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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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Baroness fleet a ‘gamechanger’ for Southwick Park

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Baroness fleet a ‘gamechanger’ for Southwick Park: Built up over the last six years, a fleet of eight mowers from Baroness have played a pivotal role in the significant improvements in course condition at Southwick Park Golf Club.

Attaining a consistent and outstanding quality of cut in conditions described as a ‘grass factory’ by Course Manager Jim Fancey isn’t easy, but it’s what he says they’re achieving day-in, day-out with their suite of ride-on and pedestrian mowers.

Baroness fleet a ‘gamechanger’ for Southwick Park

Baroness fleet a ‘gamechanger’ for Southwick Park

The course, widely regarded as ‘Hampshire’s Hidden Gem’, is located in the countryside on the outskirts of Portsmouth though for Jim – who has been with the club for the last nine years – things haven’t always been plain sailing! “When I joined the club, I was faced with a shed full of archaic and underperforming machinery” he explains “which was costing the club in terms of downtime, repair bills and what we could realistically achieve results-wise. When we were able to look at investing in new equipment, a triple greens mower was high on the priority list and that’s where our relationship with Baroness began six years ago. We’ve not looked back since!”

Jim’s first purchase was an LM315 triple greens mower which has since been joined by a second LM315, together with an LM331 for use on surrounds, an LM551B fairway mower, a GM2810A five-deck rotary mower and, most recently, another LM56GC pedestrian cylinder mower to add to the two previously purchased.

“Baroness talk a lot about both the quality of cut and how the units stay on-cut better than the competitors and they’re true to their word” Jim says. “Our site is a bit of a grass factory and our fleet cope with this vigorous growth, staying on-cut and incredibly sharp – saving the club thousands of pounds every year on re-grinding fees. They’re robustly built, reliable and intuitive to operate.” He continues, “The GM2810A in particular has proven incredibly versatile. You can change the cutting height in a matter of minutes meaning that when worm casts appear in the winter months, we can quickly adjust the height and rotary cut fairways to give us the presentation we need without the issue of blunting cylinder blades on the LM551.”

When it comes to winter, Jim is now well placed to weather the challenges posed by softer ground conditions with a trio of LM56GC pedestrian mowers. “These have been an absolute gamechanger for us, delivering a fantastic cut and finish on the greens, tees and approaches.” He adds, “We’ll also use the LM56 machines for tournament preparation to give us that extra finishing touch.”

“The club, the management, the players have all noticed the site-wide improvements and, for us, we’ve demonstrated how quality machinery makes all the difference. We also can’t praise Adam Butler and Luke Collins from Baroness, and the team at Lister Wilders, enough for their fantastic support and back-up which has always been second to none.”

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Pick a power source, pick a cutting preference

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Pick a power source, pick a cutting preference: Over the past years, Toro’s Greensmaster 1026 redefined cut quality and manoeuvrability among pedestrian greensmowers. Its natural evolution, the battery-powered Greensmaster e1026, was designed to keep that promise with all the benefits of a zero emission electric motor.

The Greensmaster e1026 fixed-head pedestrian mower represents not only Toro’s investment in research and development of tried-and-true electrified equipment, but its dedication to providing choice within its range of battery-powered products.

Pick a power source, pick a cutting preference

Pick a power source, pick a cutting preference

Toro has given greenkeepers their personal preference back without foregoing green credentials. Inspired by the success of the e1021 and eFlex 1021 models, the electric Greensmaster e1026 brings the choice of a wider width of cut to the market with the added benefit of zero engine exhaust emissions.

With a mowing width of 26-inches, customers can cut faster without losing the quality and precision of cut – it’s productivity powered by electricity – and it’s efficient, quiet and virtually maintenance-free, while boasting excellent balance and manoeuvrability.

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager, Reesink Turfcare comments: “We’re delighted to be able to offer customers an ever-expanding range of sustainable mowing options while optimising processes and boosting productivity. With the Greensmaster e1026 it’s possible to achieve those goals and mow up to 44,000 sq ft of turf on a single charge without affecting cut precision.”

As you’d expect, all the USPs of the petrol model remain. The innovative telescoping handle for example with five different handle positions to accommodate the height of the operator and the clip frequency feature which can easily be changed in the field to mow the perimetric collars, and more, while on the go. The quick-change feature also can be locked out for added control.

