Issue 107 • June 2016 Number 1 for turfcare professionals
Pitchmark chosen for Euro 2016
In this issue : Football Focus, Specialist Mowers, Tennis Focus, Dealership Focus, Turf Treatment, Contractor Update
Effective mowing & collecting @wiedenmannUK
RMR 230 V-F Super Pro TXL MCS Favorit 650 MCS XP Super 500 Super 600
is growing... 2 and 3 November 2016 NEC Birmingham
SALTEX is at the heart of the industry and the must attend event for anyone maintaining or managing pitches, estates, grounds, landscaping, play areas and parks.
Bigger exhibition Enhanced expert advice Latest industry innovations More educational seminars New student competition Larger awards event
Free admission to exhibition. To register visit www.iogsaltex.com.
@IOG_SALTEX IoG Saltex T
NEWS
13 NEWS A quiet finish at Warrington GC 10 FOOTBALL FOCUS PERCHED as it is on the highest point greenkeepers are working closing 18 SPECIALIST MOWERS in Cheshire and offering panoramic with a number of contractors, such as views over Lancashire, Merseyside arborists, mechanics, irrigation 22 TENNIS FOCUS and the Welsh mountains, members technicians and a pest control team 24 DEALERSHIP FOCUS: at Warrington Golf Club would be to create a more heathland feel to the FAIRWAYS GROUP forgiven for thinking they are far away course. from civilisation on the tranquil 18- “With the help of Cheshire Turf 26 TURF TREATMENT hole course. But with the M56 just a Machinery we also chose two mile down the road and houses all Greensmaster 1600 pedestrian 30 CONTRACTOR UPDATE around, quite the opposite is true. mowers for the hand mowing of the Managing noise restrictions with tees, a TriFlex 3420 hybrid triple the tight mowing schedule the Course manager John Mcloughlin. mower for the aprons, two undulating course demands, is course “We chose three Greensmaster Reelmaster 3550 mowers for the BUSINESS manager John Mcloughlin’s eFlex 2100 electric pedestrian fairways and a Reelmaster 3100 for Publisher: responsibility. Here he tells us how he mowers as they are so quiet and the semi roughs. The quality of cut Martin Smart Tel: 01892 664555 achieves the fine balance with the allow us to cut the greens before 7 and finish from that combination of [email protected] help of Toro. o’clock, which had previously not machines is exceptional in helping “To keep standards consistent we been possible. The extremely quiet maintain plant health and vigour on Advertising Sales: aim to cut the full course a minimum operating experience and their all the playing surfaces, which is Debbie Tunstill Tel: 01892 575513 three days a week throughout the essential to firm them up.” contour following design has worked [email protected] playing season. We are a very busy fantastically well on our undulating The set up and maintenance of the course so it is important we site.” Toro machines is, says John, Editor: Mervyn Barnard can achieve this in a five-hour period As well as the day-to-day “universal”, which allows for a very Tel: 01892 575516 to finish ahead of golf teeing off at 8 management of the course, John and straightforward user experience [email protected] o’clock in the morning. his full-time team of seven across the fleet. Associate Editor: Jemima Codrington Tel: 01892 575512 Pitch renovation tour at Leyland [email protected] Editorial Assistants: THE ninth date of the UK & Ireland the aim of expanding his knowledge. Josh Hodge Pitch Renovation Tour took place at “I’ve found the event very, very Tel: 01892 575511 the home of the Lancashire Football interesting,” he said. “I was thrown [email protected] Association in Leyland on Thursday into groundskeeping 12 months ago Jack Alexander 12th May, with a wide variety of and today’s been a great opportunity Tel: 01892 575511 grassroots and professional to learn.” [email protected] groundsmen coming to the event. The chance to learn and develop a Contributor: Over 80 groundsmen, club further understanding of the different James de Havilland officials, contractors and council practices that can be carried out was Turf Business is published by: representatives came to the all-day also taken by Judith Hayhurst from Marjentin Media Ltd event, which was supported by Lancashire County Council, who Lilac House Dennis, SISIS, ICL, Limagrain, New wanted to attend the event to find out Whitehill Road Holland and Pitchcare. The UK & Ireland Pitch Renovation how they could improve their school Crowborough The importance of the tour and its Tour at Leyland. playing fields. East Sussex TN6 1JP aim of improving the quality of massive difference to their surfaces. “It’s been a very well organised Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct at the time of going to press, the grassroots natural turf sports pitches in One such groundsman was Sam and enjoyable day. Having the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the the UK & Ireland was evident among Konczynski from Kirby Lonsdale chance to be talked through the standing of advertisers nor any editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the the guests, many of whom realised Rugby Club, who is new to the machines before getting the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced what small changes could be made to industry with little previous opportunity to see how well they without the written permission of the publishers. © Turf Business 2016 their own programme to make a knowledge and came to Leyland with work is invaluable.”
