THAT WAS THE BTME 97 could lay claim to be the most successful yet. People came from far and wide to Harrogate '97. Friendships were forged and deals were struck but most of all people enjoyed themselves. The Learning Experience in association with Ransomes brought some of the finest speakers on their subjects to the stage while the Exhibition was hailed as the best yet - by both visitors and exhibitors. Bridie Redican, Richard Andrews, Bob Buckingham and Graham Dale at the reunion It was also the busiest ever. And that's official. A total of REUNION FOR TORO WINNERS 5,486 delegates visited over For the first time since the start of the Competition in to win the Competition, Bridie Redican. Bridie has the two and a half days. 1989, Toro Student of the Year Competition winners, moved several times in four years and is now the That's 27% up on last year. No runners up, representatives from Toro, in Europe, Administrator with the Golf Course Superintendents England, and the USA, Lely and the PGA European of Ireland Association. She is married and has a four wonder you could hardly Tour and Ken Richardson, BIGGA's Education Officer month old son. Jonathan Oldnow, is still single, is move! It was also pleasing to met at a reunion dinner in Harrogate. still at Coventry Hearsall Golf Club but he is now Mark Procter, who is now Golf Estate Manager at Deputy Course Manager. Richard Andrews is still at meet so many visitors from the St Pierre Golf and Country Club, was the winner Highgate Golf Club. Richard, who is now married overseas - Harrogate in 1989. Mark, who was the Course Superintendent expects his wife to give birth in late February. resembled the United Nations at Portal Golf Club, in Cheshire, back in 89, has Euan Grant was the winner in 1994. Euan moved nothing but praise for the competition and feels that from Effingham Golf Club to Royal Jersey soon after with 17 nationalities all college students should be encouraged to enter. winning the Competition. After gaining valuable represented, including some Mark has also been busy off the golf course. He experience as the Deputy Course Manager, Euan married in 1993 and he has three children. from the golfing outposts of moved back to England to take charge of a new David Norton, Course Manager at Forest Pines course being built at Westerham in Kent. Euan has Iceland and the Czech Golf Club, North Lincolnshire, was the winner in also married since winning. Margeir Vilhjalmsson Republic. 1990. He was an assistant greenkeeper at Beverley returned to his native Iceland, and became a father. Golf Club in 1990 and has also worked at The Belfry, He is now Course Manager at Reyjkavic Golf Club. The week was a great being involved in the English Open and Ryder Cup in Margeir visited La Manga and Wentworth for the success and a superb 1993. David married in 1995. World Matchplay as part of his prize. The two runners-up in 1990 could not attend. Guy Byron Thomas was First Assistant at Morlais Golf launching pad for BIGGA's Woods, who is Course Manager at Bath Golf Club, Club in 1994. Byron, who celebrated his 21st birth- 10th anniversary celebrations could not attend as his wife is due to give birth at day on the day of the Competition final is now at Even the singing of the any time and Michael Wattam, Deputy Course Man- Celtic Manor. ager at Loch Lomond Golf Club was unavailable. James Braithwaite not only won the competition BIGGA Boys improved on last Brian Storey was the winner in 1991. Brian nomi- is 1995, he also had to beat the weather to get to the year's performance at the nated by Elmwood College, was a greenkeeper at University of Massachusetts in the severe American Silloth Golf Club and is now the Course Manager. weather of January 1996. James has moved from Karaoke night! Brian's wife is also due to give birth and he was the Hallgarth Hotel and is now the Deputy Head The week ended with the unable to attend. John Waite, runner-up in '92, is Greenkeeper at Long Ashton Golf Club. now Head Greenkeeper at Scarthingwell Golf Club deafening sound of people Unfortunately, the runners up for 1995 and 1996 near Tadcaster. He was the first assistant at Temple could not make the dinner, nor could the 1996 win- scratching dates into the Newsam Golf Club in '93. He has completed his edu- ner, Fintan Brennan who is out in Massachusetts on diaries - January 21-23, 1998 cation to Phase 4 City and Guilds and is now mar- the start of his eight week trip to the USA. ried with a 3 year old daughter. Bob Buckingham, European Marketing Manager for BTME 98 with the Learning Barry Neville, the winner in 1992, is yet another for Toro welcomed everyone to the dinner and said Experience in association whose wife is due to give birth. Barry is the Deputy how pleased he was to see that so many student Head Greenkeeper at Stanmore Golf Club. Anthony with Ransomes in the shape greenkeepers had benefited from the Competition. Gooch, runner-up in 92, is the Head Greenkeeper at Although some slight changes had been made to the of the Education Conference Torrington Golf Club. Tony visited Penina for the rules of the Competition and runners up prizes for kicking off at the Majestic PGA Tour Conference, the Scottish Open at Glenea- 1997, he said that he was sure that the next five gles and the German Masters in Stuttgart as his run- years would see an increase in entries as more Hotel, Harrogate on Monday ner up prize. The other runner up, Paul Brannan greenkeepers and golf clubs saw the benefits of edu- January 19. could not be contacted. cation and training in general and of the Toro Stu- Nineteen Ninety Three saw the first and only lady See you all there! dent of the Year Competition in particular. vEEK THAT WAS!