As the industry continues innovating at lightning speed, the Greensmaster e1026 provides a modern alternative to Toro’s petrol line — the perfect blend of efficiency and sustainability, as

Jon concludes: “With this new electric model, our grass and our business keep getting greener.”

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Three in a row at TIMBERSPORTS® Championship

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Three in a row at TIMBERSPORTS® Championship: The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship delivered another weekend of edge-of-your-seat action at the Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern, with Glen Penlington securing his third Pro Championship title in style.

Competition for places was fierce, so the action kicked off on Friday with the Pro Championship qualifier. Five of the lowest ranked athletes from the 2023 British Championship, along with nine up-and-coming competitors took to the stage. With the top six athletes earning the right to take part in the 2024 British Pro Championship on Saturday, tensions were running high. But the top six all put in solid performances to progress through with Ben Chapman taking the top spot, closely followed by John Tunstall and Joe Groom.

Three in a row at TIMBERSPORTS® Championship

Three in a row at TIMBERSPORTS® Championship

Saturday’s action delivered more thrilling heats, and reigning champion Glen Penlington had his sights firmly set on securing his third Championship title in a row. Focussing first on the Underhand Chop, Penlington delivered an impressive start recording a time of 25.89 seconds, closely followed by his biggest rival for the title, 2014 champion Rob Chatley. And this excellent form continued throughout the competition, with Penlington achieving the fastest times in all five out of the six disciplines, and earning himself three personal bests in the process.

It was only the Stock Saw where Penlington didn’t get maximum points, but it did deliver a national record, courtesy of George Spencer. Spencer almost set a new British record in the Hot Saw too with a blistering time of 7.39 seconds, but the excitement was soon over, when judge Andy Hall disqualified him for an incomplete cookie.

In the end, Penlington’s dominance was obvious, with a 24 point advantage over second placed athlete Rob Chatley, to complete the hat trick of Championship wins. “I can’t quite believe I managed to win five of the disciplines this time. I think I got a bit lucky with the wood compared to some of the others, but it’s brilliant to be the champion again,” said Penlington after the competition. Graham Turner from Scotland completed the podium with a third place finish.

With the Pro championship wrapped up, all eyes turned to the competitions on the Sunday, starting with the British Women’s Championship. 2023 champion Justine Narusa was the one to beat, but a bad start to the competition with disqualification in the Stock Saw got worse after she ran out of time in the Standing Block Chop.

Instead, Felixia Banck from Denmark, newcomer Rachel Ferrington, and the youngest competitor, 17-year-old Libby Arrowsmith were the athletes to watch with solid performances from all three of them, including a new Danish national record for Felixia in the Stock Saw. Banck’s experience in logger sports ultimately saw her take the overall win, but Arrowsmith turned heads to take second place as the top-ranked British woman. Ferrington also impressed in her first ever TIMBERSPORTS® competition, taking third place overall.

Finally, it was the Rookies’ turn to take to the stage. 2023 Rookie champion Jack Morris was feeling confident going into the competition, having recently achieved a sixth placed finish at the Rookie World Championship in Milan in May. And his confidence was not misplaced, as he stormed through all four disciplines getting maximum points in the Underhand Chop, Single Buck and Standing Block Chop.

In his last year competing as a Rookie before he moves up to the Pro league, Morris certainly went out on a high beating his nearest rival and fellow axe club member, Zac Powell, by six points. Powell was pleased with his own results though, after achieving two personal best times in the Stock Saw and Standing Block Chop and improving on his fourth placed finish in 2023. The final spot on the Rookie podium was taken by Rowan Luxton, who also managed to jump up the rankings after finishing fifth in 2023.

After a thrilling weekend of extreme sport action, focus now switches to the World Championship in Toulouse, France in November. Penlington will have to wait until later in the year to find out if he has done enough to qualify for the Individual competition, but the tricky task of selecting the athletes to compete in the Team World Championship starts now.

“All three competitions this weekend were packed full of excitement and drama,” said Vicky Tween, TIMBERSPORTS® manager at STIHL GB, “but it’s onwards and upwards now for the athletes who make the British team. They will be laser-focussed on training to make sure they do their country proud.”

For full results from the weekend’s competitions, visit the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® database.

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