part of the campaign, we’ll be offering school students the chance to experience the buzz of turf care at the highest level, as they get pitch side at a professional football club. We’ll also be sharing real life stories from young people who are reaping the rewards of their amazing careers in turf care.”

“We’ll be highlighting the incredible work existing volunteers and professionals do to make sport possible and showcasing their invaluable impact on the nation, and making sure they get the recognition they deserve, from the public, sporting organisations and the industry.”

Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at Wimbledon, adds: “Grounds staff up and down the country deserve the spotlight for their invaluable contribution, ensuring millions of people every week can enjoy their favourite sports. I’m looking forward to supporting #GroundsWeek, showcasing our work to a wider audience and helping people understand more about what goes into making sport possible.

“To help the campaign make as big an impact as possible, I urge grounds people across the country to keep an eye out for #GroundsWeek content and share it online. Make sure you and your colleagues are celebrated far and wide.”

To find out more about #GroundsWeek, keep up to date with all the latest content by following the GMA on social media:

–       Twitter

–       Instagram

–       Facebook

–       LinkedIn

You can also contact the GMA to find out how you can get involved by emailing communications@thegma.org.uk

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Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

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Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME: Baroness dealer awards were presented at the recent BTME exhibition in Harrogate.

George Browns Ltd

WE’VE WON! Baroness – Highest Overall UK Sales.  Pictured here is Tim Mason, Group Sales Manager (Groundcare), collecting the award from Stuart Gray from Baroness UK. We’d like to thank all our customers for trusting in us and we hope we can continue into 2023 for another positive year.

Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

Lister Wilder

This week our sales team have been attending the #BTME show in Harrogate, where David Gray collected the Sales & Service award on behalf of the team presented by Luke Collins from Baroness UK.

Phill Hughes (Sales Director) commented – “It’s always an honour to receive awards, it shows the huge efforts put in by our Sales, Parts and Service departments to ensure that we deliver great customer service across our core franchises. Baroness mowers are now widely accepted as offering the best cut in the business, and providing low cost of ownership with proven reliability – they are a pleasure to work with and a manufacturer that has a clear vision for the future”

Gibbons Garden Machinery (GGM)

Awarded at the 2023 BTME show, The GGM team were awarded the Rising Star Award presented by Andy Darley from Baroness U.K.

The Rising star Award is presented to the fastest growing dealer for sales performance, and we’re very pleased that the continued hard effort put in by the team is being recognised & awarded by a manufacturer as prestigious as Baroness.

The whole team here at GGM is looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2023!

Adam Butler Director Baroness U.K. adds: The Baroness Dealer Awards provide a superb stage on which we can showcase the hard work and dedication our multi branch dealers continue to produce year on year. We are extremely proud of all our dealers and especially the 2022 winners. We produce world leading machinery in which we require world leading backup. That’s what we have and that’s what we will continue to do. A big thank you from TEAM Baroness goes out to all our dealers and customers alike for their continued support.

More info on the Baroness range visit: www.baronessuk.com

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New starters herald a bright year

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New starters herald a bright year: Following on from a record-breaking year in 2022, Capillary Concrete, the world-leader in sportsfield drainage and moisture control, has made a number of key appointments aimed at enabling it to move even further forward in 2023 and beyond.

In the golf sector, the company’s biggest market, Capillary has appointed Niklas Svantesson to establish its business in Canada. Swedish, Svantesson was for some years course manager at Halmstad Golfklubb in the south-west of the country, where he was awarded Golf Course Manager of the Year in 2007, and took charge of preparing the course for the Solheim Cup in the same year. For the past eleven years, he has been club manager at Gothenburg Golfklubb in Sweden’s second city, the country’s oldest club. He moved with his family to the United States in 2022 to lead Capillary Bunkers’ drive into Canada, and also to play a key role in the further development of the revolutionary Capillary Hydroponics technology.

New starters herald a bright year

New starters herald a bright year

Svantesson says: “The Capillary Bunkers solution has proven itself for many years and I’m looking forward to introducing it to the Canadian golf community. The development of the new revolutionary system Capillary Hydroponics for heavily loaded grass surfaces and sports arenas will arouse interest in many places in the world. To grow grass with water from below without any sprinklers in a closed plant bed where you control the gas exchange, moisture level, nutrient supply, disease control without leakage. The fact that there will be no negative environmental impact and it is 100 per cent natural feels right, and the saving of 80-90 per cent of water consumption per year and that the pumps are powered by a solar panel opens up great opportunities in places in the world where there are both energy and water shortages.”

