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Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction

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Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction: It’s every greenkeeper’s worst nightmare – to receive a call informing them of vandalism on the course. That nightmare was the unfortunate reality for David Byron of Thorndon Park who returned from BTME 2025 to discover the ‘destruction’ of six greens, three tees and numerous fairways.

With sheer determination, a concerted team effort and the outstanding recovery demonstrated by mixtures from across the Johnsons Sports Seed range, the surfaces were fit and ready for club championships just a few short months later.

Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction

Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction

The only club in Essex to make the England Top 100 list, David has been at Thorndon Park since 2008 and has held the position of Course Manager for the last five. “Being in Harrogate when the news broke of our misfortune was both good and bad” he explains. “While I was not in a position to personally assess the damage the quadbikes had caused, I was completely overwhelmed by the support and offers of assistance I received from the greenkeeping community. I decided to take advantage of as many extra pairs of hands as I could when I returned to clear the greens and managed to get hold of a lot of materials on overnight shipments – the club, our members and the whole industry went above and beyond in our hour of need, and we’re incredibly grateful.”

David and his team of nine set about re-levelling and restoring the affected greens one at a time, sacrificing the club’s putting green to bring the surfaces back into play as swiftly as possible. “We took our time to blend the turfed areas in with micro-coring, topdressing and overseeding with Johnsons J All Bent and J Ultrafine Rye Green.”

“We’ve used Johnsons seed here for many years and it just works for us on all areas of the course” says David. “I consulted with DLF’s Craig Spooner in the wake of the vandalism and we agreed on an overseeding strategy combining the two mixtures – using the quick-establishing ryegrass as a nursery plant, then going back to favouring the bent grasses. The photos and reaction we’ve had from the players at our recent club championship speak volumes for how successful the programme has performed.”

Johnsons J All Bent sets the industry standard for density, sustainability and visual quality. With the inclusion of three top-rated browntop bent cultivars, the mixture delivers a sward tolerant of high wear and close mowing, while the class leading disease resistance also reduces requirements for chemical inputs.

The recovery on the greens has been matched by the performance of Johnsons J Tee and a bespoke dwarf ryegrass mixture, from DLF, on the fairways. “Most of the other damaged areas have bounced back with some regular overseeding and a good dose of TLC!” he adds. “We have to praise the Johnsons mixtures and support from Craig in getting us to where we are today – it’s all part of, what has been, a momentous team effort.”

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Bernhard and Company unveils new 3000LV Equipment Lift

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Bernhard and Company unveils new 3000LV Equipment Lift: Bernhard and Company, a global leader in turf management solutions, is proud to announce the launch of the all-new 3000LV Equipment Lift, an essential new addition to its line-up of workshop machinery.

Designed to complement Bernhard’s renowned reel and bedknife grinding systems, the 3000LV is engineered to assist equipment managers, greenkeepers, and mechanics with the safe and efficient lifting and loading of cutting units.

Bernhard and Company unveils new 3000LV Equipment Lift

Bernhard and Company unveils new 3000LV Equipment Lift

This trusted dual-lift solution features a full-width rear tray that removes the need for ongoing adjustments once set up, streamlining daily workshop operations. With adjustable front wheel forks, the lift allows precise setup of cutting units, directly contributing to an improved quality of cut. Built for adaptability, the 3000LV Equipment Lift is compatible with a wide variety of turf maintenance equipment, including mowers without overhead beam obstructions, ensuring greater operational flexibility.

Commenting on the launch, Steven Nixon, Managing Director at Bernhard and Company, said: “The equipment lift 3000LV is a natural fit for our product family. It’s a practical, workshop-ready solution that adds real value to turf maintenance operations by improving safety, increasing efficiency, and ensuring precision when setting up cutting units. We’ve listened to the needs of our customers, and this lift is a direct response to making their daily work more manageable and their turf performance more consistent.”

By combining robust design with practical innovation, Bernhard and Company continues its commitment to helping turf professionals achieve peak equipment performance. The 3000LV Equipment Lift is now available through Bernhard and Company’s international distributor network.

For more information on the equipment lift 3000LV, visit: https://bernhard.co.uk/products/equipment-lift/

To learn more about Bernhard and Company and the turf technologies on offer, visit: https://bernhard.co.uk/turf-tech/

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Minimise emissions and maximise uptime with the ZE range

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Minimise emissions and maximise uptime with the ZE range: The ZE Electric Zero-Turn range from Kubota has proven its credentials with operators looking to reduce their environmental footprint, all without detriment to productivity or cut performance.

Verifying that sustainability does not have to result in a compromise in turfcare standards, the fully-electric ZE-421 and ZE-481 mowers from Kubota’s Zero Turn collection are exceeding expectations too on operator comfort – reducing the noise, odours and vibrations associated with ICE-powered equipment.

Minimise emissions and maximise uptime with the ZE range

Minimise emissions and maximise uptime with the ZE range

With no internal combustion engine, the ZE produces no CO2 or particulates during operation, supporting the UK air quality and net-zero commitments of local authorities and other green space managers. Instead, the ZE range is powered by a durable 48V, 10kWh lithium-ion battery which allows the mower to cover up to 15,000m2 on a single charge. Depending on site conditions, the operator can choose between Eco, Standard or Boost mode deck settings to further optimise battery life whilst choosing between two transport speeds, when exhausted, the battery module can be removed and exchanged in minutes.

