Tag Archive for: New

New business for renowned greenkeeper

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New business for renowned greenkeeper: Chris Haspell, formerly course manager at Castle Stuart Golf Links in Scotland, and project manager of the ill-fated Coul Links project near Royal Dornoch has launched a turf and golf business consultancy.

Chris Haspell & Associates aims to help golf clubs across the world deal with turf, construction, ecological and machinery issues, among other services. Haspell, who has 35 years in the industry and has already consulted at clubs including North Berwick and St Enodoc, originally made his name at Horsholm Golf in Denmark, where he led a reconstruction of the 27-hole complex.

New business for renowned greenkeeper

New business for renowned greenkeeper

Recently, as well as leading the attempt to build Coul Links for developers Todd Warnock and Mike Keiser, Haspell has project managed the construction of the New course at Les Bordes in France for architect Gil Hanse, with whom he first worked at Castle Stuart. “We were completely confident that in our absence, due to the pandemic, the grow-in would proceed magnificently, and it has! We cannot recommend him highly enough,” said Hanse.

As well as his own consulting business, Haspell is continuing to work with American super-developer Mike Keiser on a number of projects – he has consulted on the growing of fescue at a number of Keiser’s projects, including Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Cabot Cliffs in Canada. “Chris Haspell has that rare magic touch with all things golf,” said Keiser.

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Ascernity approval adds new power

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Ascernity approval adds new power: The exciting new dual-action Syngenta turf fungicide Ascernity® has gained approval for use on sports turf surfaces – bringing a step change in disease control for high pressure conditions.

The initial approval enables use only on fully enclosed sports turf in the UK, including such football, rugby and cricket stadiums, training facilities, tennis courts and bowls, for example. The move is the first step in submissions for future extended approval for golf and other turf surfaces.

Ascernity approval adds new power

Ascernity approval adds new power

Ascernity brings an entirely new active for turf disease management, SolatenolTM, in combination with difenconazole – designed to together give the optimum balance of internal and leaf surface protection.

This balanced systemicity of Ascernity ensures the whole plant leaf remains protected for longer and giving sustained disease control in growing conditions, reported Glenn Kirby, Syngenta Technical Manager for UK and Ireland.

“It is especially well suited to stadium conditions where turf growth continues all year around, particularly with artificial lights and undersoil heating,” he advocated. “The addition of Ascernity is extremely welcome for enclosed situations that create continuously high disease pressure, which seriously challenge existing limited options for managers.”

The approval for Ascernity in the UK specifically states use only on fully enclosed sports turf where access by large herbivorous animals – hares and rabbits – can be excluded. Use areas in the future are expected to be extended when Syngenta is ready with further supporting data.

Glenn believes Ascernity will become a key fungicide option in the programme whenever turf is actively growing, particularly enabling stadium pitch renovations to establish strongly. Its use has proven safe from the two-leaf stage in seedlings and with no adverse effects on any turf.

“Targeting disease earlier prevents damage to the leaf, reduces stress on the plant and effectively breaks the disease cycle – enabling fungicide programmes to maintain playing surface quality and longer lasting results throughout the season.

“The dual action of Ascernity is so effective since it initially stops germinating spores from developing hyphae on the surface. But if disease has penetrated through into the leaf, it can still act to stop further development – before visible damage breaks out.”

Results from over 70 trials throughout Europe have shown effective performance against a full range of key turf diseases, including Microdochium nivale (fusarium patch), anthracnose and dollar spot. Trials have also shown activity on brown patch, red thread, fairy ring, take-all and leaf spot.  Activity has been demonstrated with Solatenol use on grey leaf spot.

Ascernity is approved for two applications per season, at a rate of 3.0 l/ha. Applications must be made using LERAP 3-star rated nozzles, along with compliance of a six-metre buffer zone.

Research has shown it can be used to complement Instrata Elite and Medallion TL in a powerful disease control programme for turf quality.

Launching Ascernity in the UK, Syngenta Turf Business Manager, Daniel Lightfoot, added there has been huge excitement for the successfully approval and introduction of a new active ingredient for turf management.

“The investment in achieving approval for Ascernity underlines our commitment to delivering effective solutions for turf disease control, along with the research, support and advice to get the best results.”

He pointed out that the power of the actives in Ascernity will perfectly complement other Syngenta turf fungicides, to enable turf managers to plan a strategic disease control approach, alongside advanced innovative technologies in wetting agents, pigments and amino acid biostimulant programmes.

“Used as a strategic part of an integrated Turf Management (ITM) plan, Ascernity can assure a sustainable long-term future for effective turf disease control in stadiums,” he added.