• Jacobsen E-Z-GO Textron and PGA European Tour Courses pic con- • The occasion of cluded a lucrative agreement to supply equipment into the six courses BIGGA's 10th anniversary owned by European Tour Courses pic during BTME. was the perfect occasion Sean Kelly, Managing Director of PGA European Tour Courses pic, flew to for the first ten National Harrogate to sign the agreement with Peter Bell, General Manager of Chairmen to meet for Jacobsen E-Z-GO Textron UK. dinner. The three British courses which will benefit from the agreement which As you might imagine will give Jacobsen the status of official supplier are Collingtree Park, there was much to talk Stockley Park and the Tytherington Club, which has recently been about and the dinner bought by PGA European Tour Courses pic. The others are in Sweden, stretched on long into the Germany and Portugal. night. Back row, from left, "We look forward to a long and successful partnership with PGA Dean Cleaver ('96), Barry European Tour Courses and we are confident our equipment will Heaney ('95), John Millen exceed their expectations for quality and performance. The associa- ('94), John Crawford ('93), tion will be a prestigious partnership for both parties," said Glynn Roy Kates ('92). front Patrick, Managing Director of European Operations for Jacobsen E-Z-GO Textron. row, from left, Walter "PGA European Tour Courses are very pleased with the partnership and look forward to an increasingly Woods ('87), Jack close and productive relationship with Jacobsen E-Z-GO," said Sean Kelly. McMillan ('88), Paddy European Tour Courses pic, of which the PGA European Tour owns 20%, is hoping to own as many as 20 courses by the year 2000 McCarron ('89), Ivor Picture shows Peter Bell (left) with Sean Kelly. Scoones ('90) and George Malcolm ('91). • The response to Pattisson's 100/100 Club was exceptionally good at the Show. The Club was conceived to celebrate Pattisson's 100th anniver- sary and provide 100 golf clubs with £100 to put towards BTME or a BIGGA training course. To encourage 100/100 Club members to visit the Pattisson stand the 25th, 50th and 75th mem- ber to make an appearance received a gift. The lucky three members were 25th Derek Neave, of Brough GC, Hull; 50th Ian Beech, of Newcastle Under Lyme GC and 75th, Doug Fernie, of Epsom GC. They each received a Ryder Cup presentation box produced by Pattisson's sister company. Doug is pictured receiving his gift from Northern Area Sales Manager Peter Marshall.

