Tag Archive for: Bill

Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB

/in , , /by

Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB: If finding top quality topdressing solutions is the question, visitors to BTME are guaranteed to find the answer on stand 644 as GKB Machines return to Harrogate.

Before attendees have even stepped foot inside the exhibition halls, they’ll be able to see the mounted GKB SP100 parked outside of the Hall 6 entrance, with details of trailed and material-handling options all available by speaking with the GKB technical team.

Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB

Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB

With four different hopper capacities and trailed and mounted models, there’s a GKB Sandspreader to suit all surfaces. Delivering the ultimate versatility for broadcast topdressing, it is the fast and effective way to incorporate sand into greens, fairways and surrounding areas to assist in the breakdown of thatch, increase infiltration and create conditions for vigorous grass growth.

The GKB SP100 is the smallest unit in the range, offering a 1.0m3 hopper capacity and up to 10m spreading width making it ideal for tasks around the golf course. Moving up through the range are hopper capacities of 2.3m3, 3.0m3 and 4.0m3 – the larger SP400 models providing unrivalled productivity therefore making them a popular choice for the contractor market.

In addition to the SP range, GKB also offer three SPM models, combining all of the characteristics and qualities of the robust and reliable Sandspreader with the addition of a material handler – ideal for topping up bunkers.

If time is tight and conducting sand integration with other operations is what’s needed, then GKB have you covered here too with the renowned GKB Sandfiller! The Sandfiller is proof positive that multi-tasking doesn’t have to result in a compromise in quality, tackling the issues of organic matter, compaction, drainage and sward density in a single pass.

The Sandfiller utilises the principles of GKB’s much-praised Combinator, with carbide blades effectively slitting the surface, removing vegetation and creating channels to be easily refilled with dried sand, or a combination of sand and seed, creating a clean, play-ready finish.

Visitors will be able to see solutions from across GKB’s portfolio for natural turf in action on stand 644’s high-impact video wall, so be sure to stop by this January, grab some GKB giveaways and find out more.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Obituary: Bill Hawthorn

/in , /by

Obituary: Bill Hawthorn: It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the death of William Douglas Hawthorn, otherwise known as Bill Hawthorn, who died peacefully at home on Friday 3rd November 2023 at the age of 89, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill will be remembered for many achievements in his life. His ‘can do’ approach and eternal optimism, together with his ongoing desire to help and support those around him, made him an unstoppable character. He was a generous, kind, loving and forgiving man who possessed an unyielding faith. In his profession, he was a brilliant pump engineer who dedicated most of his professional life to the water industry as it expanded over more than six decades.

Obituary: Bill Hawthorn

Obituary: Bill Hawthorn

In a professional capacity, Bill will be widely recognised for his contribution and support to the golf industry, to which he dedicated 53 years of his life. He is considered one of the early pioneers of the golf irrigation industry by starting up, along with his co-founder Robin Sitwell, one of the most successful irrigation contracting and manufacturing companies in Europe, if not the world. Watermation, registered in 1970, continued for over 30 years and installed irrigation systems across Europe and as far away as Asia, the USA, Barbados and New Zealand. Watermation is famous for manufacturing its own impact rotors and ‘ahead of its time’ two-wire technology in the form of TW2 and decoders, some of which continue to operate today, 30 years after they were installed. Bill leaves a legacy of innovation and forward thinking, and many in our industry today are indebted to Bill for setting them on a path to success during the period of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s when golf and the development of the game expanded rapidly around the world. Bill may never have fully appreciated the impact he had on the industry and the individuals who have worked, and continue to work, in it.

Bill leaves behind his wife Eileen, two daughters, a daughter-in-law, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, plus two sons-in-law who still work in the industry he inspired to become the success it is today.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Groundsmaster series fits the bill

/in , /by

Groundsmaster series fits the bill: Ian Brawn, course manager at Worsley Park Golf and Country Club, part of Delta Hotels by Marriott, has been with Marriott for 18 years – but the club’s trusty Toro Groundsmaster 3500-D has been there even longer.

