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Toro, Reesink UK and St Andrews Links Mark a Milestone

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Toro, Reesink UK and St Andrews Links Mark a Milestone: Toro, in collaboration with its UK distributor Reesink UK and St Andrews Links Trust, proudly celebrates a 25-year partnership, marking one of the longest-standing formal relationships between Toro and a customer globally.

This enduring collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in golf course management, helping shape the modern landscape of greenkeeping at the ‘Home of Golf’ and beyond.

Toro, Reesink UK and St Andrews Links Mark a Milestone

Toro, Reesink UK and St Andrews Links Mark a Milestone

A Legacy of Innovation

St Andrews Links has long been a symbol of golf’s heritage, tracing its roots back to the 15th century. It was here that Old Tom Morris was one of the first to revolutionise course care with many new practices including topdressing, the practice of using sand to create smooth greens and teeing grounds, now a fundamental technique worldwide. Building on this legacy, Toro has delivered cutting-edge technologies to support the evolving demands of turf management, from precision irrigation to advanced electric mowing systems.

“St Andrews Links is where tradition meets innovation,” said Amy Dahl, vice president International at The Toro Company. “For 25 years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting their dedication to excellence through trusted equipment, sustainable solutions, and shared values. This milestone represents not just a partnership, but an ongoing legacy of progress.”

James Ralley, Commercial Director at St Andrews Links Trust, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating such a significant milestone with Toro, one of our longest standing partners. Over the past 25 years, Toro has played an important role in the continued development of our greenkeeping practices, allowing us to provide world-class playing conditions across the seven courses here at St Andrews Links. This partnership is one we value greatly, and we look forward to continuing this for years to come.”

Driving Standards in Turf Management Through a Shared Commitment

Over the past two and a half decades, Toro and Reesink UK have supported the Trust with groundbreaking equipment and irrigation systems, helping it remain a benchmark for golf course quality worldwide.

Neil Coulson, CEO at St Andrews Links Trust, said: “As custodians of St Andrews Links, we have a responsibility to not only provide great playing conditions year-round, but to also manage the historic courses in a responsible and environmentally conscious way. For 25 years Toro has been a valued partner in our efforts to implement sustainable practices, particularly in the electrification of our mower fleet and the continued improvement in our irrigation systems. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together and pleased to celebrate this milestone.”

Alastair Rowell, Managing Director at Reesink UK, added: “We’re proud to play a role in this remarkable journey. This partnership exemplifies the best of what can be achieved when industry leaders come together with a long-term vision and a passion for excellence.”

Looking Ahead

As this milestone is celebrated, all three partners remain focused on what lies ahead. The collaboration between Toro, Reesink UK and St Andrews Links Trust is not just a reflection of the past 25 years—it’s a foundation for continued innovation in sustainable course management and support for the next generation of greenkeepers.

For more information, please visit www.toro.com

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The only autonomous robot mowers Quiet Mark certified

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The only autonomous robot mowers Quiet Mark certified: STIGA, a leader in intelligent garden care solutions, proudly announces that its range of autonomous robot mowers has been officially certified by Quiet Mark, making STIGA the only autonomous robotic mower brand to receive this prestigious recognition.

Quiet Mark, the global certification programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation (est. 1959), rigorously tests and identifies the quietest high-performance appliances. Its certification assures consumers of products that contribute to a more peaceful and healthy environment through reduced noise pollution.

The only autonomous robot mowers Quiet Mark certified

The only autonomous robot mowers Quiet Mark certified

Over 84% of British people surveyed in 2023 said it was important to have quiet time to recharge themselves, something you definitely get with a STIGA autonomous robot mower!

STIGA’s autonomous robot mowers combine cutting-edge innovation with eco-conscious engineering, delivering high performance with minimal noise. As the only robot mowers on the market to receive Quiet Mark certification, they represent the gold standard in silent lawn care — ideal for preserving the tranquillity of gardens and residential areas.

“At STIGA, we are committed to designing smart solutions that care not just for lawns, but for the comfort and well-being of our customers,” says Amanda Kincaid, Marketing Manager at STIGA UK. “Being recognised by Quiet Mark underlines our dedication to creating products that support quieter, healthier outdoor living.”

Why Quiet Mark Matters:

  • Scientific Testing:   Products undergo rigorous acoustic testing to ensure both performance and quiet operation.
  • Consumer Confidence: Only the top 10–20% of low-noise, high-performing appliances receive certification.
  • Health & Well-being:   Lower noise levels contribute to improved mental health and a more peaceful environment.

