Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

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Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain: John Stewart, Head Groundsman at Deportivo Alaves FC in Spain, has said that his new Dennis G860 cylinder mower is ‘right up there at the very top’ when it comes to turf maintenance machinery.

John’s story is unique and while it may end in Spain; it began a lot further away in America. The proud Scotsman originally moved to North Carolina to teach the bagpipes but to help make ends meet he started working on the greens and fairways at the renowned Pinehurst Golf Course. It was here that he discovered his love for all things turf.

Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

After heading back to his native homeland and gaining the necessary qualifications he switched golf for football while in Spain and took up the Head Groundsman’s role at Real Sociedad FC. He later moved to Deportivo Alaves which is where he has since settled with his wife and children.

 

In that time, he has seen the club complete an amazing comeback. Having been left languishing in Spain’s regional divisions, Deportivo Alaves are now back in Spanish football’s top division, the prestigious La Liga. To cap an incredible decade at the club, John was named the best groundsman in Spanish football last year.

 

Under his remit, he concentrates on Deportivo Alaves’ Mendizorrotza Stadium pitch and the training ground. As a self-confessed perfectionist, John is very particular in what machinery and products he uses to maintain the two sites.

 

“I’ve got a wide range of turf maintenance machinery, but I believe in using only the very best,” he said. “I knew that Dennis mowers were up there with the very best and getting one of their machines was always at the back of my mind. Our budget allowed for one and we bought the Dennis G860 eight months ago. As soon as we got it out on the pitch, we saw that it was a fantastic machine.”

 

John claims that the Dennis G860’s interchangeable cassette system, which assists with a wide range of maintenance tasks such as scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting, was one of the main reasons behind purchasing it.

 

“The cassette system is so simple to use and you can change them in less than two minutes,” said John. “Even changing the cutting height is straightforward – it is just two bolts. This is how it should be because as a groundsman you are always pushed for time. You need equipment which will give you a helping hand.”

 

John has the 8-bladed cutting cassette, verticutting cassette and brush: “The brush has been a gamechanger,” he added. “I am constantly brushing the pitch to keep it clean – it does a brilliant job at removing debris and other bits that fly around the pitch during a game.”

The Dennis G860 features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion. Lightweight at just 166kg; it is also easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate.

 

The handlebar console houses the controls for the throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

 

“It is incredibly comfortable to operate and for me this is one of its best features,” continued John. “We have a seat attached to the mower and it is just like sitting in your car. When you are using a machine for three or four hours at a time, then ensuring that you are comfortable is a top priority.

 

“It is just a great machine to have and in the growing season it is out on the pitch every single day.”

 

When John is not tending to the Deportivo Alaves’ pitches, he is fully focussed on his other passion – the GroundsmanSport magazine, which has been developed to support professionals in the sports turf sector.

 

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

 

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

 

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Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

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Duncan Ross Works to Maintain Wetland Habitats While Improving Playability at Aberdovey Golf Club : Duncan Ross has worked closely with Aberdovey Golf Club to ensure the wetland habitats for flora and fauna were maintained during vital drainage works to improve playability of the course.

Since 2005 Aberdovey started to experience an increase in the frequency and length of course closures due to a combination of reduced ditch maintenance, ageing and collapsing clay field drains in the fairways and changing weather patterns.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

The course, which is flanked by Cardigan Bay and a long sandy foreshore incorporating a semi mobile dune system, is highly valued as a rich source of ecology and biodiversity and is classed as a site of special scientific interest and also serves as a special area of conservation. As such, the club works with the STRI, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Gwynedd County Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.

The ditch system in the centre and northern end of the course supports a population of lesser water plantain which used to be scattered throughout the country but is now mainly found in coastal regions and the East Anglian fens. A vital part of the project was to improve the stormwater run-off from the site while retaining sufficient water in the ditches to maintain the population.

A significant part of the project was lowering the water table, which was high due to the original ditches and pumps not being installed at the lowest possible level. This practise has been commonplace at numerous links courses to prevent drying out in the summer but remains playable in winter. However, due to more regular rainfall during July and August courses no longer dry out in the same way, and the shallow ditches, warm days, and low ditch maintenance have helped the lesser water plantain flourish and the determent of the course.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

David Tomkinson, Greens Chairman at Aberdovey Golf Club, explains: “The contribution made by Duncan and his employees was central to the success of the improved drainage scheme. Work was carried out from first light until dusk, deadlines adhered to and all operations carried out professionally with the very minimum of disruption to the golfers on the course.

“The success of the drainage improvement project has resulted in many fewer days lost to course closures while maintaining the population of lesser water plantain.

“Duncan arrived on site in February 2018, and it was soon established that while the pumping station near the Clubhouse end of the course was effective, the natural flow outfall at the far end was not. Duncan very quickly found that a 250mm drop to the stream, off-site, combined with the fall across an existing seemingly horizontal culvert near the outfall would provide the basis to drop the water table by 750mm.

