Tag Archive for: FairWays

FairWays Foundation’s inaugural summit tournament

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FairWays Foundation’s inaugural summit tournament: The FairWays Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting conservation and stewardship, held its inaugural summit at Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio, on June 21-22, 2022. This event brought together industry influencers, as well as previous and potential grant recipients, for educational talks and networking.

With over 80 in attendance, the event aimed to raise awareness for the work of The FairWays Foundation.

FairWays Foundation's inaugural summit tournament

FairWays Foundation’s inaugural summit tournament

With nearly $300,000 worth of funds granted to date, the foundation will review and award the 2022 cycle applicants in the coming few months when they hope to see the running total hit half a million dollars.

This event welcomed Kimberly Erusha Ph.D., former Director of Education, Greens Section, USGA as keynote speaker, followed by an outstanding guest panel including:

· Mark Lane – Golf Course Superintendent, The Memphremagog Golf Club, Quebec
· Joel Nunes – Director of Golf, Palmares Ocean Living & Golf, Portugal
· Greg Lovell – The Fairways Foundation board member, Eastern Midwest Territory Manager, Aquatrols
· Angelica Carmen – Grant Recipient and Sustainability Specialist at Mistwood Golf Club

The FairWays Foundation President, Matt Foster, expressed his thanks to all those in attendance and encouraged attendees to help spread the word about the foundation, particularly its ability to help fund small and large conservation-based projects for those in their industry.

“We understand making a difference in your community takes tremendous grit from a local champion. It might be a green keeper, park manager, or program volunteer. Regardless, without their will, these projects would never move forward. Our message to those individuals out there with a wish for a healthier environment is that The Fairways Foundation can help provide a way to make it happen. If you’re on the fence, just apply. You have nothing to lose,” said Matt.

The FairWays Foundation is looking for ambassadors to help reach those who wish to champion environmental projects but cannot proceed due to a lack of resources. Find out how you can get involved here.

To learn more about the projects that have been supported so far or to learn how to apply for our 2023 grant cycle, visit TheFairWaysFoundation.com

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Terra Rake makes fairways on point

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Terra Rake makes fairways on point: Ponteland Golf Club, just north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has purchased a Wiedenmann Terra Rake to add even more quality to their surfaces.

The picturesque parkland club already has a deserved reputation for first rate greens but sought a Terra Rake to bring their tees, aprons and fairways to the next level.

Terra Rake makes fairways on point

Terra Rake makes fairways on point

It also happened to be the first purchase of new Course Manager, Craig Kilgour, who took up the post in March, after spending over 30 of his 35-year greenkeeping career at the Northumberland club.

“Across the pandemic we couldn’t be everywhere, and our fairways suffered in particular,” said Craig.  “Too much moss, some bare patches; they needed some attention.

“Aeration was first on my list, so I organised for contractors, Turf Care of Consett, to come in with their two new Wiedenmann Terra Spikes XD8s, and tined them down to about 7 inches (18 cm).  After that they got sprayed a couple of times with a really good feed.

“Next, was a demo with a Wiedenmann Terra Rake Luckily for me, my local dealer, Thomas Sherriff, had a 2.3 m ex-demo model for sale, and within half an hour of its arrival, we had decided to buy it.”

Craig and his team, which returned to a full complement of six in May, have tackled several renovations this Spring, with the new rake adding benefit to each of their projects.

“In the six weeks we’ve had it, we’ve been around all our fairways three times on its most aggressive setting. It rips out thatch and so much organic matter. Now the fairways are looking the healthiest they’ve ever been.

“Our tee boxes and aprons which had been hollow cored, sanded and fed, have also had the Terra Rake treatment.  The aprons have had two passes already. It’s scarifying tines have pulled out dead grass from everywhere. Genuinely, it hasn’t stopped and its starting to bring the quality we were looking for… The Chairman is delighted, the members are over the moon and so win, win.

” Going forward through the season, we’ll probably try to use it monthly; it helps to stand up the grass before we cut and it also helps stripe the turf to keep it well presented. Because of time, our concentration has been limited to the finer areas, but we can’t wait to see the job it will do to help with rough management.”

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FairWays Foundation to accept grant applications

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FairWays Foundation to accept grant applications: Last year, The FairWays Foundation awarded over $160,000 / £140,000 worth of funds to a varied cross-section of environmental projects in both the USA and Europe.

Successful grant projects ranged from pond restoration to the establishment of native wetlands, and more. To view more information about all of the projects that have been supported by The Fairways Foundation, click here.

FairWays Foundation to accept grant applications

FairWays Foundation to accept grant applications

The Fairways Foundation will begin accepting applications for grants on February 1, 2022. The submission window will remain open until April 30, 2022 and final grant recipients will be notified in October 2022.

