Tag Archive for: Prize

The Toro prize that opens global doors

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The Toro prize that opens global doors: The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award is one of the turfcare industry’s most coveted prizes for young professionals. And for the 2024 winner Jack Vowell it’s been more than just a career milestone, it’s opened global doors and unlocked exciting new opportunities. 

Jack completed his 10-week place at the University of Massachusetts’ Winter School for Turf Managers, an internationally recognised turf management course, in March 2025. The fully funded prize, which is sponsored by Reesink Turfcare and Toro, covers a variety of turf sports, not just golf, giving its students a holistic view of the turfcare industry.

The Toro prize that opens global doors

The Toro prize that opens global doors

Students study a carefully curated curriculum of modules, covering everything from the fundamentals of turf management and soil science to turf pathology and weed management.

“It was really interesting learning about different turf conditions around the world,” says Jack. “Since Massachusetts is a cool-season grass area in the US, there was a lot that I learned which I can now use in my current role as Deputy Course Manager at Farrington Park Golf Club.“I particularly enjoyed the turf pathology lessons; they were eye-opening and taught us all about the causes and contributing factors of different diseases. It was great to learn from guest lecturers about how those at the top of their game manage their teams to get the best results.”

The course gave Jack exposure to other up-and-coming greenkeepers as well as top professionals within the field, he says: “Alongside the learning, it was an opportunity to be in the same room and talk with people from all over the world, about their goals and greenkeeping careers. One of the guest lecturers was the Head Superintendent at Oakmont Country Club in America. I never would have had the opportunity to listen to him, learn from his expertise, and ask him questions about greenkeeping.”

Despite being a remote course, UMass encourages a strong sense of community with the students. “The university was really keen to make you feel like the class of ‘25,” explains Jack. “They put a lot of emphasis on us sharing information with our classmates and making sure we were connected.

“I became friendly with a greenkeeper at Fenway Park in the US, which is home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. He’s left the door open for me to experience the ground there and learn about how they look after their turf. Opening international doors like this is just invaluable.”

For those considering applying to The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award for 2025, Jack highly recommends it: “The opportunities are endless once your name’s out there. Off the back of the award, I’ve joined the BIGGA regional board as vice chair and have attended national board meetings, which is a huge step forward for my career.”

Entries for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards for 2025 are now open. For more details and how to apply, head to reesinkturfcare.co.uk/students-awards. Entries are open from 1 March to 11 April 2025.

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GroundsFest Registration Prize Winner Announced

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GroundsFest Registration Prize Winner Announced: The winner of the GroundsFest 2024 registration prize has been announced. Warwickshire-based landscaper Trevor Day was thrilled to recently collect his brand-new Toro ProStripe 560 pedestrian mower – a machine that promises to take his business to the next level.

Every person who registered for GroundsFest 2024 was entered into the prize draw for a chance to win the Toro ProStripe 560. Renowned for its precision and clean striped finish, the ProStripe is a favourite among grounds professionals, excelling in both sports fields and fine turf applications.

GroundsFest Registration Prize Winner Announced

GroundsFest Registration Prize Winner Announced

Trevor, who runs his own landscaping business, couldn’t be more excited about his new mower. “I’m itching to start cutting some grass with it. I’ve heard a lot about the Toro ProStripe, and I know it’s going to hugely benefit my business,” he said. “It was the cherry on top after attending the fantastic GroundsFest 2024. The event was exactly what the industry has been crying out for—somewhere you can not only see new products but actually get hands-on and try them out. It’s so refreshing to attend an event that allows us to make informed decisions, rather than just talking specs and features. GroundsFest lets you experience the products firsthand, which is a game changer for anyone in the industry.”

Matthew Coleman, Sales Manager Professional Landscape Contractor & Site Works Equipment for the UK Direct Market, echoed Trevor’s enthusiasm. Toro UK sponsored the registration prize and reported an overwhelmingly successful debut at the show.

“It was a pleasure to sponsor the registration prize at GroundsFest this year, our first year of exhibiting as Toro UK, and what a great first year it was,” Matthew said. “I can see the future potential in GroundsFest and see how this event will help us promote our offerings to a large proportion of our markets. The show provides everything required to showcase both ends of our vast portfolio—hats off to the GroundsFest Team.”

He added, “A huge congratulations to the winner of our sponsored prize! It was fantastic to see how appreciative Trevor was in receiving his new Toro ProStripe. It was quickly evident the ProStripe has gone to a deserving winner and someone who’s very excited to create his first Toro stripes!”

