Tag Archive for: Wiedenmann

Wiedenmann duo assists Ladybank GC

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Wiedenmann duo assists Ladybank GC: In a corner of the UK where there are many remarkable golf courses, Fife’s Ladybank Golf Club, sets the bar high. Designed by Old Tom Morris in 1879, and venue for final qualifying for The Senior Open in 2018, Ladybank, has quintessential charm.

Grant Frogley, who joined as Course Manager in August 2021, is conscious of a responsibility to manage golf and the native flora and fauna in harmony across the site.

Wiedenmann duo assists Ladybank GC

Wiedenmann duo assists Ladybank GC

“We are a true heathland course. I consider this our USP, especially in Fife. Golf must be sensitive to the habitat. Take the red squirrel on our club badge, for example. It might be in decline nationally, but it thrives here. Our woodland policy will naturally promote pines and silver birch, trees the red squirrel favours. Our work is to tie all these strands together.

One of Grant’s first major projects is a programme of heather regeneration, requiring a three-to-four-year timeline to invigorate existing plantations and establish new growth.

“Heather is very much ‘in play’ at Ladybank; it’s a feature of the golf course which claims many golf balls,” explained Grant. “It predominantly lines the fringes of the fairways on many holes. The acreage of existing areas isn’t known, so part of our new process will be to measure so we can benchmark it year-on-year to chart its increase.

“Not long after I arrived, I ordered a 2.3 m Wiedenmann Terra Rake from Mike Lindsay, Area Sales Manager at Fairways GM. It partners the Wiedenmann Super 500, which I was pleased to inherit. These are my machines of choice for heather management. Previously as Course Manager at the Roxburghe I purchased a Super 600, so was familiar with that machine, but the Terra Rake is invaluable.

“Much of our heather is in a mature state. Plants are 25-30 years old, not at the degenerative stage but now is the perfect time to act. Unattended heather can become too old for intervention, the canopy begins to open and invasive species, like gorse and broom, appear.”

Already Grant, and his team of seven, have conducted a host of separate operations.

Heather seed is traditionally collected from the end of October, once heather flowers have faded. Conventionally, rogue grasses that stand taller than the heather plants are removed from the plot where the seed is gathered. The Super 500 fitted with flail blades then cuts and collects the heather pods, or brash. The valuable brash is respread on existing or new areas.

“In other places we are topping it off and continue to collect more seed. Cutting heather back is an important part of our plan. It means we will return it to that ‘building stage’ of its growth cycle; so next season, it remains youthful, and when it flowers, we would hope to see it with a better, more vibrant colour.

“We have also gone into several of the fringe sections of the fairways, and only partially topped them off. We’re mindful that heather plants at varying life stages creates a more consistent habitat for wildlife.

“At edges of the fairways within the playing corridors, places where we don’t want to strip the vegetation, the Terra Rake is the perfect tool for raking and scratching the surface to break the canopy, to expose the existing seed beds without us losing the vegetation.

“Next stage is looking at and preparing areas where we can respread that seed. We have some techniques up our sleeve which include the Terra Rake, but heather management will always be a continuous cycle.

“Still on the theme of promoting the habitat, we are introducing some wildflower areas which will prosper while our heather flourishes. Similarly, our programme of good woodland management will also get underway. These are all great projects to start in my first six months here,” explained Grant.

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East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann

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East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann: Course Manager, Barry Nichol, at East Renfrewshire GC in Glasgow’s southside has been twenty years at the club; ten years as deputy course manager, and the last six months in the top job.

One of his key tasks moving into his new post was to identify an aerator to target historic deep-lying compaction on greens. The club, a notable moorland course, designed by James Braid, celebrates its centenary this year and has traditional clay push up greens, many plateau style.

East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann

East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann

“Most have an ash layer about ten inches (24 cm) down, so we needed something to hit and go through that to break compaction,” said Barry Nichol. “We’ve been redraining two or three every year, and you can see progress, but regular deep aeration is essential.”

After discussion with Rob Hogarth Regional Sales Manager, and Stuart Cameron, Area Demonstrator, from local dealer, Fairways GM, exclusive Wiedenmann UK dealer for Scotland, Barry Nichol opted for a new Terra Spike XP6, the deepest machine in the Wiedenmann UK fleet.

“You always get good advice from the GM team as many are former course managers and greenkeepers themselves. The ability to go to 14 -16 inches (35-40 cm) with wider tines was required.”

The XP6 arrived at the beginning of December, enough for several outings before Christmas, all using 20 mm diameter tines and around 5° of heave,

“Deep compaction layers need a bigger tine to break them up. It is great to shard through the compacted layers of the soil’s profile to allow air, water, and nutrients through, and while it would have suited us well to get more done before the year end, we made a good start.

“The XP reaches so far down, leaves a clean hole and does exactly the job we need. The 1.6 m width suits us as we have a few tight spots to turn.”

East Renfrewshire GC is set 500 feet above sea level and its distinctive moorland credentials ensure it is always busy.

