SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up

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SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has revealed a spectacular seminar lineup as part of the SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE Programme designed to help grounds people to create the best playing surfaces across a range of sports and settings.

Following on from the Lionness’ success in the Euros, and with the Rugby League World Cup and the first ever winter Football World Cup coming up, what better time to find out how the surfaces that make such events possible are created.

SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up

SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up

There’s something for most sports surfaces from some of the best in the business. For rugby, Catherine Hall (Premiership Rugby), Dr David James (Labosport) and Dan Prest (GMA) talk about raising Premiership Rugby pitch standards. For cricket, Gary Barwell (Edgbaston Stadium), Karl McDermott (Lord’s) and Steve Birks (Nottinghamshire CCC) discuss how new cricket formats impact on the modern-day grounds manager. Tennis is covered off by Neil Stubley (Wimbledon) who presents the All England Tennis and Croquet Club’s court expansion project.

But all top level surfaces start somewhere – at grassroots level – and Rob Sullivan presents the Football Foundation’s strategic ambitions to improve grass pitch quality and Chris Smith tackles the funding process to improve pitches. Perhaps there’s a role for hybrid pitches in the community – Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) reveals data findings from the Sport England hybrid pitch pilot for community use in London’s Regents Park.

Those in the education sector will no doubt be interested to hear how Whitgift School’s recent hybrid pitch installation was the first in the independent school sector and panelists Daniel Ratling (Whitgift School), Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) and D James Welsh (Whitehorse Contractors) session look at the rationale, the design/planning process, the construction, the project outcomes and the ongoing maintenance and renovation of the project.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says: “So many visitors to SALTEX work in grounds maintenance and this series of seminars provides relevant, invaluable information whatever the playing surface they work on from speakers and panelists with a wealth of experience and solutions to real-time projects. Anybody wanting to stay ahead of the game in the grounds care industry will benefit from the learning and connections they can make whilst at SALTEX. We are grateful to all those industry experts and leaders that are taking time out to speak at Learning LIVE and support those working hard across the industry to make sport possible across the UK.”

The SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, they are free to attend across the two days of the show on 2-3 November and contribute to CPD-accreditation. More information can be found on the event’s website at www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live. Free visitor registration is now open at saltex.org.uk / register here.

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UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

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UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and sponsors Reesink Turfcare and Toro have revealed the winners of their annual awards competition, with the finals taking place this year in the surroundings of the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.

During a sombre evening following news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, the winners of this year’s awards were revealed. Throughout the day, the 12 candidates – selected from a record 54 nominees – had contested the grand finals of the Toro Student Greenkeeper Awards.

UK's best student greenkeepers celebrated

UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

Ripon City Golf Club Deputy Course Manager James Gaskell (30) was revealed as the 33rd winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award. James has been greenkeeping for five years, taking up the profession on a full-time basis after graduating from the University of Sunderland. A talented golfer playing to a 1.6 handicap, James said his experience of playing competitive golf compliments his greenkeeping knowledge and the awards judges were impressed by his considerable dedication to the sport and his chosen career.

The runner-up of the award is Andrew Ritchie of St Andrews Links Trust.

The 6th winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was revealed to be Carden Park Golf Club greenkeeper Peter Pattenden (19). A talented rugby player, Peter has represented North Wales and Scottish Exiles, but it is in golf that he has chosen to pursue a career. Having been a greenkeeper for almost three years, Peter works at Carden Park in Cheshire where his father – also called Peter – is courses and estates manager.

The runner-up of the Young award is Luke Charnley of Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

With the awards split into two separate categories, candidates for the ‘main’ Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award completed a rigorous day of testing that included an exam, an essay question, grass and seed identification and a presentation on their career so far. Candidates for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, who must be aged 21 and under when nominated, undertook an exam and then a hole walk with the awards judges that is intended to test the finalists’ knowledge in a real world setting.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was introduced in 1989, with an additional ‘Young’ category introduced in 2016. Previous winners and finalists have gone on to become some of the most influential characters in the greenkeeping industry, helping shape the sport of golf in the UK and further afield.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: enrolment in the 10-week University of Massachusetts Winter Turf School; a two-week expenses-paid placement at Adare Manor, venue of The 2027 Ryder Cup; an all-expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference and Show in Florida; and a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Wisconsin.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France; a five-night trip to Continue to Learn at BTME; and a gift voucher for Toro Training.

The student award endorser receives a trip to the GCSAA in the USA and the young student endorser will receive a trip to Vidauban Golf Club. All finalists receive a year’s free membership with BIGGA.

BIGGA Learning and Development Executive Deb Burnett said: “Among the many activities BIGGA undertakes each year to assist the professional development of our members, the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards are almost certainly the most inspirational. For those feeling disillusioned about the challenges our industry faces in coming years, our 12 finalists provide all the reassurance you need to be convinced that greenkeeping and the sport of golf has a very bright future.

“My congratulations go to all our finalists, particularly our well-deserving winners and runners-up. Thanks must also go to Reesink Turfcare and Toro for their incredible support and to the Goodwood Estate for being such wonderful hosts.”

David Timms, national accounts manager for Reesink Turfcare, said: “After a record number of entries and a thorough two-week online interview process, it was a pleasure to welcome and meet the best talent in greenkeeping at Goodwood for the finals of the 2022 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. It was clear why these 12 finalists made it this far – a great achievement. Everyone shone and it was a close competition. The winners – James and Peter – are incredibly worthy and I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve.”

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Makita pushes performance

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Makita pushes performance: Makita has launched its largest capacity battery to date with an impressive 288 watt-hours of energy. The 8.0Ah BL4080F offers the longest runtime for its XGT products, meaning less downtime and improved productivity. Especially useful when used on higher drain XGT machines, this new battery pushes performance even harder.

