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Goodwood Returns To Toro

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Goodwood Returns To Toro: Goodwood has returned to Toro as it continues in its ambition to develop a ‘super fleet’ for its 12,000-acre estate based in Sussex.

The last time we caught up with Phil Helmn, general manager of sports turf and grounds at the all-encompassing Goodwood, he had taken delivery of a fleet of Toro fine turf machinery for The Downs and The Park golf courses in 2015 and said it signalled the start of a more structured approach to machinery operation.

Goodwood Returns To Toro

True to his word, we’re back in touch with Phil as he receives his six latest Toro purchases, all grounds machines to take care of the estate gardens, grassed lawn areas, the motor circuit, airfield and horse race course.

Phil says: “Since I joined Goodwood four years ago, it has been my intention to make the estate 100 percent Toro. It made good business sense to follow up from our fine turf machinery deal and develop the relationship with the brand. It’s far easier to deal with one supplier and share resources.”

Such a large enterprise as Goodwood comes with a wide set of challenges and having a Toro ‘super fleet’ enables three mechanics to become Toro-trained to a high standard to limit sub-contracting and out-sourcing. The estate will also now carry a range of parts for the equipment it operates to “drive efficiency”, says Phil, and allow for an instant response to any issues.

It makes sense then that included in the order of three Groundsmaster 3500-D mowers, a Groundsmaster 4300-D, two Groundsmaster 5910 mowers, and two UTVs – the GTX and MDX-D, is the new MyTurf servicing system.

The Pro fleet management program, myTurf, operates by automatically recording how long the machines have been in operation and how many hours they have accrued when they re-enter the maintenance facility and pass a sensor at the door. This allows the mechanics to calculate preventative maintenance and replacement parts needed, and machine history can be accessed by simply logging in to the system on a computer.

Phil says: “Fleet maintenance is crucial to the performance of the machines, and this is a much slicker way of keeping on top of that.”

Phil says the demonstrations required to make sure the machines he chose were relevant for the different areas, complementing wide ranging criteria, wasn’t actually as complicated a process as one may expect. “We performed due diligence with demos, but the process of deciding which grounds machines to get was actually pretty straightforward. When you know and trust a brand the decision-making becomes easy. For this recent order we opted for rotary mowers. The floating decks eliminate scalping and the rear rollers provides a really good striping effect. The finish is excellent.”

This latest Toro order is the culmination of a few years work for Phil, assessing how best to manage such a large estate and team. He says: “Having one big fleet has brought our four teams of 35 gardeners, groundsmen and greenkeepers together, to share techniques and skills according to the different environments they are using the machines on.

“Back in 2015, when the fine turf fleet arrived, my priority was to ensure the entire Goodwood enterprise was maintained to the same exacting standards. I have used Toro for most of my career and personal experience tells me it’s a quality product and will not let me down. The fact that I can now extend the same standards to the grounds here at Goodwood means we can deliver the best results possible across the entire 12,000 acres.”

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Vandal-Hit Bowls Club Set To Fold

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Vandal-Hit Bowls Club Set To Fold: Middleport Park Bowling club is to fold – ending its 108 years of existence.

The club, traditionally one of most successful in North Staffordshire, will play for the last time this year after members called time because of vandalism and also council costs.

Middleport had been asked to pay around £2,500 to Stoke-on-Trent City Council to maintain the green.

An alternative was a self-management deal in which members would take on the responsibility for looking after the green themselves.

But they have reluctantly rejected that idea because of vandalism, including people playing football and golf on the green and riding bikes over it.

The club, founded in 1910, will play for this season at Clough Hall then cease to exist.

Chairman and treasurer Keith Williamson, aged 65, has been connected with the club since he was 13.

He said it was a difficult decision to call time on a club which was one of the best in the area in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s when they were regular winners of the Sentinel Cup.

However, he said the fee of around £2,500 was too much.

 He said: “That was the ballpark figure but they had said it would rise over time. We were offered self-management but there were the vandalism issues.

