Tag Archive for: 100%

POGO Reaches 100 Million Samples

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POGO Reaches 100 Million Samples: On August 8th, Scott Ellis, Golf Course Superintendent at Wellshire Golf Course in Denver, CO, recorded the 100,000,000th POGO sample. A milestone for Scott, Wellshire, and the entire POGO community.

Wellshire is a Donald Ross designed public course approaching its 100th anniversary. As one of the few public-access Ross courses in the U.S., and the only one west of the Mississippi, it carries a rich legacy while serving a high-volume, modern golf audience. With more than 10,000 rounds each month, precision turf management isn’t optional; it’s essential.

POGO Reaches 100 Million Samples

POGO Reaches 100 Million Samples

Scott has relied on POGO since 2021 to gain deeper, actionable insights across his property. Beyond moisture measurements, he uses POGO’s data-rich sampling and GPS integration to map the entire course including pins, irrigation infrastructure, utilities, hydrants, and more. One of the biggest advantages for his operation is how intuitive the platform is for the whole crew. Even team members with limited turf background can open the app, see exactly what needs attention and where, and take action immediately. That clarity has streamlined communication, improved consistency, and helped ensure nothing is missed.

On a busy public course like Wellshire, water stewardship and playability go hand in hand. With POGO’s data guiding daily decisions, Scott can optimize irrigation, eliminate unnecessary watering, reduce wilting risk, and keep greens performing under heavy play.

When asked how it felt to be the one who took the 100 millionth sample, Scott summed it up simply: “Great!” He added, “I tell everyone, if you’re not using POGO, I feel like you’re a little behind the curve.”

POGO’s journey began with its very first recorded sample on April 4, 2015, at Sherbrooke Golf and Country Club in Florida. Since then, millions of samples from turf professionals worldwide have built a powerful foundation for smarter, more sustainable turf care, helping teams like Scott’s turn data into decisions every day.

To mark the occasion, we created a special plaque for Scott Ellis as a thank-you for his dedication and for trusting POGO as part of his turf program. Reaching 100 million samples is a shared achievement made possible by superintendents, sports turf managers, and crews who put POGO’s insights to work.

Congratulations, Scott! Here’s to the next 100 million.

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Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit

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Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit: With 12 acres of immaculately kept gardens, Grade I listed grounds, and renowned memorial spaces, Golders Green Crematorium in North London is one of the most historic and revered sites of its kind in the world. Keeping the grounds to a consistently high standard falls to a small but dedicated team—and their latest secret is the Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.

For Head Gardener Ian Harman, investing in the right machinery was a top priority from the start.

Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit

Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit

“We’re a small team of just four, and we’re constantly busy with everything from maintaining rose beds to managing formal lawns and the large scatter lawn,” said Ian. “Machinery plays a key role in helping us work efficiently, especially with the tight spaces and tree cover we deal with here.”

Ian had previously heard positive things about Etesia mowers and decided to turn to the brand after becoming frustrated following issues using a different manufacturer. “The last mower we had just kept clogging,” he explained. “It slowed us down massively. When I came into the role, I went on a demo day and was really impressed with the Hydro 100—so we decided to go with Etesia.”

Since making the switch, the results speak for themselves.

“We’ve put about 60 hours on the Hydro 100 and had absolutely no clogging. It leaves a clean cut, picks up leaves and grass efficiently—even in wet conditions—and saves us lots of time. It also mulches the leaves as it goes, which helps with our composting.”

For a site like Golders Green, where space is at a premium and storage is limited, the compact design of the Hydro 100 has also been a huge bonus.

“We couldn’t store a large tractor-style machine, and we don’t need one,” Ian added. “This mower is the perfect size. You get the benefits of a large collection box with the manoeuvrability needed for tighter areas. It’s like having a garden vacuum—clean, simple, and effective.”

Ease of maintenance and usability were also deciding factors.

“It’s a very straightforward machine,” Ian said. “Fuel efficient, easy to service, and intuitive to operate. You’ve got a hydrostatic drive, simple controls, and changing the height of cut is quick—ideal if you hit a patch that’s slightly overgrown.”

