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It’s all about timing for tining

January 23, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

It’s all about timing for tining: While waiting for the perfect conditions to do the first aeration of the season, Reesink Turfcare is reminding customers that genuine Toro parts cannot be beaten for this essential turf maintenance practice. Now, with little difference in the cost of genuine Toro parts over inferior alternatives, customers can expect […]

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

January 23, 2026/in Awards, News, Press Release/by Admin

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2026, recognising outstanding achievement, innovation and commitment across the greenkeeping profession. Harrogate’s Royal Hall hosted the BIGGA Celebration sponsored by Bernhard Academy on the opening night of the BIGGA Turf […]

It’s all about timing for tining

January 23, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

January 23, 2026/in Awards, News, Press Release/by Admin

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It’s all about timing for tining

January 23, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

It’s all about timing for tining: While waiting for the perfect conditions to do the first aeration of the season, Reesink Turfcare is reminding customers that genuine Toro parts cannot be beaten for this essential turf maintenance practice. Now, with little difference in the cost of genuine Toro parts over inferior alternatives, customers can expect all the benefits of superior parts, within budget.

Judging when to aerate for the first time in the year is a delicate process – go too soon and the grass struggles to recover says Michael Hampton, Supply Chain Manager at Reesink Turfcare.

It’s all about timing for tining

“Spring aeration focuses on limiting thatch and maintaining turf health. For that, you need to wait for the grass to wake up and start growing in,” he says. “It won’t be the same for everyone, where you are in the country will play a part and each year can be different, but you’re looking for the growth potential to be at 50 percent.”

Just as hitting the sweet spot when it comes to timing, the tines chosen for the job are equally as important for successful aeration. Turfcare professionals should be looking for quality, longevity and durability from their tines – and all of these characteristics are covered by choosing genuine parts.

With the cost of buying genuine little different to alternatives now, it’s wise to consider what else buying genuine brings. And the reason why buying genuine makes the most economic sense can be related to the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), confirms Michael.

“Most customers will focus on the purchase price but equally as important is value with features that enhance performance, productivity and reliability,” he says.

TCO provides a data driven perspective for determining the total economic value of an investment, in this case parts. It considers the purchase price against the servicing costs, workshop time, downtime risk, and the operational value of time saved. For many customers, total cost of ownership can look very different once these things are accounted for.

The finishing argument in the case of buying genuine for most will be the unarguable quality they produce when it comes to the holes they make. Matching tines to the exact engineering specifications of the aerator delivers the cleanest, crispest, most precise holes needing less recovery time, bringing better absorption and a superior playability.

Customers can purchase genuine Toro Parts through their local dealer or service centre, where they will get the best product and best value.

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Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

January 23, 2026/in Awards, News, Press Release/by Admin

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2026, recognising outstanding achievement, innovation and commitment across the greenkeeping profession.

Harrogate’s Royal Hall hosted the BIGGA Celebration sponsored by Bernhard Academy on the opening night of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), with Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk announcing the winners.

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

The prize for Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard & Company was awarded to Burnham & Berrow, while the Greenkeeping Project of the Year award with Price Turfcare went to Royal Aberdeen on a memorable evening celebrating excellence across the profession.

Burnham & Berrow’s award recognised the team’s exceptional response to an unprecedented challenge ahead of Final Open Qualifying. With just eight weeks to act, the team delivered innovative solutions after deliberate chemical vandalism damaged multiple greens.

Working closely with The R&A agronomy team and industry partners, a tightly managed recovery programme culminated in full turf replacement, with independent testing confirming championship standards were achieved in time for the event.

“What a job the team did – not only my team, but the whole club,” said retired Course Manager Richard Whyman. “Twenty of the 27 greens were damaged and it was hard to see the grass dying in front of you.

“With it being my last tournament, it was difficult for me, but I pulled myself together and The R&A were incredibly supportive.”

Royal Aberdeen was recognised for a long-term project to safeguard the future of the historic Balgownie Links. Ongoing coastal erosion prompted a complex reconstruction programme, including new greens, tees and protective infrastructure.

Delivered largely in-house by a small team, the project demanded meticulous planning and adaptability amid challenging weather and tidal pressures, with judges praising the balance between preserving heritage and delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions.

“We know erosion is a big issue – not just for us, but right down the UK coastline – so we’re trying to implement measures to slow that erosion, with contingency plans in place,” said Course Manager Richard Johnstone.

“As for my team, they’re the real heroes in this – I just lead them. They’ve taken on a huge challenge, and I’m very grateful to the club for supporting us.”

The evening also saw BIGGA present its Outstanding Contribution award with Kress to John Millen in recognition of a career that has left a lasting impact on the association and the wider greenkeeping profession.

A highly respected figure within the industry, Millen has devoted decades to supporting education, professional development and the advancement of greenkeeping standards, earning widespread admiration from colleagues across the UK and beyond.

“I really can’t believe this,” said the 85-year-old, who is still working in education but has swapped playing golf for croquet. “Only a week ago I didn’t even know whether I’d be coming tonight – I’ve been here virtually every year. I just want to say thank you to everybody.

“Through greenkeeping, through our associations and through the game itself, for me it’s always been about people who are passionate about golf courses and about working for one another.”

The event also celebrated the incredible finale of an inspiring personal challenge, as Jack Percival bounded onto stage after completing his epic 300-mile run from Epsom. The senior greenkeeper at Royal Automobile Club undertook the run to raise awareness around mental health and funds for Percy’s Homeless Hub and the Greenkeepers Benevolent Fund.

The BIGGA Awards were established to recognise the exceptionally high standards, professionalism and dedication demonstrated by greenkeepers throughout the year. From major championship preparation to ambitious renovation projects and contributions that strengthen the profession, the awards highlight the vital role greenkeepers play in the success and sustainability of the game.

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)

It’s all about timing for tining

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

It’s all about timing for tining

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

It’s all about timing for tining

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2026, recognising outstanding achievement, innovation and commitment across the greenkeeping profession.

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