Tag Archive for: In

Al Zorah Invests in Sustainable Toro Technology

Al Zorah Invests in Sustainable Toro Technology: Al Zorah Golf Club, a Troon-managed facility, has made a significant advancement in its sustainability efforts with the acquisition of cutting-edge Toro battery-powered equipment, as part of an extensive three-year replacement initiative.

This strategic investment highlights the club’s commitment to upholding world-class playing conditions while prioritizing environmentally responsible practices.

Al Zorah Invests in Sustainable Toro Technology

Al Zorah Invests in Sustainable Toro Technology

The newly acquired equipment includes the Toro Greensmaster eTriflex 3370 and the Toro Workman GTX Lithium, both designed with the latest advancements in eco-friendly and efficient technology. These state-of-the-art machines will play a pivotal role in elevating the maintenance standards of Al Zorah Golf Club, ensuring superior turf quality with minimal environmental impact. Additionally, the order from Toro distributor Delta Turf Care encompasses fairway mowers, rough mowers, heavy-duty utility vehicles, and the Toro ProCore, further enhancing the club’s capabilities.

Al Zorah Golf Club leads the charge in sustainability, becoming the first golf course in this region to utilize the fully electric Toro Greensmaster eTriflex 3370 for mowing greens, setting a new benchmark in eco-friendly golf course management.

“At Al Zorah Golf Club, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our investment in Toro’s advanced, energy-efficient technology reflects our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint while maintaining the highest standards of course conditioning,” said Terrance Mohamed, Golf Course Superintendent at Al Zorah Golf Club. “We are thrilled that Delta Turf Care and The Toro Company have not only provided us with world-class equipment but also exceeded our expectations by delivering the equipment ahead of schedule.”

The Toro Workman GTX Lithium and Toro Greensmaster eTriflex 3370, powered by lithium-ion battery technology, embody Al Zorah Golf Club’s vision for reducing emissions. Meanwhile, the precision-engineered Toro Reelmaster 3575 ensures exceptional playing surfaces while minimizing environmental impact.

“Delta Turf Care is proud to support Al Zorah Golf Club in its pursuit of sustainability,” said Marinus Koekemoer, Regional Manager at Delta Turf Care. “Our team worked diligently to deliver this fleet ahead of schedule, allowing Al Zorah to enhance its operations and reinforce its position as a leader in eco-conscious golf course management.”

This collaboration highlights the shared vision of Delta Turf Care and Al Zorah Golf Club—a future where innovation and sustainability drive success in the golf industry.

For more information about Delta Turf Care’s range of Toro machinery, please visit www.DeltaTurfCare.com.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Salsco plays pivotal ‘roll’ in retaining post-Open standards

Salsco plays pivotal ‘roll’ in retaining post-Open standards: From the moment James Bledge took over as Links Manager at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, it was all eyes on preparation for the 151st Open Championship.

From the moment Brian Harman lifted the Claret Jug in July 2023, the focus changed onto how to retain the top-level presentation and play for members to enjoy! Part of solving that equation has been a Salsco HP11-III roller which is delivering unparalleled productivity and unprecedented progression in greens speed.

Salsco plays pivotal ‘roll’ in retaining post-Open standards

Salsco plays pivotal ‘roll’ in retaining post-Open standards

James first came across Salsco rollers in his previous role at Royal Cinque Ports and, while rolling didn’t play a major part in preparations for the Open, he knew it was the solution to retaining standards. “Hand cutting again and again is the way to go when resources are high, however, when you only have five staff in on a Saturday morning and you’re trying to recreate similar conditions for people travelling hundreds of miles to play the course, it’s simply not feasible. The HP11-III with three wide rollers allows us to deliver the greens to an incredibly high standard and has been pivotal to retaining the post-Open ‘buzz’.”

The Salsco HP11-III roller features three oscillating rollers which articulate to guarantee 100% roll to ground contact. With a combined rolling width of 73” and an almost 11mph ground speed, it delivers efficiency and quality with every roll, on every terrain. “We’ll use the Salsco two or three times during the week and after mowing ahead of weekend competitions for that extra bit of greens speed. We also roll throughout the winter instead of cutting to retain presentation and minimise plant stress” James explains.

“In terms of operation, it’s the comfiest roller on the market in my opinion. Because of the mounted brush system, it’s also the cleanest, dispersing any debris pick-up meaning we can use it after sand-dressing, verti-cutting and grooming operations. It’s gone from being a two-person job, to a one-person job.”

He adds, “There’s also evidence to suggest rolling can reduce the impact of Dollar Spot so, in conjunction with careful nutritional management, we’ve been rolling prone areas to remove moisture and create conditions less conducive to the disease.”

James also had good things to say about the service received from the importers Lister Wilder, having used them at his previous club. “They have always been a good company to work alongside – at the end of the phone if we ever need anything and with the right support and answers to any questions we may have.”

For more information on the self-propelled Salsco roller range, available exclusively in the UK via Lister Wilder, visit salscorollers.co.uk 

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Green-tech Shortlisted in Pro Landscaper Business Awards

Green-tech Shortlisted in Pro Landscaper Business Awards: Green-tech, the UK’s leading supplier of landscaping and forestry products, is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted in the prestigious Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2025.

Green-tech has been recognised in the highly competitive ‘Supplier and Service Provider of the Year’ category, which highlights the company’s continued commitment to excellence within the industry.

