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A decade of grassroots pitch improvement

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A decade of grassroots pitch improvement: Over the last ten years, the GMA’s skilled team of regional pitch advisors has been working with grassroots sports clubs to raise the standards of sports surfaces and train volunteers.

In that time, almost 50,000 pitches have been improved across grassroots football, cricket, rugby league and union.

A decade of grassroots pitch improvement

A decade of grassroots pitch improvement

The programme has worked with more than 12,500 clubs and 14,500 volunteers.

The Pitch Advisory Service, formerly the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme, was launched in 2014 and is funded by Sport England and the Football Foundation, working in association with the FA, ECB, RFL and RFU.

Jason Booth leads the Pitch Advisory Service, he says: “This is a brilliant example of sporting bodies working together to raise the standards of sports surfaces and the understanding of sports turf management practices among grassroots sports clubs across England.

“There has never been more pressure on pitches. Whether that’s the effect of more extreme weather caused by climate change, or more demand as a greater and more diverse range of people want to play sport.

“We all want more people playing – it brings so many health and wellbeing benefits. To enable that, we need to make sure our grassroots pitches are properly maintained – grounds are literally the foundation of sport. We need to recognise that, value grounds teams, and invest in them.”

One of the clubs that have benefitted from the Pitch Advisory Service is the Ashton Bears Rugby Club in Wigan.

The rugby league outfit, which hosts a total of 25 men’s, women’s, and children’s teams, had been hampered by an unstable pitch that frequently became waterlogged throughout the season.

“Before support from the Pitch Advisory Service, our pitches would regularly have to close for player safety. One surface was only playable for three months of the year” says Club Secretary, Mark Webster.

The Pitch Advisory Service team carried out an assessment and made a number of recommendations, including reducing the height of the cut to 40mm from 70mm and to increase the cutting frequency to weekly. Decompaction, sand topdressing, weed killing, and overseeding were also recommended. Funding was secured to install a drainage solution for the pitches.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support we received. It’s truly transformed our facilities at Bear Park. We now have some of the most resilient pitches in the area – staying open when others have had to close” Mark continues.

“Our girls’ teams can play concurrently and both men’s open-age teams can play at home. We host up to eight games on a Sunday. We’ve also been able to expand to create new women’s teams, something which previously was impossible due to the lack of capacity on the old pitches.”

Building on the success so far, the Pitch Advisory Service continues to offer support to grassroots clubs.

Any club in England looking for support can contact the Pitch Advisory Service to find out more: www.thegma.org.uk/services/pitch-advisory-service

There are also a host of free resources available with the Grounds Management Toolkit, essential grounds maintenance resources for volunteers from the GMA: https://resources.thegma.org.uk

The Grounds Management Framework is a good place to start to consider the surface quality a club is aiming for, and the investment and skills needed to get there: https://thegma.org.uk/GMF

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Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX

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Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX: Visitors to the Mansfield Sand stand (E150) at SALTEX 2024, taking place on 30 and 31 October at the NEC, Birmingham, will have the opportunity to explore a comprehensive range of sand-based products designed to enhance the health and performance of sports pitches.

With over 170 years of expertise, Mansfield Sand has been at the forefront of developing premium silica sand-based products. The company offers a wide array of innovative solutions for sports, landscaping, and equestrian applications, including stadium and training ground facilities, championship golf courses, and world-class show jumping arenas.

Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX

Achieve a Perfect Pitch with Mansfield Sand at SALTEX

At SALTEX, Mansfield Sand’s industry experts will be available to discuss how their products can transform your sports turf projects. Key products on display will include:

Reinforced Rootzone

Mansfield Sand’s Reinforced Rootzones are engineered to maximize the use of natural turf surfaces while meeting the high standards required by today’s sports industry. The reinforcement technology used in these products provides enhanced stability and durability, ensuring that sand-dominated rootzones remain free-draining and consistent across the entire surface.

The range includes:

Fibre Reinforced Rootzone – reinforced with polypropylene fibres for added strength.