With the Quiet Mark certification, STIGA robot mowers stand out as the ideal choice for those seeking smart, silent, and sustainable lawn care solutions.

Oooh, so quiet — experience the difference with STIGA.

All Quiet Mark-certified autonomous robot mowers can be found on the STIGA website www.stiga.com/uk/

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Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001 

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John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to award John Ledwidge Pioneer Mark #001 in recognition of his contributions to the industry.

The ‘Pioneer Legacy’ initiative celebrates individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry through the GMA’s NextGen group, formerly known as the GMA Young Board.

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001

Pioneer Mark

Each Pioneer Mark is uniquely numbered and represents the individual’s contribution to supporting the next generation of grounds people.

The presentation of John’s award is particularly timely during National Apprenticeship Week, which highlights the crucial role apprenticeships play in creating career pathways in the industry.

Ledwidge, himself, began his career as an apprentice at Coventry City Football Club and, after 18 months away, returned as Grounds Manager where he was also part of the first GMA Young Board cohort between 2011-2014.

As the group’s inaugural chair, he played a key role in laying the foundations for its evolution into GMA NextGen which supports and develops emerging talent within the industry.

Since his time with the Young Board, Ledwidge has progressed through senior positions at Leicester City Football Club and is now Head of Grounds and Landscapes at Manchester City Football Club.

What they said

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications and Marketing at the GMA, said: “John’s journey not only with the GMA but within the industry highlights his dedication to the profession and his ability to inspire meaningful change.

As the first chair of the Young Board, he showed great leadership that set the foundation for GMA NextGen. Seeing his achievements recognised with Pioneer Mark #001 is a proud moment for everyone who has worked alongside him.”

Commenting on the award, John Ledwidge said: “It is a genuine honour to be awarded with the #001 pioneer mark from the GMA. As the first chair of the young board and part of the founding group, we created something that had never been done before, hopefully laying the foundations for today’s NextGen group to continue the legacy we left.

Personally, I feel we all have a responsibility to encourage and develop new and emerging talent and to share our knowledge and expertise with them. I have always been proud of what I do and will always be grateful for the opportunities this wonderful industry has given me and my family, so it is such a pleasure to receive this recognition from the GMA.”

For more information about the Pioneer Legacy initiative or GMA NextGen, please visit thegma.org.uk/who/ambassadors/.

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Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary

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Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), the dedicated distributor of Rain Bird products to the UK golf market is celebrating six years of partnership.

OAS is a leading supplier to the UK amenity, turf, and sports markets and specialises in leading-edge irrigation solutions. Its dedicated team of irrigation specialists offers national coverage, providing advice on irrigation projects, from upgrades to renovations and new system installations, to system maintenance. This is further complemented by a national team of sales advisors who champion Rain Bird technologies and the ‘Intelligent Use of Water™’.

Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary

Origin Amenity Solutions and Rain Bird mark sixth anniversary

Stocking over 10,000 Rain Bird product lines at its distribution depot in Camberley, OAS has seen unprecedented growth in irrigation sales since the inception of their partnership.

A recent addition to the irrigation product portfolio is CirrusPRO™ Central Control which enables users to securely adjust irrigation settings from any smart device and from any location. It allows users to make updates from the system’s map and watch them happen in real-time. Rain Bird is supporting OAS with customer awareness and training sessions to enable the golf industry to appreciate the significant water, labour, and energy savings this new technology brings. To-date, a series of webinars and on-site demonstrations have taken place, with in-depth training days at the OAS Turf, Science and Technology Centre being planned.

OAS Commercial Director Andy Russell comments, “Rain Bird is the global leader in irrigation, and as a major supplier in the amenity industry, we are delighted to be aligned with yet another market-leading brand. Their corporate ethos and values align closely with our own and their product portfolio complements and enhances our existing product range and strengthens our customer offering. Our working relationship has strengthened over the last six years and is held in high regard.  I look forward to what opportunities future Rain Bird plans and developments will bring for the OAS business.”

Jimmy Sandison, Rain Bird Regional Golf Sales Manager adds, “With golf clubs facing challenges from water scarcity to changing legislation, effective, efficient irrigation has never been so important. It’s incredibly important to Rain Bird that our customers receive the support they need to meet these challenges.”

