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Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

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Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up: A former IT recruiter, a hotel doorman, a county cricketer and a heavy metal guitarist are just some of the finalists of the most prestigious awards event in the student greenkeeping calendar.

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and co-founders and sponsors Toro and Reesink UK have revealed the line-up for the 2024 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. Now in its 35th year, the awards have helped unearth some of the brightest talents within the turf management industry and laid the foundations for decades of professional success.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

Held at Oulton Hall in Leeds on 2-4 September, the finalists will compete in a series of challenges that are designed to test their technical knowledge and passion for the greenkeeping profession. Winners will then be crowned in the categories of Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.

BIGGA Learning and Development Manager Deb Burnett said: “Whether joining the industry fresh from full-time education or opting to switch after a career elsewhere, our finalists are a diverse group, but they demonstrate the extraordinary talent that is present in today’s golf greenkeeping industry. The degree of knowledge they possess is testament to the quality of training they receive, both at work and with their training providers, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them all to the finals in Leeds in September for what stands to be an exciting couple of days.”

David Timms, National Accounts Manager at Reesink UK and Young award category judge, said: “We are very much looking forward to again welcoming this year’s finalists to the long list of student greenkeepers who have made it to this stage previously. The interviews this year were all of a high calibre and showcased how positive the future of the industry is. On behalf of everyone at Reesink UK and Toro, we wish all the finalists good look and will see them in September for the next part of their journey.”

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Patrick Brown, greenkeeper at Wentworth Club and student at Berkshire College of Agriculture
  2. Jack Chapman, apprentice greenkeeper at The Grove and student at Capel Manor College
  3. Matt McCreadie, greenkeeper at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  4. Jack Vowell, greenkeeper at Farrington Park Golf Club and student at Bridgwater & Taunton College
  5. Jack Wellings, greenkeeper at JCB Golf & Country Club and student at Myerscough College

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Morgan Bowen, greenkeeper at Nevill Golf Club and student at North Kent College
  2. Alex Fox, apprentice greenkeeper at Woodhall Spa Golf Club and student at Bishop Burton College
  3. William Moore, apprentice greenkeeper at Kilworth Springs Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  4. Daniel Parker, greenkeeper at Knighton Heath Golf Club and Sparsholt College
  5. Cameron Redden, apprentice greenkeeper at Strathmore Golf Centre and SRUC Elmwood College

To be eligible for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must have been a greenkeeper for a minimum of 12 months and be studying towards the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper or Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper qualifications.

To be eligible for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must be aged 21 or under and studying towards the Level 2 award at the time of application.

More information about the finalists can be found on the BIGGA website, where you can also find information about the incredible prizes on offer for the awards winners and their endorsers and the runners-up in each category, including a 10-week placement on one of the industry’s most influential training courses.

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A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

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A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation: In his role as bridge between R&D and consumers, the expert agronomist Fabio Banin is the voice of the first chapter of “Green Talk,” the project to discover STIGA’s innovations designed for more sustainable and accessible garden care.

STIGA, leader in the garden care sector, presents its new, innovative project “Green Talk”: a journey into the heart of innovation, technology, design, and sustainability through the renowned voices of industry experts.

A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

With the experience of STIGA experts, “Green Talk” is designed to discover the valuable stories behind the brand’s innovations, demonstrating the strong connection between man and nature and how important the care for green spaces is for our planet. As sustainability and environmental awareness are increasingly in the spotlight, “Green Talk” aims to inspire and educate, offering a unique perspective to explore the interplay between nature and technology.

The first chapter of this journey features Fabio Banin, an expert agronomist in the field of green innovation, who likes referring to himself as a “grass advocate” because of the fundamental message that guides his work: “Greenery is alive and therefore needs to be cared for, not maintained.” Currently part of the STIGA team, Banin holds a wealth of experience in the industry, a cutting-edge vision, and his passion for environmental sustainability.

In this exclusive interview, Banin explored the fascinating world of garden care, sharing his experience, the challenges he faced over the years, and his vision for the future of the industry. As an advisor at STIGA, Fabio Banin brings a unique perspective by playing a crucial role as a bridge between R&D and customers, offering specialized technical assistance and gathering valuable feedback to improve STIGA’s products and services. “Within the company, I like to describe myself as a “joker”, a role that allows me to act as a connector between the different departments and the sales network, providing a cross-functional perspective that fosters collaboration and development.”

