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Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK

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Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK: Hindley Hall Golf Club, a hidden gem nestled in the Northwest of England has invested in a state-of-the-art Hunter irrigation system supplied by KAR UK.

The system, featuring the Hunter ACC2 controller and TTS-800 Series Golf Rotors, has already had a transformative impact on the course, providing better water efficiency, improved turf quality, and an enhanced playing experience for members.

Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK

Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK

Hindley Hall Golf Club is a compact 18-hole course spread across 96 acres, with undulating greens and narrow fairways that offer a deceptively challenging round for golfers. Despite its relatively small size, the course poses unique challenges for Course Manager Andrew Birchall and his team, particularly due to the region’s high annual rainfall and predominantly clay-based soil.

Andrew, who has been at Hindley Hall for 15 years – 10 years as Deputy and the last 5 years as Course Manager – is dedicated to ensuring the course remains playable and in top condition, and that is why upgrading the aging irrigation system became a priority.

Prior to the installation, Hindley Hall’s irrigation system was failing, particularly at the sprinkler level. “It was putting too much water out in the wrong places, and we were really struggling to get water onto the greens when we needed to,” Andrew said.

Recognising the need for a modern, efficient system, Andrew opted for the Hunter ACC2 controller and TTS-800 Series Golf Rotors, which were installed by his own team. “We did everything in-house, which was a challenge, but it’s something we believe in – if we can be self-sustainable, we will be.”

The Hunter ACC2 controller, which allows remote management via mobile and desktop applications, has given Andrew and his team the flexibility to manage the irrigation system with ease. “The remote control is a game-changer. My deputy and I can control the system from anywhere – if I’m not at the course and there’s a sudden change in weather, I can adjust the irrigation instantly.”

This newfound control has also streamlined feeding the greens, saving both time and effort.

“In the past, if we applied a granular feed, we’d have to wait for a forecasted night of rain to wash it in. Now, if there’s no rain on the horizon, I can simply switch the irrigation on from my mobile as I’m going around,” Andrew explained. “It’s brilliant. Everything’s at your fingertips. As I’m feeding one green, I can turn the one behind me on to wash in the feed that’s just gone down. I can get it done at six o’clock in the morning without affecting play – no disruption at all.”

Furthermore, the controller integrates with a weather station to prevent unnecessary watering. “If the system detects more than an 85% chance of rain, it automatically shuts off the scheduled irrigation,” he states.

The TTS-800 Series Golf Rotors have also been a revelation for the course. “What I love most is that they’re totally top serviceable,” Andrew said. “If there’s an issue, we don’t have to dig up the entire sprinkler or disturb play. We just take the cover off, make the fix, and we’re done.”

The new system has delivered measurable improvements in water efficiency and turf quality. “We’re seeing around a 30% reduction in water usage because we’re putting less water out but delivering it exactly where it’s needed. The greens are getting more water without the wastage, and the uniformity is unbelievable.”

This precision has also improved playability, as the greens remain firm yet receptive. “In the past, some greens would dry out and become non-receptive to golf balls, but now we’re maintaining that fine balance between firmness and playability.”

KAR UK’s support, particularly from Wesley Henshaw (Golf Sales Manager), was instrumental during the installation process. “Wes was brilliant,” Andrew remarked. “He sent us the products exactly when we needed them, talked us through everything, and was always on hand if we encountered any issues. He knows the challenges we face because he’s been in our shoes, having worked in golf course construction and irrigation installations.”

As Hindley Hall continues its commitment to providing an exceptional golfing experience, the partnership with KAR UK and Hunter is proving to be a winning combination.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Amp up your tool kit with a free Makita XGT 40V battery

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Amp up your tool kit with a free Makita XGT 40V battery: Leading power tool and outdoor power equipment manufacturer Makita UK has launched a new ‘Professional Cordless Garden Machinery’ redemption promotion, where end users can claim a free XGT 4.0Ah high-capacity ‘Tabless Technology’ battery (BL4040F) with the purchase of qualifying XGT and Connect-X outdoor power equipment.

To qualify for the free XGT 4.0Ah BL4040F battery, end users must purchase any of the selected Makita models from an authorised dealer between 1st March 2025 and 30th September 2025 and register the proof of purchase on Makita’s online claim form within 28 days. Once the claim has been verified, claimants will receive their free battery after 30 days.

