Tag Archive for: Makes

MM50 makes a splash

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MM50 makes a splash: Gordon Gill, Head Groundsman at Bath Cricket Club, has praised the qualities of MM50 grass seed with the speed of germination being a standout feature.  

Gordon has been the Head Groundsman for close to twenty years at Bath Cricket Club. Recognising his passion for grounds management at a young age he started as a part-time volunteer at his local recreational cricket club in the autumn of 1980, before embarking on several relevant courses.

MM50 makes a splash

MM50 makes a splash

To help pay the bills he also worked as a class one lorry driver but after being made redundant, it was all the motivation he needed to pursue a career in grounds management. Therefore, he attended day release and completed his NVQ2 at Hartpury College before landing the job at Bath Cricket Club during the late summer of 2002.

It was during his time at Hartpury College that he met Matt Gresty (MM & Designer sales and brand manager for DLF UK) who was working in the sports turf department. The two struck up a long-standing relationship and it was Matt that introduced Gordon to the range of MM seed.

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK amenity industry and its extensive product portfolio guarantees 100% performance proven mixtures. All the varieties in the MM mixtures are thoroughly tested at the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) – ensuring that the finished product will meet your requirements for play, appearance and maintenance.

In particular Gordon has been using MM50 for some time now and has always been pleased with the germination speed from renovation and repair work.

Over recent years, MM50 has been the number one choice for cricket groundsmen. Those representing grass roots, schools, local clubs and international test venues have all benefitted from using MM50. It possesses exceptional shoot density and wear tolerance plus great recovery, making it particularly suitable for all cricket squares.

MM50 is also treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – a unique seaweed based seed treatment which ensures rapid and even germination. This revolutionary grass seed treatment helps your grass get off to a great start and is ideal in the less than favourable conditions that can sometimes be found on cricket squares.

Gordon explained the benefits of using MM50.

“The speed of establishment and also recovery of existing pitches after use plays an important role in maintaining consistent even grass coverage across the square, this is important with a very busy fixture list where we can host up to 100 days of cricket a season.

“The colour it produces is fantastic, and it has high disease resistance too. Regardless of my friendship with Matt, I would still be using MM50 because it is such a good seed.

“We have to be 100% confident in the products that we use, to absolutely know that we are going to get the best results and MM50 gives us that reassurance.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk. You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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ISEKI makes life easier

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ISEKI makes life easier: Paul Shapter, Head Gardener at St Catherine’s College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, claims that his new ISEKI ride-on mower has made life a lot easier.

St Catherine’s College, affectionately known as St Catz, is the largest college within the world-famous University of Oxford. The college is renowned for its modern architecture and many restful open spaces which offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Paul and his team maintain these open spaces which comprises of gardens and lawns; and he revealed that he was looking for something to make life a little easier for everyone.

“We are all getting a bit older, a bit creakier, and our backs are a bit more susceptible to damage,” he said. “Therefore, we started looking for something that would make everything a lot easier and after some searching, we came across the ISEKI SXG326, which we found to be very cost efficient.”

Tough, reliable, and productive, the SXG326 has been built for the most demanding users. It has a larger operator platform for a comfortable working environment and a 54” (1.37m) mower deck with wider overlapping which provides enhanced productivity and a superior quality of cut. A 2-pedal hydrostatic control and more legroom is featured while the large capacity, high torque 1123cc diesel engine is powerful and fuel efficient.

The new instrument panel and dial in height-of-cut adjustment makes the SXG326 the most operator friendly and intuitive large compact tractor mower on the market. Hopper capacity is an impressive 600 litres with an easy to remove collector that allows for simple cleaning and maintenance. The SXG326 is available in road homologated version with lighting kit and handbrake.

Paul explained how the SXG326 has indeed made life easier at St Catz.

“I think the versatility of it is one of the best features – as well as cutting grass excellently it is also like an outdoor hoover. It is great at sweeping up and collecting a whole range of debris. This gives us the diversity to use it in the autumn just as much as we use it through the summer and spring. I find that it picks up remarkably well in all weathers whether it is wet or dry.

“The high tip is really good, and it means that one person can do the job a lot quicker without having someone running around fetching, carrying, shovelling, cleaning up or tipping. It combines all sorts of efficiencies.

