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BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

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BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner Bernhard and Company have selected 10 association members to engage in one of the sports turf industry’s most prestigious learning opportunities. 

A BIGGA Premium Partner, each year Bernhard and Company invites 10 BIGGA members to attend the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America’s (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show, this year taking place in Phoenix, Arizona.  A spot on the delegation marks out a candidate as among the most dedicated and talented ambassadors for the golf greenkeeping sector.

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

BIGGA and Bernhard and Company select greenkeepers

With experiences designed to elevate the careers of those in attendance, the delegation is a week-long educational trip that features site visits as well as seminars, networking events and educational demonstrations. The successful delegates will also be invited to convene at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January, where they will meet former participants in the programme, many of whom have gone on to great success in their careers.

The BIGGA members selected for the 2024 BIGGA Delegation with Bernhard and Company are:

  • Robert Acheson, course manager, Thonock Park Golf Club
  • Harry Cannon, head greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club
  • Stephen Davey, head greenkeeper, Queenwood Golf Club
  • Michael Gibbons, course manager, Disley Golf Club
  • James Hampson, deputy head greenkeeper, Llanymynech Golf Club
  • Stuart Imeson, owner and course manager, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course
  • Fraser Jardine, deputy head greenkeeper, Trump Turnberry
  • Richard Ponsford, course manager, Clevedon Golf Club
  • Luke Sheldon, head greenkeeper, Beau Desert Golf Club
  • Richard Stephens, course manager, Vicars Cross Golf Club

Head to the BIGGA website to find out more about each of the delegates.

Michael Gibbons is course manager at Disley Golf Club. Reacting to being selected, he said: “Having spoken to numerous former delegates, it’s clear the BIGGA Delegation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being able to soak up all the US has to offer is an incredible personal opportunity but it could also be career-defining. The learning and networking opportunities will be second to none and I hope to get all that I can out of the experience. I feel incredibly fortunate to be one of the greenkeepers picked for it and cannot wait to get going in January.”

Fraser Jardine is deputy head greenkeeper at Trump Turnberry. He spoke of his pride at being selected as part of the team representing UK greenkeeping on a global scale and added: “I can’t wait to get over to Phoenix to meet people in the industry from around the world. I’m looking forward to learning about new technology and sharing ideas and techniques with others that I can bring back home with me. Thanks to BIGGA and Bernhard and Company for such an incredible, prestigious opportunity.”

The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show runs from 29 January to 1 February 2024. As part of their duties, the delegates will attend the BIGGA stand during the conference, speaking to visitors about the association and UK greenkeeping.

For more information about the exclusive career development opportunities available to BIGGA members, head to the BIGGA website.

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BIGGA and ICL reveal scholarship participants

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BIGGA and ICL reveal scholarship participants: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner ICL have revealed the five participants of the eighth ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship. 

From a remote links course on the north coast of Scotland to a nine-hole championship venue close to central London, the ICL Continue to Learn Scholars for 2024 accurately represent the diverse greenkeeping industry and how anyone can make a great career for themselves by grasping the opportunities made available via BIGGA membership.

BIGGA and ICL reveal scholarship participants

BIGGA and ICL reveal scholarship participants

The five successful BIGGA members have been invited to attend Continue to Learn at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, taking place in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in January 2024. Continue to Learn is considered the largest learning experience for those in sports turf management outside the United States.

The ICL Continue to Learn Scholars for 2024 are:

  • Chris Hale, deputy course manager, Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club
  • Sam Norman, assistant greenkeeper, Abbey Hill Golf Club
  • Kate Stillwell, course superintendent, West London Golf Centre
  • Jason Norwood, greenkeeper, Reay Golf Club
  • Jamie Caswell, Blue Course supervisor, Frilford Heath Golf Club

To earn an ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship, BIGGA members must demonstrate a commitment to developing their own professional abilities by engaging with BIGGA’s Continuing Professional Development scheme. Whether through in-person learning, reading the association’s monthly journal, Greenkeeper International, or by accessing resources on the association’s website, BIGGA members can enjoy thousands of learning opportunities, all aimed at improving their professional abilities.

Jason Norwood has previously enjoyed success with BIGGA, having been crowned the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year in 2019 and participating in the The Open Volunteer Support Team and the Future Turf Managers Initiative. The Reay greenkeeper said: “Living in the far north of Scotland, there is a lack of educational events that you would find in other areas of the UK. Being a lone greenkeeper, this proves challenging to get the time away from maintaining the golf course without it impacting the rest of the working week. The ICL Scholarship will enable me to access the best educational event in the greenkeeping calendar.”