Green-tech Shortlisted in Pro Landscaper Business Awards

Green-tech Shortlisted in Pro Landscaper Business Awards

The Pro Landscaper Business Awards have firmly established themselves as the leading industry awards, celebrating the business successes of organisations driving excellence within the UK’s landscaping sector. Now in its eighth year, the awards continue to set the benchmark for industry achievement, attracting a record number of high-calibre entries. Green-tech’s inclusion on this year’s shortlist reflects its outstanding performance and dedication to delivering exceptional products and services.

A judging panel of industry professionals will review Green-tech’s submission alongside the other shortlisted entries, and the winner will be announced at a celebratory awards ceremony on Friday, April 25th, 2025.

Kris Nellist, Green-tech’s Managing Director, declares, “I am incredibly proud to be shortlisted for this award. Green-tech is committed to providing exceptional products and services to the landscaping industry, and this recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. We look forward to the awards ceremony and celebrating the achievements of all the finalists.”

To achieve this shortlisting, Green-tech demonstrated excellence across key criteria, including financial stability, a commitment to staff training and development, innovation within its product range, outstanding customer satisfaction, and strong sustainability practices. The company’s dedication to environmental responsibility and continued investment in industry-leading solutions reinforce its position as a trusted and influential supplier.

Green-tech’s extensive product range supports professionals across the industry, offering solutions for tree planting, urban landscaping, ground reinforcement, soil and growing media, erosion control, biodiversity and beyond.

Green-tech congratulates all the other shortlisted companies and looks forward to an exciting awards event.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025: The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) has issued a warning about anticipated price increases for turf products in 2025.

Following another year of challenging weather conditions and ever increasing operational costs, TGA members have reported mounting pressures that will inevitably drive up the overall cost of production, and therefore the sale price of turf.

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

This continues a trend in recent years, as the industry grapples with the ongoing effects of extreme and variable weather patterns. In 2024, further widespread wet weather, increased disease management programmes, and in many cases the legacy of the previous winter’s adverse weather have once again driven up production costs across the whole supply chain.

Impact of National Insurance Contribution Changes

Adding to these challenges, the government’s increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, effective from April 2025, will significantly affect turfgrass producers. Contributions are set to rise from 13.8% to 15%, while the threshold at which employers begin paying contributions will drop from £9,100 to £5,000. These changes will substantially increase payroll costs for labour-intensive industries including turfgrass production.

Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, commented: “2024 was another particularly challenging year for the turfgrass industry. Alongside continued weather-related disruptions and increasing operational costs, government-mandated fiscal changes are adding further pressures. Price adjustments are essential to ensure the industry’s viability and ability to meet future demand.”

Building on Previous Challenges

The anticipated price rises for 2025 build on the challenges highlighted at the start of 2024, when the TGA warned of price increases driven by extreme weather, rising fertiliser and fuel costs, and supply chain issues.

Looking Ahead

The TGA remains committed to supporting its members by promoting best practices, advocating for industry needs, and exploring innovative solutions to mitigate future challenges. However, with the effects of climate change continuing to impact growing conditions and economic pressures mounting, the association urges stakeholders to anticipate price volatility and plan accordingly for upcoming projects.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Golf course switches brands in huge machinery overhaul

Golf course switches brands in huge machinery overhaul: One of the UK’s most revered golfing destinations, Woodhall Spa Golf Club, has completely overhauled its machinery fleet by switching brands to John Deere.

Technology, reliability and dealer service drove the decision for the home of England Golf to remove its existing machines and invest in new cutting units, Gator utility vehicles, GPS sprayers and a compact tractor.

Golf course switches brands in huge machinery overhaul

Golf course switches brands in huge machinery overhaul

Embracing cloud-based software, the greenkeeping team responsible for maintaining the iconic Hotchkin and Bracken courses will now use John Deere’s new Operations Centre PRO-Golf platform to allocate daily tasks, track input costs, schedule servicing and generate reports.

John Deere dealer Ripon Ground Care delivered the 26 pieces of machinery on 19 February and will now lead a programme of staff training and optimisation to ensure maximum efficiency and performance from the fleet.

Peter Moore, Course Director at Woodhall Spa Golf Club, said: “We were impressed with the build quality and the GPS technology during the intensive demonstration period. All the team were involved in the decision giving feedback on each item of equipment.”

The purchase has been structured by John Deere Financial, allowing the club to spread payments while it also invests a new clubhouse and facilities.

“The flexible finance option presented to us allowed us to maximise our budget and deliver a payment schedule that suited our business,” Peter added.

Woodhall Spa Golf Club is close to Lincoln and boasts two 18-hole championship courses, one of which – Hotchkin – ranks 58th best in the world.

Greens and tees will now be cut with 2750E riding mowers and 260SL walk-behinds, while fairways will be maintained by four 6700A E-cuts.

A total of 10 electric and diesel gators will be used for transporting staff and materials around the course, and two satellite-steered HD200 precision sprayers will take care of weeds and diseases with unrivalled accuracy.

A 4066R compact tractor is on hand for heavy work and towing.

Chris Meacock, John Deere Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf, said: “With a fully connected fleet the team at Woodhall Spa will not only see the benefit of the latest technology on our cutting units and sprayer, but will also be able to account for every second of machinery use.

“This brings a whole new dimension to course management resulting in greater efficiency and accuracy for the whole operation.”

Scott Trestrail, Area Sales Manager at Ripon Ground Care, said: “It’s great that Woodhall Spa Golf Club recognises the whole package available, from seamless equipment integration, cutting-edge technology plus the reliability and back-up. We look forward to working with and supporting the club going forwards.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.