New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

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New Reesink sales manager for Midlands: Daniel Tomberry is relocating to the Midlands from South West Scotland to take on the role of sales manager for the area.

Daniel has almost fifteen years’ experience in sports turf management in various roles including head groundsman at East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and three years sales experience working with all Reesink brands in Glasgow and West Scotland. It is this mix of sales set against a practical background ‘in the field’ that Daniel, and Reesink Turfcare equipment sales manager Alastair Rowell, say will benefit customers in the Midlands.

New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

Daniel comments: “My time in various greenkeeping positions and as a head groundsman has certainly enabled me to relate to customers in my sales role with Reesink over the last few years. It’s given me a practical understanding of what they want to achieve, and which products will best suit their needs.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Reesink in Scotland and I feel fortunate that my experience and sales record affords me this new opportunity to work with Reesink customers in the Midlands. I’m excited about making a new home in the area and look forward to carrying on the good relationships the company has with existing customers and creating new ones with those who have not benefited from fantastic brands such as Toro before.”

Daniel’s role covers both fine turf and grounds customers and turfcare equipment sales manager Alastair says Daniel is ideal to cover both markets: “The Midlands is a key area for us, so it was imperative we get the right person in the role. The remit includes all turfcare customers from golf clubs and sports venues, to local authorities and contractors, which matches with Daniel’s experience to date. He not only understands sales, but also the pressures and requirements of all those working in the turfcare sector. I believe he is a strong replacement for our open sales area.”

Daniel can be contacted via Reesink HQ from 1 November on 01480 226800.

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Greensward supporting local clubs

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Greensward supporting local clubs: A southwest contractor is doing his part to help clubs at all levels come through turbulent times

Andy Boyce, Director of Greensward sports consultancy, based in Bath, says if pitches are playable for whatever part of the season that remains, then officials can more easily focus on business matters and financial survival.

Greensward supporting local clubs

Greensward supporting local clubs

“Every effort must be taken to ensure surfaces are optimal prior to Christmas. Effective deep aeration and recovery time will rejuvenate turf in preparation for the coldest and wettest part of winter that lies ahead.

“We’re keeping our rates as keen as we can and supporting existing customers who are having it tough. When halted matches are able to resume we want everyone to get back into their sport and start enjoying life again,” he said.

A former greenkeeper for 15 years, nine of those as Course Manager at The Bath GC, Andy set up Greensward in 2008.

“A background in golf genuinely does prepare you for most turfing matters; all the H&S protocols transfer across and experience of dealing with committees comes in handy. I just fancied steering my career in a slightly different direction with more renovation and construction projects.  Gradually we’ve built to a team of eight and we have a lot of repeat business.

“Aeration is probably the most significant intervention you can make to a turf surface to keep it healthy.  I’ve been in the industry 30 years and I don’t think anything has come along to surpass the effect of deep aeration.  In the early days, as an apprentice greenkeeper, the contractor would come in once a year and spike your greens but gradually more and more golf courses have access to their own machine.

“Regular aeration is vital for rugby, football and cricket outfields. Much of our work is for local clubs, we’ve probably aerated nearly 30 different sites across October, then there are maintenance contracts for schools and for Parish Councils.

“We use a Wiedenmann Terra Spike XF8 paired to New Holland T495 tractor which covers it out perfectly and has the right amount of power. We spike a full size pitch to a depth of 220 mm in less than three hours, which suits us fine as much of the ground is bult on stone with fairly  shallow rootzone.

“Across 2019 there was huge amounts of rainfall and lying water; when the rain started it never seemed to stop.  But in this part of the world, the weather here has been kinder, so this season’s winter maintenance on a firmer footing. But it’s still a bit of a patience game doing spiking in the right conditions. When the prevailing conditions are right you need to take full advantage.” said Andy Boyce.

GreenSward can be contacted on 07972 630518 info@greenswardsports.co.uk

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Irrigation control made easy

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Irrigation control made easy: Reesink Turfcare is the new and exclusive distributor of two new irrigation 2-wire controllers, the SRC Ranger 4000 D and the SRC Grower 6000 D. Both deliver all the control you need for your irrigation system while keeping things simple yet effective.

Web-based for mobile, PC or stand-alone, these ‘boxes on a wall’ are a cost-effective, uncomplicated irrigation solution, according to Robert Jackson, water division sales manager for Reesink Turfcare, which also stocks Toro’s irrigation control systems, sprinklers and wireless technology and Otterbine pond and lake aerators: “These decoder-based 2-wire systems are straight-forward to install and use, but deliver great results,” he says.

Irrigation control made easy

Irrigation control made easy

“The Ranger has a scheduling capacity of 1-100 stations with also 10 programmes and can operate up to 12 stations simultaneously and run 10 programmes concurrently. It’s ideal for sports venues and training pitches where lower numbers of stations are required across a single visible area.”

The roll call of the Ranger’s benefits includes flow sensor capability including various alarm options, flow management with the stacking of up to 10 simultaneous programmes and a 14-day calendar run of odd or even days. It’s also fully ET capable with local and remote weather stations.

SRC is a global provider of irrigation system controls and Reesink Turfcare is delighted to be bringing the Ranger, which is described by the company as a ‘best-in-class’ controller, to the UK and Ireland. Robert continues: “Less cabling means installation is straight-forward, but there’s the option to expand later if needed giving the product longevity. For customers who need less of the reporting and detailed irrigation and are looking for a relatively simple controller that does not require a PC with multiple interaction options, but instead a wall-mounted controller that offers programmes and a more on/off approach, then this is the one for you.”

