Weybrook Park GC Implements Sealed Bunker Solution

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Weybrook Park GC Implements Sealed Bunker Solution: Weybrook Park G.C. in Hampshire has just completed the full renovation of all 22 greenside bunkers on the back nine of its West course, in partnership with Bunker specialists EcoBunker.

Faced with an ongoing environmental battle born form a chalk based site, open landscape and menagerie of burrowing animals, EcoBunker and the team at Weybrook devised a fully sealed solution that is already reaping rewards for the club.

Weybrook Park GC Implements Sealed Bunker Solution

Weybrook Park GC Implements Sealed Bunker Solution

“The course was well regarded by members and visitors, but the bunkers were by far the most complained about feature. We are on a chalk based site so the bunkers were prone to erosion around the faces and edges, which didn’t look great and regularly contaminated the sand,” reported Luke Kenney, course manager at Weybrook Park G.C.

“In addition to contamination, the wind moved the sand around, and with 800 members, the footfall through bunkers made it very hard to maintain consistent playing conditions. Add in poor drainage and regular sand washout in heavy rain, and the bunkers were a real headache for the greenkeeping team and the club.”

In response to the challenge at Weybrook, the team consulted EcoBunker and agreed that a fully sealed bunker solution would address the issues faced at the club, while a training and self-installation plan would keep the project within budget.

“We knew that we needed a full bunker solution – liner, walls and edges – but we also needed to keep costs down, so a product that the team could fit ourselves was really important. Having researched the market, EcoBunker liner and edging was simple to fit in all conditions, incredibly durable over the long-term, and the team was happy to share its expertise and help us develop the necessary fitting skills in-house. Not only has the product been superb, the team at EcoBunker has been great to work with at every stage of the project.”

While EcoBunker synthetic edges and walls are known throughout the worldwide golf industry, a lesser known innovation is it’s EcoTec™ bunker liner featuring a proprietary filament matrix, seamless finish and forgiving playability.

“As soon as I saw the EcoTec liner I could visualise how efficient it would be holding the sand in place, which wasn’t the case with the alternatives I saw. We’ve also had feedback from the general manager on how forgiving it is on impact. He is really happy from a health and safety perspective, that golfers will be protected if they do play shots that reach through the sand.”

With the first 22 bunkers complete, the team at Weybrook is preparing for the next phases of the project, with a view to completing all bunkers on the West course within the next 3 years. With the initial phase being met with unanimous appreciation, the question only remains of how fast the team can work!

“The new bunkers look great,” concluded Luke. “The edges are sharp and tidy, we have no erosion or issues with animal damage, the maintenance burden has reduced and most of all our golfers are happy. The whole project has been a huge success and we look forward to finishing the course in phases over the next three years.”

And for more information on how EcoBunker can help meet the challenges faced at your course, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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GreenThumb launches revolutionary hard surface treatments

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GreenThumb launches revolutionary hard surface treatments: GreenThumb, the UK’s largest lawn care service, today announces the nationwide rollout of its groundbreaking Hard Surface Treatments – the latest innovation designed to restore, revive and renew both commercial and residential outdoor spaces.

After successful customer trials, piloted with franchise partners across the UK, GreenThumb is expanding its service offering beyond lawns, reinforcing its position as a holistic out of home care provider. The Hard Surface Treatments bring a unique, sustainable solution to homeowners, businesses, and local authorities looking to rejuvenate outdoor surfaces without using harsh chemicals or invasive methods.

GreenThumb launches revolutionary hard surface treatments

GreenThumb launches revolutionary hard surface treatments

GreenThumb’s Hard Surface Treatments include a multi-purpose, plant and mineral based product that progressively cleans hard surfaces over time, without the need for jet washing, scrubbing, or harsh chemicals. Suitable for a wide range of surfaces including patios, paths, decking and driveways, it offers a safe and eco-conscious choice for both public and private use.