GroundsFest continues to deliver memorable experiences for both exhibitors and attendees, and Trevor’s win is just one example of the many highlights from the event.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

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First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced: Nathan Lewis from Lewis Garden Machinery is the proud winner of a range of battery-powered Pellenc equipment – a GroundsFest registration prize that added an extra layer of excitement to the spectacular event.

The inaugural GroundsFest proved to be a huge success, captivating visitors with the largest display of outdoor machinery demonstrations in the UK, free educational sessions, live music performances, and the opportunity to engage in hands-on practical training.

First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

Amidst the countless opportunities at GroundsFest, every participant who registered and attended the event had a chance to win some exceptional prizes. The first prize was a battery-powered Rasion Basic lawnmower and a Selion telescopic polesaw from Pellenc.

Weighing less than 25 kg, the Rasion redefines working conditions for green space professionals. Its ultra-manoeuvrability, easy transport, and unmatched power ensures impeccable cut quality for various mowing tasks. With a reach of up to 14.76 ft, work can be carried out with the Selion polesaw without a carrying harness because of their lightness.

They are ideal for use in noise sensitive areas and powerful enough for forestry work.

The Pellenc prizes were won by Nathan Lewis from Lewis Garden Machinery, a well-established and reputable family business specialising in garden and landscape maintenance since 1987. The company, known for its bespoke maintenance schedules, has built a large portfolio of domestic and commercial clients through continued investment in equipment and improved work practices.

In recent years, Lewis Garden Services has made significant investments in battery equipment, particularly suitable for noise-sensitive areas such as offices, nursing homes, and hospitals. The addition of the Pellenc Rasion and Selion to the company’s machinery fleet aligns seamlessly with their commitment to providing an efficient, sustainable, and affordable service.

Ecstatic about the prize, Nathan admitted that winning was the perfect way to conclude his first memorable GroundsFest experience, emphasising the outdoor demonstrations, the wide variety of exhibitors, and the lively performance by the Queen tribute band as particular highlights.

Anticipation now builds for the announcement of the second registration prize winner, which will be announced soon.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

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ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022

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ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022: ClearWater was a hit at a very successful BTME for Acumen Waste Services Ltd. with a good number of enquiries taken.

ClearWater’s General Manager, Matthew Mears, who was most impressed with show, now establishing the stand in its more renewed location commented: “it was great to be back after Covid and welcome so many great customers and new customers back to the stand”

ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022

ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022

The stand was certainly busy and footfall up on last year with continued overseas interest too. The latest ClearWater display unit was on hand and proved useful to explain the virtues of the system (as our photo shows). There were many visits from Greenkeepers, machinery dealerships and others with specific interest in wash pad compliance and had seen pre-show publicity for ClearWater.

Towards the end of the last day the big event was the Prize Draw. Jim Croxton CEO of BIGGA, was happy to make the draw. The system was won by Centurion Park Golf Club, based in the North East and soon to undergo some exciting expansion and renovation plans to really but the course on the map! . John Grey (Course Manager) was delighted to learn of the win and said: “This is great news as will fit in perfectly with the plans for the new. ClearWater has been wanted by the us here at Centurion Park for some time now!”. A new ClearWater system will be on its way to Centurion park very soon!

A great show for ClearWater and Acumen with impressive organisation and support from the BIGGA team as always!

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ClearWater prize draw at BTME

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ClearWater prize draw at BTME: ClearWater was a hit at a very successful BTME for Acumen Waste Services Ltd. with a good number of enquiries taken.

ClearWater’s General Manager, Matthew Mears, who was most impressed with show, now establishing the stand in its more renewed location commented: “this was a record breaking year for us with ClearWater enquiries and the new location in the red zone seems to be paying off, for the second year! It was also a great opportunity to showcase all the new branding and ClearWater logo as well as familiarising customers with the Acumen brand”

ClearWater prize draw at BTME

ClearWater prize draw at BTME

The stand was certainly busy and footfall up on last year with continued overseas interest too. The latest ClearWater display unit was on hand and proved useful to explain the virtues of the system (as our photo shows). There were many visits from Greenkeepers, machinery dealerships and others with specific interest in washpad compliance and had seen pre-show publicity for ClearWater.

Towards the end of the last day the big event was the Prize Draw. Jim Croxten CEO of BIGGA, was happy to make the draw. The system was won by Trevose GC, a links course with stunning views located near Padstow, Cornwall, designed by golf course architect Harry S. Colt and opening for play in 1925. The winning entry was placed by course Manager Neil Ivamy. Neil was delighted to learn of the win and said: “Very happy to be compliant now. ClearWater has been wanted by the us here at Trevose for some time now!”. A new ClearWater system will be on its way to Trevose Golf Club very soon!

A great show for ClearWater and Acumen with impressive organisation and support from the BIGGA team!

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.