The 40VMax XGT BL4080F 8.0Ah battery has been designed to be both robust and highly intelligent. Equipped with 20 cells, it has a higher power output that enables Makita’s XGT tools to be pushed even harder and perform heavy duty, continuous operation over extended periods.

Makita pushes performance

Makita pushes performance

Thanks to its heavy-duty and durable outer and cell casing, this product has a significantly improved impact resistance. The BL4080F is also IPX4 rated with a water and dust-resistant triple layer structure and an enhanced terminal structure to handle any job site condition.

The battery has been designed with Makita’s digital communication function between the tool, battery and charger to optimise the charging process, reduce charge times and protect the battery from damage. This real-time digital communication actively monitors heat, overload, and over-discharge as well as delivering up to 2X longer sustained power during demanding applications.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita, said: “We are very excited to be releasing this product as our largest capacity battery to date. Offering the longest runtime for our XGT products, this product will considerably improve productivity on site, as users won’t need to down tools to recharge batteries as often. Furthermore, despite its capacity, the battery can be charged in just over an hour – at approximately 76-minutes when using the DC40RA charger, which makes it stand out in the market. It truly is a gamechanger, and we cannot wait for people to test it for themselves.”

For more information about Makita and its cordless technology, visit: www.makitauk.com.

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RainBird’s RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller

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RainBird’s RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller: The new RC2 Smart Irrigation Control Solution has been added to Rain Bird’s range of irrigation controllers. Used in conjunction with and accessed through the Rain Bird Mobile App, it enables users to manage remotely residential and light commercial installations with confidence, with or without WiFi.

The RC2 is a powerful, contractor grade controller that is fast and easy to use. It has an eight station capacity, three standard programs and four start times/programs as well as a Master Valve pump start relay. When paired with the free of charge professional App, contractors and site managers have full WiFi control of irrigation scheduling of multiple sites and zones. Through alerts, users can monitor and manage all irrigation events and warnings in real-time and make adjustments to prevent overwatering or costly wastage. The landscape will receive only the water it needs while potentially saving up to 50% in water.

RainBird's RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller

RainBird’s RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller

A number of features support the claim that combining the RC2 with the Mobile App makes it the most efficiently programmed controller available today. WiFi connectivity and Rain Bird’s Quick Pair technology enables fast, seamless initial set-up between a mobile phone or tablet and lasting stability. The RC2 is compatible with iOS 8.0 and Android 6 or later mobile devices.

Irrigation programs are instantly sent and imported into the controller. Schedule templates allow contractors to employ commonly used irrigation programs or alternatively customised schedules can be set, including watering specific zones at specific times. Weather data from local weather sources can also be obtained and be used to automatically adjust system run times daily.

As well as access to the advanced scheduling features of the Mobile App, the RC 2 also has simple touch commands at the controller interface. A built-in complete system access point enables allows users to configure and make changes to the controller on-site if a Wifi network or hotspot is unavailable. In the event of power failure, the RC2 memorises and permanently saves the current programming.

For more information contact Peter Longman, Rain Bird Europe, plongman@rainbird.eu  www.rainbird.eu

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ISEKI makes life easier

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ISEKI makes life easier: Paul Shapter, Head Gardener at St Catherine’s College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, claims that his new ISEKI ride-on mower has made life a lot easier.

St Catherine’s College, affectionately known as St Catz, is the largest college within the world-famous University of Oxford. The college is renowned for its modern architecture and many restful open spaces which offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Paul and his team maintain these open spaces which comprises of gardens and lawns; and he revealed that he was looking for something to make life a little easier for everyone.

“We are all getting a bit older, a bit creakier, and our backs are a bit more susceptible to damage,” he said. “Therefore, we started looking for something that would make everything a lot easier and after some searching, we came across the ISEKI SXG326, which we found to be very cost efficient.”

Tough, reliable, and productive, the SXG326 has been built for the most demanding users. It has a larger operator platform for a comfortable working environment and a 54” (1.37m) mower deck with wider overlapping which provides enhanced productivity and a superior quality of cut. A 2-pedal hydrostatic control and more legroom is featured while the large capacity, high torque 1123cc diesel engine is powerful and fuel efficient.

The new instrument panel and dial in height-of-cut adjustment makes the SXG326 the most operator friendly and intuitive large compact tractor mower on the market. Hopper capacity is an impressive 600 litres with an easy to remove collector that allows for simple cleaning and maintenance. The SXG326 is available in road homologated version with lighting kit and handbrake.

Paul explained how the SXG326 has indeed made life easier at St Catz.

“I think the versatility of it is one of the best features – as well as cutting grass excellently it is also like an outdoor hoover. It is great at sweeping up and collecting a whole range of debris. This gives us the diversity to use it in the autumn just as much as we use it through the summer and spring. I find that it picks up remarkably well in all weathers whether it is wet or dry.

“The high tip is really good, and it means that one person can do the job a lot quicker without having someone running around fetching, carrying, shovelling, cleaning up or tipping. It combines all sorts of efficiencies.

“The size of the box is another big plus – being able to collect that amount of grass and condensing it into a huge box is fantastic. Another good feature is that all the basic maintenance points are accessible and easy to get to.

“Adjusting the height is a simple manoeuvre – there are no rulers or measurements involved, it is a simple wheel that just turns to adjust the height of cut – it is incredibly easy.

“I think what really makes a big difference for us is the lack of blockages,” continued Paul. “The size of the chute and the way that the blades cut mean that it is all gathered and shot out the back quick enough not to block.

“Essentially, you just can’t beat the value of this ISEKI machine and I would certainly recommend it to all gardeners and grounds people.”

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