Tag Archive for: Programme

Headland programme praised by Gillingham GC

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Headland programme praised by Gillingham GC: After previously suffering with the side effects of excessive thatch content, the Course Manager at Gillingham Golf Club has praised a programme from Headland Amenity for its role in transforming the health and presentation of the greens.

Together with a comprehensive cultural regime, the improvement in course condition has seen a reduction in disease activity and reduced reliance on fungicides, and saw Gillingham proudly play host to a Kent Golf Captains event for the very first time.

Headland programme praised by Gillingham GC

Headland programme praised by Gillingham GC

John Hunnisett joined as Course Manager just over a year ago, where he was faced with a course that lacked any definition – with multiple areas including bunker surrounds and tee banks left completely unmaintained. To make the transformation project even more challenging, the greens team consisted of three trainees and, 13 months on, John remains the only qualified greenkeeper out of the team of five. “I pretty much had to start from scratch in all areas” explains John. “I’d used a few Headland products previously but had the benefit of seeing a full Headland programme in action during a stint spent at The London Golf Club. It opened my eyes to a whole new range and so called in our Headland Technical Manager Andy Ward to help with the monumental task at hand.”

Soil analysis taken by Andy highlighted high levels of organic matter in the top 20mm which, combined with an increase in aeration, scarification and topdressing, has been improved with a new nutritional regime. “Our summer programme consists of Protec® Plus, TeMag™ Elite, Turfite® Elite and Ascoflex® Plus. This combination of products delivers a long-lasting, balanced supply of nitrogen together with maximising health and recovery following periods of heat and/or stress. We have received lots of positive comments from the members about the presentation, with many saying that the greens have never looked better!”

“In the autumn and winter we switch to Headland’s 20-20-30 tank-mix which is probably my favourite discovery and has made the biggest difference to the greens. The combination of reducing organic matter and enhancing plant health with monthly applications of 20-20-30 between September and March drastically reduced the amount of disease we registered – and what we did get was easily recoverable and didn’t lead to scarring.”

Headland’s industry-leading 20-20-30 tank-mix combines Liquid Turf Hardener, Turfite® Elite and Seamac® ProTurf Fe, proven to deliver enhanced plant strength and disease resistance when applied as part of a preventative approach. John continues, “The course emerged in the spring of 2022 healthier than ever, which was great as we entered preparations to host the Hampshire County Match at the end of June. Being selected for this for the first time was testament to just how far we’ve come, with the right products and the pure passion of my team.”

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Learning LIVE 2021 programme revealed

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Learning LIVE 2021 programme revealed: SALTEX event organisers, Grounds Management Association (GMA), reveal exciting details about this year’s Learning LIVE – an all-encompassing education programme designed for all sectors of the groundscare industry.

The CPD-accredited seminars are free to attend, and registration is now open for all sessions that are due to take place in three purpose-built seminar theatres on the SALTEX show floor in Halls 6, 7 and 8 at The NEC, Birmingham on 3 and 4 November.

Learning LIVE 2021 programme revealed

Learning LIVE 2021 programme revealed

Learning LIVE features an array of expert speakers and has been designed to provide support, insight and real solutions to key industry issues.

To celebrate the show’s 75th anniversary, show organisers have introduced a new seminar theatre entitled the ‘Workforce Development Forum,’ which focuses on employment, career progression and personal development.

Seminar highlights in this theatre include; Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association (GMA) CEO, who will be highlighting the importance of building a skilled workforce for the future of grounds management; Karl McDermott (Lord’s) and John Wright (Southampton FC) will be amongst those discussing how to attract young people into the industry; opportunities and the scope of roles in the turf industry will be explored by an expert panel which includes Jason Booth (GMA), Matt Le Brun (Advance Grass) and Stuart Facey (New Hall School) and last but not least Bradley Tennant (International Greenkeepers For Hire) and Frank Newberry (GMA Approved Management Trainer and Consultant) will be offering tips on how to shine when it comes to pay rise time.