Kate Stillwell is course superintendent at West London Golf Centre, a nine-hole championship golf course just five miles from Wembley Stadium. She said: “I feel very fortunate to have been accepted as there is a huge wealth of knowledge to take advantage of at BTME that I can bring back to share with the team. There is huge importance in continuing to educate ourselves on advances in technology, techniques and knowledge within the groundscare industry. There have been contacts I have made for life at BTME and my hope is to carry on sharing and spreading the knowledge, bringing new people into the industry.”

Continue to Learn at BTME 2024 will take place in Harrogate, North Yorkshire from 21 to 24 January 2024. For further information about BTME and Continue to Learn, visit www.btme.org.uk

The Turf Rewards loyalty scheme from ICL and Syngenta, BIGGA members can claim Continue to Learn education vouchers. Points are gained by purchasing products for use on the golf course. For further information visit www.turfrewards.com

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Trilo M3 delivers large fuel and labour savings

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Trilo M3 delivers large fuel and labour savings: An M3 Multipurpose from Trilo has become a valuable extra member of the team at Knaresborough Golf Club, following an extensive search for a more time-friendly solution to the task of leaf clearance.

Purchased in May 2023 with both a flail rotor and brush, not only has the M3 delivered versatility for tasks around the course and throughout the maintenance calendar, its large capacity and high-productivity have also resulted in large fuel and labour savings.

Trilo M3 delivers large fuel and labour savings

Trilo M3 delivers large fuel and labour savings

Knaresborough Golf Club in North Yorkshire is a picturesque parkland course, maintained by Head Greenkeeper Neil Jarrett and a team of four. “Ideally we’d be operating with a team of six especially as we go into Autumn, with leaf-fall from our heavily tree-lined fairways only further exacerbating an already busy maintenance schedule” Neil explains. With a flail collector too ‘cumbersome’ to get onto the course, and a combination of blowers and rotary mowers proving too time-consuming, a more effective solution to this problem was needed.

“Gareth, my Deputy, organised a couple of demonstrations and we had a really good look at what was out there. When we saw the Trilo M3 machine, it became a clear decision. The portability and multi-functionality this displayed really impressed the club manager and all of the team – it was head and shoulders above the competition for us.”

The Trilo M3 Multipurpose is a 3-in-1 machine that, with a range of optional attachments, can facilitate a range of operations including scarification, cut and collect and debris clearance. A working width of 1.5m makes the unit both compact and manoeuvrable, while the hopper capacity of 3m3 and hand-held suction hose makes vacuuming of materials from large or hard-to-reach areas a breeze.

“The wanderhose has transformed how we clean and clear clippings and leaves, particularly around the clubhouse and the dykes we have on the course. Tasks that would have previously involved three people, two rotary mowers to mulch the leaves, a blower and hand-rake can now all be cleared in a matter of minutes by one person.” He continues, “Using one machine with a hopper the size of the one on the M3 also means we’re making less trips to empty, reducing fuel, saving money and moving towards being more sustainable which is something we’re actively trying to address as a club.”

Together with the brush which makes for effective sweeping and clearance of turf areas and hard ground such as the club car park, Knaresborough also purchased a flail rotor attachment enabling them to utilise the M3 for one-pass cut and collect. “Over the summer we’ve been using the M3 to cut back and thin out our long rough and it’s been brilliant! This will be an ongoing project over the next few years as we try to maintain a ‘wispier’ rough, which looks more attractive as well as making the areas easier to play.”

Neil concludes, “The M3 has really delivered and we’ve yet to find anything it can’t do! The service and advice we’ve had from our local dealer F G Adamsons (RFS Ltd) and James Boyle of Vanmac Trilo has also been very good. As we move forward and explore its full capabilities, we know we will be well looked after.”

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The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders

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The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders: Finnish compact loader manufacturer Avant Tecno has introduced two new loader models in the popular Avant 600 series: the single-speed Avant 635i and the double-speed Avant 640i.

Both new models have the all-new Kohler KSD engine, which provides more usable power because of its electronic injection and simple operation with no exhaust after-treatment necessary.

The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders

The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders

Building on the globally recognised Avant concept of compact but mighty machines, the new Avant 635i and 640i models complete the renewal of the Avant 600 series. It is popular in many fields of work such as landscaping, farming, property maintenance, construction and demolition, and horse stables.

The new Avant 635i travels at 12 km/h, and the maximum speed of Avant 640i is 23 km/h. Both models are equipped with a certified ROPS/FOPS canopy as standard – the modern, spacious GT cab enclosure with ergonomic design is also available, providing more safety and operator comfort.

