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Equipping Turf Managers for the Future

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Equipping Turf Managers for the Future: Turf Science Live Ireland, a renowned educational event in turf management, returned in September, hosted at the magnificent Killeen Castle.

This prestigious golf course provided a fitting venue backdrop for turf professionals to gain valuable insights into the latest advancements in turf science, hands-on product demonstrations, and real-world solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today.

Organised jointly by ICL and Syngenta, the free-to-attend event has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality educational content and showcasing innovative products. It also provides an excellent networking opportunity for golf course managers and turf professionals.

This year’s event featured a series of interactive learning stations, each led by industry experts who shared their knowledge on a wide range of critical topics. Dr. Andy Owen, ICL’s International Technical Manager, led discussions at his station focused on organic-based fertilisers and their role in soil sustainability.

Dr. Owen emphasised the importance of understanding what an organic or organic-based fertiliser truly is, highlighting that many products can be over-marketed with exaggerated claims. He encouraged attendees to take a more informed approach when selecting fertilisers, and showed some demo plots illustrating the value of CRF products by comparing turf response from a range of different fertilisers with matched nitrogen inputs.

At another station, Colman Warde, ICL Ireland Country Manager, presented the latest advancements in precision nutrition. As the demand for high-quality sports turf increases, Colman demonstrated how precision spreaders can dramatically improve the results of granular fertilisers. His station was a reminder of the importance of calibration and investing in proven, high-quality technology to ensure turf managers achieve the best possible outcomes for their courses.

Glenn Kirby, Syngenta’s EAME Technical Services Manager for Turf & Landscape, tackled the growing pressures of climate change at his station. With disease threats on the rise, Glenn provided valuable insights into emerging turf diseases and the importance of fungicide rotation to combat these challenges.

He stressed the need for predictive models and responsible management of fungicides to maintain healthy turf in a changing climate, stating, “Climate is changing, and disease pressure is increasing.”

A pressing issue discussed at the event was worm casting, which affects the quality of playing surfaces and increases wear on equipment. Fergal Greenan, ICL Area Sales Manager, and Sean Loakes, Syngenta Technical Manager, led a station focused on mitigating these effects. Attendees learned best practices for using growth regulators like Primo Maxx II, with practical insights from Mark Collins, Killeen Castle’s Course Superintendent, on how the product has helped manage worm casting on his course.

In addition to the educational sessions, Turf Science Live2024 provided attendees with hands-on demonstrations of new products, including ICL’s 360ST spreaders. These spreaders are designed to enhance the precision of fertiliser applications, ensuring that nutrients are delivered evenly across turf surfaces.

Beyond the educational content, Turf Science Live was an invaluable networking event, allowing turf professionals to exchange ideas and learn from one another’s experiences. It was an opportunity for attendees to come together and discuss common challenges and explore potential solutions.

Andy Sheehan, Course Superintendent at Milltown Golf Club and President of the Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland, shared his thoughts: “Disease management is our biggest issue. Presenting a good golf course is, in my opinion, easy with quality products, but getting the disease timing right is a challenge—especially in Ireland in autumn and winter. ICL and Syngenta help you get through the worst of it.

The networking and education here allow us to exchange insights and problem-solving strategies .”

David Behan, a Course Manager, echoed these sentiments: “Turf Science Live is a highlight of the Irish greenkeeping calendar. Climate change is a growing concern, and the event provided insights into new biology strategies for disease management. The innovative solutions from ICL and Syngenta to manage healthy turf in Ireland’s challenging conditions.”

Mark Bewley, head greenkeeper at Grange Golf Club, added: “The event is a credit to ICL and Syngenta for their research. We tested the 360ST spreader, and the calibration is spot on. The lessons learned today on using organic products and slow-release fertilisers to reduce disease activity will help us maintain healthy turfgrass.”

Turf Science Live 2024 was once again an essential event combining education with hands-on product demonstrations and networking opportunities. Attendees left with practical knowledge, the latest advancements in fertiliser and fungicide technologies, and strategies for managing emerging challenges like climate change and turf diseases.

