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Two Ventrac’s for Chelmsford GC maximise versatility

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Two Ventrac’s for Chelmsford GC maximise versatility: Chelmsford Golf Course was founded in 1893. Head Greenkeeper, James Pickess, has been there for twenty-five years, starting as an assistant greenkeeper, then moving into a mechanical role and eventually becoming deputy, and then Head Greenkeeper nearly two years ago. His team consists of seven full-time staff.

Chelmsford is a parkland course of just under a hundred acres, featuring push-up greens and ancient woodland integrated into the design. The soil is primarily Essex clay, leading to some very wet spots. The topography includes hilly and sloped tee banks, with some challenging steep areas such as “The Snake Pit” and “The Valley” which are ancient clay digging sites for bricks. “Some slopes are as steep as 28 degrees, posing challenges for normal mowers”, said James.

Two Ventrac’s for Chelmsford GC maximise versatility

Two Ventrac’s for Chelmsford GC maximise versatility

James initiated the purchase of two Ventrac 4520 traction units, an MR770 triplex reel mower, a rotary MJ840 Contour Mower, a Tough Cut mower and an ET202 Turbine Blower, when he became Head Greenkeeper, driven by the machine’s versatility. He noted that “specialized grass machinery is increasingly expensive. The appeal of Ventrac was its ability to perform two, four or even ten different jobs,” said James, “offering more value for money and making it a worthwhile club investment.” James specified optional rear 3-point-hitches with quick hitch 3 in1 adaptors to allow generic attachments to be used such as turf conditioners and a carrying box. This allows for simultaneous operations (e.g., one machine with reels, another with the contour deck) and easy swapping of attachments.

James explained that “previously, the first cut was done with a rotary mower, which struggled with damp, dewy mornings, leaving grass clippings behind.” The Ventrac’s reel mowers were purchased to transition to a cleaner cut, effectively managing wet conditions and improve contour following. The course has some very undulating terrain. Larger previous mowers struggled to follow contours, leading to scalping. Ventrac’s reel mowers and contour deck “hug and float” [the ground] better, adapting well to the terrain. The Ventrac’s allow for precise cutting heights, “25mm with the cylinder mowers and better definition from the green to the collar, using two bands with the cylinder mower and two further bands with the contour deck 51mm”. said James.

In addition, previously, tasks like clearing brush, bracken, and bramble in woodland areas between greens required hiring machinery. Now, the Ventrac Tough Cut Deck can be deployed on demand, saving time and costs associated with hiring. The Ventrac Turbine blower, utilizing the diesel-powered tractor’s engine, is more fuel-efficient and maneuverable than the previous petrol-powered, tow-behind blower, which also tied up a utility vehicle. Significant manpower savings are achieved by combining tasks, for example, using a GreenTech turf conditioner on the three-point hitch at the back while simultaneously using the blower on the front. James explained that “this allows one person to do the work that previously required two, saving about a day, to a day and a half over three days of work on the fairways”. The Ventrac’s stability on steep slopes (up to 30 degrees) makes it safer. Chelmsford has slopes of up to 28 degrees. James also highlighted “excellent support” from Price Turfcare and Invictor Ground Care, noting quick parts replacement and technical assistance.

While the Ventrac units were only acquired just after Christmas 2024, James anticipates long-term financial savings and has already seen significant time and manpower efficiencies. He is considering adding more attachments in the future, such as a power rake or rotary brush.

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Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025

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Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025: BIGGA is pleased to announce the fifth annual Thank A Greenkeeper Day on Tuesday 9 September 2025. This global celebration, launched four years ago, has now reached countless people worldwide, celebrating the fantastic work carried out by greenkeepers and golf course staff to enable tens of millions to enjoy the sport of golf.

This year, BIGGA wants to invite all the professionals in golf whether it’s golfers, members, owners, managers, suppliers, industry associations, media or general supporters of the game to join us in celebrating greenkeepers and their important role. Thank A Greenkeeper Day is an opportunity to ensure that greenkeeping is given the respect and recognition that these hardworking teams deserve.

Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025

Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025

Greenkeepers are the unsung heroes who ensure that golf courses are in their best possible condition for all to enjoy while ensuring that courses are stewarded environmentally and wildlife habitats are protected

While this day is all about the thank you, it is aimed to encourage proactive action across the industry to recognise the vital and highly skilled role greenkeepers play. At its core, this is about promoting greenkeeping as a professional trade and making a positive impact in working conditions and fair rates of pay for greenkeepers everywhere.

On Tuesday 9 September, we ask everyone who appreciates the value of golf to share their own stories, pictures and messages of thanks on social media. In the UK, use #ThankAGreenkeeper, and our friends abroad will be using #ThankASuper. All messages of thanks will be included in an international campaign that has positively added to the daily working life of many greenkeepers.

In addition to social media, there are several ways golf clubs, golfers and the wider industry can show support and appreciation to greenkeepers:

  • Golf clubs can organise a special breakfast or lunch for their greenkeeping staff
  • Players can take a moment after play to thank personally a member of the greenkeeping team and leave their own expression of thanks with their club
  • Industry partners and suppliers may play their part by promoting the importance of greenkeeping to their audiences and actively supporting their clients and contacts
  • Golf influencers and golf media can use their platforms to market tales, interviews and behind-the-scenes information emphasising the skills, knowledge and passion of greenkeepers.

BIGGA is collaborating with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Federation of European Golf Greenkeeper Associations (FEGGA), amongst others, to make this year’s Thank a Greenkeeper Day more successful than ever. Together, these associations represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in 78 countries.

To help clubs and individuals with promoting their celebrations, BIGGA will be releasing a social media toolkit in August. This will include pre-made graphics, videos and template messages that will aid in the promotion of the day. To access the toolkit, ensure that you are included on BIGGA’s mailing list by contacting us internally.

While Thank A Greenkeeper Day is once a year, it’s worth noting that greenkeepers are on site working on golf courses every day of the year to keep and enhance them. Support, whether delivered in person, via a letter, or on social media, can have long-term positive effects on morale and create a respect and appreciation culture that will last long past this single day.

For more information on how you, or your golf club, can participate in Thank A Greenkeeper Day 2025, visit https://www.bigga.org.uk/about/thank-a-greenkeeper-day.html and join in on social media using the hashtag #ThankAGreenkeeper.

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Record deal for Keys brothers in Northern Ireland

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Record deal for Keys brothers in Northern Ireland: The Kingfisher Country Estate in Northern Ireland has signed a five-year deal for a comprehensive 25-machine Toro fleet in what is Keys Brothers’ biggest agreement since becoming a Toro dealer.

Set on 220 acres of parkland just 20 minutes from Belfast, the only David Feherty and David Jones designed golf course in Ireland offers 18 holes over 7,000 yards of Championship USGA specification greens, tees and challenging fairways and is looked after by Head Greenkeeper Michael Loughran and his team of 12 staff.

Record deal for Keys brothers in Northern Ireland

Record deal for Keys brothers in Northern Ireland

“We’ve had lease deals with Toro before but usually for six or seven key pieces of machinery; this is the first time we’ve gone all-in on a full fleet,” says Michael.

So why now? “A couple of reasons,” Michael explains. “The Estate has recently been given the go ahead on a significant upgrade to the resort and it was important the course kept up with site improvements. There will be major developments on bunkers, a lot of tree work, and consistently maintaining the quality of the course is a big job as it’s fully playable all year round.”

The second reason comes down to the introduction of Keys Brothers as the country’s Toro dealer. “This was our first time working with Keys Brothers since the change in dealership and the support has been outstanding. It was evident early in the process that nothing would beat it especially as I fired over questions and issues and got solutions every time. This indication of the level of service and support we’d get was reassuring and sealed the deal especially as we were going with a full maintenance package too.”

Also contributing to the decision was having access to Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare’s National Accounts Manager David Timms: “David came to the venue a couple of times and his input was really valuable; we felt we had direct access to and the full support of Reesink and Toro.”

