Tag Archive for: Service

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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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership: Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, a flagship of Portuguese golf and a long-standing favourite among international players, has joined forces with The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service to further strengthen its commitment to deliver performance and conditioning in a sustainable way.

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and protected natural landscapes, Praia D’El Rey is uniquely positioned to champion the production of high-quality playing surfaces in an environmentally sustainably way. This forward-thinking partnership will bring The R&A’s renowned expertise and innovation in performance agronomy directly to Praia D’El Rey, with a tailored programme designed to enhance playing performance across all areas of course maintenance whilst protecting and enhancing the wider environment.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership

Key objectives of the partnership include improving turf health through soil science, data-driven agronomy to inform maintenance operations, implementing effective water conservation practices and efficient water use, and advising on strategic investments in both machinery and infrastructure – all while maintaining the high-performance turf conditions the resort is renowned for in an environmentally responsible way.

António Ferreira da Silva, Golf Director at Praia D’El Rey, explained: “The guidance from The R&A on how to manage soil infiltration and physical conditioning on our greens is helping us improve year-round performance. Performance measurement, combined with lab analysis of organic matter and physical properties, have been extremely valuable in guiding our decision-making. The R&A has provided a structured and science-led approach that’s elevating the quality of our maintenance while optimizing environmental sustainability.”

Paul Woodham, Head of Agronomy Europe at The R&A, added: “The investments being made – particularly within the maintenance workshop, such as the new grinder, the Vibramaster for improved fairway infiltration, and the autonomous Husqvarna fairway mowers – represent a major step forward. These are the kinds of innovations that embody a sustainable and forward-thinking agronomic strategy.”

“By working with The R&A, we’re not only investing in the long-term health of our course, but also leading the way for what the future of golf in Portugal should look like”, added António Ferreira da Silva. Praia D’El Rey hopes this initiative will inspire clubs across Portugal and beyond to embrace innovation and responsibility in equal measure,  while raising standards in turf performance and environmental care.

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Firm to expand customer service in Yorkshire

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Firm to expand customer service in Yorkshire: GGM Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to service excellence and support for its customer & supplier partners with the announcement of its intention to open a new service centre this Spring, in a move that will also bring jobs to the area.

The forthcoming launch of the new centre, in the Wakefield MBC area, which will have a focus on serving customers throughout Yorkshire in Groundscare, Agriculture and Arboriculture with after sales support, including mobile engineers and spare parts supply.

Firm to expand customer service in Yorkshire

Firm to expand customer service in Yorkshire

GGM offer a comprehensive portfolio of leading land-based machinery including Kubota and Baroness in Agriculture & Groundscare and Golf respectively as well as many others; together with cutting-edge solutions from FSI stump grinders, and TP Woodchippers within Arboriculture. With an extensive product offering, GGM can provide machinery of superior quality, that is both high performing and offers increased levels of efficiency.

As a tractor and machinery dealership, GGM supply equipment to sectors including professional groundscare, estate management, golf and other sports clubs, local authorities and the agriculture and arborist markets. The business has served Yorkshire for many years and with a growing portfolio of Yorkshire-based customers, the Service Centre aims to localise and improve customer support and GGM’s ability to meet customer needs in the region.

GGM Group have recently been awarded the 2024 Service Dealer UK Professional Turf Care Dealer of the Year award. Having also won the award in 2014 and 2019 this accolade recognises the company’s ongoing commitment to excellence in the industry. The company also achieved the Kubota Gold Plus Service Excellence Standard in 2023, awarded only to companies who offer the highest after sales service levels, so whether customers are looking for parts, service or technical advice GGM are committed to exceeding customers’ expectations.

Drawing on the vast experience and knowledge of the award-winning teams in Colne and Haydock, the company aims to create a team to ensure customers will be looked after at every step of their journey, with on-the-doorstep expertise at hand.