“The base of the main ditch was increased in depth across half its width, with levelling techniques maintaining a steady fall of 750mm over a 3km length. The area of ditch where the plantain is most prevalent may have caused a problem so Duncan’s suggestion, not taken up by NRW, was to dig a parallel ditch to improve the drainage without disturbing the rare plants.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

“The solution chosen was to reduce the disturbance to the fairway by leaving the old clay pies in place, avoiding damaging the fairway by removing them, and putting in new pipes in parallel but at the new, lower, water level. A sluice was installed near the main outfall to hold back at least 50mm of water in the ditch system while allowing the run-off of stormwater.

“A requirement from NRW was the excavation of wetland scrapes in low lying areas near the 11th green which were constructed and provide an additional area for the plantain to colonise. Also, Duncan was able to weld an extension onto the pumped outfall pipe on the beachside of the dunes, which reduced the amount of sand washed away at the dune base. On the golf course side of this pipe, an area of redundant dry ditch was filled in, and the turf replaced, making the area playable by golfers.”

The club continues to work with NRW and Duncan Ross on several projects relating to the management of the site including monitoring coastal erosion, protecting the wetland areas from seawater ingress, creation of further wetland scrapes and sand scrape areas, monitoring the population of sand lizards, management of rank grass areas to improve grazing for sheep and management of areas of degenerate gorse.

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Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

Toptracer and The Belfry announce long-term partnership

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Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership :  Toptracer has today announced details of a multi-year business partnership with historic British golf venue, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, as the brands join forces to enhance the club’s technology offering and global appeal.

The iconic Warwickshire-based club has played host to the Ryder Cup on four occasions, as well as numerous European Tour events, and is set to stage the British Masters again later this year. The Belfry is also the home of The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) in the United Kingdom.

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

A key feature of the partnership is the installation of a unique blend of Toptracer Range products on-site at The Belfry. Utilising the full covered range and monitor system in 34 bays, as well as elements of the new Toptracer Range Mobile solution outdoors, The Belfry will become the premier practice destination in the country.

 

Toptracer will assist in delivering numerous global activations, designed to offer unique ways for golfers around the world to experience the venue through a modernised platform that enhances ‘The Belfry experience’. More than just the integration of technology, The Belfry and Toptracer will also collaborate on a series of innovative new event experiences and activations over the tenure of the partnership.

 

In addition to the range installation, The Belfry’s famous Brabazon course has also been mapped for use in the Toptracer Range ‘virtual golf’ mode, meaning it will be available to play at more than 400 Toptracer Range locations worldwide in the near future.

 

Toptracer Range technology transforms a golf range into a veritable sports entertainment destination. The industry-leading ball tracing provides golfers with accurate, live shot data that can be used for practice purposes or to compete in challenges and games with friends.

 

Cameras mounted around the facility trace every shot to produce an array of data, including distance, speed, launch angle, shape, and more, that is then displayed on a 21-inch monitor in each hitting bay for the covered solution, or the users’ mobile phone for Toptracer Range Mobile-enabled sites.

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

Toptracer and The Belfry announce historic long-term partnership

“We are delighted to be working with Toptracer and are looking forward to relaunching our upgraded Academy in April,” said Chris Reeve, Golf Director at The Belfry. “We’ve reviewed all technology options and identified Toptracer as the optimal game-changer for us. It will allow guests with any level of golfing experience, from beginners and non-golfers to frequent players, to enjoy a wide range of games and activities with family and friends,” he added.

 

“Everyone at The Belfry is very excited to begin what we hope will be a prosperous partnership with Toptracer.” Commented Chris Eigelaar, Resort General Manager at The Belfry. “Toptracer will be a fantastic addition to the already top-class facilities here, and will aid us in continuing to deliver a world class golfing experience. We truly believe there is nowhere better than here to learn and play golf.” He added.

 

Ben Sharpe, President of Toptracer, added: “This is a monumental partnership for us. The Belfry is an historic venue, and this is a landmark installation and agreement that is broader and more progressive than almost anything we’ve seen worldwide to date. We can’t wait for golfers to enjoy our full technology offering at what is undoubtedly a world leading facility.

 

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with The Belfry to deliver on some global projects they have planned and play a role in enhancing their offering to customers for the foreseeable future.”

 

For more information on the Toptracer, head to www.toptracer.com.