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Makita’s new cordless earth auger

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Makita’s new cordless earth auger: Leading power tool manufacturer, Makita UK has announced the release of its Brushless LXT 36V (18Vx2) DDG460 – Earth Auger. Suitable for a variety of earth boring tasks up to 200mm diameter, this powerful tool is breaking new ground in the field of cordless solutions.

Powered by two 18V LXT lithium-ion batteries, the new DDG460T2X7 (with two 5Ah batteries and twin-port fast charger) and DDG460ZX7 (body only version) Cordless Earth Auger is capable of producing a maximum torque of 136Nm. Thanks to its 36V brushless motor, the solution is suited for even the most demanding tasks with the ability to drill approximately 155 holes with a 150mm earth auger, and 90 holes with a 200mm earth auger all from a single charge (figures may vary depending on ground conditions.)

Makita's new cordless earth auger

Makita’s new cordless earth auger

The tool incorporates a number of features to protect the tool and battery from potential over use, including Makita’s integrated Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT) that automatically changes the drilling speed according to the load condition, thus enabling more optimum operation.

To protect the operator, the tool also features a torque limiter, that will activate if the auger binds in the ground, which is required due to the high torque output generated by this machine. Here, the motor will disengage from the output shaft and the machine will stop. Should an auger bit jam in soil with high resistance such as clay, the reversing switch enables the operator to extract the bit in reverse rotation. Makita has also included a Handle Set with a bar and auxiliary handle to assist the operator in controlling the rotation torque generated by the powerful motor and gearbox.

With a number of convenient controls such as soft-start function, an electric brake two-speed gearbox and variable speed control, the DDG460 can easily switch between tasks with its versatile auger bit adapter, whilst the twin LED job light makes working in low-light environments far easier.

The power unit can be fitted with a selection of 100mm, 150mm and 200mm earth augers and Makita has also introduced a 540mm extension bar to achieve greater hole depth when required.

Speaking on the new release, Mark Earles, OPE Business Development Manager at Makita UK commented: “The new DDG460 Cordless Earth Auger is ideal for many fencing and landscaping companies, with the power and performance required to tackle a variety of soils without the constraints of petrol engine alternatives. Powered by a brushless motor, the tool is engineered to run more efficiently for longer life and is fuelled by our LXT battery platform for fast charging and on-site productivity.

“We are looking forward to releasing more cordless, outdoor products as part of an exciting and expanding roadmap of cordless products in 2021.”

To see the DDG460 in action and to find out more, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80PGP5QzBXo

For more information about Makita, please visit: www.makitauk.com

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New partnership benefits Leven Links

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New partnership benefits Leven Links: Golfers visiting Leven Links Golf Course in Fife are often unaware that they are playing, in part, over one of the oldest pieces of golfing land in the world. This is a traditional links with rolling fairways, many of which are lined by ancient sand dunes, fast putting surfaces, burns and pot bunkers.

The club dates back to 1820 although golf only started being played here in 1846, and it is thought that the original layout became the first course that century to boast both 18 tees and 18 greens. Leven Links also lays claim to hosting the oldest open amateur strokeplay championship in the world.

New partnership benefits Leven Links

New partnership benefits Leven Links

The Standard Life Assurance Company’s Amateur Champion Gold Medal has been held here since 1870, with more recent winners including Lee Westwood and Andrew Coltart. It also hosts the historic Lindsay Shield, an interclub match between Leven, St Andrews and Carnoustie which can be traced back over 150 years.

Establishing a new heritage is the aim of course manager David Gray, who took over here in September 2018 after a period as head greenkeeper at Ladybank Golf Club, also in Fife. David, who is a BIGGA Central Section Scotland committee member, believes there is a lot of potential to bring Leven Links back to a pre-eminent position by once more hosting big events and putting its name firmly back on the golfing map.

Two clubs share the course, Leven Golfing Society and Leven Thistle, and this comes with its own challenges, says David. The sheer volume of competitive golf generates a lot of work to meet the required standards and means the pressure on the small greenkeeping team is constant.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to manage my own course in the way I’d like,” says David. “Expectations are high, and we’re trying to produce the best possible conditions on a day to day basis. This has meant the introduction of more modern techniques and cultural practices, as well as investment in up to date course machinery.

“With the exception of my deputy Gary McLaren, who has spent an impressive 30 years at Leven Links, I have been able to build a fantastic new team who have adapted very well to my strategies and are loving the introduction of the new equipment. Teamwork is hugely important in our industry and with staff working independently towards the same end goal, the collective results are so rewarding.”