Reflecting its green soul, Fabio Banin addressed the constant focus on innovation and sustainability in STIGA’s approach – factors that make this company truly unique in its sector. “It is the winning combination of a future-oriented attitude and a deep commitment to sustainability. This is evident not only in the research and development of cutting-edge products, but also in the company’s practices that put environmental stewardship at the heart of its actions.”  Fabio continues “Among the most significant projects in which I am involved, I am particularly proud of the multi-year project on mulching in collaboration with the University of Padua, aimed at exploring the benefits of this practice for lawn health and for reducing fertilizer use. Preliminary results indeed demonstrate the effectiveness of mulching in improving lawn quality and in reducing the environmental impact of excessive or incorrect use of polluting fertilizers. In addition, from a resource-saving perspective, the results prove that mulching can work in synergy with fertilizer, enhancing its effectiveness and therefore requiring less of it (up to -60%) for a more lush, healthy lawn.”

Besides showing STIGA’s commitment to sustainable and advanced gardening solutions, this research project also has an educational objective aimed at the end consumer, so that the company’s efforts translate into innovative practices adopted by individuals to generate a positive impact together.

Moreover, Fabio Banin analyses the changes and challenges in the market, which are essential to adapt to environmental and consumer needs, underlining the importance of innovation and ongoing research to maintain leadership in the garden care sector. In this context, STIGA is constantly striving to remain at the forefront of current trends, starting from the transition to electric solutions and the integration of advanced technologies into products, ensuring effective and sustainable solutions for customers.

“Looking to the future, my hope is that STIGA will continue to be recognized for its commitment to sustainability and innovation as hallmarks, thus establishing itself as a pioneer in the garden care sector, designing machinery and equipment that can make gardening more efficient and accessible to all, and guiding the market towards more conscious choices.”

This is just the first of the stories from STIGA experts’ first-hand experience. A journey into the green world of innovation, guided by the passion and expertise of people like Fabio Banin and STIGA’s longstanding commitment to the care of greenery.

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Wilkinson Sword’s trio of cutting-edge tools

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Wilkinson Sword’s trio of cutting-edge tools: This May, garden maintenance just got a whole lot easier, as Wilkinson Sword launches three new products to complement its existing range of premium-quality gardening tools. These tools are carefully designed to provide maximum strength, comfort, and ease, making gardening tasks a breeze for even the most novice gardeners.

Ultralight 1.5m Shrub & Branch Cutter
RRP £49.99

The first newest addition is Wilkinson Sword’s Ultralight 1.5m Shrub & Branch Cutter. This lightweight cutter is engineered with productivity in mind, with up to 50% weight reduction compared to standard garden tools. Its two-way easy-pull mechanism allows gardeners to choose between a shaft slider for convenient usage or an end toggle for extended reach. Crafted from lightweight aluminium, and featuring internal cable routing to prevent snagging, this cutter ensures smooth and simple use. The addition of a high-quality SK5 non-stick coated blade also guarantees precise, clean cutting, reducing the risk of diseases and infections taking hold on any precious plants.

Wilkinson Sword's trio of cutting-edge tools

Wilkinson Sword’s trio of cutting-edge tools

Long Handled Hedge Shears
RRP £29.99

Also launching this month are the Long Handled Hedge Shears, which are designed specifically for general trimming, cutting, and shaping throughout the garden. The shears are crafted from lightweight aluminium but still offer exceptional strength and control. Their long-angled handles provide easier reach on taller or shaped hedges, while soft grip handles enhance comfort during extended use. Equipped with long 7” ultra-sharp blades, these shears deliver effortless, crisp, and clean cuts, ensuring impeccable results every time.

Single Hand Precision Topiary Shears
RRP £19.99

Completing the new trio, is the Single Hand Precision Topiary Shear, which is tailored to provide accurate shaping and trimming of delicate buds and blooms. They feature precise steel blades ensure crisp cutting, while the single-handed design makes it easy to trim intricate foliage. A safety locking catch enables secure transport and storage, while a smooth action spring make them more comfortable for long periods of gardening.