With industry-leading sessions, cutting-edge products, and opportunities to exchange ideas with peers, Turf Science Live continues to be a must-attend event for anyone serious about staying at the forefront of turf management.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk or www.icl-growingsolutions.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Magic million for JCB

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Magic million for JCB: JCB has marked a major manufacturing milestone with the production of its one millionth engine.

Production started in 2004 at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire, and expanded to JCB India in 2010 with the opening of a dedicated plant in Ballabgarh, Delhi. From three engines a day 20 years ago, JCB now produces around 500 a day, becoming a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of diesel engines and is now pioneering development of hydrogen combustion engines.

Magic million for JCB

Magic million for JCB

Today JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford paid tribute to the JCB teams around the world who have played a part in the engine’s success. Lord Bamford said: “To have made one million engines in 20 years is quite some achievement. This really is a significant moment for our teams around the world, a real achievement. The JCB engine is very well respected around the world for its reliability and very well appreciated by our customers. JCB machines work in dirt and hot and cold climates, and from the moment they go to a customer, they are working hard and doing a full day’s shift. The engine really is the beating heart of that reputation for reliability.

“It was a major decision at the time to make our own engines and I was directly involved in that; it has paid off and I’m very pleased we made the decision. As we hit the milestone of producing one million engines, the time is right to acknowledge the part my played father in the design, not only of this engine, but other engines which he designed with other people in the past. My father died in 2001 so our engines were running as prototypes by that time, and he had a lot to do with it. I’m thankful he was involved in this engine so many years ago.”

JCB Power Systems’ engines have been instrumental in helping set world records – firstly when the JCB Dieselmax streamliner, powered by two JCB engines, became the fastest diesel-powered car in the world in 2006 when it reached a speed of 350.092mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, USA – a record that still stands. In 2019, JCB’s Fastrac tractor stormed into the record books as the world’s fastest tractor with a speed of 135.191 mph – thanks to JCB’s 7.2 litre, 6-cylinder Dieselmax engine.

A team of more than 150 engineers is currently engaged in developing hi-tech hydrogen combustion engines for use in JCB machinery as part of a £100 million investment. More than 120 engines have come off the production line so far and many machines powered by these super-efficient engines are currently undergoing evaluation.

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Committee for Golf Club Salaries publishes 2025 salary recommendations

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Committee for Golf Club Salaries publishes 2025 salary recommendations: Following extensive research, the Committee for Golf Club Salaries (CGCS) has recommended a 5% increase in the salaries of golf club staff for 2025.

The full CGCS statement can be found on the BIGGA website.

Committee for Golf Club Salaries publishes 2025 salary recommendations

Committee for Golf Club Salaries publishes 2025 salary recommendations

The increases will be added to the salary calculators provided on the CGCS website and take into account the National Living Wage increase, which is set at 5.8% in 2025. The recommendations also take into account the prevailing economic environment and the importance of golf facility staff to the overall industry.

The CGCS salary calculators also consider geographic regions, facility size, core responsibilities, club rating, qualifications and experience, ensuring recommendations can be tailored to individual members of staff.

Research is also taking place to enable the creation of calculators for addition golf facility roles including assistant manager and equipment manager or chief mechanic.

The CGCS is comprised of representatives of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) alongside independent golf club experts.

As in previous years, the CGCS states that these recommendations are intended to ensure golf facility staff are suitably paid and valued by their employer in today’s turbulent economic environment. The CGCS has no power to compel golf facilities to adopt these recommendations, but with the securing of new and competent staff becoming ever more difficult, the committee asks venues to seriously consider adopting the recommendations.

Alongside salaries, golf clubs are also urged to ensure that suitable attention and resource is given towards the growing concern that is mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing adequate opportunities for career pathway support, training and development. If any employer or golf club committee member would like to learn more about what BIGGA or the GCMA can provide in these areas, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Contact details are on the various associations’ websites.

Head to the CGCS website for more information and to explore the salary calculators, guidelines and principles of good pay.

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New doors open for Pitch and Track

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New doors open for Pitch and Track: The picturesque island of Jersey is known for many things, but perhaps lesser publicised is the fact that its climate provides the perfect growing conditions for moss!

