Tag Archive for: Turf

Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace

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Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace: FairWay Awards has been monitoring the health of sport turf up and down the country using a satellite-based system that reads the amount and wavelength of light being emitted from vegetation.

The ratio of different light wavelengths from vegetation gives an indication of the vigour or distress of the grass canopy: more red light is emitted when grass is under stress. Below is an example comparing a fairway in spring (left) and winter (right).

Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace

Sports turf grass health struggling to keep pace

Having analysed satellite data from 50 golf courses across Great Britain from 2018, Mike Heisig from FairWay Awards comments on recent findings: “We have been looking at the health of grass by tracking exactly the same areas of sports turf from 2018 to today. This gives good insight into actual changes on the ground. What we have seen at the end of March 2021 is that grass health is gradually lagging further and further behind the levels that we saw at the end of March in 2020. Historic data shows that normally in March we should expect to see a major up lift in grass health as it comes out of the winter period.”

“This year however, much of that did not happen and UK grass health slipped back around 5% lower in March 2021 compared with March 2020. Much of this downturn can be attributed to the South East, which seems to be struggling more with grass health levels than any other part the country.”

“Looking ahead at this time of year we expect to see increasing grass health through March and April, leading to a peak in May. It remains to be seen how far grass will recover through the year and what the knock on effect will be for autumn grass management”

The good news is that there is plenty of time for greenkeepers to fine-tune the agronomy to help close the gap. Satellite grass health data is easily accessible and simple to use with huge benefits for turf management.

2021 may be the ideal year to join the Precision Sports Turf Revolution.

Regular updates on grass health through 2021 at www.fairwayawards.com or follow @FairwayAwards on twitter

Join the Sports Turf Revolution contact Mike Heisig: Mike-Heisig@btconnect.com

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Nutrigrow expands sports turf range

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Nutrigrow expands sports turf range: Nutrigrow has expanded their Sports Turf range of fertilisers with the introduction of Nutrigrow CRF, a controlled release fertiliser that has been specifically designed for sports turf.

NutrigrowCRF has been formulated to release nutrients for 4‐6 months, based on an average temperature of 20C. In testing Nutrigrow have seen a significant longer release period during the cooler months, which has led to Groundsmen applying the product in late Autumn.

Nutrigrow expands sports turf range

Nutrigrow expands sports turf range

As there are still growing days over the Winter months then the nutrient will be released and feed the turf. This has led to far healthier pitches and other sports surfaces going into the Spring when turf generally looks very weak and poor.

Nutrigrow CRF is formulated from 60% polymer coated urea, 2% MgO, and has an NPK content of 20‐0‐15. It is spread at a rate of 25‐50g per m² and can be spread by hand or more accurately using a mechanical fertiliser spreader. The granule size is typically 2‐3mm and a single 25kg bag can cover 500‐1000m².

Available in both 25kg and 1000kg bags, Nutrigrow are thrilled to supply this to sports organisations across the country, along with free advice and treatment plans.

www.nutri‐grow.co.uk

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BIGGA announces Festival of Turf dates

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BIGGA announces Festival of Turf dates: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association has confirmed that its first Festival of Turf will take place this summer, with a new date intended to provide an improved experience for attendees and exhibitors.

The Festival of Turf is a two-day event that will take place in the predominantly outdoor setting of the Warwickshire Event Centre and will bring together golf greenkeepers, groundsmen and many others for the first time since BTME 2020, over 18 months previously.

BIGGA announces Festival of Turf dates

BIGGA announces Festival of Turf dates

BIGGA had initially announced a June date for the Festival of Turf and was confident event could be hosted with COVID-safety measures in place. But with the Prime Minister recently announcing the Roadmap out of lockdown, BIGGA has explored the opportunity of rescheduling the Festival of Turf for later in the summer, when social distancing restrictions are anticipated to have been removed.

As such, BIGGA is delighted to reveal that the Festival of Turf will now take place on 21 & 22 July 2021.

The Festival of Turf will welcome BIGGA members and others in the turf industry to the 30-acre Warwickshire Event Centre, with a wide range of vendors and trade stalls and entertaining twists that bring to life the ‘festival’ element of the event.

