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Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK

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Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK: METOS UK introduces a new turf management and business performance solution for golf courses at BTME on 21-23 January 2025.

David Whattoff, Managing Director of METOS UK, says: “We’re delighted to bring a new end-to-end solution to golf courses looking to improve course management and profitability.

Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK

Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK

“With market-leading course management software Punctus, combined with a new GIS mapping tool, our Pessl environmental sensors, and the ability to integrate advanced robotic solutions such as Kress mowers, course owners and managers will now have the tools at their fingertips to enhance course playability and improve their bottom line,” David explains.

Punctus is now available to UK golf courses exclusively through METOS UK. Combined, these solutions bring compound improvements in turf care, course management, sustainability, and business profitability, through improving turf health and maintenance efficiency; reducing chemical usage and environmental impact; remotely monitoring and optimising irrigation and energy use; effectively managing people and machinery; and enhancing data-driven decision-making across the business.

“As the market leader in cloud-based greenkeeping software in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Punctus brings it’s 20 years of experience to UK course managers, alongside a range of hardware solutions from Pessl that work together to give a bigger picture of course health and business performance.” says David.

“The benefits are extensive, with data helping to inform decisions on water usage, fertilisation, and overall course management through real-time environmental monitoring, customisable alerts for irrigation or maintenance tasks, and integration with precision equipment such as environmental sensors and robotic mowers,” David explains.

“We’re already seeing the benefits where courses are investing in remote sensors for turf management, including soil moisture monitoring at depth, which provides a more accurate picture of drainage across different soil types and green constructions than traditional irrigation sensors,” says David.

Integrated Pessl sensors provide real-time environmental and soil moisture data that can be tracked over time, and a new GIS mapping tool provides a visual representation of drainage and water use across the course, which can help improve course management, irrigation planning, and improvements.

Course owners and managers can learn more about Punctus and the customisable management solutions available, by visiting the METOS UK stand 174, in Hall 1.

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Sustainable seed solutions from DLF

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Sustainable seed solutions from DLF: 2025 sees an exciting shake up in the sustainable seed solutions available from DLF and visitors to stand 126 at BTME 2025 can be some of the first the find out what’s new.

Among the changes is the exciting introduction of Sybille – a new slender creeping red fescue cultivar, bringing its No.1 ranking for close mown turf to a number of mixtures across the updated Johnsons Sports Seed lineup. Also new is an expanded Ultrafine Rye range which promises fast establishment, high wear tolerance and aesthetic quality for the golf and bowls market.

Sustainable seed solutions from DLF

Sustainable seed solutions from DLF

In their pursuit for ever-improved sustainability, DLF have introduced Sybille slender creeping red fescue. With its high density and disease tolerance, Sybille helps to supress unwanted weeds and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides. Not just a good choice for the environment and your budget, Sybille features fine leaves and beautiful summer colour making it a top-class variety for low mown areas delivered with high visual quality.

Also of significant interest for turf managers is the expanded range of Johnsons Sports Seed Ultrafine Perennial Ryegrass (PRG) mixtures. Building on the success of J Ultrafine Rye 100, DLF has introduced additional 25% and 50% formulations to provide turf managers with versatile, sustainable options for golf and bowling greens. The incredibly high wear tolerance, bolstered by the exceptionally fine leaf and high shoot density of Duranova, also makes the Ultrafine PRG range ideal high-traffic areas like tees, fairways, pathways, tennis courts and cricket outfields.

Stand 126 is the place to learn more about other developments across the DLF portfolio, such as the increased UK wildflower production to support demand and the growth of their ProFlora and ColourBoost ranges which are ideal for increasing biodiversity and colour on the golf course. It is also where you can have your say in shaping seed mixtures of the future by taking part in DLF’s Disease Watch Programme. DLF are actively seeking feedback and insights on the types and severity of diseases you are witnessing to develop future research, trials and breeding programmes. Those that share their experiences are not only helping to improve the performance of seed mixtures of the future, they can also win some excellent prizes in the process.

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association: It’s hard to believe that we are only three weeks away from Christmas.  After a wet and quite warm autumn, the weather seems to be chilling and feeling more as it should do as we prepare for the festive season.  But that doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about our lawns! 

The experts from The Lawn Association have plenty of tips for keeping your winter sea of green in tip-top condition, and ready for any visits from Father Christmas this December!

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

Sustainable lawn care is all about harmonising with the natural cycles, which means this should be a year-round commitment. So, with that in mind, the tips below will help your lawn over the winter period and prepare it for future seasons too!

Preventing the encroachment of the disease Grinch

Regularly clearing your lawn of leaves, twigs, and other debris is essential in preventing disease from taking root. This is not just a one-time task, try making it part of your routine to go outside and gather any organic material that has fallen onto your grass.

Still Time to Mow…Ho…Ho

Additionally, continue to mow if conditions allow. A light trim with the mower blade set high is all you need. This practice not only keeps your grass healthy by avoiding wet, overgrown foliage that breeds disease but also ensures a beautiful lawn to admire while enjoying your Christmas dinner!

