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Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories

May 11, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories: A dedicated greenkeeper thought to be one of the longest serving in the industry is celebrating spending 40 years at the same golf club. Terry Wharton joined Haydock Park Golf Club in April 1980 as a young man and is now head greenkeeper He said: “The 40 years have […]

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

May 7, 2020/in Press Release/by James Sherriff

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare: Ground-Guards Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of high performance temporary access solutions, has launched a brand new ground protection system that can be installed in support of the Government’s social distancing policy. Ideal for use in the groundscare industry, Ground-Guards’ FastCover PLUS is made from environmentally friendly 100% recycled PVC […]

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories

May 11, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

May 7, 2020/in Press Release/by James Sherriff

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories

May 11, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories: A dedicated greenkeeper thought to be one of the longest serving in the industry is celebrating spending 40 years at the same golf club.

Terry Wharton joined Haydock Park Golf Club in April 1980 as a young man and is now head greenkeeper

He said: “The 40 years have gone quickly and I’ve been very fortunate to spend most of my working life in a beautiful landscape, working with good greenkeepers and staff trying to raise the standards and the playability of our course.”

There have been plenty of changes since he first took up his role at the club.

“The early years saw limited machinery on the course, with most surfaces cut with hand machines, except for fairways and rough that were cut with tractor and gang mowers,” he said.

“The top-dressing facility of a self-contained hopper supersedes the tractor, trailer and wheelbarrow that in the early 1980s you’d be lucky to dress greens with 20 tonnes throughout the year, against 120 tonnes delivered in a two-month period in the spring at the present time.”

With the advancements in technology and more televised golf events, Terry has seen many changes during his career.

He said: “The golfers’ desire for better surfaces has seen the staffing levels raised at most clubs compared to the early years, with busy clubs realising the work programme for the day needs to be completed quickly and efficiently before the golfers start their round, with only the basic tasks being completed early afternoon. This point can be shown with our start times in the summer of 1980 – we had an 8am start with a 5pm finish against present start time 6am with a 2pm finish, allowing the greens team to complete most of the course set-up before the course gets busy.”

Terry said his favourite part of the club was its members, remembering one in particular.

He said: “We’ve had some real characters playing the game at Haydock Park, none more so than Jack Padoue, who was one of the ‘old guard’.

“On arrival at the club one Monday dinner, Jack was met with builders in the men’s locker room.

“Jack looked surprised, ‘how dare they work’ on the day he played, and it may affect his preparation on setting up for his four ball. Jack’s four ball was run to military precision and woe betide anyone getting in Jack’s way!

“So the builders were told by Jack what was expected from them – he wanted a ‘quick clean efficient job and by the way turn that radio off, don’t you realise you’re working at a private members’ golf club?’

“The builders came across Jack a few more times before they finished the work and were met with the same abruptness.

“On the builders completing the locker room Jack realised his key wouldn’t open his locker. On further inspection someone had accidentally spilled some super glue into the lock, we wondered who….”

Stephen Nicholson, the club’s business manager, paid tribute to Terry’s loyal service.

He said: “Wow, 40 years – that’s longer than I’ve been on this planet. It’s a feat that’s rarely matched these days, with more and more people opting to move from position to position to progress their careers. Terry’s loyalty has been at the heart of his longevity here.

“Alongside this what I am impressed with the most about Terry is his enthusiasm to continue to learn and develop.

“We’ve sent him down to Oxford to see how a different style of greenkeeping works, we’ve updated our systems so he now has a computer in his office, has access to Word, Excel and email whilst updating everything in the cloud along with an online planner in the form of Turfkeeper that tracks all shifts, financial planning of stock, seed, fertiliser applied etc.

“It’s great that Terry continues to push for more and we look forward to continuing to work together for the next 40 years! You are a credit to the club, your profession and your family. Once this crisis is over we will no doubt have a proper celebration for Terry – in the meantime, thanks again for all that you do and keep up the great work.”

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Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

May 7, 2020/in Press Release/by James Sherriff

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare: Ground-Guards Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of high performance temporary access solutions, has launched a brand new ground protection system that can be installed in support of the Government’s social distancing policy.

Ideal for use in the groundscare industry, Ground-Guards’ FastCover PLUS is made from environmentally friendly 100% recycled PVC and can be configured with highly visible yellow markers every 2m as a constant reminder for people to maintain a safe distance from each other.

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

This innovative and cost-effective system is an extension of Ground-Guard’s popular FastCover range and features unique interlocking flanges for improved ease of use and a superior trip-free surface. Lighter and easier to install, FastCover PLUS is a versatile ground protection solution suitable for a wide range of applications, from surface protection for block paving and interior floors, to creating safe clean paths and walkways during site works.

Weighing just 14.5kg per mat, FastCover PLUS, can be laid directly onto grass, footpaths or stone bases, with its superior anti-slip surface delivering maximum health and safety benefits. Furthermore, the mats have built-in hand holes, providing ultimate ease-of-use for the handler. Built with durability and longevity in mind, FastCover PLUS features an innovative honeycomb underside, providing strong structural support and ultimately increasing the useable life of the product.

Marcus Oliver, Product Development Manager at Ground-Guards, commented: “As Britain’s groundscare sector continues to play a vital role in the nationwide effort against Coronavirus, we’re committed to supporting the sector do its work as quickly – and safely – as possible.

“That’s one of the key reasons we’ve launched our FastCover PLUS social distancing walkways. The solution is cost-effective and sustainable, with the versatile matting system not only delivering a superior trip-free surface, for maximum safety, but it’s also quick and easy-to-install for visible two metre social distancing implementation – a key consideration for a sector reliant on safe and seamless operations.”

Backing up the launch of FastCover Plus is Ground-Guards commitment to provide its customers with a first class service offering, which includes product warranties and access to training at the company’s state-of-the-art facilities in Yorkshire.

To find out more about Ground-Guards’ FastCover Plus visit https://www.ground-guards.co.uk/products/fastcover-plus/ or 0113 267 6000.

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)

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories

Greenkeeper shares 40 years of memories: A dedicated greenkeeper thought to be one of the longest serving in the industry is celebrating spending 40 years at the same golf club.

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare: Ground-Guards Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of high performance temporary access solutions, has launched a brand new ground protection system that can be installed in support of the Government’s social distancing policy.

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