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Search for a Star sprayer operator

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Search for a Star sprayer operator: The Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards are back, with the chance to win a weekend away for two, along with essential education and useful tools to further improve the performance of what you do.

Above all, it is the recognition that sprayer operators play an essential role in the effective management of turf, landscape and amenity areas. Sharing the industry’s best practice, knowledge and practical experiences will help to raise the standards of all involved.

Search for a Star sprayer operator

Search for a Star sprayer operator

Applications should be made on the ICL website through this link or via the Syngenta GreenCast website.

It’s not about having the latest equipment or the biggest budget. The Sprayer Operator of the Year looks to identify and reward all individuals operating to the highest standards or professionalism.

The Awards are managed by the Amenity Forum, sponsored by ICL and Syngenta.

There are two prize winning categories to enter: Landscape & Industrial and Sports Turf, with both tractor-mounted and handheld sprayer operators eligible for both categories. The category winners will be announced from a short-list of finalists at the Amenity Forum Conference. The overall winner is announced at the BTME event in Harrogate.

The overall AFSOOTY winner will receive:

  • A two-night break for two in a luxury country house break*
  • A place on the Syngenta Application Academy
  • Attendance of the Amenity Forum Conference

Launching the Awards, Professor John Moverley, Chairman of the Amenity Forum said: “Accurate application ensures the best possible results from every input, whilst protecting the environment from drift or off target loss.

“Sprayer operators across the amenity sector have made great strides in recent years. Every operator has something that will add to the experience and help others.

“If you can demonstrate the ability and ingenuity to consistently achieve safe and accurate application through the whole spraying process, then you are in with a chance of winning.”

ICL Turf & Landscape Business Development Manager, Mark Pyrah, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it has identified and recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

Syngenta application specialist, Glenn Kirby, commented: “In previous years the Awards has identified some exceptional operators. They have all instigated ideas and practices to make the spraying process easier, more accurate and, ultimately, safer.

“The Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience.”

The on-line entry form enables operators to apply, along with anyone to nominate operators they acknowledge are doing a great job – including other members of the team; staff or people within the industry who recognise good practice with the machinery or product they have supplied.

Entries and nominations close on 30 June 2021.

After submitting an initial application form, successful entrants will be invited to answer a short questionnaire. Selected category finalists are judged on best practice and innovative ideas to improve and enhance spraying operations.

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Shining a light on innovation in the amenity sector

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Shining a light on innovation in the amenity sector: As part of its role in promoting best practice in all aspects of amenity management, the Forum has released a new digital publication entitled aptly enough ‘Amenity Innovation’.

It is intended to be a twice per year publication with articles on aspects of innovation and research. In the first edition, there are articles from Professor Alan Gange from Royal Holloway, University of London, on biological control, from Dr. Ruth Mann from STRI on innovations in sports, lawn and urban green spaces and from Dr. Penny Hundleby from the John Innes Institute on genome editing and what it can offer. Ian Graham, from Complete Weed Control, also considers what innovation can offer in his area of work.

Shining a light on innovation in the amenity sector

Shining a light on innovation in the amenity sector

The publication can be accessed here

https://amenityforum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Amenity-Innovation-Newsletter.pdf

As the independent chairman of the Amenity Forum, John Moverley, says in introducing the publication, ‘Undoubtedly much is happening in all aspects of amenity space and sports surface management and a publication such as this is seen as giving opportunity for all in the sector to hear of particular projects, innovations and current research ideas’

Currently the government is undertaking a review of all aspects of weed, pest and disease management with a view to producing a new UK National Action Plan, which will set the targets and requirements in future. The Forum is actively engaged in such discussions and, within their recent consultation, innovation is a key topic.

For further information on the activities of the Forum and its guidance information and events, contact Kate at admin@amenityforum.net and she will also be pleased to forward you a copy of the new publication.

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A short course with a long lifespan

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A short course with a long lifespan: Edinburgh’s Swanston Golf Club has reinvested in its Templar Course, some thirteen years after it first opened. The 9-hole par 3 course partners the Club’s 18-hole course and its short format is proving more popular than ever, appealing to many who appreciate the ability to play a round in under an hour.

