Tag Archive for: Standards

ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

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ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar: EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) is inviting all stakeholders involved in the design, installation, and management of synthetic turf systems to attend a free webinar clarifying newly introduced infill standards.

Infill Under the Microscope: A Guide to EN 15330-5, is set to take place on 6 March, 12:00pm UTC, and will offer a concise, expert‑led overview to help the industry adapt to the new EN 15330‑5 standard. The hour-long webinar is open to both ESTC members and the general public, and can be registered for here.

ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

EN 15330-5, which came into effect in October 2025, is the new European standard that defines the specification requirements for infill materials used in synthetic turf systems. The standard sets minimum performance and durability requirements, specifies physical and chemical properties that manufacturers must declare, and defines how all of this must be measured.

The webinar will open with an introduction from Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of ESTC, and Ângelo Castro, Chair of ESTC’s Infill Group, offering some background on the new legislation and why it has been introduced.

Lee Guerriero, Pitch and Technology Specialist at UEFA, will then discuss the importance of infill quality for both performance and safety, before Alastair Cox, Technical Director of ESTC, will outline what the standard is and what it means in practice.

Craig Melrose, Laboratory Manager at Sports Labs, will also provide an update on how testing procedures will evolve under EN 15330-5, before the session will be opened up to the floor for any questions from attendees.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of ESTC: “Whether you are a manufacturer, designer, installer, or manager of synthetic turf, our latest webinar will be essential viewing for anybody looking to understand the complexities of this latest standard.

“Understanding how EN 15330-5 will affect every step of the supply chain – from specification and procurement through to maintenance and performance – will be critical to its success, so I encourage all stakeholders to register and come prepared with any questions they may have.”

Register for the webinar here.

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Dyrham Park elevates standards with new fleet

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Dyrham Park elevates standards with new fleet: After seven years as Golf Course Manager at Dyrham Park Country Club, Dan Szwajbak knows exactly what his course, and team, need to perform at their best.

With an 18-hole private members course, practice facilitites and regular weddings and events, presentation is demanded year-round – making reliability, performance and aftersales support absolutely criticial. Delivering on all fronts is a new suite of equipment installed in August 2025 by George Browns.

Dyrham Park elevates standards with new fleet

Dyrham Park elevates standards with new fleet

The club, located in Barnet, had long relied on the same brand of cutting equipment, however, when the cut performance and aftercare no longer matched their needs, Dan felt the time was right to explore other options. “A mower is a mower, but a big part of the buying process is knowing that the people selling it can really support you afterwards” he explains.

Through previous demonstrations and a delivery of hand mowers by George Browns, Dan and the team became confident with both the dealership and the Baroness brand. “The price point is good and the machines offer us more in terms of cut quality and reduced maintenance.” This led to the most recent delivery of an LM311 triple greens mower, an LM551 fairway mower and GM2810 for roughs in the summer of last year.

The impact, Dan says, was almost instant. “We were getting feedback from the members about the noticeable improvement in cut and presentation and, from our side, we noticed the bed knives staying on cut much longer – even through the winter and on heavier ground – reducing the downtime for us which is important as a small team with no dedicated mechanic.”

The greens mower is out daily through the spring and summer, fairways are cut three times a week and rough cutting is completed on a two-day cycle. Also delivered, and quickly becoming the main mode of safe transportation of team members, materials and hand-held equipment around the site, are a pair of Kubota RTVX1110’s.

In addition to machine performance, importantly, the whole process has been smooth and hassle-free. “We haven’t had any complaints. Thanks to the support of David Fisher at George Browns, the transition for the team has been incredibly straight forward.” He summarises, “When you’re spending significant amounts of money, aftercare is hugely important and with George Browns we have the reassurance that the support is there should we ever need it. The machines are excellent with the service to match!”

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Agrovista’s new line-marking duo sets new standards

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Agrovista’s new line-marking duo sets new standards: Agrovista Amenity has introduced two new innovations to support grounds teams with accurate, efficient pitch marking: the Max-Line line-marking paint range and the exclusive PaintMaster Pro RLM01 robotic line marker. Together, they provide a simple, reliable solution for achieving professional results across a wide range of sports facilities.

