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BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A

November 10, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Karl Hansell

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association has established a formal relationship with the RSPB and The R&A’s partnership that will see the association explore collaborative opportunities to increase awareness and support for biodiversity conservation on golf courses. The greenkeeper association’s relationship with the RSPB and The […]

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

November 10, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Richard Fry

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!: Craig Earnshaw, course manager at Harleyford GC in Buckinghamshire is a man on a mission and has been fast to embrace the modern approach to managing, communicating and training that today’s advancing technology can offer. Communicating daily tasks to the team was always a fundamental activity practised by […]

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A

November 10, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Karl Hansell

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

November 10, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Richard Fry

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A

November 10, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Karl Hansell

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association has established a formal relationship with the RSPB and The R&A’s partnership that will see the association explore collaborative opportunities to increase awareness and support for biodiversity conservation on golf courses.

The greenkeeper association’s relationship with the RSPB and The R&A will help facilitate mainstream wildlife conservation on golf courses, by promoting best practice and providing inspiration for greenkeeping teams who would like to promote biodiversity at their golf facilities. RSPB Business Conservation Advisor Dr Marie Athorn will present at BIGGA educational events including its flagship event, Continue to Learn, and offer help and advice for greenkeeping teams to make the most of the opportunities for the promotion of ecology on their golf courses.

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A

The relationship and the BIGGA platform will also be used to raise awareness and encourage participation in partnership case studies and research, such as trialling management of nature-based solutions. BIGGA will also support the RSPB and The R&A in achieving the partnership’s goals by providing support whenever possible, such as by hosting guidance notes on the BIGGA website.

James Hutchinson, BIGGA’s Membership Services Manager for Ecology and Sustainability, said: “We consider this relationship to be of tremendous importance as BIGGA, The R&A and the rest of the golf industry seeks to alter the perception of those who believe golf courses as detrimental to the environment. Golf courses constitute large areas of mixed habitats, from areas of trees, heathland, wildflower meadows, wetland habitat and even bunkers and, as such, they play a hugely important role in preserving the UK’s under threat wildlife species.

“Turf professionals everywhere have an awareness of their role as stewards of the wider landscape and we’re looking forward to working closely with The R&A and RSPB to promote best practice and in turn provide more habitats for Britain’s wildlife to enjoy alongside the nation’s golfers.”

Dr Marie Athorn, RSPB Business Conservation Officer, said: “It is great that BIGGA are giving their full support to the partnership between the RSPB and The R&A. The partnership, funded by The R&A, has a fantastic opportunity to encourage and facilitate nature conservation on golf courses. With the support of organisations like BIGGA the partnership can reach the passionate and knowledgeable greenkeepers across the UK to showcase the amazing work they are already doing for nature and provide the expertise to those who want to start on their journey to helping nature on their golf course.

“With over 3,000 golf courses in the UK the golf industry is in an amazing position to support nature conservation on a landscape scale. With many golf courses being located in close proximity to densely populated areas, golf courses, if well managed for nature, can provide connectivity across an increasingly urban landscape. Regional BIGGA networks provide an exciting opportunity for golf courses and their greenkeepers to work together to support nature, whether that be a particular species in decline or to restore habitat that supports common and rare species alike.”

Steve Isaac, The R&A’s Director – Sustainability, said: “The partnership between The R&A and the RSPB has set out a number of key work areas that will contribute towards the protection of habitats and wildlife on golf courses across the UK. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the health benefits golfers and other users of golf courses gain from enjoying recreation surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. However, the aims of the partnership will only prove successful and enhance the natural value of golf courses if they are delivered on the ground. Greenkeepers will, obviously, play a vital role in this and the relationship between the partnership and BIGGA provides exciting opportunities we all have for golf and nature. We are delighted that BIGGA has joined this initiative and feel that this reflects the values that many greenkeepers put into practice as the custodians of wildlife on our golf courses.”

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A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

November 10, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Richard Fry

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!: Craig Earnshaw, course manager at Harleyford GC in Buckinghamshire is a man on a mission and has been fast to embrace the modern approach to managing, communicating and training that today’s advancing technology can offer.

Communicating daily tasks to the team was always a fundamental activity practised by Craig but he felt that this could not only be improved but made more relevant in the digital age where everyone has a mobile phone and many have tablets. Craig’s aim was never to replace the daily verbal brief, however, when looking at digital software systems and what they can offer, the digital whiteboard aspect and the power of reporting and communicating remotely was an area of significant interest. Having looked at various options, Craig decided TurfKeeper offered exactly what he was looking for and saw that the system offered a major leap forward in complementing what he was doing on a verbal, face to face or messaging on a whiteboard basis. On a more personal note Craig says “the system has helped his communication as he is dyslexic and no longer has to rely on his deputy to write up his instructions on the white board” He continues, “This harnessing of digital technology benefits him as a manager, his team and therefore ultimately the club.”

