Tag Archive for: First

Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed

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Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed: A landmark synthetic turf project in The Netherlands has equipped amateur football club FC Weesp with a high-quality playing surface manufactured from post-consumer recycling.

The pilot project was commissioned by municipality Gemeente Amsterdam with the backing of the EU, with the aim of creating a professional-standard durable football pitch, while also contributing towards the EU sustainable development goal of achieving 50% recyclability of plastic waste by 2030. After a competitive tender process, Edel Grass BV was appointed as the primary contractor and Van de Wetering Projects as the installer.

Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed

Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed

Using cork granulate performance infill, recycled sand stabilising infill, and recycled components from old pitches in the turf yarns, backing coating, and shockpads; the field is the first of its kind installed in The Netherlands, representing a major milestone in circularity.

Data from independent life-cycle assessments shows that the system achieves a 43.4% reduction in carbon emissions per metre squared compared to a traditional 3G pitch.

Crucially, the pitch satisfies all KNVB performance standards for key factors such as ball roll, shock absorption, and durability, giving assurances for player safety and pitch quality. As a result, the pitch at Sportpark Papelaan is now eligible for competitive play in the 5e Klasse D, where FC Weesp’s first team currently plies its trade, as well as for local community use and training across the club’s 91 teams spanning a variety of age groups and abilities.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC), said: “A synthetic turf pitch is the ideal solution for a club of FC Weesp’s size, offering a durable, high-quality playing surface that can meet KNVB standards without the maintenance costs associated with a natural grass pitch, demonstrating that sustainability, affordability, and performance can all work in tandem.

“This proof-of-concept project is just one of many ways that football clubs and local authorities can offer a high-quality playing surface that can sustain long-term intensive usage, while also working towards a more circular economy.”

Find out more at www.estc.info

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GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit

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GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit: GroundTech is proud to announce its appointment as the first UK distributor for the revolutionary Drop-Pit Ball Management System, developed by VDB Technics – an industry leader in automated driving-range technology.

Specifically developed to work in conjunction with robotic range pickers, GroundTech can now provide a fully automated, highly efficient and exceptionally reliable solution for collecting, washing, transporting and dispensing range balls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit

GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit

Using the Drop-Pit with an autonomous collector such as the Echo Range Picker eliminates the need for manual collection, ball washing, transportation and dispenser loading.

With a capacity of 300 balls per cycle and 20,000 balls in a 24 hour period, the Echo RP-1250 will transfer the load into the Drop-Pit where they’re automatically washed and counted via the electronic control unit. A vacuum system then transports the clean golf balls to the dispenser ready for play. This sophisticated vacuum-transport design keeps the line clear, resulting in significantly less clogging than alternative automated systems.

“Our decision to partner with VDB Technics is not only based on the system’s performance, but for its practicality” explains GroundTech Director Marcus Glover. “Thanks to its modular underground wash zone, compact drop box and long-distance vacuum transport capability it is easier to install than comparative systems and seamlessly integrates with existing driving-range equipment. We’re excited to add Drop-Pit to our portfolio and further cement our status as a leading provider of automated golf course solutions.”

Lode Moies, Sales Manager at VDB Technics added, “We look forward to a long and successful partnership with GroundTech. Their strong market knowledge, professional approach and excellent service support make them the ideal partner to represent our Drop-Pit technology in the United Kingdom.”

For more information on Drop-Pit, or the autonomous Range Picker or mowers available from GroundTech, visit www.groundtech.co.uk

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Efficient clearing with EGO’s first leaf vacuum

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Efficient clearing with EGO’s first leaf vacuum: Leading outdoor power equipment specialist, EGO Power+, has released its first leaf vacuum. The 3-in-1 LV5000E is designed for everyday garden maintenance and can be used as a blower, vacuum, and mulcher.

Featuring a variable speed dial that can produce up to 850m³/h output, the tool has the power to tackle small to medium gardens effortlessly. Powered by EGO’s 56V ARC LithiumTM battery technology, this vacuum easily outperforms its 18-36V market competitors, especially when it comes to picking up wetter, heavier leaves.

Efficient clearing with EGO's first leaf vacuum

Efficient clearing with EGO’s first leaf vacuum

Its all-in-one functionality means users can blow fallen leaves into a pile by replacing the vacuum bag with the supplied suction tube, before reinstating the bag to clear up the leaves with the vacuum function.

Ideal for domestic gardeners, the 3-in-1 leaf vacuum maximises space in the collection bag by mulching the leaves and debris as they are collected, fitting more into the bag and requiring less emptying. Due to the high suction power and metal impeller, the vacuum reduces the potential for blockages, making it a hassle-free experience.

Neil McGuinness, Product Manager for EGO, said: “We are proud to be bringing our first ever leaf vacuum to market. Years of product development have gone into creating our range of blowers which offer market-leading power and performance. And now we have been able to take our offering a step further with the LV5000E.

“It is a game-changer for domestic gardeners. With its powerful blowing, excellent suction power and integrated mulching system, our customers can make light work of leaf clearance.”
EGO’s LV5000E Leaf Vacuum retails at £269. It is also available as a kit which includes a 5.0Ah battery and standard charger for £419.

