Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace

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Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace: FairWay Awards has been monitoring the health of sport turf up and down the country using a satellite-based system that reads the amount and wavelength of light being emitted from vegetation.

The ratio of different light wavelengths from vegetation gives an indication of the vigour or distress of the grass canopy: more red light is emitted when grass is under stress. Below is an example comparing a fairway in spring (left) and winter (right).

Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace

Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace

Having analysed satellite data from 50 golf courses across Great Britain from 2018, Mike Heisig from FairWay Awards comments on recent findings: “We have been looking at the health of grass by tracking exactly the same areas of sports turf from 2018 to today. This gives good insight into actual changes on the ground. What we have seen at the end of March 2021 is that grass health is gradually lagging further and further behind the levels that we saw at the end of March in 2020. Historic data shows that normally in March we should expect to see a major up lift in grass health as it comes out of the winter period.”

“This year however, much of that did not happen and UK grass health slipped back around 5% lower in March 2021 compared with March 2020. Much of this downturn can be attributed to the South East, which seems to be struggling more with grass health levels than any other part the country.”

“Looking ahead at this time of year we expect to see increasing grass health through March and April, leading to a peak in May. It remains to be seen how far grass will recover through the year and what the knock on effect will be for autumn grass management”

The good news is that there is plenty of time for greenkeepers to fine-tune the agronomy to help close the gap. Satellite grass health data is easily accessible and simple to use with huge benefits for turf management.

2021 may be the ideal year to join the Precision Sports Turf Revolution.

Regular updates on grass health through 2021 at www.fairwayawards.com or follow @FairwayAwards on twitter

Join the Sports Turf Revolution contact Mike Heisig: Mike-Heisig@btconnect.com

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Nutrigrow expands sports turf range

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Nutrigrow expands sports turf range: Nutrigrow has expanded their Sports Turf range of fertilisers with the introduction of Nutrigrow CRF, a controlled release fertiliser that has been specifically designed for sports turf.

NutrigrowCRF has been formulated to release nutrients for 4‐6 months, based on an average temperature of 20C. In testing Nutrigrow have seen a significant longer release period during the cooler months, which has led to Groundsmen applying the product in late Autumn.

Nutrigrow expands sports turf range

Nutrigrow expands sports turf range

As there are still growing days over the Winter months then the nutrient will be released and feed the turf. This has led to far healthier pitches and other sports surfaces going into the Spring when turf generally looks very weak and poor.

Nutrigrow CRF is formulated from 60% polymer coated urea, 2% MgO, and has an NPK content of 20‐0‐15. It is spread at a rate of 25‐50g per m² and can be spread by hand or more accurately using a mechanical fertiliser spreader. The granule size is typically 2‐3mm and a single 25kg bag can cover 500‐1000m².

Available in both 25kg and 1000kg bags, Nutrigrow are thrilled to supply this to sports organisations across the country, along with free advice and treatment plans.

www.nutri‐grow.co.uk

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Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac

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Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac: Castle Stuart Golf Links, situated close to Inverness and overlooking the Moray Firth, is the latest Scottish golfing venue to purchase a Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractor and a selection of attachments.

Delivered by local dealer, Double A Trading Company Ltd, the package includes the 25 hp all-terrain compact tractor unit in its 8-wheel configuration, a Contour deck, a Tough Cut deck and Power Rake.

Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac

Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac

James Hutchison has been Head Greenkeeper since 2017, when he was promoted to the post from his previous position as deputy. He has been with the club for 14 years, since the beginning of the course build in 2007, so the course is in his DNA.

Commenting on the purchase of the Ventrac and attachments he said,

“This an excellent and versatile addition to our machinery fleet. Initially we’ve purchased three attachments, but I’m sure that over time we’ll be adding to this.

“The Tough Cut deck certainly lives up to its name. We’re using it extensively to take out the broom and gorse that has thrived here over the years. Its rapid growth tends to hide the undulations surrounding the fairways and can obscure the magnificent views over the Moray Firth, which is one of our strong selling points for visiting golfers. Some areas of the course are receiving their first cut in three years and it makes short work of a job that was previously done by a team with brushcutters. The combination of the 8-wheel tractor unit and Tough Cut deck feels really safe, especially when I’ve been using it on 30-degree slopes.

“We’ll be using the Contour deck as a replacement for our old John Deere rotary mower and this will maintain the semi-rough at around 38mm, with the option of raising the height of cut to 100mm, should it be necessary.

“The Power Rake attachment is going to save us time and money when it comes to maintaining the pathways around the course. These were constructed from basic hardcore and Type 1 aggregate when the course was built and do suffer from potholes caused by our machinery and the buggy fleet. I would usually send out three guys to fix potholes, but with this implement that will be reduced to just one.

