Tag Archive for: Top-Brush

Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational

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Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational: Initially purchased to overcome conditions described as a ‘worm cast factory’, a Redexim Top-Brush is proving to be a true multi-tasker for the team at Malton & Norton Golf Club.

Head Greenkeeper Richard Jacques admits that prior to the purchase, the club underestimated how fundamental the 6m wide brush would become to the maintenance, with it successfully removing organic matter, improving cut quality and boosting presentation in twice weekly passes around the 27-hole complex.

Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational

Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational

Malton & Norton opened its doors in 1910 and its popularity with golfers in Yorkshire and further afield has seen the expansion of the site, to 27-holes of parkland play. “Like most venues, the restrictions on chemicals left us trialling all types of brushes and mats to overcome our worm problem and we didn’t find anything that really worked until we demonstrated the Redexim Top-Brush” explains Richard. “It was evident from the get-go that, used in the right conditions and at the right time, the Top-Brush could effectively remove worm casts better than any of the alternatives we’d tried so we decided to purchase one through Ripon Ground Care in October 2022.”

“We had no idea until we had it in the shed, how many uses we would find for the Top-Brush around the maintenance calendar. On top of dispersing worm casts, its out twice a week between March and October to stand the plant up on the fairways, improving the quality of cut and enhancing definition. There aren’t many pieces of equipment you get that can transform turf density and quality as much as this one has in such a short period of time.”

At 6m wide, the Top-Brush is a highly productive maintenance solution. As well as changing brush direction, working depth can also be adjusted, making it a versatile tool for a light surface brush – suitable for clearing dew, incorporating topdressing material or removing clippings – or a deeper, more aggressive surface agitation to effectively rid large areas of organic matter.

“Having used the Top-Brush for over a year, we’re now in a position of managing worm casts preventatively – by reducing OM and improving density – resulting in fewer instances, which is a big positive.” Richard continues, “That’s on top of hugely elevating the turf quality and appearance, not just on fairways but also approaches and semi-rough which is giving us a better product in the summer and one that’s more resilient to host play going into the winter months.”

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Top-Brush trial becomes working wonder

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Top-Brush trial becomes working wonder: All but eliminating the issue of worm cast removal, the team at Worplesdon Golf Club have been delighted with the performance of their Redexim Top-Brush.

The effectiveness of the 6m wide brush came as no surprise though to Course Manager Paul Robinson, who had been involved with the development of the proto-type model – helping to create the perfect solution for course brushing, dew removal and presentation.

Top-Brush trial becomes working wonder

Top-Brush trial becomes working wonder

Worplesdon’s 18-hole course is located in the classic heathland belt of Surrey and is consistently ranked in Golf Monthly’s UK&I Top 100. The loamy, sandy fairways played a part in Paul’s interest in the development of the Top-Brush. “Having lost chemical treatments, mechanical means of removal are going to become pivotal in maintenance programmes moving forward” he explains. “We were delighted to be one of the first to trial the prototype and provided Redexim with in-field feedback to help shape the final model.”

Three years after its first arrival, a fully-developed Top-Brush has now completed its first year on course. “There’s no universal solution for every course, but we used the Top-Brush to incorporate sand during dry conditions and found that this then made any casts that did occur dusty and easy to disperse. It has given us a quick, effective answer to one of the major greenkeeper challenges.”

With a 6m working width and option to have the brushes contra-rotating to the direction of travel, the Top-Brush has found more than one use for Paul and his team of eight. “It’s not a one-trick pony. We’ve used it for removing dew which has played a big role in improving plant health, but also we’ve found it leaves a fantastic finish which has meant we can sometimes reduce the amount of fairway mowing that takes place – saving both fuel and man-hours.”

Paul adds, “With a lot of greenkeeping tasks time is really of the essence, so larger, more efficient machinery is the future for ensuring we can still achieve the perfect finish but in the most effective and sustainable ways. The whole Top-Brush project has been great to be involved with and the result is something which is truly fit-for-purpose.”

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Top-Brush improves Woolley Park GC

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Top-Brush improves Woolley Park GC: When a Redexim Top-Brush was unloaded from the trailer for a working demonstration at Woolley Park Golf Club in September 2021, Head Greenkeeper John Rowbottom was so impressed that it never went back on! 20 minutes spent on the 18th fairway of the West Yorkshire club were enough to convince John and his team of the improvements the Top-Brush could make to course presentation, and the role it would play in the non-chemical control of worm casts.

The complex, now consisting of 27-holes, was built by John’s father and grandfather and opened to the public in 1995. John has been involved since its inception and has witnessed many changes when it comes to maintenance tools and techniques in that time – particularly recently with the restrictions on chemical controls for worms. He explains, “We’ve been looking for new ways to manage, what is, a problem not just for us as greenkeepers but for our customers too. We’d read about the Redexim Top-Brush and so organised for Andy O’Neill, together with our local dealer Cheshire Turf, to bring in a demo unit which seriously impressed!”

