Tag Archive for: International

International representation at SALTEX

/in , /by

International representation at SALTEX: Organisers of SALTEX, Europe’s largest free sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, have announced that currently there’s a 16 percent increase in international exhibitors attending the 2023 show from 2022.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, says: “Not only is the exhibitor list internationally diverse, but there are visitor registrations from 39 countries already too. Statistically, this makes 2023 the most internationally-recognised show in the grounds care sector – that’s with weeks still to go until the show and the potential for more to come.”

International representation at SALTEX

International representation at SALTEX

So, what’s the reason for sports turf management personnel from around the world making the journey to SALTEX in Birmingham in November?

Aside from it being the longest-standing and largest trade show for the sector, SALTEX is internationally renowned, strengthened by its long history of success and being the exhibition of choice for five of the UK’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs), SALTEX has location on its side.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, adds: “SALTEX isn’t just a show for the UK, it’s a show in the UK for the entire industry worldwide. Author of FIFA’s official handbook on pitch maintenance, Richard Hayden’s comments about the UK being the global leader in grounds management, are true. The UK is 10 years more advanced than anywhere else in the world and has expertise like no other when it comes to sports-turf management.

“He is absolutely right that ‘if you want to work in technology, you go to Silicon Valley and the UK is the Silicon Valley of turf’ – the UK and specifically SALTEX is where you go to learn and network with some of the greatest in the business.”

The English grounds-management sector alone is valued at more than £1bn and employs more than 27,000 people, with specialists in every area, from seed enthusiasts who can breed grasses that grow in the shade to scientists who develop chemicals to make grass greener. Representatives from all areas will be at SALTEX.

Sarah continues: “Whatever the area of interest, visitors can be assured it will be covered by exhibitors, Learning LIVE educational seminars, representatives from National Governing Bodies, and grounds people and turfcare professionals making sport possible.”

There are international exhibitors coming from Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and USA.

Specifically, there’s Kreon from Spain, a trendsetting manufacturer from an architectural perspective; DJuke, exhibiting under the name Hydrowick, with its lightweight flexible standing water solution products for improved turf quality; GKB from The Netherlands, designers/manufacturers of machines for the sports sectors and golf course maintenance, and Jacobsen from the USA, producers in lawn and light duty machinery into the sports industry, dealers and parts available.

Of course, it helps that for any visitors coming from overseas, Birmingham is conveniently centrally located. Right next to the airport, the NEC is just a four-minute walk from Birmingham International railway station and for those driving, the NEC is in the centre of the UK’s motorway network with its ample parking and GMA members parking is subsidised for the duration of the event.

Register now for Europe’s largest and leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023 at: https://bit.ly/456l0dA

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.

Walton Heath awarded international distinction

/in , /by

Walton Heath awarded international distinction: Walton Heath Golf Club, host venue of this week’s AIG Women’s Open, has achieved GEO Certified(r) status for sustainable golf, underlining its strong commitment and performance across key themes for sustainable golf course operations.

GEO Certification is overseen by GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf – the international non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering programmes that help people on the ground to evaluate, improve and credibly communicate their sustainability work. The international distinction confirms the facility satisfies all the certification criteria; meeting a credible standard in the areas of nature, resources, climate and community, and is committed to continual improvement.

Walton Heath awarded international distinction

Walton Heath awarded international distinction

Michael Mann, Course Manager at Walton Heath, said: “Becoming GEO certified really fits in with what we are trying to achieve at Walton Heath. Is is good for evaluating resource efficiencies, particularly with rising costs, and with the focus on nature and this being such an important conservation site it is important to manage the courses in the right way. Our rainfall capture systems and borehole extraction for example all fit with the GEO Certification and anything which helps you explore ways to improve is rightly a good thing. Demonstrating the positive impacts golf brings is so important to the club and wider community.”

