Ease, accuracy and time saving from Foley

/in , , /by

Ease, accuracy and time saving from Foley: Starnes Engineering has experienced the benefits of an automatic relief grind using the Foley Company 633 Accu-Pro.

The East Sussex company has been continually growing since it was started four years ago by ground care and agricultural engineer, Jamie Starnes, with grinding counting as a key service over that time.

Ease, accuracy and time saving from Foley

Ease, accuracy and time saving from Foley

Jamie has gathered a vast amount of grinding experience within the industry, including working as tournament support at the 2015 Open Championship at St Andrews, Wentworth and The Oval. During this time, he has used an array of grinders from various companies, but the Foley 633 Accu-Pro has proven the best he’s used for relief grinding.

“It’s just so user-friendly compared to anything else that I’ve used, and I’ve used quite a few different makes for myself and companies at different sites,” Jamie explained. “I think it’s just superb, really. It’s easy to use and set-up, and it’s accurate with it. And the fact its automated means you can leave it to it, so you’re gaining productivity time, and you’re not disappointed with the results.

“Relief grinding makes such a difference to the quality of cut and the general ware of the machine, units and grass itself. It’s a vital thing to do for anybody, but it is time-consuming with other machines compared to this one even with the units themselves. With different makes, you have to remove a lot of stuff from the unit like rear roller brushes for example, but on the Foley, you don’t have to strip down units and take things off, you can pretty much clamp and hold down any unit with anything still on it, which is another massive time-saving aspect.

“I was looking for something that was fully automated that would speed up the whole process, and something that could be set up quickly and easily that you can walk away from when possible to do other things and make use of the time. When I’ve used other grinders to relief grind, I’ve had to stand there and manually push and pull the machine through each individual blade whereas once the Foley is set up, you can leave it.

“Once you’ve set it up and you know the formula from having done a unit, and you’ve got another five, ten or however many left to do you can more or less put them in and run through them. We’ve had a lot of use out of the grinder since we got it in January – at least 40 units or more. It’s been used to grind Jacobsen, Toro and John Deere, so we’ve had a bit of everything. It is very simple to go between each brand. The machine is superb for simplicity and swapping between units. And not only for the positioning of the bench and stuff but other things like moving the motor drive from left to right. On other models, it’s actually quite a paraphernalia to move it all around, but with the electric motor you pick it up and move it from one side to the other, so it’s a vast improvement for ease and speed and everything like that.”

Several features on the 633 Accu-Pro combine to make it a reliable and straightforward grinder. The Accu-Touch 3 Control system provides a step by step tutorial for new technicians, while more experienced operators can use the system to tell the machine what they’re working on and it’ll do the rest. Automatic placement features, the Accu-Reel Selector and Cylinder Height Stop, automatically locate the reel for a fast and easy spin and relief grind in one set-up and work with the pre-set relief angles to provide the hands-free relief grinding Jamie has found so beneficial.

To experience the difference of the Accu-Pro 633 or other Foley Company models, contact ProSport UK Ltd at prosportukltd@gmail.com.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC

/in , , /by

Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC: A BLEC Multi-Seeder has improved both the speed and accuracy of overseeding at Scotland’s Kelso Golf Club.

With just Head Greenkeeper James Balmbro and an apprentice to maintain the 18-hole parkland course, the Multi-Seeder has improved the efficiency of their greens seeding programme, with a noticeable improvement in results.

Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC

Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC

Situated within the confines of Kelso racecourse in the Scottish Borders, overseeding is traditionally carried out twice a year across all of the club’s 18 greens. “Our manpower and available budget mean we focus on overseeding following both the spring and autumn renovation season” explains James, who has been at Kelso GC for five years. “Previously, we would simply broadcast seed by hand, or with a spreader, so it was important for us to find a way of making the process and end result more effective, to deliver the results we wanted to achieve.”

The BLEC Multi-Seeder features two, spiked ring rollers to saturate fine turf and amenity type areas with up to 1500 holes per square metre, ready to accept the seed. Re-engineered under the guidance of Redexim, it features a new seed ratio and seed feed system that offers the user incredibly accurate distribution for all seed types. “We’ve used some ultra-fine dwarf ryegrass in the latest operation, but have also had bent and fescue seed running through the Multi-Seeder without a problem. Within just 7-10 days, you can see the seed germinating from the dimple holes – the difference in the uptake we’ve achieved has been massive.”

“It’s a fantastic piece of kit that’s super easy to set up and adjust; so user-friendly in fact I’ve had our apprentice out there using it and he loves it! For us as a small greens team, operations all come down to time so the fact we can attach the unit straight to the tractor’s 3-point linkage and go, is great. We can get all of the greens done in one day with the Multi-Seeder and all without causing any disruption to the surface.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Interview greenkeeper Gary Cook

/in , , /by

Interview greenkeeper Gary Cook: Gary Cook, the head greenkeeper at Enmore Park Golf Club, admits that he is a fortunate man, writes Richard Walsh.

“I am lucky to be doing something that I always wanted to do and enjoy doing it as well, so I am very fortunate,” he says.

Cook was born into a golfing family in Scotland, as he explained: “My father played golf and where we were living near Glasgow I grew up next to a golf course.

“I started playing when I was seven or eight and enjoyed everything about it.

“I just loved that environment and that’s how it all came about.”

So how does he come to find himself at Enmore?