LEADING IN TURF CARE INNOVATIONS
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www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk JUNE 2016 3 T
NEWS New wide area mowers from John Deere JOHN DEERE’S 1500 Series II smoother ride. The optional premium Comfort front rotary mowers are now cab features heating, air conditioning available in the UK & Ireland, after and excellent all-round visibility. being sold in a number of other These professional front rotary European countries. They are suitable mowers can be equipped with a for wide area mowing in the choice of hydraulic side or rear- commercial, golf and amenity turf discharge decks with working widths markets where operator comfort, high up to 3m, which are designed to cope output mowing performance and with long, dense grass and uneven uptime are key requirements. terrain. A CrossCut function allows Featuring a powerful Yanmar 49hp the operator to lift the deck just off the four-cylinder engine, hydrostatic four- ground when turning, and a ‘smart’ wheel drive and diff-lock, a standard CommandArm armrest controls, the ride for all mowing jobs. weight transfer system shifts the air suspension seat and a spacious new 1505 and 1515 mowers are Front deck suspension activates weight from the mowing deck to the operator platform with designed to provide a comfortable automatically during road use, for a drive wheels for extra traction.
WITH a warm British Summer Time greenkeepers’ budgets,” he warns. in full swing, water management “These unwanted symptoms specialist Otterbine is advising Time to oxygenate impact on the golfer’s experience and greenkeepers to aerate water hazards the golf club’s reputation, and may now, before oxygen depletion or say Otterbine also require costly fixative stress situations occur. programmes. Once a lake has lost its Maintaining high water quality is Robert Jackson, Irrigation Manager at until symptoms of poor water quality ecological balance, it goes into crisis, an essential part of successful golf Lely Turfcare, Otterbine’s UK appear before implementing good at which point the cost of restoring it course management all year round, distributor, explains why it’s vital to water management could be dramatically rises. As well as often but both the light and heat generated act now rather than later. “Waiting detrimental to both the environment being more expensive to implement, by the sun can quickly lead to severe reactive solutions tend to be less problems in lakes and ponds. friendly to the environment too,” The resultant warmer water and Robert explains. excess nutrients, combined with low With solutions suitable for small oxygen levels and minimal ponds to vast lakes, Otterbine’s wide circulation, prematurely ages water range of aeration systems comprise and throws the natural ecosystem out aerating fountains, industrial aerators of balance. This can lead to algae, and diffused air systems. Each has aquatic weeds and odours, as well as unique features that work to increase sludge build up and even dead fish. oxygen levels and circulate oxygen In order to avoid this, a proper rich water, keeping water quality water management system should be high, and inhibiting algae, aquatic Ensure clear waters with Otterbine’s range of aeration systems. put in place as soon as possible. weeds and odours. Jacobsen Eclipse 322 for Patshull Park PATSHULL Park Golf & Country for a replacement for our old control the frequency of cut ensures leaks – as there isn’t any hydraulic Club have taken delivery of a machine, we wanted to ensure that that we can match our mowing oil in the machine! Jacobsen Eclipse 322 diesel-electric we evaluated all of our options. We regime to the prevailing conditions. “The demonstration and buying hybrid mower from Jacobsen UK needed to make a decision based on Servicing is also simple with the process was through Jacobsen Direct. The new mower, which which machine