Fibrelastic Rootzone – combines polypropylene fibres with flexible Elastane fibres to enhance surface resilience.

Fibresand – ideal for maintaining surface integrity when grass cover is reduced due to heavy usage or winter wear.

Sand Soil Rootzones

Mansfield Sand is dedicated to helping turf managers achieve the ideal surface condition week after week. Their Sand Soil Rootzones are crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring exceptional results whether used for renovation or construction. The Mansil 40 Silica Sand blended with screened topsoil creates an optimal rootzone foundation.

Sand Compost Rootzones

For projects requiring a rootzone rich in organic content, Mansfield Sand offers a range of premium sand compost blends. These products are designed to retain nutrients and enhance drought resistance, promoting healthier, more resilient turf.

Top Dressing

Tailored for the fine turf market, Mansfield Sand’s Soil Top Dressing combines their superior silica sands with top-quality soils. The mixture is sterilised and screened to create a smooth, stone-free dressing that is easy to apply. Custom dressing blends and soil amendments are also available to meet specific turf management needs.

Mansil Silica Sand Sports Range

Mansfield Sand’s Mansil range of silica sands, sourced from their Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, is essential for constructing and maintaining a variety of sports surfaces, from winter sports pitches and golf courses to bowling greens and other amenity turf areas.

For more information, visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk , follow them on Twitter at @MansfieldSand, or connect on Facebook at Mansfield Sand Sport Surfaces.

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Christmas present was a Ventrac

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Christmas present was a Ventrac: Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Golf Club surprised their Head greenkeeper Paul Best in December last year, when he was called down to the maintenance facility on a fictious errand, only to find that he was the recipient of a brand new Ventrac all-terrain compact tractor and several attachments.

Although the Ventrac was on his wish-list, machinery procurement at the club normally takes place in the summer, so it was huge surprise when he saw the machine complete with Contour deck, Tough Cut deck and Turbine blower.

Christmas present was a Ventrac

Christmas present was a Ventrac

The surprise was organised by Steve Bootes, the club’s General Manager, who has a great relationship with Paul and the greenkeeping team.

“We’d already sat down together”, said Steve, “and drawn up the spec and rational for the purchase. We knew we wanted a machine that provided versatility and could work in wet weather. The Ventrac was the obvious choice. The board here were happy to provide the finance to pull the purchase forward from our usual summer machinery upgrading programme, so I went ahead with the order and ‘forgot’ to tell Paul or any of his team. The look on his face when he saw the machine was priceless, the expletives he uttered on video, not so!”

Steve and Paul have worked together in their current roles for almost seven years and have a close working relationship. Paul joined the club as a 17-year-old apprentice and has risen through the ranks over the intervening 25 years. He was assistant head greenkeeper in his early 20s and then shadowed former head greenkeeper David Horn for six months prior to his retirement. However, the step up to head greenkeeper was not a forgone conclusion and he beat 19 other applicants for the top job.

Commenting on the Ventrac, Paul said,

“To say I was gobsmacked when I saw the Ventrac is an understatement; it was a massive surprise; a brilliant Christmas present, not just for me, but the whole team!

“It was a really wet season, but we managed to persuade the board that this was the piece of kit we needed going into the winter to enhance the playing surfaces and visual appearance. Usually we’d leave the fairways, as they were too wet to cut, but we striped them up all through the winter. We just missed what we call the ‘leaf season’, but this year with the leaf blower it’s going to pay dividends. Our current blower is towed behind a utility vehicle, which means that we’re using double the amount of fuel; one to power the blower and the other in the tow vehicle. The Ventrac is a single unit, so we’re saving fuel and it can go out without marking the fairways.

“The Tough Cut is brilliant in the deep rough and woodland margins; it takes down brambles and saplings with ease, knocks them down and mulches them. During the main season we use the Contour deck on our tee banks, but during the winter it’s also used on tees, fairways and even approaches.”

