News - Turf Matters

SISIS performs at the Royal Wellington

May 27, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

SISIS performs at the Royal Wellington: John Spraggs, Course Manager at the Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand, has reported excellent results from using a range of SISIS equipment to maintain the historic course.

Royal Wellington Golf Club is regarded as one of New Zealand’s finest courses. Situated alongside the Hutt River near Silverstream, the parkland course offers an enjoyable and stimulating golfing challenge in a beautiful setting.

SISIS performs at the Royal Wellington

A course of this stature deserves to be in good hands and that is where the highly respected and extremely experienced John Spraggs comes in. John, who started work in the turf industry in 1978, has been the Course Manager at Royal Wellington for 17 years. He oversees an impressive team of 11 Greenkeepers, 1 Horticulturist, 1 Equipment Manager and 1 Equipment Serviceman.

Also remarkable is the arsenal of turf maintenance equipment which is used to keep the Royal Wellington in superb condition. John claims that there is one brand which has, and always will, have a place in his equipment shed.

“I have been in the turf industry since 1978 and have used and seen many brands,” he said. “Due to its simplicity and robustness, the SISIS brand is known for its quality and performance, making our work easier.”

John and the Royal Wellington team are currently relying on two SISIS products – the Litamisa 1800 tractor mounted sweeper and collector and the Javelin Aer-Aid tractor mounted aerator.

“In regard to the Javelin Aer-Aid – we use this monthly on our sand constructed greens, tees, and greens approaches – to provide aeration and inject air into the rootzone,” said John.

As John says, not only does the Javelin Aer-Aid aerate with a vertical action but it also injects air into the root zone at a fast-working rate, creating thousands of fissures. The cam trigger mechanism ensures that the air is always expelled at the bottom of the tine penetration, enabling treatment to be targeted precisely and consistently.

10mm diameter ‘tipped’ tines are spaced at 75mm (3ins) with depth of penetration, infinitely variable, to a maximum of 127mm (5ins). These air injection tines are specially designed to use the maximum air available from the compressor and produces clean, fresh, air at a constant rate of 88 litres per minute, while surface disturbance is kept to a minimum.

“The Royal Wellington is a large parkland course with many deciduous trees,” continued John. “Therefore, leaves are an issue, and this is why we use the Litamisa. We also use it to pick up cores and debris following turf renovations.”

The SISIS Litamisa 1800 is ideal for sweeping requirements, from large sports fields to gardens and extensive lawns. It features a spiral design brush for improved collection, a hydraulic tip facility for easy emptying and a large capacity hopper. It follows ground contours and is simple to use and maintain.

John further explained the benefits from using these two machines.

“Gathering leaf litter, and clearing debris from turf renovations are simpler, and more productive,” he said. “Minimising surface disturbance from hole punching is critical to keep our players happy. The Aer-Aid does a fantastic job with the surfaces being playable following a light roll, straight behind the Aer-Aid.

“I would say that the simplicity of the SISIS equipment is the greatest feature; they are very easy to service and adjust.”

The two products were purchased though SISIS dealer Powerturf NZ, but John revealed that he also receives support from SISIS.

“The service from SISIS is absolutely first class – it has exceeded all expectations. I have on occasion gone direct to SISIS asking questions and the responses back have always been fast and informative.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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.

Clean fun on the course

May 27, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Clean fun on the course: KAASPEED is a new and unique mode of transport for UK golfers. An electric, lightweight, self-balancing, wide-wheeled scooter that provides a new and exciting way to traverse the course and is brought to the UK by Reesink e-Vehicles.

With all clubs worth their salt considering how to entice generation Z and more millennials to the course – and retain their custom – KAASPEED scooters could be just the ticket. They’re fun, different and a talking point for any club.

