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EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business

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EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business: As 2024 draws to a close, EcoBunker Ltd the industry leading innovator of synthetic bunker wall technology is celebrating its 10th year in business supporting the rapidly evolving golf industry.

Starting out in 2014 with an injection of funding and the creation of a reliable supply chain, founder Richard Allen was able to grow the invention he had made five years earlier into the sustainable business he knew it could be. EcoBunker has since grown into a hugely successful international business that has engaged in many hundreds of projects covering every major golfing territory.

EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business

EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business

“It’s been an incredible 10 years, and I’d like to thank all of the courses, designers and golf industry professionals without whom we wouldn’t have become the business we are,” commented EcoBunker founder, Richard Allen. “Challenging the way things have always been done is a hugely difficult task, so I will always be grateful to everyone that placed their faith in us and what we were trying to achieve.”

Key milestones in the past 10 years have included the development of EcoBunker Advanced, a cement modified backfill technology that cut the shipping weight of EcoBunker in half, enabling the growth of the international business; the design of two further technologies – EcoTec bunker liners and AquaEdge synthetic water edging; and most recently, the investment in EcoBunker’s own production facility, that gives more control over R&D and product testing, a process that has already produced the next generation of EcoBunker Advanced that should be ready for mass production before the end of the year.

“When I invented synthetic bunker edging technology, I knew that it could change the game,” concludes Richard. “We can slash maintenance costs, quadruple the lifespan of revetted bunkers and provide visually stunning additions to golf courses that keep on delivering a fantastic experience for golfers year after year. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved in the past ten years and I can’t wait to see where the next ten take us.”

With the launch of the next generation of EcoBunker Advanced technology set to reduce installation costs and increase the strength of bunker walls, the next chapter for EcoBunker is already taking shape. And with the following generation of products already well into the R&D phase, the future for EcoBunker is very bright.

For more information on EcoBunker please visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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Winners of Women in Golf awards

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Winners of Women in Golf awards: A sparkle of women – and men – came together at Foxhills on Thursday night to celebrate a year of incredible achievements by women in the golf industry at the 2024 Women in Golf Awards. Now in its third year, the awards showcase the work of women from across all sectors of the industry and provide an important platform that inspires more women to consider a career in golf. 

As part of its mission to promote women in golf, the awards organisers announced an exciting  new collaboration with Colt McKenzie McNair and Bernhard Academy.  All of the finalists and sponsors will come together in spring 2025 for a networking and educational day hosted at PING HQ that will elevate and inspire their continued progress in the industry.

Winners of Women in Golf awards

Winners of Women in Golf awards

“Many of the barriers that faced me and my predecessors have been demolished, so now is a great time to start to better understand what our future leaders need,” commented awards founder Nicole Wheatley. “This educational day will work both ways.  We want to provide the 24 finalists with valuable leadership training, but also find out how they think golf can attract more talented women, like them, to work in the industry.”

On the night, BBC sport presented Katherine Downes presented awards in 10 categories, spanning all areas of the industry. The 2024 winners were:

Unsung Hero, sponsored by England Golf – Di Stock, Chief Referee Hampshire Ladies Golf

Di’s selfless commitment to women’s golf within Hampshire over the past 36 years, amassing a conservative estimate of 550 voluntary days refereeing alone is astounding.  She has been County Handicap Advisor since 1988, ran the County Inter-Club knock-out competitions for 5 years; was County President for 3 years and for 27 years she has selflessley given her time to referee at county and other national amateur events, including the Curtis Cup.

Brand of the Year, sponsored by the BGIA – The Grove

The Grove has developed a culture and brand that values women.  Over 49% of its workforce are women, with 75% of the senior leadership team being female.  From hosting the Rose Series to its golf recruitment campaigns, the investment the brand makes in women, both on and off the course, has created an inclusive culture that enables more women and girls to maximise their potential at all levels of the industry and through the sport itself.