The conservation-focused non-profit encourages all businesses or individuals to apply who are looking for funding assistance for projects pertaining to our environment and natural resources.

Find out how to apply here

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FairWays Foundation nears $300,000 in grants

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FairWays Foundation nears $300,000 in grants: As it enters its second grant cycle, the global foundation has now awarded over $272,000 / £200,500 worth of funds since launch.

Having received a 50% increase in grant applications over year one, The FairWays Foundation has awarded over $166,000 / £122,400 worth of funds in its second grant cycle.

FairWays Foundation nears $300,000 in grants

FairWays Foundation nears $300,000 in grants

The funds have been awarded to a varied cross-section of environmental projects in both the USA and UK.

The funds are available as a result of Aquatrols committing to transferring a percentage of sales to The FairWays Foundation. In the USA, Aquatrols customers are also able to donate points earned through the Approach points redemption platform, if they so wish. This has been seen as another way for the green industry to support conservation and environmental efforts.

Successful grant projects range from butterfly and bird garden rehabilitation, riparian restoration and establishing pollinator wildflower patches to assistance for turf acreage verification, a wash pad bioswale and general ecology improvements on course.

To view more information about all the projects that are being supported this year, click here.

Matt Foster, CEO & President of Aquatrols and President of The FairWays Foundation said “I could not be prouder of the efforts from the team at The Fairways Foundation. In 2 years, we will have awarded just under $300k to industry operators dedicated to making a difference in their community. That is no small commitment. We also understand making a difference locally takes tremendous grit from a local champion. It might be a green keeper or parks manager or a program volunteer. Regardless, without their will these projects would never move forward. Our message to those individuals out there with a will for a healthier environment is The Fairways Foundation can help with the way to get there. Please apply.”

The FairWays Foundation is now looking for ambassadors to help reach those who wish to champion environmental projects but are unable to proceed due to lack of resources. Find out how you can get involved here.

The 2022 funding cycle opens in April 2022. Find out how to apply.

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Flexibrush key to fantastic fairways

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Flexibrush key to fantastic fairways: Worm cast dispersal, dew removal, standing grasses up prior to mowing and excellent presentation – the versatile SISIS Flexibrush is having a positive impact on the fairways at the Herefordshire Golf Club according to Head Greenkeeper Jeremy Browne.

Jeremy has seen many changes in the 31 years he has been at the club, but he believes the arrival of the new owners is proving to be one of the most beneficial.

Flexibrush key to fantastic fairways

Flexibrush key to fantastic fairways

“The new owners have come in and are really starting to make a difference,” he said. “They have invested in the club house which is having a renovation; they are planning on introducing more drainage around the course and they are committed to investing in new equipment.”

As an ex-mechanic, Jeremy has always prolonged the life of his greenkeeping equipment by servicing and repairing it himself, however he admitted that the opportunity to get his hands on new machinery was music to his ears.

“I like repairing machinery but all the time I’m doing that, I’m not out on the course,” he said. “I was delighted when the owners came to me directly and asked what I needed. I told them that to keep me out on the course, then I needed the most reliable equipment.

With fairways being his first port of call, and with an increasing amount of worm casts appearing, Jeremy narrowed his search down to two possible machines.

“We thought that the SISIS Flexibrush would be the better product for us,” he said. “With all the moving brushes it seemed to follow the contours and the undulations on the course a lot better than the alternative.”

The SISIS Flexibrush is a tractor mounted brush which is equally effective dispersing top dressing and removing excess material on natural turf or synthetic surfaces. The versatile Flexibrush can also be used for dew dispersal and striping for improved presentation. It has a 5.35 metre working width, its brush sections ‘float’ to follow ground contours and the outer sections fold for transport and storage.

“Wormcasts was the main issue, obviously they smear when you are cutting and can be a bit of a nuisance,” said Jeremy. “With less chemicals now available, we must look at going back to more effective natural ways and the SISIS Flexibrush was the best solution because it can be used for multiple tasks.

Flexibrush key to fantastic fairways

Flexibrush key to fantastic fairways

“For example, in the winter when we are unable to cut the grass, we can use the Flexibrush to stripe and ensure that the fairways are nicely presented. We have also used the Fleixbrush to stand the grasses up before cutting because it provides us with a better finish; and it is great for knocking the dew off.

“The size and width of the machine are ideal,” continued Jeremy. “We can cover larger areas and it folds up so it can be stored nicely, and you can get through small gaps if needed.

“I wanted something reliable, and I have that in SISIS. The Flexibrush is certainly an important part in our armoury.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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