Rain Bird Europe appoints Tina Baumgärtner

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Rain Bird Europe appoints Tina Baumgärtner: Tina Baumgärtner joins the Rain Bird Europe Golf Team this month as Regional Sales Manager Golf for Central Europe, DACH region – Germany (D), Austria (A), Switzerland (CH) and the Netherlands.

Having worked in a variety of global industrial companies in sales, marketing, portfolio and technical product management, Tina has a wealth of expertise in technical and commercial sales which will significantly strengthen the Rain Bird Golf Team in the Central European region.

Rain Bird Europe appoints Tina Baumgärtner

Rain Bird Europe appoints Tina Baumgärtner

Commenting on her recent appointment, Tina said, “I see many parallels with my application experience in different sectors which I bring to the role. I am looking forward to new challenges at Rain Bird, to working in close partnership with my colleagues and all our Rain Bird customers”.

Didier Genty, Europe Golf Sales Manager for Rain Bird added: “I am delighted to welcome Tina to Rain Bird and to our expanding European team.

Tina can be contacted via email at tbaumgaertner@rainbird.eu and mobile on +49 (0) 179 617 4554.

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Ascernity approval adds new power

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Ascernity approval adds new power: The exciting new dual-action Syngenta turf fungicide Ascernity® has gained approval for use on sports turf surfaces – bringing a step change in disease control for high pressure conditions.

The initial approval enables use only on fully enclosed sports turf in the UK, including such football, rugby and cricket stadiums, training facilities, tennis courts and bowls, for example. The move is the first step in submissions for future extended approval for golf and other turf surfaces.

Ascernity approval adds new power

Ascernity approval adds new power

Ascernity brings an entirely new active for turf disease management, SolatenolTM, in combination with difenconazole – designed to together give the optimum balance of internal and leaf surface protection.

This balanced systemicity of Ascernity ensures the whole plant leaf remains protected for longer and giving sustained disease control in growing conditions, reported Glenn Kirby, Syngenta Technical Manager for UK and Ireland.

“It is especially well suited to stadium conditions where turf growth continues all year around, particularly with artificial lights and undersoil heating,” he advocated. “The addition of Ascernity is extremely welcome for enclosed situations that create continuously high disease pressure, which seriously challenge existing limited options for managers.”

The approval for Ascernity in the UK specifically states use only on fully enclosed sports turf where access by large herbivorous animals – hares and rabbits – can be excluded. Use areas in the future are expected to be extended when Syngenta is ready with further supporting data.

Glenn believes Ascernity will become a key fungicide option in the programme whenever turf is actively growing, particularly enabling stadium pitch renovations to establish strongly. Its use has proven safe from the two-leaf stage in seedlings and with no adverse effects on any turf.

“Targeting disease earlier prevents damage to the leaf, reduces stress on the plant and effectively breaks the disease cycle – enabling fungicide programmes to maintain playing surface quality and longer lasting results throughout the season.

“The dual action of Ascernity is so effective since it initially stops germinating spores from developing hyphae on the surface. But if disease has penetrated through into the leaf, it can still act to stop further development – before visible damage breaks out.”

Results from over 70 trials throughout Europe have shown effective performance against a full range of key turf diseases, including Microdochium nivale (fusarium patch), anthracnose and dollar spot. Trials have also shown activity on brown patch, red thread, fairy ring, take-all and leaf spot.  Activity has been demonstrated with Solatenol use on grey leaf spot.

Ascernity is approved for two applications per season, at a rate of 3.0 l/ha. Applications must be made using LERAP 3-star rated nozzles, along with compliance of a six-metre buffer zone.

Research has shown it can be used to complement Instrata Elite and Medallion TL in a powerful disease control programme for turf quality.

Launching Ascernity in the UK, Syngenta Turf Business Manager, Daniel Lightfoot, added there has been huge excitement for the successfully approval and introduction of a new active ingredient for turf management.

“The investment in achieving approval for Ascernity underlines our commitment to delivering effective solutions for turf disease control, along with the research, support and advice to get the best results.”

He pointed out that the power of the actives in Ascernity will perfectly complement other Syngenta turf fungicides, to enable turf managers to plan a strategic disease control approach, alongside advanced innovative technologies in wetting agents, pigments and amino acid biostimulant programmes.

