Tag Archive for: Team

British team announced for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

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British team announced for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship: The pinnacle of logger sports action, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship, takes place in Toulouse, France on 8th and 9th November this year, and the athletes who will represent Great Britain in the Team event have now been selected.

After going head-to-head against each other as rivals in the British Championship earlier this year, the top British athletes will now have to work together if they want to repeat their success on the world stage.

British team announced for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

British team announced for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

In the Team World Championship, each team consists of four athletes who take on four TIMBERSPORTS® disciplines in a relay; the Stock Saw, the Underhand Chop, the Single Buck and finally the Standing Block Chop. The teams compete in knock-out rounds against each other, with the fastest team proceeding to the next round, so the athletes with the quickest times in their national championships stand the best chance of being selected to represent their country.

British Pro champion Glen Penlington from Knighton, Wales took his third British title in a row in June at the Royal Three Counties Show, but it was his impressive times in the Underhand Chop, Single Buck and Standing Block Chop that guaranteed him a place in the team. Penlington was faster than his fellow competitors in all three disciplines, even delivering a new Personal Best time in the Single Buck, on his way to the top of the podium.

With four other places on the team to be filled, including a reserve, the decisions in the rest of the selection process needed more consideration. But through analysis of each of the discipline times from the British Championship, the rest of the team was selected.

Along with Penlington, Rob Chatley from Hanley Broadheath in Worcestershire, Graham Turner from Penicuik, Scotland, Tom Redmond from Bere Regis, Dorset and George Spencer from Hereford all made the cut, meaning that the British team for the 2024 World Championship is the same as the team that travelled to Stuttgart for the 2023 World Championship.

Vicky Tween, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Team Manager, was excited about the prospect of team reuniting again. “Individually, they are all really strong athletes, so it’s always great to see what they can do when they come together. Last year didn’t go as planned for the team, but it was a useful learning experience, and I’m certain they will improve this year,” she said.

They will once again be joined by the British Rookie Champion, Jack Morris, also from Knighton, in Wales. Whilst Rookie athletes don’t normally compete as part of the team, Morris delivered some lightning-fast times at the Rookie Championship and will be nipping at the heels of the Pro athletes when he joins them for the three Team training camps that take place in the lead-up to Toulouse.

These training camps are a great opportunity for the team to work out who will take which leg of the relay at the World Championship, as well as an opportunity to practice the changeovers between the disciplines. In a sport that can come down to the tiniest margins, the additional training is critical to the performance, and the team will be looking to build on their 14th place finish from 2023.

If you want to see how Team GB fare against the best athletes from across the globe, you can watch the World Championship in full, live on the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® YouTube channel on Friday 8th November.

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Former Leyland Golf Club course manager joins BIGGA team

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Former Leyland Golf Club course manager joins BIGGA team: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has appointed Scott Reeves as Head of Membership, overseeing the development of the association’s membership activities.

Scott, 53, was formerly the course manager at Leyland Golf Club, where he spent 17 years. He began his greenkeeping career at Wycombe Heights Golf Club, Buckinghamshire, followed by spells at Stock Brook Country Club in Essex and Chobham Golf Club in Surrey, before relocating to Lancashire in 2003. He spent three years at Preston Golf Club before a one-year stint with Saxon Industries in a sales role. He then returned to course management at Leyland Golf Club in 2007.

Former Leyland Golf Club course manager joins BIGGA team

Former Leyland Golf Club course manager joins BIGGA team

Scott has volunteered at every level of BIGGA, culminating in his appointment as chairperson of the association in 2019. The COVID pandemic hit during Scott’s term and he worked closely alongside BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton, the BIGGA staff and National Board as the association navigated the turbulence of that period, ensuring BIGGA was well-placed to offer support and guidance wherever required.

Following his term as chairperson, Scott retained an involvement with BIGGA and still lectures on the Golf Club Management Diploma, jointly run by the GCMA, PGA and BIGGA. He was also a part of the Committee for Golf Club Salaries for many years.