would suit our swing out rear unit. In these Direct. I would like to give special replaces a competitor brand, is fitted course and give us the best quality of economically testing times, the thanks to Bruce Alexander, Jacobsen with groomers and rear roller brushes and will be used to maintain cut. We all unreservedly agreed that reduced running costs of the Eclipse UK Direct Regional Sales Manager, the greens on the 18-hole the Eclipse 322 machine matched all was also a deciding factor for us. Of for his assistance throughout the championship course in Shropshire. of our criteria. course, a great comfort to the team is whole process and tailoring the Malcolm Mitchell has been at “The ability to programme and that there is no risk of hydraulic oil machine to suit our needs. Patshull Park and Country Club for The Greenkeeping team at with the new Eclipse 322. “Jacobsen Direct was highly 12 years, eight as Assistant professional and this gave us Greenkeeper and for the past four confidence in the support that we years as Head Greenkeeper. will receive going forwards. The Commenting on the purchase of the BAGMA-certified installation training Eclipse 322 he said: “The greens also ensured that my whole team mower is the most important piece were familiarised with the machine of kit for the club, so when looking from day one.”
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NEWS
ORGANISERS of SALTEX 2016, just one of a number of revisions which is being held on 2 and 3 SALTEX 2016 now which are being implemented by the November at the NEC, Birmingham, IOG to ensure that the show have revealed that the show is maintains a fresh feel. Last year’s expanding to accommodate an gets even bigger education programme, LEARNING increasing number of exhibitors. LIVE, saw 1,655 minutes of free The extra floor space marks a show part, was held in a separate room just interested in a career in turf seminars, and post-show visitor growth of 1,120sq/m as exhibitors outside of the exhibition halls. management will be able to network feedback revealed it to be extremely continue to sign up for the event. In However, post-show feedback with leading companies, view the popular. This year, show organisers fact, 81% of allocated space at revealed that visitors would prefer this latest technology and learn more are planning an even more exiting SALTEX 2016, which includes the to be integrated into the show area. about pathways into the industry by programme with a greater depth of extra floor space, has already been Organisers have listened and acted attending informative Young content and quality. accounted for. upon this feedback by enabling its Groundsmen’s Conference sessions – Commenting on the updated The extra space will not only allow new location. within one easy-to-access location. programme, IOG CEO Geoff Webb for more exhibitors to showcase an Students and aspiring groundsmen The relocation of this conference is said: “Last year’s LEARNING LIVE even wider range of products and programme was hailed as a great services, but also provides an extra success – we had a huge range of seminar theatre to accommodate an subjects and there was something for enhanced free-to-attend LEARNING everyone. Preparation for the 2016 LIVE programme plus Young LEARNING LIVE programme is Groundsmen’s Conference sessions, already well underway and will sponsored by Rigby Taylor and Top address the issues that surround our Green, which will now be held on industry. the show floor. SALTEX 2016’s improved show Last year’s conference, organised features and unrivalled industry and hosted by the Institute of support are set to work together to Groundsmanship’s (IOG) Young create the freshest and most exciting Board of Directors, which saw many turf management event to date when of the industry’s leading experts taking The LEARNING LIVE programme will now be held on the show floor. the doors open later this year.
