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GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme

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GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have joined forces to launch the ‘Apprenticeship Support Scheme’, designed to enhance the experience of grounds people apprentices in First Class Counties.

This pilot initiative is designed to strengthen the future of cricket by attracting and supporting more aspiring grounds professionals.

GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme

GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme

With the demand for skilled grounds managers growing, the scheme aims to provide apprentices with not only the technical knowledge required for cricket-specific turf care but also the essential support they need to develop their careers.

It also aims to address broader industry challenges such as workforce retention and succession planning by making apprenticeships a more structured and attractive career pathway. At the same time, it provides additional support for existing grounds professionals, ensuring they have the resources and expertise to mentor and develop the next generation effectively.

The GMA will provide tailored cricket-specific online courses to supplement apprentices’ learning, as well as bespoke webinars designed to enhance their knowledge and better prepare them for a career in cricket grounds management.

Apprentices will also have access to GMA membership, unlocking a range of benefits including the GMA Member Assistance Programme – a 24-hour confidential counselling and wellbeing service – alongside online technical resources, salary advice and guidance, legal consultation and much more.

The ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, Andy Mackay, will play a central role in the pilot, acting as a key point of contact for employers seeking advice on apprenticeship support. Andy will also work with stakeholders to develop an information and support hub, and resources to help promote grounds management as a career, laying the foundation for an all-rounded scheme in the future.

By working closely with First Class Counties, the ECB and GMA are hoping to help modernise grounds management recruitment and improve career progression opportunities to ensure that cricket venues continue to be maintained to the highest standards.

With this announcement coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week, it’s a great opportunity to recognise the important role apprentices play in the industry’s future.

Jason Booth, Chief Operating Officer at the GMA, said: “We are proud to be partnering with the ECB to pilot this initiative which not only opens the door for new talent but also strengthens the long-term sustainability of the profession. Apprentices are the future of the grounds management industry and providing them with the right support is essential to achieving high standards across professional cricket.”

Andy Mackay, ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills and discover talent, whilst having the potential to set people on the path to a rewarding and enjoyable career. We are excited to bring the GMA and our Counties together in partnership to explore how we can maximise this opportunity to add value to the apprenticeship framework for employers and apprentices alike and create long term solutions to recruitment challenges.”

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SISIS Machines Transform Greens and Fairways

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SISIS Machines Transform Greens and Fairways: Maintaining a golf course as unique and picturesque as Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club demands equipment that delivers exceptional results with precision and reliability.

For Head Greenkeeper Stewart Fotheringham, the introduction of two SISIS machines—the Maxislit and the Multislit—has been nothing short of revolutionary. These innovative tools have transformed the condition of the course’s greens and fairways, setting a new standard for drainage, firmness, and overall playability, even in the face of challenging weather and high foot traffic.

SISIS Machines Transform Greens and Fairways

SISIS Machines Transform Greens and Fairways

Maintaining the course’s stunning greens and fairways has always been a labour of love for Stewart. He began his career at Shiskine, on the Isle of Arran, in 1982 as a 15-year-old apprentice and, 42 years later, his passion for the course remains as strong as ever.

“If you’ve ever been here, you’ll understand why I’ve stayed so long,” Stewart explains. “The location is incredible, with breathtaking views, and the 12-hole layout is a hit with everyone. The members love it, and we see plenty of visitors in the summer. But with all that play, and the wind that hits us from every direction, the course takes a beating.”

To keep the course in peak condition, Stewart and his small team of two full-time and one part-time greenkeepers recently introduced two SISIS machines: the Maxislit for fairways and the Multislit for greens. The results, according to Stewart, have been transformative.

Shiskine’s seaside links course, established in 1896, is a mix of quirky features and challenging terrain. Regular aeration is essential to manage drainage, reduce compaction, and ensure the course can handle heavy play and unpredictable weather.

