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SSS1000 The Solution In Seattle

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SSS1000 The Solution In Seattle: Three SISIS SSS1000 tractor mounted rotary brush sweepers were recently purchased by Sergio Pedroza, the Fields & Grounds Manager at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Seattle, and significant improvements have been reported since using them on both the indoor synthetic surface and outdoor natural surface.

The Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) is an impressive 200,000 square foot waterfront facility and boasts a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility as well as three outdoor practice fields. It is also open all year round to members of the public meaning that loyal fans can watch their favourite teams take to the field.

SSS1000 The Solution In Seattle

With the indoor practice field experiencing high usage, combined with the added pressure of the facility being open to the public eye, Sergio wanted to improve the condition of the synthetic surface. After some initial research, he found the solution in the form of the SISIS SSS1000.

“I first heard about this product through online research and recommendations from Pacific Golf & Turf and CS Trading LLC. I knew that Dennis and SISIS are renowned for manufacturing popular sports turf maintenance machinery in the UK and that more and more people over here in the States are starting to use them. After seeing the product on a demonstration and finding out more about the company, it soon became obvious that they have very specialised equipment for sports turf that works incredibly well,” he said.

The SISIS SSS1000 is a tractor mounted sweeper which can be pulled by any machine. The rotary brush has been designed for use on synthetic surfaces to remove surface debris, lift the carpet pile and redistribute sand or rubber crumb infill giving the surface maximum performance and extended life.

There are no tools required for the adjustment of the brush or the angle of the draw bar and to make storage easy the draw bar lifts to an upright position. With an aluminium hopper with stainless steel mesh, any infill that is collected when using the machine is returned back to the surface leaving it free from contamination of debris.

SSS1000 The Solution In Seattle

Sergio relies on the SSS1000 immediately after every field use and believes that the product has taken the surface to the next level.

“I would highly recommend the SISIS SSS1000 – it has been very beneficial to our day-to-day operations and has helped us in many ways. In particular I like the wide tyres, the spiral brush and its ease of adjustment. It cleans debris exceptionally well and is far quicker than the previous sweeper we were using. This product now means it is just a one-man job so it allows the other members of staff to focus on other tasks.”

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

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Taking Pride In Your Work

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Taking Pride In Your Work: “Taking pride in what you do.” This was the closing message in an address given to the UK Lawncare Network conference by Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum. He said ‘For too long the excellent work in our sector maintaining amenity surfaces has been under recognised. What is done every day keeps Britain moving, through weed control of our road and rail networks, our sports surfaces, our gardens and lawns and more. In many ways, Britain sets the standard and it is important that we shout about this a little more’. 

John was asked to give the opening address when he addressed the topic of ‘Policy change – promoting best practice, responding to the change and communicating the importance of what we do’

Taking Pride In Your Work

The Amenity Forum is once again running a series of free Updating Events at venues across the UK. This series of free Updating Events seeks to address topical issues of interest and relevance to all involved in the amenity sector and will comprise short presentations by speakers drawn from the Chemicals Regulation Division of HSE, BASIS Registration, the National Sprayer Testing Service, STRI, the various host organisations and from the Amenity Forum itself. They are timed to occupy half a day, normally mornings, and on dates between February and April 2018.

The series has been given the title of ‘Meeting the challenge’ and there will be adequate time for questions and discussion. Whilst the events are free, delegates are required to register in advance. There is sure to be a venue near you and so if you require further information, please email admin@amenityforum.net. These have proved extremely popular events in previous years and have been very well received.

Locations and dates confirmed are:

Belfast 8th February
Peterborough 15th February
Wales 20th February
Stoneleigh 6th March
Pontefract 1st March
London 14th March
Reading 21st March
Essex 22nd March
Edinburgh 10th April
Darlington 11th April
Devon 19th April

This year there will also be three events within the programme especially designed for grounds staff and greenkeepers and hosted by Forum members, IOG and BIGGA. Dates and venues are yet to be confirmed but will take place at locations in the North, Midlands and South. If you wish to register interest for these again contact admin@amenityforum.net

Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum, said ‘’We offer these events as a convenient way for those involved in, or with an interest in, amenity to keep updated on current issues. The locations are spread across the UK and we are especially grateful to member organisations for providing venues and our speakers and supporters which make it all possible’’

The Forum has also announced the date for its popular annual conference and exhibition. In 2018 it will be held once again at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, on Tuesday, October 11th. The conference will be entitled ‘Change, challenge and opportunity’

For more information, visit: www.amenityforum.co.uk

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SIS Pitches Project In Manadon

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SIS Pitches Project In Manadon: SIS Pitches have announced a substantial new re-surfacing project taking place in Manadon, Plymouth.

