GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme

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GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme: GreenClub – The PGA’s new principal partner – is set to offer a significant financial boost to golf clubs and resorts as part of its ambition towards becoming a carbon neutral sport.

Co-founded by PGA Member Paul Cuddy and respected environmental engineer Karl Gallagher, GreenClub aims to invest in partnerships with golf facilities to generate electrical energy through solar installations on clubhouse roofs or suitable ground-mounted sites.

GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme

GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme

As well as reducing energy costs and delivering new revenue streams with the sale of any surplus energy, ambitions are high for a concerted shift towards carbon neutrality for many golf clubs across the world.

Liam Greasley, chief executive of GreenClub and former commercial director at The PGA, is helping to drive the company’s initiative to deliver free solar energy installation, and he believes it could be the difference between prosperity or closure for some golf facilities.

Greasley commented: “We’re delighted to announce this exciting new partnership with The PGA and we look forward to helping PGA members and their golf facilities save money while helping golf become a carbon neutral sport.

“Club management will be looking at different and innovative ways of minimising their overheads and looking for potential new revenue streams. The GreenClub proposition addresses both of those areas and I believe it could be the difference for many clubs between remaining open and having to close their doors.

“Our ambition is to become the premier renewable energy company in golf and beyond. We want to partner with PGA Members who see the real value of working with us and we want to engage with as many clubs as possible.”

Initially operating in Great Britain and Ireland, GreenClub already has plans to expand into Australia and USA, which provides access to 24,000 golf clubs.

To date, feedback from potential partners has been overwhelmingly positive with several facilities already expressing an interest in becoming the GreenClub standard-bearers.

Greasley continued: “There is an opportunity for clubs to be seen as leaders in the area of sustainability. But the big draw is that the initial benefit will be at least a 15 per cent discount on current electricity bills, increasing to more than 30 per cent once the investment is paid down. At the same time, if clubs have any surplus to your own needs, there will be an opportunity to sell directly to the local businesses and residents, bringing golf clubs even closer into the heart of their communities.”

As a PGA principal partner, GreenClub will join an elite band of businesses that represent the highest level of partnership with The PGA. They are leaders in their business area and benefit from a marketing reach to PGA members and the wider golfing community.

Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The PGA, commented: “The PGA is delighted to welcome GreenClub to its partnership network.

“The PGA recognises the need to do more to help preserve golf for generations to come by acting on important issues such as climate change and the environment. The partnership with GreenClub is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

“It’s also a relationship that can benefit members at a time when many golf facilities may be struggling with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, providing an opportunity to make instant savings while providing another potentially valuable revenue stream.

“We look forward to working with the GreenClub team as we all play our in part in helping the game of golf become a carbon neutral sport in the near future.”

For more information visit www.greenclub.energy, email info@greenclub.energy or call 0800 999 1904.

CLICK HERE to find out more about how to become a PGA principal partner.

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It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R

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It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R: Head groundsman Garry Watson and his deputy John Holmes have praised the Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower for keeping several grass areas in fantastic condition at the King Edward’s School in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Founded in 1552, King Edward’s School is one of the most successful boys’ schools in this country. For nearly 400 years the school stood in New Street at the heart of the city. In 1936 the school moved to its present 50-acre site in Edgbaston, shared with King Edward VI High School for Girls, which provides extensive space and facilities matched by few day schools in the country.

It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R

It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R

The school’s academic performance places it amongst the very best in the country and King Edward’s has a long list of notable alumni including two Nobel Prize-winners, JRR Tolkien, Edward Burne-Jones, Lord Willetts and Lee Child.

The grounds department is overseen by Garry, who has been working at the school for an incredible 35 years. Alongside his trusty deputy John Holmes, the duo recently began searching for a new rotary mower.

“We were previously using 20-inch mowers and we wanted something bigger so we could cut more regularly and more quickly,” said Garry. “We also wanted an alternative to that of putting tractors or triple mowers on the pitches – something that would keep the weight off the pitch.”

The case was solved as soon as they saw the Dennis PRO 34R in action: “As soon as we had the demonstration, John said this is it – this is the machine we need to have. Yes, there are other rotary mowers on the market, but we made a decision there and then based on how good it was.”

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface. It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“The PRO 34R offers a fantastic cut,” continued Garry. “It is predominately used on the rugby pitches for presentation and to also clean-up after matches.

