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Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

March 13, 2026/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet: One of the world’s most prestigious polo venues has revealed how it relies on a versatile fleet of M4, M5 and M6 tractors, alongside four RTV-X1110 utility vehicles from Kubota. Based in Windsor Great Park, Guards Polo Club hosted more than 750 games in its 2025 season […]

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

March 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight: Selected attendees of the 2025 GroundsFest Academy events were recently given a unique opportunity: a behind-the-scenes experience day at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal F.C. The day offered a CPD-accredited, practical insight into the operations, challenges, and expertise involved in managing a world-class playing surface and stadium environment. Led […]

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

March 13, 2026/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

March 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

March 13, 2026/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet: One of the world’s most prestigious polo venues has revealed how it relies on a versatile fleet of M4, M5 and M6 tractors, alongside four RTV-X1110 utility vehicles from Kubota.

Based in Windsor Great Park, Guards Polo Club hosted more than 750 games in its 2025 season which was only possible thanks to a monumental team effort and the Kubota equipment which is at the heart of every element of polo field preparation.

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

Guards Polo is comprised of three sites and ten full-size polo fields, playing host to some of the highest levels of polo including frequent high goal tournaments. Regularly welcoming distinguished and royal players, the packed calendar from mid-April to mid-September places immense pressure on both the equipment and team of ten. Leading that team since March, is Grounds Manager Paul Brown.

“Our Kubota tractors are the heartbeat of our operations” Paul explains. “Whether we’re mowing, verti-draining or moving irrigation from field to field, we depend on these tractors.”

Paul was pleased to see a new suite of tractors, installed and supported by local dealers Lister Wilder on his arrival at Guards – put straight to work on one of the busiest seasons in the club’s history. “The two M4-073’s and two M5-112’s are the perfect blend of power and manoeuvrability, while our M6-142 picks up where the others finish, handling the heavier implements and largest-scale tasks across the farm and polo grounds.”

“They’ve stood up to every test, providing comfort and simplicity of operation for the team which is crucial given the intensity of our schedule” he adds.

With three separate sites and distances of several mile between them, the road-registered RTV-X1110s have also become indispensable – relied upon daily for transport, movement of tools and materials and general ground support. “The safety, speed and versatility of these four RTV’s is invaluable.”

Kubota’s reputation for reliability and durability was central to the club’s decision to renew its fleet earlier this year. Paul says, “Many of the machines these replaced had clocked up more than 15 years and thousands of hours of service. For us, Kubota strikes the perfect balance of dependability, performance and cost-effectiveness.”

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GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

March 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight: Selected attendees of the 2025 GroundsFest Academy events were recently given a unique opportunity: a behind-the-scenes experience day at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal F.C. The day offered a CPD-accredited, practical insight into the operations, challenges, and expertise involved in managing a world-class playing surface and stadium environment.

Led by Paul Ashcroft, Head of Horticulture & Playing Surface Operations for Arsenal F.C, the morning kicked off with an immersive programme designed to give attendees a full picture of what it takes to maintain a top-tier football pitch.

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

Participants explored turf management in a stadium setting, internal facilities and groundstaff operations, as well as the tools, machinery, and materials critical to daily work. Matchday preparation and pitch inspections were part of the agenda, alongside deep dives into pitch construction, drainage, irrigation, grass species, microclimates, lighting rigs, and renovations.

The session also addressed integrated weed management and strategies for balancing wear during matches, training, and other events.

Attendees continued to be guided through the day by Paul, with tours of the facilities and a pitch walk giving practical insight into the precision, planning, and teamwork required to maintain a stadium to professional standards.

For attendee Finlay Wiggins, the day offered a rare insight into elite-level pitch preparation:

“It was fascinating to see the specialist equipment up close and understand how each machine plays a vital role in maintaining top-level playing conditions. We also discussed the importance of communication with coaches, balancing their training demands with the need to protect the surface. It really was a fantastic experience.”

Esteve Sanchez was another participant who found the experience beneficial:

“Opportunities like this are not only inspiring but essential for professionals passionate about the craft behind elite-level playing surfaces. Seeing firsthand what it takes to prepare and protect a surface at the highest level truly reinforces the importance of continuous learning and professional development within the grounds industry. Experiences like this allow us to connect theory with practice, exchange ideas, and elevate our technical knowledge.

Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many more opportunities like this in the future.”

And for greenkeeper Steven Connolly, stepping outside his own environment offered fresh perspective:

“It’s always valuable to step outside your own environment and see how another top-tier operation approaches their work. You’re never too experienced to keep learning, and spending time with some of the very best in the turf industry was both insightful and motivating. I came away with ideas and perspectives that I can take back to my own team, which is exactly what these days are all about.”

Bradley Tennant, Director of Education for GroundsFest Academy, reflected on the experience:

“It was a day that won’t be forgotten – spending time behind the scenes with selected attendees of our 2025 events was incredible. Huge thanks to Arsenal F.C and Paul Ashcroft for making this opportunity possible. Keep an eye out for future experience days.”

The GroundsFest Academy Emirates experience offered an unforgettable day of learning, inspiration, and networking, a reminder of the depth, skill, and dedication required to keep stadium pitches at the very highest standard.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet: One of the world’s most prestigious polo venues has revealed how it relies on a versatile fleet of M4, M5 and M6 tractors, alongside four RTV-X1110 utility vehicles from Kubota.

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

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