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BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

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BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is this week launching a survey that invites all greenkeepers – whether members of the association or otherwise – to share their opinions on the structure and role of the association itself.

The survey is intended to ensure that greenkeepers are at the heart of plans to develop the activities and structure of BIGGA and ensure it is well-placed to meet the challenges of future years.

BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

The survey is the first step in a consultation phase that is being undertaken in collaboration with Sporting Insights, the leading sports marketing research organisation. The survey can be completed here.

The questionnaire will give all greenkeepers the opportunity to have their say about BIGGA itself, whether positive or otherwise. Questions will cover the BIGGA membership offering, the value of benefits and initiatives that are currently available and how these might change. There will also be questions on membership categories, the role of volunteers and how BIGGA advocates for its members within the industry.

Those who complete the questionnaire will be entered into a draw to win £500 in Amazon vouchers.

Scott Reeves, BIGGA Head of Membership, said: “BIGGA has a proven history of advancing the profession of greenkeeping and providing its members with innovative benefits and opportunities. As the association approaches its 40th anniversary, we recognise that the industry is rapidly changing and if we are to remain an influential force within the golf and turf management industries, we must listen to all stakeholders, whether within membership or those who opt against joining BIGGA. This is a genuine opportunity for everyone in greenkeeping to influence the direction BIGGA takes over the coming years and we are committed to listening to all voices, whether supportive or otherwise.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “The greenkeeping industry never stands still. Greenkeepers are renowned for being self-critical and always wanting to improve their facilities and their own knowledge. At BIGGA we aim to have a similar mentality, which is why we are again seeking clear feedback to ensure our offering to our members and the wider industry is as fit for purpose as it can be.

“I’m proud of the strides BIGGA has made during its lifetime but we cannot rest on our laurels and I hope very many of our members and other stakeholders in the industry will help us to achieve even more in the next few years.”

Steve Lloyd, BIGGA Chairperson and The Worcestershire Golf Club Course Manager, said: “Participating in this survey gives each of us a voice in shaping the future of our association and, ultimately, our profession. As greenkeepers, our insights and experiences are invaluable in defining the direction and support we need from BIGGA.

“Completing this survey is a chance to make sure the structure and role of the association truly reflect what’s most important for our work and the industry. I encourage all greenkeepers to take part and contribute to this vision for the future.”

BIGGA has long been an association that has evolved to suit the ever-changing needs of its members. A desire to improve professionalism and knowledge led to the development of the Continue to Learn education programme and the implementation of an industry-first Continuing Professional Development system. In recent years, challenges with workforce recruitment and retention and increasing concern relating to mental health have led to the significant investment intended to support members in these areas.

Complete the survey here.

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Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

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Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX: British sprayer manufacturer Team Sprayers will be at SALTEX this year with a selection of sprayers from their pedestrian and mounted range of ground care sprayers.

Amongst the pedestrian sprayers they will be showcasing the Cub, Scout and Vixen Pro SP sprayers. The Team Cub sprayer has been designed for the greenkeeper or groundsman who requires a simple, efficient and reliable pedestrian sprayer.  The Team Scout pedestrian sprayer is an efficient and reliable ground care sprayer which hosts a range of features, but is simple to operate and maintain. It features an adjustable pressure control system as standard, which ensures constant, accurate liquid application. The Scout sprayer also features two pneumatic wheels with the option of adding a third ‘jockey type’ wheel which increases sprayer manoeuvrability and handling.

Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

The Team Vixen Pro Sp pedestrian sprayer will also be on stand. This sprayer has been designed for the greenkeeper or groundsman who requires efficient, reliable low-ground pressure application. It features a robust and simple design with the option to spray in either forward or reverse direction. The smooth action 24V powered axle is highly responsive with fully adjustable forward and reverse speeds. Constant speed settings ensure accurate spray application.

From their mounted range Team are showcasing their Team Club  sprayer, a full spec groundcare sprayer range incorporating all the requirements to meet the latest spraying legislation and the needs of the modern greenkeeper. Reliable, robust design and ‘easy to use’ operator controls make this machine very user friendly.  Standard features include; tank flushing system, chemical induction hopper, hand wash tank and PPE locker.

