Tag Archive for: Top

Top Tips On Groundskeeping From Manchester Rugby Club

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Top Tips On Groundskeeping From Manchester Rugby Club: The team at STIGA have always known their robot mowers were a cut above the rest, but now they’re absolutely scrumming their way to glory on rugby pitches too.

When star signings Mow Marler and Cutney Lawns joined the grounds squad at Manchester Rugby Club, it wasn’t just a transfer… it was a turf-formation!

Tim Holmes of Manchester Rugby Club shared:

“Mow Marler and Cutney Lawns joined the Manchester Rugby Club Grounds team back in October 2024, having signed from STIGA. As part of the partnership, STIGA provided full training on how to get the most from the mowers, and they made an immediate impact. Their work ethic has been incredible! They operate day and night, seven days a week, and we saw an instant improvement in the quality of the pitches.”

Top Tips On Groundskeeping From Manchester Rugby Club

Top Tips On Groundskeeping From Manchester Rugby Club

Naturally, STIGA had to get the inside scoop from the brilliant volunteers who care for the club’s four full-size rugby pitches. Here’s what they had to say…

How often do the robots mow each area?

Chutney and Mow are pretty much out every day from Mid-March to late November. They cut a pitch each in just under 3 days so each pitch is cut twice a week.

Roughly how much staff time have the robots saved each week?

Before the mowers, our team would just about have the time to cut the pitches once a week, but this meant there were also cuttings to clear after, especially in the summer. Cutting each pitch would take approx 90 mins, and clearing the cuttings another 90-120mins. So approx 7.5 hours a week, that is now retained to do other pitch maintenance work, such as slitting and verti-draining

Has this reduced overtime or weekend work?

To be honest, it’s all overtime, but none of it paid, as we have a wonderful team of very hardworking volunteers managing the grounds, but it has greatly reduced the pressure on the team each week

Have you noticed improvements in turf density or overall health?

Yes, very much so. The constant cutting keeps the grass shorter and stronger

How does the cut quality compare to traditional mowers?

The constant cutting means the grass doesn’t get long at all, and it’s kept at the perfect level

Does frequent, light cutting improve presentation?

Very much so. It keeps everything trim and neat. The biggest difference is when the ground is wet or soft, and we couldn’t use the tractor to cut the pitches. The mowers being so light allows for constant cutting without any damage to the surface

Have players noticed a difference in surface quality?

Yes, when the grass used to get longer, it was commented on and more difficult to play and train on.

Has match-day presentation improved?

The constant cutting often means we don’t have to roll or cut before a match day, meaning the pitch is always in peak condition

In true rugby fashion, Mow Marler and Cutney Lawns even marked their arrival at the club with matching tattoos. Rumour has it the STIGA team think they’ve earned a few more for their tireless service, maybe a championship badge next?

You can read more about STIGA’s autonomous robot mowers and other STIGA products here: www.stiga.com/uk/

To read more about the STIGA partnership with England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) here: www.stiga.com/uk/stiga-x-rfu

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Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination

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Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination: Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort in France is the latest destination to feature in Syngenta Golf’s YouTube course walk series on golf and environmental stewardship.

The award-winning 36-hole resort in Provence – one of only three golf venues in France to receive the Gold Certificate for Biodiversity from the French Golf Federation and the National Museum of Natural History – has embedded sustainability into its vision and business planning since opening 20 years ago.

Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination

Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination

Now, in a new episode of The Green Report, Syngenta Golf’s flagship docuseries on sustainable course management, Terre Blanche demonstrates how its long-term sustainability philosophy is delivering measurable environmental benefits across the resort, including:

  • Transforming out-of-play areas into thriving ecosystems rich in native plant and wildlife species
  • Using 100% non-potable water for irrigation, ensuring responsible resource management across the estate
  • Empowering staff to become active ambassadors for environmental sustainability.

Among the interviewees are President Marc Delauné, Course Manager Philippe Burgeat, and HR Director Anca Gherman, who each explain how Terre Blanche’s holistic approach – integrating land, water and people – is helping to inspire guests and benefit the local community.

Marc Delauné, President of Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort said: “Our commitment from the outset has been to manage this property responsibly. We have seen firsthand that golf courses not only protect fauna and flora, but often play a vital role in improving them.”

Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape for Syngenta, said: “Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort is a leading example of how environmental sustainability can sit at the very heart of a golf business. From the beginning, the business has shown how a long-term vision and genuine commitment deliver benefits for people, planet and profit.

“We hope this latest episode of The Green Report will inform and inspire other golf courses to share their own sustainability journeys.”

The new episode will be released at 9AM ET / 3PM CET today, and will be free-to-watch for all golf industry professionals and stakeholders on YouTube.

