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Groundsman Industries Ready For SALTEX

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Groundsman Industries Ready For SALTEX: Groundsman Industries have lined up three products from their range that are more than worthy of special attention at the Saltex exhibition. The Northern Ireland manufacturer has a worldwide reputation for durable, high performance equipment and the latest machines affirm this. The Groundsman Turf Multi-Cutters are renowned for their smooth, effortless cutting ability, ease of use and operating comfort. Features and benefits which become obvious within the first few feet of operation.

The two-wheel drive model, the TMC26, is simple to operate and portable, making it ideal for landscapers, contractors and hire outlets, with the cut quality to work in fine sports turf as well. There’s a range of interchangeable sod cutting blades available from 30cm (12”) to 60cm (24”) wide that are adjustable down to 7cm (3”) deep. These are complemented with blades for mole draining, de-compacting, trenching and cable and pipe insertion, down to 15cm (6”) depth. The precision cutting of the rear blade four-wheel drive model, the TMC46, makes it the choice of golf clubs and turf farms.

Groundsman Industries Ready For SALTEX

Groundsman offer a range of pedestrian and tractor mounting turf aerators ranging from 45cm (18”) to 180cm (6ft) working widths. Take the 345HD model and you have a compact, professional pedestrian machine that can access most garden gates and aerate all types of grass including gardens, parklands and fine lawns as well as sports greens. For larger areas the tractor mounting models are available for tractors from 18hp. Rugged, durable and low maintenance, this range has a proven record for reliability, performance and versatility. There is a crank driven elliptical plunge action mechanism that drives the tines into the most compacted surfaces, down to 15cm (6”) deep, with very little surface disruption. Quick change hollow core, solid and slitting tines are available together with tine heads for thatch removal or surface preparation for overseeding.

Also on display at Saltex, the Groundsman Flexblade Core Collector attaches to any aerator, pedestrian or tractor mounted with swath width from 60cm (24”) up to 210cm (83”) to enable you to core and collect in one pass. It’s also available for compact tractors and turf vehicles for follow-up collection of cores and linear aeration soil. The patented Flexblade core collector system was developed by Groundsman Industries and is the most efficient method of collecting cores, wet or dry, with minimum disruption. Attached to an aerator the Flexblade catches more than half the cores before they touch the ground. The remainder are scooped cleanly from the surface by the Flexblade that follows undulations like shovels, for the cleanest possible collection. The holes remain open for top dressing. Trampling and surface disruption are minimised and the greens are quicker back in play. Visit Groundsman Industries at Saltex on Stand No. K078

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ICL Scholars Revealed For Continue To Learn

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ICL Scholars Revealed For Continue To Learn: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association and ICL have confirmed the five successful recipients of the third ICL Continue to Learn scholarship.

The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship offers five BIGGA members the opportunity to attend the Continue to Learn education programme. Taking place at BTME 2019 in Harrogate, the world-leading education programme features more than 250 hours of education, making it the most influential event in the turf management calendar within the United Kingdom.

ICL Scholars Revealed For Continue to Learn

The scholarship, worth approximately £500, comprises three nights’ hotel accommodation and a 15-hour education bundle.

The successful BIGGA members are:

  1. Blair Shearer, assistant greenkeeper, Dunbar Golf Club
  2. Dan Dooley, greenkeeper, Mount Murray Golf Club
  3. David Stewart, deputy head greenkeeper, Walmley Golf Club
  4. Jorge Manso, deputy head greenkeeper, Coombe Wood Golf Club
  5. Andrew Brown, course manager, Boundary Lakes

Sami Strutt, BIGGA’s head of member development, said: “The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship is a great initiative, providing five BIGGA members with the chance to attend education classes that have been specifically designed with greenkeepers in mind.

“Staying in Harrogate, visiting BTME and networking with like-minded colleagues and peers is a fabulous way to ignite the passion of this great industry for the year ahead. Our thanks go to the sponsor, ICL, for enabling this desirable opportunity.”

Michael Hughes, deputy course manager at Scotscraig, was an ICL Scholar at Continue to Learn 2018. He said: “The scholarship was priceless for me because I knew my golf club couldn’t afford to send me to Continue to Learn. When you add up the cost, including a hotel for the week, what ICL and BIGGA do for anyone in my position is just priceless. Just those few days in Harrogate benefit your career immensely because you take so much away from them.”