To see their range of ground care sprayers and to meet the Team visit them on stand C095.

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FSI Stump Cutters UK Ltd make their Arb Show debut

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FSI Stump Cutters UK Ltd make their Arb Show debut: While 2024 won’t be the first time the renowned FSI range of stump grinders will be showcased at Westonbirt Arboretum, this year’s Arb Show will be the company’s debut under the banner of FSI Stump Cutters UK Ltd.

New name, same industry-leading portfolio of engine, hydraulic and PTO-powered stump grinders, an expert team and your chance to win a 3-month free hire of an FSI B21 – all to be found on stand E10/E11 this May.

FSI Stump Cutters UK Ltd make their Arb Show debut

FSI Stump Cutters UK Ltd make their Arb Show debut

Following the formation of the new strategic subsidiary at the end of 2023, it’s been a busy few months for the FSI UK team, establishing a nationwide network of dealer partners to provide expert advice, sales and support across the FSI range. The Arb Show 2024 will bring together a number of these new distribution partners alongside a wide selection of machines.

As the world’s only dedicated stump grinder manufacturer, FSI provides the solution for stumps of all shapes and sizes, in all situations and on all types of terrain. The FSI B31 promises to be one of many stand highlights. At just 74cm, this narrow-access tracked stump grinder is ideal for sites with restricted access, promising powerful performance with enhanced manoeuvrability, stability and a low centre of gravity. The hydraulic drive of the cutting head all-but eliminates daily maintenance, reducing operating costs and resulting in less time in the workshop and more in the field.

Another popular model with professional arborists is the FSI B21. This easy-to-operate pedestrian unit features a 14hp engine and pivoting cutter arm, delivering a 90cm sweep and cutting depth down to 25cm below ground.

Visitors to stand E10/E11 will also have the opportunity to enter an exclusive Arb Show competition for the chance to win a free 3-month hire of an FSI B21 stump grinder! Full details, terms & conditions can be found by speaking to the FSI UK technical team on hand across the two days.

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Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey

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Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey: Based in Wiltshire, Kinsey Premiere Services Ltd is a family-run grounds maintenance company serving educational facilities, commercial properties, and private residencies in Wiltshire and beyond.

Gary Kinsey established the family business in 2010 and expanded to grounds maintenance just two years later in 2012.

Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey

Kinsey Premiere Services mark out their journey

The company provides line-marking services to schools, councils, and amateur football and rugby clubs. They initially relied on a Transfer Wheel marker but quickly upgraded to a Fleet Beam Rider for precise line marking. However, they found that the time-consuming nature of initial markings prompted the exploration of alternative solutions. Operations Manager, Elliot Kinsey explains, “I was impressed by Origin Amenity Solutions Simon Hughes’ demonstration of the TinyMobileRobot line marker and was drawn to the device due to its manageable size, lightweight construction, and remarkable versatility. Its ability to seamlessly adapt to various marking tasks, from precise line markings to intricate designs, made it an attractive and invaluable addition to our equipment arsenal.”

TinyMobileRobots is marketed and distributed exclusively in the UK by Origin Amenity Solutions who have one of largest dedicated line marking teams in the UK.

Kinsey Premiere Services currently has a TinyLineMarker (TLM) Sport and a TinyLineMarker (TLM) Pro in their fleet. Elliot continues, “Primarily, we purchased the robots to mark sports pitches quickly and efficiently to free up our employees and allow them to focus on other grounds maintenance obligations.

The TinyLineMarker’s exceptional efficiency in paint utilisation significantly reduced our overall paint consumption which also led to substantial cost savings. This, coupled with the robot’s ability to automate the marking process, dramatically minimised our labour costs and streamlined our operations, saving us valuable time and resources. The robots proved to be a game-changer for our business; enhancing our efficiency, reducing expenses, and enabling us to deliver exceptional line-marking services for our clients.”

Packed with a range of innovative features, the GPS-guided robots are designed to make line-marking projects as reliable, streamlined, and effortless as possible. Their low weight enables them to be lifted easily by one person and the small size means they can fit into a regular-sized car and be transported from one location to another easily.