General Manager Steve Bootes was previously a senior electrical technician, who spent over 25 years working in the local paper mill, with an added responsibility for training a large group of apprentices. When the paper mill closed, he spent 10 years with a local engineering company, providing electrical drives for the water industry.

A keen golfer, he was a committee member for 15 years and club captain in 2005-6. Following the departure of two General Managers in quick succession, he took on the role for an initial 6-month trial period, and has successfully been in the role since 2017.

He concluded by saying,

“There’s a very good atmosphere at this club, across all departments. There’s a lot of respect for Paul and his team and that’s because of the training they’ve had, the leadership they’ve got and the equipment that enables them to do their job.

“The Ventrac is an integral part of our course maintenance plan and I’m now being pressured by Paul for a second machine. It’s not a forgone conclusion that he’ll get one, but we’ll make a good business case going forward and see what the board says.

“From my perspective, it’s not just putting faith in a machine; we must have support to ensure that it performs to its maximum and that’s where Price Turfcare, the Ventrac distributor, have been exemplary. As long as Paul puts in a parts order before 12 noon, he gets the item the next day. That’s the type of partner we want at this club.”

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Green-tech’s James Webster a winner

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Green-tech’s James Webster a winner: Green-tech is delighted to announce that James Webster, one of their dedicated Account Managers, has been named a winner of Pro Landscaper’s prestigious ‘30 Under 30 – The Next Generation’ initiative.

25-year-old James Webster was chosen for his impressive contributions and rapid career progression within the landscape industry. The ’30 Under 30: The Next Generation’ initiative, celebrates 30 rising stars across the arboriculture, garden design, horticultural, and landscaping sectors; and aims to showcase the diverse career opportunities available to young professionals.

Green-tech’s James Webster a winner

Green-tech’s James Webster a winner

James began his journey with Green-tech in 2017 straight from education, and his progression is a testament to his hard work and passion for the industry. James started in the operations and warehouse departments; a role that provided him with a solid foundation in the company. His eagerness to advance and a keen interest in sales led him to a sales role in John Chambers Wildflower Seed, a brand under Green-tech. This experience broadened his sales acumen and his appreciation for the positive influence of landscaping and biodiversity on the environment. James then transitioned to a role within Green-tech’s wider sales team, where his dedication and growing expertise led to his promotion to Technical Sales Representative. In 2023, James was promoted to Account Manager. His commitment to fostering strong relationships and delivering exceptional is at the heart of his success.

Reflecting on his achievement, James said, “I am genuinely thrilled to be named a winner of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30. Climbing the ranks at Green-tech to my current position has been a rewarding journey, and I’m proud that my efforts have been acknowledged outside of my organisation. The landscaping industry is an amazing field to be part of and I’m delighted that I have met the high standards that these awards strive for.”

Kris Nellist, Managing Director of Green-tech, expressed his pride, stating, “James is the ninth person from Green-tech to be recognised in the ’30 Under 30: The Next Generation’ since its inception in 2014. I am incredibly proud of our company’s culture that supports and nurtures young talent, helping them reach their full potential. James exemplifies this with his hard work, respect from peers and customers. He has a very bright future ahead and I wish him all the best.”

The official awards ceremony will take place at FutureScape 2024 on Wednesday 16th October where Green-tech looks forward to celebrating James’s achievements.

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Finance a new Polaris vehicle

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Finance a new Polaris vehicle: Polaris Off Road is pleased to share that its bestselling RANGER and ATV line-up is now available on operating lease finance. From as little as £215.20 a month* those looking to upgrade or lease a new Polaris vehicle can do so easily by spreading the cost over 1+35 months.

Available until 31.12.2024 and running in conjunction with finance partners, DLL, a global leasing company with more than 50 years of experience, Polaris vehicles become more accessible through the finance options to those when it is needed most.

Finance a new Polaris vehicle

Finance a new Polaris vehicle

Richard Coleby, National Sales Manager said: “We understand the challenges our customers face, so these operating lease finance options ease the burden of upfront costs. Whether our customers are looking to upgrade essential equipment for the upcoming harvest, preparing for the hunting season or simply for the everyday, our customers can finance the cost of a vehicle to suit them.”

