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Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper

July 7, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper: Binstead-born Doug Rigby has helped develop Ryde Golf Club’s popular course into one of the best and challenging on the Isle of Wight over his 40-year career. Doug, 56, who joined the club straight from school, is believed to be one of the longest serving greenkeepers in the industry. After […]

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution

July 6, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution: Etesia UK has reported a huge uptake in its Buffalo ride-on mowers – a powerful range that offers an eco-friendly alternative to its diesel-powered counterparts. It is common knowledge that grounds maintenance professionals are increasingly exploring more environmentally friendly methods of working. This particularly rings true in city centres […]

Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper

July 7, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution

July 6, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

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Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper

July 7, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper: Binstead-born Doug Rigby has helped develop Ryde Golf Club’s popular course into one of the best and challenging on the Isle of Wight over his 40-year career.

Doug, 56, who joined the club straight from school, is believed to be one of the longest serving greenkeepers in the industry.

After a trial working under John West initially, then Paul Knight, who went on to become Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club’s greenkeeper, Doug has made Ryde the envy of many clubs in the South.

With the advancements in technology, more televised golf events and a shift in the seasonal patterns, Doug, of Jellicoe Road, Binstead, has seen many changes during his career.

Doug said: “I always thought of Ryde Golf Club as like my back garden.

“I enjoy getting up early in the morning and being on the course — seeing the sun rise, squirrels running around — you can’t beat it this time of year. I couldn’t work in a factory!

“It’s a seven day a week job and it does take over your life a bit, but it gives me great pride and satisfaction what I’ve achieved in 40 years. It’s gone in the blink of an eye.”

From what was once a very open course, Ryde looks resplendent following Doug’s introduction of almost every variety of native tree imaginable to it.

“I’ve noticed how much the weather and seasons have changed over the years,” said Doug.

“When I first came to Ryde, the ground was frozen in October and I used to have to use a lighter to get the key in the shed door. Even the kettle was frozen.

“The fairways were like aeroplane runways, but I’ve always planted trees — getting cuttings from wherever I can and growing them.

“The second fairway used to be so open, but now it’s one of the hardest holes because of all the trees and out of bounds areas.”

Doug, also a keen fisherman and metal detectorist, was put on lockdown for five weeks, which he said had “done his nut in” after breaking his busy routine.

He has, since, had to put in an 80-hour week to get the course back to how it was before lockdown.

Club president, Mick Timms, celebrated Doug’s landmark by presenting him with a bottle of his top tipple, gift vouchers and an engraved hip flask — at a club’s length!

He said: “Doug is a super guy, who is tireless, adaptable and resourceful. Nothing is too much trouble for him.

“To achieve 40 years of loyal service at Ryde is incredible.

“His work is a greenkeeping masterclass, making Ryde one of the Isle of Wight’s most prestigious courses.

“Doug’s ingenuity has saved Ryde thousands of pounds over the years too. He is an absolute godsend and we’re very lucky to have him.”

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Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution

July 6, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution: Etesia UK has reported a huge uptake in its Buffalo ride-on mowers – a powerful range that offers an eco-friendly alternative to its diesel-powered counterparts.

It is common knowledge that grounds maintenance professionals are increasingly exploring more environmentally friendly methods of working. This particularly rings true in city centres or in highly populated areas where diesel powered products are beginning to be outlawed.

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution

The obvious solution is to switch to zero-emission battery-powered equipment. Battery technology has significantly evolved with advancements constantly being made in the sector and is now widely recognised as the smarter way to power through most landscaping tasks, such as mowing, hedge-cutting or leaf-blowing. However, where it currently falls short is when it comes to larger machines such as ride-on mowers.

“Who knows what the future holds, but, quite simply, the fact is that there is not currently a battery-powered machine on the market which is capable of equalling the performance of a professional petrol-powered ride-on mower,” says Etesia UK managing director Les Malin.

“When you take into consideration the wide-spread demonising of diesel and the lack of professional battery powered ride-on mowers then there are unfortunately few solutions.”

It is for these reasons that Etesia UK has reported a record-breaking growth in sales for its range of Buffalo ride-on mowers – which are the only commercial, petrol powered ride-on machines available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive.

The Buffalo range, first launched six years ago, took the European markets by storm as countries such as France and Germany replaced huge fleets of diesel-powered ride-on mowers with Buffalo ride-on petrol mowers. Only recently has the UK started to follow suit and when you delve deeper into the specifications – it is no surprise.

The Etesia range of Buffalo ride-on mowers are available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and with 100cm and 124cm cutting decks with ROPS as standard. They feature powerful 23-hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engines and can cut and collect areas up to 12,000 m² per hour. The engines carry a three-year warranty and a two-year warranty on the rest of the machine.

The Etesia models are fitted with catalytic converters as standard offering a cleaner fuel and are renowned for their low levels of noise and smooth operation. A vast range of accessories are available providing the operator with the ability to mulch, plough snow and much more.

Furthermore, they cut and collect in all weathers – something in which Etesia is, without question, the forerunner. When it comes to cut and collect systems, Etesia is the innovator of every other machine you see on the market today. The French based company created a patented system in the early 1990’s and quite simply, the system is unrivalled.

“The most notable benefit is the fact that Etesia machines do not require any additional accessories to unblock them when emptying the machines. Everything is automatic so no accessories or rattling of levers are required – you can simply cut, collect and empty the grass box all while sitting on the machine,” said Les.

So, while the industry eagerly awaits a capable battery-powered ride-on mower – there is only one solution. The Etesia range of Buffalo ride-on mowers will help to reduce your environmental impact and get the job done to the standard you expect without compromise.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

You can also follow Etesia on Twitter @EtesiaUK 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)

Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution

Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper

Ryde GC’s long serving greenkeeper: Binstead-born Doug Rigby has helped develop Ryde Golf Club’s popular course into one of the best and challenging on the Isle of Wight over his 40-year career.

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution

Etesia Buffalo is the greener solution: Etesia UK has reported a huge uptake in its Buffalo ride-on mowers – a powerful range that offers an eco-friendly alternative to its diesel-powered counterparts.

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