The TLM Sport is ideal for sports teams, clubs, and schools. It is robust, with front and side bumper strips and integral ultrasonic, intelligent sensors to avoid obstacles and protect from damage. Powered by a brushless electric motor, with low energy consumption and zero emissions, the TLM Sport is an eco-friendly choice, especially when used with IMPACT ready-to-use paint. Over and above this, the TLM Pro offers advanced robotic technologies for precision line marking and is ideal for councils, contractors, and larger universities. With its powerful performance, robust design, and large, high-traction wheels, the TLM Pro can tackle any size pitch, or multiple pitches, with ease.

“The intuitive user interface is effortless to use and easy to manage”, adds Elliot, “the ease of use, accuracy, and full autonomy, coupled with an extensive library of over 200 sports markings, make them an indispensable tool for our clients. The robots’ ability to create custom logos, shapes, words, and numbers further expands their versatility and caters to the diverse needs of our clientele.”

“With over a decade of experience, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional, personalised service; utilising the latest compliant equipment to transform wild outdoor areas into beautiful and manageable spaces. Health, safety, environmental compliance, and client satisfaction are always our top priorities. Our clients’ needs differ so having two different robots to cater to these works well for us. The TLM Sport is well placed to manage our amateur sports clubs and schools whilst the TLM Pro is more suited to the larger-scale council projects. We often combine the versatility of our robots to expedite line marking, especially on large fields like American Football pitches, Rugby fields, and athletic tracks. This synergy proves invaluable when time is of the essence—and allows us to playfully showcase our robotic prowess!”

The Origin Amenity Solutions team provides onsite training, maintenance, and general advice. Elliot has found the “technical support package very helpful; we’ve received excellent support whenever we’ve needed it, ensuring we deliver our clients’ requirements on time and within budget.”

Origin Amenity Solutions has recently launched a new and improved model – the TLM Pro X, which boasts even more improvements, including general upgrades to the hardware and software, enhanced electronics, and the addition of buttons to activate the pump and nozzle, enabling users to manually prime, clean and test. Elliot concludes, “As and when necessary, we will look to expand our TinyMobileRobot fleet accordingly.

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Prestwick GC futureproof their fairways

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Prestwick GC futureproof their fairways: While only launched in the summer of 2023, the new hard fescue J Sustain-Fairway mixture from Johnsons Sports Seed is already making a strong first impression at the birthplace of The Open Championship.

Delivering quick germination and coping with the challenges of the undulating links course, Prestwick Golf Club have commended the blend of top-rated cultivars and the role they’ll play in futureproofing their fairways.

Prestwick GC futureproof their fairways

Prestwick GC futureproof their fairways

By name Dave Edmondson is Prestwick’s Head Greenkeeper, supported in his role by a team of 10, but by nature he considers himself merely ‘a guardian’ of the venue – rich in prestigious golfing history. “I very much follow the Old Tom Morris approach to maintenance, working with nature and continuing the methodologies of my predecessors to run the course in a minimalist way” says Dave. “We don’t use any pesticides, fungicides, hardly any fertilisers and very limited water.”

“My pursuit of traditional greenkeeping techniques led me to have a conversation with our golf course consultant about our fairways, and specifically any mixtures which could help to boost the hard fescue and sheep fescue populations which are proven to thrive in low-input and links conditions. That’s where I discovered Johnsons J Sustain-Fairway.”

J Sustain-Fairway, available from DLF, has been designed to suit golf clubs looking to significantly boost the population of resilient varieties, providing a foundation of quality and strength with an increased tolerance to a broad range of turf stresses. “A chat with my DLF Technical Manager Stuart Yarwood made it clear that this mix would tick a lot of boxes, so we opted for this for our main annual fairway overseed.”

Sown at a rate of 7g/m2 in early September, germination was visible in just over two weeks, with the seedlings then under the stewardship of Dave to thrive and establish. “So far it’s been so good! The natural undulations here at Prestwick have often seen certain species struggle, particularly with coverage on the tops of the hillocks, so we’ve sown some additional J Sustain-Fairway here to help and, to date, it’s all working brilliantly.”

“The hard and sheeps fescue like a nice, settled environment and that’s exactly what we can give them.” Dave adds, “If we can keep building those populations with top-rated cultivars, then we will be much better placed to withstand environmental challenges and safeguard the course for the future.”

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