Tag Archive for: South

ICL Appoints Kevin Glazier as Area Sales Manager South

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ICL Appoints Kevin Glazier as Area Sales Manager South: ICL Turf & Landscape UK & Ireland has announced the appointment of Kevin Glazier as Technical Area Sales Manager for the South.

Kevin brings more than 20 years’ experience in golf course management, with a strong background in agronomy, team leadership and course development.

ICL Appoints Kevin Glazier as Area Sales Manager South

ICL Appoints Kevin Glazier as Area Sales Manager South

Kevin joins ICL from Pine Ridge Golf Club, where he served as Course Manager, leading an eight-strong team and overseeing all aspects of course maintenance and development.

Prior to this, he held the position of Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club and began his career at Sherfield Oaks Golf Club. Across these roles, he has been responsible for course presentation, irrigation management, project delivery and staff development, including involvement in significant course improvement works.

Commenting on his appointment, Kevin said:

“Having worked in golf course management for many years, I understand the practical and technical challenges turf professionals face. ICL’s reputation for product performance and technical support made this an opportunity I was keen to pursue. I’m looking forward to supporting customers across the South.”

Andrew Pledger, Sales & Business Development Manager – UK South, welcomed Kevin to the team.

“We are very pleased to welcome Kevin to ICL. His experience managing established golf courses and leading teams gives him a strong understanding of our customers’ day-to-day priorities. He will be a valuable addition to the UK South team and will further strengthen the support we provide across the region.”

Kevin will work closely with distributors and turf managers throughout the South, providing technical guidance and support across ICL’s turf and landscape portfolio.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.com

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Its all about the cut for South Herts Golf Club

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Its all about the cut for South Herts Golf Club: South Herts Golf Club is underlining its commitment to exceptional course presentation and outstanding playing conditions through its continued investment in Baroness mowing technology.

With two LM66 tee mowers, four LM56 hand mowers dedicated to greens, and an LM331 already in use as well as a Agrimetal GR400 Greens roller, the impact on turf quality has been immediate and unmistakable. The superior quality of cut has been widely recognised by both the greenkeeping team and players alike, prompting the club to further strengthen its fleet with the addition of two new LM311 triple greens mowers, due for delivery in spring 2026.

Its all about the cut for South Herts Golf Club

Its all about the cut for South Herts Golf Club

Course Manager Sean Brocklehurst joined the South Herts team in March 2023, spearheading the maintenance of the club’s 18-hole Vardon course and its 9-hole Rees Course. “I was introduced to Baroness at a previous role back in 2003, so am very familiar with the quality of the machines. The biggest selling point has always been, and continues to be, the cutting reels” Sean explains. “The quality of the bedknives and how long they stay on cut is by far and away the best on the market. At my previous club we changed the bedknives on our Baroness fairway machine, which had run the same set for seven years – and they still had life in them!”

The Baroness range delivers a low maintenance, quality-built solution ideally suited to the club’s ‘North London Clay’ construction – with the hand mowers helping to elevate the course not only in appearance but in agronomic condition. Between October and February, when ride-on machine usage is reduced to minimise weight and tyre marking when travelling between greens, the pedestrian LM66’s and LM56’s become the mowers of choice.

“The LM66 mowers deliver the cherry on the cake to year-round presentation on the tees. The cut is uniform and, from a maintenance perspective, there’s so little we need to do with them to retain that high level of finish.” Sean continues, “When we switch from ride-ons to the LM56’s on the greens, the players notice the difference in cut quality straight away! Here, we’re cutting roughly twice a week at a height of 6mm and it really takes the surfaces to new levels.”

“We also find that we are saving both time and money with the Baroness machines, by not having to replace blades so frequently or spend hours on upkeep and maintenance.”

Sean also praises the support from Baroness and local dealership George Browns which has also played a part in his loyalty to the brand. “We’ve always found support readily available, whether its advice, parts or even the odd favour here and there. Stuart Gray at Baroness and David Fisher at George Brown’s are always more than willing to help when needed.”

“I also like that Baroness are doing their part to support the wider industry, with educational initiatives and updates to their facility which hopefully means we’ll be able to make a trip for some training to ensure we’re using our machines to their full potential” he concludes.

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How Synthetic Turf is Supplying Fresh Water in South Africa

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How Synthetic Turf is Supplying Fresh Water in South Africa: A landmark project in South Africa is highlighting how synthetic turf can be used to enable freshwater recycling. Two ‘Cruyff Courts’ are simultaneously providing a high-quality playing surface while integrating an advanced water collection and filtration system under the field, providing the local community with fresh potable water.

The installation of the courts is part of a wider initiative by the Cruyff Foundation, supporting various sports endeavours for children, and young people with special needs. The two new fields in Orange Farm, near Johannesburg, bring the total number of Cruyff Courts to 10 in the country.

How Synthetic Turf is Supplying Fresh Water in South Africa

How Synthetic Turf is Supplying Fresh Water in South Africa

The investment and innovation come as South Africa is currently grappling with one of the most severe droughts in recent history, affecting approximately 61 million people across Southern Africa.[1] The prolonged drought has led to significant water shortages, impacting both urban and rural communities.

