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Top class cricket and irrigation

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Top class cricket and irrigation: The historic Rainham Cricket Club in Kent is all set for the 2024 season and once again the club’s reputation for providing some of the best prepared pitches in the Kent cricket leagues will be demonstrated. This is all thanks to hard working and dedicated volunteer grounds staff as well as the continued support of Holts Irrigation who in 2021 installed a Rain Bird irrigation system.

Glen Cook is the Club’s Groundsman and Secretary. Since retiring after a long playing career, he has dedicated much of his time to the club’s Berengrave Lane home. There are four Saturday teams which compete in the Kent Cricket League and a Sunday team in the Kent Village Cricket League. An extremely popular Colts section provides opportunities for the 9-17 age group of this family orientated club which has a very active social calendar and will celebrate its 170th anniversary in 2026.

Top class cricket and irrigation

Top class cricket and irrigation

Preparing pitches to the highest standard follows a procedure that can take anything from 10-14 days. There are 17 pitches on the Rainham square with at least two in use at any time. In 2021 it became clear that a new approach to pitch preparation was required with irrigation a key issue. This was reliant on connecting a hosepipe to the mains water supply and running across a 50+ metre square. Irrigation could take as long as two days to complete and could include overnight watering.

Not only was the water quantity that reached the square insufficient, but the pressure was too low. There was no prospect of irrigating the square uniformly and, with its slope, water would also run away. A series of long dry spells during that summer also meant that any surface water quickly evaporated.

The club was put in touch with Holts Irrigation, a company with extensive experience in sports turf irrigation. Andre Holt recommended a completely new approach based around the installation of a Rain Bird ESP-RZXe irrigation controller to manage six 950 Series pop up rotor sprinklers, as well as a 10000 litre water tank complete with a Grundfos submersible pump and controller. With close cooperation between grounds staff and Holts Irrigation, the full installation was completed within a week.

Four of the 950 Series rotors with double nozzles and 90º arcs are positioned at the corners of the square and the other two at the side which have 180º arcs. They can throw to a distance of up to 28.0 metres providing head to head 100% uniform coverage across the square. The  ESP-RZXe controller has a large LCD screen and a simple user interface. With its rapid programming feature it was simple for Andre to set up and is ideal for grounds staff to carry out additional manual functions.

The controller offers many irrigation scheduling options and in practice, during the playing season, it runs a minimum of two heads. The rotors are set up to irrigate the pitches that are to be used at the weekend and they are also turned on after play on a Sunday evening.

Glen also has the flexibility to apply additional manual irrigation throughout the season when required during dry spells or when carrying out pitch maintenance including reseeding and repairing used pitches. “ We can put down fertilisers and soil conditioners at any time we feel necessary as we now don’t need to rely on the weather to water it in if we have a dry early spring. We are also no longer reliant on waiting for the right weather before we carry out any renovation work and can simply turn on the irrigation system. This is flexible and convenient as well as helping with conservation, as water is applied only when and where it is needed,” says Glen.

Since the installation, Rainham Cricket Club has received praise for the quality of its playing surfaces. This is down to both the professional care afforded by the volunteer grounds staff and the irrigation regime which prevents the surface breaking up on the strips and helps to provide the right amount of water to repair and prepare wickets for second use during the busy playing season. This has resulted in predictable pace and bounce for bowlers and a consistent safe surface for batsmen. The irrigation system makes it much easier for the grounds staff to build on the great cricket surface already established over recent years by the previous groundsman.

Andre Holt carried out the pre-season checks of the irrigation system in late February 2024 at the same time as Glen and his team started pre-season pitch preparations for the new season. Electrical testing of  the irrigation controller and the pump start were carried out along with water pressure and leakage checks. The rotors and nozzles were checked for correct rotation and arc orientation as well as for  debris that could result in clogging.

The start-up checks and the reliability of the installation means that there will be no need for a return visit from Holts Irrigation until after the end of the season when the system is shut down. “Andre’s knowledge of sports turf irrigation has helped to transform the management and upkeep of our pitches. As the 2024 season progresses and the drier spells become more prolonged and frequent, the irrigation system will really come into its own. It’s been a very worthwhile investment and will virtually guarantee the quality of our playing surfaces throughout the summer,” says Glen.

