Tag Archive for: Enhance

The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

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The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026: The R&A’s Sustainable Golf experts will once again be present at BTME in Harrogate this January, with the introduction of The R&A Clubhouse, a dedicated space designed to support learning, discussion and professional development throughout the show.

Located alongside The R&A’s stand in Hall 4, The R&A Clubhouse will complement the existing exhibition presence by providing an environment for structured talks, informal conversations and shared learning opportunities.

The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

Led by R&A professionals and industry specialists, The Clubhouse programme will run across the three days of the trade exhibition, offering practical insight, experience-led discussion and discussions on the key challenges facing modern golf course management.

As in previous years, The R&A will be represented by a broad team drawn from across the organisation, including Sustainable Agronomy, Championship Agronomy, Golf Course 2030 Research and Education programmes. Specialists attending from Great Britain and Ireland, Europe and Asia-Pacific will be available throughout the week to engage with industry professionals, share experience and contribute to conversations around sustainable, performance-led course management across different environments and regions.

The R&A team will be based in Hall 4, providing a central point for visitors to find out more about the independent agronomy support available to golf venues and to speak directly with R&A agronomists and specialists working at both a strategic and practical level.

The R&A Clubhouse programme begins on Tuesday 20 January with a focus on Excellence in Agronomy – Performance Delivered Sustainably, exploring how course teams can balance performance expectations with long-term sustainability. On Wednesday 21 January, the theme turns to International Insights into Sustainability and Greenkeeping, drawing on global perspectives and shared experiences from across the industry. The programme concludes on Thursday 22 January with Championing Leadership of Golf Courses, supporting collaboration and understanding between course managers, club leaders and decision-makers.

Richard Windows, Assistant Director – Sustainable Agronomy Services at The R&A, said: “BTME provides an invaluable opportunity to bring the industry together and encourage open discussion around the issues that matter most to golf courses. The R&A Clubhouse has been designed to facilitate meaningful learning, with contributions from our own specialists and wider industry experts, allowing attendees to gain insight that is both relevant and practical.”

Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainable Golf at The R&A, added: “Having colleagues from across Sustainable Agronomy, Championship Agronomy, Golf Course 2030 Research and our education programmes together in Harrogate allows us to support a wide range of conversations. By combining R&A expertise with industry-led discussion in the Clubhouse, we hope to provide a forum that encourages shared understanding and informed decision-making.”

BTME 2026 takes place at Harrogate Convention Centre, with the trade exhibition running from 20–22 January 2026. You can find out more on each of the clubhouse activities here: https://www.btme.org.uk/attendees/what-s-on/feature-areas/the-r-a-clubhouse.html

For more information on The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, or to arrange a meeting with the team at BTME, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org

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Green-tech and HedgeLife enhance environmental credentials

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Green-tech and HedgeLife enhance environmental credentials: Hayley’s Farm wanted to improve the environmental credentials of the farm. One goal was to plant 4,500 meters of new hedgerows and to lay 1,300 meters of existing hedgerows. This effort is part of a broader initiative to improve connectivity across the landscape and to create diverse wildlife habitats.

They turned to Essex-based HedgeLife, a company passionate about improving the UK’s hedgerow network. Working for farmers, landowners, and domestic clients, HedgeLife plants, lays and coppices hedges.

Green-tech and HedgeLife enhance environmental credentials

Green-tech and HedgeLife enhance environmental credentials

Ian Metson, the owner of HedgeLife has a long-standing relationship with leading landscape supplier Green-tech and used 4000 meters of EcoMatt weed prevention mat, 27,000 Ecowrap tree shelters, and 27,000 supporting bamboo canes for this project.

EcoMatt. An environmentally friendly weed prevention mat that degrades over two growing seasons and helps to suppress competing weed growth within the vicinity of the tree root development area. Manufactured in the UK, exclusively for Green-tech, Ecomatt is made from 100% recycled materials that allow water and air to percolate through the wool layer and help retain moisture during drought. The matting also acts as an insulator and absorbs heat from the sun thus creating an assisted environment for the plant to establish itself.

Ecowrap tree shelters. Designed to protect young broadleaf trees, the Tubex Ecowrap tree shelter is an environmentally conscious choice. Made of non-biodegradable polypropylene, which offers durability and longevity compared to traditional materials, EcoWrap is a new tree guard with many innovative features to protect trees in an environmentally friendly manner. Not only are they fast and straightforward to install, but the Tubex Ecowrap Tree Shelter Guards also trap heat and moisture around the tree to boost survival rates and create the best growing environment possible. The guards expand alongside the tree, providing plenty of space to ensure it isn’t suffocated as it grows.

