Tag Archive for: Service

Cutting Edge sharpens its service with Redexim

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Cutting Edge sharpens its service with Redexim: Operating across a diverse mix of natural and synthetic surfaces, Cutting Edge Grounds Maintenance has built its reputation on delivering effective, practical solutions for sports turf and grounds maintenance.

From schools and grassroots football to rugby, cricket, athletics and synthetic facilities, the business takes a truly all-round approach – and Redexim equipment plays a key role in that strategy.

Cutting Edge sharpens its service with Redexim

Cutting Edge sharpens its service with Redexim

Managing Director Josh Blackburn explains: “We’re a full grounds maintenance company – it’s not just one area. We look after natural and synthetic surfaces across schools, grassroots sports clubs, rugby clubs, athletics clubs and cricket clubs. The majority of our work is schools, but we really do cover everything.”

That variety of sites and surfaces has led Cutting Edge to invest in a range of Redexim machinery, with the Verti-Quake® 2516 and Verti-Top® 1800 proving to be standout assets.

Having operated the Verti-Quake 2516 for around a year, Josh says it has become an essential part of Cutting Edge’s aeration programmes, particularly on heavy clay soils where surface drainage is often the limiting factor.

“A lot of our land is clay-based, and people really struggle with drainage,” he explains. “Traditional deep-tine aeration does a great job of cracking the ground eight, ten, twelve inches down, but on its own it doesn’t always address surface water movement. That’s where the Verti-Quake really comes into its own.”

The Verti-Quake addresses this challenge through linear decompaction of the upper soil profile, allowing water to move away from the surface more effectively.

“With the Verti-Quake, you’re creating that linear drainage. You’re getting water off the top surface, through the soil profile and away, while your Verti-Drain® holes are still doing their job underneath. Together, you’ve got a solid pocket of drainage. “It works really well hand-in-hand with the Redexim Verti-Drain. If you’re doing four aeration treatments a year and you mix in a Verti-Quake, you’ll see a huge difference in your soils.”

Cutting Edge uses the Verti-Quake across private schools, football pitches, clubs and open spaces, particularly on winter sports pitches where playability is critical.

“We look after Yarm Private School, and the improvement there has been massive,” says Josh. “This year, the only time they had a game called off was when it snowed. They’ve had fixtures every week – not one game lost to waterlogging.”

On the synthetic side, Cutting Edge relies on the Verti-Top 1800 to maintain a wide range of surfaces, including sand-filled and rubber crumb pitches.

“We use it on all of them – sand, rubber crumb, hockey-type surfaces,” Josh explains. “I had a few machines on demo, but the Verti-Top really stood out as the all-round, all-in-one solution.”

The Verti-Top combines powered brushing, interchangeable sieves, optional decompaction tines and an integrated vacuum system, allowing debris to be removed while infill is separated and returned to the surface.

“It’s the only one with decompacting rakes on,” Josh says. “If you’re deep cleaning and decompacting at the same time, you’re saving yourself going back over the surface with another machine. It’s one pass, one man, one tractor.”

For a contractor, that efficiency directly impacts profitability.

“Instead of sending one man with two attachments and being there twice as long, one operator can decompact and deep clean in one go. From a labour point of view, it’s a huge time saver.”

Josh also points to the thoughtful design and features of the Verti-Top, particularly its low horsepower requirement and adjustable sieves.

“You don’t want a big tractor on artificial turf, especially on rubber crumb – all you’ll do is flatten it. The Verti-Top requires low horsepower, the sieves are interchangeable, and the way it vacuums out fine material is really clever. It’s a very well-built machine.”

Alongside performance, Josh is keen to highlight the importance of backup and aftersales support – something he says has been consistently strong.

“The performance of the machine is great, but it’s also the backup you get from Tom Alexander at Rickerby Ltd and Allen Whellans at Redexim,” he says. “If I’ve got a question, they’ll come out at the drop of a hat. It’s very good aftersales service.”

With a growing portfolio of sites and surfaces, Cutting Edge Grounds Maintenance continues to rely on Redexim machinery to deliver measurable improvements for its clients – combining technical performance, operational efficiency and the support needed to back it all up.

For more information, visit https://www.redexim.com/uk/

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R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Named LET Agronomist

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R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Named LET Agronomist: The Ladies European Tour (LET) has today announced The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has been appointed as the Official Agronomist of the Tour.

