Tag Archive for: New

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

/in , , /by

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager: DLF are pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Morgan as their new Regional Amenity Technical Manager for the North East.

With more than two decades of hands-on experience in the turf industry, Ben is well placed to support customers across the DLF portfolio of brands on grass seed selection and sustainable surface management.

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

Driven by a sense of accomplishment in growing businesses and solving challenges, Ben is a true professional who takes pride in every blade of grass he nurtures – and having been in the industry for 24 years, that’s a lot of blades! During his tenure as a Consultant Agronomist for the STRI Group, Ben developed a deep technical knowledge and understanding which was combined with a genuine passion for sustainable turfgrass management. Holding a BSc (Hons) and a Foundation Degree in Sustainable Turfgrass Management, along with BASIS and FACTS certifications, he’s built an impressive career across technical sales roles within Countrywide, AGS and Origin.

Ben’s expertise extends beyond the theory, with years of ‘on-the-tool’ greenkeeping work in both the UK and USA under his belt. His career highlights include working at prestigious sites such as St Andrews’ The Old Course and Pinehurst Golf Resort in North Carolina USA. Whether as a greenkeeper or an agronomist, Ben has cultivated a reputation for delivering results and tackling turfgrass challenges, with a firm belief that seed holds the key to many future solutions.

On his new position, Ben comments, “As a self-confessed turf enthusiast, working with the team at DLF was an opportunity I could not turn down. The incredible research and development taking place across DLF’s global breeder network puts us in great stead to provide the right solutions for our customers now and long into the future. I look forward to hitting the road and helping facilities across the sporting spectrum to make informed, tailored decisions on their seed selection over the coming months and years.”

When not ‘talking turf’, Ben enjoys a range of different hobbies. You’ll often find him fishing for barbel on the River Derwent or tending to his 15 colonies of bees. A black belt in kickboxing, he balances a love for precision and discipline with an appreciation for light-hearted banter with colleagues, customers and friends.

Ben can be contacted on 07801 459623 or via email on Ben.Morgan@dlf.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.

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

/in , /by

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws: The UK’s leading fencing and gate accessories manufacturer, Birkdale, has introduced two new screws to its SITEMATE® range – the Flat Head Timber Screw and the Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw.

With power and efficiency in mind, both feature unique characteristics to guarantee easy installation and long-lasting results.

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

The SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw features a torx flat head for improved clamping, a part knurled shank to prevent timber to timber jacking and a Type 17 point to reduce splitting and drive torque. The screw is finished with an olive grey coating, providing a neutral, clean finish suited to any outdoor aesthetic. Available in a range of lengths, the screws come in boxes of 25 or 50 and include a free torx bit for added convenience.

The SITEMATE® Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw is an ideal alternative to traditional coach screws for timber to timber applications, and fixing hook on plates to gate posts. The screws also have a Type 17 point for ease of insertion, to reduce torque and to help prevent timber splitting, along with a wax lubricant to increase drive and reduce drag. A variety of sizes are available – bags of 10 and boxes of 25 and 50 – with a hex socket driver included in each pack for easy installation.

Both the SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw and Flanged Hex Head Screw are tested with a neutral salt spray (NSS) test for 1,000 hours to ensure that they remain corrosion free over time.

For more information about the SITEMATE® screws and other products in the range, visit: https://products.birkdalesales.com/core/core__sitemate-fix/.

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.

GMA NextGen welcomes four new members

/in , , /by

GMA NextGen welcomes four new members: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to announce the addition of four new professionals to its NextGen group.

GMA NextGen, sponsored by Reesink UK, is comprised of talented young grounds professionals who represent the grounds management industry and act as ambassadors for the GMA. Their mission is to encourage more young people to consider a career in grounds management.

GMA NextGen welcomes four new members

GMA NextGen welcomes four new members

Luis Arregui, Deputy Grounds Manager at Real Madrid City, joins the GMA NextGen group with the aim of promoting a profession he believes is key to sports success. With a degree in Forest Engineering, he combines agronomic knowledge and a passion for sports to advance in his career, aiming to inspire the next generation in grounds management.

Flynn Good, Skilled Sports Turf Operative at Leicester City FC, is hoping to connect with others in grounds management and inspire future professionals. He began volunteering at his local club at the age of 10, driven by a love for maintaining high-quality playing surfaces and takes pride in his team’s impact on players’ success.

Jack Leather, Specialist Groundsperson at Liverpool FC, aims to raise awareness of grounds management as a viable career. Inspired by his father, Jack developed a passion for the industry early on. He enjoys seeing the direct results of his work and is especially passionate about using science and data to improve surfaces and sustainability.

Oliver Mahon, Grounds and Gardens Manager at Monkton Combe School, joins GMA NextGen to promote grounds management to the next generation. His love for sports, the outdoors, and machinery led him to study horticulture and agriculture. He takes pride in preparing high-quality pitches for students, enjoying their appreciation for his team’s work.