The Government has launched the Water Crisis Action Plan 2025, focusing on infrastructure rehabilitation, smart metering systems, and new dam projects to mitigate the crisis. Despite these efforts, the agricultural sector faces devastating losses, contributing to widespread food insecurity. Innovative solutions, including public-private partnerships and technological advancements like the freshwater recycling beneath the Cruyff Courts, are also being implemented to address the urgent need for sustainable water management.

The project was headed up by EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) member Dutchblue, who provided an advanced water collection and filtration system through its partners Project GreenSource SA.

The ‘Catch-Store-Reuse’ sports system captures rainwater, stores it in its subbase, and purifies it in a GreenSource container next to the field. Runoff collected by the system is filtered to remove contaminants, including bacteria and metals, before being pumped to a fountain for use as potable water. The purified water can then be used via a tap on the outside of the container.

The courts represent a significant development in the use of sports pitches to collect water. Together with the local community’s help, the project was completed in December 2024, and training is being given to maintain the pitches throughout their lifetime.

The duality of providing a high-quality sports playing field and clean water for the local community has resulted in some great benefits for the local area. These include potable water supplies for periods of prolonged drought and a recreational area for children and adults to play sports safely. The courts have also helped foster a sense of community identity, serving as a social hub as well as a sports facility.

Stefan Diderich, Director General at ESTC, said: “This project is a perfect example of how synthetic turf can operate not just as an enhanced playing surface, but also as a force for good in fighting drought and other hydrological issues around the world.

“Training the local community to maintain the pitch ensures they will have a lasting impact and can provide users with a high-quality surface as well as a source of clean drinking water for years to come.”

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KP Agri appointed as South Wales Corvus dealer

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KP Agri appointed as South Wales Corvus dealer: Agricultural machinery specialist, KP Agri, has been appointed as a Corvus Off-Road Vehicle dealer.

BOSS ORV, the Corvus UK distributor, who has been growing the Corvus dealer network since 2019, made the announcement. KP Agri is a family-run company based in South Wales. Started by Paul Benton in 2008 as a 29-year-old ‘man with a van’, following working for a local Claas dealer, the business grew quickly, and he took on premises with Kelly, his wife, and business partner.

KP Agri appointed as South Wales Corvus dealer

KP Agri appointed as South Wales Corvus dealer

Alongside other very strong franchises, KP Agri will be selling and supporting the Corvus range of off-road utility vehicles comprising the Corvus Terrain DX4 diesel models and the EX4 all-electric UTV. Corvus was the first European manufacturer of UTVs and describes their vehicles as high-quality, tough workhorses widely in use in agriculture, turf and groundscare, landscaping, forestry, and construction.

“We’re very pleased to have KP Agri join the Corvus dealer network,” says BOSS ORV National Sales Manager, Neil Everett. “They put a great deal of emphasis on not only the buying and selling of agricultural machinery but also the essential after-sales support with their excellent facilities and approach to customers.”

Paul Benton expressed the company’s view, saying “we’re proud to have been appointed as the official Corvus UTV dealer for South Wales. This is an exciting new franchise for us, and we’re thrilled to bring Europe’s leading UTV brand to our customers. As the first European manufacturer of UTVs, Corvus sets the standard for off-road work and adventure with cutting-edge engineering and reliability. We have a demo machine available and welcome customers to get in touch and experience the performance of Corvus UTV firsthand.”

For more information about BOSS ORV distributed machinery, you can call 01785 561046

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Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course

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Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course: A rare chance to lease an established golf course has arrived on the market through national property consultancy Carter Jonas on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council.

South Buckingham Golf Course in Stoke Poges boasts a well-maintained 18-hole golf course with a modern clubhouse, together with ancillary buildings and an adjacent playing field complex.

Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course

Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course

Available to let as a whole or in parts, there are also facilities supporting several other sports including rugby, football, softball and baseball, as well as martial arts facilities.

“The course has many established trees and ditches crossing the fairways, plus a small practice area, two practice nets and a practice putting green,” says Carter Jonas Head of Rural Agency, Andrew Chandler.

“It has lovely scenery, a great variety of holes and several subtle elements that make every round both enjoyable and challenging.”

A modern single-storey clubhouse extends to 6,776 sq ft (629.55 sq m) and boasts a bar and restaurant, meeting rooms, golf pro shop, changing rooms, showers and associated offices.

“Padel Tennis UK has installed two courts on a sub lease at the course too,” explains Mr Chandler. “One of the world’s fastest-growing sports, these courts have proven to be extremely popular.”

Altogether the golf course stretches to 131 acres (53 ha), with the total site covering 204 acres (83 ha).

Farnham Park Playing Fields is 73 acres (30 ha) and has a wide range of sports pitches and facilities located on the site, together with clubhouses, changing facilities and car parks. There is a children’s playground operated by Farnham Royal Parish Council, a fenced-off area that is used for the grazing of horses and a small area of woodland to the north.

“The site boasts six adult-size football pitches, two youth pitches, two junior pitches and two small training pitches that are available to hire,” says Mr Chandler. “There are also two rugby pitches and purpose-built baseball and softball pitches – which are only purpose-built pitches of their kind in the UK.”

There is a range of buildings on site, including a martial arts centre and associated facilities.

The property is offered to let and expressions of interest together with proposals should be submitted by 28 February 2025 to the Carter Jonas Oxford office.

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