“After about a week of having the PRO 34R, we made the decision to purchase another one – it was that good. It is absolutely fantastic for sports pitches, but we also have a large number of big lawns – which must be kept in good condition. Therefore, the second PRO 34R is all about presentation on these lawns. We use it for cutting and striping.”

Garry also said that the decision to purchase the PRO 34R was based on his experience of using Dennis in the past.

“We’ve had Dennis before, and I’ve never had any issues, so I tend to stick with what I know works. Plus, the service is all part of the overall package with Dennis.

“I like to deal with personalities and Jason Briggs from Dennis and SISIS is fantastic. I know what I like – and Dennis Mowers have never let me down.”

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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ICL Tank-Mix is the perfect family

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ICL Tank-Mix is the perfect family: Three years ago, Mark Heath, Course Manager at the Vale Golf Club in Worcestershire, introduced a new ICL tank-mix into his greens’ maintenance programme. A resounding success – he now affectionately calls it the perfect family.  

The Vale Golf Club is set in a beautiful part of the Midlands countryside and offers great views over the Malvern hills. It is a real challenge to keen golfers and provides extensive facilities including a par 74, 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole shorter course.

ICL Tank-Mix is the perfect family

ICL Tank-Mix is the perfect family

“Managing the 27 greens we have at the Vale Golf Club takes commitment and trust in the products that I use on a monthly basis,” said Mark. “With this in mind I was looking to make some improvements and three years ago I changed my greens nutrition programme to a combination of Vitalnova Stressbuster, Greenmaster Liquid CalMag and Vitalnova SeaMax. I have never once regretted this decision.”

These three products perfectly complement one another: Vitalnova Stressbuster pre-conditions turf against stress, helps generate a quick recovery and helps stimulate the bacteria in the soil; Greenmaster Liquid CalMag has been proven to boost turf health where Calcium and Magnesium are required; and Vitalnova SeaMax, which contains seaweed extract, works towards improving improve turf colour, turf quality, root development and stress tolerance.

Throughout the summer period, Mark combines Vitalnova Stressbuster at 40 L/ha, Greenmaster Liquid CalMag at 20 L/ha and Seamax at 10 L/ha and he further explained how this winning formula works for him.

“This tank-mix not only delivers a steady growth pattern daily but also provides a total healthy package to both the root and the leaf itself. The three products mixed together gives amino acid for leaf / foliar uptake needed in times of stress; Calcium & Magnesium to boost the plant and promote it to stay healthy; and a concentrated seaweed that improves turf colour but also aids root development. When winter arrives, I simply reduce the application rates by half

“This year I’ve also added Syngenta’s Ryder at 1 L/ha to the mix,” he continued, “It is a great turf pigment which helps to combat recent high daily temperatures. It’s a bit like a sun cream for turf and it works wonders.

“This tank-mix has improved the greens no end and it is for this reason that I think of these products as the perfect family – my greens truly embrace them!”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Carnoustie partners with John Deere and Rain Bird

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Carnoustie partners with John Deere and Rain Bird: Three global brands with shared values have united with a vision to produce a blueprint for world leading golf course management – watch our special video and interviews, and download photos here: https://3globalbrands.com/video/.

Carnoustie, ‘Golf’s Greatest Test’, has a long history of firsts and is regarded as the ancestral home of American and Australian golf. ‘The Carnoustie 300’ – a group of club and ball makers, professionals, caddies and greenkeepers – took golf to the New World in the early 1900s, and paved the way for the growth, development and modernisation of the game.

Carnoustie partners with John Deere and Rain Bird

Carnoustie partners with John Deere and Rain Bird

Carnoustie Golf Links, having established itself as a flagship for innovation and sustainable management, has now joined forces with Rain Bird and John Deere and the trio are committed to continuing a heritage of innovation by aligning world leading irrigation, turf care and greenkeeping expertise in a major strategic partnership for the golf industry.

The three organisations all share long and impressive histories built on innovation, and are combining their strengths in this landmark partnership which will see a major investment in irrigation, greenkeeping and development of the game of golf at Carnoustie.

As the global leader in irrigation, Rain Bird has a rich history in the golf community dating back to 1933. Since then, irrigation and the management and movement of water have remained its sole focus. Trusted by golf course managers, its technologically advanced irrigation systems enable them to perfect playing surfaces at iconic sporting venues around the world.

