Tag Archive for: Turfcare

Royal Norwich introduces turfcare academy

Royal Norwich introduces turfcare academy: Royal Norwich has introduced a new international sports turf qualification for students who want to specialise in golf.

The golf and country club has launched the two-year full-time programme of study which will run in conjunction with the Performance Golf Programme.

Royal Norwich introduces turfcare academy

Royal Norwich introduces turfcare academy

“We’re proud to announce the introduction of our Turfcare Academy and Business Management qualification for students looking to specialise in a golfing background,” says John Kerr, CEO of Royal Norwich.

Upon completion students will receive an internationally recognised certificate in Sports Turf from SRUC Elmwood, St Andrews, Scotland, plus an ILM Level 2 and 3 in Business Supervision and Management.

Support will be provided by industry leading partners – including machinery manufacturer John Deere – delivering extensive additional training and support for students. This will give students access to the next generation of systems, services and skills to manage the golf course of the future.

“This innovative programme combines comprehensive turf management education with specialised business skills, providing a well-rounded foundation for success in this thriving field,” Mr Kerr said.

“The Turfcare Academy and Business Qualification is designed to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience necessary to excel in sports turf maintenance and management.”

From maintaining lush greens to utilising leading-edge technology, students will gain a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in creating exceptional golf course conditions.

In addition to these qualifications the Royal Norwich will offer its Performance Golf Programme; an exclusive opportunity for students to further enhance their golfing skills. This programme provides a range of exceptional benefits including mid-week unlimited access to the golf course, state-of-the-art swing analysis, 3 x 60-minute coaching sessions delivered by highly skilled instructors, and much more.

Mr Kerr said: “At Royal Norwich we are committed to nurturing the next generation of golf industry professionals.”

There are two programmes, the Full Player Programme at £4,750 per annum, and the Education Only Programme at £3,950 per annum, which does not include the Performance Golf Programme.

On-site accommodation is available for students, and interested parties can contact mail@royalnorwich.co.uk to discuss the options available to support their personal career goals.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Distributor award for Price Turfcare

Distributor award for Price Turfcare: Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac multi-implement, all-terrain compact tractor, returned from a successful BTME with an additional accolade after being named European Distributor of the Year and receiving Ventrac’s Platinum Award for Sales Achievement.

Commenting after presenting the award, Tyler Dickie, Ventrac’s International Sales Manager said,

Distributor award for Price Turfcare

Distributor award for Price Turfcare

“The effort that Rupert Price and his small team put into generating new business in the UK and Ireland is phenomenal. Since the formation of the business just 6 years ago, they have seen year-on-year increases in sales and they are our flagship European dealer. If I could clone their business model I would, but I also know that their success is down to the incredible drive and determination from the top downwards. They thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

Also visiting from Ventrac’s headquarters in Ohio, USA was Isaac Roth, the company’s Marketing Director.

“The Price Turfcare team did a fantastic job of producing an eye-catching stand at BTME and an innovative way of presenting our unique products,” he said. “They also organised a product review seminar with leading landscape and golf course professionals to help us understand the different environmental conditions and the requirement for specialist equipment here in Europe.

“Price Turfcare is a case study in how to launch a brand. Just six years ago our products were unknown in the UK, but with a defined marketing strategy, dedication and hard work Ventrac is now a   recognised, established and respected brand over here. It has been a fantastic visit and I have learned so much in a short timespan.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Price Turfcare at SALTEX

Price Turfcare at SALTEX: Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac multi-implement, all-terrain compact tractor, returns to SALTEX with a new, bespoke stand for this year’s event.

“We’re trying something slightly different this year,” said Managing Director Rupert Price, “which will provide more impact and allow us to have more attachments on the stand. We will be exhibiting the new Ventrac 4520 compact tractor unit at SALTEX, so for some industry professionals it will be their first opportunity to see the new machine. It’s not a radical change in appearance, but there’s a whole series of improvements ‘under the bonnet’ resulting in 30% more available power, giving the best mix of machine performance, operator experience and durability.

Price Turfcare at SALTEX

Price Turfcare at SALTEX

“The atmosphere at the show last year, the first after the pandemic, was very positive and, hopefully, will be the same again this year. From a standing start in 2017, Ventrac has become a credible brand in just six short years with more and more groundscare professionals appreciating the versatility inherent in the product. We’re really looking forward to seeing customers, prospects and former colleagues at what is one of the premier shows for the UK groundscare sector.”

