MM solutions for greenkeepers at BTME

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MM solutions for greenkeepers at BTME: Visitors to the MM Sports Seed stand (130) at BTME can expect a range of market leading products that can significantly improve both the quality and aesthetics of a golf course.

The demand and pressure placed on the modern-day greenkeeper to produce a consistent playing surface continually grows at a pace. Seed quality, purity and vigour are the essential ingredients of a first-class golf course, and the MM range of seed mixture provides exactly these.

MM solutions for greenkeepers at BTME

MM solutions for greenkeepers at BTME

All the varieties in the MM mixtures are thoroughly tested at the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) – ensuring that the finished product will meet your requirements for play, appearance, and maintenance.

Here is a snapshot of some of the MM products being showcased at BTME:

The MM Supreme Ryegreen mix offers golf course managers a 100% Ryegrass mixture for use on greens and fine turf areas. This new mixture benefits from the inclusion of Singapore Perennial Ryegrass, which is extremely fine leaved with good shoot density along with high disease and wear tolerance. Furthermore, MM Supreme Ryegreen brings the main benefits of Perennial Ryegrass – fast establishment and wear tolerance in close-mow situations.

MM9 Grass Seed, a 100% Bent mixture, provides an excellent formulation for summer overseeding and autumn renovation of top-quality golf greens. It produces a fine, dense sward which gives an excellent playing surface. MM9 has excellent Fusarium resistance due to the inclusion of the new variety Cleek.

MM50 is one of the UK’s biggest selling grass mixtures. The hard-wearing Ryegrass mix is very fine leaved, has high shoot density, is tolerant to close mowing down to 5mm and produces a great colour all year round. It also has quick recovery from damage and play.

This superior mix contains the Perennial Ryegrass cultivars, Venice, Alison, Malibu, and latest fine leaved Ryegrass Singapore, which are renowned for providing a great sward for golf use.

All the MM mixtures are treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – a unique seaweed-based seed treatment which helps to ensure rapid and even germination. This tried and tested grass seed treatment helps the seed get off to the best possible start.

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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Finalists of GEA awards announced

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Finalists of GEA awards announced: Since STRI Group launched the Golf Environment Awards (GEAs) in 1995, the aim has been to recognise, reward and promote outstanding individuals and golf courses, no matter how big or small, for the time and effort they put into protecting and preserving their unique surroundings.

With the ever-increasing spotlight on environmental matters, it is fundamentally important for golf courses worldwide to assess what they can do to achieve environmental sustainability, protecting and encouraging habitats and biodiversity, while continuing to maximise the enjoyment of golf.

Finalists of GEA awards announced

Finalists of GEA awards announced

Following a recent judging day, the finalists and winners for the GEAs were decided. The judging panel were given a list of anonymous applications and an accompanying list of positive environmental practices from the clubs, which were then given a numerical score across a range of categories. The judges were representatives from STRI Ltd, The R&A, Aquatrols, BIGGA, Syngenta, Tillers Turf, and Textron.

The categories, criteria and finalists are as follows:

Operation Pollinator Award

Golf clubs who consistently deliver outstanding ecological habitat creation and management for pollinators.

  • Huntercombe
  • Goring and Streatley
  • Corhampton
  • Bamburgh Castle

Ecological Project of the Year

Golf clubs who have implemented a successful ecological project, with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a better environment, and are making sound progress in fulfilling the goals of the project.

  • Cirencester
  • Clitheroe
  • Pannal
  • Andrews

Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year

Outstanding individuals who make significant contributions to the success of environmental and ecological management making a positive impact on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity.

  • Garmouth and Kingston
  • Newquay
  • Sleaford
  • Warren (Devon)

Sustainable Project of the Year

Golf clubs who have implemented a successful sustainable project with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a more sustainable environment.

  • Hever Castle
  • Pannal
  • Royal Mid-Surrey
  • Andrews

International Environmental Golf Course

Golf clubs outside of the UK that brilliantly demonstrate efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.

  • AFRIYEA (Uganda)
  • Al Mouj (Oman)
  • Finca Cortesin (Spain)
  • Sentosa (Singapore)

UK Environmental Golf Course of the Year

Golf clubs in the UK that are leading the way in sustainability across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.

  • Anne’s Old Links
  • Nairn Dunbar
  • Gog Magog
  • Elmwood

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Harrogate on 25 January 2023. All winners are rewarded with a grant to help fund further ecological and environmental projects at their clubs and entry to the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture Course.

Entry to the awards is completely free with the aim of encouraging every eco-conscious golf club to have their efforts rewarded, and also to educate the industry on simple practices that can have a hugely positive impact.

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Wyboston Lakes trusts Otterbine

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Wyboston Lakes trusts Otterbine: Hotel, spa and golf resort Wyboston Lakes in Cambridgeshire has once again trusted Otterbine with its prized possession: its lakes.

After twenty years with the same fountain, the venue decided to not only replace it with an updated model but also acquire a second to further enhance the beauty of two of its prominent lakes.

Wyboston Lakes trusts Otterbine

Wyboston Lakes trusts Otterbine

Wyboston Lakes sits at the edge of the historic market town of St Neots in 380 acres of rural countryside and as well as providing leisure facilities, it has two residential business event venues and is home to all kinds of fauna and flora, which the resort goes to great lengths to protect.