Carole Kerrey, Credibility Manager at GEO Certification Ltd, said: “Walton Heath is a shining example of positive action in sustainable golf. The accredited third-party verifier was very impressed by the practices in place and the commitment and enthusiasm to do more. The club’s awareness of the importance of its site and progressive drive and determination to continually improve highlights what can be achieved towards building a more sustainable future.”

Walton Heath’s Sustainable Golf Highlights include:

*A biodiversity audit of the Old Course at Walton Heath undertaken in 2022 highlighted 175 different species. This included 12 Species of Principal Importance, such as the small heath butterfly and brown long-eared bat (also a European Protected Species), and five birds of conservation concern: two red listed, and three amber listed.

*11 notable plant species were also recorded, including all three native heathers: common heather, bell heather and cross-leaved heather, all of which are Near Threatened in England.

*The greenkeepers at Walton Heath painstakingly manage areas of nationally important lowland heathland and acid grassland across the golf courses to ensure that these habitats support a diverse range of wildlife.

*Since 2000, Walton Heath have collaborated with various organisations, including Natural England, the Forestry Commission, The RSPB, Surrey Wildlife Trust and the Surrey Heathland Project to restore nine hectares of pure heath.

*Areas of the practice range are left as buffer zones for pollinators. Heather nursery areas are encouraged alongside expanses of unmanaged but monitored rough.

*Water supply and efficiency has been boosted with the construction of a reservoir to store water drawn from a borehole along with a rainfall capture system alongside the M25 bank which runs along the boundary of the site. As well as reducing potable water consumption, the reservoir was designed with a marginal shelf to create support habitat and biodiversity. A new irrigation system installed in 2022 further improves precision and efficiency.

*Solar panels power the maintenance complex with all electric and hybrid equipment are charged using renewable energy. Surplus energy is sold back into the grid and all the club’s energy needs are obtained from renewable sources.

*The chef purchases much of the produce used from local sources – within a 10-mile radius.

*The club manage a car park used for daily dog walking and other recreational activities, maintaining clean and safe access to the common for the community. The club and greenstaff also manage a recreation ground on site for football and other sports, Break Lane school fields for the school, the old pheasantry and the local pond within the village of Walton on the Hill.

This week’s AIG Women’s Open will also see a range of sustainability actions implemented through The R&A’s Greenlinks programme including nature walks around Walton Heath in partnership with the RSPB. Such actions help continue to raise awareness of positive impacts highlighted at tournaments through the joint LPGA and LET Celebrating the Green presented by Dow initiative.

For further information: www.waltonheath.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.

Hydrogen technology set for international debut

/in , /by

Hydrogen technology set for international debut: JCB is set to showcase its super-efficient hydrogen combustion technology on the international stage for the first time ever with a debut in North America.

The wraps will come off JCB’s brand new hydrogen combustion engine – the company’s zero-carbon emissions solution for construction and agricultural equipment – at the Conexpo 2023 show in Las Vegas as part of the International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE).

Hydrogen technology set for international debut

Hydrogen technology set for international debut

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford is leading the project to develop JCB’s hydrogen technology. He said: “The JCB engineering team has made enormous strides in a short space of time to develop a hydrogen internal combustion engine and it already powers a JCB prototype backhoe loader and a Loadall telescopic hander. As the first construction equipment company to develop a fully working combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen, I’m delighted we are now able to present this technology on the international stage.”

Leading the way in environmental, social and governance (ESG) for the construction equipment sector, JCB has been responsible for a series of industry innovations on its ‘Road to Zero’.

JCB developed the world’s first battery-electric mini excavator and has been at the forefront of electric technology development to meet customers’ demands for zero-carbon products with its E-TECH range. Today JCB has the largest electric line-up available in the construction industry and the company’s expertise in this sector will also be on show at the exhibition.

JCB’s commitment to reducing emissions goes back almost 25 years and its latest diesel engines have already delivered a 97% reduction in NOx emissions since 1999 and a 98% reduction in particulates. Today JCB’s diesel-powered machines also emit 50% less CO2 compared with those manufactured in 2010. JCB’s clean diesel engine technology will also be showcased on the stand in Las Vegas.