Clean fun on the course

Dave French, sales manager for Reesink e-Vehicles, says: “Golf managers are facing up to the reality that they need to be more inclusive and attract the younger generation to the sport. KAASPEED is one way to do that. They provide a different aspect to the game, a fun way to get from hole to hole. Plus, as a solo drive, this speeds things up – no veering off for your partner’s golf ball in the opposite direction to yours – and means more games in the same amount of time, bringing sure-fire appeal to this generation.”

Not just that though, at a fraction of the cost of a new buggy, KAASPEED scooters are a cost-effective transport solution, especially as little maintenance is required. The frame is the only one of its kind on the market, encasing all the cables and made from aircraft-grade strong aluminium, yet it’s surprisingly light, weighing only 45kgs.

The car-grade LG cell lithium-ion battery is low-profile, cleverly stowed in the footrest. It’s long-lasting with a long range – a maximum of 31 miles; high performance including top speed of 28mph – which can be limited, and a smart battery management system featuring temperature resistance. And the motor is highly efficient with more torque for maximum hill climbing capacity.

Golf clubs can order KAASPEED scooters pre-configured for their members to hire or buy, with a radius front tyre and a solid tyre wall on the rear, which provides the unique self-balancing profile. Dave expands: “This provides convenience as users hop-on hop-off navigating the course, but also means their golf bag on the back always remains secure and upright. With four stock colours and up to 10 special colours with 14 accessories to choose from, KAASPEED scooters offer great customisation for clubs to offer a unique and fun rental option for their members and guests.”

In addition to the golf scooter setup, KAASPEED also provide configurations for use off road and on, with the choice of two types of tyre – the Scorpion tyre offers excellent traction for woodland and sandy surfaces, while the standard plain tread tyres are perfect for flat ground with turf protection.

Dave concludes: “The trend for electric on the course shows no signs of abating, and rightly so. The course is nature’s playground for golfers and it seems counterintuitive to pollute that with the noise and fumes of diesel transportation.”

KAASPEED scooters join STAR EV’s range of award-winning lithium and sealed battery-powered utility vehicles and golf buggies under the Reesink e-Vehicles brand. To find out more, visit reesink-evehicles.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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.

GMA appoints One Agency

May 26, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Sofia Martins

GMA appoints One Agency: Following a successful competitive tender, Norwich-based marketing agency, OneAgency, has been appointed by the Grounds Management Association (GMA) to lead the marketing communications activity for this year’s SALTEX.

Now in its 76^th year, Europe’s largest sports, amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX, will be held at Birmingham’s NEC over two days on 2-3 November.

GMA appoints One Agency

GMA commercial and events director, Sarah Cunningham says: “We have every confidence that OneAgency’s digital-led, integrated marcomms approach will help us to realise our ambitions to attract record visitors and make this year’s SALTEX one of the best yet.

“People are keen to get back to face-to-face events, to network with industry colleagues, learn about the latest innovations, and see what manufacturers and industry suppliers have to offer. We are delighted to welcome the OneAgency team into the SALTEX family.”

OneAgency account director, Liz Cooper says: “This is an exciting win for the agency. Our work for the GMA will call upon the distinctive creative, digital and PR disciplines that we have within the agency. We know SALTEX well as we have attended with exhibiting clients for a long time. We now look forward to working with the team at the GMA to boost both engagement and numbers from exhibitors and visitors alike.”

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.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

May 26, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Mark Sanderson

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the turf and landscape amenity sector. The Amenity Forum’s Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by Syngenta and ICL, in association with BASIS, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The winner is presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME, along with a prize of a weekend break for two at a luxury hotel of choice. Two runners-up receive £100 Machine Mart vouchers.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2022 awards, Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, said: “Sprayer operation is a key factor in the success of every application, including elements of nozzle choice, water volume and fine tuning the sprayer to more effectively hit the intended target.

“However, for the best possible results, today’s professional sprayer operators must also fully understand the wider aspects of why an application is being made, and what other elements they can also employ for better long-term management of potential problems.”