Discover more about the Leaf Vacuum at: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/blowers/lv5000e-leaf-vacuum#single-product-description

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DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

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DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression: Despite a year of challenging weather, Bristol Golf Club has seen a remarkable improvement in its playing surfaces and overall visitor experience thanks to innovative seed solutions from DLF.

The team, led by Course Manager Dave Taylor, introduced Johnsons J 4Turf 50 across all 27 tees in early 2025 which has gone on to demonstrate outstanding resilience and strong performance, coping with the pressures of a busy championship course.

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

With far reaching views across the Severn Estuary into Wales, Bristol Golf Club boasts an 18-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Par 3 and 18-bay driving range alongside a whole host of other practice facilities and corporate grounds. Seeking to deliver lasting improvements on and off the course for the last eight years is Dave Taylor who turned to DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett to tackle some particularly problematic areas prone to wear, disease and drought.

“We’re an incredibly busy site, with high levels of foot traffic on the tees which also don’t all have the benefit of full irrigation” Dave explains. “Because of this I spoke with Ian about a harder-wearing mix, that would germinate quickly and tolerate the challenges of footfall and less than ideal weather conditions.” The solution came in the form of J 4Turf 50 from the Johnsons Sports Seed range. The 50/50 blend of diploid perennial and tetraploid perennial ryegrass ensures rapid establishment even under low soil temperatures and creates a deep-rooting, disease-resistant sward.

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

“Even in the extreme weather, the results we’ve seen have been outstanding” Dave says. “It germinated quickly and, what small amount of dormant seed we had, kicked straight into action as soon as the rain returned in early September. The recovery, density and wear tolerance on all of our tees has been exceptional.” He adds, “Not only have we not had to do any additional autumn overseeding on the tees, we’ve also not seen any Dollar Spot this year which means we’ve saved time and money by not having to apply any fungicides.”

Beyond course playability, Dave has also worked with DLF to create a strong first impression for members and visitors with the introduction of a new wildflower area at the club entrance. Created with Carnival from DLF’s Colour Boost collection, the vibrant display of bright and bold annuals in the spring became quite the talking point. “Because we host weddings and corporate events alongside the golf, these visual touches make a big difference.”

The return of the rain has meant new waves of colour are now emerging, with plans in place to expand the trial to new planting areas across the course in 2026. “The flowers don’t just deliver visual impact, they help us to enhance biodiversity – creating environments to encourage and support all types of insects and wildlife.”

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First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

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First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing: Thonock Park in Lincolnshire is the first club in the UK to invest in Toro’s Turf Pro autonomous mowers.

Having made the decision to move to autonomous mowing at the beginning of the year, the club was introduced to Toro’s new Turf Pro mowers at the BTME launch and has subsequently purchased five from local Toro dealer, Russells Groundcare.

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

The five Turf Pro 500 mowers are being used to cut both fairways and rough of 18 of the club’s 36 holes. According to General Manager Benjamin Hatch: “Our robot mowers are now cutting the fairways and rough for 18 holes on the Thonock Park course, and we are exceptionally pleased with their quality of cut and the definition between fairway and rough grasses.”

Thonock Park and Russells have had two comprehensive training sessions post-install from Lee Rowbotham, GeoLink and Digital Specialist at Reesink UK.

Lee explains the process: “We were there at the point of delivery to install the chargers and base station. The mowers are blind out of the box, so training involves telling them everything they need to know, like where the charging station is, the route to the fairways, what the safe areas, and not safe areas are. And of course, for the team to understand the operation and the terminology involved.”

Once set up, Course Manager Rob Acheson was shown how to control all five mowers through the Smart App. Operation is something Lee likens to how irrigation sprinklers are controlled.

“They are controlled individually, one at a time, and can be set up in advance,” he says. “Just like you can set a sprinkler to come on at 5am, you can set the Turf Pros to start mowing at 10pm once everyone has gone home if you wish.”

This provides a big advantage in getting course maintenance ahead of play. All fairway mowing can be completed before the course opens, supported by “the almost non-existent noise levels” as confirmed by Benjamin.

Another added benefit of these mowers comes from how the club has been able to redefine the job requirements of the team and can guarantee all-year round value.

“Very importantly, these mowers have enabled us to reassign some of our skilled greenkeeping team to other tasks on the course that require more specialist work,” Benjamin says. “During the wetter months, we expect to keep using these mowers, when ordinarily we would struggle to use the much heavier diesel machines. All in all, it has been a very positive investment for us and one that we believe we will continue to benefit from year after year.”

Just as Reesink sees the value in providing dedicated support for this new technology with the new digital specialist role created for Lee, so too do Russells who have recruited two dedicated employees to demonstrate and install Russells’ autonomous mowing offerings to customers, including private properties, estates, schools, golf courses and other sporting venues.

Mark Willerton, Groundcare Sales Manager at Russells, says: “Russells see autonomous mowers as an important part of our future business, it’s something we’re investing heavily in with dedicated specialist staff and demonstration machines.

“Working alongside Thonock Park and Reesink to understand this next generation of mowing and how to maximise the potential and efficiency of the mowers has been a great learning experience. We look forward to continuing working with the team at Thonock Park to ensure they always have the best turfcare options available.”

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