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Agrovista Invests in Robotics & Expands Line Marking Team

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Agrovista Invests in Robotics & Expands Line Marking Team: Agrovista Amenity is enhancing its line marking capabilities with a major investment in robotic technology and key industry appointments.

As part of this strategy, the company has secured an exclusive partnership with XDC Autonomous Solutions for the distribution of the RM21 Combo Mower in the UK and Ireland. Alongside this, the appointment of David Mitchell as Line Marking Business Development Manager reinforces Agrovista Amenity’s commitment to innovation and expertise in the sector.

Agrovista Invests in Robotics & Expands Line Marking Team

Agrovista Invests in Robotics & Expands Line Marking Team

The RM21, distributed exclusively by XDC, is a game-changing piece of equipment that combines line marking and mowing in a single unit. Unlike traditional line marking robots or standalone mowers, the RM21 can autonomously cut and mark a pitch. Its modular design also includes a growing range of attachments, such as an automated dew brush, a grass collector, and a ball picker for driving ranges, making it a versatile asset for grounds teams across various sectors.

Dan Hughes, Agrovista Amenity’s Head of Commercial, highlighted the importance of this collaboration:

“After five years of growing our amenity, landscape, and consumer business, we identified line marking as an area where we could apply our expertise and leverage cutting-edge technology. The RM21 is not just a line marker – it’s a complete solution with the potential to revolutionise grounds management. Partnering with XDC ensures that we can bring this technology to market with the technical support, training, and after-sales service that our customers expect.”

Under the agreement, Agrovista Amenity will be the exclusive distributor and seller of the RM21, while XDC provides technical sales support, training, and service backup. This allows Agrovista Amenity to leverage its extensive network of over 40 representatives to promote the RM21 effectively, while XDC focuses on delivering expert technical assistance.

To strengthen its position in the line marking market, Agrovista Amenity has appointed David Mitchell as Line Marking Business Development Manager. With six years of experience at Linemark UK, a manufacturer of paint and machinery for line marking, David brings a deep understanding of the sector.

“I see this as an opportunity to develop a strong line marking offering with the right products and people. The RM21 is a fantastic machine, and with the expertise of XDC and Agrovista Amenity’s resources, we have a real opportunity to deliver a competitive, easy-to-use product that enhances operations.”

Matt Murray, XDC’s Director of Sales, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership and highlighted the RM21’s distinctive advantages:

“The RM21 is a truly unique product – the only combo line marking mower in the world. Not only does it offer significant time and cost savings, but its versatility opens up new possibilities for grounds management. With Agrovista Amenity’s established market presence and extensive sales network, we see this as the perfect opportunity to introduce this groundbreaking technology to a wider audience.”

David also highlighted the growing role of robotic technology in the industry: “The RM21 is not here to replace staff but to support them. Grounds teams face increasing demands, and automation can handle time-consuming tasks, allowing them to focus on more technical aspects of their work. The feedback we’ve received so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

Many customers who previously used other GPS line marking solutions have made the switch, recognising the RM21’s superior value for money and future-proof capabilities.”

Agrovista Amenity’s investment in robotics is part of a long-term strategy to provide innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of grounds teams. While the initial focus is on the RM21, discussions are already underway to explore the potential for offering a wider range of robotic solutions in the future.

As Agrovista Amenity continues to expand its line marking division and explore new technologies, the company remains committed to delivering solutions that combine innovation, efficiency, and reliability.

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

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Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm

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Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm: Polaris is a firm believer that a product comes to life through its applications, partnerships but most importantly, via the people who use it.

To showcase the versatility of the Ranger, Polaris has embarked on a journey across Europe, the Middle East and Africa to discover and film how customers are using the Polaris Ranger in their day-to-day lives. The initiative, called Ranger Stories, is set to demonstrate the many ways in which the RANGER line-up is servicing customer lives worldwide.

Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm

Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm

Episode 15 – Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria

From the fresh tracks in the morning to the very last chair, RANGER is always at work with customers who live and work in Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria. In the heart of this world-class ski destination, a Polaris RANGER is a common sight. For the locals that keep the mountains moving, it’s a necessary tool that allows them to get the job done and keep the customers happy, no matter what the mountain climate throws their way.

“Saalbach Hinterglemm is a hotspot for sport and tourism year-round,” said Gerold Vonblon, Managing Director and Founder of Vonblon, Polaris dealer in Austria. “Skiiers, snowboarders and mountain bikers in the summer; the fantastic network of pistes for all abilities means there’s a constant stream of activity. For the people that live and work here, they are guaranteed to be busy year-round, so it’s important they have vehicles that are reliable day-in, day-out, and can be adapted to the extreme seasons.

“Seeing how Polaris Rangers have become an essential part of daily life here—whether for ski event logistics, mountain hospitality, or trail maintenance—is a testament to their capability and the trust that’s been built within this hardworking community.”

