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Keith Pelley at the GolfBIC conference

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Keith Pelley at the GolfBIC conference: The European Tour has completed 20,000 Covid tests with just five positives since the outbreak of the pandemic. They have also spent £5 million on their health strategy.

That startling fact was revealed by European Tour CEO, Keith Pelley, speaking at the virtual GolfBic Conference.

Keith Pelley at the GolfBIC conference

Keith Pelley at the GolfBIC conference

“Our most valuable member of staff was Dr Andrew Murray, our Chief Medical Officer,” said Keith.

He also revealed how close the Tour came to having to refund money to the broadcasting companies as a result of not fulfilling its quota of events.

“At one point due to cancellations we only had eight events in 2020 with 30 events moved or cancelled and we needed to get to 32 to fulfil our broadcasting commitments.

“We did everything possible to be able to play. We introduced two UK swings in the summer and the autumn. We played at Celtic Manor twice and Cyprus twice and we played for 27 straight weeks including 23 regular Tour events. As we’d played 10 events before Covid we hit 33 and achieved our aim,” said Keith, who revealed that last year they furloughed 100 staff and laid off 60.

The 2021 season also carries its challenges with travel restrictions making moving around the world difficult, but the European Tour has recently partnered with the PGA Tour, who have taken a stake in European Tour Productions, and so the European Tour will soon be playing events in Florida.

“Last year I was petrified, but this year because we have shown how adaptable and innovative we can be I’m not remotely worried about making it work,” Keith told his on-line audience.

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Rob Maxfield at the GolfBIC conference

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Rob Maxfield at the GolfBIC conference: Speaking at the GolfBIC virtual conference PGA Chief Executive Rob Maxfield, said that golf had a wonderful opportunity to grow following the boost in playing numbers it had experienced over the last nine months.

However, he said that clubs would have to “welcome with open arms” and look after those new and returning golfers and ensure that they kept them as members.

Rob Maxfield at the GolfBIC conference

Rob Maxfield at the GolfBIC conference

“We need the golfing bodies to unite and work together and ensure that there was one junior golf initiative not 10 and that clubs would have to look at modernising their rules and remove arcane dress codes and phone bans in the clubhouse.

“We have got to rid the game of the label of being a white, middle aged, middle class male sport,” he told Geoff Russell, Editor of Golf Business News.

The news that the age profile of the game had also dropped during lockdown was also seen as positive for the game.

“Because youngsters couldn’t do anything else during lockdown they were playing golf, while others were coming back to the game, however, a cautionary note is that my son was put off because he wasn’t allowed to play with his shirt outside his trousers. Now is that the worst thing in the world?” said Rob.

When the pandemic struck 12 months ago Rob, who has been Chief Executive since 2017, met on a daily basis with his Senior Management Team planning on how best to support their 8,000 members, their staff and to discuss finances.

“We agreed not to furlough staff but to use them to contact all of our members. We endeavoured to call members and in the end spoke with over 90% of them. We also organised regular webinars, often with as many as 1,000 people participating, on a range of subjects,” said Rob, who added that the All Party – Parliamentary Golf Group, Chaired by Craig Tracey MP, had brought all golfing bodies together on a weekly basis.

“Cycling is the sport of choice for many at the moment with people talking about going out for rides at the weekend. Let’s get more people talking about going for a game of golf at the weekend.”

GolfBIC is running for three days with a range of influential speakers, including, Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour; Phil Anderton, the R&A’s Chief Development Officer; Craig Tracey, Chair, of the All-Party Parliamentary Golf Group, and Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association.

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Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand

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Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand: The products are widely used, and everyone has heard of the name – but how much do you know about Mansfield Sand?

Mansfield Sand is company with history and pedigree – in fact, its origins can be traced as far back to 1840. In complementing the company’s wonderful heritage, the family-run company insists on reinvesting in its infrastructure to keep moving with the times.

Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand

Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand

Mansfield Sand has been a long-standing pioneer in the development and production of premium quality silica sand-based products for over 170 years. Over recent years the company has invested approximately £20m in a state-of-the-art brick facility and, more recently, a new purpose-built quarry. The brickworks is now one of the most modern and technically advanced in Europe, while the Two Oaks Quarry, which has been in operation since 2015, has the most up-to-date and advanced equipment currently in the industry.

The washing plant is the beating heart of the quarry. This highly efficient plant was designed to give the flexibility needed to produce an extensive range of silica sand products that can meet the requirements of Mansfield Sand customers. The quarry also has an automated bagging plant, producing over 2 million bags of dry sand per annum.

Furthermore, in 2019 the company acquired a new larger head office to provide the capacity to support its aspirations for continued growth. The spacious office in Mansfield is located within equal distance to all production sites.

Supported by over 70 staff across its two operational sites and its head office, Mansfield Sand supplies a number of different sectors with its range of products including:

  • Silica sands;
  • Industrial sands;
  • Pavior and foundry sands;
  • A wide range of concrete brick products.

Its specialist products include:

  • Equestrian silica sand products including Fibresand Equestrian;
  • Specialist sports surfaces for both construction and renovation in golf, football and rugby including fibresand and fibrelastic.

With its wide range of products and its robust and extremely well-developed infrastructure, Mansfield Sand’s forward-thinking approach is ensuring it continues to lead the way within the marketplace.

It is for this reason that the company is extremely proud to boast a prestigious client list which includes some of the most prominent sporting venues in the UK and beyond. From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all.

Mansfield Sand’s ownership structure is another significant feather in its cap, as it is both agile and robust enough to accommodate the requirements of its customer base. The fact that it remains a family run business ensures that decisions can be made quickly. Where demand from customers necessitates change, as an SME Mansfield Sand can react rapidly and adapt to suit customer requirements. This agility is highly valued by its vast customer base.