Adam Nicholls, a gardener at the crematorium for over 11 years, agrees. “We’ve got a lot of trees here, and the Etesia is the best machine we’ve found for picking up leaves. The open chute design just swallows them—wet or dry—and shoots them straight into the back. No blockages, no messing about.”

Adam also praised its versatility across the crematorium’s varied terrain. “It handles tight corners just as well as big open areas. Even in damp conditions, the finish is clean and professional. It’s the easiest mower I’ve ever used.”

The Hydro 100 is powered by an 18HP Kawasaki engine and features a 500-litre grass collector with hydraulic tipping, which can be emptied from the seat. With a modern hydrostatic transmission and differential lock, it’s designed for durability, comfort, and productivity—especially in demanding, high-collection environments.

For Ian and Adam, the support from Etesia dealer RT Machinery was another big plus. “I’ve known Scott Reynolds from RT Machinery for years,” said Ian. “They really helped us choose the right model for our needs—no upselling, just honest advice. Their service is second to none.”

Compact, reliable, and efficient, the Etesia Hydro 100 has proved the ideal solution for Golders Green Crematorium’s unique needs. As Ian sums it up: “If you’ve got restricted space, need a clean finish, and want a machine you can rely on—this is the mower for you.”

To watch a video of the customer in action click here.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on X @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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

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Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

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Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution: The Retreats Group, which encompasses three of the leading luxury hotels in Wales—Twr y Felin Hotel, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory—has always been dedicated to maintaining immaculate grounds that reflect the beauty of its locations.

For Ollie Davies, the groundskeeper and supervisor for The Retreats Group, maintaining these stunning landscapes has become significantly easier since the purchase of a Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

“The properties are undulating and steep in places,” says Ollie. “My brother used to help me look after the grounds, and when he left, we decided that instead of employing someone else full-time, we would invest in one of these machines and see how it would benefit me.”

Before the Hydro 100, Ollie managed the extensive lawns using pedestrian mowers—a task that was both time-consuming and physically demanding. “Prior to the Etesia machine, I would cut them all with a pedestrian mower. It was a lot of hard work. This Etesia saves so much time and money. It is a great bit of kit.”

The Etesia Hydro 100 III ride-on mower is designed for professional users who require top-quality mowing and collection performance in all weather conditions. Powered by an 18 HP twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, it features a modern hydraulic drive transmission with differential lock, a large 500-litre grass box, and a cutting deck with rear central ejection for efficient grass collection.

Ollie initially considered the Etesia Buffalo ride-on mower, having seen impressive footage of its performance on social media. However, after careful evaluation, he realised that the Buffalo was too large for the more intricate formal gardens within the properties. “We wanted to get a demo of a Buffalo because it looks great, but we figured out it was a bit too big for the formal gardens. We wouldn’t have got it around some of the benches and flower beds.”

Given the uneven terrain of the properties, Ollie decided on the Hydro 100, known for its differential lock and sturdy design. “With the grounds being so uneven, we went for the Hydro 100 because it has a diff lock and it seemed very sturdy.”

Ollie’s decision was reinforced during a particularly wet demo session. “We got one on demo to start with—it was really wet—but these pick up the grass in wet conditions, even when it is long. It worked a treat on our demo; it picked up the grass and didn’t leave a mess, so we were really impressed with it, and we just went from there.”

The Hydro 100’s differential lock has proven invaluable on the steep, slippery slopes of the properties. “It is quite undulating and steep, and especially when it is wet, the diff lock comes in handy. As soon as you start feeling it slip a bit, you just engage the diff lock and it doesn’t leave a mess or wheel spin.”

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

During the peak growing season, Ollie faces the challenge of keeping up with rapidly growing grass. The Hydro 100 has made this task much more manageable. “If I was on my own and I only had my walk-behind mower, I would be completely swamped with grass and I would just be chasing my tail all the time. So having the Hydro 100 means I can stay on top of things. I’m no longer physically tired all the time from having to use my little walk-behind mower when I can use this instead.”