The process commenced at the beginning of January and will see refurbishment of the existing sand based hockey surface, which will be replaced with SISTurf Soccer Pro60-meeting FIFA Quality Pro requirements. In addition, comprehensive fencing, floodlighting and surface extension works will be carried out, with the developments forming a new full size synthetic turf football pitch.

SIS Pitches Project In Manadon

A period of 8 calendar weeks was agreed in order for the completion of the project.

The project is the latest re-surfacing development carried out by SIS Pitches, following previous successes in the area at Ottery St Mary Leisure Centre and BH Live Littledown Leisure Centre.

The Manadon works represent part of a wider football, cricket and outdoor sports centre scheme led by the Argyle Community Trust and Plymouth City Council. The project is funded by the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund, Sport England and the England and Wales Cricket Board, alongside contributions from the Council and the Trust. These works form one of a series of refurbishments to grassroots sports facilities, in order to improve the quality and experience of taking part in sport.

Simon Mroczek, UK Operations Director at SIS Pitches, feels the project represents a positive step for the city moving forwards: –

‘We are very pleased to be working on this project alongside the Argyle Community Trust and Plymouth City Council. The completed works will benefit not only the local community but also the city as a whole, providing a top-quality facility that the everyone can enjoy.’

SIS Pitches is a world-leader in the design, manufacture, construction, installation and maintenance of sports surfaces, and is a FIFA licensee, World Rugby preferred turf producer and certified FIH manufacturer.

SIS Pitches is a part of a framework agreement to provide the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of artificial grass pitches. The agreement is in support of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Football Association (FA), Sport England, England Hockey and Football Foundation (FF) capital investment programmes.

As part of ongoing innovation successes, SISGrass hybrid surface technology, developed by SIS Pitches, has been selected for 6 of the 12 2018 football World Cup pitches, including the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow-host of the opening and final matches of the tournament.

For more information, visit: www.sispitches.com

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Golf Club In Top Condition

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Golf Club In Top Condition: Finley Golf Club is being kept in top condition, all thanks to its dedicated volunteers.

When visitors arrive at the course, it doesn’t take long to understand why the club is considered among the best courses in the Murray River region.

Golf Club In Top Condition

Finley Golf Club captain Rand Wilson described it as one of the Murray’s best kept secrets.

‘‘I’ve spoken to tourists from the USA and UK who say they’re shocked a town the size of Finley has a golf course and they’re just as shocked with the beautiful condition the course is in,’’ he said.

‘‘We have over 160 members and they all volunteer their time.

‘‘The only paid employees we have are part time bar staff and full time greenkeeper.

‘‘Our motto is ‘the friendly club’ so it’s natural for our members to help out when they can.’’

One of the club’s longest serving volunteers Pam Angove said without the dedication of the the volunteers the club wouldn’t survive.

‘‘The golf club is a great asset for our town and to lose it would be devastating,’’ she said.

‘‘Our president Deb Pyke has managed to gain several grants to help upgrade our facilities such as the kitchen.

‘‘I love volunteering. Every time I come here I have such great fun helping out.’’

The course is under constant care from the greenkeeper and volunteers that help mow the lawns and clean up the course of tree branches and debris.

Maintenance volunteer Barry Wilson said the course is in the best condition it has been in.

‘‘A while ago work needed to be done and the many volunteers like to present a top quality course,’’ he said.

‘‘The course in the last month has been in top condition.

‘‘Trees have been pruned and you can see right through the entire course.

‘‘When we hosted the Riverina Ladies Golf Association Championship we had constant positive feedback of players who want to come back because they admire such a great course.

‘‘Finley should be proud of its golf club.’

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Reesink Expands In Scotland

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Reesink Expands In Scotland: Reesink Turfcare’s service branch in Livingston, Scotland is continuing to expand with the appointment of a new sales representative, Daniel Tomberry.

Daniel brings over a decade’s experience in sports turf to his sales role at Reesink’s Livingston branch, which goes from strength to strength in its second year, and working with golf clubs in Glasgow and south west Scotland.