The advanced K-Sense auto-adjustment system also actively monitors deck load in real time to automatically balance mowing and travel speed to preserve cut quality on varying grass types and densities.

The ZE-421 and ZE-481 models come with a 42” or 48” side-discharge deck, ideal for professional contractors and landscaping applications, with an optional mulching kit available. Smooth and quiet in operation, additional comfort is provided by the adjustable seat and ergonomic deck controls designed to reduce fatigue and improve operator wellbeing.

In addition, the ongoing maintenance of the ZE range is significantly simplified, making it ideal for busy grounds teams. With no engine oil, spark plugs, fuel filters or exhaust systems to service, the routine upkeep is reduced to essential checks such as blade sharpening, tyre inspection and periodic battery monitoring. The electric drivetrain also results in fewer moving parts and less wear and tear, lowering the risk of breakdowns and maximising uptime.

The ZE range forms part of Kubota’s ongoing declaration to support a carbon neutral environment by 2050. For more details on other sustainable solutions for professional groundcare, visit www.kubota-eu.com

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BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

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BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), organisers of BTME, and GroundsFest are proud to announce a new collaboration aimed at strengthening both events while bringing together professionals from across the grounds care, landscaping, and golf sectors.

The partnership will see BIGGA and GroundsFest working closely on joint initiatives throughout the year, including attending and supporting each other’s events, hosting tailored educational content, and working together on joint marketing campaigns.At the heart of the collaboration is a shared desire to encourage crossover between both event communities – helping professionals discover the value that each show offers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for community-building and cross-sector engagement. From greenkeepers and grounds managers to landscapers and contractors, the partnership aims to unite the wider industry.

BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

The complementary nature of the two events makes them natural partners: BTME is a long-established, much-loved winter event held in January in the scenic surroundings of Harrogate, while GroundsFest offers a vibrant, hands-on summer experience where visitors can see live equipment demonstrations in action.

Quote from Jim Croxton, CEO, BIGGA:

“We at BIGGA are hugely proud of our flagship event, BTME, and the positive impact it has, particularly on the golf greenkeeping industry on an annual basis and at a perfect time of the year to give turf managers a much needed boost, be that to their morale, their industry knowledge or their skill set. However it is our ambition to engage with our members and the wider industry far more than just once a year. GroundsFest provides us with a brilliant opportunity to do so at a different time of year and in a very different environment. We are looking forward to engaging with many greenkeepers at Stoneleigh Park this September and to working closely with GroundsFest on a number of initiatives to move our industry forward.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Christopher Bassett, GroundsFest’s Event Director, said:

“The two shows complement one another brilliantly – both in format and timing. BTME is a long-standing and special event, while GroundsFest delivers a dynamic, summer-based event where people can get hands-on with the latest kit. We’re proud to be working with BIGGA, a fantastic association, and we believe this collaboration will bring real value to the industry. We very much see this as a long- term partnership – action-driven and focused on delivering real benefits to the sectors we serve.”

Outside of the two events, BIGGA and GroundsFest are also exploring further educational opportunities. BIGGA is widely recognised for its exceptional training and professional development programmes, and with the recent launch of the GroundsFest Academy, there is clear potential to co-develop training content that supports professionals across the entire industry – from golf greenkeeping to wider grounds and landscape management.

As both events continue to grow, this partnership sets the tone for a more collaborative future for everyone working in grounds care, landscaping, and golf. More updates will be shared soon.

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Premier League and STRI Group document benchmark for pitch quality

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Premier League and STRI Group document benchmark for pitch quality: The Premier League, widely considered the world’s most competitive football league, understandably put the playing surface at the heart of everything they do. The recently launched Premier League Pitch Standards Framework is a resource that documents the requirements of establishing and maintaining an elite surface, that performs to the highest standards and keeps players safe.

Serving as a reference for stakeholders involved in pitch management, club management and league organisers, it outlines the Premier League’s rules and expectations. It’s packed with guidance on everything from pitch construction profiles, drainage and irrigation to hosting concerts and managing pitches in winter weather, alongside a raft of informative case studies.

Premier League and STRI Group document benchmark for pitch quality

Premier League and STRI Group document benchmark for pitch quality

This is the first official document of its kind published by the Premier League and has been a truly collaborative effort – a key factor in its depth and quality. Authored by highly experienced consultants at STRI Group, the process involved consultation with senior grounds people from all Premier League clubs and the Grounds Management Association.

Adam Kaliniecki, Football Operations Manager for the Premier League, commented, “This is a fantastic document which reflects the hard work and professionalism of grounds teams in the Premier League who work tirelessly to ensure our pitches are the best in the world.

“The expertise and knowledge of the consultants from STRI was invaluable in leading the project. The data they gathered and interpreted was a vital part of the process, and the ongoing collaboration with grounds teams resulted in a resource that effectively benchmarks best practice in the industry.”

The document is available online here: https://www.premierleague.com/about/publications 

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