Models available on Polaris’ operating lease finance include the Sportsman 570 ATV and RANGER UTV models: RANGER 570; RANGER 1000 with EPS; RANGER Diesel Deluxe and the all-electric RANGER XP Kinetic Premium.

Sportsman 570

Prices for the Sportsman 570 EU start from £8,499, but can be financed for as little as £215.20pcm**.

The Sportsman 570 is the bestselling and most trusted ATV globally. Featuring a bold design with a handlebar-mounted pod light, an integrated LED work light and built-in battery charging the Sportsman 570 will take you from day to night. It has a towing capacity of 680kg and sealed MacPherson Strut suspension on the front with 20.8cm of travel, alongside Dual A-Arm independent rear suspension with 24.1cm of travel allowing you to get the job done.

RANGER 570

The RANGER 570 EU is available from £11,999, but customers can split the cost of this over 36 months for just £274.70**.

The small but mighty mid-size RANGER 570 UTV punches well above its weight, with a Prostar 570cc double-overhead-cam engine – which packs class-leading power. The RANGER offers incredible suspension providing 25.8cm of ground clearance, a tighter turning radius and has a compact width of just 144.5 cm, giving the 570 a best-in-class combination of manoeuvrability and capability.

RANGER 1000

For those looking to split the cost of the RANGER 1000 EU over 36 months, they can do so for just £370.85**.

Polaris’ answer to top-level full-size performance at a great price point. There’s not much the RANGER 1000 can’t do with a ProStar 1000 Engine, 30.5cm of ground clearance and 25.4cm of suspension travel (front and rear), an impressive payload capacity of 454kg and a tight turning radius to stay agile in tight spaces, the RANGER 1000 is one of the most capable machines on the market.

RANGER Diesel Deluxe

The RANGER Diesel Deluxe EU can be purchased for £17,899, but those looking to finance can do so from £388.04 per month**.

As the ultimate utility workhorse, the RANGER Diesel Deluxe is durable, dependable and capable thanks to its impressive 1,134kg towing capacity, 730kg payload capacity and features – including but not limited – to Polaris’ On-Demand all-wheel drive, electric power steering and Active Descent Control. For 2025, the RANGER Diesel Deluxe sees upgrades in the way of a new redesigned front end and a Gen 2 transmission for smooth and consistent shifting.

RANGER XP Kinetic

The RANGER XP Kinetic Premium starts at £29,199 or can be purchased with 36-month finance at £597.59**.

Pushing the industry forward, the RANGER XP Kinetic provides unrivalled durability and capability thanks to its all-electric powertrain. Delivering class-leading 110-horsepower and 140Ib-ft of torque, the RANGER XP Kinetic provides maximum power, quick acceleration and precise control. Offering an impressive towing capacity of 1,134kg and boasting an industry-best 680kg payload capacity, it is the vehicle that keeps on giving. Available in a Premium and Ultimate trim, the Premium trim offers a single 14.9 kWh lithium-ion battery with a range of up to 45 miles whilst the Ultimate trim has a battery capacity of 29.8 kWh with a higher estimated range of 80 miles***.

Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found at www.polarisbritain.com/promotions.

*Model depending. Terms and conditions apply.

**Pricing information is a representative example only and is based on a 36-month fixed-term lease with 36 monthly instalments plus VAT and is subject to availability. Documentation fees also apply. Monthly rentals are all based on 500-1000 hours usage per annum.

*** Range estimates based on manufacturer data on typical customer driving usage and conditions. Actual range varies based on conditions such as external environment, weather, speed, cargo loads, rates of acceleration, vehicle maintenance, and vehicle usage.

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Toro U.K. Limited makes a strong debut at GroundsFest

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Toro U.K. Limited makes a strong debut at GroundsFest: Toro U.K. Limited marked a significant milestone at GroundsFest 2024, held from September 10th to 11th, by hosting its own independent stand (OSA640) for the first time. The event was an outstanding success, offering Toro the opportunity to connect with new and existing customers and dealers from the groundscare industry.