“The size of the box is another big plus – being able to collect that amount of grass and condensing it into a huge box is fantastic. Another good feature is that all the basic maintenance points are accessible and easy to get to.

“Adjusting the height is a simple manoeuvre – there are no rulers or measurements involved, it is a simple wheel that just turns to adjust the height of cut – it is incredibly easy.

“I think what really makes a big difference for us is the lack of blockages,” continued Paul. “The size of the chute and the way that the blades cut mean that it is all gathered and shot out the back quick enough not to block.

“Essentially, you just can’t beat the value of this ISEKI machine and I would certainly recommend it to all gardeners and grounds people.”

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Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

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Overmarking accuracy makes the difference: Five minutes into a demo of the Turf Tank One, Haileybury School Grounds Manager, Andy Richards, knew he needed one.

Andy, who has been at the private school for three years, was sceptical about the overmarking ability of the robot, having looked at alternatives over a three-year period. But, the accuracy, quality of the lines and undulation capabilities sold it to him.

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

With 20 sports pitches split between football, rugby and lacrosse to mark and athletics in the summer, Andy’s primary focus was initial marking. During renovations and changeovers between sports, he found his skilled groundsmen were removed from crucial maintenance for up to two weeks.

To combat that, he had to become over reliant on using contractors. This became a costly exercise and was not as flexible as determining your own pitch line-marking schedule.  So, when Andy weighed up the costs for the initial marking against having the accuracy of the Turf Tank One all year round for consistent and regular over-marking, the robot more than justified itself.

“My main concern has always been overmarking because I never thought GPS robots were accurate enough to overmark. So, when we had the demo from Turf Tank, overmarking was the major thing.

“To be honest, because I’d seen so many other GPS markers, either push ones or robots, I was sceptical. But we within five minutes of seeing the Turf Tank in action on the demo, I said I’d buy it because I was so impressed with the quality and precision of the line.

“I’ve used laser markers in the past, and I genuinely thought we’d still use one on our first team rugby and football pitch. But it would be hard for most people to tell the difference between the two, which has been a massive eye opener for me.”

For Andy, utilising the Turf Tank One is also a direct response to the skilled labour shortage in the turf industry, and it was a primary consideration of the school when weighing up their decision.

“Skilled labour is difficult to get, and line marking is a technical job. So, in some ways, that is what got it over the line with the Bursar because we are short staffed, it’s hard to get labour, and it’s hard to get skilled labour.

“To take out one of your most skilled jobs and give it to a robot is almost a no brainer. I’ve got someone now from a different field of expertise, but very keen to learn, and we can now send him out with the robot, and within two hours, he can mark out a running track, a lacrosse pitch, discus, javelin and shotput before break time. And it’s done accurately and perfectly, and it’s just unbelievable because it would have taken one or even two skilled groundsmen until lunchtime. Now I can use their skills and time to improve other areas of our maintenance programme.”

Since receiving their robot in December 2021, Haileybury has seen the full benefit. For example, marking six rugby pitches has gone from taking three people over two days to one person in two hours. Likewise, facilitating a last-minute request for a lacrosse pitch took 15 minutes to line, whereas before, it wouldn’t have happened.

These advantages, along with the service from Turf Tank’s Alex Robinson and Liam Pindred, have led Andy to give some simple advice to anyone considering GPS line marking: “Buy a Turf Tank. I honestly can’t see a downside of it.”

For more information on the Turf Tank One or to have a demonstration contact alex@turftank.co.uk (southern UK) or matt@turftank.co.uk (northern UK).

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Retiring Ronnie makes two last purchases

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Retiring Ronnie makes two last purchases: Buchanan Castle GC’s course manager, Ronnie Myles, retires on May 29 after 50 years’ greenkeeping, the last 15 years as head greenkeeper at the Drymen club.

In a busy career, Ronnie has also worked at clubs in East Kilbride, Erskine, Scarcroft, Cathkin and Helensburgh. At least 12 of the staff he has trained have gone on to become head greenkeepers themselves.

Retiring Ronnie makes two last purchases

Retiring Ronnie makes two last purchases

Ronnie’s last two purchases have been from dealer Fairways GM at Inchinnan, to help the team at Buchanan Castle maintain quality of presentation.

First to arrive, at the start of the year, was a Wiedenmann Super 500, four-in-one collector, sweeper scarifier, and its versatility has been a revelation at the James Braid-designed course.

