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Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam

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Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam: The Dennis G860 has ‘everything you need’ in a cylinder mower according to Kieron Jennings – Head Groundsman at Oxford United FC.

Kieron, who is employed by Grasstek and oversees the maintenance of the pitches at Oxford United FC’s Bangkok Glass Training Centre and the Kassam Stadium, felt the time was right to purchase a new cylinder mower. Somewhat of a turf perfectionist and a huge fan of the beautiful game, he revealed exactly why.

Dennis G860 - King of the Kassam

Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam

“Ultimately we wanted a better quality of cut,” he said. “We needed a mower which was going to give us a lot more definition. The first team like to play real football; fast one-touch football, and therefore the objective was to get that leaf down and as tight to the plant as we possibly could. We felt we could achieve this best with the Dennis G860.”

Kieron came to this conclusion after various cylinder mowers were demonstrated at the Kassam Stadium. As someone who highly values the team around him, Kieron was also keen to gauge feedback during the demonstrations.

“We’ve got a trainee that has never used a cylinder mower, but with supervision he jumped straight on the G860’s with no problem at all – he enjoyed every minute of using it.”

Lightweight at just 166kg the Dennis G860 is indeed incredibly easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. Furthermore, the handlebar console houses the controls for the throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

As one of the most renowned cylinder mowers in the grounds management industry, the Dennis G860 features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion.

“The quality of cut is second to none and it gives us a precise cut each and every time,” added Kieron. “We didn’t quite get that with our last mowers so I’m glad we switched.

“The manager has never once complained about the pitch – in fact he is always complimenting it.”

Dennis G860 - King of the Kassam

Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam

Aside from providing a perfect finish, the G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks such as scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting. Kieron revealed how some of the cassettes play a part in his maintenance programme.

“As you’d expect, we use the cutting cylinders a lot – perhaps once or twice a day throughout the week. The brush is used to clean the top surface out and we’ll use the verticutter cassette to cut into our laterals, to thin the grass out and to take any Poa out.

In the winter we’ll rely on this cassette maybe two or three times a month because it helps with how the ball moves across the pitch in terms of the speed and the bounce.”

Kieron purchased two Dennis G860’s and he would have no hesitation in recommending them.

“They are very good machines; they are built well, and the durability is fantastic,” he said. “The G860’s have helped us get to where we want to be, and they are above anything else on the market.

“I can confidently say that if you are thinking of changing your cylinder mower, then get a G860 because it has got absolutely everything you need.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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Singing the praises of an Agrovista tank-mix

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Singing the praises of an Agrovista tank-mix: A tank-mix designed by Agrovista Amenity is helping to control the weed population at the Singing Hills Golf Club in West Sussex.

Singing Hills features 27 holes in three loops of nine holes, allowing golfers to play any combination. Designed by Richard Hird, this parkland course, with its gently undulating fairways, spectacular water holes and the Sussex Downs as a backdrop, is one of the county’s top golf venues.

Singing the praises of an Agrovista tank-mix

Singing the praises of an Agrovista tank-mix

Course Manager Mark Lunday and his Deputy Tom Granite have improved the course each year and are proud of the fact that golf can be played all year round without the need of temporary greens. However, the course does have somewhat of an Achilles heel according to Tom.

“We have suffered here for years with a really bad weed problem on our fairways and green surrounds,” he said. “In the past we have trialled all the different herbicides you can think of at different rates; we’ve tried it with wetters, stickers, pH adjusters and have done everything we possibly can but have not been successful.”

“Following the unsuccessful trials, we spoke to Joseph Dormer from Agrovista Amenity and he put together a special tank-mix,” added Mark. “We trialled it on two fairways and it worked well so we then chose to spray the entire course.”