“When you are talking greens, even in winter, we have to be mindful of disruption to the surface” continued Barry, “Tining up to three times in the off season will probably be enough. In the playing season, aeration must be discrete. We still need to break up compaction layers just below the surface to keep it loose for drainage, so we will only ever pencil tines to a depth of 120-150 mm, but you could have a particularly wet or dry summer, so the knack is to choose when to go if the conditions are right.”

Barry is supported by a team of six greenkeepers. Wiedenmann UK’s lead demonstrator, Andy Kerr, was on hand for installation and user training.

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Portlethen GC chooses Wiedenmann

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Portlethen GC chooses Wiedenmann: An Aberdeenshire golf course has added a 4.05 m winged Wiedenmann Terra Brush to its fleet at the same time as updating its Terra Spike GXi8 HD.  Portlethen GC, six miles south of Aberdeen, made the double investment during early summer. Neil Sadler, head greenkeeper since 2009, had no hesitation in opting for both machines.

“Our GXi8 HD was a ‘like for like’ purchase.  We’d got one of the very first at launch ten years ago and it’s literally given hundreds of hours of neat aeration.  We part exchanged and the new one took over from where we left off …  it is superb, so versatile, with many tine choices.   It has considerably improved the surfaces of our tees, greens and approaches. If our fairways weren’t as rocky, it would be used there, too,” said Neil Sadler.

Portlethen GC chooses Wiedenmann

Portlethen GC chooses Wiedenmann

Built just over 40 years ago, Portlethen GC, offers golfers two challenging parkland circuits of nine holes and the option of four different courses, all with an abundance of natural features. Course development has seen the planting of around 21,000 carefully selected trees, restoration of a drystone dyke, construction of stone bridges, new tees at several holes and a pond at the short fifth.

Neil leads a team of three, supplemented at times by two seasonal staff. In summer, their day begins at 05.00 am giving them three hours to work on the course ahead of first tee off at 08.00 am.

“The more we do ahead of play the better. Once the golfers catch you up, it can be a dangerous sport,” continued Neil, who unfortunately ended up in A&E twice last year, after being struck by a golf ball.

“Our club is supportive. They appreciate we need kit that helps us do the job efficiently and quickly. The Terra Brush was another easy decision.  I’d seen the Wiedenmann demonstrated and remembered it. Our previous brush had given good service but had only one row of bristles on the wings. The Wiedenmann has four rows of bristles across its entire extended width; the row pattern is a mixture of straights and diagonals.  The bristles, therefore, are more consistent and connect better with the turf, even on undulations, so really stand the grass up or work the top dressing in harder. We chose medium firm bristles.

“September through to October, the brush is out first thing every day, brushing dew from fairways and approaches. A quick pass keeps the fairways clear of debris, the removal of the moisture leaves the grass plant drier and we follow on with a clean cut.  Later on, when not cutting as much, brushing just keeps the presentation levels high. It is fantastic for sward refinement and standing the grass tall.

“We’ve only top dressed a few greens since it arrived, but I know it will work well.”

Neil already has a Wiedenmann Mega Twister blower with a 230° swivel capability and a Wiedenmann 1.7 m Terra Rake in his fleet.

“I’ve not quite got the full Wiedenmann set.  The Super 500 is on my wish list but that will have to come later,” joked Neil. “No surprises, we need a strong blower to manage our leaves. They are quite a job; the Mega Twister is sufficiently powerful and its twisting spout allows the tractor to keep moving, avoiding frequent stops to turn around and re-position.

“We take the Terra Rake through semi rough before we cut it, to clear it out and remove thatch. It gets run through the fairways a couple of times during the season. We rake the leaves as well plus lots of other uses. So far, we’ve neither had opportunity nor time to work our Wiedenmann machines in combination, but once the season quietens it’ s only a matter of time,” concluded Neil.

John Morton, Area Manager at Fairways GM, the Scottish dealer for Wiedenmann UK, and Wiedenmann UK’s Andy Kerr were on hand to install both machines.

Portlethen GC hosts the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship jointly with Murcar Golf Links from July 25-26 followed by the Scottish Men’s Match Play on July 28-29, 2021.

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Wiedenmann dealers introduce STrac 700

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Wiedenmann dealers introduce STrac 700: Occasionally an ingeniously simple machine comes along which becomes instantly indispensable. Welcome the Maredo STrac 700, a pedestrian power unit which supports four different groundcare operations – scarifying, aeration, seeding and fraise mowing with more to come.

The ‘access-all-areas’ STrac 700 is light, fast and versatile. Suddenly, even on difficult undulations, there is scope to provide uniformity of care and presentation across a whole site. It can be used on all turf surfaces from bowling greens to full size pitches and for challenging areas like the collars of a golf course, or, where a tractor is too heavy.