Situated at the foot of the Pentland Hills with wonderful views across Edinburgh, Fife and beyond, Swanston Golf Club was founded in 1927, originally as a ladies-only course. Such was the panoramic beauty and challenging hilly nature of the course, demand from members’ partners meant that it wasn’t long before the Club was opened to all. It now prides itself on inclusivity, with a thriving junior section and a spacious, family-friendly Clubhouse that is open to members and non-members alike.

A short course with a long lifespan

A short course with a long lifespan

Recognising the popularity and further potential of the Templar Course, the Club’s management team re-engaged Huxley Golf in early 2021 to recreate all of its nine tees. As there are no natural grass alternatives, the whole course benefits from reliable artificial tee surfaces which guarantee year-round play.

Thirteen is unlucky for some but not for us it seems!” remarked Club Manager Secretary Mike Robson. “I understand that Huxley Golf worked on the initial installation thirteen years ago, so its testimony to their product and installation skills that Templar has stood the test of time. This is the first occasion that I have had the opportunity to work with Huxley Golf, but I had no hesitation in putting my trust in the company to revamp what is an increasingly popular feature of our Club.

From the longevity and performance of the initial installation, it was clear to me that the quality and playing experience of Huxley Golf surfaces remain unbeatable.”

Huxley Golf’s Hugh Fraser oversaw the project from removing old rotten wood bases to creating brand new playing surfaces using the company’s renowned Premier Tee Turf 2. “We were delighted to be entrusted with reinvigorating this fabulous short course, which will undoubtedly attract an even wider range of people and help the Club develop golf in the Lothian area,” he commented.

At the same time, the Huxley Golf team helped the Club lay a brand new practice tee strip near to the driving range. Measuring some 6ft (1.8m) by 75ft (22.8m), this large all-weather feature marries perfectly with adjoining natural grass to create a facility with season-long playability.

For over half a century, the name Huxley has been synonymous with premium all-weather golf surfaces and products. Endorsed by the UK’s leading golf organisations as well as many legendary golfers and celebrities and their coaching teams, the Hampshire-based company’s artificial golf surfaces are in use all around the world at top-flight courses, resorts, and training academies. For more information visit www.huxleygolf.com.

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Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac

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Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac: Castle Stuart Golf Links, situated close to Inverness and overlooking the Moray Firth, is the latest Scottish golfing venue to purchase a Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractor and a selection of attachments.

Delivered by local dealer, Double A Trading Company Ltd, the package includes the 25 hp all-terrain compact tractor unit in its 8-wheel configuration, a Contour deck, a Tough Cut deck and Power Rake.

Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac

Castle Stuart purchase a Ventrac

James Hutchison has been Head Greenkeeper since 2017, when he was promoted to the post from his previous position as deputy. He has been with the club for 14 years, since the beginning of the course build in 2007, so the course is in his DNA.

Commenting on the purchase of the Ventrac and attachments he said,

“This an excellent and versatile addition to our machinery fleet. Initially we’ve purchased three attachments, but I’m sure that over time we’ll be adding to this.

“The Tough Cut deck certainly lives up to its name. We’re using it extensively to take out the broom and gorse that has thrived here over the years. Its rapid growth tends to hide the undulations surrounding the fairways and can obscure the magnificent views over the Moray Firth, which is one of our strong selling points for visiting golfers. Some areas of the course are receiving their first cut in three years and it makes short work of a job that was previously done by a team with brushcutters. The combination of the 8-wheel tractor unit and Tough Cut deck feels really safe, especially when I’ve been using it on 30-degree slopes.

“We’ll be using the Contour deck as a replacement for our old John Deere rotary mower and this will maintain the semi-rough at around 38mm, with the option of raising the height of cut to 100mm, should it be necessary.

“The Power Rake attachment is going to save us time and money when it comes to maintaining the pathways around the course. These were constructed from basic hardcore and Type 1 aggregate when the course was built and do suffer from potholes caused by our machinery and the buggy fleet. I would usually send out three guys to fix potholes, but with this implement that will be reduced to just one.

“I’m now looking at a demonstration of the triple cylinder mowing unit to see if that will suit our future needs. There aren’t any other machines that can swap between rotary and cylinder units plus attach other implements such as trenchers, blowers and even stump grinders. This just demonstrates how versatile the Ventrac is!”

