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Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment

November 6, 2023/in News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment: Cheshire West and Chester Council has cited communication as one of the key factors behind Duncan Ross Ltd.’ successful pitch refurbishment, which has seen an out-of-use football pitch turned into a ‘billiard table for rugby.’ For John Seiler CMLI, Landscape Architect at Cheshire West and Cheshire Council, this […]

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

November 6, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Karl Hansell

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner Bernhard and Company have selected 10 association members to engage in one of the sports turf industry’s most prestigious learning opportunities. A BIGGA Premium Partner, each year Bernhard and Company invites 10 BIGGA members to attend the […]

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment

November 6, 2023/in News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

November 6, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Karl Hansell

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment

November 6, 2023/in News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment: Cheshire West and Chester Council has cited communication as one of the key factors behind Duncan Ross Ltd.’ successful pitch refurbishment, which has seen an out-of-use football pitch turned into a ‘billiard table for rugby.’

For John Seiler CMLI, Landscape Architect at Cheshire West and Cheshire Council, this is the best quality pitch that he has worked on over his 19-year period with the council. The transformation was much needed, with the 40-year-old surface left unused for many years due to drainage problems.

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment

Thriving local rugby club, Northwich RUFC, who play on the Moss Farm Leisure Complex, wanted to use the pitch for their first 15, and after a competitive tender process, John began working with Duncan Ross Ltd for the first time.

“This was my first time working with Duncan Ross Ltd, and I’ve been very impressed,” John said.

“Communication was vital to the success of this project because of the challenges we faced. One of the drainage issues was the outlet, which was blocked. We had to collaborate with the other landowners to gain access to the blockage, and what could have been potentially very challenging felt easy because Duncan Ross Ltd handled it so well.

“Duncan and Joe Ross ran the site, and their expertise and attention to detail were extremely good. They were both very approachable, professional and easy to get on with, which made an enormous difference.

“When running landscape contracts, we need to know what’s going on, and we can’t be on the site 24 hours a day. So, we need to have that level of trust, openness and transparency with regard to each work stage.

“They were also taking pictures of every stage of the process. So, from the grading, drains, and slitting works, they also had drone footage, which was fantastic for us and PR on the site.

“As a landscape architect having worked on many landscape and sports pitch contracts, I really value that close working relationship with a contractor.”

Investigation work revealed that the pitch’s drainage outlet was severed and blocked. Working with the landowner opposite, Duncan Ross addressed the issue and began installing the new outlet and carrier drains before constructing the pitch.

In mid-September 2023, a month after seeding, John describes the pitch as looking “absolutely beautiful.” Whilst he has been impressed by the communication and finished product, he also thinks Duncan Ross Ltd.’s high-quality machinery has heavily contributed to an outstanding product.

“The level on the pitch is absolutely incredible. It really is the best pitch I’ve worked on,” John said. “The rugby club are extremely grateful and have been blown away with the result, but so much of that is down to the professionalism of Duncan Ross Ltd and the machinery they use.

“It’s all absolutely first-class. For every single aspect of the various stages of the works, they have the equipment from laser-levels to trenchers to get the best results. What it also meant was they got the job done quickly. Because of the nature of the weather and having such a wet summer, it made it difficult, and potentially could have been very difficult, but because of the machines they had it enabled them to get the job done and to a high standard.”

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BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

November 6, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Karl Hansell

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner Bernhard and Company have selected 10 association members to engage in one of the sports turf industry’s most prestigious learning opportunities.

A BIGGA Premium Partner, each year Bernhard and Company invites 10 BIGGA members to attend the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America’s (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show, this year taking place in Phoenix, Arizona. A spot on the delegation marks out a candidate as among the most dedicated and talented ambassadors for the golf greenkeeping sector.

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

With experiences designed to elevate the careers of those in attendance, the delegation is a week-long educational trip that features site visits as well as seminars, networking events and educational demonstrations. The successful delegates will also be invited to convene at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January, where they will meet former participants in the programme, many of whom have gone on to great success in their careers.

The BIGGA members selected for the 2024 BIGGA Delegation with Bernhard and Company are:

Robert Acheson, course manager, Thonock Park Golf Club
Harry Cannon, head greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club
Stephen Davey, head greenkeeper, Queenwood Golf Club
Michael Gibbons, course manager, Disley Golf Club
James Hampson, deputy head greenkeeper, Llanymynech Golf Club
Stuart Imeson, owner and course manager, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course
Fraser Jardine, deputy head greenkeeper, Trump Turnberry
Richard Ponsford, course manager, Clevedon Golf Club
Luke Sheldon, head greenkeeper, Beau Desert Golf Club
Richard Stephens, course manager, Vicars Cross Golf Club

Head to the BIGGA website to find out more about each of the delegates.

Michael Gibbons is course manager at Disley Golf Club. Reacting to being selected, he said: “Having spoken to numerous former delegates, it’s clear the BIGGA Delegation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being able to soak up all the US has to offer is an incredible personal opportunity but it could also be career-defining. The learning and networking opportunities will be second to none and I hope to get all that I can out of the experience. I feel incredibly fortunate to be one of the greenkeepers picked for it and cannot wait to get going in January.”

Fraser Jardine is deputy head greenkeeper at Trump Turnberry. He spoke of his pride at being selected as part of the team representing UK greenkeeping on a global scale and added: “I can’t wait to get over to Phoenix to meet people in the industry from around the world. I’m looking forward to learning about new technology and sharing ideas and techniques with others that I can bring back home with me. Thanks to BIGGA and Bernhard and Company for such an incredible, prestigious opportunity.”

The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show runs from 29 January to 1 February 2024. As part of their duties, the delegates will attend the BIGGA stand during the conference, speaking to visitors about the association and UK greenkeeping.

For more information about the exclusive career development opportunities available to BIGGA members, head to the BIGGA website.

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)

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment

Communication key to Duncan Ross pitch refurbishment: Cheshire West and Chester Council has cited communication as one of the key factors behind Duncan Ross Ltd.’ successful pitch refurbishment, which has seen an out-of-use football pitch turned into a ‘billiard table for rugby.’

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner Bernhard and Company have selected 10 association members to engage in one of the sports turf industry’s most prestigious learning opportunities.

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