Wiedenmann dealers introduce STrac 700

Wiedenmann dealers introduce STrac 700

Brought to you via your local Wiedenmann UK dealer, the STrac 700 has easy controls on the guiding handle and a set of inter-changeable heads. A very short turning radius means the rear wheels can adopt  a variety of operating positions, while the tools connect effortlessly, cassette style.

Maredo offers four tool types each purchased separately with working widths of 65 cm:

  • The ST200 Flex-Verticutter scarifies to 25 mm using carbide tipped blades with tool free adjustment. The blades counter rotate against the direction of travel so material is lifted tidily out the way rather than dragged into the slits.
  • To relieve compaction down to 60 mm in stressed turf, the ST210 Vibe-Spike Aerator allows for expert following of undulations or making curves as required. Unlike conventional spike aerators, the spike tools vibrate to crack the soil, punching holes to let air and nutrients through.
  • The ST170 FlexFrase-Mower targets problem areas by stripping off the top layer of turf to a maximum depth of 20 mm, leaving a perfectly flat and smooth surface ready to overseed. It is also ideal for removing bumps and undulations on goal mouths, tee boxes and gardens.
  • Finally, the ST418 VibeDisc-Seeder head uses unique technology to plant the seed right where it should be and protect it against all kinds of outside influences. This is a slit seeder which can dose seed from 0 to -15 mm at as low as 2 g/m ² to 15 g / m². The seed box contains up to 6 kg of seed with disc seeder slit spacings at 42 mm. Coming soon is a new dimple seeder head which will create a pattern of dimples where the seeds will be placed.

Rob Hogarth, former Course Manager of Remedy Oak, the England top 100 club in Dorset, and now Regional Sales Manager of Fairways GM, has demonstrated the STrac units extensively since they arrived in the UK.

He said: “The STrac 700 is revolutionary.  When I think back on worrying about transitions and worn collars, I would have traded my left arm for the scarifier and seeder cartridges. The YouTube videos of the STrac in action don’t do it justice.

“The wheel positions are insanely good. Literally, you put the rear wheels where they do their best work, so put them beside the pull along handle, at the back or a combination.  It just means you guide and pivot the STrac into virtually any position, so up close to edges, on changing levels, really, anywhere… Right now, clubs across the country are in the middle of renovations. The beauty of the STrac set up to fraise mow, is how it goes around sprinkler heads.  I don’t think I’ve seen a neater job.

“In the US, these are painted orange as a Wiedenmann machine, while over here they still have the Maredo label.  You just need to go through your Wiedenmann UK dealer to see them.

“Maredo has really thought these out. Hydrostatic front wheel drive and 9 Hp mean they are manoeuvrable and fast. Whatever head you choose is mechanically PTO driven and hydraulically lifted.  They go forward at a decent walking speed of 6 km/hr and 4 km/hr if you go backwards. The factory has more heads for more operations in development. The versatile size and carbide blades make the STrac 700 unlike anything else.”

www.maredo-bv.com  Twitter  @GroundProUK  @WiedenmannUk @Maredo

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Wiedenmann gives Worsley GC smooth start

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Wiedenmann gives Worsley GC smooth start: Every buyer of a Wiedenmann Terra Spike receives bespoke instruction about how best to set it safely and optimally for local conditions. Almost always the installation training is given by one of the Wiedenmann team themselves, supported by a dealer representative.

This commitment to customer service began nearly 30 years ago, when Wiedenmann UK started trading, and it is still an integral part of the company’s sales package.

Wiedenmann gives Worsley GC smooth start

Wiedenmann gives Worsley GC smooth start

Not unsurprisingly, the installation session emphasises all Health & Safety considerations that need to be respected; everything from making the working vicinity safe to learning the right way to couple and uncouple the Terra Spike.

The Wiedenmann team member cuts the PTO shaft to suit the tractor/ machine combination, ensuring it doesn’t split on the longest point or bottom out at the shortest point, and, if required, they set the clutch on the PTO shaft.

Next, comes a comprehensive run through of the correct procedures: the dos and don’ts associated with starting, stopping, appropriate revs, depth and heave settings and, of course, the required maintenance.

Course Manager, Tim Johnson, at Worsley GC, a parkland course just west of Manchester, took delivery of his GXi8 HD in October.  He said: “This kind of H&S training session is hugely appreciated. Everyone is instantly knowledgeable, aware and confident.  The machine can go into service from day one with everyone using it properly, and I know we as a team, are doing our bit to maximise the lifespan and longevity.”

“We’ve had our machine nearly six months and its totally smooth, clean and fast.

“The other day we got three greens done in 40 minutes.  As a course manager, it makes life so much easier, planning and delegating tasks because you can deploy the machine for just a short time, but still achieve a lot.  We’ve had our fair share of wet weather so when the conditions are right, we’ve revisited areas of the course that need a little more TLC, and already you can see we’ve got a lot less lying water as we’ve removed some of the compaction.”

Kevin Pickering at dealers, Turner Groundscare, supplied the team with their machine and Wiedenmann UK’s, Andy Kerr led the safety briefing.

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