Ed Carter, UK sales and development manager for ICL, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the scholarship for the third year running. The feedback we received from previous scholars has been excellent and we hope those chosen for 2019 get as much out of it as the previous 10 did.”

Continue to Learn at BTME will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel and The Majestic Hotel from Sunday 20 to Wednesday 23 January 2019. The extensive programme will run alongside BTME, the largest indoor exhibition in Europe for the sports turf industry.

The Turf Rewards loyalty scheme from ICL and Syngenta enables BIGGA members to claim Continue to Learn education vouchers with reward points for buying products that are used on golf courses. For further information visit www.turfrewards.com

For more information about BTME and Continue to Learn, visit www.btme.org.uk

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Power And Speed For WOLF-Garten At GLEE

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Power And Speed For WOLF-Garten At GLEE: WOLF-Garten will be unveiling a variety of new products at Glee, all designed to deliver next level expertise to gardeners whilst boosting convenience.

The first is the RS800V lopper which has the innovative feature of being able to switch between two cutting modes. The V in the name means “Vario” which signifies that the cutting mode can effortlessly change from Speed Cut to Power Cut. When in Speed mode, branches can be tidied quickly courtesy of the small spread angle of the blade. Switch to Power mode to tackle thicker, tougher branches. The lopper has non-stick coated blades for easier cutting and cleaning, and can cut through branches up to 50mm thick. It is designed with gardener comfort in mind so has lightweight aluminium handles with ergonomic soft grips.

Power And Speed For WOLF-Garten At GLEE

The new products will see WOLF-Garten adding lightweight, modern, contemporary usable long handled digging tools to its range with two spades being added. Each priced £54.99, the two spades are made using an induction-hardened boron steel with stiffened grooves which enable them to penetrate the ground without the risk of bending the tool, adding to the durability and longevity of the product. The two options are a straight spade with an ergonomic D-grip handle, and a pointed spade which is best suited for harder, stony soil.

Other new additions to the WOLF-Garten range are two gift sets. The Mini Tool Gift Set contains four products – a pair of bypass secateurs, a trowel, a hand grubber and a scraper – all essentials for any gardener! The second set, the Mini Multi-Change Gift Set, is ideal for smaller gardens and tasks, such as on balconies and terraces or in beds and planters. It has four heads and a handle to offer something for all tasks from planting and loosening to weeding and cleaning with a trowel, small cultivator, small lawn rake and double hoe. It is part of the iconic WOLF-Garten Multi-Change® range and so is compatible with the full system.

The Multi-Change® range is also being extended with two new products. A 4-in-1 leaf rake has been introduced, as well as a gutter cleaner. The leaf rake has three working widths (20cm, 48cm and 76cm), enabling to remove leaves and garden waste from both small and large areas. It can also be dismantled into three parts for easy storage, as well as this the removable head and can be collapsed to be used as a scoop for collecting debris once gathered. The gutter cleaner has two elements – a leaf scoop and a gutter brush. It has a replaceable body brush with integrated scraper to remove stubborn dirt and leaves.

These products will be showcased on stand 7J30-L31, alongside the full range of WOLF-Garten products.

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Greenkeeping Award For Gregg Hood

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Greenkeeping Award For Gregg Hood: Trainee greenkeeper Gregg Hood has been crowned SRUC Elmwood’s annual John Deere HNC Student of the Year, after making a career change in is early 40s. Greg won the award, sponsored by John Deere and Scottish turf dealer Double A, for a conscientious and enthusiastic approach to his programme of studies during the 2017/2018 academic year.

Born and bred in Glasgow, Gregg had a successful career as a qualified accountant and then a mortgage broker before making the jump into greenkeeping at the age of 42. “It was one of those life changing decisions that I just had to make,” he says. “I had thought for a couple of years that it was time for a change. I’ve always loved my golf, and thought it was a great environment to work in. I was also interested in how golf courses are put together, how they’re looked after and made to look so good.

Greenkeeping Award For Gregg Hood

“My partner Lisa was very supportive, so I finally left work in June 2017 and applied to the SRUC, having been in contact with Elmwood’s greenkeeping coordinator Mike Clark for a year or so before that. We agreed that the HNC in Golf Course Management would be the best entry level course for me, combined with volunteering on a golf course to get some practical experience.”