Reesink Expands In Scotland

Daniel says of his new role: “For years, the idea of having a sales role in the industry has really appealed to me and I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity. This position at Reesink was what I was waiting for.”

Daniel has a broad range of experience in the sports turf industry: “By working my way up from apprentice greenkeeper at a prestigious Scottish golf club to head groundsman at East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, I’ve gained a wide range of industry knowledge which I believe will serve me well in this new role.

“This practical knowledge will enable me to relate to customers, understand what they want to achieve, and know which products will best suit their needs.”

Regional manager for Scotland and north England, George MacDonald, explains why he hired Daniel: “Daniel has a great deal of experience in the industry and has worked with Toro machinery for many years. He respects the brand, is professional, articulate and enthusiastic.

“With all of this going for him, I have no doubts that Daniel is going to excel in his new position and be of great help to customers in the south west of Scotland,” George concludes.

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Golf Club Ends 2017 In Style

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Golf Club Ends 2017 In Style: Modry Las Golf Club has ended the year in style after picking up a top award at a gala evening which celebrated the very best of international golf tourism. The West Pomerania Gary Player-designed course was named Poland’s best golf course at the World Golf Awards in Spain after a series of exciting developments at the resort and a bumper year on the course.

It is the latest in a line of awards secured by Modry Las since it was officially opened by Player in 2009. Earlier this year Modry Las received one of Poland’s top honours for its nine-hole championship course in miniature; Orli Las. This latest accolade from the World Golf Awards points towards ongoing improvements that have been supported by an internationally recognised design.

Golf Club Ends 2017 In Style

“Over the last eight years, Modry Las has been on a journey which has been underpinned by Gary Player’s fabulous design,” said Arthur Gromadzki, chairman of Modry Las. “That has been the foundation on which we have grown the resort. We have used the momentum created by Mr Player’s fantastic layout to develop the resort through on-site accommodation options, property opportunities and our wonderful nine-hole course. Modry Las has grown into an internationally recognised resort, but it all began with his vision.”

As Chris Frost, managing director of the World Golf Awards, noted, this latest honour confirms worldwide recognition for the resort. “Well-deserved congratulations to Modry Las on its success at the 2017 World Golf Awards,” he said. “Poland’s Best Golf Course is a prestigious international award that places Modry Las firmly at the top of the golf tourism industry.”
As well as picking up awards, Modry Las has also seen substantial increases in the number of rounds played, especially by visiting golfers. For instance, the number of green fees sold grew by a healthy 22% in 2017 while the number of rounds played as part of a stay-and-play package soared by 73%.

The impetus generated by the 18-hole signature course at Modry Las shows no sign of slowing down, especially during 2018 which is set to be another decisive year for the Polish resort. “The progress made at Modry Las has been significant and has resulted in us welcoming more golfers to play our courses,” continued Gromadzki. “Nonetheless, I am particularly looking forward to 2018 and the opening of our clubhouse. This is the next stage in the evolution of Modry Las and a pivotal point in its development.”

The clubhouse is due to open during the summer of 2018 and will act as a focal point for members, visitors and corporate clients with spacious reception areas and panoramic views. A sports bar, lounge areas, extensive changing facilities and a specialist golf boutique will elevate service levels once again, while 11 luxurious guest suites will provide additional accommodation just yards from the first tee and last green.

The contemporary country lodge will include an indoor golf practice studio, private-dining room as well as a 70-cover restaurant and terrace featuring international cuisine served with the best of Polish hospitality.

“This exciting project has been in the pipeline for a number of years,” said Gromadzki. “We wanted to get the feel of the place just right so that members and guests would feel at home, but also indulged. Our temporary clubhouse has been a great asset, but the new clubhouse will take the experience at Modry Las to another level.”

A number of smaller, but no-less important projects have preceded the clubhouse development, including the installation of a dedicated Tesla charging station at the West Pomeranian resort, which is now part of the Tesla Destination Programme. Elsewhere, the resort’s facilities have been photographed by award-winning photographer Mark Alexander who has not only captured the beauty of the championship course but has also taken the first images of the highly-anticipated clubhouse.

“It is always a great privilege to photograph Modry Las,” said Alexander. “The course has matured well and is looking terrific. The new clubhouse provides a fantastic backdrop to the closing hole, which was part of this year’s brief.”

Gromadzki agreed. “The photography taken by Mark has been viewed around the world, and I think his new set of images will generate even greater interest in Modry Las. In particular, he has used the light to capture views of the course that have never been seen before and reveal for the first time the new clubhouse.”