Contact a sales representative for more details on how to stock Wilkinson Sword via customerservices@barrus.co.uk. To find out more about the products and other ranges visit www.wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk

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Expansion of area for George Browns Ltd

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Expansion of area for George Browns Ltd: In a strategic re-shuffle of their partner network, Redexim are pleased to announce an expansion in the coverage area for George Browns Ltd. Effective immediately, the team will be responsible for the sales, service and support of the Redexim range to customers across the IP postcode region.

Operating out of five depots across Befordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, George Browns Ltd are one of the UK’s largest agricultural and groundcare dealerships, representing many of the industry’s leading machinery franchises. Long-standing partners and distributors of the full Redexim range of natural and artificial equipment, this announcement extends the reach and support of the George Browns technical team to customers old and new in the IP area.

Expansion of area for George Browns Ltd

Expansion of area for George Browns Ltd

Commenting on behalf of George Browns Ltd, Group Groundcare Sales Manager Tim Mason said, “George Browns have represented Redexim (originally Charterhouse Turf Machinery) since the 1980’s – renowned for their industry leading equipment and have developed into a key brand for our business. Redexim have some exciting new additions to their portfolio over the coming months, so we’re excited to represent another brilliant brand for Suffolk/IP.”

Redexim UK Commercial Director Paul Langford added, “In George Browns we have a knowledgeable, motivated and wide-reaching partner who have long demonstrated their enthusiasm and professionalism with the Redexim range. We are delighted to have strengthened our partnership with them and are confident that they will give customers the service needed as we continue to innovate and move forwards.”

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Additions to Lantra Board of Trustees

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Additions to Lantra Board of Trustees: Lantra are pleased to announce that Professor John Moverley OBE and Beth Brook have joined the Board of Trustees from May 2024. Their knowledge and experience of the land-based and environment sector will be a valuable addition to the Lantra Board.

Professor John Moverley OBE is formerly the Chief Executive and Principal of Myerscough College. He joins the Board following his chairing role at the UK Amenity Forum and advisory positions at the Severn & Wye Flood and Costal Committee, and the West Midlands Advisory Committee to the Forestry Commission, where he served as Chair.

Additions to Lantra Board of Trustees

Additions to Lantra Board of Trustees

John is a leading voice on matters relating to sustainable practice in the amenity industry. He is also an elected Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and holds honorary Fellowships from the University of Central Lancashire, and Myerscough College. John was honoured with an OBE in 2004 for services to education.

Commenting on the appointment, Chair of Lantra, Dr David Llewellyn said: “I’m really pleased that John has joined the Board of Trustees. His expertise and experience will no doubt be of significant value to Lantra, helping to drive the organisation forward.”

Also commenting on the appointment, Lantra CEO, Marcus Potter, said: “John’s standing in the sector is a real asset to Lantra. I am sure his diversity of experience will help steer our strategic direction.”

Beth Brook is an active advocate for skills development. As the former CEO of the

Heart of England Forest, she led the organisation to be one of the first to take on new forestry apprentices, as well as implementing a paid internship in forestry. She also sits on the Board of the Youth Environmental Service, a national organisation that is promoting and facilitating environmental careers for young people.

Beginning her career on a pig farm, Beth is a qualified ecologist and has held executive roles at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, and Fair Train. Beth is a reasoned voice on skills development, training and professional development within forestry and arboriculture.

Chair of Lantra, Dr David Llewellyn, commented on the appointment of Beth, saying: “I’m delighted that Beth has joined the Lantra Board. Her knowledge, experience, and advocacy will be a real benefit to Lantra and to the Board. I am looking forward to working with Beth over the next few years.”

Lantra’s CEO, Marcus Potter, added: “Beth’s passion for training and skills is in strong alignment with Lantra’s mission and will be greatly welcomed to Lantra’s Board.”

Following the appointment of Professor John Moverley and Beth Brook, two Trustees will be standing down from the Board. Jane Cragie and Richard Clarke will be leaving after eight years and six years, respectively.

Lantra Chair, David Llewellyn commented on the departure of Richard and Jane: “It has been a pleasure to work with both Richard and Jane during their time on the Board. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all their hard work and commitment in supporting Lantra to be the organisation it is today.

“I wish them both the very best with their future endeavours, and again thank them for their service to Lantra.”

These changes to the Lantra Board take effect from the end of May 2024.

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