For more information contact: Holts Irrigation, Heathfield, East Sussex, X: @AndreHotech  and www.rainhamcricketclub.com

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Bernhard and Company announces free Soil Scout sensor trial

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Bernhard and Company announces free Soil Scout sensor trial: Bernhard and Company, exclusive distribution partner for Soil Scout in England, Scotland, and Wales, has unveiled an opportunity for two UK football clubs to take part in a free trial of a state-of-the-art Soil Scout sensor system.

In early summer, Bernhard and Company will also roll out this opportunity for golf facilities around the distribution region.

Bernhard and Company announces free Soil Scout sensor trial

Bernhard and Company announces free Soil Scout sensor trial

To take part, grounds managers have to submit a case study as to how their stadium or training facility would benefit from the addition of Soil Scout sensors within their maintenance routine. The most interesting applicants will be selected to trial a Soil Scout system and learn how they can increase efficiency by using a data-driven maintenance approach.

Managing Director for Bernhard and Company, Steven Nixon, said: “We want to hear from grounds managers and football training facility maintenance professionals in England, Scotland, and Wales, to find out why they believe they’d benefit from data-led decision processes using Soil Scout.

“The end of the football season marks the perfect time to begin turf renovations ahead of the following campaign. So, there’s no better moment to look for new ways to become more efficient in maintaining your turf. This is a great opportunity to be one of the first to trial this cutting-edge technology.”

Soil Scout provides the most advanced, underground wireless soil sensor and monitoring solution for agriculture, golf, and sports turf maintenance professionals. Golf courses and sports stadiums worldwide, including iconic venues such as Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia Phillies, use Soil Scout to ensure the prevention of unnecessary watering while retaining nutrients in the turf and reducing maintenance costs.

To be in with a chance to trial a Soil Scout sensor system for free, football club representatives are required to submit a case detailing the reasons why their club would benefit from the enhanced data collection that comes with the Soil Scout sensor system. The deadline for submissions is 31st May 2024, and to submit an entry, visit: https://form.jotform.com/241203450845348

There will be two further sensor kits allocated to golf course managers as the summer season gets into full swing, enabling sporting venues to enhance their data collection and irrigation processes.

To find out more about Soil Scout sensors and how they can be applied across the turf management industry, visit: https://bernhard.co.uk/soilscout/

Bernhard and Company can be contacted on 01788 811 600 and info@bernhard.co.uk, or visit https://bernhard.co.uk for more.

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Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary

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Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), the dedicated distributor of Rain Bird products to the UK golf market is celebrating six years of partnership.

OAS is a leading supplier to the UK amenity, turf, and sports markets and specialises in leading-edge irrigation solutions. Its dedicated team of irrigation specialists offers national coverage, providing advice on irrigation projects, from upgrades to renovations and new system installations, to system maintenance. This is further complemented by a national team of sales advisors who champion Rain Bird technologies and the ‘Intelligent Use of Water™’.

Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary

Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary

Stocking over 10,000 Rain Bird product lines at its distribution depot in Camberley, OAS has seen unprecedented growth in irrigation sales since the inception of their partnership.

A recent addition to the irrigation product portfolio is CirrusPRO™ Central Control which enables users to securely adjust irrigation settings from any smart device and from any location. It allows users to make updates from the system’s map and watch them happen in real-time. Rain Bird is supporting OAS with customer awareness and training sessions to enable the golf industry to appreciate the significant water, labour, and energy savings this new technology brings. To-date, a series of webinars and on-site demonstrations have taken place, with in-depth training days at the OAS Turf, Science and Technology Centre being planned.

OAS Commercial Director Andy Russell comments, “Rain Bird is the global leader in irrigation, and as a major supplier in the amenity industry, we are delighted to be aligned with yet another market-leading brand. Their corporate ethos and values align closely with our own and their product portfolio complements and enhances our existing product range and strengthens our customer offering. Our working relationship has strengthened over the last six years and is held in high regard.  I look forward to what opportunities future Rain Bird plans and developments will bring for the OAS business.”

Jimmy Sandison, Rain Bird Regional Golf Sales Manager adds, “With golf clubs facing challenges from water scarcity to changing legislation, effective, efficient irrigation has never been so important. It’s incredibly important to Rain Bird that our customers receive the support they need to meet these challenges.”

The OAS Irrigation team can be contacted on 0800 138 7222 or email sales.irrigation@originamenity.com. Visit www.originamenity.com for more information.