“Used as a strategic part of an integrated Turf Management (ITM) plan, Ascernity can assure a sustainable long-term future for effective turf disease control in stadiums,” he added.

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‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

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‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution: Rebuilt a few years ago by architect and former European Tour player David J. Russell, the famous Machrie links on the Scottish island of Islay has now almost finished the construction of the bunkers on the new-look course.

And, according to course manager Dean Muir, it is only the use of the EcoBunker synthetic edging system that has made the installation of the bunkers possible.

‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

“Now, there are almost fifty bunkers on the course,” says Muir. “When DJ started the redesign project, the original intention was to have none. Had they been natural, we could never have managed to maintain those bunkers, because of the flymowing and strimming, and we would have had trouble building them too. Because of our island location it is difficult and expensive to get revetting turf, and our small turf nursery could never provide enough. It is the use of EcoBunker that has made these bunkers possible.”

Muir, who comes from Dunbar in the east of Scotland, first saw the EcoBunker method in use on a project in his home town, and realised quickly that it could be a help at The Machrie. Some links courses have resisted using EcoBunker, for fear that their bunkers will look artificial, but Muir believes he has found a solution to this issue. “After I saw photographs of the EcoBunkers built with double stacks of astroturf at the new Dumbarnie Links course in Fife, I realised they were just right for us,” he says. “The bunker faces were hydroseeded with fescue: once this started to grow, it made the bunkers look even better. So we rubbed fescue seed into the faces – you don’t want a lot, but a little bit of growth makes the bunkers look much more natural. Some of our EcoBunkers are nearly three years old, and a bit of age helps the naturalisation process too. The local golfers know they are EcoBunkers, but the majority of our play is visitors, and I don’t think they have any idea that the bunker faces are synthetic.”

Muir’s team has been constructing the EcoBunkers itself, following some training from the EcoBunker team. “We have built 22 EcoBunkers since October, and have just ten to go. We hope the project will be completed by Christmas,” he says.

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Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

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Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director: Toptracer has announced the appointment of David Cederholm as the company’s new EMEA Sales Director as the business continues its global expansion.

Cederholm, who joins the company with a wealth of experience across several different industries, will be tasked with overseeing sales strategy and the overall growth of Toptracer Range across the region.

Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

“We are delighted to welcome David to his new role at Toptracer,” commented Ben Sharpe, Toptracer President. “His experience in helping to implement technology to elevate businesses to the next level is something that really resonated with us.”

“We look forward to seeing the impact that David will have as we continue to accelerate our worldwide growth and help golf ranges and facilities turn their offerings into modern, forward-thinking entertainment destinations – and in turn, offer the tech driven experience the consumer now expects.”

A lifelong golfer currently playing off a handicap of 4, the role represents his first steps into the industry having garnered a wealth of experience leading sales strategies across sectors.

Cederholm began his career at Just Eat in 2006 as one of just four employees in the UK. He was with the company for six years, in which time orders grew from 100 a month to over a million, and saw the team grow to over 600 people. He led the sales function in the first nine of 13 eventual international market entries.

After leaving Just Eat, Cederholm started and scaled two other start-ups from day one of market entry: one in fashion, the other in automotive.

Since then, he’s worked on market expansion in the app-based taxi business and, most recently, returned to the takeaway food world with a SaaS platform that allows owners to take control of their own business and customer retention.

“The common element between these different verticals was it was all about selling change into traditional owner/operator businesses, where the introduction of technology and then user expectation drove change – something they had previously been reticent to adopt,” commented Cederholm.

“That’s something that I see as a common link with Toptracer Range, and the goals that I am aiming to implement in my new role. There’s an exciting, technology-led future for the golf and entertainment industries, and I will look to drive that forward with Toptracer Range at the forefront of the revolution.”

ABOUT TOPGOLF ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Topgolf Entertainment Group is a global sports and entertainment community that connects people in meaningful ways through the experiences we create, the innovation we champion and the good that we do. What began as a technology that enhanced the game of golf now encompasses a range of unmatched experiences where communities can discover common ground at brand expressions including Topgolf venues, Lounge by Topgolf, Toptracer, Toptracer Range, Topgolf Swing Suite, Topgolf Studios, Topgolf Live, World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf and Driving for Good.