To watch all episodes of The Green Report and for more news, features, videos and case studies on sustainable golf, as well as links to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast, visit Syngenta Golf.

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The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards

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The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards: The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) announced the Grand, Special and Principal winners of the National Landscape Awards 2025, in a spectacular event held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on Friday 5 December.

Just over 1,000 BALI members and their guests saw Surrey-based The Outdoor Room capture the prestigious Grand Award for their standout project Hawthorn House, a scheme celebrated for its ambition, technical mastery, and exceptional craftsmanship.

The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards

The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards

The winning project impressed the judging panel with its elegant and expansive design, delivered despite stringent access restrictions, challenging weather conditions and frequent expansion of the project scope. Coordinating with multiple third-party contractors, The Outdoor Room produced a landscape described by judges as “full of visual beauty that belies the complex nature of the work that went into it.”

Presented by Headline Sponsor Origin Enterprises, via their Living Landscapes Division, the Grand Award recognises the company’s ability to balance high-level problem-solving with meticulous execution. The project team resolved significant drainage issues, delivered intricate hard-landscaping features, and installed a refined planting scheme, all while maintaining seamless workmanship throughout. The team brought to life a landscape the judges deemed exemplary in every respect.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive the Grand Award at the BALI National Landscape Awards,” said Mark Britton, Managing Director of The Outdoor Room. “These awards represent the highest level of recognition in our industry. To be acknowledged by such experienced and knowledgeable judges is an honour, and achievements like this inspire and motivate our whole team, especially our younger members.”

BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills praised the achievement, noting the exceptional standard of entries: “The standard this year was one of the best we’ve ever seen, so this is a hugely deserved win for Mark and his team. Every year I continue to be amazed by the creativity, innovation and expertise demonstrated by our members. The Awards remain the pinnacle of landscaping excellence because of their dedication and skill.”

It was double delight for The Outdoor Room, as Senior Foreman and Director James Sponder bagged a Special Award for individual professional achievement.

Alongside the announcement of the Grand Award winner and Principal winners, Water Gems (Alba) received a Special Award for their project “Maggie’s Forth Valley”, while John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance was presented with the Environmental Awareness Award for “Biodiversity Boost”.

Next year, the 2026 Awards will mark a milestone 50th Anniversary celebration, with Origin Enterprises confirmed to reprise their role as headline sponsor.

For the full list of winners, event photographs, and future entry information, visit baliawards.co.uk

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Top Results at Woolley Park Thanks to the Redexim

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Top Results at Woolley Park Thanks to the Redexim: Woolley Park Golf Club in Wakefield has long been a family-run facility built on pride, passion, and constant improvement – and Course Manager John Rowbottom believes one piece of machinery has raised their maintenance standards more than most: the Redexim Top Brush 6000.

Introduced in 2020 as a solution for everything from disease control and surface preening to pre-cut preparation and top-dressing integration, the Top Brush 6000 has since become a fixture at forward-thinking turf facilities around the world. And since investing in one of the first units in 2022, Woolley Park Golf Club has never looked back.

Top Results at Woolley Park Thanks to the Redexim

Top Results at Woolley Park Thanks to the Redexim

“We jumped in with both feet,” says John. I’d seen it advertised when it got launched and thought, that’s a piece of equipment I need to look at. We’d just come out the other side of losing chemical control for worms, which I appreciate is the right way to go – but it was a big problem for us, and Redexim solved it better than anyone.”

Initially purchased to tackle the frustrating and unsightly problem of worm casts on fairways, the Top Brush quickly proved itself a versatile, season-round asset.

“I was thinking purely autumn and spring use pre-mowing to clear worm casts, reduce mess and prevent damage to machinery,” he explains. “But it’s turned out to be far more than that. The level of presentation we now get on a day-to-day basis is unreal. It’s not just helping with the problem – it’s improving how the course looks.”

With its three independently adjustable poly brush units and a 6-metre working width, the Top Brush 6000 can quickly and evenly sweep large areas, removing moisture, worm casts, surface debris and more. The result? A clean, healthy sward with improved airflow and reduced disease pressure.

“We’re running it on the fairways at least two out of the three times a week we cut them. It stands the grass up beautifully before mowing, helps us remove moisture, and just lifts the overall finish of the course.”

The Top Brush 6000 is designed for turf managers who need performance without compromise. The hydraulic brushes can be rotated in either direction, meaning operators can choose whether to brush with or against the direction of travel – ideal for tasks like leaf clearance or removing pine needles in tree-lined areas.

At Woolley Park, where 27 holes are spread across historic deer parkland, this flexibility has been key.

“We’ve even run it across tees where possible, although it’s mainly the fairways where it shines,” John says. “It’s really helped increase sward density through gentle brushing, and it even improves recovery after top dressing.”