International Woman, sponsored by Perry Ellis – Karen Lunn, CEO WPGA Tour Australasia and Chair of Australian Golf Industry Council

From Tour player to CEO of the WPGA – golf around the world owes huge gratitude and respect to Karen.  As CEO of the WPGA Tour of Australasia, Karen has significantly raised the profile of Australasian women’s professional golf, while also fostering golf at every level in the country.  Notable career highlights include steering the then Australian Ladies Professional Golf to a collaborative alliance with the PGA of Australia,  creating the Women’s Professional Golf Tour Australasia which offered more opportunities for fledging and developmental players.  In 2022 Karen became the first woman to chair the Australian Golf Industry Council, a forum to help organisations and businesses throughout the golf industry unite on initiatives, strategy and policy.

Women’s Initiative, sponsored by PING – Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club ‘Blue Course’, Barbara Tucker

When Barbara Tucker was Lady Captain in 2014, she created The ‘Blue Course’ programme as an innovate solution to address the myriad of issues which prevented & discouraged women from learning golf and joining the golf club.  The ‘blue course’ has significantly shorter tees, provides group lessons, gives free use of facilities, and hosts social events as well as rules seminars alongside experienced golfers.  10 years later, Barbara’s Blue Course can be credited with providing an influx of new members which has ensured the ladies section continues to thrive.  The current Ladies section Treasurer, Secretary, Competitions Secretary and Lady Captain are all Blue Course alumni.

Women in Turfcare, sponsored by BIGGA – Anna Nilsson, Deputy Head Greenkeeper of the Brabazon Golf Course at The Belfry

Anna is an extremely talented greenkeeper whose course bears testament to her unwavering dedication, expertise and passion all of which has helped to secure the return of the British Masters to The Belfry in 2025.  Anna is also dedicated to inspiring future greenkeepers, coaching students and visiting schools to talk to children about working in the industry.  Anna’s encouragement is making a huge impact on everyone she meets and her success is inspiring young women to take up a career in Turfcare.

Women PGA Professional, sponsored by TGI Golf Partnership – Sarah Bennett

Sarah Bennett is one of the most recognised figures in women’s golf in the UK.  Sarah has dedicated herself to golf’s growth throughout her 34-year pro career, focusing on inclusion and bringing more women into the game.  Sarah has been Essex Girls Head Coach since 2012, worked in a voluntary capacity for the WPGA and on the PGA Executive Committee and was recently PGA Captain, becoming only the second woman to hold that post.  She is a familiar sight at The Open where she has delivered coaching in the SwingZone for over 10 years.

Women’s Leadership, sponsored by the GCMA – Becca Hembrough, England Golf Performance Manager (Female Golf)

Over the past 10 years, Becca has led England to become the most successful women’s golf team in Europe. In 2022/3 she championed the development of a new strategy for England Golf Performance, which is already bearing fruit.  In 2024 one of her players was ranked World no. 1 – a first for an English amateur golfer, all 3 female teams won a medal in the European Team Championships (gold for U18s) and 4 players were named for the Curtis Cup, who beat the USA.  Becca has also demonstrated leadership through the Project Ukraine programme, which has had a huge impact on the golf world.

Rising Star, sponsored by Club Car – Molly Pavey, Group General Manager Bramshaw Golf Club and Paultons Golf Centre

In 2 years, Molly has quickly risen through the ranks to become General Manager at Bramshaw Golf Club as well as sister venue Paultons Golf.  Molly has been instrumental in bringing Girls Golf Rocks and Golf Rookies to the group and both venues have signed the Women in Golf Charter under her stewardship this year.  Molly was one of only 3 recipients of the ECEF’s Young Managers Bursary in 2024, allowing her to continue to grow and learn.  Molly has also joined the Hampshire Ladies Board as Governance Director demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the game.

Special Award – Trailblazers – Fiona Womack and Sharon Eales

Fiona and Sharon have developed a scientific model that represents a paradigm shift in golf course design.  For so many women (and men) the shortest tees are still too long and often not in a great position.  This means that many women do not enjoy the same experience on the course as men.  Their model creates a scaled version of the courses that the architect wanted every golfer to play, incorporating all of the same experiences, using the same clubs for the same shots, tackling the same hazards, just with fewer yards involved.  This new approach has already attracted interest from leading golf course architects including Tom Mackenzie, the R&A’s Handicap Committee, the WHS Operations Committee and various governing bodies.

