Tag Archive for: transforms

Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability

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Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability: Renowned as one of the finest courses on the South Coast, Parkstone in Dorset is proudly ranked in the Top 100 golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Upholding their championship-level playing conditions year round isn’t always easy, particularly during increasingly heavy and prolonged periods of rainfall, but it is a challenge relished by Course Manager Grant Peters and his team of 9. He explains how the club’s winter playability has taken a major leap forwards thanks to the installation of Hydrowick drainage by Djuke.

Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability

Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability

Passionate about course quality, Grant has been at the club for the last nine years and, over that time, identified that persistent waterlogging on some problematic greens – and increasingly on the fairways – was impacting rounds. Seeking an innovative, non-invasive solution, Grant spoke to contractors Djuke about the Hydrowick drainage system and the rest, as they say, is history!

“We had a very tentative trial of the system on the back half of one of our worst performing greens and the impact was immediate and dramatic” he explains. “The transformation in water movement was so good we immediately pushed the button to have Hydrowick installed on all of our problem greens. Since then, we’ve had nine greens done – turning what were some of the wettest areas of the course into the driest.”

He emphasises, “We can see an inch of rainfall and, within a couple of hours, these greens are playable where, previously, they’d have been closed for half a day or longer.”

Encouraged by the results on the greens, Grant is delighted to have now rolled Hydrowick onto Parkstone’s fairways. “We had no concerns whatsoever that the system would perform equally as well here and, lo and behold, shortly after the installation at the start of November we saw 60mm of rainfall and the fairway remained playable.”

Hydrowick is one of the most efficient and effective drainage systems on the market, utilising a patented rope system to ‘wick’ away excess moisture. Laid at 2m centres, the installation process is also far less invasive than most other systems – maximising results and returning surfaces to play within 24 hours. Generating very little spoil was one of the key advantages for Grant, with Parkstone designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest meaning the club is highly constrained on where and how it can move and store soil.

The club now plans to extend the Hydrowick programme to a further three or four fairways, with installations proposed for late 2026 into early 2027. “Cameron and the whole team at Djuke are an absolute pleasure to work with. Everything from initial quotation through to installation was quick, polite, tidy and professional and the end result ticks every box for us” he concludes.

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Jacobsen GP400 transforms mowing routine

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Jacobsen GP400 transforms mowing routine: Fairways GM, the exclusive dealer of Jacobsen in Scotland, has supplied Aberfoyle Golf Club with a reconditioned Jacobsen GP400 greens mower, marking a new era of mowing for the club.

The long-serving two-person greenkeeping team will now be able to dramatically cut daily mowing time while maintaining the precise standard of cut they pride themselves on.

Jacobsen GP400 transforms mowing routine

Jacobsen GP400 transforms mowing routine

Greenkeepers Alan More and Dougie Steele, at the club for 30 and 28 years respectively, have long favoured Jacobsen mowers for their reliability and quality of finish.

Alan said:
“We’ve always used a Jacobsen greens mower because it gives a precise cut. We want the ‘Jake signature cut.’ We’ve mainly cut by hand in the past, but we know the GP400 can match that standard, so we feel confident going into next season. The machine is in the shed ready for spring when the grass starts to go again and the conditions are right.”

Until now, the pair hand-cut the greens four days a week — a routine that required six hours of combined effort each time. Under the new plan, three of those days will be taken over by the GP400, with only one day still hand-cut to maintain their preferred finish. This new approach gives the team back more than ten hours every week, a significant boost during the busiest months.

“That extra time makes a huge difference,” Alan said. “Summer days are so busy, so gaining those hours means we can stay ahead, tackle more jobs, and keep the course to the standard our members expect.”

Aberfoyle Golf Club sits at the foot of the Menteith Hills on the edge of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, with views stretching from Ben Lomond to Stirling Castle. The course is short but rewarding, known for its variety and character, and offers a scenic experience for its 200 members and many summer visitors.

Mike Lindsay, Area Sales Manager at Fairways GM, provided sales support and induction. Training.

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Etesia Hydro 80 Transforms Productivity

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Etesia Hydro 80 Transforms Productivity: James Duke Garden Maintenance, based in Whitstable, Kent, has experienced a significant boost in productivity after investing in an Etesia Hydro 80 ride-on mower.

James explains that the decision to upgrade came from a growing need to handle larger sites more efficiently.