COVID-safety measures will remain in place, such as enhanced cleaning regimes and hand sanitising, plus any other requirements as defined by government guidelines. However, limits on visitor numbers and social distancing measures will no longer be required.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “The Roadmap out of lockdown announced by the Prime Minister provided incredibly welcome news for the country and the association’s members, not least because it provided a date for the reopening of golf courses in England and a potential return to normality for us all. It also presented an opportunity for BIGGA to host the Festival of Turf as the spectacular of sports and amenity turf maintenance that we had hoped for when we first announced this event last year.

“We entered into negotiations with the Warwickshire Event Centre and were delighted to come to an arrangement with regards new dates for the Festival of 21 & 22 July. On this date England is anticipated to be at Step 4 of the COVID-19 roadmap, which will see legal limits on social contact removed. Although the published roadmap only serves as a guideline and the timings are subject to change, everyone at BIGGA is excited about the opportunity to provide an improved exhibition experience for our attendees.

“We always intended the Festival of Turf to be an opportunity for BIGGA members and their colleagues in the turf industry to reunite after so long apart and I’m delighted that these new dates will allow even more people to attend what promises to be a fantastic few days of exhibitions and entertainment.”

For more information about the Festival of Turf, head to the BIGGA website.

Keep up to date with the latest announcements and updates on Twitter by using the hashtag #FestivalofTurf

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Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek

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Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek: Turf Matters is proud to officially support the Grounds Management Association’s #GroundsWeek, an inaugural celebration week for the turf care sector.

Managed by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body for grounds professionals and volunteers, the turf care campaign will take place 1-7 March 2021 and will celebrate and highlight the vital role that professional grounds staff, volunteers, and the turf sector play in making sport possible.

Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek

Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek

Following a difficult year for the sector due to the impact of Covid-19, #GroundsWeek aims to showcase grounds staff and the amazing work that they do – and have continued to do – despite sport coming to a grinding halt. It also comes after a year where parks and green spaces have been hugely valuable to the public’s health, with increased use for ‘daily exercise’ and physical activity.

To celebrate the week, Turf Matters will be highlighting the fantastic work done throughout the industry.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said:

“After a tough year, GroundsWeek is a fantastic opportunity for every part of the sector to come together and celebrate all the hard work that’s gone on throughout the year. We want to inspire sports fans and the general public to realise the vital role we play and get even more people to enter the profession and lend a helping hand at pitches across the country.

“We’re grateful to those officially supporting #GroundsWeek, with businesses and partners helping us champion grounds staff and the amazing work they do.

More information on #GroundsWeek can be found here.

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Club Car appoints Campey Turf Care

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Club Car appoints Campey Turf Care: Club Car, the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel electric vehicles, has appointed Campey Turf Care Systems as a UK dealer for its commercial range.

A family-run business, Campey Turf Care Systems was founded in 1986 initially to offer sports turf maintenance work in the UK’s north-west region, but has grown to become one of country’s leading independent distributors with machinery available throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA.

Club Car appoints Campey Turf Care

Club Car appoints Campey Turf Care

Its machines and equipment are used by some of the biggest sporting organisations in the world, including Real Madrid Football Club, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wembley Stadium and prestigious golf courses such as The Wisley in Surrey.

Andy Bourke, Club Car’s Regional Manager UK&I & Nordics, said: “Campey Turf Care Systems is a company which is synonymous with quality and trusted by some of the highest-profile sporting organisations in the world.

“It has built an excellent reputation not only for supplying innovative and reliable turf care products but also having strong customer relationships and superb aftersales service.

“We see this as an exciting partnership that will allow us to continue to deliver value to our customers and accelerate growth in the UK. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Campey Turf Care Systems.”

Lee Morgado, Director of Campey Turf Care Systems, said: “Club Car brings a natural synergy with our existing product lines and we look forward to working closely with them to develop the current customer base and grow the UK market.

“Campey distributes a wide range of machinery and related products to the turf industry, all reflecting the highest standards, quality of build and performance demanded by turf professionals across the spectrum of grass sports.”

Club Car’s commercial range includes its famous Carryall series of versatile utility vehicles widely used at golf venues all over the world. It also includes the Villager model, designed to transport groups of people and used in some of the world’s biggest resorts, airports and theme parks.

For more information on Club Car visit: www.clubcar.com

For more information on Campey Turf Care Systems visit: www.campeyturfcare.com

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