The OAS Irrigation team can be contacted on 0800 138 7222 or email sales.irrigation@originamenity.com. Visit www.originamenity.com for more information.

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Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey

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Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey: Based in Wiltshire, Kinsey Premiere Services Ltd is a family-run grounds maintenance company serving educational facilities, commercial properties, and private residencies in Wiltshire and beyond.

Gary Kinsey established the family business in 2010 and expanded to grounds maintenance just two years later in 2012.

Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey

Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey

The company provides line-marking services to schools, councils, and amateur football and rugby clubs. They initially relied on a Transfer Wheel marker but quickly upgraded to a Fleet Beam Rider for precise line marking. However, they found that the time-consuming nature of initial markings prompted the exploration of alternative solutions. Operations Manager, Elliot Kinsey explains, “I was impressed by Origin Amenity Solutions Simon Hughes’ demonstration of the TinyMobileRobot line marker and was drawn to the device due to its manageable size, lightweight construction, and remarkable versatility. Its ability to seamlessly adapt to various marking tasks, from precise line markings to intricate designs, made it an attractive and invaluable addition to our equipment arsenal.”

TinyMobileRobots is marketed and distributed exclusively in the UK by Origin Amenity Solutions who have one of largest dedicated line marking teams in the UK.

Kinsey Premiere Services currently has a TinyLineMarker (TLM) Sport and a TinyLineMarker (TLM) Pro in their fleet. Elliot continues, “Primarily, we purchased the robots to mark sports pitches quickly and efficiently to free up our employees and allow them to focus on other grounds maintenance obligations.

The TinyLineMarker’s exceptional efficiency in paint utilisation significantly reduced our overall paint consumption which also led to substantial cost savings. This, coupled with the robot’s ability to automate the marking process, dramatically minimised our labour costs and streamlined our operations, saving us valuable time and resources. The robots proved to be a game-changer for our business; enhancing our efficiency, reducing expenses, and enabling us to deliver exceptional line-marking services for our clients.”

Packed with a range of innovative features, the GPS-guided robots are designed to make line-marking projects as reliable, streamlined, and effortless as possible. Their low weight enables them to be lifted easily by one person and the small size means they can fit into a regular-sized car and be transported from one location to another easily.

The TLM Sport is ideal for sports teams, clubs, and schools. It is robust, with front and side bumper strips and integral ultrasonic, intelligent sensors to avoid obstacles and protect from damage. Powered by a brushless electric motor, with low energy consumption and zero emissions, the TLM Sport is an eco-friendly choice, especially when used with IMPACT ready-to-use paint. Over and above this, the TLM Pro offers advanced robotic technologies for precision line marking and is ideal for councils, contractors, and larger universities. With its powerful performance, robust design, and large, high-traction wheels, the TLM Pro can tackle any size pitch, or multiple pitches, with ease.

“The intuitive user interface is effortless to use and easy to manage”, adds Elliot, “the ease of use, accuracy, and full autonomy, coupled with an extensive library of over 200 sports markings, make them an indispensable tool for our clients. The robots’ ability to create custom logos, shapes, words, and numbers further expands their versatility and caters to the diverse needs of our clientele.”

“With over a decade of experience, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional, personalised service; utilising the latest compliant equipment to transform wild outdoor areas into beautiful and manageable spaces. Health, safety, environmental compliance, and client satisfaction are always our top priorities. Our clients’ needs differ so having two different robots to cater to these works well for us. The TLM Sport is well placed to manage our amateur sports clubs and schools whilst the TLM Pro is more suited to the larger-scale council projects. We often combine the versatility of our robots to expedite line marking, especially on large fields like American Football pitches, Rugby fields, and athletic tracks. This synergy proves invaluable when time is of the essence—and allows us to playfully showcase our robotic prowess!”

The Origin Amenity Solutions team provides onsite training, maintenance, and general advice. Elliot has found the “technical support package very helpful; we’ve received excellent support whenever we’ve needed it, ensuring we deliver our clients’ requirements on time and within budget.”

Origin Amenity Solutions has recently launched a new and improved model – the TLM Pro X, which boasts even more improvements, including general upgrades to the hardware and software, enhanced electronics, and the addition of buttons to activate the pump and nozzle, enabling users to manually prime, clean and test. Elliot concludes, “As and when necessary, we will look to expand our TinyMobileRobot fleet accordingly.

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