Rain Bird is committed to ‘The Intelligent Use of Water’ through its products, partnerships, leadership and education. Research and development teams work with greenkeeping teams and technicians to develop forward-thinking water, energy and labour-saving innovations. More than 450 patents confirm the strength of its commitment to delivering solutions that set the standard for playability and performance while preserving the planet’s most precious natural resource.

Following a topographical system analysis and other investigations conducted by specialist consultants, Carnoustie Golf Links, supported by Rain Bird UK’s golf distributor Rigby Taylor, will embark on a full renovation of each of its courses to upgrade them with the most advanced irrigation technologies. They will benefit from Rain Bird’s Cirrus Central Control System combined with Integrated Control™ (IC), which enables sophisticated real-time, two-way communications between the control system and other components. This will provide Links Superintendent Craig Boath and his team with the ultimate in field control.

Assisted by Rain Bird Golf’s UK team, they will fine-tune the new system to continually monitor conditions across the Links and apply the precise amount of irrigation each area needs. The Central Control generates a significant amount of data to help inform course management decisions, enabling staff to optimise turfgrass performance and drive efficiencies.

Carnoustie partners with John Deere and Rain Bird

Carnoustie partners with John Deere and Rain Bird

John Deere is fully committed to the manufacture and independent dealer support of advanced, innovative equipment and precision technology for the world’s best golf courses, supported by flexible John Deere Financial solutions. The company has a long history of pioneering innovation that enables customers to optimise their machinery operations while reducing both costs and environmental impact.

John Deere was the first manufacturer to introduce hybrid electric cutting reel technology and now offers the widest range of hybrid greens and fairway mowers in the industry, including the brand new 2750E ride-on triplex, of which there are 12 in the new Carnoustie Golf Links fleet, supplied by local dealer Double A. These machines reduce both noise and fuel consumption as well as the risk of hydraulic oil leaks.

In addition, A Series mowers feature the password-protected TechControl system, which allows the course or fleet manager to set equipment up for consistent cutting, turning and transport speeds to achieve the desired course finish regardless of who operates the machines.

John Deere is also a world leader in GPS automatic guidance technology and vehicle telematics, developed over the past 20 years for its agricultural business. This advanced technology is now becoming available for golf and turf customers, through the new GPS PrecisionSprayer – Carnoustie has three of the first machines to be sold in Europe, which apply inputs more accurately and record spraying operations for environmental purposes – and the development of autonomous mowing equipment.

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GKB the top choice for Solihull School

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GKB the top choice for Solihull School: Based in the West Midlands, leading independent coeducational day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, Solihull School houses ample playing fields, a full-sized floodlight artificial turf pitch and a 25m swimming pool.

With pupils excelling on the sports field as well as in the classroom, the GKB Top Clean was the perfect choice for Karl Brotherhood, Head of Grounds, to help upkeep the impressive outdoor spaces.

GKB the top choice for Solihull School

GKB the top choice for Solihull School

Through side-by-side comparison of his current machine and having met with the UK Operations Director, Tom Shinkins, at SALTEX 2019, Karl said, “the GKB Top-Clean was the obvious and right choice.” Designed as a full self-driven machine, the GKB Top-Clean can remove all kinds of dirt from the top of a synthetic pitch, from cigarettes, leaves and papers to plastic bottles.

The machine can easily be connected to almost every tractor by using a standard three-point hitch or electric drawbar and using a high driving speed (around 10 km/h) the artificial pitches will be left in perfect condition. “I will use the GKB Top-Clean to clean two national spec sand dressed hockey pitches,” said Karl. The GKB Top-Clean also features two rubber wheels at the front to ensure that the machine will roll softly across the desired artificial pitch.

With clever engineering and innovative manufacturing, the GKB Top-Clean features a vibrating sieve which, during operation, will hold debris and infill. The sieve will separate infill material from the debris and thanks to the vibration, all the pollution will move to the bins at the end. Containing two separate bins, after use, the bins can easily be removed to get emptied in a regular waste container.

Describing GKB as innovative, quality-driven and supportive, Karl comments, “When I think of GKB, I think build-quality. I know that if I have any problems further down the line, I will also have ‘back-up.’ I first noticed the GKB brand at SALTEX and was very impressed with Tom’s knowledge of all the machines present. It was refreshing”.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617.

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