“The advice to incorporate slit tining came from our agronomist, Gordon Irvine,” says Stewart. “Gordon explained that slit tining over winter offers unique benefits, so we decided to invest in the Maxislit and Multislit from SISIS.”

The SISIS Maxislit, a tractor-mounted deep slitter, is used on fairways to enhance drainage and reduce compaction. “We use the Maxislit about three times between November and January,” Stewart says. The angle of the tines and the spiral design allow deep penetration with minimal surface disturbance, and it’s incredibly simple to operate—just hitch it to the tractor and go. “The results have been excellent,” adds Stewart.

On the greens, the SISIS Multislit, a tractor-mounted deep slitting lawn aerator, has also worked wonders. “We’ve only had the Multislit for a year, but the difference is remarkable,” Stewart notes. “After just a few uses, the greens are firmer and much drier. During Storm Darragh, we had 60mm of rain, and there wasn’t a single puddle on any of the greens. Before using the Multislit, we’d have seen standing water everywhere.”

Stewart emphasises the ease of use as a standout feature of both machines. “They’re straightforward and fast to set up. There’s no complex PTO shaft to deal with, and they’re highly effective. For the Multislit, we’ve used it 4-5 times so far, and the improvement in drainage and firmness has been incredible.”

For Stewart, the investment in SISIS machinery has been transformative. “If you’re struggling with soft greens or poor drainage, the Multislit is a must-have. It’s transformed our greens in no time. The Maxislit has been just as effective on our fairways. I’d recommend these machines to any greenkeeper—they’re simple, efficient, and deliver fantastic results.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use

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Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use: Scottish Premiership team, Dundee FC’s new Infinicut SM 34 rotary mower, which arrived in October, has considerably upgraded their mowing processes.

Speaking after a particularly hectic three-week period where the Dens Park side hosted five games, including both Rangers FC and Celtic FC, and neighbours Dundee United FC, twice, Paul Murray, head groundsperson, said:

Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use

Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use

“Our Inifinicut has been transformative in so many ways.

“If we start with the way I use it, the design focusses on ergonomics: handlebars are narrower, your arms are positioned more naturally, elbows tucked in so there’s less strain on your muscles, especially on turning. Operator experience is a priority, and it just feels much kinder.

“The quality of cut is exceptional; it’s almost as good as a cylinder mower, just a little bit to go. A rotary is used traditionally for clean-up but the quality of cut on this machine means you can use it up until match day -1 and just put the cylinder out for the final cut before the game.

With other rotaries, it would be usual to bring the cylinder mower out three or four times before match day, to get the desired quality, but the Infinicut cuts so well we can use it far more on the lead up. The cut is so clean and precise that there’s less chance for disease, which is another huge plus.”

“The third really crucial factor is transportation, and the dedicated transport wheels, so no strain on the back roller, you just engage the separate wheels.  This brings me the luxury of parking on the stadium concourse, putting it on charge as needed. I couldn’t do that with a heavier, less manoeuvrable mower, just on the back roller

“Finally, the app technology is on a different level. You can set traction speed, cutting speed, a boost mode and all your cutting parameters from an app on your phone, which is blue toothed to the machine. I can revise things according to the conditions, so if its dry you go a bit faster, wet then more slowly, and you can boost if its wet and there’s lot of debris, you ask for more revs and increased airflow so you can pick it up a little better. The height of cut is still manual- that’s just one spanner and one lock-in nut, but having everything else on your phone is just so professional.”

The lithium- powered 34-inch model chosen by Paul is specifically aimed at those managing pitches.

Fairways GM’s, Area Sales Manager, Mike Lindsay, based nearby at Kinross, and exclusive Scottish dealer for Infinicut, helped facilitate the demo and the installation with Infinicut National Sales Manager, Alan Jack, on hand, too.

Alan Jack said:

“Paul was genuinely enthusiastic for his new rotary. The demo went exceptionally well, and he had high expectations. Five months down the line, it’s great to know that he feels entirely the same way, that it really does do what he was promised, and the flawless finish he asked for, is now part of his routine.”