Etesia Hydro 80 Transforms Productivity

Etesia Hydro 80 Transforms Productivity

“Some of the grounds we look after can be quite large in size,” says James. “We also care for small residential gardens and commercial sites. Beforehand, we were using pedestrian mowers on the bigger areas, and it was hard work — it took a long time. So, we started looking for a ride-on.”

After exploring various brands, it was Etesia’s Hydro 80 that stood out — particularly following a demonstration arranged after meeting the team at GroundsFest last year.

“We were highly impressed with what they had to say,” James recalls. “Ian from Etesia came down, dropped off some mowers for us to try out on site, and we were blown away. We tried the Hydro 80 and as soon as we did, we ordered one.”

Since making the switch, the difference has been remarkable.

“Compared to using pedestrian mowers, the Hydro 80 is just so much quicker,” he says. “It’s freeing up so much more time for us — we’re finishing jobs earlier or fitting more in. I’d say we’re getting the jobs done in about half the time, which is fantastic.”

The Etesia Hydro 80 is packed with features that make it ideal for both large areas and tricky, confined spaces. With an 80cm cutting width and a tight turning circle, it’s easily manoeuvrable and can pass through small gateways or between parked cars with ease.

“The size is incredible — we can get it through tight spaces, around buildings, and even in between cars,” James explains. “And because it’s so compact, it fits straight into the back of our van at the end of the day.”

The Hydro 80 is powered by a 15hp twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, delivering reliable performance across varying conditions. Its hydrostatic drive makes operation smooth and user-friendly, and James and his team noticed the ease of use immediately.

“From the get-go, we found the mower so easy to use. The controls are simple, and the machine feels great to operate — it’s a joy, an absolute pleasure.”

One of the key benefits of the Hydro 80 is its ability to cut and collect both long and short grass without clogging, even in wet conditions — a huge improvement for James and his team, who previously battled with constant blockages.

“The collection is fantastic — especially in the wet,” he says. “With our old pedestrian mowers, they were always clogging up and we had to stop to clear out underneath the deck. We don’t have that hassle anymore. It’s saving us so much time.”

The Hydro 80’s 240-litre grassbox can be emptied from the driving seat and features a buzzer to indicate when it’s full.

“The grass box is huge — we can just keep going and going,” says James. “With the pedestrian mowers, we were stopping every five minutes. Now we can mow huge areas before we need to empty. And when we do, it’s so easy — just lift the handle and tip the grass out from the comfort of the seat.”

The versatility of the Hydro 80 has also impressed James.

“It collects, it mulches, it side discharges — it ticks all the boxes for what we need. We’ve used the mulch plug and it leaves a great finish. It just does everything we ask of it. We haven’t found a single issue with it. It’s solid, dependable, and just brilliant to use.”

Reflecting on the buying process, James also praised the support and communication from the Etesia team.

“They were absolutely brilliant to work with from the start. They talked us through everything, gave us the chance to try out the mowers, and let us see how good they really are.”

Asked whether he would recommend the Hydro 80 to others, James doesn’t hesitate:

“Absolutely. If you’re in the market for a ride-on that can collect, mulch, or side discharge — this mower ticks all the boxes. It’s small, nimble, and a total game changer for our business.”

To watch a video of the customer in action click here.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on X @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury

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Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury: Andy Richards, Grounds Manager at Haileybury School, credits Mansfield Sand’s MM40 with significantly improving drainage and enhancing the overall quality of the school’s sports pitches.

With its exceptional consistency and performance, MM40 has become an essential part of his grounds management strategy, ensuring the pitches are always match-ready.

Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury

Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury

Located in Hertfordshire, Haileybury is one of the UK’s leading independent co-educational boarding and day schools. Its sprawling 500-acre estate includes 180 acres of meticulously maintained sports pitches, supporting the school’s reputation for excellence in rugby, football, cricket, lacrosse, and hockey. Andy Richards, in his sixth year as Grounds Manager, leads a team of 11 staff tasked with maintaining this diverse landscape.

“It’s a large site with a mix of grounds and gardens, so the team does a bit of everything,” Andy explained. “Haileybury is a school that prides itself on developing well-rounded pupils through both academic and co-curricular activities, and sport is a massive part of that.

Maintaining pitches to meet the high standards of national-level teams is a challenge, but one I enjoy.”

Haileybury sits on heavy London clay, which presents drainage issues, particularly during the wet months. Andy turned to Mansfield Sand’s MM40 for its superior drainage properties and reliability, using it for top-dressing, pitch renovation, and amelioration.