The Grower meanwhile has a scheduling capacity of up to 200 stations and can operate up to 15 stations and five pumps simultaneously and run 10 programmes. It has flow sensor capability including various alarm options and can be used via a mobile or PC.

Robert concludes: “Both these products are a perfect fit for our product portfolio, filling a gap for easy to use, simple to install, box on the wall irrigation solutions. They’re sold as seen and in stock for immediate dispatch to our customers.”

To find out more about the SRC Ranger 4000 D and SRC Grower 6000, contact Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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New way to find best pre-owned Toro machines

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New way to find best pre-owned Toro machines: Reesink Turfcare has created an online nationwide network providing access to the best used Toro machinery available in the UK.

Ree.Own, the newly launched service accessible online at reeown.co.uk gives customers the chance to browse, compare prices and match budgets on a range of machines that are guaranteed to have less than 3000 hours use on the clock, have been used for less than seven years and been through a multipoint check by trained technicians.

New way to find best pre-owned Toro machines

New way to find best pre-owned Toro machines

Alastair Rowell, UK sales manager – turfcare equipment at Reesink, says the team has been working towards a single point of call for all the best used machinery for some time and this is the culmination of that work: “For some time we’ve wanted to be able to provide customers with a single source for all used machinery within our dealer network and now we can.

“Now more than ever, there are so many reasons to buy used machinery and this type of machinery access in this sector has been all but unobtainable. We have hundreds of used machines a year that qualify, to sell, coming in, through dealers and off lease programmes. We have a team dedicated to the servicing and preparation of these machines to ensure they are customer-ready and the distribution network to do that now.”

Every machine receives a rigorous multipoint inspection by a team of trained technicians, looking at everything from the engine and cooling system, hydraulics and electrical system, steering and brakes, chassis, fuel system, transmission and final drives, wheels and tyres, cutting units (cylinder or rotary) and the operator’s platform and control. This is as well as regrinding and cleaning.

Alastair continues: “By the time we have finished, the machines are mechanically sound and ready to perform. Our branch locations and authorised dealers have years of training and experience working specifically with Toro machines and this gives customers peace of mind, especially when they know back-up is there should it be required.”

All machines are provided with a minimum 90 day warranty and longer in many cases, and as well as back-up, replacement parts aren’t a problem either. Reesink holds 15,000 genuine Toro parts, all of which are available for delivery at 24 hours’ notice anywhere in the UK, just as if you had a new Toro machine. Plus, a further 12,000 fast-moving lines are housed at the European distribution centre with 48-hour delivery and all other parts are available from Toro HQ in Minneapolis within 72-hours, ensuring minimum downtime.

Alastair concludes: “We wanted to create a place where customers could buy used Toro machines with the utmost confidence, and there’s no better place for that than with Ree.Own, through UK and Ireland’s exclusive Toro distribution network. This set-up means more customers can benefit from the quality of cut, precision engineering and innovation that comes with a Toro and that is hugely important to us.”

Visit reeown.co.uk, the UK’s only used Toro professional turf machinery network.

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Steve Braddock enters the GMA Hall of Fame

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Steve Braddock enters the GMA Hall of Fame: The Ground Management Association (GMA) today announced that Steve Braddock, Head of Grounds Management at the Arsenal Football Club training centre, enters its industry Hall of Fame.

Steve becomes the second recipient of the award, joining the late Eddie Seward MBE who is the former Head Groundsman at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club. Steve has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to sports turf management across professional football, including his innovation and leadership that has helped attract new talent and upskill other grounds staff.

Steve Braddock enters the GMA Hall of Fame

Steve Braddock enters the GMA Hall of Fame

Steve’s influence has also fast-forwarded the careers of many professional sports turf managers maintaining professional sports surfaces across the globe, and he has also supported many grounds volunteers and communities in his work so far.

Steve found himself “in a state of shock” when informed that he has entered the GMA Hall of Fame, especially “considering the contribution that Eddie Seward made to the sector over the course of his career”.

Steve said: “I would of never have been able to achieve this without the backing of Arsenal Football Club, John Beattie and Arsène Wenger. They showed incredible belief in all I do, which has enabled me to raise the influence of grounds management and also train and mentor staff in the way I felt right. Of course, I also want to pay tribute to all the past employees, colleagues and suppliers who made my career possible”.

In more ordinary circumstances, the GMA would be hosting its annual industry awards this month at its trade exhibition, SALTEX, however the organisation has taken the decision to postpone both the event and the awards. Despite this, the GMA is adding positive news to the agenda by celebrating Steve’s remarkable impact and industry influence.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA explained that “it didn’t feel right to hold the GMA awards and judge grounds staff for their efforts this year, given the impact of the pandemic.”

“This year, grounds staff across the UK have had to contend with more than just the weather and budgets. The role of those who have the incredible skill and dedication when maintaining turf and making sport possible must not be ignored. We have exciting activity in the pipeline to celebrate everyone in our fantastic industry, across all levels, which we will be announcing in the coming months.”

Speaking about Steve’s award Geoff continued: “I am very honoured to add Steve to the GMA’s Hall of Fame. Steve is an inspiration to many in the sector and this unique honour is thoroughly deserved. Both Steve and his colleagues at Arsenal have constantly pushed the boundaries of what was possible, and their high-quality pitches are clear for all to see.”

Whilst working from home has been far from ideal for Steve, he still enjoys his “once-a-week dawn raid” where he can enjoy a peaceful walk around his pitches and maintain his fitness levels. Speaking about the honour, Steve said: “I will be forever grateful for such a nice and kind gesture at this very difficult time in my life.”

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