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Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

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Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity : Ingersoll Rand Inc. a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions, has entered into an agreement to sell its Specialty Vehicle Technologies Segment (“Club Car”) to the global private equity firm Platinum Equity. The all-cash transaction is valued at $1.68 billion, which is approximately 12.1x 2020 Specialty Vehicle Technologies Segment Adjusted EBITDA, and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

“Today’s announcement to divest Club Car demonstrates swift progression on our transformation journey,” said Vicente Reynal, chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand. “The Club Car divestiture achieves a premium valuation for the leader in the golf, commercial and consumer low-speed vehicle market. We are excited about future opportunities to create long-term value for stockholders with the cash from the transaction, including significant organic and inorganic investment into our core business segments as we advance our growth strategies and expand our addressable market. We continue to leverage IRX to drive results and execute strategy, including portfolio optimization, and will continue to devote our energy to driving innovation across our businesses with a portfolio focused on core, sustainability-oriented, mission-critical flow creation technologies and industrial solutions supported by long term growth trends.”

Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

Ingersoll Rand to Sell Club Car to Platinum Equity

Ingersoll Rand selected Platinum Equity because of their financial, operational and marketing expertise as well as their focus and interest in the automotive industry and mobility trends. Platinum is an ideal fit for Club Car and will serve as a strong partner in driving long-term, sustainable growth for the business.

“Club Car has a long history of leadership in golf, utility and consumer low-speed vehicles, and we look forward to nurturing their core business and supporting the diverse needs of the company’s customers,” said Tom Gores, chairman and chief executive officer of Platinum Equity. “We are excited to partner with the Club Car team and support the business as it executes on its strategy of operational excellence and ongoing, profitable commercial growth.”

Goldman Sachs is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Ingersoll Rand and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel. Credit Suisse and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisors to Platinum Equity on the acquisition of Club Car and Morgan Lewis is serving as Platinum Equity’s legal counsel. BofA Securities will lead the debt financing for Platinum Equity and Club Car. Willkie Farr is providing financing counsel to Platinum Equity on the transaction.

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North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

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North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines : EMY Plant Hire, a new start-up rental business based in Wrexham in North Wales in the UK, has purchased over 20 new machines of all types from the full-liner range offered by Bobcat. The new Bobcat mini-excavators, compact loaders, telehandlers and attachments available to rent from EMY Plant Hire were supplied by Norwest Plant Ltd, the local Authorised Bobcat Dealer.

EMY Plant Hire was founded by Joint Directors, Emily Roberts and Andrew Dickens, concentrating first on the local area, including North Wales, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire, before looking to eventually operate nationwide.

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

(l to r) Sam Lockert, Hire Manager at EMY Plant Hire with Joint Directors, Emily Roberts and Andrew Dickens

As well as general plant and other products for users in diverse markets such as construction, landscaping, utilities and agriculture, EMY Plant Hire has been formed to also offer the more unusual and specialist products for its wide customer base. To illustrate this, the company is one of the first rental businesses in the UK to offer the articulated version of the Bobcat E85 8.5 tonne mini-excavator.

Emily Roberts commented: “At EMY Plant Hire, we are fully committed to offering a first class rental service for our customers, but we would also like to offer more unusual and innovative products for hire. We are one of the first rental companies to offer the articulated boom version of the E85, which is an unusual feature in the UK market, where the preference is for straight boom models. The articulated boom allows users to bring the arm on the E85 closer and to reach a lot higher, potentially providing them with a larger working range.

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

North Wales Rental Start-Up Buys Over 20 New Bobcat Machines

“We are also targeting specialist areas such as the tree surgery and forestry markets. By offering both the conventional and the leading edge, we have much to offer not only our own customer base but also by cross-hire through other rental and contractor companies. We have already laid the ground for these relationships and feel very positive about the local market and beyond.”

As well as the E85, Norwest Plant has delivered a further 13 Bobcat mini-excavators including four E10z 1 tonne, two E17z 1.7 tonne and eight more models above 2 tonne, including E20z, E26 and E45 models. With the machines from Norwest Plant, EMY Plant Hire is also offering Bobcat S100 and S450 skid-steer loaders and a Bobcat T450 compact track loader. Alongside these are TL30.70 7 m and T40.180SLP 18 m telehandlers from Bobcat and seven different Bobcat attachments including pallet forks, an auger and buckets.

Garry Wheawall of Norwest Plant, based in Wigan in Lancashire, said: “We are very impressed with the innovation being shown by EMY Plant Hire. Even during the last 12 months of the pandemic, rental companies have continued to operate and in some places have been flat out. I think this is a good time for EMY to enter the market, offering a broader set of products and solutions for customers.”

 

Authorised Bobcat Dealer for North Wales and North-West England

As well as the Bobcat range of mini-excavators, skid-steer and compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, telehandlers, light compaction and attachments, Norwest Plant offers a full selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and parts to support both new and existing Bobcat customers in its area. Customers also benefit from the company’s on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance.

Norwest Plant is part of the Construction Equipment Division of Northern Ireland-based Ballyvesey Holdings Ltd, a privately-owned group with a wide range of trading subsidiaries. As the Authorised Bobcat Dealer for North-West England and North Wales, Norwest Plant covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside (including the Wirral), Cheshire, Anglesey, North Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham.

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com

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