Positive Engagement at Our First Independent Stand

GroundsFest 2024 proved to be a landmark event for Toro U.K. Limited, drawing substantial interest from industry professionals eager to see the latest in grounds maintenance technology. Matthew Coleman, Sales Manager Professional Landscape Contractor & Site Works Equipment for the UK Direct Market, shared his thoughts on the show: “GroundsFest 2024 was an incredible opportunity for Toro to present our latest innovations directly to our audience. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and it was fantastic to engage with so many professionals who are passionate about enhancing their work with the latest technology. We’re thrilled with the connections we made and the conversations that took place, reaffirming Toro’s position as a leader in the groundcare industry.”

Toro U.K. Limited makes a strong debut at GroundsFest

Toro U.K. Limited makes a strong debut at GroundsFest

Successful Partnership with Machinery Nation

A standout feature of Toro’s presence at the event was our successful partnership with Machinery Nation, who showcased the Toro Dingo® compact utility loaders, including the TX1000 Turbo and TX1300. Machinery Nation put these versatile machines to the test with their own obstacle course, demonstrating the Dingo’s powerful performance, agility, and versatility in real-world conditions. Attendees were impressed by the machines’ ability to handle challenging tasks with ease, further highlighting Toro’s commitment to providing innovative solutions for the industry.

Showcasing Innovation and Sustainability

Visitors to the Toro stand were introduced to a range of cutting-edge products, including the Toro ProLine H600 and the Toro eProStripe. The ProLine H600 is known for its compact width and small turning circle, high capacity cutting deck, and huge 700L hopper, making it ideal for professional groundskeepers who need reliable, high-quality results on a range of turf conditions. The Toro eProStripe, with its precision striping capability and quiet, battery-powered operation, is perfect for maintaining sport pitches and training grounds, offering a combination of performance and precise cut and finish.

Revolutionary Machines and Hand Tools

Toro also highlighted its Revolution™ Series range, featuring industry-leading products like the Toro Z Master Revolution zero-turn mower and the Toro GroundStand Revolution stand-on mower. These mowers are built with powerful HyperCell™ battery technology that matches the performance of traditional petrol engines, offering 7+ hours of operation time and no engine exhaust emissions, which cater to environmentally conscious grounds maintenance professionals.

The Revolution Handhelds professional range was also on display, including a battery-powered Leaf Blower, String Trimmer, and Hedge Cutter that provide excellent power, reduced vibration, and low noise levels, ideal for grounds maintenance tasks in noise-sensitive environments.

Connecting with Industry Professionals

GroundsFest 2024 served as a valuable platform for Toro U.K. Limited to engage directly with industry professionals, receive feedback, and build relationships with new dealers and customers. The show reinforced our commitment to supporting the groundcare industry with state-of-the-art solutions that enrich the beauty, productivity, and sustainability of the land.

Stay Connected with Toro

For those who missed GroundsFest, it’s not too late to learn about Toro’s innovative products. Visit our website or reach out to our team to discover how Toro can help elevate your ground maintenance projects.

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Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper

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Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper: For the last 18 years Course Manager Geoff Smith has been spending hours meticulously setting up and inputting into an array of spreadsheets to help him manage the greenkeeping staff and grounds at the beautiful Abridge Golf Club in Romford, Essex.

‘All my spreadsheets were stored on a USB stick which I guarded with my life. It recorded everything I needed to manage all areas of the golf course including budgets and provided the necessary evidence and reports to justify everything we did. It didn’t bear thinking about if it was to ever get lost!”

Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper

Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper

Geoff joined the Abridge 18-hole, par 72 Championship golf course in 1996 and knows the greens better than anyone. He was a customer of Rigby Taylor, Headland Amenity and Symbio for around 12 years before they merged in 2021 to form Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS). “I love working with Origin, it’s been around 15 years now, and can’t praise them highly enough. They have great reps and some fantastic products. I put nearly all of my business through them.”

