Tag Archive for: Appointments

POGO Turfpro announces new appointments

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POGO Turfpro announces new appointments: POGO Turfpro, a division of Stevens Water Monitoring System, specializing in soil and turf management data insight solutions, is pleased to announce the three new POGO Business Development Directors.

These individuals bring extensive experience as superintendents and turf managers, further strengthening POGO’s growing team. These professionals underscore POGO’s ongoing commitment to advancing agronomy practices and scientific approaches through data-driven decisions in turf performance, health, and irrigation management for golf courses, sports turf, and turf industry professionals.

POGO Turfpro announces new appointments

POGO Turfpro announces new appointments

POGO Turfpro officially welcomed Jonathan Dees, Kevin Neal, and Richard Douglas with a full product demonstration at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. The event showcased POGO’s capacity to deliver instant, science-driven insights into turf health, enabling managers to make more informed and sustainable agronomic decisions.

  • Jonathan Dees, leading support in AZ, CO, NM, TX, WY, New Zealand, and Australia, is a former golf course superintendent with extensive experience in golf green construction, irrigation system design, and agronomic planning for championship tournaments. He holds degrees in Turf Management and Horticulture.
  • Kevin Neal, leading support in CA, HI, and NV, is a former Certified Golf Course Superintendent with a strong background in golf course maintenance, regional operations, and business development. Neal successfully launched a golf division that grew brand recognition and sales momentum through strategic partnerships with organizations including the GCSAA, USGA, CMAA, and major water districts. He holds a degree in Botany and Plant Sciences.
  • Richard Douglas, leading support in GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV, and specific sport turf management properties, brings years of experience as a professional sports turf manager across Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, and NCAA athletics. Skilled in turfgrass science, irrigation management, and high-performance field maintenance, Douglas also holds degrees in Business Administration and Turfgrass Science.

We are pleased to welcome Jonathan, Kevin, and Richard to our team. Their extensive expertise and firsthand experience in managing premium playing surfaces will enhance POGO’s capacity to support turf professionals and property management. Their insights will contribute to optimizing turf health and developing innovative features to advance the quality of golf and sports turf maintenance.

The POGO team thanks Tom Keenan, Superintendent at Rock Creek Country Club, for hosting and allowing for a live demonstration of the POGO Turfpro system’s powerful turf insights.

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Kubota (UK) announce two strategic appointments

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Kubota (UK) announce two strategic appointments: Kubota (UK) are delighted to announce two strategic appointments – bolstering knowledge and strength both internally and across the dealer network.

John Davis has taken up the position of agricultural and groundcare dealer manager for the south and south west of England, while Matt Wilson joins the marketing team as groundcare product and key account manager for the UK and Ireland.

Kubota (UK) announce two strategic appointments

Kubota (UK) announce two strategic appointments

Passionate about farming and machinery, John has worked in the industry since leaving school, where he enrolled in an apprenticeship scheme with former dealer Tincknells, some 30 years ago. He joins Kubota following eight years with a specialist manufacturer and brings with him considerable experience gained during his most recent role working with self-propelled crop spraying equipment.

“I’m looking forward to being challenged with continual dealer development and brand-building, to introduce Kubota to a much wider audience in the agricultural and groundcare sectors,” said John. “Kubota is a company that is growing and we’re seeing increased interest from the industry for Kubota tractors, loaders, telehandlers and groundcare machinery. It’s a great time to be involved with such a well-respected, global manufacturer.”

Meanwhile, Matt Wilson joins the Kubota (UK) marketing team with more than 20 years of industry knowledge having gained dealership, distribution and manufacturing experience with a variety of businesses involved in the amenity, golf and turf sectors. Matt’s desire for market and product information will be instrumental in his role to further develop the groundcare portfolio, together with working alongside Kubota’s European groundcare product management team.

Matt explains, “I have always wanted to work for a top-tier manufacturer, and joining Kubota is certainly a highlight of my career to-date. Ethically, Kubota’s core disciplines, family values and its honourable nature are values that are close to my heart.”