For more information, visit: www.modrylas.pl

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Newcastle Receive Best Pitch In 15 years With MJ Abbott

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Newcastle United Football Club Receive Best Pitch in 15 years, working with MJ Abbott: Newcastle United’s stadium manager, Eddie Rutherford, has hailed the new SIS Grass pitch at St James’ Park, installed by MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches, as the best in his 16-years at the club.

St James’ Park sits in the centre of Newcastle as a monument to football, with progress being made under Rafael Benitez after bouncing back from The Championship at the first time of asking in 2016/17.

Newcastle Receive Best Pitch In 15 years With MJ Abbott

Results on the new pitch have been promising through to the end of October, seeing three wins, a draw and one loss, but the decision to install a new irrigation system and playing surface was taken at short notice and required swift planning and cohesive team work between MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches, with the result delighting Eddie and the club.

“We are extremely happy with the pitch, it’s played really well,” Eddie said. “It’s probably the best the pitch has been since I’ve been here, and I know it hasn’t gone through the winter period yet but at the same stage in the last 15-years it hasn’t been any better.

“We did the job at very short notice. We decided to put the SIS Grass pitch in with only four weeks’ notice, so considering the time they had to get everything organised and put in place I couldn’t fault them.

“My only worry was that when you put two companies together, will they work well together. But they were both spot on throughout the project. When one is getting towards the end the other needs to be ready and mobilised and that worked really well, it couldn’t have worked any better.

“MJ Abbott come as a partnership with Premier Pitches when installing SIS Grass pitches. Premier Pitches have done a lot of work in the past with us and do our end of season renovations, but I know MJ Abbott are good contractor so I was quite happy to work with the two combined”

Nathan George, Contracts Manager at MJ Abbott explained “The project comprised removing the existing fibre sand surface down to a suitable depth as to expose the existing drainage slits. This operation had to be very carefully completed as to not destroy the integrity of the retained drainage.”

“A new fully automatic pitch irrigation system was installed and an imported rootzone laid to re-establish the original pitch levels. Premier Pitches completed the preparation and seeding of the new pitch, which delivered the project a week ahead of the proposed programme”

“The SISGRASS stitching was installed following grass establishment, a process that took 7 days”

The quick planning required for the project was helped by Premier Pitches’ experience at the city centre venue, and director, Russell Latham, commended the work of the design team in the build-up to the start date.

“The design team needs to work well together from the outset, especially on this project because of the time scale, but more importantly the men on the ground need to work in harmony from start to finish.

“Newcastle United have been a long-standing client of Premier Pitches so the pitfalls of working at a city centre Premier League stadium were well known. Nevertheless, without the rigorous planning and logistics from the outset things still could have gone wrong.

“The logistics of plant deliveries, material removal and material deliveries all had to be scheduled to the second to ensure that the project ran smoothly.

“We have worked with MJ Abbott on our prestigious pitch construction projects for over five years now. Their efficient and meticulous way of approaching a product from design and planning to delivery is everything that our key clients want to see but it doesn’t stop there. The back-up and support and knowledge is second to none.”

For more information, visit: www.mjabbott.co.uk

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Oxford United Groundsman On A Career In Grass

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Pitch perfect: Oxford United’s groundsman on a career in grass: There is a sign stuck to the whiteboard behind Paul Currier’s desk which reads ‘Every day is a holiday for a man who loves his job’.

Five minutes with the head groundsman at Oxford United is enough to know it is not a hollow statement.

Oxford United Groundsman On A Career In Grass

Currier, 58, is in the 40th year of a career which has taken him from school pitches to a host of Football League clubs – including tomorrow’s opponents Northampton Town – via a spell tending the lawns at Northamptonshire Police’s headquarters.

For someone who is quick to admit he was not the most academic at school, it has been quite a journey.

“I’ve always had this philosophy that if you get up in the morning and can’t wait to get to work then you’re enjoying your job,” Currier says, leaning back on a desk chair in his office, tucked under the East Stand.

“You’ve got to be dedicated. It can be seven days a week, it can be 12 hours a day and it’s not one of the best paid jobs in the world.

“But I’m passionate about my football and I’m passionate about my grass.”

Those who look after pitches tend to have a gruff demeanour, forever barking at people to ‘keep off the pitch’.

 But then they have plenty to worry about.