Customers have said “I didn’t believe this would work” and “The results speak for themselves”, noting the no-prep, no-post-clean-up experience as a game-changer. The product works gradually, capturing dirt in the crystals it forms, ensuring that surfaces are cleaned without damage or disruption, which makes it perfect for homeowners as well as commercial and municipal hard surfaces, like car parks or amenity spaces.

The new service marks a significant milestone in GreenThumb’s journey to diversify its offerings. By addressing not only lawn health but also the cleanliness and longevity of hardscapes, GreenThumb is reshaping what it means to care for outdoor spaces.

Paul Edwards, Managing Director of GreenThumb, said: “We’re thrilled to bring our Hard Surface Treatments to all our customers and to extend our services to commercial clients through our UK-wide network. Alongside our Hard Surface Weed Control, our treatments’ innovation reflects our commitment to sustainability, effectiveness, and making outdoor care simple for everyone. It’s the next natural step in expanding GreenThumb’s vision.”

GreenThumb has also launched an advertising campaign for its Hard Surface Treatments which will run until the end of August across ITV channels via ITVx, to further widen its reach and relevance. The messaging will also appear across YouTube and Meta channels, Facebook and Instagram.

For further information about GreenThumb’s Hard Surface Treatments, visit www.greenthumb.co.uk/pages/hard-surface-treatments

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STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter

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STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter: STIHL has unveiled its latest addition to the AP System range, the FSA 110 R battery-powered brushcutter, offering professional users a powerful yet lightweight solution for maintaining green spaces, all with the added benefit of quiet, low-vibration performance.

Engineered with landscapers, groundskeepers and facilities maintenance teams in mind, the FSA 110 R combines exceptional cutting performance with impressive ease of use and ergonomic design, making it ideal for tackling everything from grass trimming to tougher clearing tasks, even in noise-sensitive areas.

STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter

STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter

At the heart of the tool is a high-efficiency EC motor that delivers consistent power across two speed settings. ECO mode is designed for lighter work such as edging and clean-up tasks, helping to extend battery run time, while the higher speed setting delivers maximum cutting performance for tougher tasks. Users can also fine-tune the speed within each mode for maximum control and energy efficiency.

Supplied with the STIHL AutoCut C 12-2 mowing head, the FSA 110 R makes line changes quicker and more intuitive thanks to the Advanced EasySpool system. The new mowing line can be inserted from one side and wound with a simple twist of the wear-free rotary knob with no need to dismantle the head.

Additionally, STIHL’s Rapid Click quick-change system allows operators to swap between mowing heads, such as the optional PolyCut 12-2 blade head, at the push of a button, making it faster to adapt to changing conditions on site.

Weighing just 3.6 kg (without battery), the brushcutter features a soft-grip, tool-free adjustable loop handle for a secure hold and easy customisation to suit different user heights. An integrated anti-vibration system further reduces strain on the arms and hands during extended use, ideal for professional applications where productivity and comfort are key.

Power comes from STIHL’s 36 V AP battery system, designed for professional landscaping and maintenance work. STIHL recommends pairing the tool with the AP 200 S battery, which delivers up to 60 minutes of run time with a nylon mowing line and up to 130 minutes with the PolyCut head, while also providing excellent tool balance when inserted into the housing.

Thanks to IPX4-rated splash protection, the FSA 110 R is suitable for use in wet conditions, while its low operating noise makes it compliant for work in residential, urban or public spaces where noise restrictions apply.

For more information on the STIHL FSA 110, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks

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Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks: Dollar spot disease pressure is now increasing, as temperature and humidity rise resulting in prolonged periods of leaf wetness, warns Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes.

Speaking to course managers with ICL at the prestigious 72-hole championship Melbourne Club, on the Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire this week (3 June 2025), he highlighted that although overall dollar spot pressure has been relatively low so far this season with the dry spring, early symptoms are beginning to be seen in disease hot spots.

Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks

Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks

“Turf management actions now, with cultural controls and Ascernity fungicide treatments, can reduce the risk and prevent damaging loss of grass cover or surface quality,” he advised.