Despite its size, the Top Brush 6000 was built with usability in mind. Its folding wings allow for compact storage, while easy adjustments and intuitive controls mean any team member can use it with confidence.

“When we brought it in, I got the lads a new tractor to run it with. Now, it’s just part of the routine – any of the team can jump on it and go. It’s simple in its operation, and that’s one of the best things about it.”

The Rowbottom family has deep roots in both agriculture and golf. The club was founded in 1995 after John’s grandfather decided to diversify from farming – despite never having played a round of golf in his life.

“We’ve been farming here since 1922. In the mid-90s, Granddad just plucked the idea of a golf course out of thin air. None of us played, but farming wasn’t in a great place, and diversification was being encouraged so he went for it. It was a huge leap, but it worked.”

Today, John runs the greenkeeping operation, while other family members help manage the business. The club continues to invest heavily in its machinery and course infrastructure, working closely with suppliers like Redexim.

“We’ve had Redexim kit on site in some form or another for years. But the Top Brush 6000 has probably stood out more than anything we’ve had before. It solves multiple problems in one go, and you can’t argue with results like that.”

Whether it’s the improved presentation, increased machine longevity, or the ability to tackle worm casts without chemicals, the Redexim Top Brush 6000 has become an invaluable part of Woolley Park’s turf care toolkit.

“It’s one of those machines where you look back and think, how did we manage without this? It’s paid for itself in time, results, and in how it protects the rest of our machinery. It’s helped us push the golf course forward and that’s what it’s all about.”

For more information, visit https://www.redexim.com/uk/ 

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Baroness does the triple with top ranked ‘Notts Triangle’

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Baroness does the triple with top ranked ‘Notts Triangle’: It’s not just an NG postcode that Coxmoor, Hollinwell and Sherwood Forest Golf Club’s share, nor the fact that they all rank in England’s Top 100…. They also all swear by their respective mower fleets from Baroness!

A range of hand mowers, fairways mowers and greens triples have clocked up almost 20 years of loyal service across the three clubs, with all citing it’s the outstanding quality of cut that keeps them among the top golfing destinations in the county.

Baroness does the triple with top ranked ‘Notts Triangle’

Baroness does the triple with top ranked ‘Notts Triangle’

Aspiring to always improve on the high standard heathland course at Coxmoor Golf Club is Course Manager Ben Cumberland and his team of nine. After initially ‘dipping a toe’ and purchasing their first Baroness hand mower seven years ago, they now run four LM56 and four LM66 pedestrian mowers, three LM315’s and two LM551’s for fairways making Baroness the dominant brand of mowing equipment at the club. “Some clubs will opt for equipment purely based on a badge. For us, we prioritise quality of cut above everything else and with Baroness, it’s just exceptional!” Ben explains. “The fleet is ensuring our turf is presenting well and is the healthiest it can be but more than that the build quality of the mowers themselves and the blades require so little maintenance, that any downtime has been significantly reduced.”

Baroness has been present at Hollinwell Golf Club since 2018 – the same year Shaun Bullin joined the team before taking over as Course Manager earlier in 2025. One of the original LM2700 fairway mowers remains in the shed, joined by an LM56 for tees, LM331 for surrounds and approaches, two LM315’s and, most recently, two LM551 fairway mowers. “Over the years, the cut quality from model to model has remained remarkably consistent. While they’ve never been uncomfortable, we’ve noticed our new machines have really stepped up on operator comfort which has scored massive brownie points with the team.” Shaun continues, “We’re partway through a big sward conversion programme so the finesse of the Baroness cylinders plays a big part in supporting our efforts to promote the finer grass species.”

Completing the ‘Nott’s Triangle’, a Baroness LM315 and LM551 fairway mower, four LM56 and two LM66 hand mowers are keeping maintenance on course at Sherwood Forest Golf Club. “It was during the COVID pandemic that we were first introduced to Baroness in our hunt for a new fairway mower” says Deputy Head Greenkeeper Keir Taylor. “Where lead times for other brands were ludicrous, we were able to get our hands on Baroness in good time – and what a decision that turned out to be! The build quality, the cut quality and all-round operator experience is fantastic. The maintenance, in particular the need to grind the blades, is straight forward and is needed much less often than we’re used to with other brands” he adds.

Ben, Shaun and Keir also note the fantastic advice and support from James Robson and the wider team at Henton & Chattell. “The back-up with every machine is excellent. If we have a question you can guarantee it’ll be answered quickly and easily either over the phone or in person” Keir says. “The team are always friendly and, alongside Andy Darley from Baroness, they’ve together been a great help and support in my step up to the head role” Shaun concludes.

For more information on the full Baroness range of mowers and implements for fine turf, visit www.baronessuk.com

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