The three-way tank-mix which Joseph Dormer recommended consisted of Praxys (2L/ha) – a systemic, post-emergence herbicide, containing clopyralid, florasulam and fluroxypyr which combines three active ingredients and two modes of action; GoGreen Select (25L/ha) which is a complex iron sulphate for rapid greening; and Evolution Xtra Soluble (20kg/ha) – a stabilised urea product which is a cost-effective nitrogen source giving 2-3 months longevity. The mix is applied with water at a rate of 320L/ha.

ALS Contractors were brought in to spray the Agrovista Amenity tank-mix on all 27 fairways and green surrounds with a view of controlling the troublesome weeds while also improving the condition and health of the turf.

Mark and Tom were suitably impressed with the process from start to finish.

“Singing Hills is such a large site, and we physically can’t get round to do the spraying,” said Tom. “Therefore, we needed the professionals to come in and get it all done in one morning rather than us trying to do a little bit at a time, and not get anywhere. The process went really well – the guys knew exactly what they were doing, and we couldn’t ask for more.”

“It is down to Agrovista Amenity’s scientific research that has enabled us to control the weed population at Singing Hills Golf Course,” said Mark. “Hopefully we will continue to see a lot more vigour and colour on our fairways, therefore enhancing the golf course.”

There is also a video with Joseph Dormer and the team from Singing Hills Golf Club which can be viewed by clicking here.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf

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One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has issued the results of a major industry survey, with some of the findings representing a stark warning to the golfing industry.

More than 1,300 members of BIGGA, representing golf clubs across the United Kingdom, responded to the survey, which asked them to provide details of working conditions at their facilities, in addition to commenting on their job satisfaction.

One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf

One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf

With talk of difficulties regarding the recruitment and retention of staff common, BIGGA undertook the survey to gain solid evidence of the challenges at UK golf clubs, and the results have raised a number of concerns.

Although 56% of respondents said they were happy working within the greenkeeping profession, 35% admitted they were currently looking for opportunities outside the industry.

With regard to issues of recruitment, 53% are running with teams at less than full strength, while 83.5% said they struggle to recruit new staff.

The boom in golf that followed the coronavirus lockdowns in the past two years has translated to a general increase in staffing numbers, with golf clubs having on average one extra full time greenkeeper compared to the previous poll in 2019.

However, investment in staff welfare facilities hasn’t materialised, with, for example, only one in five facilities offering single sex changing facilities and toilets for female team members. Despite increased reliance on technology, nearly half of clubs don’t provide internet connectivity within the greenkeeping facility.

Further details and a results breakdown is available on the BIGGA website at: https://www.bigga.org.uk/news-listing/greenkeepers-bigga-workforce-survey.html

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “I’m pleased to be able to present robust data to the wider golfing industry that lays bare some fairly frightening statistics on the challenges that exist within our profession.

“We know anecdotally that there are major challenges regarding the recruitment and retention of staff and also that pay, conditions and welfare are major contributors, but to see in black and white that nearly 35% of greenkeepers are looking for work outside the industry is truly a concern.

“Equally, finding out that only one in five facilities are equipped for female staff members shows that the sport’s laudable ambitions to improve equality and diversity are not translating into our side of the game.

“But the key question is what does the game of golf does with this information? It is widely known that there is currently a general challenge in recruiting and retaining staff across society. In order to continue functioning, many sectors have responded with significant pay increases and improvement in working conditions. Golf requires an integrated approach by the entire sport to overcome the challenges laid out by this survey. This approach will need to clearly lay out the challenges, create targets and devise plans to achieve our ambitions.”

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Retirement of Barrus Managing Director

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Retirement of Barrus Managing Director: The Board of E P Barrus Ltd is announcing that in December 2023 Managing Director, Mr Robert Muir, will retire from his position after 32 years with the company, including more than 11 as Managing Director.

Robert joined Barrus in 1990 from Ransomes Consumer Ltd, where he was Managing Director. He has contributed enormously to the growth and success of Barrus during his tenure. First as a highly capable Finance Director ensuring the financial stability of the company; and then as Sales Director and Managing Director. As well as being a popular leader of the company, he is hugely respected by both Barrus’ suppliers and customers.

