Tag Archive for: Club

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

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Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac: Orsett Golf Club in south Essex has joined the ranks of Ventrac owners, with the recent purchase of a 4520 tractor unit and a selection of attachments. The 18-hole heathland course was designed by James Braid and the club, which has over 700 members and a waiting list, recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.

Perry Lowe is the head greenkeeper and leads a team of seven full-time greenkeeping staff and a dedicated mechanic. He’s been in his current position for almost ten years and previously spent 14 years at Chigwell Golf Club in north east London, initially as deputy course manager and then course manager.

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

“We’ve got a huge amount of history in the club and there’s a lot of design history as well, which we try to look after,” he said. “We’re not just about revamping everything; we’re trying to keep the history of the club. Trying to keep the Braid look as best we can for modern golf.

“We do a lot of our work in-house so the versatility of the Ventrac is an added bonus. We had a rotary triple mower and it did a great job, but it was coming to the end of its lease. We’d seen and heard a lot about Ventrac in magazines and on social media, so we thought we’d give it a try. A couple of the guys I work with had spoken to people saying how impressive this machine was, so we decided to take a look at it. And the good thing about the Ventrac is, with all the attachments, it becomes an all-year-round machine.

“While the rotary triple we had did a great job, it actually sat in a corner collecting dust during the winter, whereas the Ventrac can go out in all weather; it’s got a wide footprint so it doesn’t make a mess, it doesn’t get stuck. So, you can get all the cutting done without causing any damage. We removed the Contour deck and put on the Trencher attachment and did a huge amount of irrigation, trenching on one of our tees. And it didn’t miss a beat. Absolutely flew through the job and didn’t make any mess at all.

“We’ve also got the Power Rake attachment. We have a lot of shale paths here, which get quite compacted and rutted, but we can go out at this time of year and grade the paths to remove the potholes. We’ll also be using it to prepare another tee we’re renovating. So, instead of being a machine that just sits in a corner, it’s an all-round machine.

“We bought the three attachments in the initial package with the idea that in the future we can add further implements and the one I have in mind is the stump grinder. The attachments we’ve got so far work really well. Once you get used to how to take them off and the little tricks, it’s a ten second job.

“Servicing is easy; it’s a compact unit, so everything is easily accessible.  We’ve changed all the filters and things like that a few times, but that’s not a complaint, it’s just part of our maintenance regime. It’s smartly laid out. Everything’s been thought through and ticked off.

“There’s been no issue with it at all. I don’t think it’s missed a beat. The operator loves it. We can’t get him off it. It’s his baby. He looks after it, he maintains it. I think the only thing we’ve had to look at replacing is a bearing on a roller. And that’s probably because we’re so dry and they take a battering.

“There’s nowhere on the course it doesn’t go, in fact, we’re pushing it into a lot more areas than we ever thought because of its wide footprint and four-wheel drive. We’ve got a few greens that are set in little gullies and valleys with quite steep banks. The other machine would get around them at certain times of year, but you’d have big wheelspin marks when trying to get around, so that’s why we’ve got the Ventrac; it just chugged around. It’s an absolutely brilliant piece of kit.”

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Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration

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Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration: Royal Ascot Golf Club has completed the latest phase of its course regeneration project to fulfil ambitious growth plans to make its playing facilities among the best in the UK.

The club has committed £500,000 to the project which will see each of its 18 holes upgraded by enhancing drainage and irrigation provisions, renovating all bunkers and adding new treelines to the course’s surrounds.

Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration

Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration

Phase three saw holes five, six, sixteen and seventeen plus ten bunkers transformed before the beginning of the new season with the project scheduled to be completed this autumn.

Despite one of the wettest winters in recent times, improvements have meant the course has remained open for play through the winter. And Course Manager Ian Hockley is pleased with the outcomes both visually and practically.

“Delivering a quality playing surface on each of our holes in all seasons is a key priority for the club,” said Ian. “This investment coupled with the hard work of our eight-strong grounds team makes that goal possible, and we’re really pleased with the outcomes.

