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Confidence in Aqua-zorb at Ashford Manor

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Confidence in Aqua-zorb at Ashford Manor: The fairways at Ashford Manor Golf Club have recently been gaining a lot of attention in the greenkeeping industry, and Course Manager Allan Tait has revealed how he has achieved such incredible results.

Established in 1898 the club is located in the village of Ashford, between Sunbury-on-Thames and Staines-upon-Thames. It is an 18-hole parkland course measuring 6,400 yards and is regarded as one of the finest courses in Middlesex, and beyond.

Confidence in Aqua-zorb at Ashford Manor

Confidence in Aqua-zorb at Ashford Manor

Allan Tait has been Course Manager for just over three years and has certainly helped boost the club’s reputation throughout his tenure. However, like many others, the team at Ashford Manor are facing very testing conditions.

“Currently we are experiencing challenging conditions with drought and high heat stress which is making it very difficult to produce high quality surfaces.”

Matters aren’t helped by the fact that the course is extremely dry having been built predominately on sand and stone. Therefore, Allan ensures that he is always one-step ahead.

“I am a great believer that the work we do through the winter will help us maximise the results throughout the summer,” he said. “During the colder months we frequently aerate and make certain that the water is deep into the profile, so we can keep it there for the summer months. We do adhere to a solid cultural regime and that goes hand in hand with the products we use – and one which has been key for us has been Aqua-Zorb liquid.

Aqua-Zorb liquid from Agrovista Amenity, is a concentrated non-ionic turf wetting agent that will enable water to move faster and deeper into the soil profile. One application can last all season and it is renowned for treating the cause of Localised Dry Patch. Aqua-Zorb can also improve drainage, alleviate compaction, reduce the quantity of irrigation required, suppress the formation of dew and greatly improve the quality of the sward.

Allan had trialled Aqua-Zorb in his previous role and therefore had no hesitation in using the product after Joseph Dormer from Agrovista Amenity suggested integrating it into his maintenance programme.

“In my old job I trialled Aqua-Zorb on the tees, which were poorly irrigated, because I wanted to improve the presentation of them,” he said. “It made a massive difference and so I had a lot of confidence to bring it here at Ashford Manor and apply it to larger areas.”

Due to the longevity of the product, Allan applies Aqua-Zorb liquid early in February/March at a rate of 50 L/ha. “We irrigate and combine it with rainfall to fully wet the profile – this reduces any hydrophobic conditions and ensures even moisture distribution all the way through,” he added.

“Aqua-Zorb is a fantastic product and since using it we are seeing very little dry patch, and when for instance, we are hand watering we are not seeing any beading on the surface – the water is going exactly where we want it to go. We also have less fairy ring activity, and generally the areas that are treated look a lot more solid and uniform.

“What has been really evident is the areas that have been treated and the ones that have not been treated. I am over the moon with the quality of turf we are producing and am still seeing the benefits of Aqua-Zorb in these really dry conditions.”

Allan applies Aqua-Zorb to most areas of the course, but it is the fairways that have received the most attention after a picture of them was posted on social media. Since then, many other greenkeepers have contacted both Allan and Agrovista Amenity to find out the secret behind the incredible fairways. However, the humble Allan refused to dwell on the attention and instead praised the working relationship between himself and Joseph.

“I’ve been using Agrovista products for fifteen years now and I have been working closely with Joseph for seven years,” he said. “He has been a greenkeeper in the past, so he understands where I am coming from. We have a good relationship and have very productive conversations.”

There is also a video with Joseph Dormer and the team from Singing Hills Golf Club which can be viewed by clicking here.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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AriensCo putting dealers in pole position

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AriensCo putting dealers in pole position: AriensCo, an industry leader in outdoor power equipment, will hold its annual dealer meeting at the legendary home of British motor racing, Silverstone on 8th September. The day will be led by the senior management team including Jochen Schneider, Executive Vice President of EMEAA and Darren Spencer, Vice President for EMEAA with all on-programme dealers for Ariens, Countax and Westwood invited.

The meeting’s theme is Pole Position and will showcase AriensCo’s new products, people and support which will put AriensCo and its dealers in pole position for the new season, and future seasons to come.

AriensCo putting dealers in pole position

AriensCo putting dealers in pole position

The annual event will give dealers the chance to learn about the exciting news for 2023 including AriensCo’s ever expanding range of petrol and battery powered zero-turns and a new commercial brand, joining the AriensCo family.

The meeting will also give dealers the chance to discover new systems that will help market their dealerships and encourage growth and Ariens Academy – a programme to educate and train dealers on its products.

This will be the first in-person dealer meeting since 2019 where, due to Covid-19 restrictions, AriensCo had to hold virtual meetings and smaller roadshows. However, despite Covid-19, AriensCo didn’t take its foot off the pedal. In fact, AriensCo continued to invest in all areas of operations, fuelling impressive growth in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Darren Spencer, Vice President for EMEAA is excited to finally meet dealers face to face, “While our virtual meetings and roadshow helped us through tough times, I can’t wait to see all of our dealers again in person. We’ve been working hard to deliver on new products, partnerships and systems that are going to put us and our dealers in pole position now, and in the future.”