Ranger Stories Episode 15 follows Gerold Vonblon as he visits valued Polaris customers across the Saalbach Hinterglemm area:

Thomas Johann Ferner – Owner of the Stöcklalm Restaurant in Leogang and owner of three Polaris Rangers, including the Ranger XP Kinetic and two Ranger XP 1000s. Running a restaurant business on the top of a mountain is no easy feat in winter, so Thomas and his wife, Christine, must find an easy way to transport essential supplies and ingredients from the town below to their restaurant. The solution is a fleet of Rangers, all equipped with snow tracks, to traverse the snowy slopes and carry everything they need in the cargo bed.

Fritz Steger – Local hotelier and Chief of the Piste at Saalbach Hinterglemm Ski Club, Fritz is the main man when it comes to preparing the Zwölferkogel for major skiing events, including the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships that took place on the mountain this year. With a fleet of Polaris’ in operation, including the Sportsman XP 1000 and RANGER XP Kinetic fitted with snow tracks, Fritz is always on hand to monitor and manage the slope during the busy ski season.

Sepp Gensbichler – Winkler Alm Restaurant Owner in Saalbach Hinterglemm, a restaurant that sits amidst all the action on the Zwölferkogel directly on the slope, Sepp is a longstanding Polaris customer now on his third Polaris RANGER XP 1000. Fitted with several accessories that make it ideal for winter use, Sepp’s RANGER has a full cab, including an in-cab heater and snow tracks for travelling up and down the mountain with ease.

Hannes Gensbichler – Zwölferkogel Workshop Manager in Saalbach Hinterglemm, Hannes is the master of winter vehicles that operate in and around the Saalbach region, working round the clock to keep the mountain in pristine condition for the season. Maintaining snow groomers, snow blowers, and snow plows are all in a day’s work, made easier by their fleet of 12 Polaris Sportsman and RANGER XP Kinetic that work tirelessly alongside the team to keep the mountain moving.

The all-electric RANGER XP Kinetic is an important tool for the teams that operate throughout the Saalbach Hinterglemm region, synonymous with their commitment to sustainability and responsibility to both people and nature, whilst supporting them with unmatched capability and strength to get the job done, no matter what the mountain throws their way.

Similar to Vonblon’s customers, Polaris vehicles in operation across the area are commonly seen with snow tracks fitted for travelling across deep snow, complemented by the fact that UTVs are generally much more lightweight than cars, for easy traversing up and down the mountain. Customers can then replace the tracks with wheels in the summer season, making it the ultimate year-round vehicle. For most, adapting the RANGER with a full cab kit, including windshield, roof, full doors and a rear panel, is a must, along with an in-cab heater for extra warmth and windshield defrosting.

Hear the stories of Saalbach Hinterglemm’s winter workforce and see why no other machine gets the job done like RANGER.

CATCH THE LATEST EPISODE OF RANGER STORIES HERE

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Fiata Stressgard® now available in 10L packs

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Fiata Stressgard® now available in 10L packs: Fiata Stressgard®, from Envu and distributed by Origin Amenity Solutions, is now available in convenient 10L packs. This allows for more flexible application rates of 15 or 20L/ha, making it easier for turf managers to incorporate into their agronomic programmes.

A recent independent trial by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) confirmed Fiata Stressgard’s ability to improve turf resilience, colour, and quality, even during a six-week drought. The study also showed that Fiata Stressgard® enhances photosynthesis, outperforming both untreated plots and those treated with pigment alone.

Fiata Stressgard® now available in 10L packs

Fiata Stressgard® now available in 10L packs

Additionally, the research found that combining Fiata Stressgard® with the growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl reduces potential quality issues often associated with trinexapac-ethyl alone. This combination further boosted chlorophyll levels in both drought-stressed and healthy turf, supporting plant health under various conditions.

Notably, the trial demonstrated that during drought conditions, Fiata Stressgard® was a better option than continuing with turf wetting agent programme alone. While turf wetting agents are essential before and after drought, using Fiata Stressgard® before and during dry periods helped maintain turf quality and improved recovery afterward.

Since its UK launch, Fiata Stressgard® has received excellent feedback from turf managers, who report improved turf quality, enhanced colour, and greater stress resilience. Phil Logan, UK Turf Manager at Envu, commented: The new STRI trial results reaffirm the multiple benefits of Fiata Stressgard. Not only does it improve plant health and drought tolerance, but it also complements trinexapac-ethyl applications, making it an excellent addition to any turf management programme.”

Mark De Ath, PPP Team Lead at Origin Amenity Solutions, added, “The research highlights Fiata Stressgard’s role in modern turf management. Its ability to support plant health, particularly in drought conditions, provides a practical and reliable solution for maintaining high-quality playing surfaces.”

Looking ahead, the full launch of Fiata Stressgard® in 2025 will include a webinar, regional seminars, and dedicated support from Origin Amenity Solutions to help turf managers maximise its benefits.

For more information, visit www.originamenity.com or contact your local Origin Amenity representative.

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Al Zorah Invests in Sustainable Toro Technology

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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.

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

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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 

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