Seasonal Soil Care

Hollow tine aeration is a highly effective method for enhancing your lawn’s health and it is the easiest and most rewarding option for maintaining a beautiful domestic lawn. Don’t hesitate to give your lawn this Christmas gift to keep it vibrant and healthy.

Service And Repairs from STIGA 

December is a great time of year to get your mower blades and other garden tools sharpened. It is also a good idea to check if you need any other batteries, accessories or spare parts for your garden products leading up to the spring season.  These can all be found on the STIGA website, as can the dealers who will be able to service your mower or tools.

Keep Off the Naughty List Next Year

How? By starting to plan ahead in December for the year ahead. Look back on your lawn program and determine what has worked and what hasn’t, and make some notes on what you need to do to improve things next year. You’ll find this a great motivation during the next two months as you wait patiently for spring to return.  The Lawn Association have launched a new Record Keeping Manual to help you along the way!

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Knock GC praises ‘faultless fleet’ from Baroness

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Knock GC praises ‘faultless fleet’ from Baroness: Ask the Course Manager at Knock Golf Club for his thoughts on their Baroness equipment and the response is just one word – faultless!

The venue located on the outskirts of Belfast was one of the first in Northern Ireland to adopt the brand, and close to a decade on from the purchase of their LM2700 and LM315, they now run a fleet of six mowers which executes the majority of their cutting operation.

Knock GC praises ‘faultless fleet’ from Baroness

Knock GC praises ‘faultless fleet’ from Baroness

Lee Eager has been Course Manager for the last 18 years and maintains the challenging 18-hole parkland course with the assistance of a team of five. “We’ve been Baroness users since 2015 and were one of the first here in Northern Ireland to take the plunge – but from the purchase of those first two machines, we’ve never looked back” he emphasises. In the years that have followed, Lee has added a second LM315 triple greens mower, along with a GM2800 and GM2810 five-deck rotary mower and LM331 surrounds and trim mower to his armoury.

“Theres two main reasons we remain loyal to Baroness – the first of which is the outstanding service and support we received from our local dealer, Cyril Johnston, and in particular Ian Ellis. Secondly, it’s the performance and quality of the cutting cylinders which, in my opinion, are the best on the market.”

He continues, “All of our mowers deliver pinpoint precision and a sharp cut which is critical for retaining the aesthetics and health of our playing surfaces. They also stay on cut better than any alternative we’ve previously used and weather the challenges of course life – with bedknives lasting as long as four years, and some of our older models delivering day-in, day-out despite having over 2900 hours on the clock.”

Running alongside the mowers is a SP05A bunker rake and RR1000 greens roller, also from Baroness. “The bunker rake is a vital part of our arsenal and is out five days a week during the summertime. We can also equip this with a dozer blade which has been incredibly useful on construction jobs. Whether it’s elevating bunker presentation or helping us out on larger projects, this machine has been faultless.”

“The RR1000 greens roller gives us that little bit of extra pace in the greens, and that’s been faultless too!” he exclaims. “We couldn’t be happier with the performance and the support we receive with Baroness, it’s the full package for us.”

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Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity

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Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity: Forres Golf Club in Moray, Scotland has gone all-in on Toro with a small fleet to optimise operations and do more with its experienced team of four. 

Before committing to a five-year hire purchase deal with Reesink Turfcare which allows the club to upgrade its machines regularly, Forres was using mowers from two different brands with mixed results across its 18-hole course.

Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity

Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity

Now, with the Toro Reelmaster 5010-H, two Greensmaster TriFlex 3400 and Workman MDX, Head Greenkeeper Ross Macleod is seeing improvements in productivity and operations and receiving compliments from members noticing the difference.

One of the reasons for the increase in productivity is how fast and convenient it is to change the cutting units in the Greensmaster TriFlex says Ross: “With the TriFlex, we can easily swap the cutting units without tools, quickly switching from greens to tees units to mow the different areas of the course. Previously, we were experiencing cutting inconsistencies due to using different machines and having to fine-tune the height of cut every time which led to excessive time wasting.

“Since using Toro, we’ve been far more productive. We can consistently mow multiple times without having to adjust the units. The set-up efficiency means we have finally freed up time because the team is spending less time in the sheds setting up the machines and has more time to be outside improving the course. We’re now getting round to doing all those small jobs that always seemed to be delayed, such as tidying up the bunkers and pathways.”

Ross has been at Forres for 29 years and as he and the team undertake a new rough management programme, he’s been particularly happy with the fuel efficiency provided by the Toro Reelmaster 5010-H.

He says: “Before we purchased the Reelmaster 5010-H, we used to cut the grass wall to wall, mowing all the roughs and fairways every week. Now, we are simply thinning out the roughs, allowing for the growth of wildflowers which enables us to cut less often and save manpower, man hours and fuel, which is just better in every way. The fact that the machine is a hybrid brings even more fuel-savings and its quality of cut really is outstanding.”

“All in all, we’re very happy with our new Toro machines,” Ross concludes. “They are elevating the quality of mowing, are incredibly comfortable to use, don’t require much maintenance and are helping us do much more with the same small team. What’s even better is it’s not just us noticing, the members have noticed the difference Toro has brought across the course, too.”

Discover how Toro’s technology could benefit your course by calling distributor Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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