Dennis G860 & Premier The proper tool for the job For more information or a no obligation demonstration call 01332 824777 or alternatively visit www.dennisuk.com
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www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk JUNE 2016 5 T
NEWS
Save 20% with MVP packs PEOPLE TORO distributor Lely Turfcare is turfcare machinery and equipment professionals to be as productive as Barenbrug, the UK reminding customers that there is one working fast if there’s ever a problem. possible while stretching that all- grass seed expert, has easy way to save money and be Plus, MVP packs can save up to 20 important budget further. appointed Phil Dick prepared when it comes to percent compared to buying the “Stocking up on these essential kits as new Research and machinery maintenance and repairs individual parts. is a prudent move in terms of saving Technical Sales this summer. Michael Hampton, Lely’s turfcare money and making sure machines Manager for North of England & Toro’s MVP packs are conveniently parts manager, comments: “Toro’s operate at their full potential round Ireland. packaged into essential handy kits for MVP packs are designed with specific the clock, allowing you to stay on top As well as business development over 100 maintenance issues maintenance and repair issues in by keeping your machinery and customer support in his providing all the genuine Toro parts mind, whether it’s overhauling cutting performing consistently and regions, Phil will play a key part in needed to stay on top of scheduled units, replacing hydraulic hoses or constantly without the risk of Barenbrug’s UK research at its maintenance and quickly get your rebuilding rollers, they allow turf extended downtime.” Cropvale site in Worcestershire. Described as a veritable ‘packet of A keen golfer and ex- peace of mind’, Toro MVP packs greenkeeper, Phil joined Barenbrug make routine maintenance easy and in May 2016, from the Sports Turf hassle-free and even provide Research Institute (STRI) where he instructions on when to carry out looked at technology in the sector. maintenance depending on the Andy Walker, Field model and number of hours of use Support Manager for to avoid that easy temptation to run Dennis and SISIS, turf machinery harder and longer recently celebrated an without proper maintenance. impressive 40 years of For more information contact your working for the company. local Toro service centre or It all started back in 1976 when distributor Lely Turfcare’s Toro parts Toro’s MVP packs keeps machinery performing consistently and a fresh faced 16 year old, took a constantly without the risk of extended downtime department. . chance and strolled into the SISIS factory looking for a job – and the New fleet for re-energised club rest, as they say, is history. R&A Scholar LITTLEHAMPTON GOLF CLUB, aa promoted to first assistant in 2014, purchased three Jacobsen GP400 Peteris Sadovskis, situated close to the banks of the then shortly afterwards in 2015 was triplex machines; one fitted with tees originally from Latvia, River Arun on the south coast of again promoted to head greenkeeper units and the other two with 11-blade has won this year’s England, has purchased a fleet of new on a trial basis. Impressed with the greens cylinders, both with rear roller John Deere Jacobsen mowers from local way he stepped up and performed in brushes. We tried competitor sponsored SRUC Elmwood HNC Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Ernest this role, the club confirmed his machines, but none matched the Student of the Year Award. Doe and Sons Ltd. appointment in January this year. manoeuvrability of the GP400 on our Now living in Leven, Fife with The new fleet comprises of an Littlehampton is an 18-hole course, tees and some of the smaller greens. his wife Viktorija and two year old AR522 five-unit contour mower, three predominantly links in style, The swing-out centre unit is a real daughter Sophie, Peteris Sadovskis GP400 greens mowers, a Tri-King tees especially those holes that abut the bonus, especially when checking was judged the college’s best and surrounds mower and a Fairway English Channel coast with other height of cut and carrying out routine overall HNC Golf Course 405 seven-unit wide-area fairway holes taking on parkland maintenance. Another factor in our Management student for 2016. mower. characteristics. With wide, open purchasing decision is the service we Michael Mead is the head fairways a feature of the course, get from our dealer, Ernest Doe.” Horticulture trade greenkeeper and leads a team of four productivity is important and that’s The club is experiencing a charity Perennial has greenkeeping staff plus a part-time the prime driver behind the purchase renaissance following a period when appointed a new greenkeeper who works four hours a of the Jacobsen Fairway 405 mower. membership fell to 400. The Development day. He has been at the club since “The Fairway 405 is an excellent, appointment of a new secretary, Manager to focus on 2008, having moved along the coast highly productive mower; it really Graham Gain, two years ago has re- building relationships with the from Rustington, where he worked for gets us around the course ahead of energised the club and seen numbers sports turf and amenity sector. six years after leaving school. He was the members, he said. “We’ve also rise to more than 500 today. Vinny Tarbox began his role last month, working with sports grounds and clubs, grounds maintenance companies, contractors, manufacturers, distributors and trade organisations to create partnerships and promote awareness of the charity’s free and confidential services and encourage fundraising support. Head greenkeeper Michael Mead (centre) with his greenkeeping team and the new Jacobsen mowers.
