Tag Archive for: Kilbride

East Kilbride buzzing with new ProFlex

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East Kilbride buzzing with new ProFlex: The Proflex is a popular mower for so many due to the independent floating decks. Each has shock absorbers to reduce deck bounce as the mower travels over uneven ground and the unique 4-way rotating swivel hitch allows the tractor and mower to travel across uneven terrain without affecting one another resulting in a first rate contour cut without scalping.

East Kilbride, one of Central Scotland’s most challenging and picturesque courses has just purchased a brand new Progressive Proflex 120 courtesy of Hamilton Brothers. On a course located near Glasgow which gets and average rain fall of 991mm a year and 18 hours of sunlight from May to Sept it was imperative for them to get a mower that not only gives a top quality cut and keeps up with the grass growth but delivers these results even in the wet conditions.

East Kilbride buzzing with new ProFlex

East Kilbride buzzing with new ProFlex

Scott Reid the Head Greenkeeper could not be happier with their new machine. “Once we saw this machine demo there was absolutely no way we wanted anything else. The grass drop off is second to none, literally never seen anything like it. Even in the wet it distributes the clippings perfectly. We have had mowers before that would leave an awful mess behind but the Proflex is a dream.”

A little known secret is an opening above the spindle which aids distribution of grass. Thanks to this feature that draws the air, it creates a vacuum type effect that then disperses the clippings out almost like a mist.

Another feature you will find on the ProFlex which East Kilbride were excited for it the industry exclusive Pro Lift-N-Turn™ system which allows the operator to temporarily raise the decks off the ground without stopping and with the PTO still engaged; all without fear of doing any component damage or impacting belt life. “The Lift-N-Turn is a really great feature that we were particularly excited about and none of our guys here have had any problems when it comes to operating this brilliant bit of kit. The Proflex has been a great choice for us.”

What are you waiting for? Your new contour mower is only a phone call away.

For more information on the other features the ProFlex has to offer please get in touch.

Call 01638 720123 or email sales@thegrassgroup.com

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Rody Kilbride Wins Award

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Rody Kilbride Wins Award: The winner of the 2018 Irish Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, sponsored by ICL and Syngenta, has been confirmed as Rody Kilbride from Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.

For a number of years, ICL and Syngenta have been proud sponsors of the Irish Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award – which is part of the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board’s (KWETB) Greenkeeping Training Course.

Rody Kilbride Wins Award

Colman Warde, ICL Country Manager for Ireland presented Rody with his trophy and a gift voucher at Naas Golf Club, Co Kildare said: “As a company we are very proud to continue our sponsorship of this award. The training course is a fantastic opportunity which helps prepare the students for a promising future in this industry. It was great to present the award to Rody, who is a good example of enthusiastic, young greenkeepers. It’s good to see so many students interested in this course because they are the future of the industry.”

“Aisling does a tremendous job arranging the course and it’s great to see the likes of David Behan from Naas Golf Club, David Callanan from Beech Park Golf Club, Mark Kirwan from the Heritage Golf Club and Tom Carew from Craddockstown put so much time and effort into helping train these students” commented Colman.

For the duration of the 48 week course Rody was placed at Beech Park Golf Club under the watchful eye of Course Superintendent David Callanan. With the student course now complete Rody has successfully gained a full-time greenkeepers job at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Course in Co Limerick, with the newly redeveloped course, designed by Tom Fazio, due to open in April 2018.

Now in its twelfth year, the course continues to go from strength to strength, which is testament to the hard work and meticulous planning carried out by Aisling Mahon, course co-ordinator who’s commitment to nurturing the future of greenkeeping has ensured the success of the course. Aisling is delighted to have seen the course open a number of doors for aspiring greenkeepers, including full time employment, further education and oversees internships at prestigious golf courses such as Bay Hill and Pebble Beach in Ohio, USA.

Last year’s winner, Tiernan Crawford, impressed Naas Golf Club so much throughout the duration of the course that he was offered a full time greenkeeping position. He has been working in this role for the past year and is now moving to Beech Park Golf Club – a position which commences in just a couple of weeks. He intends on furthering his education and will be studying Sportsturf Science Level 6 in September 2019.

William Fitzpatrick, winner of the 2016 award, has been busy working and continuing his studies as well as becoming a first-time father. He is working full-time at Portarlington Golf Club and has just recently graduated from Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Garden, Glasnevin, Dublin where he studied Sportsturf Science. William has also volunteered at a number of tournaments and is working hard to progress within the industry.

To make any enquiries about the Greenkeeping Training Course please email greenkeepingcourse@gmail.com

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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