It will advise the LET on sustainable golf course maintenance operations and environmentally responsible agronomy practices for 20 venues and three events in 2026.

R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Named LET Agronomist

R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Named LET Agronomist

Working collaboratively with the golf courses and the LET, The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service will provide expertise for the effective management of courses and use of best practice in sustainability to provide high performance playing surfaces in an environmentally responsible way.

This will allow courses to reach their optimal course conditioning for world-class LET tournaments, while adhering to current environmental regulations and taking into consideration factors such as climate change and resource constraints.

Services provided to LET venues during the 2026 season will include site visits, agronomic reports, observations and recommendations, follow-up calls, soil sample analysis, course set up guidelines and data collection using USGA GS3 and Moisture Meter technology with the Deacon platform.

Through the LET Sustainability Initiative (LETSI), the LET works with partners equally committed to initiatives that put sustainable leadership and green partnerships in focus to make a global impact. This partnership with The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service elevates this commitment bringing a greater emphasis to sustainability on all levels.

“We are proud to welcome The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service as the Official Agronomist of the LET. This collaboration marks an important step forward in our shared commitment to sustainability, course excellence, and the future of the women’s game,” said Diane Barnard, Director of Operations at the LET.

“With the expertise of The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, our venues will be better equipped than ever to deliver world-class playing conditions while embracing best practices that safeguard our environment. It’s a partnership that adds real value on and off the course for the LET and our players.”

Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf at The R&A, “Our team of agronomists has extensive experience of providing world-class, high performance playing conditions which adhere to best practices in sustainability at championships and events worldwide. We look forward to working with the Ladies’ European Tour to support its tournament venues that will host professional events for the best women’s golfers this year.”

LET winner Marta Martin said: “This partnership with R&A Agronomy Services is a very positive step for the LET. From a player’s perspective, and with my background in turf agronomy, having expert agronomic support across venues helps ensure consistent, high-quality playing conditions week after week, while also supporting sustainable course management. That consistency is crucial for fair competition and for the continued growth and professionalism of women’s golf.”

The LET season will begin at the PIF Saudi Ladies International which is taking place at Riyadh Golf Club from 11-14 February.

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has completed an outstanding year of progress in 2025, reinforcing its position as a leading global authority in environmentally responsible, high-performance golf course management.

Building on The R&A’s target to support clubs with independent, science-led guidance that balances conditioning and long-term environmental responsibility, the team expanded its reach and deepened its impact across Great Britain and Ireland, Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service Reflects on Landmark Year

Over the course of the year, The R&A’s Sustainable and Championship Agronomy team delivered around 420 agronomy visits to new and existing venues worldwide, providing tailored support on course performance, resource efficiency and climate-resilient practices across multiple regions.

In Europe, a number of new clubs were onboarded – Aloha Golf Club, Breitenloo Golf Club and La Finca Resort, in addition to forthcoming work at Lofoten Links.  This is alongside existing international partners such as Noordwijkse to underline rising demand for R&A expertise across continental markets. In Asia-Pacific, client expansion continued with additions including Los Cabos San Diego Golf (Philippines) and Mamiya Group (Japan), alongside confirmation of Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course as an official R&A venue for the next three years. In GB&I, the Service strengthened its capability with two key hires: Jaey Goodchild and Stefan Carter both joining the agronomy team.

Knowledge-sharing and industry engagement remained a major focus. The team delivered over 30 key presentations across golf nations – including Switzerland, Finland, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Asia-Pacific markets and the UK – broadening the support offered by The R&A while providing practical agronomic guidance to clubs and industry bodies.

Reflecting on the year, Richard Windows, Assistant Director – Sustainable Agronomy Services at The R&A, said, “This year has been a hugely positive one for the Sustainable Agronomy Service. The scale of delivery across regions, combined with the quality of engagement we’ve had with clubs and industry partners, shows just how committed the game is to environmentally responsible, high-performance golf.

“We’re proud of the progress made, but equally excited about the next phase – continuing to strengthen our support for courses worldwide with practical guidance, research-led innovations and a clear focus on helping facilities thrive long into the future.”

In GB&I, the Service continued to work closely with many of the region’s most influential venues, reflecting both the Service’s footprint at the highest level and the trust placed in its guidance by leading facilities.