For the last 21 years, it’s been used to maintain the Manchester club’s picturesque 18-hole PGA Championship golf course. Impressed by the mower’s longevity, Ian recently acquired another Groundsmaster 3500 with Sidewinder shifting decks to help ease the burden on its older sibling.

Groundsmaster series fits the bill

Groundsmaster series fits the bill

Ian comments: “We chose to go with another 3500 because we wanted a like-for-like model to go alongside our existing Toro machine – just obviously a lot newer! We began to call the existing Groundsmaster the older sibling but, really, we should call it the grandfather!”

Despite the older mower’s age, Ian’s in no hurry to retire what he dubs ‘the course stalwart’ just yet. “If it’s looked after and well-loved, Toro kit can go on and on,” he says. “The original 3500 still does the job, but it’s obviously not as effective as the new one.“However, for lighter duties it’s fantastic. We’ve always kept it maintained, so it’s the perfect backup should the new mower be unavailable for whatever reason. As a club, it gives us more versatility. The new 3500, though, is without a doubt a huge game changer for us.”

One reason Ian decided to update his Toro fleet with Reesink is because Worsley Park Golf and Country Club, which will soon be celebrating its 25th birthday, is currently in the process of changing the aesthetics of its course.

“We get a huge amount of golfers here at Worsley,” he explains. “So, naturally, we’ve been using the 3500 duo, but particularly the new mower, quite often.

“We’re currently looking at how we present our course: adapting the presentation, improving our consistency of cut, bringing on a new patterning and new look.

“The 3500’s adjustable head, allowing side-to-side movement means we can get a closer cut around bunkers and sloping greens, improving presentation.”

With Toro’s unique Series/Parallel traction drive system and Contour Plus cutting technology, the Groundsmaster 3500 effortlessly navigates undulating and wet terrain while maintaining a high consistency of cut.

“In addition, we’re also adding an intermediate rough, which requires us to use both mowers side-by-side, which has been nice to see,” Ian says. “Since we’re quite a big site, having two great Toro machines at our disposal really improves the club’s greenkeeping efficiency.

“For all this, of course, we have to extend a huge thanks to Steve Halley from Cheshire Turf Machinery and Reesink, who’ve been really supportive. We have a good working relationship, and Steve and the team have always been there whenever we have issues, especially while Paul, our resident mechanic, is finishing off his training.”

To learn more about Toro’s flagship Groundsmaster series, call 01480 226800 or visit https://www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Suståne delivers perfect bill of health

/in , /by

Suståne delivers perfect bill of health: A year-round programme from Suståne® Natural Fertilizers has been effectively managing moisture and turf stresses to keep the 27-hole course at Wellow Golf Club disease-free.

Course Manager Lee Payne describes how the ‘perfect combination’ of Suståne® products including 5-2-10+Fe and 6-2-4 Turf Revival® has seen a drastic reduction in the frequency and severity of a variety of turf diseases, lowering fungicide applications and delivering long-lasting visual appeal.

Suståne delivers perfect bill of health

Suståne delivers perfect bill of health

Steeped in history, Hampshire’s Wellow Golf Club is set among 200 acres of parkland surrounding Embley Park – once occupied by King Alfred and later the family home of Florence Nightingale. Skip forward a couple of centuries, the site now boasts a beautiful 27-hole course maintained by Lee and his team of five. Privately owned and broken down into three 9-hole courses; the rotation of the Ryedown, Blackwater and Embley courses enable a ‘TLC week’ to take place one in every three… or at least that’s the idea!

“We’re constantly busy!” exclaims Lee. “We conduct a lot of in-house drainage projects as we’re quite a heavy site meaning that for most of the winter months, we can’t get a sprayer out. That leads me nicely onto how good the Suståne product really is, an annual programme from whom keeps us ticking over superbly well.”