Ollie also appreciates the Hydro 100’s ability to cut and collect grass on formal lawns, ensuring that the grounds remain pristine for guests. “We cut and collect on the formal lawns because we don’t want guests to get their shoes clogged with grass and walk it into the castle—it wouldn’t be very popular with the housekeeping staff.”

The ease of adjusting the cutting height is another feature Ollie values. “To change the height of cut, you have something that looks like a handbrake. You just push the thumb button in and set the height using the lever. I tend to use a medium setting because we want to take the top third off the grass to keep it green.”

Ollie has also been impressed by the mower’s reliability, even in less-than-ideal conditions. “Considering how wet it has been over the past year I have never experienced any form of blocking, even if the grass is long and wet.”

For Ollie Davies and The Retreats Group, the Hydro 100 has proven to be an essential tool in maintaining the high standards of their luxury properties, ensuring that the grounds are always perfectly presented, no matter the conditions.

A video review with Ollie Davies can be found by visiting:  https://youtu.be/Uq4WoC4rPMo?si=o0iz9J20uf5OiPnX

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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

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Etesia launches new Hydro 100 Ride-on Model

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Etesia launches new Hydro 100 Ride-on Model: Etesia UK has announced the launch of the new Hydro 100 MK124 ride-on mower.

The new Etesia Hydro 124 boasts all the features of the popular Hydro 100 but has a larger 124cm cutting deck.

PERFORMANCE

The new Hydro 124 boasts a modern hydrostatic drive transmission with differential lock for better driveability and greater safety. Its 18 HP twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine and its larger 16-litre tank give it more power and range. The cutting deck with rear central ejection combined with two counter-rotating blades, the high clearance bridge and the large box make it an undisputed standard-setter for mowing and collection in all weathers.

Etesia launches new Hydro 100 Ride-on Model

Etesia launches new Hydro 100 Ride-on Model

Furthermore, it has a large 500-litre grassbox that can be emptied in seconds thanks to its hydraulic pump.

COMFORT

Its ergonomic design, low noise emission and supple new drive give the user the best working conditions for professional applications. All the controls are accessible without leaving the driving seat.

The hydrostatic drive makes gradual movement extremely smooth, and the absence of a turbine considerably reduces the noise emission, for greater user comfort. Also, it is designed to offer maximum safety.

ROBUSTNESS

The 18 HP Kawasaki engine offers unparalleled power and optimum work efficiency. The chassis is fully treated for corrosion protection and can withstand the effects of the weather in harsh working conditions. The cutting deck is cast in a single piece of one-centimeter-thick aluminium, for extreme strength.

VERSATILITY

The Hydro 124 has a wide range of accessories for winter work and for cutting long grass.

All Etesia machines come with a 2-year professional warranty as standard.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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

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New FG 100 flow sensor technology

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New FG 100 flow sensor technology: As droughts and water usage restrictions look set to become more frequent, new ways of saving water and using it more efficiently are being seriously considered by property owners and contractors.

Rain Bird Flow Sensor technology is designed to monitor irrigation systems and identify any emerging problems. Leaks or line breaks, typically caused by root intrusion, groundworks or vehicles could go unnoticed without flow sensors and result in damage to property, flooded landscapes and higher water bills.

New FG 100 flow sensor technology

New FG 100 flow sensor technology

The latest addition to Rain Bird’s range is the new FG100 Flow Sensor which is designed for residential or smaller commercial installations. It provides year round protection for the investment in an irrigation system by monitoring for high or low flow and instantly identifying when there is a leak or line break.

Information is fed back to a linked Rain Bird ESP-ME3 controller that supports flow monitoring and  remedial action can be undertaken immediately. When paired with Rain Bird’s Mobile App for iPhone or Android, which gives the user full control over flow settings, this can be conveniently carried out from any location.

The FG 100 is an up-front, low cost investment and as a simple add-on is fast and easy to install using standard irrigation wire. Its design includes a paddle wheel that sits in ceramic bearings and ensures durability. It is winter ready and does not need to be removed during the annual shutdown when using air to push water out of the system.

For more information on FG 100 models and operating specifications, contact Peter Longman, Rain Bird Europe, plongman@rainbird.eu  www.rainbird.eu

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