Championship support was also central to the programme. The team provided agronomy input at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, The Amateur Championship at Royal St Georges and  Royal Cinque Ports, The Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Emirates Golf Club (Dubai) and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship  at Hoiana Shores (Vietnam), ensuring sustainable championship conditioning while showcasing world-class course standards on golf’s biggest stages.

Across Asia-Pacific, momentum continued to build under Chris Gray, who delivered sustainable golf presentations in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. A GC2030 project also advanced in Australia and New Zealand, reflecting the region’s growing appetite for practical, research-linked solutions to long-term environmental pressures. Asia-Pacific delivery was further strengthened through the appointment of Dr Brett Morris and expanded Championship Agronomy support, including work confirmed for the 2026 Asian Games venue, Kasugai Country Club in Nagoya.

As 2025 concludes, The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service stands on a year of meaningful global growth – defined not only by scale, but by the practical influence it is having on courses worldwide. With continued expansion across Europe, Asia-Pacific and GB&I, and championship-level expertise feeding directly into everyday course resilience, the Service remains firmly focused on helping golf thrive sustainably for decades to come.

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Cheslett rolls out Relief Greenkeeper service

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Cheslett rolls out Relief Greenkeeper service: After proving the validity of his concept by using it to manage his own working life, Duncan Cheslett, for decades a successful self-employed cabinet market, who turned to greenkeeping in the immediate aftermath of Covid, is expanding his business to provide freelance greenkeeping support for clubs across the UK.

After retiring from his furniture business of several decades, Cheslett, a keen golfer, turned to greenkeeping as a way of combining his love of golf, and in particular golf architecture, with earning a living. “I worked at several courses around the Manchester area, and I loved it, but when you have worked for yourself all your life, your mind is always turning over business ideas,” he explains. He conceived The Relief Greenkeeper concept initially as a way of being able to work part-time while expanding his horizons and working on a variety of courses that interested him.

Cheslett rolls out Relief Greenkeeper service

Cheslett rolls out Relief Greenkeeper service

Cheslett set up The Relief Greenkeeper as an umbrella under which he could market his services, on a freelance basis, to courses that might need an extra pair of hands for a few days from time to time, perhaps to cover sick leave, or to provide more labour at peak times. And he found that hard-pressed course managers loved the idea.

“Because I was self-employed, I could go and work for a club for a few days, and they would not have to incur any of the many costs that arise when you have people on staff,” Cheslett says. “No National Insurance, pension contributions or the like. I could charge an hourly rate that was  good for me, but was much cheaper for the club than paying a member of staff. And from my own point of view, working on a variety of courses was a great way to keep work interesting, and helped me make friends and contacts across the golf industry in the North-West.” He has worked on over 20 courses and events, including Wallasey for the English Amateur, St Anne’s Old Links,  and Hesketh in Southport. He also worked at Royal Portrush for the Open.

Cheslett realised that the Relief Greenkeeper concept had the potential to do much more than manage his own working life. “At every course, people would ask me about what I was doing, and express interest in doing the same – and nervousness about leaving a staff job and having to find work,” he says. “And everywhere I went, course managers told me that they would use a service like this. It was clear to me that some sort of agency that could connect greenkeepers and clubs would be a good thing for both parties.” So he took  his first additional freelance greenkeepers onto his books, and began placing them with golf clubs requiring extra short-term staff.

“I’ve been able to supply my greenkeepers with steady work, saving them the time and stress of continually having to find and negotiate their own contracts, and generally earning them a higher rate of pay than they would have received working at their former course,” he says.

Naturally, to date operations have focused on Cheslett’s home region, but now he has decided to roll the service out nationwide. “I know that the idea is sound, and there’s no reason that greenkeepers and clubs in all parts of the UK won’t find it as useful as those in the North-West do,” he says. This expansion has already started, with Relief Greenkeepers at work in Lincolnshire, the West Coast of Ireland, Aberdeenshire, and the Central Belt of Scotland. And Cheslett says that he is ready to take on more. “I constantly have clubs calling me, saying they’ve heard about my service, and can I provide them with someone,” he says. “If I had more greenkeepers on my books, obviously I could and would. So if any experienced greenkeepers fancy going freelance, they should email me at duncan@thereliefgreenkeeper.co.uk, via our website www.thereliefgreenkeeper.co.uk, or call me on 07720 285376. Any clubs who would like to have reliable, experienced freelance greenkeeping resource for between £23 and £30 an hour should do the same.”