“It was the organic aspect that led me to Suståne® initially. We were looking for something that would boost the good bacteria in the profile and not be harmful to the environment or our aquatic life, while also keeping on top of the variety of turf diseases that appear.” The programme, drawn up by Suståne’s Russell Riley and Neil Rogers from AGS consists of 4-6-4 slow-release fertiliser, 5-2-4+Fe for a boost of colour during December, January and February before a switch to 5-2-10+FE during spring and autumn. Lee also uses Bolster™ Liquid Biostimulant and Suståne 6-2-4 Turf Revival® which he claims provides instant recovery following heavy renovations in March and August.

“Recovery is one of the biggest factors for us, with tight turnarounds in maintenance windows and this is where Suståne® has been fantastic. The extended slow-release nitrogen within the 6-2-4 product gives us an instant boost followed by a month or two of consistent recovery.” Lee continues, “We also have a couple of greens particularly susceptible to Anthracnose. If this starts to appear we simply put down a half rate of the 5-2-10 which provides enough goodness back into the soil to effectively control any outbreaks.”

A noticeable consistency to overall plant health has meant that Lee doesn’t feel the need to try anything else. “We know our programme, we know it works for us and we know that advice is always available from Russell or Neil to tweak things if required. Not only that, but it’s also reassuring to know that we’re running the course in a way that is sympathetic to the environment we’re in to protect what we have here now and into the future.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Bill Mitchell Retires

/in , /by

Bill Mitchell Retires: A 58-year career is not in itself remarkable, what is remarkable, as in the case of Bill Mitchell, is a 58-year career at just one club. Not to mention the 25-year relationship with Toro and Reesink Turfcare.

After almost 60 years at Perranporth Golf Club, on the North coast of Cornwall, the club he joined straight from school, Bill leaves behind a legacy that has helped shape the industry.

Bill Mitchell Retires

Over the years, Bill has quietly and diligently cared for the links course of Perranporth, favouring a traditional approach to links greenkeeping and bringing genuine long-term sustainability to the club’s core.

Bill proved over his career that it’s possible to stick to what you believe in – despite the fact that it goes against the industry norm – and achieve commercial success. He created and maintained fast and smooth surfaces high in fine fescues and kept low in disease-risk on a links course. It was, he says, his greatest achievement.

“The fact that I proved it’s possible to maintain a natural links course is my biggest achievement, and the thing I am most proud of,” he says. “I hope I showed the next generation that sustainable, natural links greenkeeping is not only possible but viable, that I took the difficulty out of it and perhaps inspired them to try it should they ever be in the privileged position of working on a links course.”

A long-term Toro fan, Bill believes it’s quality rather than quantity that applies to all aspects of greenkeeping: “It’s possible to get results with dedication, vision and hard work, just as much as it’s possible from big budgets or greenkeeping teams. As soon as it was no longer possible to support all British in my machinery choices, it was Toro I turned to. They’re the finest products and treat the ground with respect.”

John Pike from Reesink Turfcare presented Bill with a decanter from the company in recognition of his career, he says: “Bill is an unofficial ambassador for the industry. Approaching 60 years at one club is almost unheard of and he certainly made his mark on the course at Perranporth! Actually, I think it’s fair to say he made a mark on everyone he’s worked with, myself included. We wish him well for the future, I don’t say it lightly when I say he will be much missed.”

Throughout his career, Bill’s been involved in the education of the industry, he helped set up the Duchy College training programme and was heavily involved with the assessing and training of attendees, and always placed the utmost importance on the education of his apprentices. In addition, Bill enjoyed time on the Open Support teams throughout the years, helping prepare the courses and assisting with the smooth running of the world-famous tournament.

Bill has also been a key member of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) Devon and Cornwall section since its inception over 40 years ago. In fact, so instrumental was his work for the organisation that he was given life membership in recognition of it.

It is therefore, with pleasure, that we can confirm Bill will continue with his advisory and education work for the foreseeable future.

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.