Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

/in , /by

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra: The Amenity Forum already offers a series of guidance notes and video material on integrated approaches to weed, pest and disease management and, in 2020, published an extensive document on the subject in relation to weed control, along with a template to help amenity organisations produce integrated plans.

Integrated approaches are long established in the sector but it is clear that, with the great emphasis being placed by government on this topic, it would be beneficial to further improve both access to and content of guidance to all operating in amenity and sports surface management. As such the Forum is in positive and collaborative dialogue with Defra as to how this can be achieved.

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

Defra published its Pollinator Action Plan recently and in it was the following reference to part of this work.

Work with stakeholders, including local authorities, to:

  1. support the development of guidance on the use of pesticides by amenity managers, including IPM and sustainable approaches for weed control which consider pollinators.
  2. explore ways to maximise uptake of IPM by amenity users

John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said ‘’We have been in dialogue for some time with the Defra team about creating better access to guidance on integrated management. Whilst the publication of the much anticipated UK National Action Plan has been delayed, it is clear that the production of Integrated Plans will feature strongly. As such we welcome direct input into helping improve guidance. Integrated approaches involve creating plans for management making use of all tools available including pesticides  to provide the required outcome in a way which protects the environment and minimises carbon emissions’’

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.

Obituary – Barry Huxley

/in , /by

Obituary – Barry Huxley: Huxley Golf, the well-known supplier of premier quality all-weather surfaces for golf, are very sad to announce the unexpected death of Barry Huxley, who founded the Huxley Golf business with his brother Paul in 2000.

Barry had been a Director of the Huxley family business Huxley (UK) Ltd for over 50 years, before its transfer to an Employee Owned Trust in 2020. The business was started in 1946 by Barry’s and Paul’s father Ted Huxley, who began selling Allen Motor Scythe grasscutters in London and the home counties when he was demobbed after war service in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm flying Spitfires and Seafires. Until 2000, The Huxley Grass Machinery business manufactured and supplied commercial grass cutting and turf maintenance machinery to golf courses and sports grounds throughout the UK and overseas as far away as Japan.

Obituary - Barry Huxley

Obituary – Barry Huxley

Barry Huxley joined the family business in 1970, after an apprenticeship at Ransomes in Ipswich, to learn about the manufacture, servicing and sales of mowing machinery. The firm continued to prosper, introduced the Cushman Turf Care System to this country in 1975 and began to develop and manufacture its own range of Huxley mowers, turf care implements and trucks. When the Huxley Grass Machinery business was sold in 2000, Barry and his brother Paul started the Huxley Golf business, having spotted the need for low maintenance, realistic and innovative all-weather golf surfaces.

It was clear from the start that high quality installation was key to the new business and Barry led from the front, supervising the installation of all-weather practice greens and tees for Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam as well as many other world-famous tour professionals and championship courses. As Huxley Golf’s reputation grew, the firm carried out installations in many countries and now have appointed Distributors as far away as China.

From an early age, Barry excelled at every sport he took up. At Bradfield College, he captained the school cricket team, scoring several hundreds, was chosen to captain the ESCA southern schools against the north and then played for Berkshire. He played golf at Sunningdale and New Zealand, where he had many friends and, over the years, he achieved high standards at croquet, tennis, gliding, riding, ballroom dancing and clay-pigeon shooting.

The Huxley family are grateful to the many friends from all over the world who have shared their memories of Barry and expressed their sympathy and sadness about Barry’s sudden death.

Huxley Golf extends heartfelt condolences to Barry’s family and his many friends.

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.

INFINICUT® combo lands at Durham

/in , /by

INFINICUT® combo lands at Durham: They say ‘all good things come to those who wait’, and for the team at Durham County Cricket Club, they’ve waited almost five years for their very own INFINICUT® and UltraGroomer™ set-up!

The combination has been on the mind of Head Groundsman Vic Demain since 2017, so when funding became available, the INFINICUT® was top of the shopping list. Following delivery in March, the INFINICUT® has been living up to expectations – swiftly tackling the invasion of annual meadow grass on the club’s practice facilities.

INFINICUT® combo lands at Durham

INFINICUT® combo lands at Durham

In charge of preparing surfaces for T20, County and International Cricket, Vic keeps his eyes and ears close to the ground when it comes to new solutions to the key maintenance tasks. “We had the opportunity to use the INFINICUT® complete with UltraGroomer™ for a couple of weeks back in 2017 and were hugely impressed by it, but unfortunately until this year the funding hasn’t been available” Vic explains. Over the COVID period, four units were hired by the ECB to help with preparations for those fixtures taking place behind closed doors, with one of these now finding a new home with Vic and his team of five.