Another Swede, Louise Torgersen, has joined the company as manager of Capillary Equestrian, its solution for controlling moisture levels in riding arenas. A Swedish international showjumper and twice winner of the national championship, with a background in events and marketing, she will work with the company’s sales team, using trade shows, other events and social media, to increase its presence within the equestrian sector. “For me as an equestrian, it feels great to work with a system that I think will revolutionise the industry of equestrian footing,” she says.

An engineer with a passion for horses, Alexandra Kettil has joined Capillary Concrete’s product development team. She studied engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, and has a degree in industrial engineering and management. Since graduating in 2019, she has worked with two different startups developing innovative products for the equine industry; at Capillary Concrete, her role will involve developing ideas into marketable products.

Finally, Brandy Laymon has joined Capillary’s office in Wellington, Florida, as staff accountant. Born and raised in a small town in Kentucky, she moved to the Sunshine State four years ago after receiving her masters degree in accountancy. “City life is quite a culture shock, but I’m enjoying every minute of it,” she says. “I am looking forward to being able to use my skills to help the company grow. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Capillary Concrete in the coming years.”

Company CEO and founder Martin Sternberg says: “The last two years have been an amazing ride for us, with huge growth in our core markets and expanding into new territories and sectors. Now, and with these new appointments, we are set to make the next move forward. We know our technology is the best in our fields, and we are very excited to be able to bring it to new users.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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STIHL launches new saw chain

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STIHL launches new saw chain: STIHL has launched a new innovative full chisel saw chain offering up to 20% higher cutting performance.   

Compatible with any STIHL professional chainsaw with a power output of 1.6 kW – 2.0 kW, the new PS3 Pro chain is available in 3/8 P pitch and 1.1mm drive link gauge and features a narrow kerf designed to reduce resistance while cutting.

STIHL launches new saw chain

STIHL launches new saw chain

This new geometry results in a chain that not only cuts faster than the previous 1.3mm gauge chain but is less sensitive to pressure too. For cordless chainsaw models, the increase in cutting efficiency also allows more cuts to be made per charge, improving productivity.

The new 1.1mm Light 04 guide bar has been specifically designed for use with the PS3 Pro chain, offering increased durability and optimum balance. In addition, the drive links on the PS3 Pro sit deeper inside the Light 04 guide bar compared to ¼ P 1.1mm chain, further decreasing the likelihood of the chain de-railing.

Available in 12” and 14” lengths, the PS3 Pro chain and Light 04 guide bar comes as standard with the new MSA 220 C-B, or separately as an easy upgrade for models such as the MSA 220 T and MS 201 TC-M. Furthermore, the PS3 Pro is compatible with all standard 3/8 P sharpening accessories.

For more information on STIHL’s new PS3 Pro saw chain, please visit www.stihl.co.uk

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Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms

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Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) are collaborating to have BIGGA exclusively present GCSAA’s First Green STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education programme in the UK.

Founded in 1997, First Green is the only STEM education and environmental outreach programme using golf courses as learning labs.

Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms

Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms

The First Green curriculum helps students apply their classroom knowledge in an outdoor setting. Using STEM concepts connected to golf course management and conservation, students find new inspiration in their schoolwork and learn about the possibility of a career in golf or a STEM-related field. Since its inception, First Green has reached students in the United States and Canada through learning labs that bring the classroom to life on the golf course. First Green also gives students a first-hand look at the important role greenkeepers (or superintendents as they are known in the US) play in their communities.

As part of the multi-year agreement, GCSAA will provide branding, training, insight and curriculum advice to assist BIGGA with establishing First Green in the UK. The two associations will share best practices and updates to ensure students will be part of programmes offering the best possible experience and learning.

This initiative was announced as part of the 2023 BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) in a joint event attended by representatives of GCSAA and BIGGA. Initial planning is underway and a schedule of First Green events presented exclusively in the UK by BIGGA will be available when they are announced at www.bigga.org.uk.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “First Green is a brilliant tool with all the assets, lesson plans and resources that any golf course needs to host an event. We’re thankful to the GCSAA for the incredible work they have done to develop the programme and also for enabling us to bring it to the UK, where I am confident it will be a huge success.”

Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO, said: “STEM education opens the door to a wide variety of career paths including golf-related careers. While our number one goal for First Green is to support the education growth of students, we also contribute to golf’s sustainability by showcasing golf facilities’ focus on preserving the environment and creating interest in a golf-related career. Over the years we have collaborated on many initiatives with BIGGA and created a strong working relationship. This long-term and successful relationship enabled our two associations to seamlessly bring the GCSAA’s First Green programme to the UK.”

For more information about First Green in the United States, visit thefirstgreen.org

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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