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Caravan and Motorhome Club Selects Toro

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Caravan and Motorhome Club Selects Toro: Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC), a leading organization in the leisure industry, has officially chosen Toro as its preferred supplier of 21” heavy-duty mowers, 60V Revolution® backpacks and handheld 60V blowers. The decision comes after Toro’s products successfully passed stringent testing protocols, demonstrating exceptional quality, reliability, and performance.

CAMC subjected Toro’s range of products to rigorous testing, including assessments of noise and vibration levels to determine suitability for their nationwide coverage of CAMC sites. Additionally, all manuals underwent meticulous scrutiny, ensuring clarity and comprehensiveness for end-users. Battery run times were meticulously recorded to assess product longevity and endurance.

Caravan and Motorhome Club Selects Toro

Caravan and Motorhome Club Selects Toro

Furthermore, Toro’s products underwent a secondary round of testing in the form of a season trial, conducted at two separate CAMC sites. This trial allowed CAMC operatives to provide valuable feedback on the products’ usability, durability, and overall performance, further validating their suitability for CAMC members.

One of the key factors influencing CAMC’s decision was Toro’s ability to maintain a constant supply of products, eliminating concerns about long lead times that were experienced with previous suppliers. This reliability ensures uninterrupted service and support for CAMC members.

Moreover, CAMC expressed enthusiasm for Toro’s extensive portfolio, recognizing the potential for future collaboration and the convenience of dealing with fewer suppliers for a wide range of products. This strategic partnership reflects CAMC’s commitment to providing its members with the best-in-class equipment and services.

“We are honoured to be chosen as the preferred supplier by Caravan and Motorhome Club,” said Matt Coleman, Sales Manager, Professional Landscape Contractor and Siteworks Equipment – UK Direct Market at Toro. “This partnership underscores Toro’s dedication to delivering exceptional products and service, tailored to meet the unique needs of their sites. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with CAMC and supporting their mission of enhancing the leisure experience for enthusiasts.”

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Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor

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Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor: Finding optimal solutions to manage and maintain amenity turf remains a consistent challenge among greenkeepers, with a growing number of professionals recognising the benefits of introducing plant growth regulators (PGRs), like Attraxor®, into their ongoing strategy. Here, we hear from several of the UK’s top greenkeepers about how Attraxor® has helped them manage and maintain their turf.

The leading PGR in the turf management toolkit, Attraxor® works by restricting the production of gibberellic acid – the plant hormone responsible for cell elongation. By reducing the level of hormone in the leaf, Attraxor® then redirects the energy within the sward to enhance the root and lateral growth, while upholding consistent turf quality and colour.

Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor

Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor

PGRs, like Attraxor®, are instrumental in enabling groundkeepers to optimise their often-limited resources efficiently.

Darren McLaughlan, golf courses manager at Trump Turnberry, Ayrshire, agrees and confirms he has seen enhanced turf quality, reduced time spent and costs in maintenance – as well as improved playability.

Darren said: “We recorded growth suppression of average 33 per cent as measured by clip rate, so it’s clear that the use of Attraxor® plus natural environmental factors have significantly reduced top growth. The active prohexadione calcium shrinks the Poa seedhead leading to far more consistent ball roll, improved smoothness, and a slight increase in green speed!

“Playability metrics such as green speed and bobble test rating increased dramatically after one application. Our members have also commented on the difference in the greens and the improvement in their play since we began using Attraxor®.”

Attraxor® also limits the spread of Poa annua and reduces seedhead production by up to 38%. By using an innovative formulation for fast leaf absorption, it provides almost instant results as it is activated once diluted in water at low pH.

John Quinn, Golf Course Manager at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, has been using Attraxor® for three seasons and continues to see excellent benefits and Poa annua reduction from the PGR.

John said “I use Attraxor® every 21 days on our greens and it has lowered the mowing maintenance of the greens and complemented our existing efforts of upkeep.

“During periods of high growth, we alternate days mowing and rolling to reduce plant stress. Attraxor® gives me better control of growth rates. Throughout the 21-day period, a more uniform sward is possible each week. I’ve found that the Poa annua seedhead suppression qualities are superior to Trinexapac-ethyl products.”

Attraxor® increases the density of the turf by redirecting growth horizontally. It encourages the thickening of the plant cell walls and epidermis, therefore creating a stronger, more resilient, and consistent sward, while suppressing Poa annua seedhead production.

To find out more about Attraxor®, visit https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Growth-Regulator/Attraxor.html#section-benefits or to explore BASF’s wider turf products, visit https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Product-innovation/Turf/

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