Chris Gibson, Managing Director of GGM Group said:

“This an extremely exciting time for the GGM Group. We already have a strong customer base in Yorkshire and it seemed the right time to enhance our customer service offering in the region. As a business, our competent team are committed to delivering first class customer service and support and the Yorkshire service centre will only add to this”.

The new service centre will open up job opportunities for service and support staff in the area and interested applicants should visit https://www.ggmgroup.com/about-us/job-vacancies/

GGM is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional equipment for commercial use in Groundscare, Tree care and Agriculture across Yorkshire and the North-West of England, with existing depots in Colne and Haydock.

With a proven record of delivering a trusted service and exceptional after sales support, driven by a set of deep-rooted values, GGM takes pride in building long lasting customer relationships, based on anticipating needs, solving problems and delivering on time, every time.

GGM Group are also proud to be a living wage employer, as well as being an ISO and CHAS accredited supplier.

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GMA expands pitch advisory service

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GMA expands pitch advisory service: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is thrilled to announce the expansion of its highly successful Pitch Advisory Service into Wales, marking a significant milestone in grassroots sports development.

This exciting expansion, backed by the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) with funding from the Football Association of Wales (FAW), aims to elevate the quality of grass football pitches across Wales by providing local clubs with essential guidance and resources needed to maintain top-level playing surfaces.

GMA expands pitch advisory service

GMA expands pitch advisory service

Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of the Cymru Men’s National Team said: “The Pitch Advisory Service Wales will make a huge positive difference to football clubs across Wales – it’s a great tool to tackle an ongoing issue across the country and hopefully we’ll start to see grass pitches improving and less games being called off as a result.”

Building on a decade of success in England, where the Pitch Advisory Service has transformed grassroots sports, the GMA is set to bring its expertise to Welsh football clubs. Since its launch in 2014, the service has supported over 12,500 clubs, helping to assess almost 50,000 playing surfaces across football, cricket, rugby league, and rugby union.

Now, Welsh clubs will benefit from the same proven model, supported by the GMA’s dedicated pitch advisors Daniel Bradley (Key Account Manager – North Wales) and John Sullivan (Regional Pitch Advisor – South Wales).

Jason Booth, Chief Operating Officer at the GMA said: “Over the past ten years, the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service has demonstrated just how critical quality pitch maintenance is to the success of grassroots sports. We’ve helped countless clubs across England to reduce match postponements and enhance the overall playing experience. By expanding into Wales, we’re excited to bring these same benefits to Welsh clubs and communities. Grassroots sport is the heartbeat of many communities, and we’re eager to support even more grounds teams and volunteers in creating the best possible playing surfaces for everyone, therefore increasing participation in sport across the nation.”

Currently, only 21% of grass pitches in Wales are rated as “good” against the GMA’s Grounds Management Framework, but with the launch of the Pitch Advisory Service in Wales, the GMA aims to raise that standard. The initiative will work in tandem with the CFF’s Equipment Fund – a grant scheme that supports grassroots football clubs that re-opens on Monday 18th November – offering Welsh clubs not only financial support for equipment but also expert guidance on maintaining their pitches to the highest standards.

With the guidance of the Pitch Advisory Service Wales, local clubs will be better equipped to maintain playing surfaces that are both resilient and sustainable, ensuring more people than ever can enjoy the game.

Aled Lewis, Director at the Cymru Football Foundation said: “We are thrilled to be launching our partnership with the Grounds Management Association to support the improvement of grass pitches across the country. We recognise the current and future challenges in delivering quality grass pitch surfaces and we are confident this partnership will provide valuable support to our football family in addressing these challenges.”

As the GMA celebrates a decade of grassroots pitch improvement in England, its expansion into Wales marks an exciting new chapter for the Pitch Advisory Service. Clubs across Wales are encouraged to reach out for support by visiting: Pitch Advisory Service Wales.

Clubs can also explore the free resources available through the GMA’s Grounds Management Toolkit, which offers essential maintenance guidance for volunteers: resources.thegma.org.uk.

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