Designed by Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinen, Castle Stuart’s championship golf links opened in 2009 and features 18 holes with stunning views across the water to the Black Isle including Kessock bridge and Chanonry lighthouse. It has hosted the Scottish Open on four occasions and won numerous awards including the GEO Certified® ecolabel, an international accolade that recognises its high standards of performance in nature conservation, water and energy efficiency, ethical and environmental supply chain, pollution control and community engagement.

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GGM Group a UK distributor of RoviMo

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GGM Group a UK distributor of RoviMo: The GGM Group is delighted to announce they have signed a new distribution agreement with Swiss manufacturer Ronovatec to promote an innovative new robotic mower for sports grounds maintenance throughout the UK.

GGM Group plan to arrange the first public demonstration of the all new RoviMo, as soon as government restrictions allow. RoiMo’s intelligent design allows for the autonomous mowing of professional Sports turf saving potentially thousands of man hours in the maintenance of sports fields and stadiums.

GGM Group a UK distributor of RoviMo

GGM Group a UK distributor of RoviMo

The RoviMo is the world’s first intelligent electric vehicle capable of mowing patterns autonomously according to the guidelines of national football associations, UEFA, or FIFA, precisely and over the shortest distance, horizontally, vertically and with chessboard pattern, at the touch of a button. Supervision of the mowing process by an employee is not necessary.

Operated simply and efficiently remotely via an app, RoviMo® can also be used for mowing other large green areas, such as company premises or parks, and will be developed to be utilised by golf courses. RoviMo® is a multifunctional equipment carrier, which will be able to carry out other work processes such as maintenance of artificial turf, line marking and various other labour-intensive tasks.

RoviMo is currently in it’s final stages of development and field testing with the first machine installations in July 2021.  GGM are planning to arrange several demonstration events over the coming months, current restrictions permitting.

The GGM Group, based in Colne, Lancashire, has a rich heritage and proactively seeks new solutions on an ongoing basis. The new deal with Ronovatec marries perfectly with its strong values of professionalism, innovation, and providing progressive solutions that support its commitment to work towards cardon neutrality.

GGM Group Managing Director Chris Gibson explains more:

“RoviMo is something completely different, and it’s extremely exciting to be working with Ronovatec on what we believe will be a game changer in professional turfcare. RoviMo adds state of art technology to our portfolio allowing us to offer customers the next generation of intelligent mowers.  We are thrilled to have been involved from the early stages of development of these new innovative machines; they are the perfect addition to our product range as we continue to grow in the sports ground sectors”.

Chris Gibson continued:

“Over recent years there has been a trend for turfcare professionals to increase their green credentials and RoviMo not only offers this but achieves reduced cost and increased efficiency simultaneously. A fully charged RoviMo will mow circa 16’000 m2 in 5-6 hours depending on pattern and terrain, all without employee supervision of the mowing process, saving many man hours and employment costs. In addition, RoviMo® is fully electric, CO2-free, and autonomous with low noise pollution and is therefore ecologically sustainable and economically unbeatable. It’s a win-win for the customer.”

Chris Gibson concluded:

“It’s fantastic to be involved with this innovation at its development stage. While final machinery specifications are yet to be confirmed, we are very much looking forward to arranging the first public showing just as soon as we are allowed. Signing this deal is just the start, forging the path for things to come – the future of sports turf maintenance looks exciting”.

To register your interest and find out how the RoviMo can benefit your operations please register your interest at https://promo.ggmgroundscare.com/RoviMo or contact the project lead at GGM; Andy Melville; Tel: 07973 454001; Email: andy@ggmgroundscare.co.uk

Key benefits of the RoviMo include:

  • Fully Autonomous Intelligent Mowing
  • Fully Electric
  • Zero Co2
  • Reduced labour costs
  • Low noise
  • fuel cost savings
  • No hydraulics
  • Lower weight
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Optional: Autonomous grass collector/dumper

About GGM

The GGM Group consists of two businesses across two depots. PSD Groundscare is the national distributor of specialist landscaping equipment, including AS Motor, Eliet, Koppl and TS Industries. GGM Groundscare is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use. Servicing the North West and Yorkshire, it supplies a range of products from leading franchises including Kubota, Baroness and Dennis / Sisis and Amazone.

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