Special Award – Inspirational Achievement – Adele McLean, Managing Director TGI Golf

This year, nearly two decades after joining TGI Golf, Adele McLean accepted the role of Managing Director and looks to continue building on the success TGI Golf has enjoyed over the last 40 years.  Her journey from the driving range to heading up the UK  & Ireland’s leading golf retail services business is nothing short of inspirational.  Her appointment was celebrated far and wide by women and men across the industry who recognised the incredible impact she has had on the business and demonstrates to other women what can be achieved when there are no glass ceilings.

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Play your part in cutting carbon

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Play your part in cutting carbon: Here Anthony Nadalin, director of marketing at The Toro Company, explores how Paris is leading the way in the decarbonisation of a major European city and the role outdoor power equipment can have in helping local municipalities achieve this.

France is one of the nation’s leading the effort to decarbonise and improve city air quality for residents, commuters and tourists.

Play your part in cutting carbon

Play your part in cutting carbon

Currently, 12 urban areas in France – including in and around Paris – have implemented a low-emission zone, known as an m-EPZ. These initial zones are just the beginning, as an additional 31 towns and cities are set to implement similar schemes by 2025. Along with cutting carbon, low-emission zones have been implemented to improve urban air quality for those who reside or work within them.

As France’s capital city, you would expect Paris to be at the forefront of these measures. In fact, the French capital adopted its first climate action plan in 2007 and is currently implementing the third, covering 2020 – 2030. By 2050, the city aims to have achieved a 100% reduction in local emissions and an 80% reduction in its total carbon footprint, compared to 2004 levels.

At present, the focus of all of its low-emission zones is motor vehicles powered by fossil fuels. In practice, this means that only vehicles powered by modern, efficient petrol and diesel engines are permitted to enter a zone. By 2030, Paris will only allow battery and hydrogen-powered vehicles to enter the city and the surrounding areas.

However, for Paris to successfully reach its goal of reducing local carbon emissions by 100%, it will require outdoor power equipment – used by local municipalities and businesses – to transition from petrol to more sustainable alternatives such as battery.

Challenge and opportunity

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for organisations using such equipment. The opportunity to get ahead of the curve by adopting all-electric machinery now. For commercial businesses, it demonstrates their commitment to sustainability, while also giving them first mover advantage. However, the challenge for municipal authorities and landscaping or groundskeeping professionals is whether they can transition to all-electric machinery without sacrificing productivity and increasing their costs.

Therefore, it is no surprise that many companies are turning to battery-powered outdoor power equipment manufacturers, such as Toro to find the right solution for them.

Leading the charge

Toro is leading the charge to help the people of Paris and beyond make the switch to cordless outdoor power equipment. Toro’s approach is based on three pillars: performance, ease of use and affordability.

A fundamental principle is that the all-electric versions must meet or exceed the performance of the petrol and diesel equivalents. This is why Toro’s Revolution Series products are commercial-grade equipment designed for professional use. For example, Toro’s proprietary HyperCell® battery system was developed to deliver all-day run times, helping meet the demands of various industries without hindering power or performance.

Ease of use means that all-electric machinery must be easy to operate with stress-free maintenance. It helps that Toro’s Revolution Series is built on the proven Grandstand® and Z Master® chassis and TURBO FORCE® platforms, meaning they’re familiar to contractors and service engineers.

Furthermore, Toro Total Care offers groundskeeping professionals 24/7 support while features such as integrated charging systems and software offer a more user-friendly experience.

There remains a lively debate around the cost of cordless equipment, but we believe we are winning the argument. For a long time, equipment rental companies have focused on the total cost of ownership rather than the ticket price. Calculating the lifetime costs of a piece of equipment – capital cost, fuel, service and maintenance, and end-of-life disposal – provides a much more accurate picture than how much it costs to buy.

For some time now we have seen increasing numbers of grounds care and gardening professionals start to view equipment in the same way – and in this light, cordless machinery represents greater value for money. Easy to maintain and cost-effective to run, it can also cut the total cost of ownership and contribute to greater business profitability.

To help companies understand the financial benefits of battery power, Toro has created a TCO calculator, enabling contractors and municipal authorities to calculate their operational return on investment.