Amp up your tool kit with a free Makita XGT 40V battery

Amp up your tool kit with a free Makita XGT 40V battery

The free battery on offer as part of Makita’s redemption scheme, is one of the company’s latest innovations in battery technology. Specifically, the BL4040F has been engineered with tabless lithium-ion cells. This design improves battery efficiency, thermal management, and overall battery performance, allowing for a much more efficient method of power delivery and making the BL4040F ideal for high demand applications such as chainsaws, breakers, and disc cutters. In fact, the BL4040F battery delivers up to 36% longer runtimes and operates 32% cooler compared to the standard 4.0Ah BL4040.

Like all Makita batteries, the tabless BL4040F features a digital communication system with the tool to protect against overload, over-discharge, and overheating, meaning performance is optimised for every task. The BL4040F also has an enhanced cooling system to ensure tools are able to maintain peak performance under heavy, continuous loads, extending the overall service life of the battery.

Kevin Brannigan (Marketing Manager) at Makita commented: “With over 100 years of engineering experience and almost fifty years since we launched our first battery powered tool, Makita is an expert in developing battery and motor technology that meets the demands of professional use. The XGT range makes even the most demanding tasks easy to complete without the constraint of a cord or fuel and includes cordless lawn mowers, blowers, hedge trimmers, split shafts, chainsaws among others – all of which are included as qualifying models in our latest redemption promotion for end users to claim this fantastic tabless battery.”

To find out more information about the promotion, eligible products, and terms and conditions, visit: www.makitauk.com/redemption

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GroundsFest Academy Launches with Free Educational Day

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GroundsFest Academy Launches with Free Educational Day: The highly anticipated first GroundsFest Academy event is set to take place on May 13, 2025, marking the beginning of a new era in free, hands-on education. The first session, hosted in partnership with DLF, titled ‘Seed Science,’ will be held at DLF Seeds’ UK head office in Inkberrow, Worcestershire.

This CPD-accredited educational day is completely free to attend, thanks to GroundsFest’s commitment to reinvesting profits from the show back into the industry. The Academy aims to provide valuable training, helping attendees refine their skills, discover new techniques, and gain insights from leading experts.

GroundsFest Academy Launches with Free Educational Day

GroundsFest Academy Launches with Free Educational Day

Who Can Attend?

The GroundsFest Academy is designed for anyone working across the groundscare, landscaping, greenkeeping and sports turf sectors. Whether you’re an industry professional looking to deepen your knowledge or a newcomer keen to gain practical experience, this event offers an excellent opportunity to learn and network.

What to Expect

The Seed Science event will feature expert-led, hands-on sessions covering key aspects of seed science, including:

Grass & Seed Identification – Learn how to distinguish different grass species and seed types through practical exercises.

Germination & Pre-Germination Tests – Gain insights into how and why seeds germinate, with live demonstrations and interactive learning.

Site Tour of DLF – Discover how seed production, testing, and breeding processes work firsthand.

Sowing, Aftercare & Maintenance – Develop your understanding of best practices for sowing and maintaining grass seed.

A Unique Learning Experience

The day will be structured to encourage participation and engagement. Attendees will be split into groups and will take part in quizzes throughout the sessions. The winning group will receive a special prize, adding an element of fun to the learning experience.

Bradley Tennant who is leading the GroundsFest Academy initiative expressed his enthusiasm for the launch, stating: “We’re absolutely delighted to be launching the first-ever GroundsFest Academy. Thanks to the support of DLF, we’re able to offer such a high-quality educational event. The DLF team share our passion for knowledge and innovation.”

Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales and Brand Manager for DLF UK, said: “DLF are pleased to host the inaugural Groundsfest Academy Education Day on Seed Science, we look forward to providing an interesting and informative day for all attendees.”

Secure Your Spot

The GroundsFest Academy offers a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders while networking with fellow professionals. With limited spaces available, early registration is recommended to avoid disappointment.

To view the full seminar programme and to secure your place, visit the dedicated GroundsFest Academy website www.groundsfestacademy.com

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Bancroft Amenities get renovation ready with GKB

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Bancroft Amenities get renovation ready with GKB: A fleet of natural and artificial maintenance equipment from GKB Machines is being championed by specialist sportsground contractors Bancroft Amenities.

Built up over a number of years, a Quick-Brush, Rotobrush and Deep-Clean are out daily servicing the requirements of synthetic pitches, while a Sandfiller, Combiseeder and pair of V-Strong scarifiers are preparing for a busy renovation season on a range of fine and sports turf surfaces.