“But the problems started when the council first made the cuts and they got rid of the park rangers around 10 or 12 years ago.

“The main thing is football on the green but also people riding bikes on it. We have even been down there and people have been practicing golf shots on it.

“It is a problem that lots of parks are having now. There might be a gassy bank on the other side, but they prefer to play on the bowling green because it is flatter.”

Williamson said the council had offered the club a free mower and made them aware of grants they could apply for, but after careful consideration they decided it wasn’t feasible to carry on.

Now he and other members have cleared the pavilion as they reluctantly decided the club must fold.

He has thanked Clough Hall for making the team welcome for this year. Middleport have a strong connection with Clough Hall because their former captain Mick Harvey played there before joining Park in 1980 and skippering the club to major success. Mick died in 2014.

Williamson added: “It is a sad day, we are one of the best known and have been one of the most successful clubs in the area”

Middleport is one of several clubs potentially affected by council cutbacks.

The Sentinel reported in October that the council had also begun consulting with clubs at Anchor Road, Meir Hay; Beauford Street, Longton; Bucknall Park; Campbell Road, Stoke; Tunstall Park; Northwood Park; Smithpool Park, in Fenton; Burslem Park and Watson Road, in Trent Vale.

Councillor Anthony Munday, cabinet member for greener city, development and leisure, said: “We have met with all the bowling clubs in the city and offered them options and support to keep running.

“This has included a 50 per cent reduction in what they would pay to maintain the green for the first 12 months; advice on how to set up committees and access funding for example through the council’s Community Investment Fund, as well as the offer of free lawn mowers and training in how to use them. It’s disappointing that none of the options offered were acceptable to the club at Middleport Park and that they have taken the decision to wind-up.

“Bowling green maintenance is costly. It is labour intensive and requires a lot of specialised equipment and other materials. We understand the value of bowling in terms of social contact and health. However, the simple truth is that the number of people using some greens is falling far short of being able to justify the expense in the light of other more popular demands.

“We will continue to work with other groups who have expressed a desire to keep their club running and we hope to reach positive outcomes with as many as we can.”

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Diesel Used To Vandalise Greens

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Diesel Used To Vandalise Greens: Cessnock Golf Club have suffered from vandalism three times in the past two weeks.

Greens at Cessnock Golf Club have been vandalised three times in the past two weeks.

The first incident occurred on the night of Wednesday, February 14 when diesel was poured onto the twelfth green (which backs onto the Calvary grounds).

The fourth green had also been targeted the Saturday night prior, when vandals left a series of holes in the grass.

Course superintendent Merv Hayward said it was devastating news for the staff, the golfers and the club volunteers (who give their time for several hours a week to keep the course in good shape).

“Our volunteers do a great job,” he said.,

“The course was really starting to look nice.

“You wonder what they (the vandals) get out of it.”

Mr Hayward said the diesel stains are irreparable, meaning the damaged sections of each green will have to be dug up and re-turfed – costing the club about $2500.

Anyone with information about these incidents should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Tributes Paid To Greenkeeper

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Tributes Paid To Greenkeeper: Tributes have been flooding in to a multi-talented sportsman who has been described as “marvellous with people”.

Former Norwich City player and Thetford Golf Club member and greenkeeper Richard ‘Dick’ Scott died on February 11 aged 76.

Born on October 26 1941 in Thetford, on his 17th birthday he became part of Norwich City’s ground staff and played for the youth team and reserves. The right half made 36 appearances and scored three goal for the first team during his spell with the Canaries between 1961 and 1963, and was part of the 1962 League Cup winning team.

A spokesman for Norwich City Football Club said: “We are always saddened to hear of the passing of any former Canary. Dick was a local player that worked his way to the first team through the ranks.

“Our thoughts are with Dick’s friends and family during this difficult time.”

He moved to Cardiff City where he was honoured to play in the same team as Welshman John Charles and also had spells at Scunthorpe United, Lincoln City, King’s Lynn Town, and Thetford Town and Rovers.