Kohler KSD engine and high oil flow
The completely new electronically controlled Kohler KSD 1403 engine is a common rail diesel engine with a displacement of 1.4 litres and an output of 26 hp / 19 kW. The engine was designed with the requirements of the latest Stage V and Tier 4 Final emission standards in mind: its power and other features have been optimised to 19 kilowatts, eliminating the need for a particulate filter.

The three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine gives the machine plenty of torque in the low rev range. Also, there is very little power drop in high altitudes. The electronic injection adapts to varying load conditions much better than a conventional injection system.

An Avant user will notice this when doing earthmoving work with a bucket. Pushing and lifting simultaneously won’t stall the engine.

Thanks to the new diesel engine, the auxiliary hydraulics’ previous output of 50 l/min has been increased to an oil flow of 66 l/min, which is exceptionally high in this power class.

The new 635i/640i models work very well with hydraulic attachments that require higher flow, which enables an even more versatile and efficient use of the loader.

New features and a new look
The Avant 635i and 640i models have a safety-enhancing electric power distribution unit (PDU), where most of the fuses and relays are located. The safety features of the loader are now controlled by a separate electronic control unit of the loader (VECU).

In the cab, separate gauges have now been replaced by a convenient multi-function display. It provides the Avant user with varied information on the loader, such as engine speed, oil flow of auxiliary hydraulics, fuel quantity, current fuel consumption, outside temperature, hydraulic oil temperature, load alarm, total operating hours, maintenance info and fault codes. All this is available in 11 different languages.

The design of the machines and the cover panels are identical with the 645i/650i models, which makes the appearance very modern and the loaders easy to service at the same time.

Available now In Stage V and Tier 4 final countries, the new Avant 635i and 640i models replace the previous models, Avant 635 and Avant 640. In Stage 3 countries, the range will continue to include the 635 and 640 models with 37 hp Kubota engines, and the new “i” models (635i and 640i) with the Kohler KSD engine will be offered additionally.

For further information, please contact Avant Tecno (UK) on 0800 015 8482 or visit www.avanttecno.com/uk

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Ransomes Combines Legacy and Innovation

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Ransomes Combines Legacy and Innovation: Ransomes is launching its first lithium machine at Saltex, with the Aurora ELiTE lithium out-front rotary mower cutting a new path in clean, green, sustainable turf maintenance.

Whilst this is Ransomes’ first lithium mower, the company has decades of experience with electric products as the world’s first manufacturer of electrified mowers.

Ransomes Combines Legacy and Innovation

Ransomes Combines Legacy and Innovation

As a result, the zero-emissions, road-worthy, quiet turf maintenance solution is meticulously designed to meet the demands of professional operators on their hardest working days.

Powered by proven ELiTE Lithium Samsung SDI batteries and based on the much-loved HR380 chassis, the innovative Ransomes Aurora ELiTE ensures efficiency and longevity. The onboard, overnight charging feature means the mower is always ready for action.

When the action comes, the electric direct drive motors for the cutting system and electric-driven transaxle with auto-limited slip differential combine to deliver exceptional performance and manoeuvrability.

The electric-powered hydraulic lift and steering systems elevate the industry standard with effortless control and outstanding productivity. With a remarkable transport/mow speed of up to 25 km/hr (15 mph), tasks are completed swiftly and seamlessly.

The cutting-edge mowing deck boasts a substantial 1.52 m (60″) cut width, coupled with an adjustable cut height ranging from 25 to 115 mm (1 – 4.5″). Engineered with the utmost attention to longevity, the deck construction features a robust bull nose profile forged from high-strength steel, complete with solid bumper rails and replaceable nose wear plates. The bolted assembly of impact and serviceable parts ensures durability and ease of maintenance.

With a lightweight, high-strength steel frame, the Aurora ELiTE is built to withstand the rigours of professional use. Numerous optional accessories can be added to the machine, including a road light kit, storage racks, and mulching deck baffles to tailor it to your needs.

Ransomes Combines Legacy and Innovation

Ransomes Combines Legacy and Innovation

Visit stand F140 at SALTEX to experience the future of precision and performance first-hand and learn why the Aurora ELiTE is the best value for investment in commercial turf maintenance.

As well as viewing the new electric lithium out-front mower and the Jacobsen SLF1 ELiTE, visitors to the Ransomes stand will be able to see electric vehicles from Cushman and the Ransomes MT503 flail and cylinder mowers.

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