As part of this initial modernisation process, a ProGator utility vehicle equipped with an HD200 amenity turf sprayer was bought from local John Deere dealer Double A at Cupar. This provides more accuracy and precision plus a bigger tank capacity than the course’s previous mounted sprayer, and led to the clubs’ first John Deere machinery deal being agreed with the dealership in late 2019, as part of a new partnership approach.

The fleet now also includes 2500E hybrid electric and 2550 E-Cut triplex greens mowers, another ProGator with a Dakota top dresser, TE electric and HPX diesel Gator utility vehicles and an R Series walk-behind rotary mower plus ancillary products including a Wessex collector and a Tru-Turf greens roller, for which Double A is the official UK distributor.

“There was no structured machinery replacement strategy in place when I came to the club, so this was one of the first things we had to address to improve the overall course quality and presentation, as well as reliability of the equipment,” says David.

“I made a proposal to the Leven Links Joint Committee, and their support has been fantastic, bearing in mind we are breaking completely new ground for the clubs with this deal. Now we have an established plan and we’re always talking about what happens next, so it’s very much a continuing process.

“We opted for a John Deere Financial lease deal, which proved to be extremely flexible as not only could we defer payments due to Covid-19, we were also able to bundle in an extra machine, the HPX Gator,” says David. “We had great support too from John Bateson of Double A, and both of these aspects were key factors in making the deal happen very quickly and smoothly.

“Our cutting regimes have changed as well since bringing in the new Tru-Turf roller. John Deere cutting units are set up differently to our previous mowers and the clip rates are higher, so by using the roller we can miss out the odd cut now and again, which is a great bonus given the pressures on play.

“My past experience with Double A has been worth a lot, especially having them on the doorstep and knowing I can rely on the same level of service I’ve always received,” adds David. “They helped me to focus on exactly what I needed to fit in with my plans for the course, and we’re already benefiting from that and the great technological strides John Deere has made in recent years with its product range.”

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Terra Spike XF central to new era

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Terra Spike XF central to new era: One of Hertfordshire’s leading independent day and boarding schools has embarked upon a new era of grounds maintenance across its 130-acre site, with a team restructure and additional grounds investment.

Bishop’s Stortford College appointed Adam Smith as their new Head Groundsman in March, with responsibility for both the sports surfaces and the extensive ornamental gardens. With over 1200 pupils, and a reputation for sporting excellence, rugby in particular, the College is a ‘Partnership School’ with Premiership rugby neighbours, Saracens RFC.

Terra Spike XF central to new era

Terra Spike XF central to new era

Specifically on sport, Adam, plus two staff, Ben Baker and David Beckenham, look after 20 hectares of sport surfaces which include five full size and 10 junior rugby pitches, an assortment of training grids and pitches, one full size and five junior football pitches, six cricket squares -consisting 34 tracks , two Astros and a MUGA.

Progress on many fronts is being made.  “Increasing our maintenance machinery fleet was my initial task,” said Adam Smith, whose career to date has included seven years as a horticultural mechanic for one of the largest contractors in Europe, two years working for a dealership in Brisbane Australia and seven years at Haileybury Imperial College. “My career history has given me enormous insight and a great understanding of the needs of a multisport educational establishment.”

“An aerator was central to our plans.  For me, Wiedenmann who are renowned for build quality so it had to be the XF6 to support productivity within our maintenance regimes. Regular aeration is key to our maintenance programmes to improve our carrying capacity for training and sports fixtures. We are really pleased with the XF’s work rate and our ability to aerate multiple pitches in one day; a junior pitch is taking less than an hour.

“The cricket squares had their first aeration in mid-November and held up well; depth was 150mm with 16mm tines.  They also got a little feed using Sierrablen Plus 3 19-5-18+2Mgo+TE.  I was happily surprised the disturbance was so negligible. Seeing as little disturbance encouraged me to revise my plan… we’ll fit in an additional run, so we’ll go again before Christmas, instead of just the once… at 200mm to try to break the pan a little deeper, In January, I may, ground conditions allowing, go out one more time using the multi tine holders and 10 mm tines, probably down to 100mm to encourage root growth, then that finishes off aeration on the squares.

“The outfields were another pleasant surprise.  The XF covers our 1st team outfield in just five hours using 16mm tines and a 4×4 pattern going down 150mm, which is impressive considering it’s 14 000 sqm, Often, though, we opt for punching more holes in the ground rather than chasing speed.  It’s so productive whichever way you look at it and was the definitely right decision for us.”

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