Play your part

Paris is driving urban decarbonisation in France, with many other towns and cities following suit. By 2030, municipalities and landscaping or grounds care contractors will be driving into the Paris low-emission zone in electric or hydrogen vehicles. Surely it would look deeply incongruous and send the wrong message if these vehicles were carrying diesel or petrol-powered equipment?

Furthermore, as residents get used to cleaner and quieter vehicles, they will expect the same from the outdoor power equipment used to maintain their parks and open spaces.

Joining the transition to battery-powered OPE will play a huge role in achieving decarbonisation targets for businesses looking to join cities like Paris in transitioning to a cleaner, quieter and electrified future.

To find out more about how Toro is leading the charge, or to access its TCO calculator and begin investing in battery-powered equipment, visit: https://sites.toro.com/leadthecharge/index.html.

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Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe

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Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe: Kubota marked a significant milestone of 50 years in Europe, by hosting an exclusive event themed “It’s All About People.” at PortAventura in Spain.

The event welcomed over 900 attendees, including dealers, distributors, partners, international media and employees, showcasing Kubota’s status as a leading manufacturer in Agriculture, Groundcare, and Construction equipment.

Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe

Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe

The event offered a chance for celebration, networking and insights into Kubota’s future. Attendees were introduced to exciting new additions to Kubota’s expanding portfolio, including the launch of the M7004 tractor and a limited-edition anniversary model, of which only 50 units will be produced. A unique “1 of 1” edition was also unveiled signed by Jean Alesi, the special guest of the evening, who drew fascinating parallels between Formula 1 and Kubota’s success, highlighting the contributions of the people behind it.

From a Groundcare perspective, Kubota unveiled an upcoming 44hp Front Centre Collect machine, contributing to the rapid growth in this sector. Additionally, building on the success of the EK1 series across Europe, a hydrostatic version is set to increase the entry-level compact tractor range.

The event also highlighted Kubota’s commitment to future technologies, such as automation and connectivity. Attendees witnessed live demonstrations of the KFAST, a self-propelled sprayer developed for autonomous spraying solutions in orchards and vineyards alongside a M7 and a L1 Series tractor, equipped with an autonomous kit from AGC (Agreenculture), designed to address industry challenges such as labour shortages.

The evening concluded with dynamic entertainment at the PortAventura Park, featuring light shows, live music, and a variety of activities, making it a fitting celebration of Kubota’s legacy and future in Europe.

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The first dedicated vacuum in STIHL’s AP System

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The first dedicated vacuum in STIHL’s AP System: Designed for professional landscapers and grounds maintenance teams, the SHA 140 vacuum shredder is the most powerful in the STIHL lineup, offering 15% improved suction power compared to the petrol SH 86. Ideal for the autumn and winter months, the SHA 140 makes light work of collecting and shredding leaves and green material. 

The variable speed trigger provides the operator full control to match the power output to the task at hand, whether that’s working around delicate flower beds, or utilising the boost mode to collect damp leaves. The reinforced suction tube can be used to loosen stubborn leaves, ensuring nothing is left behind.

The first dedicated vacuum in STIHL’s AP System

The first dedicated vacuum in STIHL’s AP System

The wide positioning of the rubberised handles ensures comfortable handling and excellent maneuovrability, allowing the user to work quickly with minimal fatigue or arm strain. Perfect balance has also been acheived thanks to the central location of the battery between the handles. Like many battery-powered tools, the SHA 140 is lightweight and quiet in operation, eliminating the requirement for hearing protection.

Featuring an adjustable shoulder strap, the 55l collection bag sits comfortably at the operators side without impairing movement. The robust metal buckle openings are able to withstand the toughest working conditions, while the large opening leads to quick and complete emptying with minimal effort.  Ventilation openings can be used to deliver constant suction power, regardless of the fill level or the degree of dust and dirt in the bag.

Easy transport and storage have also been factored into the design, with fast and tool free removal of the catcher bag and suction tube to make dismantling the tool effortless.

With the recommended AP 300 S battery, the SHA 140 has a long working time of up to 60 minutes. For more information on STIHL’s range of AP System tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk

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