Tag Archive for: A

BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’

/in , /by

BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has launched a new scheme that will see exhibitors at its annual trade show and education conference encouraged to ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’.

The 2022 edition of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) was held from 22 to 24 March at the Harrogate Convention Centre, but is anticipated to return to its regular January date in 2023. Exhibitors who sign up to attend the 2023 event will be given the option of purchasing a tree, to be planted at a nominated golf course.

BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’

BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’

It is hoped that over the years sufficient trees will be planted to create a network of ‘BTME community woodlands’ around the UK, with Harrogate Golf Club the first club to participate in the scheme.

With individual trees capturing up to 1 tonne of carbon dioxide from our air over its lifetime, the scheme will raise awareness of the carbon footprint generated by major events such as BTME and be a flagship initiative as BIGGA seeks to improve its sustainable practices, as is echoed at forward-thinking golf facilities everywhere.

BIGGA Membership Services Manager for Sustainability James Hutchinson said: “The idea of planting trees as a means of offsetting carbon generated by people travelling to attend BTME was first proposed by a BIGGA member a couple of months ago and it is something that struck me as making a lot of sense. Those who know me know that I’m a dendrophile – I love trees – and as we explored the possibility further we uncovered schemes such as the National Trust’s pledge to plant 20 million trees by 2030, so it just made a lot of sense to get involved.

“It is always important to take great care when selecting what trees to plant on a golf course as not all species are appropriate or will generate the desired result, but by working with courses that are eager to create areas of woodland for the wider community, we believe this scheme will help to raise awareness of the good work that golf courses are doing to protect the natural environment.”

Harrogate Golf Club’s course manager, Ken Ward, said: “An old employer of mine once told me, ‘we’re just custodians of this land’. That rang true with me. We’re not here for that long but we want to leave it in a better place than we found it. This is an opportunity to get our members and two local primary schools involved with a project on the golf course, which is a fantastic thing.”

Plant a Tree for BTME is just one of a number of initiatives that BIGGA has undertaken to reduce the carbon footprint of BTME. BTME returns from 24 to 26 January 2023 at the Harrogate Convention Centre. The event is free to attend and for more information visit www.btme.org.uk

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.

Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang

/in , /by

Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang: After a pandemic-enforced two-and-a-half-year break, Collier Turf Care were delighted to resume their ever-popular bowls seminars. Hosted alongside Robert Jack and Andy Walker of Dennis and SISIS, over 40 attendees across two days were able to listen to talks on industry relevant issues, see some excellent machinery demonstrations and take part in thorough Q&A’s.

John Noyce & Chris Humphrey of Collier Turf Care led the presentations covering all things bowls! Turf disease, pests and future methods of prevention were top of the agenda. After a very informative morning the attendees were led outside to watch a very interactive demonstration of Dennis and SISIS’s latest equipment – after being fuelled by a hearty lunch of course.

Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang

Collier Turf Care seminars back with a bang

The day was enjoyed by all and we would like to thank both Horley Bowls Club and Newick Bowls Club for being excellent hosts and also providing the brilliant weather!

Testimonials

We were so blessed with a perfect spring day for the Seminar jointly hosted by our friends from Collier Turf Care in association with Dennis and SISIS.

After morning coffees, we were treated to a talk on Disease Management from Chris Humphrey followed by another very interesting insight into Earthworm Management by John Noyce, both representing Colliers.

After lunch, the Fine Turf Management talk and Machine demonstrations by Rob Jack and Andy Walker from Dennis/SISIS showed off some very nice machines.

All in all, we had a very informative and enjoyable day and everyone who attended got a great deal out of it.

Brian Wilson – Greenkeeper (Horley Bowls Club)

Just wanted to say thank you to you and all your team at Horley Bowls club, yesterday, for an excellent day.

Found all the talks and demonstration very interesting and informative. All in all, we had a very informative and enjoyable day and everyone who attended got a great deal out of it.

Philip Waterman – Tandridge District Council

The events also saw the launch of our new Bowling Green Groundsman’s Maintenance Guide. This booklet is full of excellent tips and advice on keeping your bowls green looking its best. To get your copy please get in touch with your local Collier Turf Care representative or call our offices on 01328 700600.

If you are interested in updates of future seminars or think that your club would be interested in hosting such an event, please get in touch by emailing benb@collier-turf-care.co.uk

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.

Mastenbroek enjoys a resurgence

/in , /by

Mastenbroek enjoys a resurgence: The UK’s leading designer of drainage trenchers has reported an unexpected resurgence of interest in its specialist sports field machine.

Last month, Mastenbroek received its first order for one of its 10/12D trenchers in over a decade.

Mastenbroek enjoys a resurgence

Mastenbroek enjoys a resurgence

The machine, which has recently been upgraded to feature the latest low-emission engine and improved operator controls, has been bought by AgriPower.

Established in 1964 as an agricultural drainage contractor, AgriPower entered the sports turf industry in 1978. The company has won several large contracts in the last six months, creating the need for a new machine.

The 2022 10/12D will work alongside AgriPower’s other Mastenbroek machines: a 30/20, 20/15 and CT12.

“We have never retired the 10/12D,” says Mastenbroek’s commercial director, Christopher Pett. “It’s always been available, but for some unknown reason, we haven’t sold one since 2009. That changed late last year when Graham Longdin at AgriPower contacted us. Since then, it’s been a bit like the saying about London buses and, following Graham’s order, we sold another 10/12D and received four other enquiries about it!”

