Ganton goes green with Deere

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Ganton goes green with Deere: One of the world’s top 80 courses, Ganton Golf Club in the Vale of Pickering ranks among the very best of Britain’s inland courses.

It has played host to many amateur and professional tournaments, including the Walker Cup in 2003 – so joining Royal Birkdale, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield and Royal Lytham & St Annes as one of only four venues to have also staged the Curtis Cup and Ryder Cup matches.

Ganton goes green with Deere

Ganton goes green with Deere

Ganton will also be hosting an England v France International Match in May this year, and is scheduled to host the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy and also the R&A Womens and Girls Home Internationals in 2021. The sandy, gently undulating site was once a North Sea inlet, so it has all the characteristics of both a links and a heathland course. Another striking feature is over 100 bunkers, some huge in size.

Head greenkeeper Andrew West says he has always had a vision of opening up more areas of the course to give it more of a links feel, and he is now beginning to achieve this more effectively since the club invested in a new set of John Deere hybrid electric E-Cut mowers. These were supplied by dealer F G Adamson & Son on a five-year finance lease deal with annual repayments from John Deere Financial.

“We’ve got some very challenging undulations here and around two hectares of aprons and collars altogether, which really can’t be managed with triples,” Andrew explains. “But with quite a low height of cut required at 7mm on these areas during the playing season, this was proving difficult to achieve with our previous five-gang mowers and we were always struggling to hold the cuts.

“However, I always felt we could do this job better and in a reasonable time frame with the right machine, so we spoke to our course consultant Gordon Irvine and he really influenced our thinking. Both he and the STRI’s head of agronomy Alistair Beggs encouraged us to consider following Royal Birkdale’s example, noting improvements to the course presentation and finish and complimenting the contribution John Deere’s 8000AE PrecisionCut fairway mower had made there.”

Following an extensive review and evaluation of the different manufacturers’ machines, the club opted for a John Deere package deal from Adamsons and the new hybrid mower fleet now includes two 8000AEs as well as two 2500E triplex and three 220E walk-behind greens mowers. These were joined by a 4049R compact tractor with front loader, two HPX diesel and two TE electric Gator utility vehicles, as well as a Charterhouse Verti-Drain 7416 aerator and top dresser.

“The whole team was involved in the process and John Deere scored the best in our view,” says Andrew. “In addition to all the course demonstrations that Adamsons organised, we visited Royal Birkdale and spoke to friends and other contacts in the industry, to see what they thought.

“The club rightly expects us to be accountable for our decisions, and to see improvements as a result of the investment in any new machinery. Reliable dealer service and parts support has to be there too, and knowing this was behind the deal also made our final decision easier.”

Another important element of the deal for Andrew and his team was the effort made by John Deere and Adamsons to deliver the quality of finish the club was looking for, as well as provide full training to the greens and workshop staff.

“Machine optimisation was the key focus, working closely and extensively with the club to identify the right machines and set them up exactly the way they wanted them by trying out different specifications and configurations,” says John Deere territory manager Marcus Morris. “Together with the dealership, we try our hardest to do what the customer needs and deliver on our promises.”

“The finance deal really helped a lot too,” says Andrew West. “Ganton has traditionally bought all its equipment outright, but this has probably held the club back from adopting the latest technology, and we’re really keeping up with the times now. For any club it’s amazing what John Deere Financial can do – this deal helped us to buy a JCB digger and the Verti-Drain. It was an extremely cost-effective way of purchasing our new equipment.

“I’m also convinced we’re saving money using the new E-Cut hybrid electric mowers, which provide both fuel savings and reduced noise levels. Overall, you can have the best agronomic advice in the world, but if you haven’t got the right equipment with the latest technology, it doesn’t necessarily work. Having started the process, I believe there’s a good future for John Deere at this club.”

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Relief fund for Ciara victims

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Relief fund for Ciara victims: Storm damaged pitches and facilities could be back in use sooner than expected thanks to a new emergency flood relief fund from Sport England.

The effects of Storm Ciara are still being fully assessed but, in an attempt to rectify the damage as soon as possible, local authorities and community sports organisations are being invited to apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to pay for emergency repairs.

