Tag Archive for: George

Relationship with George Browns Ltd helps Risebridge

Relationship with George Browns Ltd helps Risebridge: Continued investment and the hard work of the greenkeeping team has seen the 18-hole pay and play facilities at Risebridge Golf Centre in Romford go from strength to strength – as has the club’s relationship with dealers George Browns Ltd, who have recently installed another batch of maintenance equipment, adding to an already sizeable fleet from brands including Baroness and Kubota. 

Spearheading the full-time team of four is Head Greenkeeper Doug Mackison, who explains how George Browns Ltd have played a supporting role in operations across the parkland course for the last four years. “We struck up a relationship with Tim Mason initially, who helped us out with some hire equipment before the funding became available to invest. By this point I’d been in the industry for over 40 years and in that time there weren’t many brands of mower I hadn’t tried. Baroness, however, was one of them but Tim demonstrated how good the cut performance and build quality was and it was on the back of this that we purchased a fleet of fairway mowers, greens and tees mowers and a bunker rake. We’ve not looked back since!”

Relationship with George Browns Ltd helps Risebridge

Relationship with George Browns Ltd helps Risebridge

An L1-382 compact tractor, Z122R zero-turn mower and RTVX-1440 from Kubota quickly followed, with a Baroness GM2810 rough mower, LM531 fairway mower and SP05 bunker rake the most recent additions, delivered in October 2023. “What I like about all of the Kubota and Baroness equipment is that they’re not all computerised, it’s very intuitive to operate and you still feel in control of the job at hand.” Doug continues, “Luke Farrow installed the recent trio, he was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the procurement process and continues to support us as we get to grips with our new machines.”

“Actually, the support we’ve had from George Browns Ltd has always been excellent! We go to them for some of the annual servicing requirements and the rest of the time they’re always on hand to answer questions from our mechanic. On the odd occasion we’ve needed a spare part, these have always been supplied quickly.” He adds, “It’s the whole package which keeps us loyal. The top service and the 13 machines that George Browns Ltd have supplied are a real asset to us and our course.”

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Service from George Browns seals the deal

Service from George Browns seals the deal: The installation of a fleet package by George Browns Limited at Links Golf Club in Cambridgeshire is proof positive that it’s sometimes about who you know, not always what you know!

Taking delivery of a fairway mower and brace of Baroness greens mowers, together with a L-1452 and G-261 from Kubota marks a first for the Newmarket-based course, with Head Greenkeeper Simon Corrigan citing that it was the outstanding service and support received from the George Browns Area Sales Manager that helped to seal the deal.

Service from George Browns seals the deal

Service from George Browns seals the deal

Simon has overseen the maintenance of the 18-hole heathland course for the last five years and is currently supported by a team of five and a vast array of equipment and implements. “Historically we’ve been quite loyal to certain brands and, like most clubs, we’ll hold onto them for a good number of years” he explains. “We had a visit from Will Montgomerie of George Browns approximately 18 months ago and it was at a time where I was looking at new machines and open to trying different makes and models.”

“Right from the start of the process, George Browns were proactive in working with me to find solutions that would work on our site. They brought lots of equipment in for us to try meaning that, by the time we made our decision, we could be confident that we’d thoroughly explored all of the options.” Simon continues, “The package was competitively priced and delivery times were good which was another big plus.”

Delivered in August 2023 was an LM551 fairway mower and two LM315 triple greens mowers from Baroness, a Kubota L-1452 compact tractor and a G-261LD ride-on mower for quick and effective cut and collect on some of the courses more delicate areas. “I hadn’t used a Baroness mower for about 20 years but as soon as we demonstrated them, we agreed that we liked the cut quality and the user-friendly controls and set-up. In terms of tractors, we have other brands, but felt the Kubota gave us comparable quality at a better price and, at 45hp, will be an incredibly versatile addition to the fleet.”

Simon explains that the service received over the last two years from Will and colleagues at George Browns has been second to none. “From bringing in all the various demonstrator units, through to answering our many questions before and after delivery, nothing has been too much trouble. We received service and spare parts packages from Baroness to keep the mowers in top-flight condition, while George Browns will continue to support us and work with us on regular servicing on the Kubota products through the ‘Kubota Care’ five-year warranty scheme. It’s been slick and simple, and we couldn’t be happier.”

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Centurion Club thank George Browns and Baroness

Centurion Club thank George Browns and Baroness: Having been machinery partners to Hertfordshire’s Centurion Club for a number of years, George Browns recently played a pivotal role in the successful delivery of the LIV Golf League London event in early July.

The supply of additional equipment and service training was the result of six months of intricate planning between Course Manager Andrew Garland, Stuart Gray from Baroness and David Fisher, Area Sales Manager at George Browns’ Chesham branch. The result, says Andrew, was “outstanding support and a perfect playing surface from start to finish!”

Centurion Club thank George Browns and Baroness

Centurion Club thank George Browns and Baroness

Nestled into rural countryside to the west of St Albans, the Centurion Club delivers a mixture of open, undulating holes combined with challenging woodland-lined holes, delivering a feeling of maturity to the club which opened to members and the public in 2013. “Our relationship with George Browns was cemented roughly four years ago after we fell victim to the theft of our tees mowers” explains Andrew. “David lent us their demonstration Baroness mowers to get us out of a really tricky situation at the time, and the team ended up liking the mowers that much that we purchased them! Since then, any time we’re in the market for a new machine, we’ll get David in and nine times out of ten, that’s the machine we purchase.”

Andrew and his team of 12 currently run a fleet of Kubota tractors and RTV utility vehicles, three fairway and four tees mowers from Baroness along with a Redexim Top-Brush and Verti-Drain – all supplied by the Chesham depot of George Browns.

“We started preparing for the LIV Golf League event in January. I sat down with Stuart and David to draw up a list of what we’d need – not just extra equipment but ensuring that the machinery already in the shed was performing as it should. My team received excellent service training in the run-up to July to get the fairway mowers in tip-top condition, and my mechanic was then advised on the correct way to grind them and set them up.”

In addition to training, George Browns also loaned the club a triple greens mower, four extra Baroness hand tee mowers, a rough mower and an aprons machine. “We had six additional team members from the Turf Institute of South Africa and a further ten volunteers who all had to get stuck in and straight out with the equipment. All of them found the machines easy to use and were particularly impressed by the quality of cut.” Andrew concludes, “All of this, together with the support provided throughout the event, helped the whole tournament run smoothly.”

Commenting on the relationship, David Fisher says, “It has been a real privilege to work closely with our franchises to maximise the knowledge we could provide to Andrew and his team in what promises to be a celebratory decade year for the club. All at George Browns congratulate Centurion Club on the tournament, and we look forward to continuing to build on this success.”

Stuart Gray adds, “It’s been great working with Andy and his fantastic team and supporting them through the LIV tournaments in both 2022 and 2023, cementing the level of support Baroness and its dealers are proud to deliver to the industry.”

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George Browns delivers new machinery fleet

George Browns delivers new machinery fleet: Major, course-wide investment and redevelopment plans at Essex’s Crondon Park Golf Club have taken a big step forward thanks to the recent installation of a brand-new machinery fleet package from George Browns Limited.

Everything from tractors, mowers, implements and accessories have been replaced with solutions from leading brands including Kubota and Baroness, to further raise course standards and achieve ambitions of a top-ranking status in the county.

George Browns delivers new machinery fleet

George Browns delivers new machinery fleet

Set within the 220-acre Crondon Park Estate, Managing Director Marlon Fox is the second generation of the Fox family now taking charge of the 18-hole championship course, originally built by his father 35 years ago. “Since COVID, good machinery appears hard to come by with a lot of manufacturers not holding much in the way of stock” he explains. “In our search, we spoke to Luke Farrow at George Browns Great Dunmow branch who, right from the start, understood our requirements and what we’re looking to achieve here, building us a package of machinery to reach that.”

Within that package were two RTV X1110 utility vehicles, a L2622 and L1552 compact tractor from Kubota, together with two Baroness LM315 greens mowers and a LM551 fairway mower.

“We had the demonstration units arrive and the greens team were very happy with everything, the quality of cut and finish we were seeing, we were very impressed with. Coming away from our previous brand naturally brought with it an element of trepidation but George Browns, Luke and Tim Mason in particular, have looked after us very well at every stage of the process.”

Promised in May 2023, and delivered on time, the Crondon Park greens department then underwent full and comprehensive training on the new equipment. “The team were able to ask any questions and given all the support needed to get the very best out of the new fleet. Everyone is very happy, and we know we have the expertise of George Browns nearby or on the end of the phone if we need them.”

Marlon concludes, “We have a massive five-year plan, so having new machinery that is going to give us quality results, reliability and no age-related issues is setting us off on the right path to achieve our goals and deliver an unforgettable golfing experience!”

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Kubota appoints George Nowell

Kubota appoints George Nowell: George Nowell has been appointed as Kubota (UK)’s agricultural and groundcare Dealer Manager for the midlands, north west and Wales. Now in his fifth year of full-time employment with the company, George joined Kubota in 2015 after getting in touch during his search for a three-month summer job following the completion of his first year at Harper Adams University.

His career path is one that puts the spotlight on opportunities that exist within Kubota. After leaving school, he took a three-year apprenticeship at Bicton College which saw him working with a tractor dealership in Devon. Eager to immerse himself at manufacturer-level, George set about finding a route into Harper Adams University.

Kubota appoints George Nowell

Kubota appoints George Nowell

“I always knew what I wanted to do, and earning myself a summer job at Kubota was a move that has helped to create fantastic opportunities for me,” explains George, whose exam results and high grades achieved from an apprenticeship eased his progression into engineering.

“During my degree course, I returned to Kubota for my work placement year as a student,” he says. “My coursework and dissertation led to a project on M7 tractor optimisation, which was focussed on developing dealer and customer knowledge.”

Proving that a little initiative goes a long way, George returned to Kubota after completing his university studies in 2018, taking up his first full-time role. As a service technician providing product support, his early career included a three-month posting to KFM in Dunkirk, France, working in tractor production.

One year later, George took on the role of Regional Service Representative before stepping up to the role of Aftersales Dealer Manager in 2021. He now boosts his career in 2023 as Kubota’s agricultural and groundcare Dealer Manager for the midlands, north west and Wales.

“I have been involved with groundscare equipment from the start of my career, working as an apprentice in the dealership” adds George. “It’s great to be part of a company that has a reputation for supplying quality, reliable equipment through a dedicated dealer network and I very much look forward to supporting them, and our customers, further over the coming months.”

Commenting on George’s promotion to Dealer Manager, agricultural and groundcare Sales Manager Tim Yates said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase our home-grown talent, and it highlights the professional career opportunities that are available in Kubota (UK).”

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George Davies, founder of George Davies Turf

George Davies, founder of George Davies Turf: George Davies started his ‘side venture’ in 2001 and has since reached new heights to become the largest independent supplier of turf in the UK, spending more than two decades perfecting his knowledge to become an expert voice on all things relating to turf, soil, crops and landscape materials. 

Pursuing a dream – turf experts

Driven by his own self-belief, George Davies has gone from a struggling student to university graduate, to successful business owner – sharing his flawless work ethic and inspiring passion for helping others, while he set out to achieve his longstanding dream to become the UK’s largest independent supplier of turf.

George Davies, founder of George Davies Turf

George Davies, founder of George Davies Turf

George’s forward-thinking approach and experience as a Farm Business Consultant always kept him one step ahead, and it was this energy and determination that he applied to his father’s family-run farm where his company was, and still is, based.