Elsewhere in the Learning LIVE theatres, attendees can look forward to; a virtual tour of Leicester City FC’s new Sports Turf Academy hosted by grounds manager John Ledwidge; in recognising the challenges the sector is currently experiencing a panel including Ian Avery (Sutton Valence School), Jim Dawson (BT Murrayfield), Stuart Kerrison (Essex CCC) and Maria Kuzak (CALM) will be openly discussing the pressures of the job, coping mechanisms and work-life balance; an insight into how ongoing research by county cricket grounds and England’s Centre of Excellence will impact the recreational game – led by Andy Mackay (ECB), Gary Barwell (Warwickshire CCC) and Will Relf (Loughborough University); grounds managers Ed Ramsden (Perse School) and Greg Smith (Nottingham University) will be offering advice on how to achieve a quick turnaround on multi-sport surfaces; pesticides and what the future holds for them will be explored by John Moverley (Amenity Forum), Dr Christian Spring (STRI) and Glenn Kirby (Syngenta); Neil Stubley (AELTC), Adrian Kay (York Racecourse) Dave Roberts (Liverpool FC) are offering expert tips on sustainable practices in turf management; and Karl Standley (Wembley Stadium) along with turf consultant Richard Hayden will be providing a behind-the-scenes look at the turf care techniques which ensured that the pitches shone at Euro 2020.

This is just a snapshot of sessions available at this year’s show. Check out the full programme here, register your visit to SALTEX and book into your preferred sessions to avoid disappointment.

Pre-registration to SALTEX 2021 is essential this year. Attendees must print off their badges for entry to the show.

The safety of all our exhibitors, partners, visitors, contractors, and staff is our highest priority. For more information on Covid safety measures please visit https://gmasaltex.co.uk/covid-safety-measures/

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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GMA education programme continues to grow

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GMA education programme continues to grow: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) reaches a significant milestone in its online training with more than 2,000 enrolling for its courses since the pandemic began.

Now, the not-for-profit member organisation adds two new courses to its training offering; Online Level 2 Cricket Surfaces (Applied Turf Culture) and the first face-to-face training course since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Level 2 Racecourse: Turf Management.

GMA education programme continues to grow

GMA education programme continues to grow

Taking around 6 hours to complete, Online Level 2 Cricket Surfaces (Applied Turf Culture) is ideal for volunteers or new additions to grounds teams seeking to develop their skills and learn about the importance of preparing a playing surface with the implementation of an annual maintenance plan.

Students who successfully complete the end of course assessment gain valuable knowledge and applicable skills for day-to-day maintenance activities and a certificate of achievement, whilst the course’s specialist content will be crucial for all aspiring cricket grounds staff or volunteers.

Whilst expanding its online training suite, the GMA also announces the return of face-to-face training with a 5-day training course at the British Racing School. Taking place from 14 – 19 November 2021, Level 2 Racecourse: Turf Management teaches students how to apply the theory required to understand the science of racecourse grounds maintenance and will be equally relevant for individual grounds staff as well as Clerks of the course.

Developed in conjunction with the Racecourse Association and the British Horseracing Authority, the 5-day course will be delivered by industry experts, Alan Lewis NDT, Adrian Kay, Head Groundsman at York Racecourse and Richard Linley, Senior Inspector of Courses at the British Horseracing Authority, with accommodation and food covered in the package.

Dan Prest, Head of Technical and Learning, said:

“It has been an incredibly challenging 18 months, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the drive from so many in the industry to continue in their professional journey and development working in the turf-care sector. Whilst we’ve all had to adapt to a more online-orientated work and study life, we know how valuable practical face-to-face training courses are.

We’re also pleased to be developing more content than ever to align with our Pitch Advisory Service objectives to help volunteers get the most of their local natural and artificial surfaces.”

You can sign-up to online Level 2 Cricket Surfaces (Applied Turf Culture) by clicking here.

Or to find out more about Level 2 Racecourse: Turf Management, click here.

More details on the Pitch Advisory Service can be found on the GMA’s website.