“Visually, our bunkers are now much more visible for players and are positioned appropriately for the modern game.

“We’ve been able to eliminate any risk of cross contamination too by applying clean sand to each of our bunkers and removing any clay which runs the risk of heavier conditions and flooding when the weather turns.

“Feedback from players has been overwhelmingly positive which is great to hear with the new season around the corner.”

The investment forms part of Royal Ascot Golf Club’s long-term strategy to enhance the playing and social experiences of members and visitors alike.

Last year, the club cut the ribbon on its regenerated clubhouse and patio which is now open seven days a week and capable of hosting corporate events and private celebrations while serving food all year round.

Other planned developments at the club include the creation of a new swing studio and an extended pro shop.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, added: “We’re committed to establishing Royal Ascot Golf Club as one of the UK’s best courses.

“With the nights drawing out, the completion of phase three of our course regeneration project is timely as we welcome an increasing number of players to the course as the weeks build up to summer.

“Credit must go to our grounds team who play an essential role in maintaining the highest standards to our course.”

Further information about Royal Ascot Golf Club is available online via www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk.

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Baroness or nothing for West Essex Golf Club

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Baroness or nothing for West Essex Golf Club: Every blade of grass at West Essex Golf Club is cut by a Baroness mower – the case for the last seven years and one that looks set to stay for the foreseeable future according to Course Manager Paul Kimber.

The fleet currently consists of two LM315 greens mowers, two LM2700 fairways mowers, an LM331 for tees and a GM2810 rotary mower for roughs which the team say demonstrate outstanding reliability and cylinders which deliver an industry-leading quality of cut.

Baroness or nothing for West Essex Golf Club

Baroness or nothing for West Essex Golf Club

Paul has been at the parkland course on the outskirts of Epping Forest for 37 years, and in the top job since 2018. He explains that the origins of the club’s relationship with Baroness was very much a happy accident! “We were welcoming a new Head Greenkeeper who purchased a suite of Baroness machines, and then didn’t end up actually joining – leaving us with these mowers we knew very little about. We started using it and that was it, we were sold straight away and have never looked at anything else since.”

“Our team all have experience with various makes of mower and consider Baroness to not only be superior, but also at a more competitive cost point.”

In particular, Paul notes the quality of the cutting units. “These are just next level. You barely have to touch them to put them on cut, and they then stay on cut forever. They do not wear down easily, robust enough to cut through anything!” The robust theme continues, “The machines as a whole are well built and reliable. We like that everything is mechanical, not electronic, so we can keep on top of routine maintenance ourselves and not end up with graveyards of kit waiting for diagnostic testing or replacement parts.”

The fleet of cylinder and rotary mowers were supplied by dealer George Browns Ltd who, together with Stuart Gray at Baroness, have delivered second-to-none support and service. “They’re all a pleasure to deal with and go the extra mile to get answers or solutions to any questions we have. It’s just another reason why we’d never look anywhere else.”

Complimenting the mowers is a Baroness SP05A bunker rake which Paul admits the club could now not live without. “It’s one of those few machines where, if it broke today, we’d be ordering a new one tomorrow! We use this machine at least three times a week to brush and smooth the bunkers but, in addition, ours has a front blade which acts like a plough so we can use it for moving and spreading path material.”

He concludes, “Anyone who hasn’t thought to try a Baroness mower, get your hands on one and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed!”

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Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

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Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers: A fleet of robotic mowers which reduces carbon emissions and enhances greenkeeping capabilities is being trialled at Royal Ascot Golf Club as part of its development strategy.

The Winkfield Road venue introduced BigMow technology to its 150 acre wooded Crown land course this week with a view to further enhancing the playing quality and experience of members and visitors alike.

Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

Each mower is capable of cutting rough, semi-rough and fairway patches of ground for two hours using GPS technology, can operate in all weather conditions and will save an estimated five tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of a return journey by plane from London Heathrow to Perth.

It is hoped the move will streamline tasks currently delegated to the club’s team of eight greenkeeping staff who will be able to invest more resource into green preparation, aeration, top dressing and overall presentation.