Retirement of Barrus Managing Director

Retirement of Barrus Managing Director

Robert was instrumental in taking Barrus into the Garden Tools market, first with Wolf-Garten, then Wilkinson Sword and Town & Country. More recently he has been leading the drive on electrification within the markets that Barrus operates in, not least with the design & building of a hydrogen fuel cell powered inland waterways vessel.

Odgers Berndtson has been appointed to lead the search to identify Robert’s successor.

“It is hard to know where to start to thank Robert for his dedication to Barrus and his friendship to me and my family. There have been some interesting times over the last 32 years and Robert’s unwavering commitment has served us very well” said Robert Glen, Owner of Barrus.

“I have known and worked with Robert for over three decades. He is a tremendous leader and on a personal level, adviser, so I am thrilled that we will retain his wise counsel and expertise as he has agreed to remain on the board of the company as a non-executive director”, said Tara Glen, Barrus Chairman.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tara Glen, E P Barrus Ltd Chairman: tara.glen@barrus.co.uk

Clare Glackin, Odgers Berndtson: clare.glackin@odgersberndtson.com

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Get ahead of the game at SALTEX

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Get ahead of the game at SALTEX: Visitor registration is now open, the new website is live and Europe’s largest free sports turf show, SALTEX, is introducing a brand-new look for 2022.

Registering for a free ticket has never been easier thanks to the event’s new website ­– saltex.org.uk. Now in its 76th year, Europe’s largest sports turf, amenities and landscaping trade exhibition will host all sectors of the grounds care industry, with over 400 industry brands standing ready to showcase their latest products and innovations.

Get ahead of the game at SALTEX

Get ahead of the game at SALTEX

Sarah Cunningham, GMA director of commercial and events, SALTEX event organisers, says: “As the biggest event covering the supply and management of products and services that help to create high quality leisure, recreation, and sports surfaces, it’s important that the new website is easy to navigate for visitors and exhibitors. I’m confident that the new site will deliver for both.”

Speaking about the rebrand, Andrea McMahon, GMA director of communications says:

“SALTEX represents innovation and progression. Its where the industry comes together to build networks, knowledge and learn about new innovations. It’s forward-looking and the brand needs to reflect this and we hope the new look strikes the balance of being modern and progressive, whilst retaining an element of simplicity connecting it to the previous look.”

The opening of visitor registration coincides with the launch of the 2022 show’s social media campaign, #aheadofthegame. As attending the show guarantees you’ll be ahead of the game, the tag couldn’t be more apt. SALTEX visitors are being encouraged to use the tag, along with #SALTEX2022 on social posts to share what they learnt at the show that puts them ahead of the game. Likewise exhibitors are being encouraged to use the tag to promote what they will be bringing to the show.

At the event, visitors will hear about latest product innovations and find all the machinery and technology needed to make their jobs easier. It gives access to expertise all in one place that they wouldn’t get anywhere else. Visitors will be surrounded by a broad spectrum of exhibitors offering solutions and providing answers – and there’ll be the opportunity to meet and network with others in the same industry for new ideas and fresh insights.

Sarah continues: “With a proven track record spanning eight decades, the SALTEX 2022 show won’t disappoint. Bringing together the best in the business to tackle the trends and issues affecting those working in the industry, the event will host over 400 industry brands in one place – all lining up the best products on offer for today’s growing needs. And, as always, there will be a comprehensive schedule of speakers across three theatres sharing their knowledge and expertise – with sustainability and environmental pressure at the forefront of the 2022 agenda.”

SALTEX will make sure you #getaheadofthegame so be sure to visit saltex.org.uk and

register for your free ticket. The show takes place at the conveniently central Birmingham NEC on 2-3 November. To discuss the option of buying stand space at the 2022 show, email Sarah Cunningham at scunningham@thegma.org.uk.

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