“It was still winter and the difference it made was unbelievable,” said Ronnie. “Working in tandem with our blower, it cleared and collected leaves and other debris in one pass. We had so many stormy days, so it was busy up and down the course, back and forth. Our golfers were cock-a-hoop because it instantly presented the playing areas to the best standard.

“In the spring, we switched the flail paddles to scarifying blades and it scarified all the fairways with minimal disruption. A good, neat job. We just haven’t had a chance to get it onto rough management duties, but that will happen in time.”

In April, Ronnie’s team took delivery of a Jacobsen TR320, high traction contour trim mower. Highly manoeuvrable, it is a reel mower which works equally efficiently on flat or sloped, and, on wet or dry turf. Purchased to bring added quality to bankings and surrounds across the parkland course, it too, is an instant hit.

“I’m so impressed,” continued Ronnie. “It has transformed the areas we got it for. Before, we couldn’t get too near the bunker edges.   However, the TR 320 allows you to get up close, right to the edge. It has eliminated 80-90% of our need to use a hover mower. Previously, the hover mower would take one person the best part of a day to go around.  With the Jake we are done in a couple of hours. The finish is far neater and someone is free to do other duties.”

Ronnie says that while it is imperative to buy the right machines for purpose, reliable service and back up from a dealer also plays a significant role in the purchase. “I’ve known the Rae family for a very long time, so I know with Fairways we are in good hands.”

Taking over from Ronnie will be his two deputies, Chris Prior and James Macdonald, who both become joint course managers.

“I wish them all the best for the future, they both absolutely deserve the opportunity. They will be ably supported by John Steel, and our newly recruited 16-year-old apprentice, Tom Bruce. I know they will all do well.”

While Ronnie is happy to be standing down knowing the course is in capable hands, his days won’t be too quiet.

“I’m not completely retiring,” said Ronnie who is moving to Stirling to be nearer family. “When you work 50 years it would be impossible to sit back and do nothing. I’m taking on a part time role with a club in Stirling which will keep me busy at least 20 hours a week.”

In April, Ronnie was elected Regional President of BIGGA for Scotland & N Ireland, and in July, he is one of the greenkeepers selected who will support the R&A during The 150th Open at St Andrews.

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Terra Rake makes fairways on point

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Terra Rake makes fairways on point: Ponteland Golf Club, just north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has purchased a Wiedenmann Terra Rake to add even more quality to their surfaces.

The picturesque parkland club already has a deserved reputation for first rate greens but sought a Terra Rake to bring their tees, aprons and fairways to the next level.

Terra Rake makes fairways on point

Terra Rake makes fairways on point

It also happened to be the first purchase of new Course Manager, Craig Kilgour, who took up the post in March, after spending over 30 of his 35-year greenkeeping career at the Northumberland club.

“Across the pandemic we couldn’t be everywhere, and our fairways suffered in particular,” said Craig.  “Too much moss, some bare patches; they needed some attention.

“Aeration was first on my list, so I organised for contractors, Turf Care of Consett, to come in with their two new Wiedenmann Terra Spikes XD8s, and tined them down to about 7 inches (18 cm).  After that they got sprayed a couple of times with a really good feed.

“Next, was a demo with a Wiedenmann Terra Rake Luckily for me, my local dealer, Thomas Sherriff, had a 2.3 m ex-demo model for sale, and within half an hour of its arrival, we had decided to buy it.”

Craig and his team, which returned to a full complement of six in May, have tackled several renovations this Spring, with the new rake adding benefit to each of their projects.

“In the six weeks we’ve had it, we’ve been around all our fairways three times on its most aggressive setting. It rips out thatch and so much organic matter. Now the fairways are looking the healthiest they’ve ever been.

“Our tee boxes and aprons which had been hollow cored, sanded and fed, have also had the Terra Rake treatment.  The aprons have had two passes already. It’s scarifying tines have pulled out dead grass from everywhere. Genuinely, it hasn’t stopped and its starting to bring the quality we were looking for… The Chairman is delighted, the members are over the moon and so win, win.

” Going forward through the season, we’ll probably try to use it monthly; it helps to stand up the grass before we cut and it also helps stripe the turf to keep it well presented. Because of time, our concentration has been limited to the finer areas, but we can’t wait to see the job it will do to help with rough management.”

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