AgriPower, which is based in Buckinghamshire but operates across the country, secured several large contracts at the back end of 2021, including work at the Webb Ellis Fields for Rugby school, several other public schools, local authorities and golf courses.

“We have enjoyed a buoyant period recently, with a significant number of organisations wanting to install new sports fields or improve the drainage of existing playing fields and golf courses, which is great news for us,” says Mr Longdin, director at AgriPower.

“With the new contracts coming on top of a very successful recent trading period, we’ve decided to update our front line machines to remain ahead of the game.

“The Mastenbroek 10/12D was the ideal choice. We could use a spinning disc type trencher behind a tractor, which would be fine on graded pitch work, but when faced with undulating ground, deep or wide trenching, the disc trenchers cannot cope, and fail to give the required accuracy. The 10/12D handles this type of terrain effortlessly.

“The 10/12D offers exceptional comfort for the driver, and its controls make it easy to oversee tracking and chain speed. It offers an attractive cost of ownership, especially as it now features the latest stage five emission engines.”

For further information about the 10/12D and the wider Mastenbroek range, please visit www.mastenbroek.com, email info@mastenbroek.com or call +44 1205 311 313.

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.

A gentle touch from TYM

/in , /by

A gentle touch from TYM: The Ashley Wood Golf Club in Dorset has returned to Reesink Turfcare and TYM after experiencing what its compact utility tractor line has to offer in terms of gentle and productive operation for its historically significant and environmentally protected site.

Open all year round, the 18-hole course was built in 1896, right over the Iron Age hillfort Buzbury Rings, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which has part of the course protected under Historic England regulations. All of this means extreme care is required with day-to-day maintenance as well as the machines used in the process.

A gentle touch from TYM

A gentle touch from TYM

This important job falls upon the greenkeeping team, comprised of five members including head greenkeeper Mark Sherwood, who has been at the club since 1992 and thus has amassed an incredible amount of knowledge, vital for the protection of the site.

“Because The Ashley Wood Golf Club sits in a protected zone, we need light machines that don’t compact the ground or cause any damage with the tyres,” Mark explains. “It’s a woodland area on top of the hills so it’s always windy, cold and dry, and requires quite a bit of aeration work. We use the tractors for this and they’re really productive and have been very handy cutting down some of the work for us.

“However, two years ago, we had an issue with the tractors we had at the time from a different brand – the lift capacity just wasn’t enough and the machines were straining under the weight of the aerator. This was, of course, very worrying from a safety and efficiency point of view, so we decided we needed to upgrade.

“We made contact with people with experience of using TYM and who were happy with their performance,” he recalls. “We had a demo with the T433, a 43hp machine with a loader, and it impressed us. The performance and reliability were unbeatable and made such a difference when compared to our old tractors; the hydraulic lift was remarkable for such a small machine and made quick work around the course.”

Mark was so pleased with his purchase that he recently went back to TYM distributor Reesink for another order: this time not only acquiring a second tractor, the T395, but also a TYM BY85 backhoe for use on the T433 helping with construction and maintenance work around the club, while the T395 is now being used primarily for greens aeration.

“Both the T433 and the T395 are very uncomplicated and easy to use,” he says. “Nothing much ever goes wrong with them and if and when it does, the servicing is very straight-forward. With four to five different operators, some of them not fully experienced at driving a tractor, knowing they wouldn’t struggle with operating the machines and could get them on the course and running quickly was a big selling point for us.

“Due to the weather, we also required cabbed tractors that would protect us from the elements and provide enough comfort for the six to seven hours we spend outside,” Mark continues. “TYM accomplishes that – we even got ourselves a heater to help keep us warm while we ride, and it’s made the lads want to use the machines all the time now!”

As for his experience with Reesink, Mark has only good things to say: “The fact that there were major supply delays going around due to the pandemic still, yet we were able to receive our order within three months of buying even though the models weren’t even in the country at the time, was amazing,” Mark points out. “We’re very happy with our dealer; they’re there when we need them and their products are exactly as described. I’m over the moon with the service and cannot praise them enough.”

To find out more about the TYM range and the tractor attachments available from Reesink call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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.

A Cordless Hover that is less bother

/in , /by

A Cordless Hover that is less bother: New to Mountfield for 2022, we introduce the Typhoon – a cordless hover mower which will allow you to mow with the flow!

The Typhoon is powered by 2 x 4Ah (20V) smart Stiga e-power batteries that provide ample power to cut lawns up to 100sqm from one charge.

A Cordless Hover that is less bother

A Cordless Hover that is less bother

Easy to use and Easy to manoeuvre the Typhoon will glide across the grass with ease, forwards, backwards and side to side…. And with no cord to get tangled in bushes, hedges, or garden furniture!

The unique patented cutting deck traps the air creating the right amount of energy to produce the cushioning effect that lifts the mower from the ground similar to a hovercraft.  The blade has been specially designed for maximum cutting efficiency without disturbing air flow.

This mower is extremely lightweight, just 7kg so very easy to transport to areas around the garden that require cutting.  It is also easy to store in any garden shed or garage, flat against the wall from a single hook.

The mower comes with 2 x 20V 4Ah batteries and a dual charger, the batteries are interchangeable within other products in the Freedom100 cordless range such as a grass trimmer, blower, vacuum shredder, hedge trimmer and multi-tool as well as a selection of 3 collecting mowers.

The Typhoon is a must-have for those who have stepped gardens or sloped grassed banks and will be available from Amazon UK, selected B&Q stores and online at B&Q and Screwfix from March 2022.

Easy Mows it!

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.