In the battle to ensure moss and weeds doesn’t detract from many of the island’s popular public and sporting attractions are contractors Pitch and Track, who can now take on the challenge chemical-free thanks to their purchase of a Foamstream L12 system from Weedingtech.

New doors open for Pitch and Track

New doors open for Pitch and Track

Owned and operated by father and son pairing Nigel and Harrison McLinton, Pitch and Track conduct maintenance and repairs for natural and artificial playing surfaces, alongside effective weed and moss control, for a number of tennis courts, football facilities and private and public schools throughout Jersey. “Like a lot of contractors, we were previously using various chemicals to treat unwanted vegetation which meant ensuring we had the correct licenses and PPE to spray it, and also restricted us as to when and where we could treat areas – particularly in schools and areas around children, animals and waterways” explains Harrison.

“We stumbled across a demonstration video of Foamstream and were immediately intrigued by what this could offer.” Following a phone call, Weedingtech’s Tom Hamilton organised for a demonstration unit to be shipped to the pair for trial, who were seriously impressed from the off! “We had the L12 for a couple of weeks, used it on a few of our regular tennis court sites to see how easy it was to use, how we could manoeuvre it and ultimately how effective it was. The machine and the process delivered on every front which cemented our decision to purchase a unit for delivery in spring 2024.”

Foamstream provides control comparable to that of glyphosate on a broad range of weed species, together with the effective treatment of moss and algae. The plant-based foam solution insulates the hot water, to retain the temperature and quickly kill the weeds, the roots and surrounding spores – offering both immediate and longer-lasting control. Weedingtech’s L12 delivery unit is a portable, compact machine offering a ‘plug and play’ solution for use in all environments.

“Where previously we relied on the right weather and temperature to spray, we can now effectively treat surfaces anytime with Foamstream. We’ve done close to forty tennis courts to date, and are continually impressed with the speed of results and the more effective clean we get by following Foamstream with a pass of our deep clean machine. We’re also in discussions with authorities regarding treatments on some of the island’s slipways and outdoor pools.”

”We were also delighted to be approached by Jersey Zoo to treat areas in and around the aviary and some of the enclosures.” Harrison adds, “Foamstream has definitely opened new doors for us already and we’re both excited about other opportunities and the future of our business with this machine.”

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Woodhall Spa chooses Club Car for first golf fleet

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Woodhall Spa chooses Club Car for first golf fleet: The National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa has chosen Club Car, the global industry-leading manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles, to supply its first fleet of golf cars.

The Lincolnshire venue has until now not permitted buggies on its two championship courses, the Bracken and the recently-renovated Hotchkin, ranked the 58th best course in the world*, but has introduced 12 Club Car Tempos with lithium-ion batteries and Connected technology.

Woodhall Spa chooses Club Car for first golf fleet

Woodhall Spa chooses Club Car for first golf fleet

Brad Gould, Managing Director at Woodhall Spa, said: “The new carts are an exciting addition and part of several other forward-thinking developments here.

“Previously we only allowed mobility scooters on the courses, but the new fleet has lithium-ion batteries, meaning the buggies are much lighter, resulting in minimal wear and tear on the turf. They also have Visage (Club Car’s Connected technology), which gives us full control over where they can and can’t go.”

Woodhall Spa’s Hotchkin course is on a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is carefully managed to restore and preserve the biodiversity and natural features.

Gould added: “As a GEO Certified organisation, sustainability is hugely important to us, so it was imperative that the new fleet aligned with that. Not only are the carts zero-emissions, they are incredibly energy-efficient.”

Andy Bourke, Club Car’s Regional Sales Manager UK, Ireland & Scandinavia, said: “It speaks volumes that Woodhall Spa chose Club Car for its first golf fleet. We’re proud to help such a prestigious venue.”

The National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa has one of the most comprehensive academy and performance centres in Europe, including a covered 16-bay range with Toptracer technology, a swing analysis room and a strength and conditioning unit.

Club Car supplies many of the world’s leading golf destinations with its wide range of vehicles, and is the official supplier of the DP World Tour, the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and St Andrews Links Trust.

Club Car’s acclaimed Tempo golf cart is fully customisable with a number of options including paint colour, seats, wheels and extra features such as USB ports, club cleaners and Bluetooth speakers.

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