6 JUNE 2016 www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk
NEWS Belton Park Golf Club opt for orange BELTON PARK GOLF CLUB, located electrical power system, in general, is in Grantham, Lincolnshire, have a huge advantage as it is fuel-saving; taken delivery of three Jacobsen there’s minimal noise and oil leaks Eclipse 322 hybrid mowers and two are a thing of the past. LF570 fairway mowers. The club was “The LF570’s are equally very good previously served by a competitor machines. They are extremely brand, but it has since chosen comfortable to work on and offer us a Jacobsen to maintain their course. lot of flexibility. Between the two The fleet of vehicles were delivered to machines we have purchased, they’re the golf club by their local Ransomes able to cut 13 and 14 fairways Jacobsen dealer, Burdens Group. respectively, using just five litres of One Eclipse 322 was purchased for Lee Carratt and his Greenkeeping team with Harvey Doughty and fuel. When you do the sums, it’s use on the tees at the 27-hole club, Burdens representative, Simon Thompson. astounding at how much money and the other two will be used on the greenkeeping team at Belton Park for machines on demo for four days prior you’re able to save which will allow greens. The tees machine is three- 17 years, joining straight from school to making a purchasing decision and us to invest these savings into other wheel drive and fitted with 7-blade after a spell of work experience and during that time, I was really projects around the course. cutting units, while the greens has been head greenkeeper for the impressed with the quality of cut that “We have had a brilliant working machines are fitted with 11-blade past three years. Lee is in charge of a both the LF570 and the Eclipse 322s relationship with Burdens for more cutting units and Jacobsen’s bi- team of nine including one dedicated produced. On the Eclipse, one thing than 10 years now and along with directional groomers, which help mechanic and one seasonal that I found particularly useful was Harvey Doughty, technical sales stand up the grass leaf for improved greenkeeper. being able to control and lock in manager at Jacobsen, we have been cutting performance. Commenting on the purchase of mow and transport speeds when the able to tailor the package to suit our Lee Carratt has been part of the the Jacobsen fleet he said: “I had the machines were out on the course. The requirements.” SUCCESSFUL DENNIS & SISIS SPRING MAINTENANCE SEMINARS DENNIS and SISIS have now completed a range of attendees including greenkeepers, companies who were on hand to discuss topics SISIS Cricket Groundsman Seminars since their UK tour of spring maintenance seminars, in volunteers and club secretaries, while the such as maintaining a playing surface, funding launch in 2011, it has been fascinating to see which groundsmen and greenkeepers received cricket focused seminars brought together support, how to choose the correct grass seed the growth of the events, together with the over 60 hours of education. groundsmen representing grass roots, schools, and fertiliser, pesticides and spraying and interest shown by the industry.” With sixteen seminars, covering the whole local clubs and international test venues. renovations on a budget. Dennis and SISIS support further sports turf of the UK, the seminars offered all attendees A great line-up of guest speakers and Vic Demain, head groundsman at Durham education wherever possible and as well as the chance to refresh their education on a industry experts including the ECB (England CCC, presented an entertaining and insightful hosting their own seminars throughout this variety of topics, meet other like-minded and Wales Cricket Board), the IOG (Institute of presentation entitled ‘A Groundsman’s Life’ at busy period, they also supported a number of individuals, share and gain knowledge and Groundsmanship), Bowls Scotland, Bowls the Emirates Riverside Stadium, and he was regional dealer events, Rugby Football Union learn best practices. England and the British Crown Green Bowling delighted to be a part of it. (RFU) Pitch Maintenance evenings and IOG The bowls seminars welcomed a wide Association, as well as other leading industry “Having been involved with the Dennis and regional events. TYM a big part of school’s masterplan ONE of the UK’s leading independent Nick tells us: “We were looking for schools, Oundle School in the well-equipped tractors that were quintessentially English market town mechanically robust with proven of Oundle, near Peterborough, has components and well thought out brought in three new TYM tractors to operator platforms. The two 50hp help with its ambitious Sports tractors replace a 1987 MF40E and Development MasterPlan. 