Currier, who reckons he walks 15 miles on a matchday to prepare the pitch, said: “All groundsman are the same, we’re all classed as grumpy sods.

“You have to police it because otherwise everybody will go on.

“They’ll think ‘it looks all right, I’ll go on it’, but you don’t see the damage until Christmas, so you’ve got to keep the traffic to the minimum.

“I have a checklist that I do pre-match, everything’s done, but you’ve still got that worry at the back of your mind.

“You wince when players go into the back of the net and they pull themselves up with it. It just pings everything off.

“The worst nightmare for any groundsman is to be called on while the game is going on.”

Then there are pests and diseases to lose sleep over, but his main obsession is the weather.

Pitch technology has improved markedly in the last 20 years, with the Kassam Stadium among the increasing number of surfaces in the Football League to mix the grass with artificial fibres.

Currier, brought in when the pitch was completely relaid by GreenFields in 2015, checks the forecast every four hours in the winter months.

And here, the Kassam Stadium’s open western end can be either a benefit or a hindrance.

He said: “I’m pretty confident you won’t get a game called off here for waterlogging.

“Because the pitch is so wide open to wind, it can dry twice as quickly as anywhere else.

“You can get a downpour while you’re playing and it won’t affect it, barring the odd splash.

“Temperatures drop and there’s constant shade down one side – because of the South Stand – which is two degrees colder than the other side.”

While he is a West Bromwich Albion supporter, spending so much time at a club tends to create a bond.

But United have had a stronger pull than most, as the first club where he is invited into the manager’s office after games.

He said: “I’m lucky here at Oxford because they treat me as one of the team, there’s a good rapport with the managers.”

Given the expertise built up over four decades, you might presume Currier has a perfectly-tended lawn at home in Northamptonshire.

“No, mine’s artificial,” he grins.

“When I’m at work I’m constantly thinking about grass, so when I’m at home I just like to chill out and relax and go ‘I shan’t be cutting that today’.”

Even for a man who is always on holiday, there are limits.

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Polaris Judged Best In Show

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Polaris Judged Best In Show: The goal at the Kennel Club’s Emblehope and Burngrange estate in Northumberland is to create a Centre of Excellence for gundog training. It’s a long term project but when you look around it’s easy to see why the area has so much potential.

Bracken filled gullies, rough pasture, expansive wetlands and heather all contribute to offering training opportunities for gundogs of any age or stage. The estate has recently invested in two Polaris off-road vehicles, a Ranger 6 x 6 and Sportsman 570 ATV, supplied by authorised Polaris dealer Davies Tractors of Riding Mill, to help manage the beautiful moorland which stretches to around 7,550 acres. Emblehope is a busy, working hill farm with sheep and cattle.

It is also a site of Special Scientific Interest so it is important to minimise damage to the ground in maintaining the estate. A gamekeeper for over thirty years on a number of estates across Scotland, Raymond Holt, as full-time gamekeeper at Emblehope, has the task of ensuring this.

Polaris Judged Best In Show

“We needed a vehicle to carry loads across the estate without tracking and causing erosion,” he says. “Crates of partridges for release pens, pen sections, bags of feeding, water, people and dogs during training and competitive events – it’s all in the day’s work and we judged the Polaris Ranger  6 x 6 to be the best for what we do.”

The Ranger fulfils a lot of roles. It’s out at night on predator control, negotiating difficult terrain and going places even the quad can’t go, taking on steep gradients in the knowledge there is the comfort and safety of the cab. It boasts a powerful 40HP 800 twin engine with EFI for fast starts, 907 kg of towing capacity and a rear dump box capacity of 567kg. The Polaris Sportsman 570 on the other hand is used as an all-purpose vehicle for carrying smaller loads on quicker journeys around the estate.

“The Polaris is a brilliant quad,” says Raymond, “very capable with a big wide platform and very stable. We use it for feeding the pheasants – we have fitted a spinner on the back for broadcast feeding – and as a general patrol vehicle.”

As a Centre of Excellence for Working Dogs, Emblehope welcomes the full range of working dog activities such as Field Trials including Pointer and Setter Spring Stakes, gundog working tests and training days, live game training days and working trials through to shooting and gundog activities. The shooting estate offers pheasant and partridge shooting while the varied terrain and woodland cover offer opportunities for all breeds of gundog to demonstrate their natural working abilities.

Polaris Britain: 0800 915 6720 www.polaris-britain.com

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