Canes. Green-tech’s bamboo canes provide crucial support to the young hedgerow plants, ensuring they grow straight and strong. This initial support is vital for establishing a robust and healthy hedgerow.

HedgeLife took a comprehensive approach to the hedgerow project at Hayley’s Farm. They planned the planting and laying of hedgerows to optimise environmental benefits. Green-tech’s materials were central to their strategy, ensuring that the plants were well-protected and had the best possible start.

Ian Metson from HedgeLife explains, “Working with Green-tech has been a seamless experience. Their products are high quality and align with our commitment to sustainability. The project at Hayley’s Farm exemplifies how sustainable agricultural practices and quality materials can create significant environmental benefits. This hedgerow will improve the farm’s ecological credentials and establish vital wildlife habitats, contributing to broader biodiversity goals. Green-tech’s products, such as Ecowrap matting and EcoMatt guards, played a crucial role in the success of this initiative.”

The farm has seen immediate benefits from the project. The newly planted and laid hedgerows are thriving, and the landscape connectivity has been greatly improved. The presence of the hedgerows has already started attracting a variety of wildlife, fulfilling the ecological goals of the project.

James Padfield from Hayley’s Farm adds, “The transformation on our farm is remarkable. The new hedgerows enhance the beauty of our landscape but also provide essential habitats for wildlife. We are grateful to HedgeLife for their expertise and high-quality materials, which made this possible.”

For more information on the products used, visit Green-tech or to learn more about HedgeLife www.hedgelife.co.uk

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Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor

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Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor: Finding optimal solutions to manage and maintain amenity turf remains a consistent challenge among greenkeepers, with a growing number of professionals recognising the benefits of introducing plant growth regulators (PGRs), like Attraxor®, into their ongoing strategy. Here, we hear from several of the UK’s top greenkeepers about how Attraxor® has helped them manage and maintain their turf.

The leading PGR in the turf management toolkit, Attraxor® works by restricting the production of gibberellic acid – the plant hormone responsible for cell elongation. By reducing the level of hormone in the leaf, Attraxor® then redirects the energy within the sward to enhance the root and lateral growth, while upholding consistent turf quality and colour.

Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor

Enhance and perfect your turf management strategy with Attraxor

PGRs, like Attraxor®, are instrumental in enabling groundkeepers to optimise their often-limited resources efficiently.

Darren McLaughlan, golf courses manager at Trump Turnberry, Ayrshire, agrees and confirms he has seen enhanced turf quality, reduced time spent and costs in maintenance – as well as improved playability.

Darren said: “We recorded growth suppression of average 33 per cent as measured by clip rate, so it’s clear that the use of Attraxor® plus natural environmental factors have significantly reduced top growth. The active prohexadione calcium shrinks the Poa seedhead leading to far more consistent ball roll, improved smoothness, and a slight increase in green speed!

“Playability metrics such as green speed and bobble test rating increased dramatically after one application. Our members have also commented on the difference in the greens and the improvement in their play since we began using Attraxor®.”

Attraxor® also limits the spread of Poa annua and reduces seedhead production by up to 38%. By using an innovative formulation for fast leaf absorption, it provides almost instant results as it is activated once diluted in water at low pH.

John Quinn, Golf Course Manager at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, has been using Attraxor® for three seasons and continues to see excellent benefits and Poa annua reduction from the PGR.

John said “I use Attraxor® every 21 days on our greens and it has lowered the mowing maintenance of the greens and complemented our existing efforts of upkeep.

“During periods of high growth, we alternate days mowing and rolling to reduce plant stress. Attraxor® gives me better control of growth rates. Throughout the 21-day period, a more uniform sward is possible each week. I’ve found that the Poa annua seedhead suppression qualities are superior to Trinexapac-ethyl products.”

Attraxor® increases the density of the turf by redirecting growth horizontally. It encourages the thickening of the plant cell walls and epidermis, therefore creating a stronger, more resilient, and consistent sward, while suppressing Poa annua seedhead production.