“I’m now looking at a demonstration of the triple cylinder mowing unit to see if that will suit our future needs. There aren’t any other machines that can swap between rotary and cylinder units plus attach other implements such as trenchers, blowers and even stump grinders. This just demonstrates how versatile the Ventrac is!”

Designed by Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinen, Castle Stuart’s championship golf links opened in 2009 and features 18 holes with stunning views across the water to the Black Isle including Kessock bridge and Chanonry lighthouse. It has hosted the Scottish Open on four occasions and won numerous awards including the GEO Certified® ecolabel, an international accolade that recognises its high standards of performance in nature conservation, water and energy efficiency, ethical and environmental supply chain, pollution control and community engagement.

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John Deere supports the ECGC Masters

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John Deere supports the ECGC Masters: The month of April is synonymous in golf for the Masters, and each year Education City Golf Cub runs its own version of the tournament over the 18-hole Championship course, which recently hosted the European Tour’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

The ECGC Masters was held on April 9 & 10, and this year John Deere supported the club event in conjunction with the effort that went into setting up the golf course to present Augusta-like conditions.

John Deere supports the ECGC Masters

John Deere supports the ECGC Masters

The tournament aims to ensure that all details are aligned to the Masters in terms of course conditions, fast greens and immaculate presentation, all prepared by a fleet of 93 John Deere machines including tractors and greens, fairway & rough mowers, giving members and guests an exceptional experience over the two-day event. Players competed in the gross division for the ECGC Masters green jacket, while others could compete in the net division for some great prizes.

“The ECGC Masters is a signature event at Education City Golf Club,” said the club’s Director of Golf Rhys Beecher. “It is an opportunity to showcase the fantastic playing surfaces and course conditions during a two-day tournament. The team here enjoy making the small touches that bring the ECGC Masters to life for both our members and the guests that participate. John Deere is a terrific partner, as its precision equipment helps elevate the ECGC Masters to one of the most significant weekends in the golfing calendar.”

In 2018, in line with the club’s sustainability vision, John Deere was selected as the perfect match to support the club’s vision in becoming a pioneer for sustainable practices and superior playing surfaces. Hybrid electric technology was chosen and is now used on over 90 per cent of the mowing fleet.

Education City Golf Club’s General Manager Michael Braidwood said: “Our core product is the golf course and therefore it must be presented in immaculate condition. We aim to highlight this annually at a number of key tournaments and the ECGC Masters is one of these prestigious events.”

Carlos Aragones, John Deere European golf & turf sales & marketing manager, added: “Together with our local dealer Progressive Trading, we were delighted to be involved with Education City Golf Club in helping to prepare the Championship Course for this signature event at such a wonderful venue. Our partnership approach helps everyone to achieve the best possible results where they matter, out on the course, and keep things running as smoothly as possible throughout the tournament.”

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STIHL adds two new brushcutters

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STIHL adds two new brushcutters: STIHL has expanded its range of professional high-performance brushcutters with the launch of the new FSA 135 and FSA 135 R.

The new robust and powerful brushcutters build on the popularity of the FSA 130 with new compatibility with STIHL’s AP battery system, making it ideal for contractors and grounds management tackling large areas of grass and brush with a variety of cutting attachments.

STIHL adds two new brushcutters

STIHL adds two new brushcutters

The FSA 135 bike handle brushcutter comes with the GrassCut 260-2 blade as standard and has an expected working time of 100 minutes when used with the recommended AP 300 S battery. The FSA 135 R loop handle version comes with an AutoCut 26-2 line head and has an expected working time of 45 minutes when used with an AP 300 S battery.

The new cordless tools feature a traditional brushcutter layout from the petrol models, with engine, drive-shaft and gearbox, meaning that the FSA 135 can fit metal cutting attachments designed for brush and wood.

Both models feature ergonomic control handles with three-level speed pre-selection with LED display, as well as infinitely variable trigger speed control for energy-efficient working and longer running times depending on the cutting attachment or conditions.

Like all of the STIHL AP range, the FSA 135 and FSA 135 R can work in all weather conditions with waterproof components. The motor also requires little-to-no servicing, whilst the easy to clean air filter ensures a long service life and optimum engine cooling.

Both brushcutters feature a sturdy battery housing with a new design, enabling users to easily slot in a battery from STIHL’s high-performance 36V AP range, ideal for professional use. A range of accessories are available for both models, including Advanced Plus Harness, Advanced X-TREEm Harness and a wide range of line and metal cutting heads.

For more information on STIHL’s range of brushcutters, including the FSA 135 and FSA 135 R, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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