This year the entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector. Barry Browne, ICL Landscape & Industrial Sales Manager, explained entrants are not expected to know the answers to all the questions, but will help the judging panel to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

“The entry process itself will stimulate thought and understanding of the issues around application, including the need to create integrated solutions using a full range of tools and tactics. We’re looking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application.”

All entrants will be invited to attend an on-line session to review the entry form with judges and to share and learn from the experiences of others.

Professor John Moverley of the Amenity Forum highlighted the ASOOTY awards exemplified the organisation’s objective to promote best practice across the sector.

“It seeks to do this by advocating a fully integrated approach to weed, pest and disease management, tailoring solutions to meet specific situations and making use of the appropriate approved chemical and non-chemical techniques, to produce the most effective and efficient outcome – whilst seeking to create safe and healthy amenity spaces.

“The Amenity Forum has taken the lead in a major step forward in highlighting the importance of amenity management and the need to use professionally approved operators in any public space.”

Enter the ASOOTY 2022 awards here

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.

Acelepryn Emergency Authorisation

May 26, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Mark Sanderson

Acelepryn Emergency Authorisation: An Emergency Authorisation (EA) for the use of the Syngenta insecticide Acelepryn to target chafer grubs has been granted for the 2022 season. The new EA now includes first-class cricket outfields, as well as specific areas of golf courses, racecourses and airfields.

This season, the chafer grub authorisation permits use of Acelepryn up to 28 August 2022 – to cover key periods of adult chafer egg laying and target early larval activity in the soil.

Acelepryn Emergency Authorisation

Chafer grubs cause damage to turf through extensive feeding on roots, which can be severe in localised patches. Surface stability where grubs have chewed through turf roots is of hugely significant concern for racecourses.

Furthermore, extreme damage can occur in all turf surfaces when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of the grubs. The EA permits application in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage, or risk of bird strike on airfields, and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist.

Subject to specific conditions, areas permitted for Acelepryn use cover affected areas of golf course greens, tees and fairways, horse racecourses and gallops, airfields and first-class cricket outfields under exceptional circumstances. The EA was applied for and held by ICL.

Acelepryn users will be required to submit online stewardship records of areas treated, linked from the ICL website.

“Over recent seasons the damage by soil pests has been of increasing concern,” reported Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes. “Obtaining this EA enables turf managers to develop an integrated turf management programme to tackle the severe effects of these pests.”

Further trials are underway on golf courses and fine turf surfaces to refine the application timing, along with aeration practices and the potential to use Acelepryn in conjunction with effectively targeted nematode treatments.

Sean advocates the best results have been achieved with applications at the peak flight of egg laying adults, for the product to be in the soil zone to target early feeding larvae. “The on-line Pest Tracker reporting system provides a picture of pest activity across the UK and Ireland, to better aid application timing.

“Keep surfaces irrigated where possible prior to application, to attract pest larvae to towards the surface,” he advised. “It’s important to ensure the soil profile is not hydrophobic at the time of application. Apply at higher water volumes, above 600 l/ha, using the white O8 XC Nozzle to help the spray reach the soil surface.”

A further EA has also been submitted by ICL on behalf of the turf industry for the treatment of leatherjacket infestations later in the season. The regulatory system only permits a 120-day use period – which requires a separate submission for leatherjackets, to target later application at peak pest timing.

An on-line turf pest ID guide, to aid the identification of adult stages of key soil pests and target application timing, is now available on the Syngenta Turf website.

For further information on best use guidelines where chafer grubs and leatherjackets have caused economically damaging effects contact an ICL Area Manager or BASIS agronomist:

ICL Area Managers for Acelepryn enquiries:

Scotland

Jamie Lees

jamie.lees@icl-group.com

07500 992464

North/East

Craig Lalley

craig.lalley@icl-group.com

07824 528252

Midlands/West

Emma Kilby

emma.kilby@icl-group.com