“We were looking for a change of environment and so started looking, and the vacancy at Enmore Park came up.

“I was lucky enough to get it – and 26 years on I am still here, so it’s all worked out pretty well for us.

“We settled in and love everything about the area. Somerset’s a lovely county and has got such a lot to offer.”

Under Cook’s watch of more than a quarter of a century there have been a number of changes at Enmore.

“Since I have been here the course has developed and a lot of the trees have matured and are starting to make a difference,” he said.

“The thing about the golf course is that it’s ongoing and always developing, so never finished.

“There is always something to be done and something that you want to do – that’s the beauty of what I’m lucky enough to be doing.”

“I just loved that environment and that’s how it all came about.”

So how does he come to find himself at Enmore?

“We were looking for a change of environment and so started looking, and the vacancy at Enmore Park came up.

“I was lucky enough to get it – and 26 years on I am still here, so it’s all worked out pretty well for us.

“We settled in and love everything about the area. Somerset’s a lovely county and has got such a lot to offer.”

Under Cook’s watch of more than a quarter of a century there have been a number of changes at Enmore.

“Since I have been here the course has developed and a lot of the trees have matured and are starting to make a difference,” he said.

“The thing about the golf course is that it’s ongoing and always developing, so never finished.

“There is always something to be done and something that you want to do – that’s the beauty of what I’m lucky enough to be doing.”

What had been the highlight of his time at Enmore?

“When I look back I think that when we had the English Ladies here was the highlight because it gave us championship status – the first here and a great accolade for the club.”

What difference had the coronavirus lockdown made to his job?

“I think the biggest difference is that we are maintaining the surfaces rather than preparing them.

“We are here to maintain Enmore as a golf course so that when it does re-open again it is still here.

“We are running with a smaller staff just to keep on top of the cutting.

“We are not allowed to start anything new; the only construction projects you can work on are those that were started before the lockdown.”

When the lockdown is lifted and golf can re-commence, how long would it be before Enmore members could start to play again?

“We could open as a golf course within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead but, to get things back to where we would normally like to be, it will take us a couple of weeks.

“I’m looking forward to getting the members back onto the golf course again and enjoying themselves.”

Gary is a keen golfer himself, currently playing off a handicap of four, and he added: “That’s the lowest that I have ever been but of course the challenge is always to try to get lower.

“We all want it to be lower and in my case it’s not for lack of trying!”

Click here to read the original article

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Save time and money with OneShot

/in , /by

Save time and money with OneShot: The OneShot range of products from Indigrow have been developed to maximise return on investment for the turf manager. The highly concentrated formulation requires minimal storage space, reduces transport cost and environmental impact and helps save time due to their excellent tank-mix-ability.

The ‘OneShot’ Range

  • A wide range of options
  • Supplied in easy-to-use, pre-measured, no mess sachets
  • Highly cost effective
  • Fully tank mix compatible
  • Improve turf health
  • Less storage space required – no more large 20lt/200lt drums
  • Reduced packaging waste
  • Fewer transport emissions
Save time and money with OneShot

Save time and money with OneShot

What’s In The Range?

  1. Compass Bio-Active OneShot – concentrated seaweed extract – a plant stimulant and soil conditioner in the form of a pure seaweed liquid, manufactured from Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed using gentle spray drying technology to avoid excessive thermal degradation
  2. Humik NPK OneShot – NPK 15-5-15 with humic & fulvic acid – the humic and fulvic acids will help to encourage microbial growth and support all round soil fertility and health
  3. Solar Pro-Active OneShot – phosphite foliar feed – a truly foliar feed, high in phosphite, designed to help dramatically reduce plant stress during the summer months
  4. Fusion Tracer OneShot – trace element package – a liquid trace element package and has been developed to include a wide range of micronutrients
  5. Turbine Amino OneShot – amino acid package – containing 35% of plant available free L-amino acids, which, when applied to plants suffering from environmental stress can help improve turf health and quality
  6. Turbine Humate OneShot – humic and fulvic acids – aids in the breakdown of toxins and directly reduces the plants uptake of toxins. It also directly encourages microbial growth, of both flora and fauna, which add to general soil fertility and health
  7. Magnum Forty-Four OneShot – penetrant wetting agent – offers economical yet superior turf wetting and water penetration on hydrophobic soils. It can be used to aid the spread and penetration of foliar fertilisers

  8. Save time and money with OneShot

    Save time and money with OneShot

More information these and our other products can be found on our website: www.indigrow.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

/in , /by

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan: Campey Turf Care Systems is putting plans in place to safely reintroduce the team over the next few weeks that will still strictly adhere to government social distancing guidelines.

As an industry that contains essential workers, meeting the needs of customers has been vital. At Campey this has been carried out with the safety of staff, customers and any potential people they may come into contact with as a priority and is the primary consideration of the reintroduction plan.

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

Like many other companies, Campey has been operating with a skeleton staff at the main office to provide customers with key parts and tines and has stopped all demos because transporting machines to various sites cannot be classed as essential travel. During this time the understanding from customers that orders may be slightly delayed has been fantastic as has the understanding that demos aren’t necessary at this time, with any future demos requested set to be fulfilled when it is safe to do so.

Where customers have deemed it essential, machinery has been available for collection at the main office using a well thought out routine that eliminates the need for personal contact. Using this as a basis, Campey is confident that as the government guidelines are changed, they will be ready without delay.

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.