Max-Line: Superior line-marking performance

Max-Line is Agrovista Amenity’s latest line-marking paint range, developed to deliver exceptional coverage, durability, and visibility. Designed for both conventional and robotic line-marking systems, the paint is formulated to deliver crisp, long-lasting lines that withstand play and weather conditions.

Agrovista’s new line-marking duo sets new standards

Agrovista’s new line-marking duo sets new standards

David Mitchell, Line Marking Business Development Manager at Agrovista Amenity, explained the thinking behind the new range:

“What we wanted to do was create a line-marking offer that is simplified but effective, covering all the bases while looking forward to the latest paint formulation technology.”

David highlighted how ranges within Max-Line have been designed with robotic markers in mind:

“With our nozzle technology, you can mark out a full-size pitch using under three litres of paint. That means a robotic marker can complete multiple pitches without having to constantly stop and refill, which is exactly what grounds teams need.

“We’ve also moved away from the throwaway plastic nozzles, which when blocked are difficult to clean and gone to stainless steel nozzles that can be stripped down, cleaned, and reused. If you don’t lose it, you’ve basically got a nozzle for life. It’s all about making the process sustainable, easier and more reliable for the customer.”

PaintMaster Pro RLM01: Exclusive to Agrovista Amenity

The PaintMaster Pro RLM01 is available exclusively through Agrovista Amenity in the UK.

Compact and intelligent, it sets a new benchmark for robotic line marking, combining centimetre-level GNSS positioning with simple, intuitive controls.

Key features include:

High precision: Dual GNSS positioning and optional laser kit deliver centimetre-level accuracy, even under trees or near stands.

Smart efficiency: A 0.5 kWh battery marks up to 8 full-size football pitches, with the option to extend to 16. Quick battery swaps allow continuous operation.

Smart control: Cloud-based software with real-time monitoring, multi-device management, automatic field switching, and remote app control.

Built around you: Portable design, quick-change paint refills, simple maintenance, and finance options.

Optional attachments, such as a handheld point marker and laser kit, further enhance flexibility, making the RLM01 suitable for football, rugby, athletics, and multi-sport facilities.

David believes it is a genuine step forward for grounds teams:

“For me, this robotic line marker represents the next step. It’s compact, easy to use, and incredibly efficient. Grounds teams can set it up quickly, let it get on with the job, and focus on other tasks — that’s where the real value lies.”

He added that its affordability also makes it stand out:

“We’ve been able to bring this robot to market at a much more accessible price point. I’ve already got customers, including contractors and local authorities, who are choosing to buy two machines instead of one because it makes sense for their budgets and doubles their productivity. In addition, we also offer finance and lease options that can be individually tailored to help fit within budgets.

“Recognising the importance of after-sales support we have partnered with XDC Autonomous Solutions who have considerable knowledge and expertise in the line marking robotics industry. XDC provide our customers with a comprehensive installation, training and support package via their UK based customer service team.”

A complete pitch-marking solution

By pairing the high-performance Max-Line paint with the cutting-edge PaintMaster Pro RLM01, Agrovista Amenity is offering grounds teams a package that saves time, reduces effort, and improves cost-effectiveness — all without compromising on quality.

“Our objective was to make life easier for grounds teams,” David concluded. “Max-Line gives them a reliable paint system that works brilliantly with both manual and robotic machines, while the RLM01 makes robotic marking more affordable and accessible than ever before. Together, they offer a solution that’s simple, efficient, and built around the customer.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.amenity.agrovista.co.uk

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BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

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BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards: BGL (Burhill Group Limited), one of the UK’s largest multi-club operating groups, has announced a new partnership with Carr Golf, a leading golf service provider, to deliver agronomic consultancy and greenkeeping support across its golf venues in England.

The collaboration brings together two family-owned businesses with deep roots in golf, combining BGL’s long-standing commitment to exceptional customer experiences with Carr Golf’s proven expertise in course maintenance, technical support, and data-driven agronomy.

BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

“Partnering with Carr Golf represents a major step forward for BGL as we continue to raise the standard of our golf courses and invest in our people,” said Guy Riggott, Chief Operating Officer of BGL’s Golf Division. “As environmental, technological, and financial pressures grow, we believe that working collaboratively with experts who share our values will help us meet these challenges head on and deliver an even better experience for our growing number of members and guests.”