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Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

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Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2025 at a star-studded event on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME).

During the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, hosted by Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk, BIGGA revealed the winners of the annual BIGGA Awards, with a previously unheralded venue in South Wales among the big winners.

Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

Merthyr Tydfil venue Morlais Castle Golf Club was revealed as the winner of the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year Award with Bernhard and Company. The judges selected the three-strong greenkeeping team as winners ahead of the other, more established, finalists from Woburn Golf Club and Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, due to their commitment to including the local community in the hosting of the event.

Morlais Castle was nominated following the successful hosting of the Welsh Team Championship and Head Greenkeeper Stewart Freeman collected the award alongside his wife, Tessa, who also helped with greenkeeping tasks during the championship.

Also picking up an award on the night was the greenkeeping team from Parkstone Golf Club, who was revealed as the winner of the Greenkeeping Project of the Year Award with Price Turfcare. It marks a second awards success for Grant Peters and his team, having previously won a BIGGA Award in 2020.

Parkstone’s greenkeepers overcame multiple setbacks to create an exciting opening tee shot and practice area at the Top 100 course, located on the south coast. They were chosen as winners ahead of outstanding entries from Cowdray Golf Club and Long Ashton Golf Club, with the judges praising the communication and innovation of all three nominees.

The final award of the evening was presented to Stephen Bernhard, founder of Bernhard and Company. Throughout Stephen’s distinguished career he has advocated for greenkeeper training and education, culminating in the launch of the Bernhard Academy in 2019. Through Stephen’s generosity, more than 200 BIGGA members have participated in the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and countless other greenkeepers owe their success to his support and investment in the turf management industry.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Congratulations to our outstanding BIGGA Awards winners. Their achievements extend far beyond the past year – for more than half a century in Stephen Bernhard’s case – and I’m delighted that we’re able to honour them in this way.

“To hear stories of how Stewart Freeman and everyone at Morlais Castle enlisted the local community to build a lasting legacy, or the ongoing success at Parkstone where Grant Peters continues to cement his reputation as one of our industry’s shining lights, it’s been a wonderful evening.

“My congratulations go to everyone who took part and I’d like to extend my thanks to our sponsors, Kress, Bernhard and Company and Price Turfcare, for their support of this year’s BIGGA Celebration.”

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) continues until Thursday 23 January at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.

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Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann

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Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann: Under a strategic marketing agreement covering the UK, Ireland and Europe, Wiedenmann turf equipment is available for purchase through John Deere dealerships. 

Global machinery manufacturer John Deere and turf maintenance specialist Wiedenmann will continue to share technology and work on development projects together under the agreement which was established in 2021.

Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann

Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann

The agreement has been extended to provide all John Deere dealers with access to the ever-growing Wiedenmann range of market-leading specialist machinery for turf maintenance and regeneration.

John Deere Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf, Chris Meacock, said: “This partnership is beneficial to turf customers who want to access Wiedenmann’s catalogue of products through John Deere’s extensive dealer network.

“Wiedenmann products are routinely used with John Deere machinery so we see this as a natural fit. Our dealers are able to offer the same great service they provide for John Deere products with Wiedenmann machinery.”

Wiedenmann UK Sales Manager, Michael James, said: “I welcome the opportunity to continue to grow our company’s sales by supplying John Deere users with turf maintenance and regeneration solutions. I look forward to demonstrating the benefits of our innovative range to new and existing customers moving forward.”

Wiedenmann will exhibit a Terra Spike SL6 deep aerator on the John Deere stand at this year’s BTME event, taking place next week. The machine will be attached to a 2038R tractor fitted with GPS. This high precision aerator package utilises John Deere Precision Turf Technology which increases productivity and sports turf quality.

The John Deere team will be available at stand 222 at BTME in Harrogate from 21-23 January to provide further information.

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