Bancroft Amenities get renovation ready with GKB

Bancroft Amenities get renovation ready with GKB

In addition to delivering all aspects of renovation and maintenance for sports facilities in and around the northwest, Bancroft Amenities also offer a comprehensive hire fleet – with GKB playing a key role in both sides of the business. “Our relationship with GKB Machines is a longstanding one, starting initially with the brushes and cleaning systems for artificial turf pitches” explains Director Stuart Thompson. “We have one operative permanently on synthetic maintenance and our GKB fleet allows us to offer everything from a quick, routine brush to a deeper clean and decompaction of the infill.”

“The main thing about GKB is the build quality and back up support we receive from their UK Operations Manager Tom Shinkins. The kit is put through its paces with us, and even more so when it goes out to customers on hire so it’s critical for us that equipment is robust enough to cope with demand. With GKB, we have no concerns.”

This confidence in build quality quickly saw the addition of machines for natural turf to the fleet, including a Sandfiller and GKB Combiseeder. “The Sandfiller is unique on the market and does an incredible job of removing thatch and backfiling with sand in a single pass. As a specialist tool, we conduct this operation for golf clubs who just can’t believe the speed and cleanliness of the process and the dramatic improvements it brings to the growing environment.” He continues, “The Combiseeder is one of our most popular hire machines – user friendly and versatile, delivering reliable results on both golf courses and football pitches.”

The most recent delivery was a second GKB V-Strong, to come to the rescue of the original unit which is in high demand! “This scarifier does a bit of everything – an important piece of equipment for all of our renovation work and another popular machine on hire. With the weather now picking up, we’re booking the V-Strong in for spring projects on fine turf, before coming into play with winter sports renovations.”

Stuart adds, “Tom also understands the inconvenience of downtime and is quick to respond to any queries we have to ensure our schedule stays on track. The customer service is as good as the machinery itself, with GKB it’s the complete package.”

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Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

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Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet: Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort near Glasgow is continuing its investment in its 18-hole championship golf course with a significant fleet update from Toro and Reesink Scotland.

Head Greenkeeper Andrew Eckford, who joined the club last year in a senior management recruitment drive alongside a new Head of Golf, had a focus on multi-functional machinery as he planned the new additions to join in the multi-million-pound course renovation.

Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

Bringing with him 13 years’ experience and countless tournament credentials to the job, the initial projects requiring focus were building back grass coverage on the greens and repairs to all bunkers with a total sand replacement.

Andrew explains: “When I first started, nearly half of the greens were covered in moss. We’ve been steadily reducing that and implementing a structured maintenance plan with regular aeration, seeding, and top-dressing to restore both the greens and fairways to their former glory.”

The Toro ProCore 648s aerator, Workman HDX utility vehicle with ProPass topdresser and sprayer and a selection of trusted greens mowers will be instrumental in this recovery work.

“Efficiency is key,” says Andrew. “I wanted a versatile utility vehicle that could handle multiple turf maintenance jobs throughout the month, rather than investing in a separate Multi Pro sprayer or a top dresser that would only be used occasionally. This solution delivers exceptional value and ensures our greens are maintained to the highest standard.”

The same thought process applied to his decision to bring in the Toro Outcross. This powerhouse of a product also does the work of a tractor, and its functionality and versatility give it the ability to replace two or three pieces of equipment and is what most appealed to Andrew.

“The Outcross will be at the heart of our day-to-day operations and ensures we’re future-proofing essential tasks,” Andrew explains. “Its programmable attachment parameters mean we can add blowers and verti-drainers, yet our seasonal staff only need to be trained on one machine rather than multiple pieces of equipment. It’s a smarter, more efficient way of working.”

Also, part of the investment is the Sand Pro bunker rake, a game-changer for bunker maintenance. “I wanted to bring the same high standards we had at The Carrick, where we raked bunkers daily, something I believe should be the norm,” says Andrew. “But with the scale of our course, hand-raking would take six of us an entire day. With the Sand Pro, one operator can get the job done efficiently, even after adding 1,400 tons of new sand.”

When it came to who to partner with was it always going to be Toro? “Always,” confirms Andrew. “We’re focused on elevating Mar Hall’s golf course and putting it back on the Scottish golfing map. That means using the best equipment available. Most greenkeepers have a go-to brand, and for me, that’s always been Toro, it’s simply a step above. I’m fortunate to have the full support of the management and owners in selecting what we need to do the job right, and with Toro, we also have the added benefit of working with Reesink Scotland.”

Discover how choosing Toro could benefit your course by calling distributor Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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