With unrivalled experience and an ongoing commitment to investing in its facilities and product range, Mansfield Sand is well placed to add further to its already illustrious history.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Toro leads the way

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Toro leads the way: With Stage V emissions regulations now in place, finding compliant yet reliable, durable and productive machinery has become a key priority. And when it comes to out-front rotary mowers, the Groundsmaster 3000 series from Toro leads the way.

The Groundsmaster 3000 series is the first wave of new Stage V emissions compliant machines from Toro, in fact both the Groundsmaster 3200 and 3300 were designed with Stage V compliance in mind.

Toro leads the way

Toro leads the way

Alastair Rowell, UK sales manager – turfcare equipment for Reesink Turfcare, says: “Stage V engine legislation is welcome and good, but it brings with it a period of uncertainty as customers assess the way they maintain their grounds and contracts. Is there a different way to compile a fleet or can different purchasing decisions be made that allow customers to remain profitable and productive? It might cost more to buy a specific machine but if you can buy one machine to perform more than one function, or opt for a machine under the 25hp limit that hasn’t incurred the associated Stage V engine cost increase, those factors become more important than ever.”

When it comes to the Groundsmaster 3000 series however customers don’t need to consider how the addition of a Diesel Particulate Filter or a reduction in horsepower will affect the machine’s performance, because the design process considered it for them.

Alastair continues: “Toro benefitted from its experience with the roll-out of Tier IV products in North America. It learned how to design out inefficiencies in systems and looked at whether a product can meet customers’ needs with less horsepower or migrate to alternative fuels. For example, the fact that the Groundsmaster series has a fine-cut flail attachment option means you can cut two ways with one machine.”

Launching on to the market at the beginning of last year, the Groundsmaster 3200 and Groundsmaster 3300 are still relative new-comers, but their ability to deliver year-round productivity and multiple cutting options, cope easily with longer, coarser, dry or wet grass and combat extended mowing cycles immediately caught the market’s attention.

With a 24.7hp Yanmar engine, the Groundsmaster 3200 packs a punch, perfect for applications in smaller estates, schools and colleges. Meanwhile the heavy-duty Groundsmaster 3300 with its powerful 37.4hp engine is a real jungle-buster. Both machines benefit from Toro’s CrossTrax all-wheel drive system, which provides automatic traction control, shifting power to the wheels in slippery conditions for increased control and accuracy even in tough conditions.

Each has the option of 152cm (60ins) or 183cm (72ins) rear and side, or rear-only discharge rotary decks, with or without mulching kits, or a 152cm flail deck. There are three deck options; two rotary options to meet customers’ feature and price requirements – the standard deck has rear and side discharge and replaceable deck bumpers – and the Turbo Force deck has rear discharge and welded deck bumpers.

Another bonus is the durable deck design. With 4.5mm high strength steel decks, rugged spindles, a bullnose bumper and reinforced sideskids, it’s built for longevity and reduced downtime. Plus, the tip-up cutting deck makes servicing even easier, with access to the underside of the deck in under 15 seconds.

When it comes to getting jobs done quickly, the Groundsmaster 3000 series benefits from a transport speed of 22km/h, so you can move between sites efficiently, and its 19.8cm ground clearance means curb climbing is easy and doesn’t break up work. Plus, a large 45.4 litre fuel capacity maximises mowing time between refuelling for even more efficiency.

Alastair concludes: “The Groundsmaster series is the perfect out-front rotary choice in the new Stage V world. They are clean, considered and compliant.”

To discover on the Groundsmaster 3000 series, or to talk to someone about the Toro range and the finance options available, call 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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BRP expands the Traxter family

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BRP expands the Traxter family: BRP (TSX: DOO; NASDAQ: DOOO) has unveiled a new addition to its acclaimed Can-Am Traxter side-by-side vehicle family for 2021. The 2021 Can-Am Traxter PRO DPS HD10 T-Category is built to take the hardworking side-by-side vehicle experience to the next level, designed specifically to improve the lives of those who are out there working the land.

This the first Can-Am Traxter to feature an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), which is optimised for off-road use. It also has a six-foot/180cm multifunctional cargo box along with a lower box storage area accessible from both sides for a huge amount of storage and hauling capability. It is built to work as hard as you do, so you can tackle daunting chores with ease and confidence.

BRP expands the Traxter family

BRP expands the Traxter family

With its incredible versatility, the Can-Am Traxter PRO DPS HD10 lets you do more and tow more while navigating demanding terrain. The long cargo box doubles loading capacity compared to the regular box, increasing your efficiency on the job. Plus, its innovative design includes a lower box storage area and an adaptable flatbed configuration for maximised hauling solutions.

“The utility segment of off-road vehicles is growing every year, and we are as committed as ever to product innovation that provides the best possible solution for hardworking individuals,” said Bernard Guy, Senior Vice President, Global Product Strategy, BRP. “Can-Am Traxter owners need toughness and capability, and this new model balances that with enhanced comfort and versatility. It’s an ideal tool for landowners and farmers.”

The Can-Am Traxter PRO DPS HD10 is equipped with a frame that is lighter and reinforced that enhances ride quality and durability for a wide assortment of off-road tasks. It comes standard with a proven and reliable 1000cc, 82-hp Rotax HD10 engine that offers a segment-leading 69 lb-ft (94 Nm) of torque. All that power paired together with an enhanced suspension, longer wheelbase, and a long list of available accessories – as well as Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) for the first time ever on a Can-Am Traxter model – means plenty of capability to accomplish even the toughest jobs.

For more information about the complete 2021 Can-Am Off-Road vehicle lineup, including detailed technical information and product specs for the new Can-Am Traxter PRO DPS HD10 T- Category, visit https://can-am.brp.com/off-road/.

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