Otterbine has played a big part in helping the extensive venue achieve the look it needs for its lakes, as well as providing an environmentally-friendly water aeration solution for almost two decades, says Louisa Watson, who has been at the helm of the resort’s marketing for nine years.

“Wyboston Lakes is one of the largest independent business and leisure venues in Northern Europe and the lakes are a big part of our offering – they’re even in the name!,” says Louisa.

“Otterbine has certainly helped us achieve the aesthetics we want to present to all our guests while being environmentally-friendly meaning we don’t need to use chemicals to keep the water clean.”

Otterbine, exclusively distributed by Reesink Turfcare in the UK, replaced the resort’s old unit with a 15HP Polaris giant fountain, which combines fucntionality with a striking geyser-type water pattern. With the option of adding a High Voltage or LED Fountain Glo Light system, it creates beautiful displays at night too.

Louisa says: “We have a Lakeview Suite, which comprises three event rooms overlooking a lake, and having the Polaris fountain positioned there creates an important aspect for business delegates. It has been a talking point with all our guests as it really adds to the overall ambiance.”

In addition, Wyboston Lakes purchased a 5HP Gemini fountain for the first time to install as a centre piece in the East Lake opposite the Gravel Pit Brasserie. Part of the Otterbine’s Concept 3 range, it offers incredible aeration strength and an attractive display.

With high oxygen transfer rates and pumping ability of up to 242m3/hr, customers can be guaranteed with clear and healthy water when the Concept 3 range is in charge, as Louisa confirms: “The water is crystal clear and the impressive sprays compliment the lakes’ natural beauty so we’ve got the full package now.”

Both the Gemini and the Polaris are energy-efficient, manufactured from corrosion-resistant, durable high grade stainless steel and provide a natural control for algae, aquatic weeds and odours without the use of chemicals.

This was an important consideration, as together with WildLife Trust, Wyboston Lakes maintains a nature reserve that can be enjoyed by all and has an active policy of planting trees to support this ecosystem.

Louisa concludes: “Otterbine complements our ethos and has done for many years so it was only natural to choose them again. We’re very pleased with the results.”

To find out more about the Otterbine range of aerators and fountains, contact Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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ISEKI record year ready for restructure

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ISEKI record year ready for restructure: ISEKI UK & Ireland has reported continuous growth and is set for another successful year in 2022 with huge and consistent headway made in the market place year on year.

David Withers the Managing Director commented; “We estimate that at year end the market size for our products will be slightly down compared to last year in terms of units shipped whereas we will have shipped around 10% more units than we did in 2021, which was at that time our best year ever.  We would like to thank our dealers and customers for your help in growing our market share and being part of our success!”

ISEKI record year ready for restructure

ISEKI record year ready for restructure

As the business continues to expand it has been necessary to look at the organisation structures and make sure that the business is strong and ready for the bright future ahead. As such ISEKI UK & Ireland are creating a new position of Sales Director within the ISEKI business, the Sales Managers Phil Self, John Clifford and Andrew Donnachie will report in to this position as will Graham Hooper the Commercial Manager and our new demonstrator. Additionally the Sales Director will be directly responsible for export business outside of UK and Ireland, giving more support and focus to dealer partners in these important regions.

David Withers explains further; “Alan Prickett will take up the new position of Sales Director, reporting to me. A lot of people within the turf industry will know Alan, be aware of his long history within the sector and will no doubt welcome working with him again. Phil Self who was focused on the ADDAX and Raymo electric range will now sell all products including ISEKI and will take over Alan’s Dealership area covering North Wales, Midlands, East and North England. John and Andrew will continue with their roles but adding responsibility for Raymo and ADDAX to their sales portfolios in their areas.  We believe that this will strengthen our position, allow for further growth and expansion and look forward to what 2023 brings.”

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New location and bespoke stand

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New location and bespoke stand: Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac multi-implement, all-terrain compact tractor, returns to BTME with a new location and a bespoke stand for this year’s event.

For the past three events, we have occupied a space at the top of the stairway leading to Hall 3, but for this year’s event we have moved to Hall 1, where you will find us on a new, bespoke stand with an impressive display of the new Ventrac 4520 compact tractor and attachments.

New location and bespoke stand

New location and bespoke stand

For some visitors it will be the first opportunity to see the new machine. It’s not a radical change, but there’s a whole series of improvements ‘under the bonnet’ resulting in 30% more available power, giving the best mix of machine performance, operator experience and durability.

At its core, the 4520 is a compact tractor, but it is very different to what most greenkeepers are used to seeing. The purpose of a tractor is to perform tasks more efficiently than manual tasks. The Ventrac 4520 plays on these advantages, then takes it to the next level. When coupled with the extensive line of over 25 Ventrac attachments, this tractor is a versatile machine for a variety of professional users.

The 4520 retains all the features of its predecessor, including its 30-degree slope climbing ability, but has been enhanced with an all-new hydraulic system featuring larger bore piping, more powerful auxiliary hydraulics and more resilient hoses and fittings resulting in faster and stronger operation. That means 30% more available power, improving performance and productivity while providing the operator with a quieter working platform.

Ventrac has become the number one choice for versatility in the greenkeeping sector. Combining a blend of peak power and agility with front-mounted attachments for superior visibility, a pivoting frame for manoeuvrability, and excellent weight distribution for balance and stability, the new 4520 elevates the Ventrac experience to a whole new level.

To understand why the industry has embraced the Ventrac product come along and visit stand 122 in Hall 1.

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