To understand why the industry has been impressed by the Ventrac product come along and visit stand B124.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare: Jon Lewis, one of the premier groundscare equipment salesman in the West Midlands, has joined Price Turfcare, in a regional sales management role. Price Turfcare are the UK distributor of the Ventrac all-terrain compact tractor and associated attachments.

Jon has enjoyed a successful 22-year career in the groundscare industry, starting as an operator mowing grass for grounds maintenance contractor Smart Cut, before moving into his first sales role with Parks & Grounds Machinery. He later joined TH White, operating out of their Redditch depot, where he spent five years as area sales manager before joining Lely (now Reesink). After a successful nine years selling Toro products, he moved on to John Deere dealer Farols, again in an area sales management role, before making his latest move to join Rupert Price and the UK Ventrac operation.

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

“I have nothing but praise and respect for Rupert for the way in which in he has bought the Ventrac product to market here in the UK. I have supported him since he launched the business because of his integrity; he simply does right by the customer, they always come first.

“He leads a small but flexible group of people and thoroughly deserves the success he has achieved. To have sold a significant number of machines in the UK from a standing start in 2017 is some achievement, especially when you take into account two years of Covid.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, but also to the opportunities it brings; this is an incredibly versatile machine with a range of attachments that work brilliantly and has so many applications across multiple sectors of the outdoor industry.”

Rupert Price added,

“I’m delighted to have secured Jon’s services and welcome him aboard; he is very well known, not only across the West Midlands, but also throughout the industry. He’s a larger-than-life character and a shrewd businessman who knows this industry inside out! We recently returned from the SAGE event where he slotted into the team perfectly. I have no doubt that he will be a great asset as we grow the business.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions: Reesink UK has built up a portfolio of leading brands and extensive turfcare and transport machinery options and the latest customer to benefit from this comprehensive offering is John O’Gaunt Golf Club in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

A long-term Toro machinery customer, and a ‘Total Solutions’ customer since 2013 when it had the Carthagena course installed with a Lynx Central Control System and dual trajectory sprinklers, John O’Gaunt’s latest order sees an influx of new machinery, irrigation for the 18-hole John O’Gaunt course and seven STAR EV all-electric golf buggies.

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

Course manager Nigel Broadwith, who has been at the club, which is about to celebrate its 75th anniversary, for 15 years, says: “We’ve maintained a long-lasting relationship with Reesink UK and as they add more brands to their offering it makes life even easier for us.

“Historically, we usually purchase three machines every year but this time we decided to go for longer-term and invest over £470k in new machinery over five years. I always prefer Toro equipment, it’s robust and the machines last a long time; we only have to deal with normal wear and tear from them.”

The fleet includes for the first time two Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 greensmowers, because, Nigel says: “We want to move on to all-electric as quickly as possible and the hybrids are the first step in that direction. The hybrids use very little fuel and are really quiet.”

Talking of electric power, the Club’s Head PGA Professional, Tom Simm, opted to replace the six-year old golf buggy fleet as well. He purchased seven lithium-powered STAR EV Capella golf buggies from Reesink’s e-Vehicles division. He explains: “We purchased seven electric buggies. They’ve been out around the course, the members have tried them and the feedback is great. Because the brand was part of Reesink and we wanted to keep everything in one bundle so it was easy to manage. We’re now looking into getting a STAR EV refreshment unit as well.”

Completing the three-way deal is a Toro Lynx Control System, installed by Ocmis, and from Reesink Hydro-Scapes, Reesink UK’s new division with a focus on providing water solutions for all landscapes. This time it was the turn of the John O’Gaunt course for the Toro treatment, following on from the Toro touch on the Carthagena course nine years ago.

Nigel says: “We know from first-hand experience on the Carthagena course that the Lynx Central Control System makes a big difference. The area is notoriously very dry and we’ve seen a huge improvement on the greens. We can manage our resources efficiently and get the precision we need to the millilitre. We can customise almost everything, depending on the course’s conditions and requirements, and very quickly just from our phones. We’re really happy with this complete irrigation solution.”

So how has it been dealing with Reesink for all three, very different aspects to his turfcare and transport machinery requirements? Nigel says it’s all about the relationships: “We’ve got a good relationship with the Reesink Turfcare rep Julian Copping, as well as Rob Jackson from Hydro-Scapes. They’re always there if we need them and have always been very helpful, especially with the delays and everything that’s been happening in the world at the moment. They always fulfilled their promises, so we’ve been completely at ease.”

To find out more about the complete collection of turfcare and transport options from Reesink UK, visit reesinkuk.co.uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.