Carr Golf will work closely with BGL’s course managers and greenkeeping teams to provide technical guidance, mechanical support, and detailed agronomic planning. The consultancy will also help BGL enhance sustainability reporting, leveraging data to track resource efficiency, support GEO recertifications, and inform long-term investment decisions.

“This partnership is not about wholesale change,” added Riggott. “It’s about applying best practice, mentoring and developing our talented teams, and embracing new ways of working that will ensure our venues continue to lead in course presentation and conditioning.”

Ed Pettit, Managing Director of Carr Golf’s Maintenance Division, said: “We’re delighted to partner with BGL and bring our agronomic expertise, technical support, and data-driven approach to their outstanding portfolio of venues. Our focus is on working hand-in-hand with course managers and greenkeeping teams. Supporting them with the tools, insight, and training they need to help raise standards, improve sustainability, and deliver an even better experience for golfers. This collaboration is built on shared values and a passion for continuous improvement, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Carr Golf has already begun integrating with clubs across the BGL portfolio, working closely with maintenance teams to implement best practices and develop new agronomic programmes. This process will continue throughout the remainder of the year and beyond, ensuring every venue is equipped to meet future challenges while consistently progressing in course quality and playing conditions.

To find out more about BGL Golf and all 10 venues located around the UK, visit: https://bglcompany.co.uk/golf/

To find out more about Carr Golf, visit: www.carrgolfmaintenance.com 

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Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

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Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet: Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort near Glasgow is continuing its investment in its 18-hole championship golf course with a significant fleet update from Toro and Reesink Scotland.

Head Greenkeeper Andrew Eckford, who joined the club last year in a senior management recruitment drive alongside a new Head of Golf, had a focus on multi-functional machinery as he planned the new additions to join in the multi-million-pound course renovation.

Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

Bringing with him 13 years’ experience and countless tournament credentials to the job, the initial projects requiring focus were building back grass coverage on the greens and repairs to all bunkers with a total sand replacement.

Andrew explains: “When I first started, nearly half of the greens were covered in moss. We’ve been steadily reducing that and implementing a structured maintenance plan with regular aeration, seeding, and top-dressing to restore both the greens and fairways to their former glory.”

The Toro ProCore 648s aerator, Workman HDX utility vehicle with ProPass topdresser and sprayer and a selection of trusted greens mowers will be instrumental in this recovery work.

“Efficiency is key,” says Andrew. “I wanted a versatile utility vehicle that could handle multiple turf maintenance jobs throughout the month, rather than investing in a separate Multi Pro sprayer or a top dresser that would only be used occasionally. This solution delivers exceptional value and ensures our greens are maintained to the highest standard.”

The same thought process applied to his decision to bring in the Toro Outcross. This powerhouse of a product also does the work of a tractor, and its functionality and versatility give it the ability to replace two or three pieces of equipment and is what most appealed to Andrew.

“The Outcross will be at the heart of our day-to-day operations and ensures we’re future-proofing essential tasks,” Andrew explains. “Its programmable attachment parameters mean we can add blowers and verti-drainers, yet our seasonal staff only need to be trained on one machine rather than multiple pieces of equipment. It’s a smarter, more efficient way of working.”

Also, part of the investment is the Sand Pro bunker rake, a game-changer for bunker maintenance. “I wanted to bring the same high standards we had at The Carrick, where we raked bunkers daily, something I believe should be the norm,” says Andrew. “But with the scale of our course, hand-raking would take six of us an entire day. With the Sand Pro, one operator can get the job done efficiently, even after adding 1,400 tons of new sand.”

When it came to who to partner with was it always going to be Toro? “Always,” confirms Andrew. “We’re focused on elevating Mar Hall’s golf course and putting it back on the Scottish golfing map. That means using the best equipment available. Most greenkeepers have a go-to brand, and for me, that’s always been Toro, it’s simply a step above. I’m fortunate to have the full support of the management and owners in selecting what we need to do the job right, and with Toro, we also have the added benefit of working with Reesink Scotland.”

Discover how choosing Toro could benefit your course by calling distributor Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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