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BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship

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BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship: With the return of in-person learning at Continue to Learn in January 2022, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and plant nutrition specialists ICL have launched applications for their influential education scholarship.

The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship invites five BIGGA members to Harrogate, North Yorkshire, each January to participate in BIGGA’s world-leading education programme, in addition to three nights’ accommodation, a visit to the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) and networking opportunities with fellow greenkeepers and the sponsor.

BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship

BIGGA and ICL launch Continue to Learn Scholarship

The scholarship is now in its sixth year, with 2021 scholars participating online as BIGGA’s education programme shifted to a virtual platform due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications for this year’s scholarship are being encouraged from CPD Active BIGGA members at any stage of their careers. Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 31 August 2021. The selected scholars will then be announced in BIGGA’s monthly journal, Greenkeeper International.

2021 Scholar Laura Sayer-Hall of Ardfin Golf Club on the Isle of Jura said: “I think it’s important at the early stages of your career to attend as many educational events as possible so as to build knowledge quickly and have this tie in with the practical work you’re doing on course. I’d highly recommend applying to anyone who is wanting to develop their greenkeeping career.”

Sami Strutt is BIGGA’s Head of Learning and Development. She said: “For BIGGA members serious about their education and progressing in their career, this scholarship provides a fantastic opportunity to develop both personal and professional skills. To date, ICL has supported 25 BIGGA members through this scholarship and we are immensely grateful for their continued support and investment in the greenkeeping industry.“

Ed Carter, UK Sales and Development Manager at ICL said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the ICL scholarship scheme again in 2022, which will be the sixth year we have been involved. Taking a step back, that means 25 greenkeepers have benefitted from a total of 375 hours of education and 75 nights’ accommodation at BTME, which is amazing. As always, it’s brilliant to be able to support a scheme that allows greenkeepers to have the Harrogate experience, who otherwise may not have been able to make it.”

To apply, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ICLC2L2022

For more information about becoming CPD Active, visit: https://www.bigga.org.uk/education/continuing-professional-development.html

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Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony

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Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony: Hayter, the makers of the finest mowers, and The Toro Company, a global leader in turf and landscape equipment, have come together to create two versatile and battery powered product suite for gardeners of all levels.

Hayter has developed the 60V battery cordless range of mowers to offer the same convenience as a petrol lawnmower without engine exhaust emissions. While Toro has released the Flex-Force battery range, which includes outdoor products for all needs in the garden.

Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony

Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony

These two ranges share the same heavy duty, 60V lithium-ion battery, which is interchangeable between all of the products, to offer maximum flexibility. Simply remove the 60V battery and transfer to one of the other compatible machines from either range – so there’s no need to purchase any additional batteries if you already own a product from either range.

Using products from both ranges means the user can have ultimate flexibility, as well as control over all parts of the garden. If your desire is to mow your lawn and leave it with a perfectly striped finish, then the battery powered Harrier 60V cordless mowers are the perfect machines to achieve this with the two piece, ribbed rear roller. If you then need to trim hedges, then the Flex-Force range offers a hedge trimmer, that is focused on tackling those big jobs in less time.

With both Hayter and Toro ranges being used in unison, users will have a product for every season and every application.

Other products in the Flex-Force range include, the Recycler mowers, a leaf blower, chainsaw and string trimmer. And the Hayter 60V battery range includes the Osprey 46 lawnmower.

For more information please visit www.toro.com/en and www.hayter.co.uk

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GreenTek’s new solution for nap and thatch

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GreenTek’s new solution for nap and thatch: Improving the health and presentation of fairway turf is becoming an increasingly high priority for many golf clubs. With the vast improvement in greens turf in recent years, it is not surprising that golfers are now becoming increasingly demanding about the condition of the fairways.

Many courses are limited in their options for mowing in different directions on their approaches and surrounds, or even their fairways. This can result in the grass developing a nap, and consequently an uneven cut.  GreenTek’s new Turf-Conditioner 12 is excellent for lifting the grass before mowing to overcome this problem, and is already gaining rave reviews from delighted users.

GreenTek’s new solution for nap and thatch

GreenTek’s new solution for nap and thatch

At a demonstration on a course where their policy of mowing the fairways 50/50 for economy had resulted in a nap problem, the Head Greenkeeper said, “I’ll ask you the question that every Head Greenkeeper should be asking – how much is it, and when can I have one?”

The benefits of the Turf-Conditioner are numerous. Not only is nap lifted and thatch effectively removed, but better air circulation is provided around the grass plant which helps to minimize the conditions for fungal disease.

Josh Thurley, Golf Course Manager at Malden Golf Club says, “We chose the GreenTek Turf-Conditioner because of its ability to follow the contours and undulations on our fairways without any hassle. We have been using it on the fairways since March and have seen some great results already within the sward and surface quality. We have 8 hectares of fairways, and we complete the whole golf course within 4hrs. I’m looking forward to also using in our long eco rough, to thin the sward and still leave the long wispy grasses.”

“The versatility and quickness of use is excellent, and I would recommend any club to invest in one for their course”

The turf-conditioner has many unique features.  The three rows of rakes are all slightly offset so that the tines give a very closely spaced raking pattern. The angle of pitch is adjustable to enable just the right degree of thatch removal to be achieved.

GreenTek’s new solution for nap and thatch

GreenTek’s new solution for nap and thatch

The unit floats freely on the tractor’s linkage when working across rig and furrow undulations, and the pivoting wing sections enable it to accurately follow the contours around course features.