The deal includes pedestrian and riding mowers for all areas, five Workman utility vehicles, the ProPass topdresser, two ProForce blowers, the new TransPro for transporting the club’s existing ProCore 648 aerator, plus the installation of Toro’s myTurf Pro to optimise operation of the fleet. But are there any standout machines for Michael and the team?

“On the advice of Keys Brothers, we switched out the Reelmaster 5610-D for the Reelmaster 3575-D for the fairways. It was a simple tweak but suits the site much better. The topography of the site doesn’t have great elevation and we didn’t need all that power; in fact, what we needed is a lighter footprint and a mower that uses less fuel. The 3575 delivers us both of those things.”

The club chose four Greensmaster 1021 pedestrian mowers praised by Michael for being easy to demonstrate and use which is especially helpful when increasing staffing on projects: “It takes just half a green to master these machines” he says.

Andy Keys, Company Director at Keys Brothers, says: “While we believe this to be one of the biggest golf deals in Northern Ireland in 2024, the issues and requirements for Michael and the team were like many: they knew there were machinery tweaks they could make to address specific issues and be more efficient. This is applicable whether you’re buying one machine or a fleet.

“To bring the customer on board with maintenance too is testament to the team we’ve built which has doubled in size since last year such is the level of business we’re doing.”

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STIHL’s new mobile box for easy charging and transportation

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STIHL’s new mobile box for easy charging and transportation: STIHL’s new CB 1 charging box allows for the efficient transportation and charging of STIHL AP batteries on the go. The all-in-one charging solution, ideal for landscaping and forestry professionals, comes in the form of a sturdy aluminium box which is built to transport and store AP System batteries. 

For ease-of-use, the CB 1 can be equipped with up to two STIHL AL 301-4 multi-chargers and can be easily mounted onto or underneath a vehicle, meaning the system can charge and transport up to eight STIHL AP System battery packs.

STIHL's new mobile box for easy charging and transportation

STIHL’s new mobile box for easy charging and transportation

Once back at the workshop, or on-site, the CB 1 box can be connected to a 230-volt socket using a standard GB plug. What’s more, once professionals are finished for the day, they can leave the batteries in the lockable box overnight for charging. The next day, simply unplug and drive to the first workplace with fully charged batteries.

Additionally, the CB 1 is IPX4 certified, meaning it is protected underneath a vehicle or from rain on top of a flat-bed truck.

To find out more about the STIHL CB 1, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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TurfCare Appointed as New UK Distributor for DSV

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TurfCare Appointed as New UK Distributor for DSV: Leading seed specialist DSV has appointed TurfCare as a new distributor in the UK, marking a significant step in DSV’s continued expansion across the amenity and sports turf sectors.

TurfCare, well known for supplying high-performance products to the turf and amenity markets, brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a strong reputation for delivering technical excellence. Based in Ireland, the company has steadily grown its presence in the UK and is now set to strengthen the reach of DSV’s innovative seed solutions across the country.

TurfCare Appointed as New UK Distributor for DSV

TurfCare Appointed as New UK Distributor for DSV

DSV has become an increasingly prominent name in the UK turfgrass market, thanks to its commitment to quality, performance, and continuous development. The company’s EuroGrass brand, in particular, has gained recognition for its strong visual appeal, wear tolerance, disease resistance, and ability to perform under challenging UK climates. The range includes sports, golf, and landscaping mixtures, all bred to meet the demands of modern turf management.

Commenting on the new partnership, Samuel Horner, Amenity Business Manager for DSV UK, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with TurfCare as a new UK distributor. They are a well-established company with a fantastic reputation in the industry and a deep understanding of what turf professionals need. This partnership is a great fit for DSV, and we’re confident that it will help us continue our growth and provide even better support to customers across the UK.”

With aligned values around innovation, sustainability, and service, the collaboration between TurfCare and DSV is set to deliver real value to grounds professionals and turf managers looking for advanced seed solutions they can rely on.

Please visit www.dsv-uk.co.uk/products/amenity for more information and follow on social media @EuroGrassUKSeed.

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