PAT SUCCEEDS DEAN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION The BIGGA Annual General Meeting held in the Majestic Hotel on the Wednesday of BTME week was the occasion for Dean Cleaver for- merly to hand over the Chairmanship of the Association to Pat Murphy. As BIGGA chalked up 10 years since its for- mation the AGM was an opportunity for Exec- utive Director Neil Thomas to report on a successful year in the run up to the 10th anniversary and outline what the coming year The first ever has in store while the Association's first Chair- AGM of the Federation of European Golf elected man Walter Woods spoke on where the Associ- Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA) was held at an earlier meeting remain in posi- ation had come from and his pride at how it in the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate during BTME. tion for another year until the Federation has has developed. A measure of the progress made since a established itself. Walter then took up his place as a Guardian meeting was held at the same time the previ- Member Associations are Austria, Belgium, of the Association, replacing the retiring Bill ous year to look at the possibilities of forming Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Lawson, alongside the other Guardian, Brian such a Federation can be made by the fact that Britain, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, North- Gilbert of the R&A. over 50 attended the AGM and 12 of the 16 ern Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Gordon Child, of the South West and South affiliated National Associations were repre- Switzerland while later during BTME a repre- Wales Region, became Vice Chairman of the sented. sentative from Portugal indicated the desire of Association while Barry Heaney, '96 Past Chair- A wide ranging discussion covered the his National Association to join. man, and Harry Diamond, of Scotland, retired annual membership fee and the need to assist The picture shows the FEGGA Board. L-R from the Board of Management to be replaced smaller associations and the agreement on the Roland Favrat, Elise Jarvenen, Per-Olof Ljung, by Robin Greaves, of the South West and constitution. Vice Chairman, Dean Cleaver, Chairman and South Wales, and Jim Raton, of Scotland. It was also agreed that the interim Board Claus-Detlef Ratjen. MASTER GREENKEEPERS COLLECT THEIR PRAISE The ranks of the Master Greenkeepers were added to at BTME with the presentation of three more plaques - bringing the number of greenkeepers worldwide with the distinction to 14. One of the three, Mark Broughton, of More- cambe GC, had previously been presented with his Master Greenkeeper blazer at The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes last year but the other two Ian McMil- lan, of Balbirnie Park GC, Markinch, Scotland and Gary Grigg, Royal Poinciana GC and the immediate Past President of the GCSAA, received both their blazers and their plaques at Harrogate.

• Laurence Pithie, MG, led a strong delegation from American Golf (UK) Ltd, the largest golf operating company in the world. "BTME was an excellent opportunity for us to meet all our suppliers under one roof as well as meeting colleagues to discuss business in general," explained Laurence, Director of Maintenance for the company in the UK. • One of the Entertainment of varying qualities busiest stands on was provided during week by the the Wednesday BIGGA Boys, the BIGGA Girls, was Miracle Laine Kennedy and Bobby Davro. Professional's who had Danni, the Miracle Girl, who stars in BIGGA's calendar and Miracle's latest adverts, as a special guest. Danni, who by coincidence appeared on a certain page of a certain newspaper on the same day as she visited BTME, spent her time signing posters of herself for visitors. She is pictured with Miracle Boys, Steve Hall and Johnny Beck.

The prize draw, open to any member who had introduced two new members to the Association, was won by David Murdoch, Head Greenkeeper at Liphook GC, in Hampshire. David, whose name was drawn by Viscount Whitelaw wins a £600 holiday voucher.

GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL February 1997 15 UNVEILED New products seen for the first time

