Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution

April 3, 2018/in News, Press Release/by Greg Rhodes

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution: Each year, `Augusta Syndrome` can cause greenkeepers grief as the new golf season gets underway. Those pristine greens and fairways millions marvel at during the Masters tournament can trigger despondency in even the most upbeat greenkeeper. Not at Harpenden Common Golf Club however, where, on the eve of the first of the Majors, […]

Sprayer Operator Award Announced

March 29, 2018/in Industry News, Press Release/by Katherine Hesketh

Sprayer Operator Award Announced: The Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year 2018 Awards (AFSOY) are once again open for entries. Now into year four, the awards were established by the Amenity Forum and aim to recognise the high levels of professionalism and standards in the sector. There are different categories for entries and the overall […]

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution

April 3, 2018/in News, Press Release/by Greg Rhodes

Sprayer Operator Award Announced

March 29, 2018/in Industry News, Press Release/by Katherine Hesketh

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution

April 3, 2018/in News, Press Release/by Greg Rhodes

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution: Each year, `Augusta Syndrome` can cause greenkeepers grief as the new golf season gets underway.

Those pristine greens and fairways millions marvel at during the Masters tournament can trigger despondency in even the most upbeat greenkeeper.

Not at Harpenden Common Golf Club however, where, on the eve of the first of the Majors, the turfcare team is gazing over lush greens to rival those of Augusta National itself.

“We are enjoying our fastest-ever start-up to the season in our history,” states Course Manager Steve Brocklehurst. “The recovery we are experiencing is fantastic. Our greens look magnificent and members are amazed by the quality so early on in the year.

“In terms of colour, grass growth and coverage, the greens are in their finest condition in my 45 years at the club.”

The transformation follows the club’s switch to a soil biology management approach introduced by treatment specialists Soil Biology Ltd.

“We’ve applied products unique in the sector to reduce and control rootzone pH,” explains Soil Biology lead scientist Hillery Murphy. “This allows the grass plant to take up vital nutrients such as calcium, manganese, silicon and magnesium more readily, even in cold conditions. It is these nutrients that support the biological process.”

Head Greenkeeper Sean Brocklehurst adds: “The course looking this good this early gives us a head start in retaining members and attracting new ones.

“Subscriptions fall due around this time of the year and if golfers can see a level of visual definition between greens and approaches they would only expect to see at the end of April or early May, they may well want to join up now.

“Also, we can start management practices earlier in the year as the sward is already strong enough to take our triple mowers and we can begin Verticutting sooner.”

Hillery Murphy continues: “The pH in the rootzone on many courses is simply not low enough to promote thatch degradation and soil biology. Our Springload rootzone and Flex foliar treatments with added biostimulants reduce the pH of the spray water and that of the rootzone to trigger the early start-up.”

As another cold front threatens to push back onset of the 2018 golf season, Harpenden Common and other courses that adopt Soil Biology’s twin-pronged turf and rootzone treatment can enjoy watching top golf on Augusta National’s manicured holes without the notorious sector syndrome gripping them.

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 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.

Sprayer Operator Award Announced

March 29, 2018/in Industry News, Press Release/by Katherine Hesketh

Sprayer Operator Award Announced: The Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year 2018 Awards (AFSOY) are once again open for entries. Now into year four, the awards were established by the Amenity Forum and aim to recognise the high levels of professionalism and standards in the sector. There are different categories for entries and the overall winner will have a choice of three fantastic prizes, including a trip to a world-leading US turf or amenity show, or £2000 worth of products. Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta, and supported by BASIS, the Awards were established to further promote high standards of operation standards by sharing and disseminating the best practice employed by these individuals.

A record number of entries were received for the 2017 Awards with the overall winner announced as Nathan Hume, Contracts Manager and Ecologist for national grounds maintenance experts, SH Goss Ltd. Nathan received his award at BTME in January 2018, following the announcement of the three principal category winners at the Amenity Forum Annual Conference in October 2017. Nathan chose a trip to the USA as his prize and will fly to Louisville, Kentucky in October, to visit the Green Industry & Equipment Expo. He said:

“Just taking part in the awards was a great experience. As with all operations, it’s important to review and appraise what we do and how we can continually improve. The recognition of the awards is good for our company and for our customers to appreciate the effort that goes in to achieving a great result. As well as the awesome chance to visit the US.”

Talking about the Awards, Amenity Forum’s independent Chairman, Professor John Moverley said: “Past winners have demonstrated the high level of competence and attention to detail among sprayer operators. They have showed the skills necessary to get the best possible results from every application, and how to achieve it safely with due care for the environment.”

ICL Landscape and Industrial Manager, Mark Pyrah said: “We know that there are many great operators doing a fantastic job every day,” he added. “The awards is a way to recognise their skills and to shine a spotlight on their role. Sharing their best practice means that everyone can gain.”

Syngenta business manager, Daniel Lightfoot MG, pointed out that sprayer operators’ skills are key to achieving the most effective results. He said: “It’s not awarded for having the newest machine or the latest gadgets – it’s about understanding what needs to be done, and how best to achieve it safely and efficiently. We have had some great entrants in previous years, who have continued to get better from the experiences they have gained. There is huge potential reward from getting involved and entering the awards.”

Organisations and companies are encouraged to nominate candidates in addition to self-nomination. The process is not difficult.

Entries and nominations are invited from sprayer operators in three categories:

Sports turf – Using a knapsack/boom sprayer
Landscape and Industrial – Using a vehicle sprayer
Landscape and Industrial – Using a knapsack sprayer

Each category winner will receive a trophy and the overall winner across the three categories will win the prestigious accolade of National Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year along with the choice of three prizes:

Flights, accommodation and entry to GCSAA 2019 San Diego, California
Flights, accommodation and entry to GIE Expo 2019 Louisville, Kentucky
ICL/Syngenta products to the value of £2,000

To enter or nominate, download the application form or enter online via the Amenity Forum website www.amenityforum.co.uk

Entries and nominations need to be made by 30 June 2018. After submitting an application form, successful entrants will be invited to answer a short questionnaire. Selected category finalists are judged on best practice and innovative ideas to improve and enhance spraying operations. Category finalist are invited to the Amenity Forum Conference in October, with the overall winner announced at the BIGGA BTME event next January.

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 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)

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution

Sprayer Operator Award Announced

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution

Sprayer Operator Award Announced

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

‘Augusta Syndrome’ Solution

Sprayer Operator Award Announced

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT