golf - Turf Matters

TM1000 Tackles Golf Course Thatch

May 31, 2019/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

TM1000 Tackles Golf Course Thatch: Normanby Hall Golf Club Head greenkeeper Michael Burgin has reported hugely successful results from using the SISIS TM1000 tractor mounted heavy duty scarifier to combat high levels of thatch on the greens.

This delightful golf course in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, adjoins the picturesque Normanby Hall country park and is set in 117 stunning acres of mature woodland and parkland. The 18 hole, par 72 course is widely considered to be one of the toughest courses to play in the area, providing a challenge for players of all abilities.

Michael, who has been in the greenkeeping industry throughout his entire career, has been at Normanby Hall for eleven years. Two years ago, he was promoted to the position of head greenkeeper and one of his first tasks in charge was to tackle an abundance of thatch which had occurred on the greens.

“We established that we had a large layer of thatch on the top of our greens; it was on all of them throughout the whole course. This resulted in some drainage problems and I knew that we desperately needed a new piece of equipment which could help us solve the problem.

“I did a lot of research and came across a number of videos online of greenkeepers using the TM1000. I then read an article about the course manager at Greetham Valley Golf Club using it and what he said about the machine pretty much persuaded me to buy it.”

The SISIS Rotorake TM1000 is a tractor mounted heavy duty scarifier and linear aerator and is un-rivalled when it comes to removing and controlling thatch. It includes a collector box and floating unit to follow ground contours and its contra-rotating reel throws debris forward ensuring a clean, consistent groove resulting in an excellent finish. The TM1000 also features interchangeable blades and a quick, simple depth setting without tools.

The fact that the TM1000 collects debris was a key factor in his decision and also something which was incredibly important to the greenkeeping team according to Michael.

“There were other machines on the market but the ones we looked at didn’t collect. This would mean that you would require two or three guys going behind the machine clearing up.

The hydraulics on the back of the TM1000 means that the operator doesn’t have to keep jumping in and out to empty the grass box – which would be very time consuming. For a small team, if you can get one man to do this job then it is a massive benefit.

“I also like the fact that the TM1000 can go down to 50mm deep. The SISIS TM1000 runs straight through the turf – like a knife through butter.

“We have found that the time of year doesn’t really matter when it comes to using it. The first time we used the TM1000 was mid-February in winter conditions and we found that it did not phase the machine whatsoever.

“No matter what the weather you can’t even tell that the TM1000 has been across the greens and that has really impressed me. It’s a reliable machine with very little maintenance required.

“Overall it is just a fantastic piece of kit. There has been a big improvement in the greens and our soil samples have proved that the thatch levels have dropped dramatically since using the TM1000.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter and Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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Golf Club Signs Toro Agreement

April 5, 2019/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Golf Club Signs Toro Agreement: It’s a full fleet update for East Berkshire Golf Club as it signs its third five-year agreement with Toro and Reesink Turfcare. And it was an easy decision to make with “Toro leading the market” according to course manager, Derrick Johnstone.

“When the time came to renew our agreement plan, we weren’t really looking to go with someone else,” says Derrick. In fact, Derrick was so impressed with the robustness of the Toro machines already at the club, he wanted to increase the commitment in Toro.

Previously the club was on a lease deal but by opting to hire purchase and securing equipment for the club to own, Derrick felt confident they would make savings in the long term, providing opportunities to invest elsewhere and further improve the course.

“I’m really familiar with Toro machines,” he says. “I’ve used them at my last two clubs, and they tick all the boxes and last incredibly well. By buying and using the machines for a longer period of time, we can save money. Plus, we now have a mechanic at the club, whose main area of expertise is Toro equipment, and that coupled with the service from Reesink, should we need it, means we can be sure we have maintenance and servicing well covered.”

The hire purchase deal has seen the club renew its Toro fleet like for like bringing back three new TriFlex Hybrid 3420 mowers, two Reelmaster 3550 machines, a Groundsmaster 4500-D, a Groundsmaster 3500-D, two Workman MDX-D utility vehicles as well as one GTX-E Workman. There was one difference this time though, Derrick couldn’t resist adding a Groundsmaster 3500-D to the order, which he says is his new favourite.

“This will be a great machine for cutting our tee banks and semi-roughs, leaving very little mess or wheel marks. I’ve used the GM3500-D before so I think it will work well here,” he says before adding: “The pedestrian GR1000 and GR1600 mowers are also great, they give a really good quality of cut and raise the bar presentation wise.”

Established in 1903, the natural barriers and cleverly designed doglegs mean the 18-hole course at East Berkshire plays a lot longer than the 6,200 yards suggest and provides a real challenge for golfers.

“It’s an exciting time for the club,” says Derrick. “With considerable investment in not only machinery but woodland management, drainage and tee construction, the addition of a short game area and future driving range improvements.”

With all these improvements, keeping the heathland course up to scratch for members is no easy task, but Derrick is sure that Toro will only continue to improve the playing surface.

“It didn’t take a lot of persuading to go with Toro,” says Derrick. “The Toro machines we’ve been using up until now have definitely improved the quality of the course. The contouring is just fantastic, and they save time because they’re incredibly well made and get the job done efficiently.

“Put simply, Toro provides the best quality and service which is what this club needs. It’s really exciting to see what we can achieve in the coming years with more of a commitment in Toro for the club.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Shelton Transform Golf Club Greens

March 28, 2019/in News, Press Release, Sport/by Annabel Gilbert

Shelton Transform Golf Club Greens: Lincolnshire drainage experts Shelton Sportsturf Drainage returned to Ross-on-Wye Golf Club earlier this year in the first week of September to install drainage on the remaining 13 greens after the first five had been completed one year previously. Prior to any of the work starting, flooded greens had been causing course closures and the use of forward pins.

The Shelton Lightning Drain System installed in the first 5 greens, had performed so well over the 1^st year, turning the most waterlogged greens into their driest greens which remained in play all year, that it was decided to complete the programme, and drain the remaining 13 greens this September using the same technique. Lightning Drain is a drainage technique pioneered by Shelton using their System 25 trencher; where 35mm wide trenches are excavated into the green using a high-speed digging wheel, 25mm perforated land drainage pipe and Lytag® are installed in a one-pass operation. The club recruited a team of volunteer members who worked alongside Sheltons and the work was completed in just 9 days.

Seeking advice from the club’s agronomist (STRI) on a post recovery programme the greens were then re-seeded using a mixture of dwarf rye (as a nursery crop) and Fescue grass mixed in with the top dressing, giving excellent results; the faster growing rye grass seed emerged quickly allowing the greens to recover and they were back in play in 4-6 weeks, whilst the slower growing Fescue came through before the rye started to respond to mowing. Ross-on-Wye’s Greens Chairman Hugh Elliott said: “The results have been excellent, the grass was growing through the trench lines within 10 days, and it has made a huge difference to the playability of the course. The whole project has been a great success and thanks must go to our brilliant volunteer members, STRI and the team from Shelton – I would recommend Shelton Lightning Drain System to any Club needing to drain their greens”

Shelton Drainage Ltd is a global business, based in Lincolnshire, England. Shelton design and manufacture specialist drainage machinery for the sportsturf and agricultural market which is engineered to maximise the efficiency of drainage systems and minimise the disruption of installation. As a result, and unlike some more traditional drainage methods, Shelton’s machinery and drainage techniques leave minimal impact on the surface.

Shelton machines are sold all over the world and the overseas business is growing quickly in over 20 different countries. Shelton work to an extensive research and development program, they are regular users of their own machinery allowing for continuous improvement. They appreciate customer feedback and use it to ensure that with a Shelton machine you will always get outstanding performance.

Ross-on-Wye Golf Club is a Members Club situated in Herefordshire, www.therossonwyegolfclub.co.uk

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Campey Announce Golf Demo Days

March 26, 2019/in Events, News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

Campey Announce Golf Demo Days: Campey Turf Care Systems have confirmed they will be holding two golf demonstration days at Clitheroe Golf Club (30^th April) and Prestbury Golf Club (2^nd May).

Starting at 8.30am and finishing at 2pm, both days will include practical machinery demonstrations, environmental management, cylinder grinding and an introduction to Consolidate Turf.

Campey machines will be joined by Trimax Mowing Systems, Walker Mowers, Dennis Sisis and New Holland for the machinery demonstration portion of the day and James Hutchinson from BIGGA Ltd will open with a talk on golf course ecology.

Connor Huffman from Reel Sharp will be providing practical advice and best practice when it comes to cylinder grinding with the afternoon ending with Gary Robertson and Tony Kvedras of Consolidate Turf giving a talk on Consolidate products.

Campey product specialists will be at the events to through the latest techniques for aerations, scarification, seeding and grass cutting. The Koro Fieldtopmaker, Air2G2 Air Inject and Vredo Compact overseeder are just three of a number of machines taking part in the practical demonstrations, each showing their industry leading results in their discipline.

Campey machines will also be on show at the BIGGA North-West Spring Golf Day on 1^st May 2019 at Warrington Golf Club where aeration, scarification, seeding and grass cutting best practice will all be covered.

To RSVP for either event email info@campeyturfcare.com

For more information, visit: www.campeyturfcare.com

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Belfry Named ‘Ultimate Golf Resort’

March 21, 2019/in Awards, Press Release/by Graham Chase

Belfry Named ‘Ultimate Golf Resort’: The iconic Belfry Hotel and Resort underlined its position as one of the world’s most desired golfing destinations as it was crowned ‘Ultimate Golf Resort’ at the globally-recognised 59club Service Excellence Awards.

The legendary Ryder Cup host venue in the Midlands also received the coveted Gold Flag Award for both The Brabazon and PGA National course.

Individuals from The Belfry Golf Team were also recognised as Jack Bowen for winning Leading Individual Golf Sales Performance, Chris Reeve was named Golf Manager of the Year and Angus Macleod won ‘Greenkeeper of the Year’ for the second year running.

The resort received a total of 11 nominations from the 59club, which honours venues for their commitment to customer satisfaction and service excellence, scoring strongly across a number of categories. Each resort is marked independently by ‘mystery’ visitors to ensure an accurate representation of customer service, with the aim of maintaining the highest levels of exemplary service throughout the industry.

Director of Golf Chris Reeve said: “To win Ultimate Resort from 59club is an amazing achievement for everyone at The Belfry. As our performance is benchmarked there’s nowhere to hide with mystery judges, so we have to provide the best experience every day for every guest. The Ultimate Resort award demonstrates how we can provide that all round service no matter what touchpoint our golfers have across the resort.

Director of Golf Courses and Estates Angus Macleod became the first in 59club history to retain the ‘Greenkeeper of the Year’ award, underlining his reputation throughout the industry.

Macleod commented: “At The Belfry we have to produce a Ryder Cup experience every single day, no matter what. Golfers come to The Belfry expecting to follow in the footsteps of legends of the game, to play our iconic holes in the same condition that the greats of the game had.

“I am delighted with the award and it is a testament to the expert green keeping team who continue to deliver a first-class experience to our golfers. They are constantly pushing the boundaries of excellence and meeting set targets that contribute to the wider resort objectives” said Macleod. ‘’The level of detail required in our maintenance across our three golf courses is second to none, bringing them to a standard to sit at the top of the most elite golf clubs across the globe.’’

Resort Director, James Stewart said:“It’s an honour to be named the Ultimate Golf Resort and work alongside such an outstanding team. I am very proud of everyone here who contributes daily to ensure the quality and service we provide to guests remains world class. They are all truly deserving winners.”

Set in 550 acres of countryside, The Belfry has three golf courses, luxurious guest bedrooms and suites, an award-winning club house, meeting and events rooms, restaurants and bars, as well as a Spa and Leisure Club.