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How Groundtel’s line marking capabilities service 150 schools

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How Groundtel’s line marking capabilities service 150 schools: Groundtel Ltd is a family-run business with a proud reputation for precision, reliability and service. With over 150 schools on its books, the company has become one of the region’s leading grounds maintenance providers.

At the heart of operations is Danny Perkins, Contracts Manager and member of the founding family. Danny is helping steer the business into the next generation of efficiency with robotic line marking machines.

How Groundtel’s line marking capabilities service 150 schools

How Groundtel’s line marking capabilities service 150 schools

“We were already delivering a high standard,” says Danny, “but the TinyLineMarker robots have taken us to a different level. They’ve paid for themselves ten times over.”

Each season, Groundtel’s team prepares a wide range of sports markings across school playing fields. For summer months, this includes 100m, 200m, 300m, and 400m running tracks, complete with relay boxes, rounders and softball pitches, and throwing areas for javelin, discus, and shot putt. In winter, the focus shifts to football pitches, rugby pitches, and training grids, all initially marked and then overmarked throughout the season as required.

The 20-strong grounds team has a significant workload and has a two-person team dedicated solely to line marking. Historically, that meant traditional pedestrian machines, such as push-along markers, a Fast Liner, and plenty of manual setup.

“That’s a lot of tape measures and string lines,” Danny comments. “It was time-consuming and hard to keep up when schools need everything done quickly and precisely. Once we brought in the TinyLineMarker robot, everything changed.”

Groundtel took delivery of its first TinyLineMarker Pro X in 2021, followed by a second robot 12–18 months later. Both are now integral to operations, running daily from late February to July.

“With the robots and some long hours, we have been known to overmark over 100 schools in 7 to 10 days. Before, it would take about four weeks. However, on average, we run the robots for six to eight hours daily.”

Initial marking has seen the most significant impact, with the robots removing the need for traditional set-out methods. “It’s incredibly accurate,” says Danny. “You just load the template on the tablet, and it remembers exactly where to mark, even if the lines have disappeared after cutting. Schools appreciate that kind of consistency.”

The robots’ size and weight were a major consideration. “I looked at Turf Tank, but it was too heavy. I couldn’t lift it in and out of the van alone. The Tiny robot is light, compact, and fits easily in the back of a small van, which makes life a lot easier.” Rough and uneven ground is a common challenge across school fields, particularly in the state sector. “That’s another reason the TinyLineMarker works so well for us. It’s robust and can handle bumpy surfaces where other machines might struggle.”

Groundtel uses IMPACT® Pro paint from Origin Amenity Solutions for both their robotic and two iGO Premier Pedestrian markers. Danny says, “It’s a perfect match.”

“The robot’s set to moderate speed, and the lines are bright, crisp, and clean. And because the paint’s ready-mixed, there’s no faffing around with water. It saves time and hassle, and we get a consistent finish across every pitch.”

In addition to time and paint efficiency, the robots have helped Groundtel reduce labour demand and improve safety and sustainability, which are key concerns for schools.

“The schools prefer the robots,” Danny says. “They’re small, quiet, and there are no fuel emissions. This ticks a lot of environmental boxes. From a health and safety point of view, especially during the school day, it’s a win.”

Behind the technology is a strong support system, which is something Danny values. “The training was excellent, and the support from Origin Amenity Solutions is brilliant. It’s one thing to buy a product, but having ongoing help makes a huge difference. I can ring Simon or Joe and get an answer immediately without waiting for a call-out, although that’s also available. A quick answer on the phone saves me so much wasted time.”

Origin Amenity Solutions is the sole UK distributor of TinyMobileRobots and one of the leading providers of GPS line marking. The company offers one of the most comprehensive line marking ranges in the UK and Ireland, including pedestrian and ride-on machines, ready-to-use paints, and advanced robotic technology. All paints and machines are manufactured within the Origin group, ensuring consistent, high-quality performance backed by nationwide support and product expertise.

For Danny and the team at Groundtel, the move to robotic line marking has exceeded every expectation. “We’ve saved time, reduced labour, improved accuracy and consistency. I wouldn’t go back. The robots are a vital part of how we operate now, and they’ve transformed the service we can offer our schools.”

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