Outside of football he was married to Judy for 56 years and had two children, Timothy and Veronica, and three grandchildren, Alex, Maxime and Robert.

“He was a great joker and was always making people laugh,” said Mrs Scott. “He was marvellous with people. He was a character.

“Everyone has got their own little funny stories about him. He was very strong minded.”

Mr Scott was a member of Thetford Golf Club from 1978 until 2005. He was head greenkeeper and was involved in planning and construction at other clubs in Norfolk.

The club’s manager Malcolm Grubb said: “Dick was a multi-talented sportsman and a very capable golfer.

“He represented Thetford in many inter-club county events with considerable success. He was also a very competent head greenkeeper, helping to build Thetford’s reputation as having one of the best-maintained golf courses in the area.

“He will be fondly remembered at Thetford Golf Club and will be sadly missed.”

A tribute from Mick Askew said: “I had the pleasure of his company for around two years as he built and designed Richmond Park Golf Club [near Watton]. A true gentleman and a very talented man in all aspects of sport.

“So sad to hear of his passing I have lots of memories of our time together. My condolences to his family.”

He and his wife spent 15 years of their retirement in Cyprus and returned to live in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, last year.

Mrs Scott added: “Richard always thought he was fortunate because he earned a living from sports that he loved. And on retirement he spent 15 years in the sun in Cyprus.”

A celebration of his life will take place at Bury St Edmunds Crematorium on February 27 at 10.30am. All are welcome to attend.

A get together will take place after at Thetford Golf Club.

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Win Dedicated To Ex-Groundsman

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Win Dedicated To Ex-Groundsman: Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe dedicated the club’s win over Stoke to long-serving club stalwart John Harriss who passed away last month at the age of 88.

A minute’s applause was held in memory of John, who joined the club staff in 1970 and became head groundsman and then referee liaison officer.

Ex-Cherries bosses Harry Redknapp and Sean O’Driscoll, together with a host of former players, joined mourners at his funeral at a packed Bournemouth Crematorium on Tuesday.

His wife Deirdre, son Shaun, daughter Nicky and grandchildren Rich, Rachael and Clare were guests of the club at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

John, who spent 37 years tending the pitch at Dean Court, died at home just hours after watching on television as Cherries toppled Premier League big guns Arsenal on January 14.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “The minute’s applause was very emotional for me because immediately you think of John and all the memories come flooding back.

“Every week, without fail, he was there by our side, cheering on the team and always knowing what to say whether you had won, drawn or lost. His outlook and reaction to me personally never changed.

“Then, you go back to the days when you were an apprentice and trying to make your way in the game. You look for people to support and help you and he was one of the people who did. I have never forgotten that and never will.

“He has an incredible family and it was really nice to share this moment with them. I saw them during the week and we spoke about stories of John and shared memories with them.”

Perhaps fittingly, the Harriss family looked on as Cherries wrote another chapter in the club’s record books by extending to seven games their unbeaten run in the Premier League.

And like most of John’s 79-year association with the club, it was eventful as Cherries mounted a stirring second-half comeback to take the points.

Goals from substitutes Joshua King and Lys Mousset cancelled out Xherdan Shaqiri’s early opener as victory saw Cherries climb to ninth place in the table.

Discussing the game, Howe said: “Mentally, it was a big challenge for the players. We beat Chelsea on Wednesday and then played again on Saturday.

“After the high of Chelsea, we didn’t start well and it is not easy to respond in the right way. But we have a really good feel about the group at the moment.

“There is a good team spirit and a lot of quality. That was highlighted by the fact the two substitutes came on and made such an impact.

“Would we have come back earlier in the season? – I’m not so sure.

“But the fact we are in the middle of this run and producing performances, you have it in the back of your mind that you can.

“It is reminiscent of times gone by when we have had the spirit to come back from losing positions and that is a great quality to have. We have done it a lot in this run and the challenge for me is to maintain and harness that and try to improve it if we can.”

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