To find out more about Attraxor®, visit https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Growth-Regulator/Attraxor.html#section-benefits or to explore BASF’s wider turf products, visit https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Product-innovation/Turf/

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Ventrac helps enhance presentation

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Ventrac helps enhance presentation: Adam Smith, the Head of Grounds and Gardens at Bishop’s Stortford College, has been delighted with the higher level of presentation and the work-hour savings, following the purchase of a Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractor.

Supplied through local groundscare dealer, Upsons Mowers, the package initially included a 72-inch rotary mowing deck. Subsequently the College has added a Power Brush attachment.

Ventrac helps enhance presentation

Ventrac helps enhance presentation

Adam’s career in the industry has included numerous different roles – first as a mechanical technician with a European groundscare contractor, then as a product demonstrator followed by a sales role with a large regional UK dealer, and a further sales role for Toro in Brisbane. On returning to the UK, he gained more sales experience with a John Deere dealer before a career switch to groundsmanship at nearby Haileybury Imperial College, before joining the Bishop’s Stortford team two years ago.

“Without a doubt the Ventrac has enhanced the overall appearance of our large grassed areas and its ability to mow on 40-degree slopes has cut out hundreds of hours of brush-cutting for the team” he said. “There are only four of us, so every hour is vital. Strimming is such a time-consuming job, but we have now freed up hours that can spent on other important tasks around the facility. It has been a gamechanger.”

“We have some serious banks across the 130 acres and I was looking for a machine that would save us from the hours of brush-cutting. Upsons suggested the Ventrac and, at first, I wasn’t too sure; to be honest it looked a bit ‘Mickey Mouse’, but once we’d had it demo-ed we were immediately won over. Andy Richards came over from Haileybury for the demo and he has bought one as well. We have a good working relationship and, on occasions, lend each other attachments. It’s simple with the Ventrac linkage system, there’s no complicated set up, you just drive out of one and drive in to the next.

“Before the Ventrac we were using a 50hp tractor with a rear-mounted roller mower, but it was so cumbersome with limited maneuverability in tight spaces. We have several outdoor teaching spaces, such as the arboretum, and getting around the trees and outdoor furniture was a major problem. The Ventrac alleviated this immediately as it has a centre-pivot steering system and can turn tightly. Again, this saves many workhours and is much more efficient.

“This has become our front-line machine; its low ground pressure means we can go out at any time, even in some of the very wet areas and you feel really safe on the banks, it’s a machine you can trust. We have a natural spring that rises near our Pre-Prep School and we can’t usually get in there before late May, but with the Ventrac we cut it in February.

“The weight transfer system works well and by turning it down, the striping effect when using the roller deck is excellent. I particularly like the rear three-point linkage. We can hitch up our Sisis brush units and use the Ventrac as the tow vehicle on our synthetic surfaces. It has such a light footprint, much better than a utility vehicle and we can also brush in stripes on our natural surfaces, if required. We also have a ball hitch, so we can attach equipment such as our water bowser or trailers. Its versatility is endless.”

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STIHL to enhance cordless manufacturing capacity

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STIHL to enhance cordless manufacturing capacity: STIHL Group has unveiled plans for a new €125 million state-of-the-art manufacturing site for electric and cordless power tools, significantly enhancing its battery-powered product manufacturing capacity.

Set for completion in 2024, the new 147,000m2 facility in Oradea, Romania will not only create 500 new jobs in the local area but also expand STIHL Group’s international manufacturing network, strengthening the flexibility and resilience of its supply chains.

STIHL to enhance cordless manufacturing capacity

STIHL to enhance cordless manufacturing capacity

The new manufacturing facility has been designed with lean production in mind and will utilise the latest technology to maximise the productivity, efficiency and sustainability of the plant in line with STIHL Group’s climate and carbon footprint targets. In addition to the production halls, the site will also comprise offices, a cafeteria, and break rooms for employees.

Martin Schwarz, STIHL Executive Board Member for Manufacturing & Materials, said: “Battery-powered products represent the fastest-growing market for STIHL at the present time. We expect demand for these products to continue rising faster than any other category in the years ahead.

“This means that our Tirol plant, which currently manufactures a large portion of our battery-powered range, will one day reach the limits of its space and capacities. The new location in Romania will add to our global manufacturing network and keep us in the best possible position to continue supplying our customers with battery-operated products in the future.”

Today, the STIHL Group has production plants in a total of seven countries: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the United States, Brazil, China, and the Philippines, with facilities opening soon in China.

For more information, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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