“There is strong demand for Kubota’s groundcare products, in particular the products from the recent acquisition of Gianni Ferrari.” He adds, “Who wouldn’t want to work for such a well-respected brand, with equipment that sets the industry standard for build quality and reliability?!”

Commenting on the recent appointments, Kubota’s agricultural and groundcare sales manager Tim Yates said: “John’s knowledge provides us with a great opportunity to continue supporting dealers and build on the growth already achieved in the agricultural and groundcare markets. It’s great to have both him and Matt on the team; whose in-depth industry knowledge gives us a strong foundation on which to continue supporting the groundcare sector with market-leading products.”

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New appointments for INFINICUT®

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New appointments for INFINICUT®: To support their ongoing growth, INFINICUT® have been busy making appointments as they expand both their internal sales team and external, nationwide dealer network.

Taking up the role of Territory Sales Manager for Scotland and the North of England is Bobby McDougall – a third generation greenkeeper and well-known name, having gained years of valuable experience on both sides of the industry fence. Also, now part of the INFINICUT® network are Hunt Forest Group, taking on the sales, service and support for the range across the South.

New appointments for INFINICUT®

New appointments for INFINICUT®

Bobby began greenkeeping in 1997 where he worked underneath John Coleman at Abbeydale Golf Club. After taking up a role in sales with Aitkens in 2009, he then moved more into the construction side, taking up a position with Souter Sports and then later joining dealership Fairways GM. In addition to the North, Bobby’s new role at INFINICUT® will also see him looking after Sweden, Norway and Southeast Asia.

“Having previously worked alongside John, we have remained in touch and I have naturally always followed the developments of both the INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ ranges. When the opportunity arose to come on board, it was an invitation I couldn’t turn down” explains Bobby, who joined the team in July 2021. “It’s fantastic to be part of such an innovative, forward-thinking company with products that are always improving and set the standards for the industry.”

In another appointment, Hunt Forest Group are the latest name to be added to the growing dealer network, strengthening coverage across Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Formed in 2019 following a merger between two prominent John Deere dealerships, Hunt Forest offer a broad selection of franchises to meet the requirements of both agricultural and amenity customers.

New appointments for INFINICUT®

New appointments for INFINICUT®

Commenting on the news, Turf & Construction Sales Director Ed Smales said, “We are delighted to be working with INFINICUT® – it is a unique product that is well-built and has an excellent reputation in the market. The range is a fantastic fit alongside the JD brand and the rest of our existing portfolio, meaning we can now offer even more quality solutions to new and existing customers to satisfy their maintenance needs.”

Oliver Hall, INFINICUT® Territory Sales Manager added, “Hunt Forest have a great reputation for sales and aftercare and across their depots will have factory trained technicians and a plethora of parts on the shelf to support customers in their area. We are very much looking forward to working with Ed and the team to further raise the INFINICUT® profile and offer a more localised service across this key territory.”

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New appointments at Els Club Malaysia

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New appointments at Els Club Malaysia: The Els Club Malaysia, managed by Troon International, the leaders in upscale golf course management have made two new senior appointments.

The championship venue welcomes Steven Thielke as General Manager of The Els Club Desaru Coast and Sean Kinsley as Group Director of Agronomy across The Els Club Malaysia – Desaru Coast and Teluk Datai facilities. Steven and Sean replace long term Troon veterans Stephen Havrilla and Terrance Mohamed who move onto new opportunities in the USA and South East Asia respectively.

New appointments at Els Club Malaysia

New appointments at Els Club Malaysia

Steven Thielke joins The Els Club Malaysia and Troon International with over 30 years of golf and hospitality industry experience. In 2019, Steven successfully completed his Club Managers’ Certification (CCM) with the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), a professional qualification and the gold standard in club management.

Most recently, Steven has spent the past eight years as CEO of TPC Kuala Lumpur, overseeing the club’s transformation process, and under the South African’s management, TPC Kuala Lumpur captured the golf world’s attention through staging PGA Tour, European Tour and LPGA events annually for over three consecutive years.