When he realised the farm wasn’t suitable for growing additional crops, George spotted the lucrative potential to sell landscaping products to nearby developing towns in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Hertfordshire.

In 2001 George invested every penny he had into a Scenic Blue Turf franchise and, having devoted so much time, energy and money into the venture, knew he had no choice but to throw everything into making it work.

By 2003 he had carved out his own unique selling point – his exceptional customer service – and felt it was time to go it alone. He changed the name and became a business owner in his own right – George Davies Turf was born.

From ‘one-man-band’ to multi-million-pound business

Based in Olney, George worked solo to sell, load, and deliver rolls of turf across the Midlands and London, while an honesty box in the farmyard portacabin collected payment for those who preferred to collect – that box alone took around £1 million over the first 10 years.

By 2010, George knew the secret to growing the business was to invest in state-of-the-art machinery, a new premises in St Albans, and to bring in drivers and support staff. He did this with a strong approach to recruitment, actively seeking people he could trust, and only those who would encompass the same values: honesty, reliability and quality.

Celebrating their 21st birthday in September 2021, George and his team of 19 now proudly refer to themselves as ‘The Landscaper’s Choice’, providing high-quality turf and landscaping products along with impeccable customer service. The striking fleet of six red 32-tonne lorries and a 44-tonne artic – all with forklift trucks – are used to transport 1.4 million rolls of turf to 35,000 gardens a year within a 40-mile radius of the two bases. George believes this is how the company maintains its identifiable two-hour delivery slots; a timeframe critical to maintaining the short shelf life of fresh turf.

With a reliable team in place, George now focuses on developing the business for his staff and customers: providing helpful information via blogs, social media, newsletters and events. The new George Davies Turf app is the first of its kind in the industry aimed at speeding up the buying process for busy landscapers – an innovation for the sector.

George is an advocate for supporting others too, not only sharing his insights with likeminded people, but encouraging his people to take time to further their own learning. Through various investments and activities, he continues to be involved with the local business community who helped him get where he is today, as well as funding new business owners on their journey.

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Tributes Groundsman George Hay

Tributes Groundsman George Hay: Tributes have been paid to a fixture of Clydebank’s sporting community who will be laid to rest at the ground that became a family home.

George Hay died on December 30 at the age of 69, just one year older than Drumchapel Amateurs. He lived his entire life across the street from the Glenhead Park grounds in Duntocher where he and his dad before him were groundsmen.

Tributes Groundsman George Hay

He is held in such high regard, a strip signed by the team and his family will be put in the coffin with him and his ashes will be taken on a tour of the grounds. “Gentle giant” George will be buried next to the Drumchapel Amateurs’ founder, Douglas Smith, behind one of the goals.

For the team’s next home game, they will be led out by the son of one of George’s nephews who plays for one of their youth clubs.

A minute silence was marked at the weekend when the team played St Patrick’s FP in Dumbarton.

Drumchapel Amateurs chairman Charlie Devlin told the Post: “His family asked for one of our strips for the kids and club to sign – anything they have asked us to do, we are happy to do.

“He has always been there. George was a big bit of the Drumchapel Amateurs family.”

George had struggled with diabetes for a number of years and one leg had to be amputated and there was a danger to the other. He later suffered a heart attack and had been in declining health.

A JustGiving page set up to support the family has raised more than £500 in George’s memory.

Speaking ahead of the funeral on Friday, his family acknowledged his health challenges, and in the eulogy will share the larger-than-life personality of the Duntocher fixture.

Born on November 20, 1949, George grew up with siblings James, Margaret and the late Charles.

He maintained a lasting interest in history, particularly the Second World War – assuming he turned up for school to learn it.

His family recount: “George’s teachers might not have been aware of his occasional unauthorised absences thanks to his lifelong pal Jimmy Murray.