33.5kW), the new Ransomes specifications and prices, will be the BIGGA event to get initial compact tractors will comple- released as soon as details are reactions to the product from • Ransomes announced at ment the company's current line- finalised. greenkeepers and other turf pro- BTME that it is to launch its own up of professional grass-cutting fessionals," said Graham range of compact tractors onto and turf maintenance machinery, Williams, John Deere's Commer- the European markets during adding strength and value to the cial & Consumer Equipment Divi- 1997. This initiative results from Ransomes product range. sion Manager. an agreement reached with a "This move has been planned "The Aercore 800 is going into major producer of compact trac- for some time and reinforces our full production in February, and is tors. position as the world's most com- due to be available here in To be manufactured in Ran- plete supplier of grass and turf- March or April." Like its stable- somes corporate colours and care equipment," commented mates, the self-propelled Aercore styling, the tractor range will be Ransomes' Sales and Marketing 800 is designed for aerating golf marketed and supported fully by director, Andrew Sunaway. • John Deere showed a new greens and fairways, and other the company through its existing It is planned that the first Ran- walk-behind version, of the Aer- fine turf areas. It features an commercial distributor and somes compact tractors will be core 1000 and 1500 tractor 18hp Kohler petrol engine with dealer network throughout the available in Britain during the mounted aerators - the Aercore four selectable forward gears, a British Isles and mainland Spring in time for the coming 800 - at BTME '97 working width of 81cm (32in) and Europe. Encompassing a power season. Full information on the "This is its first public showing adjustable depth control down to band from 18 to 45hp (13.4 - new range, together with model in Europe, and we have chosen 100mm (4in). There is an 'operator presence the new Super B compact trac- ble down any thoughts that may system' with electric raise and tors it is designed to help green- come into the head. lower controls, and top speed for keepers and amenity managers Complementing the Desk Plan- transport is 3.5mph. Overall solve the problem of debris ner is the Hardi sponsored golf weight is around 392kg (8651b). clearance. course management Date Plan- There are three sizes of tine Its 200km/hr air blast is ner which provides Head Green- holder available to provide the designed to clear loose and keepers with their own Diary. The widest possible choice of hole lightweight debris from golf Date Planner includes a useful spacings. The special Flexi-Link courses, sports ground, road- reference section on BIGGA's ten tine design produces clean, tidy ways and parkland or if preferred years of growth, provides a holes with minimal scuffing at the the operator can blow debris into month to view calendar to record hole top, using a variety of solid, rows for collection and disposal day to action plans and activities open-sided or hollow tines. later. and details important events in Three point linkage makes the golfing calendar. Featuring a attachment to selected Kubota 'wipe-clean' cover, the Date Plan- compact tractors easy and ner is both attractive to look at height adjustments can be made yet serviceable as a day to day according to grass length. The First it was the introduction of work tool. BL770 also features an anti- the BIGGA Year Planner spon- Last but not least is BIGGA's scalp roller to prevent till, scuff- sored by Toro. This welcome first calendar, introduced to cele- ing especially on uneven addition to every head green- brate the Associations tenth surfaces. keepers office provides an 'at-a- anniversary. Supported by twelve An optional 180 degree glance' view of the complete leading names in the golf course diverter chute is also available to year and a means of recording a supply industry, the BIGGA cal- enable the I operator to change wide range of dates and impor- endar is both useful and attrac- the air delivery from left to right. tant reminders. tive, either in the work place or in There is also a hand-held wan- The Miracle sponsored Desk the home. der hose option. Planner also provides a versatile • The Toro Company announced Price ex VAT: £2550 office aid which enables green- a two-year warranty on its entire • If BIGGA's 10th anniversary is keepers to make record those commercial equipment product not enough to celebrate, there a important telephone calls, detail line effective from the beginning • A new powerful Kubota BL770 four other good reasons why weekly appointments, convert of this year. blower attachment was on show being a member of BIGGA is weights and measures, plan the The worldwide warranty covers at BTME'97. Attached to one of such good value. weeks work and of course scrib- Reelmaster, Greenmaster and

THE POWER OF THE TEAM

COURSE TEXTRON

Jacobsen House, Telford Way JACOBSEN E-Z-GO TEXTRON is Industrial Estate, Kettering, The Official Supplier of turf Northants NN16 8UN. equipment and golf cars to PGA Tel: 01536 417777 European Tour Courses pic. Fax: 01536 310245