Gale force winds and torrential rain have left pitches, pavilions and floodlights in a state of disrepair, with Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire among the worst-hit areas.

The grants, which will come from the Community Asset Fund, can be provided in as little as three weeks. But chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, has highlighted where attentions should be focused.

“When flooding happens, the priority must be making sure people are safe, they can get back into their homes and vital public services are back up and running,” he said.

“But we know from the floods in 2013 and 2015 that flood water can cause significant damage to sports pitches and pavilions, changing and social facilities.

“We’re making emergency funding available now so when the time is right sports organisations can pay for rebuilds and repairs quickly.

“We want to ensure that the sports facilities in local communities that help keep people physically active are not forgotten in the floods so they are ready to use as soon as people want them.”

The grants could typically be used to restore grass pitches, to repair and decontaminate flood or wind-damaged clubhouses, replace damaged electrical systems or dredge blocked drains.

The Community Asset Fund was designed to help communities quickly respond to emergencies or unexpected events that stop people from being active.

From damaged sports club roofs to areas hit by flood damage, our team aims to provide quick responses to those most badly affected.

Yorkshire Sport Foundation chief executive officer Nigel Harrison said his organisation is working with local authorities, national governing bodies and partner organisations in the west and south of the county to assess the full extent of the damage.

“The impact is far reaching and covers large parts of the area,” he said. “We welcome Sport England’s early intervention, and we look forward to working with them to help get the affected clubs and facilities up and running again as soon as possible.”

Organisations that need assistance with their application should contact the Funding line.

While guidance on dealing with both the aftermath of flooding and mitigating damage can be found on the sustainability page.

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Bobcat appoints new dealer

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Bobcat appoints new dealer: Bobcat has appointed Peterborough-based RTC Plant Services Ltd (www.rtcplant.com) as the new Authorised Bobcat dealer for Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire in the UK.

RTC is now responsible for sales and service of the market-leading range of Bobcat skid-steer, compact track and all-wheel steer loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers and attachments in the construction, rental, landscaping and industrial markets in the three counties.

Bobcat appoints new dealer

Bobcat appoints new dealer

Tom Calton, Managing Director of RTC Plant Services Ltd, said: “As one of the region’s largest independent sales, parts and service dealers, we bring a lot of local knowledge, expertise, experience and enthusiasm to selling and supporting the Bobcat range in these areas. Both I and my fellow Director, Dave Ellis, who heads up the sales side,  believe there are many fantastic opportunities to expand sales for Bobcat in this region in construction and rental markets as well as many other areas.”

A New University and Good Prospects

The fact that RTC has already been able to complete several sales of Bobcat mini-excavators so soon after being appointed bears this out – with a number of existing customers switching to Bobcat from other brands.

With the go-ahead being given for its first university to be built in the embankment area of Peterborough and new developments in infrastructure and other sectors, prospects are good not only in Peterborough, but also in the university city of Cambridge. Similar developments are underway and being proposed in towns such as Northampton and Corby in Northamptonshire and in Bedford and St Neots in Bedfordshire.

Ewen Gilchrist, Network Development Manager UK & Nordics for Doosan Bobcat EMEA, said: “From their outstanding facilities in the centre of Peterborough combined with good transport links, we are confident that RTC will provide the best possible service for both new and existing Bobcat customers in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. RTC has great local knowledge and a drive and passion for the Bobcat range that can only bring further success.”

The RTC 1996 Group: There’s Nothing We Can’t Service or Repair

Formed in 1996, RTC Plant Services is part of the group, RTC 1996 Ltd, along with its sister companies, RTC Hire Ltd and RTC Groundcare Ltd. Starting from a one man in a van business, RTC has grown rapidly into a highly professional organisation, supplying customers within a 100-mile radius of Peterborough.

As well as the Bobcat range of machines and attachments, RTC also offers a full selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and parts to support both new and existing Bobcat customers in its area. This is backed up by a stock of both brand new and second hand Bobcat machines for sale. Customers also benefit from RTC’s on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance.

Tom Calton added: “We have four fully equipped service vans that allow our service engineers to visit customer’s premises and work sites throughout the region. We also have Class 2 trucks and other smaller lorries. From diggers to telehandlers, there’s nothing we can’t service or repair. Our fully equipped service department, with time served engineers, is more than capable of making sure that customers’ equipment is fully serviced and repaired.