Following a recent restructure, the Head of Membership position has been created by BIGGA. Scott will be responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of the association’s membership strategy, as well as taking on a senior leadership role within the organisation. He will work closely with all BIGGA departments to ensure the association is fulfilling its responsibility to members, while seeking to evolve BIGGA’s activities and offering.

Scott said: “What attracted me to this job is it is such a huge opportunity. One of the things I really valued in my time as a greenkeeper volunteer with BIGGA was the chance to make the world a better place for greenkeepers, as we always say. With a little time away, focusing on my own job as a greenkeeper, it’s helped me see just what a valuable resource BIGGA is.

“What I’d say to BIGGA members is that another one of us has joined the association. I’m someone who understands you and understands your challenges as I’ve faced many of them myself. We’re here to help you, to serve you and to make sure that you can access everything BIGGA has to offer, to build a better career for yourself and a stronger industry for everyone.”

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “We worked hard to identify the correct candidate for this position and we put all the applicants through rigorous testing as the Head of Membership will play a key role in shaping the future of the association for years to come.

“We had some outstanding applications but Scott’s passion for greenkeeping and belief in the value BIGGA brings to the industry shone through. He has been involved with committee work at all levels, including chairing the association from 2019 to 2022, a period which included the COVID pandemic and was therefore one of the most challenging of any in our history.

“I’m excited that Scott has joined the Association and look forward to embarking on what I believe is the next chapter in BIGGA’s history.”

A video of Scott discussing his new role and ambitions for the future is available to watch online here.

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Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

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Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!: Team Sprayers is delighted to announce the manufacture and sale of its 20,000th sprayer. The Club 800 sprayer, a tractor mounted ground care sprayer, destined for Tractor Services CL Ltd in Jersey, made its way out of their Ely based factory on 10th May 2024, 43 years after the company was established.

Team Sprayers was established in 1981 by Robert (Bob) Hubbard following the closure of Dorman Sprayers. Seven of Dorman’s employees transferred across to Team bringing a combination of skills and knowledge, which were an essential starting block for the newly founded company. Leveraging their skills and knowledge, Team has worked hard to become a respected market leader in the production and manufacturing of its range of sprayers and applicators.

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

In 2024 Team Sprayers’ range includes more than 30 models which span the golf course & sports pitch, agriculture and de-icing markets. Each and every one of Team’s sprayers is made to order and is built to a high specification using the highest quality parts and components. Their focus is on accuracy, boom stability and strength. As each sprayer is built to order Team has the ability to build bespoke sprayers, exactly to their customers’ needs. Every sprayer comes with a range of advanced functions as standard with the choice of either manual or electric folding boom, a dual covered boom system or computerised auto spray rate controller, and GPS mapping.

Not only do Team build accurate sprayers that are made to last, being a family owned business, employing 24 members of staff allows Team to deliver a quality, friendly and dependable service to its customers. In 2024 Team is led by brothers Phil and Danny Hubbard, the sons of Bob who have worked for the business since 1995 and 1998 respectively.

On the sale of the 20,000th sprayer Danny Hubbard, Managing Director of Team Sprayers said, “We are incredibly proud to have manufactured and delivered our 20,000th sprayer. It is testament to both our sprayers’ build and our service quality that we have secured enough orders in the last 43 years to have reached such a great number and we would like to thank each and every customer for supporting us. We look forward to producing the next 20,000 to the high standard that our customers have come to expect from us.”

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Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team

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Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team: The Bernhard Academy has today announced the expansion of its leadership team, with the appointment of Phil Helmn as full-time Programme Leader – Agronomy, Leadership, and Management.

Helmn’s new position will see him take control of delivery of all Bernhard Academy courses and workshops relating to Agronomy, Leadership, and Management subjects. He will work closely with the recently appointed Education Director for the Bernhard Academy, Sami Strutt, other programme leaders, and internal and external teams to ensure a coordinated and positive experience at the Bernhard Academy.

Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team

Bernhard Academy announces expansion of leadership team

Helmn has more than 35 years of experience in the turf and agronomy industry, having worked for some of the biggest names in the business, managed full golf course construction projects, and also supported the Bernhard Academy previously as a speaker and workshop guest. Helmn is a GCSAA Class E – Educator member, and also a Master Greenkeeper – one of only a few worldwide – so is extremely well placed to work with Strutt to take the Bernhard Academy forward.

Speaking on his new role, Helmn said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Bernhard Academy and helping Sami to expand its operations. Since its inception, the Bernhard Academy has been making real progress and providing greenkeepers and turf professionals in the UK with superb tools to enhance their careers.

“Throughout the last year, the cutting unit setup workshops and management programmes that the Academy has delivered have been very successful. So, I’m excited to work with Sami and the wider team to continue developing and evolving the full programme of classes and workshops over the next few months.”

Strutt added: “Phil is a fantastic addition to the Bernhard Academy team. He is a Master Greenkeeper and highly regarded internationally within the turf industry, so his expertise will be a tremendous asset to the Bernhard Academy as we continue to evolve its offering.

“Since I started my role in the spring, it’s been great to see the commitment from everyone involved in the Bernhard Academy to enhance the careers of greenkeepers and sports turf professionals. We’re trying to provide something really positive for the turf industry, and Phil is sure to be a crucial part of that as we move forward.”

Strutt joined the Bernhard Academy as Education Director earlier this year having previously performed numerous roles in a 30-year tenure at BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association), most recently as the organisation’s chief operating officer.

During Helmn’s first few months, he will be in charge of identifying and developing a range of workshops relating to Agronomy, Leadership and Management subjects for the forthcoming Autumn/Winter season.

In addition to the appointment of Helmn, the Bernhard Academy is also recruiting for a second senior management position, as Programme Leader – Technical and Equipment Management. The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing, adapting, and introducing programmes to deliver world-class learning and development opportunities to the industry in all subjects related to Technical training and Equipment Management.

To find out more about this additional recruitment opportunity, visit: https://bernhard.co.uk/careers/. Applications will close on June 7th, 2024.

To learn more about the Bernhard Academy and the courses, programmes, and workshops it offers across its locations at Haverhill (Suffolk), Moortown (Leeds), Norwich (Norfolk), and Gleneagles (Scotland), visit: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/

You can also find the Bernhard Academy on Twitter at @BernhardAcademy or on Instagram at @bernhard_academy

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Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team

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Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team: Dr. Simon Watson, an industry expert within Turf Agronomy and specifically Sports Turf Management, has joined The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, bringing over 20 years of experience in the turf, amenity and agriculture industry to the service.

With a strong interest and passion for sports turf agronomy, Watson adds to the already impressive lineup of agronomists at The R&A. Prior to joining, he travelled the world gaining invaluable experience across different climates, turf conditions and locations, all of which has shaped his expansive knowledge of the industry today.

Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team

Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team

“My background has allowed me to learn and develop my understanding of the industry across many sectors, and through my time at STRI and Syngenta, I have had an extensive amount of practical experience that I’m excited to utilise with the team,” comments Simon Watson, Senior Agronomist at The R&A.

“The opportunity to join The R&A was something I simply couldn’t miss. Its involvement and commitment to not only fostering the growth of golf, but also the importance it places on sustainability and how golf can be good for the environment, is an ethos that I’m proud to now be a part of.”

Based predominantly in the Southeast of England, Watson is already working with a host of clubs in the area, alongside other venues across the country and into mainland Europe.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has grown since its inception in 2022, with a comprehensive and well-recognised team plotted around the country. The consultancy service gives clubs access to a wealth of agronomic experience, positioning The R&A firmly in the centre of sustainable development within the game.

To find out more about the Sustainable Agronomy Service, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org or head to https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/agronomy

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