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.

International Thank a Greenkeeper Day

/in , /by

International Thank a Greenkeeper Day: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, in conjunction with other global greenkeeper and course superintendent groups, is recognising those who help keep golf courses enjoyable and sustainable with an international ‘Thank a Greenkeeper Day’.

BIGGA, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and other partner associations are encouraging those who love golf to take a moment to thank their course’s greenkeeping team.

International Thank a Greenkeeper Day

International Thank a Greenkeeper Day

Thank a Greenkeeper Day will be celebrated on Tuesday 13 September, which also marks the GCSAA’s 96th anniversary.

The celebration will include a commercial that will appear on the Golf Channel and other media outlets and social media messages touting the many ways that greenkeepers benefit the game and their communities’ golfers. Others are encouraged to join in the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThankAGreenkeeper or #ThankASuper depending on their country’s nomenclature. In addition, golf courses and other groups are encouraged to provide special recognition for their greenkeeping teams on 13 September.

During the 2021 Thank a Greenkeeper Day, social media messages reached more than 9 million followers around the world.

To learn more about BIGGA and the role greenkeepers play in the enjoyment and sustainability of the game, visit www.bigga.org.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.

Troon International appoints Clinton Southorn

/in , /by

Troon International appoints Clinton Southorn: Troon International, the international division of Troon, is pleased to announce the appointment of Clinton Southorn as the organisation’s new Director of Construction & Agronomy, effective from the beginning of October when he will take over from industry and 20-year Troon veteran Robin Evans.

Mark Chapleski, Executive Vice President, Troon International’s commented “While we are extremely sad to see Robin leave the office, we are delighted for him and his retirement which will see him return to Australia with wife Jan. Clinton has been a rockstar for us in the field for many years and we look forward to him transitioning into the corporate office and supporting our talented agronomists and ownerships across our regions.”

Troon International appoints Clinton Southorn

Troon International appoints Clinton Southorn

Clinton has over 20 years’ worth of experience in the golf and turf industry, 18 of which have been with Troon; from Brookwater Golf & Country Club in his native Australia, moving to Fiji and the Azores, to growing in Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Agalarov Golf Estates, The Els Club Dubai, and lastly being the Cluster Director of Agronomy across Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

Looking ahead to his new role within Troon International, Clinton said: “I am very proud and excited to start the new role of Director of Construction & Agronomy, Troon International. We are extremely fortunate to have some exceptionally talented team members working within the Agronomy portfolio. The importance and focus will be to continue working closely with the associates to support them at their respective facilities and help them grow, along with the reputations of the Troon International Facility portfolio. Showcasing the importance of working with our owners, partners, and team members, makes for a privileged position and one I’m truly excited about starting”.  

Clinton will start his new role in October, with Robin Evans on hand to impart his own invaluable expertise of 40+ years within the industry. Robin held Superintendent positions at the Whistler Golf Club, Canada, Sanctuary Cove Resort, Australia and Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, where he oversaw the construction through to operations. Robin’s first role with Troon was to supervise the construction of the Greg Norman designed Brookwater Golf & Country Club, before relocating to Dubai in 2001 to take on the Superintendent role prior to the opening of the Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai. Since moving into the corporate office, Robin has been involved in the development, construction, and agronomy services to over 30 projects across more than 10 countries including the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and India, where his experience has been instrumental in creating world class resorts.

Speaking about the influence Robin has had on the wider Troon International agronomy team, Mark commented: “Over the past 20 years, Robin has built up a strong, highly respected professional reputation in the region and has been successful in increasing the Troon portfolio of world class facilities through the Troon International division. Having the support of Robin and a close working relationship over the past 16 years, we say goodbye to a great friend and a true Troon rockstar.”

To find out more about Troon International, please visit: www.Troon.com/troon-international

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.