James Wilkinson chooses Foley

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James Wilkinson chooses Foley: Despite being scarce at UK golf clubs, those with a dedicated mechanic know the workshop is the beating heart of the greenkeeping operation.

Since 2005, James Wilkinson has been Buckinghamshire Golf Clubs Workshop and Equipment Manager, and over 17 years has created a workshop and grinding room befitting of the course where it is located.

James Wilkinson chooses Foley

James Wilkinson chooses Foley

Grinding has been in-house at Buckinghamshire since it opened in 1992. It is a small part of the club’s success that has seen it host the Rose Ladies Series, the Anderson Consulting World Match Play, the European Seniors Tournament Champions hosted by Gary Player and ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters.

The quality on and off the course has gone some way to making the club home of the Ladies European Tour, but away from the impressive course and clubhouse in the greenkeeping shed is where James keeps the operation moving.

In November 2021, after just over two decades with his previous Foley Company grinders, James added an Accu-Pro 633 with AccuTouch3 and an Accu-Pro 672 bedknife grinder to his immaculate grinding room. For James, the new pair of American-made machines are ahead of the curve in terms of features and provide exactly what he needs to keep the Buckinghamshire mowers ready for action.

“There are a lot more benefits with the new grinders. Obviously, technology moved on in the last 20-odd years from our old Foley’s. So, even though we were getting good results before, we’re getting better results now, much more superior and much better quality.

“You now have the digital AccuTouch screen, so you can programme cycles into it, you can see exactly what’s going on, make sure they are parallel and vertical, and there’s so much in-depth information that I don’t even know all of it yet. I’m still learning every single time I use them.”

James has plenty of opportunities to study his new tools with the grinders in use all year round. The heavy work takes place during the winter with all the units stripped down, bearings checked, spin ground and then crucially relief ground, and it is here where he sees the biggest benefit.

On average, he saves ten minutes per unit on preparation for relief grinding back to OEM spec and using automation he can leave both grinders to work while he completes other tasks. However, it is the practice itself that he believes is crucial in getting the highest quality of cut.

“Relief grinding is extremely important. Every equipment manager will have their own way of doing things, and every equipment manager will believe in what they do. Some will believe relief grinding maybe isn’t necessary, and some people will swear by it. If you look at the big three manufacturers, Toro, Jacobsen and John Deere, they will all recommend that you relief grind to their specifications.

“You’re removing metal from the trailing edge of the blade. So, I’m basically forming an angle to reduce the contact area of the cutting edges. I’m going to have less heat and less friction because more metal equals more heat, and this reduces the blade contact, which again gives me less friction.”

Using the advancements in technology to streamline grinding has been a significant positive with the Accu-Pro 633, but when it comes to bedknife grinding, for James, the best got even better.

“The 672 hasn’t changed much from my last one, but the reason it hasn’t changed much is that it was so good. The saying is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You can absolutely improve things, but the actual mechanics haven’t really changed a lot.

“With that, it is a semi-automatic bedknife grinder. The bedknife itself is held on by electromagnets, so it holds the bar in place so it cannot move. It means you don’t have to clamp anything to it, there are no brackets, and on other machines, you have to mess around and get it into a holder, but you don’t have any of that on this.

Keeping the Buckinghamshire fleet sharp is part of James’ broader strategy to reduce machinery downtime and ensure that his workshop is always empty and the machines are always ready. Investing in new equipment is crucial to this success, and for the next two decades at least, he is confident he can count on his Foley grinders.

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£300 off any new Polaris Youth model

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£300 off any new Polaris Youth model: Polaris UK and Ireland has announced a new retail promotion available across its Youth line-up for Easter; customers will receive £300 including VAT off the recommended retail price of any new Youth model when purchasing from a participating Polaris dealer this April.

With more and more families opting for “staycations” in recent times, the offer will be available on purchases made between 1st April 2022 to 30th April 2022 – ideal timing for customers to make the most of the upcoming UK Easter break.

£300 off any new Polaris Youth model

£300 off any new Polaris Youth model

The promotion applies to the entire Polaris Youth line-up, including the Youth side-by-side range; the Ranger 150 EFI and RZR 200 EFI, and the ATV line-up; the Outlaw 70 EFI, Sportsman 110 EFI, and Pheonix 200.

Polaris Youth side-by-side and ATV vehicles provide the ideal opportunity for kids to enjoy off-road summer adventures – combining key safety, technology and performance features – and enjoy the outdoors right here in the UK.

Not only do off-road vehicles give kids a reason to get outside, but it’s also a gift that will grow with them through the years thanks to adjustable riding options and flexible parent-adjustable speed limiters that can be used to adapt the machine to suit their age, experience and skill. With the entire full-size Polaris Off-Road line-up also available, it’s an activity the whole family can enjoy.

Free Starter Kit

Every Polaris youth model has safety at the forefront of every design, so parents can have peace of mind whilst the kids are having fun. Every purchase comes standard with a starter kit that includes a Polaris youth helmet, whip flag and training DVD.

Find your local Polaris dealers on the Polaris Britain website here.

For more information on this offer, please contact your local dealer. Please note, no finance offer can be combined with this promotion.

For further media information on Polaris ORV products, please contact the Polaris ORV Media Office on +44 (0) 1525 270100 or email us at press@polaris-orv.media.

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Kubota showcases innovations at BTME

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Kubota showcases innovations at BTME: Kubota returns to BTME at Harrogate from 22-24 March, where the company will once again join forces with Baroness to showcase outstanding Japanese technology and engineering.

A selection of Kubota’s extensive range  of machinery for golf and turf will be on show, including some of the raft of new products introduced in 2021.

