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Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club

May 17, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club: Having seen improved productivity from all-day course maintenance from using Toro electric machinery, Hillside Golf Club in Southport has subsequently invested in four more Toro all-electric eTriFlex 3370 greensmowers and two Toro Workman GTX-Lithium utility vehicles from distributor Reesink Turfcare. When the club invested in its first eTriFlex three […]

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding

May 17, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding: Today, 1 in 4 homes across the UK are at risk of floods, and the risk factor will only increase as the impacts of climate change become more prevalent. In the fight against floods, your garden is a secret weapon that can increase your resilience to floods, whilst remaining […]

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club

May 17, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding

May 17, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club

May 17, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club: Having seen improved productivity from all-day course maintenance from using Toro electric machinery, Hillside Golf Club in Southport has subsequently invested in four more Toro all-electric eTriFlex 3370 greensmowers and two Toro Workman GTX-Lithium utility vehicles from distributor Reesink Turfcare.

When the club invested in its first eTriFlex three years ago, the aim was environmental to eliminate the risk of hydraulic leaks on the greens. Having used the machine for three years now there’s an additional benefit: it’s favoured just as much for the lack of operational noise, which has enabled greens staff to mow throughout the day.

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club

Links manager Chris Ball explains: “The way golf clubs mow has changed, and it’s not always possible to fit in all the work we need to do before play starts any more. This is due to a post-COVID increase in members and visitors and the commonly held view that rounds played over the same course take longer than they once did.

“Work needs to happen all day – and the solution to that is simple, it’s silent electric power.”

The R&A agrees in its Pace of Play guide, stating that course maintenance during play is necessary and adapting maintenance schedules is vital to have as little negative impact on pace of play and the players’ enjoyment as possible.

“With the electric mowers, we can work around members and guests without disturbing them and gives us the ability to get in right behind tournament play as it happens which is essential in keeping on top of the course throughout an event,” Chris says.

When Chris bought the original mower, total cost of sale was a big factor, yet at the time it was an unknown. Thanks to Toro’s newly developed cost calculator, designed to compare operating expenses of alternative energy-powered machines, it’s now known that using the eTriFlex over five years will save £10,153 compared to its diesel equivalent.

“I can well believe it,” says Chris. “There’s a number crunching exercise to be done but I’d say we’re well on the way to that. It’s the absence of downtime and lack of repairs required that’s particularly noticeable, and how easy and quick maintenance is. And that’s without factoring in reduced running costs and no fuel.”

Seeing how this way of working improved productivity and elevated the condition of the course helped the club make the decision to boost its electric machinery fleet with Toro electric utility vehicles from distributor Reesink Turfcare, too. With the Workman GTX-Lithiums on board bunker work such as raking can also run alongside mowing throughout play.

All of this is part of a wider sustainable picture with Chris and the team working towards being non-reliant on chemicals, carefully choosing the perfect combination of drought-resistant organic feeds and disease-tolerant grasses. The goal is to use less water and fewer inputs and spend less money to get the same results.

“It’s important to make the investment now to reap the benefits in the future,” Chris concludes – and leading the way with electric machinery has been an integral part of that investment in the future.

To find out more about electric or hybrid machinery options, call Reesink Turfcare on 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding

May 17, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding: Today, 1 in 4 homes across the UK are at risk of floods, and the risk factor will only increase as the impacts of climate change become more prevalent. In the fight against floods, your garden is a secret weapon that can increase your resilience to floods, whilst remaining beautiful and leaving your neighbours green with envy.

There are, however, a number of things you might be doing that are worsening your resilience to floods, and they could cost you thousands in repairs. This spring, when you’re getting your garden in order for the summer, keep these common mistakes in mind now, to avoid big costs later.

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding

Mistake #1: Large Grass Lawns

Although traditional grass lawns are aesthetically pleasing, you may not be aware of the dangers they pose to your garden:

Fast Runoff: Traditional lawns will increase flood risks to your garden as they allow rapid water flow.
Waterlogging: Common with grass lawns, waterlogging leads to shallow root development, soil compaction, and fungal diseases.
Lack of Biodiversity: Monoculture lawns offer little habitat for pollinators, hindering the ecosystem’s resilience.
Water Consumption: Grass lawns demand significant water, especially in dry climates.
High Maintenance: Regular upkeep like mowing and pest control is important for grass lawns to minimise chances of flooding.

