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Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

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Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce that Jayne Leyland, Portfolio Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, has been inducted into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame. 

As part of the GMA’s 90th anniversary celebrations, this honor recognises Jayne’s outstanding contributions and long-standing dedication to advancing the turfcare industry.

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

With over three decades in the sector, Jayne Leyland is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and influential grass seed specialists in the field. She has become a trusted resource for countless groundskeepers and turf professionals, who have come to rely on her expertise. Her work has helped shape turf management practices across the UK and beyond.

Born in Cheshire, Jayne began her journey at Reaseheath College, where she earned a Higher National Diploma in Horticulture (Golf Course Management). She first stepped into greenkeeping in 1993 at East Sussex National Golf Club and later held a role as assistant course manager at Chart Hills in Kent.

She transitioned into advisory roles by joining Barenbrug as an area manager, where she provided expert technical support and helped launch several landmark grass seed products, including RTF, SOS, and RPR.

Currently with Origin Amenity Solutions, Jayne continues to make significant contributions to turf management education, working closely with clients such as St Andrews Links Trust and Manchester City. She remains an active member of the BSPB Amenity Crop Group, overseeing turfgrass seed trials at STRI in Bingley and serving multiple times as chair.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association Chief Executive Officer said: “Jayne’s dedication to advancing turf management through her research and product development has had a profound and lasting impact on our industry. Her work has not only enhanced the quality of our green spaces but also inspired those around her to strive for the same high standards. Jayne’s award exemplifies the expertise that the GMA Hall of Fame celebrates, and we are genuinely honoured to recognise her achievements and contributions as part of our 90th anniversary celebrations. We look forward to seeing her continue to shape the future of turfcare for years to come.”

Jayne Leyland, Hall of Fame Inductee, said: “I’m truly overwhelmed and deeply honoured to receive this recognition. I never set out for awards – I’m just doing a job! A job I love in an industry that’s meant everything to me. It feels strange to be celebrated for something that has always been a passion and a privilege. I hope this inspires others to find joy and purpose in what they do, just as I have over the years. I’m grateful to be part of this community and share in something so special.”

To find out more about the Grounds Management Association Hall of Fame, please visit: www.thegma.org.uk/who/hall-of-fame

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Expansion of INFINICUT® mower fleet

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Expansion of INFINICUT® mower fleet: It’s an exciting and busy time for the team at Cabot Highlands, as work is well underway on the construction of a second 18-hole course to complement the renowned and outstandingly picturesque Castle Stuart Golf Links.

Investment from the new ownership has also extended to the electrification of the club’s mower fleet, with eight FL22 pedestrian mowers from INFINICUT® handling the undulating greens to deliver a best-in-class cut.

Expansion of INFINICUT® mower fleet

Expansion of INFINICUT® mower fleet

Tasked with the construction of Old Petty – set to open fully in 2026 – is Course Manager James Hutchison, who is assisted by a team of 16 on the daily maintenance of the Castle Stuart course. “We were keen to explore electric options so had demonstrations of the INFINICUT® along with other electric hand mowers” James explains. “There were a few things that the team and I liked about the INFINICUT® – it felt lighter and followed the contours of our greens to deliver a really consistent cut. The range of the INFINICUT® battery was also far better. It ticked a lot of boxes.”

Following the successful demonstration, the club purchased eight FL22 mowers from the INFINICUT® golf range, which were installed by local dealers Fairways GM. “The support from Fairways GM is fantastic and this goes a long way when you’re running a pay and play – we need the peace of mind that back-up is swift and professional should we ever need to call on it.” He adds, “We’ve also developed a great relationship with Alan Jack at INFINICUT® which, together with the performance of the machines, is another reason we’ll be adding more units to our fleet in the not-too-distant future.”

The INFINICUT® FL22 offers industry-leading cut quality, contour-following ability and unbeatable precision for the preparation of fine turf surfaces. James and the team are using the mowers on the greens and tees daily throughout the summer, and when conditions demand during the cooler months. “We like to keep the height of cut relatively high year-round to reduce stress of the turf. The finesse and cleanliness of cut and finish delivered by the INFINICUT® allows us to do that without detriment to pace or presentation.”

“We host a number of amateur events throughout the year which the mower fleet are imperative to in terms of preparations. Moving forwards, we’ll be adding more INFINICUT®’s to our fleet as we prepare to open the new course and potentially welcome more, bigger and even better events into our calendar.”

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Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

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Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX: British sprayer manufacturer Team Sprayers will be at SALTEX this year with a selection of sprayers from their pedestrian and mounted range of ground care sprayers.

Amongst the pedestrian sprayers they will be showcasing the Cub, Scout and Vixen Pro SP sprayers. The Team Cub sprayer has been designed for the greenkeeper or groundsman who requires a simple, efficient and reliable pedestrian sprayer.  The Team Scout pedestrian sprayer is an efficient and reliable ground care sprayer which hosts a range of features, but is simple to operate and maintain. It features an adjustable pressure control system as standard, which ensures constant, accurate liquid application. The Scout sprayer also features two pneumatic wheels with the option of adding a third ‘jockey type’ wheel which increases sprayer manoeuvrability and handling.

Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

The Team Vixen Pro Sp pedestrian sprayer will also be on stand. This sprayer has been designed for the greenkeeper or groundsman who requires efficient, reliable low-ground pressure application. It features a robust and simple design with the option to spray in either forward or reverse direction. The smooth action 24V powered axle is highly responsive with fully adjustable forward and reverse speeds. Constant speed settings ensure accurate spray application.

From their mounted range Team are showcasing their Team Club  sprayer, a full spec groundcare sprayer range incorporating all the requirements to meet the latest spraying legislation and the needs of the modern greenkeeper. Reliable, robust design and ‘easy to use’ operator controls make this machine very user friendly.  Standard features include; tank flushing system, chemical induction hopper, hand wash tank and PPE locker.

To see their range of ground care sprayers and to meet the Team visit them on stand C095.

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Husqvarna’s AI-ready platform of robotic mowers

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Husqvarna’s AI-ready platform of robotic mowers: Husqvarna, a world leader in robotic mowing, proudly unveils its latest innovation: a new platform of autonomous robotic lawnmowers designed for commercial use.

The AI-ready platform includes two new robotic mowers launching in the UK – the Automower® 580L EPOS™ and Automower® 560 EPOS™, which are set to disrupt turf care in sports fields, golf courses and other commercial areas.

Husqvarna's AI-ready platform of robotic mowers

Husqvarna’s AI-ready platform of robotic mowers

Designed with a focus on performance, power and efficiency, the duo offer advanced autonomous capabilities, including wire-free mowing and selectable cutting patterns. The two new mowers, which will be available from March 2025, will enable businesses to effortlessly maintain their turf care whilst saving time, cuttings costs and enhance turf quality.

The platform expands Husqvarna’s portfolio of autonomous solutions, aligning with its vision of advancing the future of landscaping through smart technology and ensuring that commercial users have access to state-of-the-art solutions that drive productivity and deliver superior results.

“The demand for reliable commercial autonomous turf care solutions continues to rise. With the new products we can now address more customer needs and develop a new market segment for commercial robotic lawn mowers, building on the success from Husqvarna CEORA™,” said Glen Instone, President Forest & Garden at Husqvarna.Glen continues: “Husqvarna is taking this opportunity to redefine the segment, drawing on our unrivalled expertise in robotics and innovation to deliver cutting-edge solutions for professional landscapers. We’re ready to lead the charge.”

A future-proof eco system for sports, golf and facility management
The new platform is engineered to be future-proof, with the capability to incorporate new features as they become available. After launch, it will offer benefits like compatibility with a new solar panel charger for remote sites, tailored to work seamlessly with the platform. Furthermore, it is AI-ready, with its first applications being a camera that provides night vision and exceptional obstacle avoidance capabilities. The camera application will be available in 2026 and will be compatible with the three new models.

The new models in Husqvarna’s groundbreaking new platform are tailored to meet the diverse needs of commercial users:

Golf and Sports
Automower® 580L EPOS™: Geared towards golf courses and sports clubs, it comes equipped with a low-cut disc enabling cutting heights down to 10mm.The powerful cutting, wire-free operation and selectable mowing patterns makes this model ideal for mowing fairways or sports pitches. This model is optimised for maximum uptime with remote start options.

Facility Management
Automower® 560 EPOS™: Tailored for facilities management, this model is optimised for maximum uptime with remote start options, providing enhanced operational flexibility. It also features wire-free mowing with selectable patterns, and a flexible front wheel axle making it a reliable choice for hilly, large, and complex landscapes.

Key Facts about the new platform:
Automower® 580L EPOS™: Wire-free, powerful cutting down to 10mm, designed specifically for golf courses and sports clubs, with a low-cut disc for specific turf requirements.

  • Up to 16,000 m² (in 48h) (4 acres)
  • Cut height 10-50 mm (0.4-2”)
  • 45% slope performance
  • 80W cutting motor

RRP: £7,799.00 (inc. VAT)

Automower® 560 EPOS™: Designed for facilities with optimised uptime, remote start option, and wire-free mowing. Excellent slope performance thanks to the flexible front wheel axle.

  • Up to 12,000 m² (in 48h) (3 acres)
  • Cut height 20-60 mm (0.8-2.4”)
  • 50% slope performance
  • 40W cutting motor

RRP: £6,099.00 (inc. VAT)

The new platform will be available from March 2025. For more information on Husqvarna’s new robotic mowers and other innovative products, visit Husqvarna’s website: www.husqvarna.com/uk.

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award: Congratulations to the brilliant finalists of the Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award, announced at this year’s Amenity Forum Conference in October.

Selected from the biggest ever entry to the prestigious competition to find the UK’s best sprayer operators across the industry, the finalists through to the next round of judging are:

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Award is organised by the Amenity Forum, with the support and sponsorship of ICL and Syngenta.

Announcing the finalists, Ian Graham, Amenity Forum Chairman said: “Being named a finalist is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and expertise in amenity spraying.”

He also commended all the entrants to the Awards for their hard work and dedication to the amenity industry, which does not go unnoticed. “We would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your participation.

“We strongly encourage you to apply again next year, as each entry helps to raise the standards and recognise the excellence in our industry.”

The next stage of the competition will involve individual interviews for the finalists with the judging panel. The overall winner will be announced at the BIGGA Industry Awards during the BTME event in Harrogate in January 2025.

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