The course was first designed, in 1962 by renowned maestro of English Golf, Henry Cotton, whose outstanding feature was that both loops of nine holes started and finished at the clubhouse. It is considered one of the finest in the county and is an Open Regional Qualifying Course. It has held various Essex tournaments and was host to the PDC EuroPro Tour event in 2022. Geoff uses a combination of non-biological and biological products as part of an Integrated Turf Management programme. “The OAS reps work with me to choose products that complement each other well and ensure the very best outcome.  We have around 750 members and our course and greens are expected to be in the best possible condition free of disease”, adds Geoff.

In 2023 Geoff was persuaded to trial the OAS TurfKeeper web-based digital platform which is designed to replace all manual spreadsheets and ledgers. He had a demonstration from Kevin Scarce, Turf Keepers Product Manager and whilst impressed was reluctant to move away from his trusted spreadsheets.

With greenkeepers and turf professionals facing mounting pressure to justify every decision they make, from equipment purchases to project proposals, and with costs soaring and resources dwindling, the need for data-driven insights is critical. TurfKeeper is being used in many golf and sports clubs across the UK and is equipping turf managers and greenkeepers with the tools they need to maximise resources, streamline decision-making, and manage turf maintenance.

Geoff implemented Turfkeeper in July 2023 and after a couple of hours of training set about entering his information into the system. Geoff considers himself “Old school” and wanted to try it alongside his existing spreadsheets. “I shouldn’t have worried, it’s such a user-friendly system and works brilliantly. I love it and dropped my spreadsheets at the end of 2023. I now use Turfkeeper exclusively for all my data.”

At the heart of TurfKeeper lies a robust suite, from staff management to inventory control, task planning to budgeting. TurfKeeper provides greenkeepers with a central hub to oversee every aspect of their operations. “I use it for everything”, adds Geoff, “It’s only as good as the information you put into it though, so I spent a few days inputting – staff wages, hours, stock information, budgets, maintenance programme, etc and now it’s so easy to pull off the information I want.  That’s the beauty of Turfkeeper. It gives you graphics and pie charts to show to management or the Greens Committee – everyone loves a picture – it’s so easy to understand and takes no time to produce.”

Abridge Golf Club is set in 240 acres of beautiful parkland with some of the finest views over the Essex countryside. It’s a close-knit club and its members and a Greens Committee are encouraged to interact, question, and offer their suggestions. Geoff has a wealth of knowledge and is held in high esteem, but he does enjoy knowing he has data at his fingertips that he can show to back up his decisions or support his capital requests. His members requested the tees be cut by hand for a better finish. In seconds Geoff had a report that showed the extra labour required to achieve this and the associated cost that management needed to sign off on additional staff recruitment.

Geoff is supported by a team of nine, there are currently 2 other people in his team with access permissions to the system, his deputy Ben Scrivener and first assistant Jamie Blagdon. They both assist Geoff with stock control, applications and help assist with planning tasks in Geoff’s absence. Geoff now spends 30-45 minutes to plan for the week and month ahead, rather than the couple of hours previously.  “I use TurfKeeper for everything but primarily organising tasks for the greenkeeping team, stock control, and budget control.”

One of the most significant benefits of TurfKeeper is its ability to save time and resources. By automating repetitive tasks and eliminating manual paperwork, Geoff can focus his efforts on strategic decision-making and turf maintenance. “I am delighted with TurfKeeper, it has saved me hours of labour and I only have one platform to enter information into and extract data from. The team likes it because they can view the full picture, they know what is planned for everyone for the weeks and months ahead. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

If you would like a free no-obligation 30-minute demonstration, call 07850 638 508 or visit www.turfkeeper.com

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Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

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Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle: Perennial – the charity who supports those who work in horticulture – is excited to invite you and your team to participate in a thrilling firewalk fundraiser on 18 October 2024. Set against the stunning backdrop of Hever Castle, this unforgettable experience will challenge your team’s courage and strengthen your commitment to supporting the horticultural community.

