Celebrating the green

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Celebrating the green: The Ladies European Tour has today launched an exciting new initiative to promote environmental sustainability. Celebrating the Green presented by Dow, will help amplify the good work taking place across the tour, as well as inspire and support further action.

Delivered in close partnership with the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, and with support from new partner Dow, the initiative will be carried forward inclusively with people and organisations from across the LET community, including partners, players, tournaments, venues and media.

Celebrating the green

Celebrating the green

Alexandra Armas, CEO, LET, said: “We are excited to bring this initiative forward in partnership with GEO Foundation and Dow. The LET recognises the fundamental significance of issues such as biodiversity loss; air and ocean pollution; and climate change. We now want to step forward with more strength to deliver and stimulate more positive action in collaboration with all the people and organisations we connect with around the world. We know these concerns resonate with many of our member players, as well as partners, tournament organisers and venues, and that by working together we can do more and deliver even more value.”

One major focus will be the gathering and promoting of credible stories and examples from across the LET community, which will span a range of issues directly related to fostering nature, conserving water, energy and materials, engaging communities and taking climate action – all of which are closely aligned to the United Nations ‘Global Goals for Sustainable Development’.

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, GEO Foundation added: “Congratulations to the LET on their leadership. It is always inspiring when a highly visible and influential sporting body like the LET voluntarily steps forward, looking to do more. We are delighted to help guide the initiative and also to support the delivery as more players, tournaments and venues seek to get involved, take more action and tell their stories. This is exactly why we have spent the last few years building customised programs and tools for sustainable golf – including the new suite of carbon calculators.”

The announcement has been warmly welcomed by a number of people and organisations across golf, including ‘Sustainable Golf Champion’ Suzann Pettersen who added: “I am very pleased to see the launch of this exciting and important initiative. Sustainability issues are so important to the game of golf and of course to all of us now and future generations. I would encourage current LET players, plus the tournaments and venues to look into how they can get involved in the initiative and with GEO’s sustainable golf programmes, and become part of a truly inspiring collective effort.”

Mary Draves, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Dow, explained why the organisation is so pleased to help drive LET Celebrating the Green: “As a direct result of the sustainability work we are carrying out at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, Dow sees a tremendous opportunity to advance sustainability in and through golf.  It is one of the sports most connected to natural landscapes and communities and clearly has the opportunity to lead by example on so many key issues. We look forward to bringing our support and resources to both the LET and GEO Foundation, which have done tremendous work over the years to ensure that initiatives like this can be confidently, credibly and effectively carried forward.”

For more information about how to get involved with LET Celebrating the Green, visit our website HERE

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Associates complete 72 holes in one day

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Associates complete 72 holes in one day: In November, three teams of Troon associates and two member teams completed every single hole of golf in the Troon Abu Dhabi portfolio in one day to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer & Men’s Health. To date, the team have raised AED 10,947 for the chosen charity, Friends of Cancer Patients & Shanab.

The Friends of Cancer Patients charity (FOCP) is a non-profit organization supporting cancer patients since 1999. The FOCP was founded under the directives and patronage of Her Highness Sheika Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi and is highly committed to helping cancer patients and their families get through the long and arduous journey of cancer treatment irrespective of their nationality, gender, age, religion or ethnicity.

Associates complete 72 holes in one day

Associates complete 72 holes in one day

The fifteen golfers completed rounds at the three Abu Dhabi championship venues; Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Yas Links Abu Dhabi. For the final round they played the 9-hole ‘Garden Course’ and took advantage of the floodlights at the at Abu Dhabi Golf Club to finish under darkness.

The Troon associate challengers comprised of Francisco de Lancastre David, Cluster General Manager; Clinton Southorn, Complex Director of Agronomy; Matthew Waters, Group Director of Golf; Danny Jakubowski, Group Director of Instruction; Daniel Wright, Cluster Senior Sales & Marketing Manager; James Durkin, Group Retail Manager; Barry Barnard, ADGC Tournament Coordinator; Daniel Richards, SBGC Tournament Coordinator; and Bradley Hudson, YLAD Golf Shop Associate.

Francisco de Lancastre David commented: “We’re all exceptionally grateful to take part in this charity initiative for the first time at Troon Abu Dhabi. It was a long day but I’m proud of the team supporting each other and raising vital funds for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity. Cancer is certainly something that unfortunately will have affected us all in some capacity so it means a lot to support an incredible charity like FOCP who have committed to going above and beyond to help cancer patients and their support systems.”

To support the team and donate to Friends of Cancer Patients, please click here.

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G860 signals exciting times at Boston

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G860 signals exciting times at Boston: Jim Portas, head groundsman at Boston United FC, has explained how a new Dennis G860 is helping him to deliver the best pitch he possibly can at the club’s new stadium.

The Dennis G860 and range of cassettes was purchased by Burdens Group for Boston United as part of a sponsorship agreement with the club at the new stadium.

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

Last year, work commenced to construct Boston United’s new stadium. The club’s chairman, David Newton, said that the new build was to give Boston United and its community foundation a secure future.

“This new stadium is the start of an exciting new era,” said Jim. “It is giving us our own place and it is a far better pitch than we had at York Street. The chairman has promised fans that we will deliver the best ground we possibly can, and we’re working towards that goal.”

The multi-million-pound project includes a recently constructed fibre sand pitch and it is for this reason that Jim decided that new turf maintenance equipment was essential.

“At our old pitch we were always supplied a mower from Burdens Group. However, going to this fantastic new pitch we needed something new; a premium mower which would benefit the pitch.