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Knebworth’s plant health programme

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Knebworth’s plant health programme: An enhanced plant health programme consisting of Headland Amenity’s 20-20-30 tank-mix, Mantle® and PPT114 has been key to reducing fungicide applications at Hertfordshire’s Knebworth Golf Club.

Where, previously, it was commonplace to be putting down multiple fungicide applications each year, last year Team Leader Arran Johnson applied just one – resulting in benefits for both course condition and the budget!

Knebworth's plant health programme

Knebworth’s plant health programme

Arran has been using Headland products for the last 15 years and, since he joined Knebworth, they have been fundamental to his maintenance regime on the course’s clay push-up greens. The success of the programme has recently seen it extended to also include tees and approaches. “We have had a particularly great response from the 20-20-30 tank-mix, but the addition of Mantle® and complementary applications of PPT114 have taken results to a new level” he explains.

“20-20-30+Mantle is applied at the beginning of each month from October through to May, weather dependent, to keep disease at bay through those high-pressure periods. What we’ve found is that if there are any signs of disease, the addition of Mantle® checks it at a very early stage to suppress it and stop it turning into a bigger problem.” Mantle®’s water-soluble formulation of manganese, zinc and harpin protein elicitor stimulates the grass plant’s own natural defence mechanisms, making it more difficult for some disease pathogens to take hold.

“We also apply Headland’s PPT114, as required, a couple of weeks after the 20-20-30+Mantle® application. This has proven to increase the efficacy of the tank-mix, bringing additional plant strength and improved winter colour.” Through the summer months, Arran’s programme switches to one of moisture management – utilising both Tricure AD™ wetting agent and Terafirm™, advanced soil penetrant, when required to manage and optimise plant and profile moisture.

Keeping the team up to speed on new products and any adjustments needed to further improve the results of the feeding programme is Arran’s Regional Technical Manager Peter Blackaby. “I made a conscious decision in 2019 to actively reduce our fungicide applications. Pete’s guidance has helped us a lot with this drive and the Mantle® and PPT114 products have undoubtedly given us a huge step forward.”

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Greens transformed with Suståne programme

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Greens transformed with Suståne programme: 16 bowling greens across Hampshire and South Dorset have undergone a huge transformation thanks to new maintenance contractor Paul Wright and his organic approach to turf nutrition.

Utilising a range of products from across the Suståne portfolio, some of the greens are now 100% organic, and the remainder are not far away – with all seeing improvements in density, strength and overall plant health.

Greens transformed with Suståne programme

Greens transformed with Suståne programme

Following recommendations and some first-hand experience in his years spent contracting on golf courses, Paul has now been using Suståne products for six years. “I got to know Suståne’s Russell Riley and speaking with him was the final confirmation I needed that converting fully over to organic feeding was the way to go. With assistance from fellow contractor Steve Hill, I took over the maintenance of the bowling greens which had previously been undertaken by the local councils and came straight in with the organic approach.”

The programme consists of Suståne 4-6-4 slow-release fertiliser through the winter, switching to
5-2-4+Fe fine grade for late summer application to provide a quick, even green-up followed by long-lasting sources of organic nitrogen. This is supplemented with applications of Suståne’s Turf Revival
6-2-4 in the spring and Bolster humic acid bio-stimulant, blended with seaweed & iron, which is applied periodically over 10 months of the year to boost the swards tolerance to stresses – drought, salt and disease.

“Within a timeframe of just two or three seasons, you can see the effects and benefits of the organic feeds as you overcome any inherited problems. After this, and in conjunction with the regular mechanical maintenance, you end up in a situation where the sward is denser, with better rooting structure and improved resistance to disease. Because of this, and especially on those greens that are now 100% organic, we are also enjoying being herbicide and fungicide free.”

“From an application perspective” Paul adds, “it feels cleaner and better for me than spraying various chemicals all day long and in turn it’s better for any people around and the players themselves as they now return to the greens post-lockdown.” He concludes, “Being able to say you’re organic is one thing but ultimately if the products don’t deliver results, then you quickly find yourself out on your ear! With 16 contracts and counting, it’s safe to say that the effectiveness of the Suståne products speak for themselves.”

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