The event starts at 3:00pm, allowing participants to experience the serene beauty of Hever Castle’s grounds before facing the flames.

Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

With expert firewalk instructors on hand to provide comprehensive training, you can be confident that your team will be fully prepared to walk across hot coals and blaze a trail for a good cause.

By registering for £25 per person, with a fundraising target of £150, your business will directly contribute to Perennial’s essential services, which include health and financial wellbeing and training and development programmes for individuals in the horticultural industry.

For over 185 years, Perennial has been a reliable safety net for horticulturists in need. They understand the pressures of the job and are here to help when it matters most. Now, more than ever, it’s vital for both organisations and individuals in our sector to support Perennial. By doing so, we can ensure that our industry brothers and sisters are taken care of, no matter what challenges they face.

Neil Miller, Head Gardener at Hever Castle shares his enthusiasm “As a long-time supporter of the fantastic charity Perennial, I literally can’t wait to get my boots off and walk across hot coals for them at Hever Castle on the 18 October! We think it will be a really wonderful (and unforgettable) experience and would love as many of our horticultural friends as possible to join us on the day and raise lots of funds for a charity very close to my heart.”

“We are delighted to host our second firewalk at such a prestigious and historic location,” says Eleanor Steele, Community Fundraiser at Perennial “The Firewalk is not just about the thrill of the challenge; it’s about coming together as a community to support those who nurture the landscapes and gardens we all cherish. We encourage everyone to join us for an unforgettable evening that promises to inspire and make a real difference.”

Nathan Day, from Plan & Plant, who took part in Perennial’s 2023 firewalk shared his experience “Being able to challenge ourselves and prove that we can tackle anything was great, but to connect with like-minded peers was a lovely reminder that we are part of a wider endearing community. If you have the time or enthusiasm to help others, we highly recommend signing up for their next challenge!”

For more information and to register your business for this unforgettable experience, visit perennial.org.uk/firewalk. Let’s walk together for a brighter future in horticulture.

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JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

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JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach: The prestigious JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, Staffordshire is preparing to host the LIV Golf UK event next week, from 26-28 July 2024, replacing Centurion Golf Club in Hertfordshire as LIV’s UK LIV stop.

JCB has hosted events in the last two years on the Legends Tour, the DP World Tour’s veteran circuit. They now join an ever-growing list of UK golf courses in connection with LIV Golf and its financial investment in the professional game.

JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

The new Golf and Country Club opened less than five years ago in September 2019 and its testimony to Golf Course Manager Callum Wark and his 33-strong team that this is already a tournament standard course, having hosted events on the Legends Tour and the DP World Tours veteran circuit.

Previously from Loch Lomond Golf Club, Callum joined the original JCB Course Manager Euan Grant as a Senior Greenkeeper in June 2016, along with another 15 people who were all instrumental in the construction and grow-in of the course.

Kerr Hunter from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), which encompasses Symbio, Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, and Turfkeeper, has dealt with Callum since his inception at the club.  Callum explains, “JBC wanted an organic and sustainable course. Euan had been working with Kerr from his former club and wanted the same results. With the active ingredients in fungicides being slowly removed from the market we wanted to proactively manage our greens moving forward and wanted to adopt a biological programme that required less input from us.”

In 2018 Euan became the General Manager and Callum was promoted to Golf Course Manager. He oversaw the official launch of the JCB Golf and Country Club, which was designed to reflect the bold, ambitious vision of Lord Bamford, Chairman of the iconic construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer JCB who wanted nothing less than the creation of a tour-ready contemporary masterpiece in course design.

Internationally renowned Robin Hiseman of European Gold Design was commissioned to create the stunning, contemporary layout in beautiful rural Staffordshire. The 7308-yard par 72 course has been designed to challenge elite golfers at full distance while allowing corporate golfers an enjoyable experience.