“This year alone, we’ve used 400 tonnes of MM40 on a newly built pitch, 300 tonnes on two other pitches worked into the surface, and 58 tonnes as an October top-dressing on our first-team rugby pitch,” Andy shared. “On heavy clay, anything we can do to improve drainage is a massive benefit. Sand is expensive, so it has to be good quality to justify the investment, and Mansfield Sand always delivers.”

Mansfield Sand’s commitment to quality and service has stood out to Andy.

“We’ve had such a large quantity of sand delivered, and I don’t think we’ve ever found a single stone or had an issue with any of it,” he said. “In the past, I’ve had loads of sand from other suppliers that I had to send back, but Mansfield Sand has been flawless. Their customer service is excellent—the drivers call an hour before delivery and again when they’re on-site. It’s seamless every time.”

The MM40 sand’s medium-fine texture and superior drainage make it the ideal choice for Haileybury’s pitches, ensuring a stable and safe playing surface for students and athletes alike.

With a history dating back to 1840, Mansfield Sand is a trusted name in sand-based solutions. The company’s state-of-the-art technology and rigorous quality standards have earned it a reputation for excellence across the sports industry. MM40, in particular, is a preferred choice for high-profile sports facilities and stadiums, thanks to its consistency, purity, and performance.

“Mansfield Sand has been crucial in helping us maintain the pitches at Haileybury,” Andy added. “The quality of their product means we can rely on it to keep our pitches performing at their best, no matter the sport or season.”

For Andy, the partnership with Mansfield Sand is an essential part of his strategy for maintaining Haileybury’s grounds to the highest standard.

“The MM40 has been fantastic for both drainage and pitch health,” he said. “It’s reliable, consistent, and it works. When you’re managing a site as large as this, having a dependable product and supplier makes all the difference.”

As Haileybury continues to uphold its reputation for sporting excellence, Mansfield Sand’s MM40 is playing a vital role in ensuring the pitches meet the demands of both athletes and the environment.

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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Green-tech transforms University of York campus

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Green-tech transforms University of York campus: The University of York has a “Campus for the Future” masterplan which includes delivering a major 1480-bed student accommodation project. The £130m flagship scheme, which has transformed the Heslington East Campus began in November 2019 and has recently been completed. 

The location was chosen to strengthen the link between Campus East and Campus West while maximising views of the lake and surrounding parkland. The student accommodation project will help to meet the news of its expanding global student body as well as aid with the university’s student recruitment strategy.

Green-tech transforms University of York campus

Green-tech transforms University of York campus

Palmer Landscapes was awarded the landscaping contract to create green areas for the students to enjoy and to bring their outdoor space to life. This was achieved by planting tens of thousands of shrubs and hundreds of trees, spreading 10,000 sqm of seeding and turfing all the green spaces.

Green-tech has a long-standing relationship with Palmer Landscapes and supplied all the machine round tree stakes, tree belting, and blocks, MONA irrigation systems, and bespoke grass seed mixes that were used throughout the project.  We also supplied the underground anchor systems and gator watering bags to stabilise and irrigate the trees.

Green-tech is the largest UK supplier of tree planting materials and sundries. The machine round tree stakes used for this project have been treated with Green Osmose AE500 to guarantee longevity and were used with cross bars and belting which secure trees to help reduce tree damage or movement from the wind until roots have established. Green-tech’s Mona Relief Tree Irrigation watering systems are an essential tool to guarantee the success of urban planted trees and shrubs. Lack of water at the tree’s root ball can be detrimental to the lifespan and survival of the tree. The Mona Relief is a robust unit that delivers water straight to the roots of the tree. Installed with a perforated pipe that surrounds the tree’s rootball, the Mona Relief system is a cost-effective solution for preventing drought with newly planted trees. By proactively installing a system that will irrigate at the root ball the tree’s roots instantly receive the much-needed water to aid growth.

Palmer Landscapes Contract Manager Sam Isles comments, “Green-tech was one of our main suppliers for this project.  We have a strong relationship with them. They stocked all the products we needed and provided materials on a quick turnaround timescale. All planting materials were delivered on time and gave that professional finish that we pride ourselves on. The seed specification we were working too was very detailed so being able to tap into their expertise was invaluable and helped us so much.”

The main contractor GRAHAM Building has won the GB & Rol New Build Project of the Year, above £2.5m’ accolade at the CEF 2023 Excellence Awards. The judging panel agreed GRAHAM’s work on this project was a “remarkable achievement.”

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