AD REF 4 Groundsmaster mowers, Multi BARCAMPSIA is a unique new Pro utility vehicles, aerators, top- species of tufted hairgrass, dressers, sprayers, sweepers which Barenbrug has developed and all other commercial prod- especially for shaded situations. ucts. Toro's product line has It therefore addresses the prob- applications in the golf, govern- lem that can arise from your ment /municipal, landscape, out- back lawns to tree-lined parks. door, recreation, sports field and Not to mention the increasingly other turf management markets. talked about situation of shade in "This warranty decision shows sporting arenas. BARCAMPSIA our customers around the globe has been extensively tested and that Toro is committed to manu- trialed at the STRI, Bingley, and facturing quality, design exper- at Barenbrug's own research sta- tise and meeting service tion in Holland with excellent expectations," said Dan Stiller, results. Highly wear tolerant, this International Product Manager. variety has a light green colour "Turf maintenance professionals and a broad leaf similar to can depend on Toro to be there smooth-stalked meadow grass. to support them - no matter • Huxley launched its brand new where they are located on the Greenstar ride-on greensmower map." formulation (12:6:9 plus 3% MgO) This mulching mower has a at BTME. Toro has achieved ISO 9001 for a fast sustained green up with- patented, Grass Recycling Sys- Paul Huxley unveiled the certification for its Commercial out excessive growth. tem, an 18" cut and is powered Greenstar and explained that Business and Riverside facilities, • Two new Charterhouse Verti- by an easy start 4 stroke 4hp Huxley's was the only all-British and ISO 9002 certification for the Drain machines (pictured above) Briggs & Stratton engine, ride-on currently being produced Tomah Commercial and had their European debut at designed for quieter operation in this country. Shakopee parts production facili- BTME. and minimum pollution. Boasting steering and quickly ties. These two new models replace Lawncycler's GRS (Grass detachable cutting units, excep- the existing Popular Verti-Drain Recycling System) obviates the tional traction and stability, per- g g & jl and the best-selling Greens need for grass collection and is menant all wheel drive, power Verti-Drain. ideal for keeping grass healthy steering and a Perkins 20.3hp fiREENMASTERl If.REENMASTER The two new models are both and fresh looking. This feature is diesel engine the Greenstar will faster over the ground than the of special use to greenkeepers sell for £17,500 without groomers previous machines and can be and groundsmen when very dry and £19,999 with the groomers. operated without creep gear- weather conditions, such as Appropriately the first pur- boxes being fitted to the prime those experienced in this country chaser was Alresford GC. Hux- mover. The re-design of these over the last few years, persist ley's home base club and Head machines has been specifically for many months. Greenkeeper Mark Webb, who focused on providing the Green- Ideal for bunker and tee sur- assisted with some of the • Levington Horticulture keeper and Groundsman with an rounds, grass can be cut with research and development was launched two new fine turf fertil- excellent finish to their turf after minimum effort, but maximum at BTME to look over his new izers at BTME, the shatter tining process. manoeuvrability, using Lawn- machine. both of them featuring a high cycler (rsp £449.95 inc VAT. • Pattisson's launched its own potash to nitrogen ratio. These • This year's BTME saw the brand of line marking paint at new products are additions to launch of the latest, state-of-the- BTME. the comprehensive Levington art (of grass) varieties and mix- Premier Line has been spe- Greenmaster range of fine turf tures from Barenbrug. cially formulated for use on golf fertilisers, bringing the number of Comprehensive details of the courses and sports grounds and Greenmaster formulations to ten. range can be found in the 1997 is not harmful to the atmosphere, Greenmaster NK (12:0:12 plus Amenity Grass Seed Mixtures the user or fragile root systems. 2% iron and 3.3% magnesium) handbook, now available from It has won an Environmental and Greensmaster Double K Barenbrug. But BTME show- Award for Innovation in Aerosols (7:0:14 plus 4% iron) have been cased one mixture and two vari- as neither the product nor the introduced to the range to meet eties specifically. propellant gases contain lead, the increasing demand for such BAR EXTREME has been chlorinated solvents, or chloro- fertilisers from greenkeepers car- developed for extreme wear tol- fluorocarbons. ing for sand green systems. erance, for applications such as Premier Line is available in six Importantly, both products have golf tees, tennis courts, cricket colours - white, yellow, blue, been formulated with a zero wickets and fairways. This spe- green, orange and red and also phosphate content in order to cial blend of perennial ryegrass available are the handheld, two eliminate risk of encouraging Poa gives a compact, fine-leaved, wheel and four wheel applica- annua establishment. • Allen's new Lawncycler hover clean-cutting appearance, which tors. Levington also introduced new mower is a unique addition to the is able to withstand close mow- • Due to lack of space more of Sportsmaster Fairway at BTME. grass cutting machinery market - ing and has been formulated to the new products launched at Sportsmaster Fairway is a spring and will be available to the pro- give rapid establishment from BTME will be published next and summer feed with a balanced fessional user in March 1997. overseeding. month.