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Berkhamsted School bowled over by MM50

January 10, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Mike Herring, head groundsman at Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire, has reported excellent results after using Limagrain’s MM50 grass seed in a new construction and in the renovation of the school’s two cricket wickets. Berkhamsted School’s illustrious history can be traced all the way back to 1541, when John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s, was granted […]

Aspirations of excellence at Trump Turnberry

January 10, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

The history of golf at Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire continues to evolve, with the summer of 2016 marking the official reopening of the world renowned Ailsa course, following extensive changes by golf course architect Martin Ebert. In summer 2017, King Robert the Bruce will be unveiled as Trump Turnberry’s second major course. In the largest […]

Berkhamsted School bowled over by MM50

January 10, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Aspirations of excellence at Trump Turnberry

January 10, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

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Berkhamsted School bowled over by MM50

January 10, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Berkhamsted School’s illustrious history can be traced all the way back to 1541, when John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s, was granted a Licence by Henry VIII to found a school in his home town. Today, Berkhamsted School is one of Britain’s leading independent schools, offering both single sex (from age 11 – 16) and co-educational teaching for boys and girls aged 3 – 18.

Boasting excellent academic results, students excel not only in the classroom but also in sports. Over the last two academic years, Berkhamsted School pupils have secured nine national titles in rounders, netball and lacrosse, the 1st XV rugby team lost only one regular fixture and the U13 Football team made it to the last 16 of the national ISFA competition.

Berkhamsted sport is not just about the elite performers, however, it is also about taking part; the vast majority of boys and girls in Year 7 represent the school at sport as teams are fielded at C, D and E level.

Students can participate in a wide variety of sports which take place on truly first-class facilities. Overseeing the 40 acres of playing fields and sports facilities is head groundsman Mike Herring, who decided to bring in leading sports turf contractor Fineturf to renovate an existing cricket wicket and construct a completely new one.

“I had heard of the work Fineturf had done at various sites across the country – at the test grounds and county grounds and I was under the impression that Fineturf were the best in the construction of cricket wickets. I just thought that the service and the aftercare was the finest that I’d ever come across. They were by far the best contractor myself and the school have ever dealt with,” said Mike.

The Fineturf team got to work by starting on the renovation and the new construction and when the time came for seeding, there was only one brand of product they were going to use.
“We only exclusively use Limagrain seeds,” says Anthony Hardy, operations director for Fineturf. “We just wouldn’t use any other grass seed unless specified, mainly because of the quality and guaranteed results that the Limagrain seed produces. We have to be 100% confident in the products that we use for our contracting work, to absolutely know that we are going to get the desired results for the end user. Limagrain seed gives us that reassurance.”

For the project at Berkhamsted, Fineturf used Limagrain’s MM50 – which is the number one choice of seed for cricket groundsmen. Those representing grass roots, schools, local clubs and international test venues have all benefitted from using MM50 as it possesses exceptional shoot density along with tolerance to close mowing making it particularly suitable for all cricket squares. Other key features include fast recovery from wear and damage and high disease resistance.

This superior mix contains the perennial ryegrass cultivars, Venice, Alison and Malibu, which are renowned for providing a great sward for cricket use. MM50 is also treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – Limagrain’s unique seaweed based seed treatment which helps to ensure rapid and even germination. This tried and tested grass seed treatment helps the seed get off to the best possible start – therefore it is ideal to use in the less than favourable conditions that can sometimes be found on cricket squares during renovations.
Mike was certainly impressed with the end result.

“The weather was very kind when the project was being carried out and as soon as it rained the germination was absolutely superb – the establishment was excellent – in fact I would say it was 100% or as near to 100% as you could measure. We didn’t need to overseed, we didn’t put any patches in, and quite simply it was just an excellent choice of seed,” he said.

For further information, please contact Limagrain UK on 01472 371471 or visit the company’s website www.limagrain.co.uk

For further information about Fineturf please visit www.fine-turf.co.uk

Aspirations of excellence at Trump Turnberry

January 10, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

In the largest equipment deal John Deere has ever signed in the UK and Ireland, a new and comprehensive golf course maintenance fleet was supplied by dealer Nairn Brown Ltd of Busby, Glasgow, on a John Deere Financial four-year lease arrangement.

The package of 95 machines included walk-behind greens mowers, tees & surrounds mowers, E-Cut hybrid electric greens and fairway mowers, rough mowers, top of the range compact tractors and both diesel and electric Gator utility vehicles. Additional machines and staff were also provided by John Deere and dealer Nairn Brown as tournament support for the 2015 Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Golf courses and estates manager Allan Patterson, whose CV includes Gleneagles and 10 years on the Castle Course at St Andrews Links, oversees a team of more than 40 greenkeeping, gardening and estate staff at Trump Turnberry. All were involved in some way in the choice of the new machinery fleet, as workshop manager Jim Campbell explains:

“The staff were asked to fill in appraisal sheets, looking particularly at the things they were most comfortable with, which helped the selection and final decision making processes,” he says. “Price is always a key consideration, but back-up is more important still. It’s no good simply having the best kit – if it does break down, the question is how quickly can it be fixed? The relationship with the dealer is also very important.”

In response to the need to maintain a consistent finish across the course, Jim programmes the A Model mowers’ TechControl system before going out with each operator and tweaking the mowing and turning speeds to suit the individual. This strikes a balance between getting the job done in the time available and achieving the best possible cut quality.

“Height of cuts on the tees, surrounds and greens are pretty standard, we try not to change them around too much,” says Jim. “The 8000AE hybrid electric mowers are used on the Ailsa fairways, while 2500E hybrids cut the greens on the Kintyre and 220SL hand mowers cut the greens on Ailsa. The Kintyre has more grass and bigger fairways, so more productivity is required from the mowers on that course.

“We tend to cut the fairways twice a week, the greens every day, the tees and surrounds three times a week and the rough once a week. Generally we aim to hand cut as much as possible, for the visual results. Quality of cut on the John Deere walk-behinds and triples is very good, and meets our expectations.

“The fairway mowers are equipped with Quick Adjust seven-blade cutting units plus rotary brushes instead of groomers – these are less aggressively set, and help to flick up the grass into the boxes. The 220SLs are also equipped with brushes, and 11-blade cylinders.”

Allan Patterson adds: “Mr Trump is the first owner of Turnberry to really address the changes that have been needed for some time. To allow the course to regain and maintain its top status, we have to push on and improve what’s here. Over the last couple of years Turnberry has probably experienced the biggest and most significant of all the changes to Trump courses, and this underlines our desire to return to the very top tier of golf in the UK.

“Our aspiration is to raise standards and the quality of course presentation by increasing cut frequencies. For tournaments and big events, there’s enough kit to cope, and we aim to maintain the very best condition possible. Mr Trump’s support and investment will allow us to move forward with confidence to achieve our ambitions.”

For more information visit www.JohnDeere.co.uk

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Berkhamsted School bowled over by MM50

Aspirations of excellence at Trump Turnberry

Berkhamsted School bowled over by MM50

Aspirations of excellence at Trump Turnberry

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Berkhamsted School bowled over by MM50

Aspirations of excellence at Trump Turnberry

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