“Having been sold on the UltraGroomer™ from all those years ago, we jumped at the chance to purchase one, together with a 22” INFINICUT® FL. It was delivered just as we began to see the grass thicken up and the annual meadow grass coming through which is where this machine comes into its own.” Featuring over 80 tungsten carbide tipped blades, the UltraGroomer™ from the TMSystem™ range improves the plants immediate environment by removing Poa ingress, lateral growth and organic matter to enhance the movement of oxygen, moisture and nutrients.

“While the Poa keeps growing and seed heads are showing we’ve been conducting fortnightly runs with the UltraGroomer™ and it’s done a fantastic job. We will also be looking to use it for thinning out the sward as part of our main pitch preparations.”

The INFINICUT® also becomes Vic’s first battery powered machine, something that will be in use even more frequently when he receives his new SMARTCut™ cutting reel. “We’re excited for the INFINICUT® to become a dual-purpose machine, with it lining up to be used to cut the main square and practice areas.” Vic adds, “Through the summer we are often hosting meetings and weddings and the last thing they want in the background is noisy mowers! Where we would previously be told to turn them off, with the INFINICUT® we’ll be able to cut the grass without disturbing the guests.”

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.

Agrovista’s roadshow has feel-good factor

/in , /by

Agrovista’s roadshow has feel-good factor: The recent Agrovista Amenity Academy Roadshow, held at the stunning East Sussex National Golf Club, saw over 70 attendees soak up a memorable day of knowledge, networking, and wellbeing.

Greenkeepers and groundspersons ranging from course managers to apprentices, made their way to the East Sussex countryside to enhance their education on a variety of topics tailor-made for those working in the turf management sector.

Agrovista’s roadshow has feel-good factor

Agrovista’s roadshow has feel-good factor

Delegates were welcomed with breakfast rolls and breath-taking views across the finishing holes on both the East and West courses, before organiser and Amenity Specialist Andrew Norman introduced the day.

“Today we are focussing on wellbeing in turf, and it is relevant for absolutely everybody,” he said.

Without further ado, Danny Negus, Grounds Manager at Devonshire Park, took to the stage to discuss mental health.

“I thought it was received very well considering it is a very delicate and personal subject,” said Danny. “It gave me an opportunity to highlight some of the data that I collated last year which enabled me to emphasise the seriousness of wellbeing and mental health in this industry. We all need to realise there is not a stigma attached to this and we must look at moving forward in a positive way.”

After Danny’s presentation, the attendees were divided into three smaller groups to diversify the experience of the technical seminars which were to follow.

Alan Pierce from Aquatrols Europe was on hand to discuss the innovative plant technology behind the leading Redox range of nutritional products.

“Hopefully I have been able to provide some education around the Redox range but also to help them understand that while these tools aren’t a solution to some of the stresses they may be under, they can certainly help free up some head space to enable them to think about some of the bigger issues they might be facing,” he said.

Neil Pullen from Compo Expert offered his expertise on the different forms of slow-release fertilisers and explained in detail everything from how they are manufactured to how they are packaged.

Agrovista’s Karl Parry offered a glimpse into the online Agrovista Amenity Academy; introduced the latest trial data on BASF’s Attraxor plant growth regulator and also highlighted the benefits of PrecisionPro – an attachment for a granular spreader to make sure products are applied evenly and accurately. Delegates also had the opportunity to put PrecisionPro to the test once the seminar had concluded and it is safe to say that there was certainly some competition on display.

In between the seminars, lunch was served in the award winning two rosette restaurant, and the day concluded with drinks from the Ryder Bar & Terrace.

As the delegates continued to network and reflect, it was apparent that there was a certain feel-good factor associated with the day.

“As an apprentice I feel that there has been a lot of knowledge to gain and it has been really interesting,” said Anna Rose Smethurst from Holtye Golf Club. “It was good to find out more about the Agrovista Amenity Academy because it has been really helpful for my college work and for all the products I use. I’m taking a lot away with me.”

Josh Negus from Devonshire Park was another apprentice who benefited from attending: “The whole day has been a great wealth of information and the discussion on fertilisers was super informative,” he said.

Dean Franks from West Sussex Golf Club also found the day informative: “The PrecisionPro talk was a good eye-opener because calibration in terms of being the spray technician is really going to be helpful in my job role. I’ve learnt a lot about new products, and I’ve got some brochures to take away which I will be sure to revise.”

Networking was a key aspect of the day for Cuckfield Golf Centre’s Head Greenkeeper, Josh Clarke: “It has been great to meet other greenkeepers and chat about the industry and bounce ideas off one another. Networking is so important in this industry, but we rarely get together and speak.

“The online Agrovista Academy has been brilliant for us,” added Josh. “I’m always telling my team to use it so they can find out more about the products they are applying.”

Scott Litchfield, Course Manager at East Sussex National, was delighted to welcome so many peers to his place of work.

“We were very proud to host the day,” he said. “The majority of my team attended, and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Danny Negus’ seminar was absolutely superb. Mental health in this industry needs to be made more aware of – the more we talk about it the easier it becomes.”

Danny’s wellbeing seminar also struck a chord with Michael Sparke, Deputy Course Manager at Kings Hill Golf Club: “When you are out mowing on your own you can get lost in your own head. As we evolve as a society and anxiety and depression becomes more apparent, it is something that needs to be acknowledged more and improved upon.

“Finding out that so many of us are experiencing the same problems makes you realise you are not alone, and that we are all in this together.”

You can view a highlights video from the day by visiting https://youtu.be/oQ-LI46D7MY

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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.

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

/in , /by

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions: Reesink UK has built up a portfolio of leading brands and extensive turfcare and transport machinery options and the latest customer to benefit from this comprehensive offering is John O’Gaunt Golf Club in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

A long-term Toro machinery customer, and a ‘Total Solutions’ customer since 2013 when it had the Carthagena course installed with a Lynx Central Control System and dual trajectory sprinklers, John O’Gaunt’s latest order sees an influx of new machinery, irrigation for the 18-hole John O’Gaunt course and seven STAR EV all-electric golf buggies.

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

Course manager Nigel Broadwith, who has been at the club, which is about to celebrate its 75th anniversary, for 15 years, says: “We’ve maintained a long-lasting relationship with Reesink UK and as they add more brands to their offering it makes life even easier for us.

“Historically, we usually purchase three machines every year but this time we decided to go for longer-term and invest over £470k in new machinery over five years. I always prefer Toro equipment, it’s robust and the machines last a long time; we only have to deal with normal wear and tear from them.”

The fleet includes for the first time two Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 greensmowers, because, Nigel says: “We want to move on to all-electric as quickly as possible and the hybrids are the first step in that direction. The hybrids use very little fuel and are really quiet.”

Talking of electric power, the Club’s Head PGA Professional, Tom Simm, opted to replace the six-year old golf buggy fleet as well. He purchased seven lithium-powered STAR EV Capella golf buggies from Reesink’s e-Vehicles division. He explains: “We purchased seven electric buggies. They’ve been out around the course, the members have tried them and the feedback is great. Because the brand was part of Reesink and we wanted to keep everything in one bundle so it was easy to manage. We’re now looking into getting a STAR EV refreshment unit as well.”

Completing the three-way deal is a Toro Lynx Control System, installed by Ocmis, and from Reesink Hydro-Scapes, Reesink UK’s new division with a focus on providing water solutions for all landscapes. This time it was the turn of the John O’Gaunt course for the Toro treatment, following on from the Toro touch on the Carthagena course nine years ago.

Nigel says: “We know from first-hand experience on the Carthagena course that the Lynx Central Control System makes a big difference. The area is notoriously very dry and we’ve seen a huge improvement on the greens. We can manage our resources efficiently and get the precision we need to the millilitre. We can customise almost everything, depending on the course’s conditions and requirements, and very quickly just from our phones. We’re really happy with this complete irrigation solution.”

So how has it been dealing with Reesink for all three, very different aspects to his turfcare and transport machinery requirements? Nigel says it’s all about the relationships: “We’ve got a good relationship with the Reesink Turfcare rep Julian Copping, as well as Rob Jackson from Hydro-Scapes. They’re always there if we need them and have always been very helpful, especially with the delays and everything that’s been happening in the world at the moment. They always fulfilled their promises, so we’ve been completely at ease.”

To find out more about the complete collection of turfcare and transport options from Reesink UK, visit reesinkuk.co.uk.

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.