That golf course turned out to be St Andrews Links, where Gregg started volunteering two days a week from September 2017, about two weeks after starting the course. “It’s been fantastic, and course manager Kevin Muir and his team couldn’t have been more helpful. Everyone’s been very happy to give me the benefit of their time and knowledge, so it’s been an absolutely brilliant opportunity.

“Going in I was obviously a little apprehensive about my age, but both Mike and Kevin said if you show a good attitude and you’re there to learn, then as long as you can do the work and be a part of the team, there are no issues. I haven’t given it another thought since.

“I’ve never been part of anything like this before, certainly not in accountancy, where there’s always that element of competition, even when you’re working in a team. The only competition on a golf course is to improve your skills and make yourself a better greenkeeper. People at St Andrews Links and the college are really impressive, and all round I’ve found it to be a very encouraging environment to work in – I’m still very excited by it all.

“I’m now a BIGGA member and contracted at St Andrews Links until November 2018, and if a permanent position became available then I’d definitely apply. If not then I might try a warm weather grass course abroad over the winter months. Ultimately I would like to hone my skills and get more experience, including tournaments at other courses.”

Course tutor Paul Miller, who is based at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Cupar, Fife, adds: “Gregg’s decision to change career was made after a great deal of research, preparation and consideration of all the implications. This thoroughness of preparation soon became evident in his course work, which he produced most conscientiously and to a very high standard right from day one – his commitment to making the most of the learning opportunity was impressive.

“Quickly realising that he would also need to build up his practical skills and his industry networking, Gregg volunteered to work at St Andrews Links, again demonstrating his enthusiasm and willingness to learn in that environment as well as in the classroom. He also applied for and was successful in gaining an R&A Greenkeeping Scholarship through SRUC.

“Having also secured a seasonal position on St Andrews Links, Gregg’s development continues apace. We all look forward to watching his growth in the industry and the contribution that he will make to greenkeeping as his career progresses.”

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.co.uk

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Plain Sailing Renovations For Sportsfields

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Plain Sailing Renovations For Sportsfields: To sit alongside Sportsfields Ltd’s aims to adopt the industry’s most innovative technology, they have added a Koro FIELDTOPMAKER (Koro FTM)  with Terraplane Rotor to their fleet.

Since 1991 Sportsfields has evolved from their beginnings in agriculture and landscaping to become a leading specialist in sports pitch construction and maintenance. To do this company founder, Geoff Collins, has continually embraced the latest technology to enable his highly trained workforce to deliver the exacting standards required in today’s market.

Plain Sailing Renovations For Sportsfields

To match the needs of the company’s client list of professional and amateur clubs, schools, colleges, local authorities and specifying architects Geoff once again turned to Campey Turf Care Systems and the new Koro FTM.

“We have had Koro’s before and have added the new Koro FTM to the fleet with its Terraplane rotor,” he said. “It’s a fantastic machine and makes an exceptionally clean job of ‘planing’ the surface and it’s particularly requested by groundsmen wanting to remove poa as part of their end of season renovations.

“The new Koro is faster and appears to cope with even more difficult conditions with ease and that is down to the development of the machine.

“Equipment has become more technical and job specific to achieve the tolerances demanded by the local authorities and private architects, groundsman etc from amateur and professional club levels. We work at all levels to all budgets and find the knowledge and demand for high standards is there from the Premier League down to the primary schools questioning why they can’t play on the field because it’s flooded again.”

Using the Terraplane Rotor is the most efficient to subtract poa from the surface with the carbide tipped blades ensuring all organic build-up is removed, leaving a clean and level surface. The advancement in technology that Geoff always strives to meet is clearly evident when it comes to the enhanced Koro FTM.

The new angled cross conveyor has been introduced to move material evenly with perfect belt tracking with front and rear roller blades contributing to the cleanest pass available on the market.

The weight and balance have been analysed resulting in a lighter, steadier machine with the redistribution of weight using a removable 100kgs meaning a much smaller tractor can be used to run the Koro FTM. This is because the centre of gravity has been shifted towards the tractor making it easier to lift. Even when the weight is removed the machine still has improved balance against previous models.

For more information, visit: www.campeyturfcare.com

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