Callum continues, “I’m not against chemical inputs and where I need to, I do use them, but I find that by following a biological programme we only have a limited need for them. There is a high level of expectation that the course is in immaculate condition. We cannot afford for our members to see any disease or scarring so as a preventative we currently spray fungicide preventatively on the greens three times a year, but we are planning on reducing this to two times if possible. I see it as a safety net.”

The course is built on land close to the JCB headquarters in a mixture of established woodland and farmers’ fields. The site wasn’t the easiest to work on as there was a lot of clay and drainage was a challenge. Hiseman and his team moved over 400,000m3 of earth to produce the course.

OAS helped with the specification of a full assembly grow-in programme to enable the course to be built with a biological base. Some of the products used included Mycorrhizal Inoculant for greens and tees and Mycorrhizal SeedCoat for fairways and outfields

along with Caviar, calcium and magnesium.

Callum adds, “Today the soil is biologically active and the course is maintained with a vigorous organic and biological programme. We have four Compost Tea brewers and use Compost Teas every two weeks to feed the soil life and enhance the soil food web. We have a full greens programme to aid in the prevention of disease and improve plant health.  We have fantastic results and the OAS biological products maintain the quality. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!”

Origin Amenity Solutions is the major supplier to the JCB Golf and Country Club for their putting greens. As well as a myriad of biological products such as ThatchEater, seaweed, CMS Shoot, DegrAid, Biotabs and Liquid Aeration, Callum has been using OAS Iron products for the fairways, ‘it is a high-quality product and one that works with our programme.”

‘Symbio ThatchEater is a core product for us. Our members demand high-performance surfaces. They must be firm and fast at all times. We still need to aerate regularly but ThatchEater is my go-to product.”

“The service and advice I receive from Kerr at OAS is invaluable.  We have a planned programme, but we tweak it accordingly.  A few years ago, I had a problem with plant parasitic Nematodes. Kerr recommended Root Repair.  The problem was eradicated, and I’ve never had an issue since.  The biological approach works for us, our greens are tournament-ready, and the club is looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

For further information or to discuss a bespoke programme for your club contact the OAS team on 0800 138 7222 or email sales@originamenity.com

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International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

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International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), in conjunction with other global greenkeeping associations, is recognising those who are essential to golf’s success with the return of the popular Thank A Greenkeeper Day.

On Tuesday 10 September, all golfers, those who are in the golf business or anyone who benefits from the game is encouraged to thank greenkeepers and other turf technicians for their hard work and dedication to creating the playing surfaces enjoyed by millions around the globe.

International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

International Thank A Greenkeeper Day is coming

In addition to BIGGA, other groups taking part in the global event include:

  • Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
  • Australian Sports Turf Managers Association
  • Canadian Golf Superintendents Association
  • Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations

Together the groups represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in 78 countries around the world.

The celebration will include commercials that will appear on the Golf Channel, print advertisements and social media messages, all sharing the many ways that greenkeepers benefit the game and their communities. Golfers and others are encouraged to join in the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThankAGreenkeeper (in the UK) or #ThankASuper (United States and elsewhere).

Celebrities to already record messages of support include Jimmy Bullard, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole, as well as reality TV star Mark Wright, social media influencers Mia Baker and Gaz Beadle and Sky Sports personalities Kirsty Gallagher and Trey Niven. But it’s not just about celebrities or professional golfers and everyone associated with golf is encouraged to get involved.

Golf courses and other groups are encouraged to provide special recognition for their greenkeeping team. In previous years this has included providing a clubhouse meal or a token of gratitude for the team or just sharing a message of support across club newsletters and websites.

During the 2023 Thank A Greenkeeper Day, social media messages reached more than 14.7 million followers around the world, while broadcast media reached an additional 18 million people.

A social media tool kit will be made available in early August with materials to aid in the celebration and this will be shared on the BIGGA website.

More information about Thank A Greenkeeper Day is available on the BIGGA website, where you can view some of the amazing messages of support that have already been received, as well as reflect on the success of the 2023 instalment.

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