If you’re interested in becoming an AriensCo dealer or you’d like more information, please contact: marketingdepartment@ariensco.com

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GPS sprayer leads step change in philosophy

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GPS sprayer leads step change in philosophy: A major overhaul of equipment and the adoption of cutting-edge technology is driving a new, long-term strategy at The Leicestershire Golf Club (TLGC).

Led by Course Manager, Steve Hardy, and backed up by the club’s management committee, the grounds team is now able to perform their roles to a higher level while also making significant efficiency gains.

Steve only took over the role in July 2021, joining TLGC from The Warwickshire where he was Assistant Course Manager.

It took him just a few months to oversee a transformation of the club’s machinery shed which he says is already having a significant impact on how the course plays, and how the club is run.

Out has gone the aging machinery which was costing the club tens of thousands of pounds every year in repairs and maintenance.

In its place has come a fleet of new John Deere kit which Steve says is saving time and money while also giving the team the tools to do the best job possible.

“When I came in, I wanted to make improvements but there were lots of issues that needed resolving so it was a case of prioritising,” Steve said.

“The machinery fleet was old and inefficient – breakdowns were happening all the time and it was taking days to get the parts to be back up and running.

“The team was spending hours cutting the course and it still wasn’t looking the best it could because the tools they were using were letting them down.”

Steve proposed sweeping changes. Within weeks he had organised demonstrations with major brands of the mowers, sprayers and utility vehicles he felt the club needed.

“The club was moving from purchasing machinery and hoping it would last for 20 years to a five to seven-year strategy so, financially, it’s been a big ask for them,” he said.

“But the communication between us and the members was good. The old budget meant the money we had wasn’t enough to do some basic maintenance or buy the necessary amount of fertiliser we need.

“We brought the committee down to the shed and showed them the old machinery next to the new stuff and it was a no-brainer. The club wanted a plan with no surprises and this is what they now have.”

Working with Jacob Shellis from John Deere dealer Farol, Steve ordered four 2750 Precision Cut greens mowers, two 7500A fairway mowers, a 9009 Terrain Cut for roughs and surrounds, and a HPX Gator for picking up on the driving range and general course transport.

But the stand-out purchase for Steve is the HD200 GPS precision sprayer which has revolutionised the way the team applies herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers.

The 757-litre capacity PrecisionSprayer is based on Deere’s ProGator heavy-duty utility vehicle chassis and is packed full of technology such as AutoTrac, which guides the machine for the operator, and automatic section control to turn on and shut off individual nozzles.

This means spraying greens becomes far more accurate as there is no overlap or non-target areas sprayed with expensive chemicals.

Steve estimates that he is now spraying at least 30% less chemical, purely due to the accuracy of the machine – his chemical budget for disease control has already been reduced to reflect the change.

“The sprayer is getting a huge amount of use. Just on greens, we’re spraying once a week with a wetting agent, a fertiliser, or a growth regulator,” he said. “In peak season it will be out working most days.

“Previously the job was contracted out so we were bound by the weather and the availability of someone to come and do the job. Now, if we get a gap, we can go out whenever the conditions are right.

“This is our first year using the sprayer and compared to other clubs in the area we came out pretty clean. A lot of that will be down to good planning but the chemical going down at exactly the right rate in exactly the right place has to have had an effect too.”

Alongside accuracy and convenience, Steve says he appreciates the time saving.

“Using automated spraying records is great,” he said. “They are generated as soon as a task has been completed.

“With the option of downloading them immediately from your iPhone, this takes a lot of time away from the admin side of things and ensures complete compliance.”

All the new machines are fitted with Modular Telematics Gateways (MTG) receivers, allowing Steve to track the status and performance of each model. The fully connected fleet is also remotely monitored by Farol so, when scheduled maintenance is required, TLGC is contacted without needing to act.

The information is fed to the John Deere Operations Center and so far, shows a great step forward in efficiency.

Steve said: “By allocating tasks from a computer or phone to each operator on a machine, they just go from job to job which has cut idle time down to below 6%.

“We are able to share all this information with the club, so they know exactly what’s going on among the greenkeeping team.”

The six-strong team of greenkeepers are happy with their new tools, and the two trained sprayer operators have adopted the technology quickly.

Steve said: “There is plenty more to be getting on with here but the new machinery is a huge step forward. The committee is very proud of it and my team is very happy.

“This has solved the problems we faced in the main season and now we can move on to our next priority, which is irrigation.”

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ISEKI is brilliant in Bradwell

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ISEKI is brilliant in Bradwell: A volunteer who is passionate about helping his local sports club has revealed how an ISEKI compact tractor is significantly improving the standard of pitches.  