Jack Langley & Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chairs, said: “We’re excited to see more young professionals joining the GMA NextGen group and helping to raise awareness of the incredible career opportunities in grounds management. It’s an industry that offers so much variety, and we’re looking forward to working alongside our new members to showcase the value and impact of our profession.”

With an estimated 1,500 professional grounds staff potentially retiring each year, workforce development is a pressing priority for the industry.

The GMA NextGen group plays a vital role in addressing this challenge by not only promoting the opportunities available within grounds management but also providing a platform for emerging professionals to share ideas and learn more.

By engaging with younger generations, the group helps ensure a sustainable pipeline of talent to safeguard the future of the profession and maintain the high standards expected across sports and green spaces.

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications & Marketing at the GMA, said: “We know the industry is facing significant challenges in terms of workforce shortages, but the GMA NextGen group continues to make a real difference in addressing these issues. They’ve done an outstanding job in attracting talented young professionals, not only to the group but also into the wider industry, showing the rewarding careers available in grounds management. We’re really pleased to welcome the four new members to the group and look forward to seeing their contributions as they help shape the future of our industry.”

For more information about the GMA NextGen programme or the new members, please visit thegma.org.uk/who /ambassadors.

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.

New sales manager for Reesink E-Vehicles

/in , , /by

New sales manager for Reesink E-Vehicles: Darren Clewes is the new sales manager for Reesink e-Vehicles.

As the only distributor in the sector with a division entirely dedicated to only sustainably powered vehices, it needed an experienced manager to take it forward and ensure its growth which is where Darren comes in.

New sales manager for Reesink E-Vehicles

New sales manager for Reesink E-Vehicles

With a focus on electric and sustainable transport options, the e-Vehicles division of distributor Reesink UK, is home to innovative, award-winning, rapid-charge lithium-ion phosphate battery-powered passenger buggies and utility vehicles.

The enviromentally friendly fleet management journey is one nearly all turfcare customers are on in some shape or form, with buggies certainly at the forefront for golf clubs and leisure venues.

Darren brings 25 years of turfcare experience to the role and is a familiar face in golf. “When I realised I wasn’t going to make it as a golf pro, I delved deeper into alternative career options in the sector and I was amazed by the size and extent of it,” he says. “The opportunities, possibilities and options hooked me in.”

Specialising in sales early on, he says he’s visited “all golf clubs in the North of England” in his roles with Tacit Turf Equipment, Collier Turfcare and Allett Mowers, and it was his role with Eco Bunker that gave him his first experience of innovative and sustainable turfcare solutions.

“Through my role of Sales Manager for Eco Bunker I got a taste of working in this relatively new area and it sparked my interest, so when the role came up at Reesink e-Vehicles it instantly appealed. I could see how beneficial electric transport options were for the sector by then and I was eager for a challenge on a national level.

“To join a relatively new division brings the ambition to grow it. There’s a huge amount of potential within the dealer network and I can see the untapped areas of the market.”

The recruitment process for the role was competitive, exhaustive and essential to ensure the right candidate took on the role says Reesink’s Managing Director, Alastair Rowell: “This is one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry and a great opportunity to reach customers – new and existing – with our range of innovative solutions. Darren demonstrated he had the experience, insights and relationship management skills to continue the strong start for the division.”

Darren is now position and can be contact via Reesink head office on 01480 226800.

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.

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

/in , /by

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research: Industry leading innovator of synthetic bunker wall technology, EcoBunker, will highlight the findings of two major research projects on stand 246 at BTME in Harrogate, from 21st January.

EcoBunker will showcase the full results of the Great British Bunker Study, a project produced with the support of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA). The study identifies significant opportunities for golf clubs to reduce bunker maintenance costs while increasing golfer satisfaction, two topics at the top of every club agenda.

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

Alongside the bunker study, EcoBunker will present new research by the Welsh government that reveals surprising insights into sustainability and bunker construction. With thought provoking results on show the EcoBunker stand should provide hot topics of discussion for anyone with an interest in turf management or sustainable practices in golf.

“We’re really excited for BTME,” said Richard Allen, inventor of synthetic bunker technology. “It’s always a fantastic experience to share and learn amongst such an informed group of people at the show. And this year we have some fascinating data that will provoke conversation and progress the understanding of sustainability and best practices in golf. Anyone who wants to find out more should visit us at stand 246”

In addition to the two research projects, the EcoBunker stand will highlight work at Royal Ostend Golf Club that shows how EcoBunker met the challenge of some of the most stringent environmental standards in Europe. The team will also showcase some of its installations of EcoTec bunker liners and their positive impact during recent turbulent weather events.

For more information, visit EcoBunker at stand 246 at BTME or visit www.ecobunker.co.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.