Sean highlighted the danger of dollar spot is becoming more severe, since the pathogen appears to be developing at lower temperatures and with shorter periods of leaf wetness.

“Researchers who designed the original forecasting model now report the evolving pathogen appears to be developing with shorter periods of suitable leaf wetness and temperature,” he said.

The effect would be a double whammy of more frequent conditions for the disease occurring, and the capability for the disease to go through its lifecycle faster.

“For courses in high pressure situations that find they have been consistently hit earlier by dollar spot, it may be necessary to target treatments at a lower pressure threshold, for example,” he advocated.

“Tracking the Smith Kerns model on Turf Advisor gives advance warning of pressure periods,” he said. “But be aware of localised risks on your course, as irrigation and microclimates will increase periods of leaf wetness that pushes up pressure – and can leave turf open to attack.”

Preventative Ascernity fungicide applications can crucially protect turf through high-risk periods. Available as part of the AIM pack, it could cost-effectively cover the whole season strategy.

Golf course trials in Cambridgeshire last season proved how the Syngenta fungicide programme, including Ascernity followed by Instrata Elite, effectively halved any signs of disease damage on the surface – resulting in less than 4% infection in the treated area, compared to over 16% in untreated at the end of the reported assessments.

“Used in an Integrated Turf Management programme, along with the biostimulant boost of a Turf Health Plan, it puts you in the best place to stop dollar spot damage occurring,” he added.

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Green-tech’s donation to Gold Medal-winning Garden

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Green-tech’s donation to Gold Medal-winning Garden: Green-tech is proud to have supported the Garden of the Future at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 by donating its Green-tree soil substrate, helping bring a powerful vision of climate-resilient horticulture to life.

Designed by Butler & Parker and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Garden of the Future received a prestigious Gold Medal at this year’s show. Constructed by Acacia Gardens, the thought-provoking installation explored sustainable living and resilient planting in the face of climate change, demonstrating how collaboration and innovation are key to supporting communities across the globe.

Green-tech's donation to Gold Medal-winning Garden

Green-tech’s donation to Gold Medal-winning Garden

Set in a near-future UK, the garden imagines a world where the climate is continuing to change. Where countries are experiencing higher-than-average temperatures, more extreme weather, periods of drought, and sudden, heavy rainfall. Designed to thrive in these conditions, the bio-diverse garden featured an array of climate-resilient ornamentals and crops, edible plants with multiple uses and properties, and tools that demonstrate how farmers, scientists, and communities are innovating to grow a healthier future here in the UK and globally.

Green-tech’s Green-tree soil substrate played a vital role in this climate-resilient landscape, providing a stable and sustainable growing medium for the garden’s structural planting and biodiverse scheme. Developed to offer high performance in urban and rooftop environments, Green-tree substrate was an ideal match for the garden’s semi-intensive, biosolar roof system, which was constructed with the support and donations from GRO (Green Roof Organisation) member businesses, including Green-tech.

Mark Wood, Business Development Director at Green-tech, comments, “We were proud to donate our Green-tree soil substrate to such an inspiring and important show garden. The Garden of the Future aligns closely with our values of supporting sustainable landscaping, futureproofing urban green spaces, and promoting climate resilience through innovation.”

The garden enabled visitors to understand the science and research behind these innovations, the challenges and solutions being developed by smallholder farmers, and what countries like the UK can learn from countries living on the frontline of climate change.  By showcasing global innovators and their solutions, the Garden of the Future aimed to inspire visitors to believe in the power of innovation and collaboration to transform human potential around the world, as well as offering take-home ideas for growing plants in a more sustainable, climate-resilient way.

Alongside Green-tech, other GRO members who contributed to the biosolar roof system included Bridgman & Bridgman, PV Plus, TEP, Optigrün, Diadem, SIKA, Radmat, and Wraxalls.

To learn more about the Garden of the Future, visit www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/garden-of-the-future

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