Kubota showcases innovations at BTME

Kubota showcases innovations at BTME

Heading up the launches is the new LX Series, a range of multi-purpose compact tractors from 35-40hp that allow users to handle a wide variety of tasks ranging from mowing and snow clearance to materials handling and cultivations. With an impressive lift capacity, optional front loader, front linkage and pto, this is a tractor for all seasons that will be the perfect workhorse for golf clubs and sports pitches.

Kubota’s mowing equipment is the mainstay of leading grounds maintenance contractors and local authorities across the country, and latest addition to the renowned F Series front mowers, the 38hp F391, will be revealed offering unmatched output and performance for commercial mowing.

Leading the way in utility vehicles for demanding applications, the RTV-X1110 will be on show and Kubota specialists will be on hand to discuss the many ways that it can be deployed and the multitude of attachments available for work on greens, tees and fairways. With a powerful 24hp engine, Kubota’s VHT-X variable hydrostatic transmission and dynamic engine braking, the RTV-X1110 is built for hard work and difficult terrain.

Kubota looks forward to welcoming visitors to stand Red Zone 230.

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10/10 for Mansfield Sand

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10/10 for Mansfield Sand: Ian Darler, Head Groundsman at Cambridge United FC, has revealed why he has been using the ‘exceptional products’ by Mansfield Sand for over a decade.

Incredibly, Ian has been working at Cambridge United FC since 1979 and is now into his 43rd season at the club. As well as keeping the pitch at the Abbey Stadium in immaculate condition, he is also the Stadium Manager and up until recently was the Match Day Safety Officer. Outside of work, Ian is dedicated to raising funds for various charities and was even awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2020.

10/10 for Mansfield Sand

10/10 for Mansfield Sand

He is held in the highest esteem by his peers in turf management and rightly so, but the ever-modest Ian, claims that his mentor deserves all the credit.

“I started as an apprentice greenkeeper in 1976 and I worked under the best boss anyone could ever have,” he said. “At the time I never appreciated why he was always so strict and methodical, but it has kept me in good stead for 43 years. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t appreciate the time he dedicated to showing me how to do the job properly.”

After winning just about every award the grounds industry has to offer, it is safe to say that Ian’s mentor would be beaming with pride. Recognising and praising those who go out of their way for him, comes easy to Ian and in his opinion the world needs a little more of it.

“Everybody needs to help others more these days,” he said. “Too many people are quick to moan but not enough compliment when things are good. The one thing I have done all my life is thank someone, whether it be a person or a company, when they have done something well for me.”

Once such company is Mansfield Sand: “I’ve been using their products for over ten years and they are exceptional,” he said.

“The sand we used previously was starting to cause some problems – it was bit too uniformed and was creating a marble effect. At the time I was introduced to Mansfield Sand, and they came out and took some samples. We discussed which products would be best for the pitch and I have used them ever since.”

Mansfield Sand has been a long-standing pioneer in the development and production of premium sand-based products and boasts the most up-to-date and advanced equipment currently in the industry. From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all. In Ian’s case, he relies on a variety of products from Mansfield Sand – as he explains.

10/10 for Mansfield Sand

10/10 for Mansfield Sand

“We use three sand products –MM40; more so at the end of the season as a dressing if we are not taking the pitch up; we use the Fibresand Concentrate for renovations and then we use the 80/20 mix for divots and repairs.

“Since using the products on the pitch the drainage has been good, but more importantly the stability has been brilliant. I think the other beauty of working with Mansfield Sand is that they are always available to come and take samples to see what our Fibresand levels are like.

“For more extensive work when we are adding gravel bands or something like that in the close season, we use their 2mm-6mm gravel for primary and secondary drainage, because it is some of the cleanest and best gravel I’ve ever seen.

“I get a ten out of ten service from Mansfield Sand,” continued Ian. “Everything is always delivered on time, and I couldn’t ask for anymore from the company.”

Ian’s latest charity work will see him walking the equivalent distance from London to Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup – a staggering 3,229 nautical miles or close to 8 million steps – with the aim of raising £50,000 for Shout. Visit Ian Darler’s fundraising page for more details.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Suståne’s® Henry Ng Elected to AGIF Board

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Suståne’s® Henry Ng Elected to AGIF Board: Suståne Natural Fertilizer, Inc. is pleased to confirm that Henry Ng, Regional Manager Asia, has been elected to the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Board for 2022-23.

Announced at the 2021 Annual General Meeting held on Friday 25th February, Henry joins an astute board of industry professionals in promoting best practice, support and training for those working in the Asian golf industry.

Suståne's® Henry Ng Elected to AGIF Board

Suståne’s® Henry Ng Elected to AGIF Board

A veteran in the Asian golf sector with a background in golf course agronomy and management, Henry presently serves as Regional Manager Asia for Suståne Natural Fertilizer, Inc. Based in Kuching, city of Borneo in Malaysia, Henry leads the Asia Pacific markets including China, Japan, South Korea and the Indian sub-continent, supporting customers in golf and sports turf, as well as those working in agriculture, landscaping, nurseries, green roof contracting, and erosion control.

Commenting on his appointment, Henry said “I truly appreciate and thank all voting members of AGIF for the confidence in electing me to serve on the board for 2022-23. I certainly look forward to collaborating with fellow members of the federation to build on the strong foundation that has been laid by the past and present board, and management.”

Craig Holden, President of Suståne Natural Fertilizer Inc. added, “Suståne are delighted by Henry’s new board appointment, and we will continue to give our full backing and support to Henry and the federation as a whole in the developments towards a more sustainable industry”.

As the world’s leading manufacturer of sustainable, organic and natural base fertilisers, Suståne is available in more than 60 countries around the globe, with products to suit both consumer and horticultural professionals. Suståne are also proud to be founding and full business member of AGIF.

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