“We did a bit of research, looked at a lot of different brands and I decided that I really liked the Dennis G860 cylinder mower. It seemed to be the best option for a football pitch.”

Jim isn’t the only groundsman to be of this opinion as many of his peers have long relied on the Dennis G860 to provide the perfect cut for sports turf. Lightweight at just 166kg; it is easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for – throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

The mower 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. The Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks such as including scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting.

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

“We’ve got five of the cassettes – which is my favourite aspect of the G860,” continued Jim. “The ability to carry out various jobs with just one power unit is so beneficial. In the past we have had to rely on pieces of equipment from Burdens Group. With the G860, we no longer have this problem. We simply put in whichever cassette we need and off we go. It’s so easy to change the cassette over as well.

“The G860 is a sturdy, reliable piece of machinery and it gives a perfect finish every time. I’m cutting at a length of 30mm at the minute while we are not playing, and on matchdays it will be between 25mm and 30mm depending on what the manager requires.

“It’s just a pleasure to use. With a new stadium, a new pitch, and a new mower – it certainly is exciting times here at Boston United FC. I would also like to thank Norman Burden and the Burdens Group for their continued support.”

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 @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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Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

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Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy: Ken Siems launches SIEMS TURFGRASS Consultancy Service and brings the world’s premier sand injection system, DRYJECT, to the UK and Ireland.

Siems Turfgrass LTD will operate two independent services available to golf courses, football clubs and all other grass sport surfaces.

Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

SIEMS TURFGRASS CONSULTANCY

Providing site-specific golf course management consulting, tailored to support clients in improving all aspects of their golf course maintenance, from improved budget management to course construction and renovation.

Turfgrass Management

Staffing/Budget Management

Project Management

Maintenance

Water Management

Environmental Management

Individual Customised Consultancy Packages

DRYJECT

Dryject is the world’s number one sand injection service that aerates, topdresses and amends in one pass, with playing surfaces ready within 1 hour after treatment. Dryject is routinely used at thousands of golf courses around the world and now Ken is excited to bring this unique service to the UK and Ireland.

DryJect uses a high-speed, water-based injection system to blast aeration holes through the root zone to fracture the soil. The patented vacuum technology simultaneously fills holes to the surface with high volumes of sand or amendment. This means you can relieve compaction, increase water infiltration, reach the root zone with oxygen and amend your soil with high volumes of material all at the same time.  Using wet or dry sand, DryJect leaves the surface smooth and playable which results in no negative loss to club revenue.

ABOUT KEN SIEMS

Ken Siems is an internationally recognised turfgrass specialist with over 40 years’ experience at the top end of the global golf industry, including Augusta National in the USA, Loch Lomond GC in Scotland and Pestovo GC in Russia.  His consultancy business, Siems Turfgrass Ltd, provides site specific golf course management consulting tailored to support clients in improving all aspects of their golf course maintenance, from improved budget management to course construction and renovation.

A graduate of the world renowned Turfgrass Management Programme at Pennsylvania State University, Ken’s journey in golf has led him to work in some of the most challenging conditions possible, from extreme rainfall, to extreme heat, ice and snow – sometimes all in the one day!  Despite what nature has thrown at him, his passion for managing turfgrass has never wavered and he has consistently delivered and exceeded owner/client expectations throughout his career. His extensive knowledge and experience gives him an enviable ability to determine the appropriate course of action for any site specific challenge.

A Certified Golf Course Superintendent with the GCSAA and also Master Greenkeeper with BIGGA, one of very few in the world to hold both certifications.  Ken previously held the position of Golf Course Superintendent/Director of Agronomy at several notable golf courses and projects worldwide, most notably, Islington GC (Canada), East Sussex National GC (England), Loch Lomond GC (Scotland), Jinhai Lake GC (China) and Pestovo GC (Russia).  He also spent time in the UAE honing his golf course construction skills  as Project Manager for Tanto International Golf.

CONTACT
Ken Siems

Tel: 00 44 7577 659 426

Email: kenjsiems@gmail.com

www.kensiems.com

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YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health

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YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health: Harrowden Turf is pleased to announce a new partnership with YANA – providers of rural mental health support. Early in 2021 a new Harrowden Turf delivery vehicle will feature YANA branding and will be seen across the country.

YANA provides practical guidance and confidential counselling to those in farming and rural businesses. Farming or working in the countryside is usually a good way of life but it can be a demanding and stressful occupation. Many people involved with agriculture can feel isolated, depressed or unable to cope.

YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health

YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health

One in five people in the UK will experience poor mental health so Harrowden Turf is working with YANA to emphasise that no-one who works in the rural economy is alone.

Harrowden Turf has adopted the YANA corporate identity one of its trucks which will cover more than 100,000 miles every year. The objective of the partnership is to make more people aware of the support that exists and which is focussed on the rural economy.

Stuart Ridd-Jones – Harrowden Turf Managing Director:

“If 2020 has taught us anything it is that we are stronger together and whilst all businesses have had to adapt to the pandemic those within rural businesses often work alone, can feel alone and struggle to access support services.”

Melinda Raker –YANA Patron:

“YANA is delighted to take to the road in this way. This Harrowden Turf vehicle with our logo and contact details will help to ‘drive’ home the message that there is practical help and advice available to improve rural mental health.”

For more information:

  1. Harrowden Turf and Turfonline Media Office please email marketing@harrowdenturf.co.uk or call 07980 568842

YANA – please email pr@yanahelp.org.uk or visit our website www.yanahelp.org.uk

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