ABOUT TOPTRACER RANGE

Toptracer Range, a brand expression from Topgolf Entertainment Group, connects communities of fans in meaningful ways by equipping driving ranges with Toptracer technology that offers an interactive and social experience that is perfect for all levels. With real-time data, players can compete in a variety of games, improve their skills or simply be introduced to the game of golf.

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BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme

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BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has unveiled its programme of education for January 2021, with members offered access to BIGGA’s world-renowned Continue to Learn via an entirely-online platform for the first time ever.

With the cancellation of BTME 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the continued use of the Harrogate Convention Centre as an NHS Nightingale Hospital, BIGGA’s Learning & Development team, alongside lead supporter The R&A, has put together an incredible two weeks of online learning, available to members of the sports turf profession wherever in the world they may be based.

BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme

BIGGA unveils largest-ever learning programme

Continue to Learn 2021 is testament to BIGGA’s commitment to enabling members of the association to continue their professional development despite the difficult global situation that has had a negative impact on the lives of so many.

The education programme will be split into two distinct sections, with Continue to Learn: Conference taking place from 19 to 21 January 2021 and Continue to Learn: Classes being held from 25 to 29 January 2021.

The Conference will feature three days of sessions on a wide variety of topics relating to all things turf management and professional development. Among the key note speakers will be Dr Frank Rossi of Cornell University and world-renowned golf architect Augustin Pizá of Pizá Golf.

The 24 Classes being offered by the association will enable BIGGA members to focus on an individual topic of interest with a wide range on offer, from developing personal confidence to the control of leatherjackets and other pests or the writing of reports and proposals.

Full details of the education programme, include more information about speakers and a special Golf Course 2030 session that will be taking place during the event, head to the BIGGA website, www.bigga.org.uk.

Continue to Learn usually takes place in the week of BTME, beginning the Sunday before the trade exhibition and featuring a range of workshops, seminars and major conference events. With 3,000 delegates attending the education programme in a normal year, Continue to Learn is hugely influential in shaping the direction and future of the golf greenkeeping and wider golf industry.

Continue to Learn 2021 follows a summer of online learning opportunities provided by the association, with the regular Continue to Learn Extra webinar series held since the start of the first Full Lockdown in March and featuring guest speakers who count among the most influential names in the industry. Turf professionals have also been able to access most of this learning in an audio format via the Green Room Golf Course Podcast, hosted by BIGGA and available on most podcast platforms, while BIGGA’s website also provides a vast library of exclusive learning opportunities.

In November, BIGGA hosted its first entirely online education event, called the National Regional Conference, which brought together the association’s regular regional conference sessions into a single day of learning. The event was widely praised and gave encouragement to BIGGA’s Learning & Development team that they could pull of an event as ambitious in scale as Continue to Learn 2021.

Registration for the programme is on three levels – individual, team or group – and BIGGA hopes that members utilise the excellent discounts on offer by clubbing together with their peers. For example, a group of 10 greenkeepers can experience the entire conference and have access to all of the content online for three months for less than £100 per person.

BIGGA’s Head of Learning & Development, Sami Strutt, has been involved with the organisation of the Continue to Learn education programme every year since 1994, taking up the management and delivery of the event in 2009.

Sami said: “After what has been for many the toughest year in living memory, the team at BIGGA was unwavering in its commitment to provide our members with an event that instils hope that things will soon get better and so I’m delighted that we’re able to present this extraordinary programme of online learning in January. With fewer job opportunities and increased pressure on greenkeeping teams to present golf courses in excellent condition following the surge in popularity experienced by golf this year, Continuing Professional Development has never been more important for greenkeeping teams, given they are responsible for the presentation of a golf club’s most important asset, the course itself.

“My immense gratitude goes to our headline supporter, The R&A, for their backing of this project and my thanks go out to all the speakers who have taken time out of their own lives to offer these learning opportunities for our members. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everybody’s lives, but events such as Continue to Learn are a reminder of what an incredible, close-knit community this is. I’m excited to meet you online via our virtual conference platform and hope to see you all there.”

For more information about Continue to Learn 2021, head to the BIGGA website, www.bigga.org.uk. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact the BIGGA Learning & Development team by emailing education@bigga.co.uk or by calling (01347) 666 580.

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