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

To start with, a large screen TV was installed in the clubs new maintenance facility and with the use of the digital whiteboard feature the day’s pre-plan activity can be done online and displayed. This is then is keyed into the system and displayed on the TV so the whole team can see what has been assigned; any key notes, machinery and stock to be used is also displayed as well as the weather forecast and such important direction of cut details for any area are to mowed.

“A key to success of this system” states Craig, “has been the staff ‘buy in’ and them seeing the benefits beyond the traditional whiteboard and pen. It also offers the ability to view the tasks out on the course via the phone and this has not just increased efficiency and productivity, but has been a real game changer during the Covid-19 crisis.”

Craig continues, “Using the TurfKeeper system, we have been able to plan and communicate from a far. The team can log onto the system and know what task or activity is required even before they arrive at work, in some cases even before they leave home!

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

Avoiding close contact during this pandemic is a must and by utilising modern technology such as this, we have been able to work around it. If I am out on the course and forget to add anything or maybe a new task has cropped up, the web based TurfKeeper technology allows the inputting of a task via the phone and have it appear on everyone else’s, including also the jobs board.”

The TurfKeeper ethos is directed towards the modern, digital, web-based way of planning, recording and communicating. There is nothing wrong with a paper diary and handwriting, but when you need quick fire information to fan out the flames, the digital approach delivers with speed and ease.

Craig continues, “Take for example the pre-Covid-19 situation. Seven staff members working 40 Hrs per week at a total of 280 Hrs. In a usual year, bunkers need daily raking, greens rolled 2-3 times per week, empting bins, ball washer and moving tee blocks prior to cutting and all that jazz. And oh yes…..of course…working around the golf!. When all the aforementioned is factored in, this takes a huge amount of time, and hence the good reason why we need all the staff.

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

“Now cue Furlough…no need to cut daily, certainly minimal to zero rolling or bunker raking. No course furniture to move or service in the way of bins and ball washers, and oh yes…….no golfers. Never have courses been easier to maintain in terms of bare minimum and cutting. No golf to work around, so less waiting time and the result….cutting the time in half it usually takes to mow most of the areas. Cue now to the inquisitions….do we need that many staff members? Course looks good to me and there is only 3 of you. what did you do with all those labour hours before?

“These are not unreasonable question to be fair”, comments Craig. “We are lucky in the fact that staff numbers have not been brought into question. I did get asked how come we can get everything cut with only 3 staff but it was a light hearted comment. None the less, that is where the advent of modern technology plays it part. Unlike a traditional paper diary, I can just enter a date range, click a button and the data instantly; all the labour hours, costs, effort, stock used etc. Looking through the reports, I can balance off last year v this year and communicate to the board exactly where all of the hours go, as the reports detail every last task. It’s very clear to see how long bunkers took this year v last year or even identify work that hasn’t needed to be done. It really helps to hammer home the facts.”

“So to sum it all up, it’s quite simple for me” states Craig. “I rely heavily on irrigation software system, digital moisture meters and various other technological tools to monitor surface performance, so why not also other aspect of the job?

TurfKeeper allows me to extend the technological side of management and communication but in addition, the planning, budgeting, stock control, machinery maintenance and reporting. Such a system is a valuable asset and working example of the technology we should all be embracing in the modern age in which we now operate.”

The greenkeeping team at Harleyford Golf Club in Buckinghamshire won the 2019 BIGGA Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year award for its incredible performance in preparing the course for The Matchroom Sport Championship.

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

TurfKeeper is a web based management system that provides turf industry professionals a fully integrated operations and management solution. Designed by turf industry professionals, the system, in a completely personalised, single environment, provides complete control over and insight into staff management, task planning, machinery management, inventory control, chemical applications planning and recording, and budgeting & expense management. With detailed reporting on all areas readily available, and a resource library provision, the system becomes the home of all turf management planning, actions, and facility history.

www.turfkeeper.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.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

BIGGA teams up with RSPB and The R&A

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!

A Case Study……Is this the new normal!: Craig Earnshaw, course manager at Harleyford GC in Buckinghamshire is a man on a mission and has been fast to embrace the modern approach to managing, communicating and training that today’s advancing technology can offer.

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