Steven Thielke commented of the appointment: “It’s a true privilege to be associated with, fellow countryman, Ernie Els’ brand and to be part of the Troon International family. The natural beauty, wildlife and high-quality of golf on offer at The Els Club Desaru Coast is simply spectacular. I have yet to experience anything equal in the world of golf that offers such world class facilities with uninterrupted views and a fresh sea breeze in an authentic tropical destination.

“I’m extremely excited to be part of team at The Els Club Desaru Coast and add value to the overall growth of the club and the destination, particularly in the recovery from the past year as we look to re-open borders and welcome golfers from outside Malaysia to Desaru Coast.”

The Els Club Malaysia’s second exciting appointment, Sean Kinsley, has been a part of the Troon family for the past 13 years. He joins as Group Director of Agronomy having truly embraced the international opportunities working for the leader in golf management brings. Prior to his new role in Malaysia, he previously worked in Australia, USA, Russia, India and the UAE.

Sean joins The Els Club Malaysia from Dubai where he was Cluster Director of Agronomy across Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai Hills Golf Club, and Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai. During his tenure, Dubai Hills Golf Club was awarded ‘World’s Best New Golf Course’ at the 2019 World Golf Awards, a true recognition of the high standards Sean upholds across course conditioning and presentation.

The Els Club Malaysia’s new Director of Agronomy, Sean Kinsley, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity: “Having personally visited the location on more than one occasion I am delighted to be joining The Els Club Malaysia team. The opportunity to be involved in the management of such a strong group of courses located in such a stunning setting is one that I am eagerly anticipating. Each of the three courses is distinct in terms of style and the role certainly promises to be one that will require a varied approach when it comes to the maintenance of each property.

“Being aware of the growing portfolio of the golf courses and the recent progress made by the Agronomy team, I am very excited at the prospect of consolidating that momentum and continuing to drive and deliver further improvements in course conditioning and international recognition of each club over the years ahead.”

Managed by Troon under the Troon Golf brand and created by four-time Major Champion and World Golf Hall of Famer, Ernie Els, with the Valley Course being designed by Vijay Singh, the three golf courses across both properties at The Els Club Malaysia, in Desaru Coast and Teluk Datai, are all of the highest possible standard. Collectively, this has enabled the clubs to quickly assert themselves as one of the most talked about experiences in the golf market.

Additionally, with three clubhouses, each with their own distinguished F&B and Golf Shop outlets, as well as a dedicated team of hospitality professionals, guests are treated to five-star service from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave. With easy accessibility via road, air and sea, both destinations are growing in popularity and with the introduction of a series of luxury hotel brands it makes for an ultimate golfing getaway in South East Asia.

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New appointments from Indigrow

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New appointments from Indigrow: Indigrow are delighted to announce the appointments of Andre Erlah, Andy Miller and Greg McLellan as area sales managers, helping us expand and enhance our areas of operation within the UK.

Andre began his career working on rugby, football, cricket and athletic facilities at his local college. He moved to Trentham Park Golf Club where he progressed from assistant to head greenkeeper. After spending 16 years as the course manager at Easingwold Golf Club, Andre returned to his native Staffordshire to run his own landscaping and consultancy business before joining Indigrow.

New appointments from Indigrow

Andy has worked as a greenkeeper throughout his career, spending 10 years across Clitheroe Golf Club, Nelson Golf Club and Burnley Golf Club, before making the step to head greenkeeper. Andy has most recently been head greenkeeper at Marsden Park Golf Club.

Greg started in the industry early, spending his summers working on golf courses whilst still studying. After leaving school, he took an apprenticeship at Callender Golf Club, where he excelled, passing all of his qualifications. More recently, he has been working at the prestigious GWest Resort, but has decided to take on a new challenge on the other side of the industry.

Andre will be responsible for the Midlands, Andy for the North West of England and Greg for North & East Scotland. Their knowledge and expertise from the world of sports turf and agronomy are priceless to us and invaluable to our customers. If you wish to contact any of them, their contact details are as follows:

Andre Erlah 07483 053 216 aerlah@indigrow.co.uk
Andy Miller 07483 053 217 amiller@indigrow.co.uk
Greg McLellan 07483 053 218 gmclellan@indigrow.co.uk

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