The demo will help the club to better understand how technology can be used to its advantage in the long-term with a fleet exchange planned for 2027.

Benefits of BigMow technology

Ian Hockley, Course Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “The benefits of BigMow technology to the club are fourfold.

“Mowing is typically a greenkeeper’s most laboursome task, and although we always aim to be out on the course during quieter hours the occasional disruption to play is inevitable.

“Robotic mowers operate with minimal intrusion and are efficient at providing the best playing surface on areas of rough and semi-rough ground plus our fairways. This allows our existing greenkeeping team to prioritise tasks elsewhere on the course which will be a huge asset for us.

“There’s the environment impact too and due to the weight of each robot we can confidently send them out on the course when conditions wouldn’t be suitable for heavier, more traditional, machinery.

“We’re excited about the benefits this can bring to the aesthetics and playing quality of our course which we take great pride in.”

The trial is taking place after Royal Ascot Golf Club’s senior leadership team attended this year’s BTME Exhibition in Harrogate, Europe’s leading greenkeeping and turf management show.

The exhibition allowed the club to explore the latest equipment, learn about sustainable practices and attend a series of seminars.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, added: “We’re continually exploring how we can remain at the forefront of greens maintenance to continue providing an enviable course in the years to come.

“Ensuring our through the door and playing experiences for members and guests alike are at the highest levels possible is a key priority for the team.

“Trialling BigMow technology forms part of this process and we’re grateful to AMS Robotics for their insights into how we can best utilise the technology while retaining our existing greenkeeping team.”

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Kubota or nothing for Watford Football Club

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Kubota or nothing for Watford Football Club: When it comes to tractors, it’s Kubota or nothing for Scott Tingley, Grounds Manager at Watford Football Club.

The club’s Kubota STW40 is proof that compact doesn’t have to mean compromise when it comes to providing the reliable power for maintenance operations at Vicarage Road, while a Kubota L2-622 delivers impressive versatility at the training ground.

Kubota or nothing for Watford Football Club

Kubota or nothing for Watford Football Club

Performance

The dependable performance of the pair is matched by a fleet of four Kubota RTV’s used across both sites.

Scott is into his 9th season at the club and oversees the home of The Hornets with a team of three, and the 27 pitches at Watford’s training ground. “On the Vicarage Road stadium pitch, it’s all about weight – we need something small and compact, with enough horsepower to lift all the various implements we use” he explains. The solution, for the last seven years, has been a Kubota STW40.

“We look after the tractor well and, in return, it looks after us. It’s small, lightweight and at 40hp can operate our seeder or aerator for example without leaving much of a footprint.” Scott continues, “All of our Kubota equipment is incredibly reliable, we’ve had no issues with this tractor at all.”

At the training ground, the delivery of an L2-622 from dealers George Browns Ltd in October 2022 is delivering even more versatility “We’re yet to find anything we can’t do with this tractor! Together with powering implements, the forks and bucket are invaluable for moving pallets around, managing deliveries or loading topdressing into our spreader. It makes every task quicker and easier.”

“The cruise control feature on the Kubota L2-622 is especially important when we’re aerating at the training ground as, by setting the speed, we get consistency across all the surfaces” he adds. “It’s also incredibly user-friendly to operate which is important to aid the training and efficiency of some of our newer and younger team members.”

RTV’s

Complementing the pair of compact tractors across the two sites are four RTV’s, including two RTV520’s installed by George Browns at the training ground in July 2023. “Here, especially, the RTV’s are the workhorses of our maintenance operation.

Whether its moving equipment from pitch to pitch or transporting clippings, they’re our go-to. At the stadium we have a Kubota RTV500 which, again, is a people and machinery mover. We also use this to tow our lighting rigs into place after a match which shaves an hour off the job.”

Scott concludes by praising the after-sales support from the Kubota dealer, “On the odd occasion we’ve needed help with our Kubota equipment, George Browns have always been brilliant. With high levels of usage and even higher expectations it’s reassuring to know we can always rely on Kubota to get the job done.”

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