Top-Brush improves Woolley Park GC

Top-Brush improves Woolley Park GC

“The day of the demonstration came at the end of a particularly warm spell so, despite not struggling with worms at the time, it’s potential was evident. We ran it over one of our fairways and it gave us an instant improvement in definition and overall presentation.” Since September, the Top-Brush has been used up to three times a week, going out ahead of the fairway mowers to stand the plant up, dry the plant out and improve the quality of cut. When worm activity then increased significantly during October & November, the 6m working width of the Top-Brush meant casts were quickly and effectively dispersed.

“Using the Top-Brush to disperse the worm casts has also helped to prevent damage, wear and tear to our equipment than can otherwise occur when casts are fed into them – we noticed that we weren’t having to constantly re-sharpen the mower blades for example.” John adds, “Redexim have come up with a fantastic solution to what is now a major problem for Greenkeepers, with a piece of equipment that doesn’t just come into play during the autumn but brings benefit to plant health and course condition year-round.”

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Top-Brush leaves tip-top finish

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Top-Brush leaves tip-top finish: At Windlesham Golf Club in Surrey, brushing is becoming a regular, year-round operation following the purchase of a Redexim Top-Brush in December 2020.

Bought initially to aid the dispersal of worm casts, Assistant Course Manager Graeme Roberts has also discovered the benefits the Top-Brush can bring to course presentation and moisture removal – playing a core role in maintaining plant health.

Top-Brush leaves tip-top finish

Top-Brush leaves tip-top finish

Nestled in the Surrey countryside, Windlesham offers a championship parkland golf course shaped and maintained by Course Manager Leigh Powell, Graeme and the team of 9, that provides a test to golfers of all abilities. “Because of the heavy soil profile of the course, and the ongoing reduction in chemicals, it became apparent that we needed to find a solution to the issues we were experiencing with worm casts over the autumn and winter months” explains Graeme. “We had the Top-Brush in on demonstration for a week and were so impressed that we bought the demo unit from our dealer, Lister Wilder.”

“The Top-Brush gives us a sustainable way to stay on top of casts, and at 6m wide it is quick and effective at covering the fairways, leaving a high-quality finish while staying ahead of the golf.” When worm cast season died down, the Top-Brush was then utilised twice weekly for brushing ahead of the mowers – to remove dew and dry the plant out, improving the quality of cut and reducing the clumping of clippings. “The fact that the brushes can change rotational direction is really handy. We tend to run them in the opposite direction of travel to stand the plant up more effectively but if we’re working on smaller areas, we can simply change the brush direction as we move backwards and forwards.”

As well as changing brush direction, working depth can also be adjusted, making the Top-Brush a versatile tool for a light surface brush – suitable for clearing dew, incorporating topdressing material or removing clippings – or a deeper, more aggressive surface agitation to effectively rid large areas of organic matter. “We’ve been really pleased with how it has been removing dead material and debris from the sward, thereby helping to improve the plants growing environment without having to use more invasive and time-consuming techniques.”

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Top-Brush becomes Newark’s weapon

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Top-Brush becomes Newark’s weapon: The reduction in availability of curative chemistry has been a game-changer when it comes to the fight against worm casts. Recognising that cultural methods are going to become perhaps the only way to manage them, Newark Golf Club are the latest in a growing list to add the 6m-wide Redexim Top-Brush to their armoury.

For Course Manager Alex Clarricoates, its effectiveness at removing casts, as well as improving course presentation, made the purchase a no-brainer.

Top-Brush becomes Newark’s weapon

Top-Brush becomes Newark’s weapon

“Having gone through the autumn and winter struggling with casts on our fairways and surrounds, as soon as I saw the Top-Brush on social media I requested a demonstration” explains Alex, who has been at Newark for 12 years. “As well as the obvious issues with playability, from an agronomic perspective, the increase in casts means that they often get trodden on and lay like that throughout the winter, resulting in us entering into the new season with bare patches.”

The large working with of the Top-Brush means it can quickly and effectively rid large areas of not only worm casts, but also organic matter and dew. Its three brushes can rotate in or against the direction of travel and its working depth can be adjusted to achieve a light surface brush or more aggressive, deeper surface agitation. “This versatility means that throughout the spring and summer we’ll be using the Top-Brush for clearing dew and removing lateral growth, and during periods of drought it will be a key tool to deliver that extra little bit of surface presentation on the fairways without needing to cut. Come the autumn, we envisage the Top-Brush will be in use daily to clear any worm casts when they appear.”

On the day of the install by local dealer F.G. Adamson & Sons and Redexim Territory Manager Andy O’Neill, Alex also had a demonstration of the Verti-Drain 7416 which was purchased on the spot! “The club have been making major investments over the last twelve months, in more manpower and new equipment to help us elevate the course to the next level. We had always previously outsourced the work but by having our own Verti-Drain, we can now relieve even more areas of compaction and at the time when ground conditions are absolutely spot on.”

Alex concludes, “With these two new tools at our disposal, we are in a fantastic place when it comes to course condition. It’s only upwards from here!”

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