Beautiful alternatives to large grass lawns include:

Create a meadow garden: Plant a diverse mix of native wildflowers and grasses to create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that supports pollinators and wildlife.
Create a rain garden: Water-loving plants capture to filter stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and lawns.
Add edible landscaping: Integrate fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetables, and herbs into your landscape to provide food while reducing the area dedicated to grass.
Add trees and shrubs: Plant trees and shrubs to reduce the amount of grass needed, provide shade, and improve air quality.
Increase ground cover planting: Plant low-growing plants like creeping thyme, mosses, or sedges to replace grass in areas with foot traffic or where grass struggles to grow.

Mistake #2: Astroturf

Whilst Astroturf is an easy-win to make your garden look good without the hassle of having to tend to it, these synthetic lawns create significant flood and climate resilience challenges:

Poor Drainage: Poor installation can lead to standing water and potential bacterial growth in your garden, which increases flood risk.
Environmental Impact: Made from synthetic materials, Astroturf contributes to microplastic pollution and relies on fossil fuels for production which contributes.
Lack of Natural Benefits: Unlike natural grass, Astroturf lacks ecological benefits like carbon dioxide absorption and support for biodiversity.

Instead of Astroturf, you may consider these more beneficial alternatives:

Native plant landscaping: Replace artificial turf with a diverse mix of native plants, including grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Native plants are adapted to local climate conditions, require less water and maintenance, and provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators.
Permeable hardscaping: For areas that require a solid surface, consider using permeable pavers, gravel, or mulch instead of artificial turf. These materials allow water to infiltrate the soil, reducing runoff and supporting the natural water cycle.

When selecting an alternative to artificial turf, consider your soil type. Consult with a local landscaping professional to help you choose the most suitable and sustainable option for your home.

Mistake #3: Paved Impermeable Surfaces

Many homeowners aren’t aware that hard surfaces in gardens increase flooding risks and raise environmental concerns, they are the silent culprits of flooding risks to your gardens:

Increase Surface Runoff: Impermeable surfaces hinder water infiltration, which leads to elevated surface runoff and potential flooding.
Reduce Groundwater Recharge: When water is unable to penetrate paved surfaces, it leads to decreased groundwater recharge, impacting nearby vegetation.
Compact Your Soil: Paved surfaces also cause soil compaction, affecting your plant’s growth and health.

Some alternatives to paved impermeable surfaces include;

Grass pavers or permeable pavers: These are paving systems that incorporate spaces or gaps filled with soil and planted with grass or other low-growing vegetation. They allow water to pass through the gaps and infiltrate the soil beneath. This helps reduce surface runoff and allows water to be absorbed into the ground.
Gravel or crushed stone: Replace impermeable surfaces with gravel or crushed stone, which allows water to drain through the spaces between the stones. This is a cost-effective solution for driveways, parking areas, or pathways.
Rain gardens: Create shallow depressions in the landscape near paved areas, and plant them with native, water-loving plants. Rain gardens collect and absorb stormwater runoff, helping to reduce flooding and improve water quality.

By implementing these alternatives to paved impermeable surfaces, you can help reduce the risk of flooding by allowing more water to be absorbed into the ground, slowing down the flow of stormwater runoff, and reducing the burden on the drainage system. A combination of these strategies, tailored to your specific site conditions, can provide the most effective flood mitigation benefits.

Mistake #4: Lack of Rainwater Storage

Inadequate rainwater storage in gardens is also another problem that increases the chances of flooding in your garden as it holds various challenges.:

Overloaded Drainage Systems: Insufficient storage overwhelms drainage systems, causing flooding and waterlogging.
Increased Water Bills: Relying solely on tap water will increase your water bills, especially during dry weather spells.
Soil Erosion: Inadequate rainwater storage leads to excess runoff, resulting in soil erosion and nutrient loss.

You can increase your rainwater storage through any of the following:

Use water butts: Collect and store rainwater from the roof can reduce the volume that enters drainage systems or runs across the ground. Stored water will also be released slowly or used to water plants.
Add a swale: Create shallow, gently sloping channels in your landscape to direct rainwater runoff towards planted areas or rain gardens.
Add a pond: Making space for water in gardens and landscapes mitigates flooding by providing a designated area for excess water to collect and be stored during heavy rainfall events.

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)

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Productive peace at Hillside Golf Club

Mistakes costing thousands due to flooding

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