The picturesque village of Bradwell in Milton Keynes boasts successful football and cricket teams and both sports are played at the Bradwell Sports & Social Club. Until recently, the Bradwell teams had no control over the condition of the pitches as David Keene – Old Bradwell United FC’s Manager, Groundsman AND Chairman explains:

ISEKI is brilliant in Bradwell

ISEKI is brilliant in Bradwell

“We were at the mercy of the parish council who carried out the groundwork on the football and cricket pitches, and they did it at their convenience, but it wasn’t always convenient for us.

“It got to the point where our pitch was deemed poor by the Football Association and as a result, we secured some funding through a Football Foundation grant. This finally enabled us to purchase our own machinery so that we could maintain the pitches ourselves.

“Our local dealer, RT Machinery, recommended some tractors and specifically the ISEKI TM3267. We found that during the demonstration, the ISEKI tractor was the best within our budget.”

The ISEKI TM3267 compact tractor is a versatile 25hp diesel compact tractor with a F8/R8 mechanical transmission. The ISO-mounted operator’s platform combined with ergonomically positioned controls ensures operator comfort during extended working periods. The 3-point linkage has a lift capacity of 600kg or 800kg when fitted with the high-capacity lift kit.

It also features, as standard, a rear-PTO, two double acting valves, mid-PTO, two double-acting auxiliary valves, weight frame and a choice of AG or Turf tyres. The TM3267 is available with an optional front loader. Should you ave any other questions please give me a call, included do

Further benefits include:

  • Excellent performance coupled with high efficiency
  • ISO mounted operator platform for reduced noise and vibration
  • Power: 18.9 kW (25.3 hp)
  • Drive System: Mechanical or HST

David was quick to stress the importance of the ISEKI TM3267 being user friendly and explained how it has helped to improve the pitches.

“I’m not a mechanically minded person – I work in an office,” he said. “I have absolutely no problems using the ISEKI tractor – which tells you how easy it is to use. Swapping the mower and other attachments is very straightforward. No preparation is needed – it is simply a case of getting onto it and then start using it.

“We use it specifically for the football pitch and the cricket outfield,” continued David. “We will attach the mower to it predominantly in the dry months, and we then we attach a SISIS Quadraplay (a mounted frame which allows for up to four implements) to it in the winter months to break up compaction and allow for drainage. Since we have been using it the quality of the pitches have improved no end.

“I would recommend the TM3267 to any sports club who are looking to take control of their own ground maintenance. Essentially, any club – from grass roots to semi-professional – would benefit from this.”

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Mega Twister blows in new era

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Mega Twister blows in new era: Buchanan Castle Golf Club, at Drymen, is within touching distance of Loch Lomond. Twenty miles from both Glasgow and Stirling, the parkland course, designed by the legendary James Braid, lies in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands.

At the start of summer, Buchanan Castle’s well known head greenkeeper, Ronnie Myles, retired after 15 years, and his role has been taken up by two joint Head Greenkeepers, Chris Prior and James Macdonald.

Mega Twister blows in new era

Mega Twister blows in new era

Chris and James have been with the club for 3 years and 4 years, respectively. They share a commitment to present the best course they can for members and visitors all year round.

“Communication is key and, so far, we’re into a good system,” said Chris. “We discuss and agree priorities and projects well ahead. Every morning, first thing, we confirm that day’s tasks.”

“We know what the other is working on,” continued James. “When things change, we keep in touch.”

One of their first decisions was the purchase of a Wiedenmann Mega Twister blower from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Inchinnan, Renfrew, when their existing blower started to fail. The Mega Twister offers a 390 m³/minute capacity and a 230° swivel action.

Buchanan Castle’s team of five normally cut grass across the whole course on Mondays and Thursdays during the season, using a blower to tidy loose clippings from the surface.

“This blower has everything we were looking for,” said James. “It’s turning circle comes in very handy. Getting in and around greens and bunkers is a whole lot easier. With our earlier blower you had to drive over greens to blow cuttings and debris out of play. This has extra power, in-cab hydraulic controls and easy rotation. You can park up in one spot yet still achieve more. Making fewer tractor movements ultimately is kinder to the turf and quicker.  The Mega Twister has been here less than a fortnight but already we are saving lots of time on the fairways alone.”

The Mega Twister is the second Wiedenmann machine in the club’s fleet.

“Last season, we purchased a Super 500 primarily for leaf collection,” continued Chris. “When you have as many leaves as we do, there comes a point where collecting them is the only way. Last year the old blower blew leaves into sections and the Super 500 lifted them. That made a real difference. Come this autumn when the leaves start to fall, the Mega Twister and the Super 500 combined, will make the whole operation easier and faster still.”

Fairways GM’s Stuart Cameron, said: “The continuous airflow on the Mega Twister is powerful enough to shift leaves and debris effectively across wide areas, even while damp.

“With the hydraulic ram option, the operator in the cab can adjust the nozzle height up and down as well as from side to side, letting you react to conditions. With all that swivel going on there’s no need to back up or stop. The goose neck nozzle which Chris and James chose, provides even more precision.  The support wheels also protect the turf. It’s a topflight blower.”

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