“We also have a second to none parts department to cater for all parts requirements. With thousands of parts in stock, we can offer a prompt delivery service. Any parts that are not stocked we can usually get on an overnight service for dispatch the next day.”

The Bobcat Range

Bobcat offers 12 skid-steer loader models, complementing these wheeled machines with a selection of six compact track loaders.

The Bobcat mini-excavator range comprises 18 models with operating weights from 0.8 to 8.5 tonne, with the newest additions including the innovative R(Revolutionary)-Series models from 2-4 tonne.

The range of machines from Bobcat is completed by a choice of fifteen standard rigid frame telehandler models (as well as four models available as new Waste Expert telehandlers) and four rotary telehandlers, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 5.0 tonne and maximum lifting heights from 6.0 to 24.1 m.

For use with these machines and covering a massive array of applications, Bobcat offers a market-leading range of over 130 different families of attachments, from angle brooms, augers, breakers, buckets, snow blowers to planers, trenchers and wheelsaws.

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com

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Andrew de Wet joins Symbio

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Andrew de Wet joins Symbio: Andrew de Wet has been appointed by Symbio as Technical Sales Manager for the Midlands.

A former Golf Course Manager with a passion for sustainability and ecology, Andrew went on to launch a successful turf care and landscaping company before joining an organisation whose ethos and products he has long advocated. He is looking forward to working with a broad range of customers in his area which extends from Leicester to Birmingham, up to the Peak District and across South Yorkshire.

Andrew de Wet joins Symbio

Andrew de Wet joins Symbio

He comments, “Recognising that golf courses are such valuable urban ecosystems, good environmental stewardship was at the heart of everything I did as a greenkeeper. I committed to reducing inputs and with Symbio’s help I was able to, growing finer grasses in a healthier rootzone and redirecting that expenditure to other areas of the golf course. I’m looking forward to giving confidence and support to other turf managers looking to do the same.”

Established in 1990, Symbio was the first company to combine soil biology and chemistry to develop a range of industry-changing products, including Thatch Eater to convert thatch to plant food, mycorrhizal fungi to promote perennial grasses and in some cases more than halve fertiliser use; Liquid Aeration to oxygenate the rootzone, and compost teas to restore life to chemically damaged and compacted rootzones.

Andrew can be contacted on 07513 125554 and by email at andrew@symbio.co.uk

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The Revolution has arrived

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The revolution has arrived: MH Goals are proud to present our new lift and lower Revolution portable goal. With its 360° swivel wheel it’s been designed to go through narrow gates and accesses while still having the ability to be used on all playing surfaces.

The new Revolution goal is packed with features and has been designed not just for the top-flight clubs, but also for use at every level of the game. The goal itself is manufactured from our new reinforced aluminium section which is able to accommodate the lift and lower Revolution 360° wheels.

The Revolution has arrived

The Revolution has arrived

The in line Revolution 360⁰ wheel is able to lift the goal 60mm off the ground and due to its all-terrain solid wheels it can easily be used not only on synthetic surfaces, but also the most challenging grass pitches. The wheel mechanism is a triumph of simple yet effective design that enables the user to quickly lift and lower the goal with just a turn of the Revolution handle. What’s more this goal can also be used with our internal weight system, removing the need for any external anchorage. Like all of our aluminium goals the Revolution will use our Hold Fast net hook system ensuring your net stays safe, neat and tidy.

Matthew Harrod, Sales Director of MH Goals said, “The Revolution goal has been in development since 2018 and we’re delighted to now take the wraps off our first prototypes. Our overall aim for this 360° goal has been to design something that is just as usable on a synthetic pitch as a grass pitch, giving the user total flexibility.”

BTME 2020 was the first public outing for the lift and lower Revolution goal with further testing and development taking place at a number of table-topping Premier League clubs over the next few months. The Revolution will be available in all sizes from full sized to 5 a side, with the first production ready models ready for purchase in the spring.

The lift and lower Revolution is protected by Design Right No. 6081309 and Patent Pending No: GB1812267.1 (2018)

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