George went to work at the local creamery, then as a machine operator in Singers and Adaapt and ultimately the groundsman and kit master for the Drumchapel Amateurs when his dad passed away in 1984.

His family said: “George was a real home bird, he wasn’t one for going out much. Even in his teens he preferred going to the football than the dancing.

“George was a well known face at the club where he was liked and respected by everyone he came into contact with be that the chairman, the players, the supporters, even the opposing teams. In fact many have been in contact with the club to pass on their condolences in the last week.

“It wasn’t just the grounds and the kit George looked after, he’d do odd jobs around the club too.

“When Dougie, the founder of the club, asked him to make a new trophy room, George asked Kenny to help him. Dougie gave George the plans of how he wanted it to look, we’ll just say that’s not how it turned out, George made a few alterations along the way.”

George was close to all his nieces and nephews and took each to London to see the sights as they turned 13.

He was more housebound after the loss of his leg, watching the History channel, documentaries or comedy, and, of course, football.

“But the most important ‘F’ to George was his family, his brothers, sister, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. He’d have done anything for them and given them the world if he could.

“They in turn just adore him and always will. How long will George Hay be loved? As long as the stars are above you.

“We thank George for being one in a million and for sharing his life with us all.”

The funeral for George Hay will be held on January 11 at 9.30am at Dalnottar Crematorium. The procession will leave Glenhead Social Club at 9.10am and all are welcome to the club after the service.

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MM60 A Success At George Heriots

MM60 A Success At George Heriots: Limagrain’s MM60 grass seed mix has been delivering excellent results at George Heriots School in Edinburgh, reports head groundsman Simon Theurer.

Originally founded in the early 17th century to provide an education to ‘fatherless bairns’ in the city of Edinburgh, George Heriots School now flourishes as an independent co-educational day school for children aged between 3 and 18.

MM60 A Success At George Heriots

The school provides an exceptional academic education for all pupils, as well as superb extra-curricular activities – which is where Simon comes in.

Simon, who has been at George Heriots for an incredible 23 years, is the man tasked with maintaining the school’s grounds which includes 3 full size rugby pitches, 3 junior rugby pitches, 5 grass hockey pitches, 2 cricket squares as well as facilities for athletics and tennis. The school has a long history of successful sporting activity and currently boasts some of the strongest sporting sides in Scotland’s education system.

“We have top quality sports teams hence the reason we only use top quality products such as Limagrain’s,” says Simon. “Whenever I have been looking for grass seed Limagrain has always been highly recommended. Therefore, I chose MM60 for the rugby pitches and I’ve had a lot of success from using it towards the end of July.”

Limagrain’s MM60 grass seed is renowned for producing excellent playing surfaces and is ideal for winter sports pitches. It is a 100% Ryegrass formula which is perfect for renovation and divot repair, has a high disease resistance, fantastic aesthetic qualities and offers extremely fast germination – which is boosted by the inclusion of Headstart® GOLD. Developed using the latest scientific findings and field experience, it is a natural revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid germination and is perfect for enhancing performance on grass seed coatings for sports fields, golf courses, lawns and amenity turf

“I’ve noticed that MM60 germinates very quickly at that time of year and I get good growth and good coverage,” says Simon. “It fills in the areas that were not really taken in the spring, so for quickness of cover I think it is very good. I can’t get an awful lot of water to the pitches but I would say that MM60 is one of the better, more drought resistant species for that time of year.”

Simon applies MM60 at anywhere between 30g – 35g per square metre and says that it gives him full confidence in his rugby pitches over the winter period.

“We have such a high footfall here and we need tough grasses that are proven – Limagrain’s MM60 has certainly passed the test.

“Over the winter it keeps its colour very well and is very disease resistant. At the back end of the summer it’s good to have that peace of mind that you know you have a grass seed that is going to grow fast and well.

“I would certainly recommend it.”

For further information, please contact Limagrain UK on 01472 371471 or visit the company’s website www.lgseeds.co.uk/mm

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