The Turf-Conditioner demonstrates that not all course machinery needs to be complex or expensive to yield outstanding benefits. Sometimes you just need a more efficient way of implementing good common-sense greenkeeping practices.  Demonstrations are readily available through GreenTek’s nationwide dealer network by calling 0113 267 6000.

A video of the Turf-Conditioner 12 in action can be viewed on the website at:  https://www.greentek.uk.com/products/turf-conditioner/

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Cost-effective and capable irrigation

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Cost-effective and capable irrigation: At the end of last year Reesink Turfcare introduced a cost-effective and uncomplicated irrigation solution to its range from SRC – the Grower 6000 D. This capable 2-wire controller provides all the control needed for easy but effective irrigation.

Decoder systems have been around for years, but in the face of new working practises they’ve seen a surge in popularity as many are now looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade and improve their irrigation system over time without disruption and big hardware changes.

Cost-effective and capable irrigation

Cost-effective and capable irrigation

Box-on-the-wall systems have lots of advantages, most of which we’re all aware of – minimal cabling setups and easy system expansion (simply splice into the communication line and add additional decoders) for example. But perhaps what’s most appealing to greenkeepers and golf club managers in 2021 is the control and independence it affords. Cable faults of such a system are easy to diagnose and there’s minimal fault-finding equipment needed. The diagnostics assist with fault-finding and reduce the time taken to pinpoint the problem.

There’s also the cost to consider. It’s got to be one of the most cost-effective irrigation solutions around. The cabling price for a box-on-the-wall system is much more affordable per metre than traditional systems and the total project costs are lower even after factoring in the decoder costs. The installation of a 2-wire system takes less time, it’s often up to a third less time-consuming than installing a multi-wire system and this also contributes to reducing the total cost.

Robert Jackson, water division sales manager for Reesink, says: “Boxes-on-the-wall offer a web-based management platform through mobile or PC devices for great results. The SRC Grower benefits from a range of features that make it the perfect solution for golf clubs needing straight forward irrigation control; knowing that your irrigation system works for you, your time, club, responsibilities and skills is really important, especially when we don’t know what’s round the corner. And with the Grower, whatever your course needs, it can accommodate easily.”

Available as a web-based management system or a stand-alone decoder based unit, the SRC Grower has a scheduling capacity of 1-200 stations, and 10 programmes, and can operate up to 15 stations alongside five pumps simultaneously. It benefits from flow sensor capability including various alarm options, flow management with the stacking of up to 10 simultaneous programmes and a 14-day calendar run of odd or even days. It’s also fully ET capable with local and remote weather stations and has built in lightening protection.

Robert continues: “Less cabling means installation is straight-forward, but there’s the option to expand later if needed giving the product longevity. For customers who need less of the reporting and detailed irrigation and are looking for a relatively simple controller that will get the job done, then this is the one for you.”

The SRC Grower 6000 is sold as seen and in stock for immediate dispatch. To find out more about contact Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years

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Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years: Gullane Golf Club in Scotland and Toro certainly have history. With the latest deal taking it to 25 years, it’s a partnership claimed to have produced putting surfaces as close to perfection as nature will allow. 

That accolade was made about the effect of the Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 mowers on the course for the Scottish Open three years ago and with a new machine in the club’s last order, clearly the Toro effect continues.

Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years

Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years

“Toro gave us the attention to detail to create near-perfect conditions. It always has, and it’s why this latest deal takes our relationship to a quarter of a century,” says course manager Stewart Duff.

With three 18-hole courses, Gullane No. 1 carved into ancient links turf, Gullane No. 2 sweeping down to a nature reserve, and Gullane No. 3 with views across Aberlady Bay to the Firth of Forth and beyond, it’s no wonder the club is regarded as one of the most picturesque golf spots in the world. And with a state of the art short game practice area, driving range and children’s course as well, Toro certainly has a lot of area to cover when it comes to maintaining the course. Helping with that is the Groundsmaster 4700-D, which is a like-for-like replacement in the last order from Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Stewart explains: “We split our Toro fleet between the courses as we have so much ground to cover, but there are a couple of machines we use across all three; the Groundsmaster 4700-D is one of those machines. With a cutting width of 12.5ft alongside a high-powered engine it’s incredibly productive.”

And it certainly gets put to good use at Gullane, says Stewart: “In the growing season we have the machine in use five days a week across all the courses, doing three times the amount of work compared to our machines that just work on the one course. So the 4700-D that we had in our last fleet for four years, actually did the equivalent of 12 years’ worth of work – but even then, it was still going strong when we signed the new agreement.”

Joining the Groundsmaster 4700-D and the Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 mowers in the last fleet purchase was the Toro Workman utility vehicle and ProPass 200 topdresser.

Stewart continues: “We’re constantly looking at small tweaks we can make in order to get the best possible results and improve the courses for all, and Toro plays a big part in that. For example, we opted for the two Reelmaster 3550-D fairway mowers as the smaller sized cutting units allowed us to follow the contours better, which results in a better quality of cut. The slick tyres on the machines also prevent any turf damage when turning.”

Included as part of Gullane’s tournament support fleet in 2018 were Toro’s GTX electric utility vehicles and they certainly impressed Stewart with him saying at the time he’d be changing his utility vehicles to be Toro based on his positive experience. The arrival of three Workman utility vehicles in the last order sees Stewart true to his word and it sounds as though Toro will be around for many more years to come at Gullane.

Stewart concludes: “The team and I are delighted to have Toro here at the club for another five years; although realistically that’s more than likely going to be another 10 years. We really do feel as though we have the best possible machinery for the courses and with a club that wholeheartedly supports that relationship, I can only see us continuing to invest in Toro in the future.”

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