1984 MF240. They will be used for The aim of the Sports Development heavy tasks such pulling three and MasterPlan is to ensure that there is five unit trailed gangs, spiking and sufficient provision and diversity of loader work.” high quality sporting facilities to cater With a major regeneration project for the School’s 1,350 pupils. Nick of the 11-acre Heron Rogers Wood Tebbs, Head of Grounds and Gardens also underway, these TYMs will be who has been at Oundle for 26 years, earning their keep ensuring this, the explains: “It is the intention to carry only woodland area within the parish out a drainage and levelling exercise Nick Tebbs, left, with Lely’s Stewart Jeffs. boundaries, remains a much-valued across all the school’s pitches over the nets have been built in an enclosure and football.” green space for the town not just the next few years. In support of cricket, with ten natural and ten artificial turf It was with these plans in mind that school. which along with rugby is played by practice strips. This runs alongside the the School decided to replace its old The regeneration of the wood, girls as well as boys, the School has development of two new Astroturf agricultural and industrial tractors which was left unmanaged for a recently built a new Cricket Pavilion, pitches, and when these are with two 50hp TYM T503s, both with number of years, will see the planting and the 1st XI outfield has been laser completed, the existing natural turf cabs and one with hydrostatic of 60% of major tree species such as levelled and drained. New practice hockey pitches can be used for rugby transmission, and a 35hp T353. oak, birch, cherry and sycamore.
www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk JUNE 2016 7
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Spanish gardener or industry pioneer..? Paul Burgess has achieved something of a legendary status among groundsmen – and it’s not hard to see why. In this exclusive and candid interview, he shares his thoughts on the state of Premier League groundsmanship, battling complacency, career highlights thus far, and why home truths are the key to improving standards and recognition….
3-part interview WHAT has been the biggest success in on Turf BusinessSee the TVfull have said. I have to be really careful.” your career? Learning how to handle the It’s a question we pose to Paul pressure of the press has been part of Burgess, Head Groundsman at Real the job for Paul, whose formal training Madrid C.F., in his back garden in extends to NVQ Level 3. The rest of Madrid. Fresh from preparing the pitch his education has been garnered for the Champions League Semi Final, L through experience, and from he takes his time before answering: the attending events to keep abreast with twelfth player. the latest technology and “Probably one of my biggest developments. successes in my career happened When looking at the state of when I was at Arsenal. Whenever you groundscare Stateside, Paul notes that asked for money for the grass, the there is a higher focus on education club’s attitude was, you want £20,000 than experience, and also that this Paul Burgess at home with only the Turf Business TV cameras to cope with. for something for the grass? It seemed balance tips the other way when crazy, and at the time, it was very the Steve move to head up the new But maybe my career would be better examining the groundsmanship in the difficult getting money to do things – venture, Paul took over his position as – would have been better – if I was UK. He’s also quick to add that and then I got the club to change the Head Groundsman at the stadium at able to do more public speaking. I experience is no substitution for mentality. I got the club to view the the tender age of 21. Today, Paul still have done well, but who knows innovation – an area in which Paul pitch as the twelfth player, and all of a counts Steve as a confidant, and can where it could have taken me – I believes there is substantial room for sudden when ‘he’ became a twelfth often be found on the phone to would surely be a bigger name.” improvement. player, £20,000 is like a two-minute industry figures such as Darren In Madrid, Paul need not be “I think the standards in the UK are wage for a superstar! Now, the Baldwin (a man he names as one of concerned with being a bigger name. good, but they could be a lot better. numbers made sense and from that the most “forward-thinking Throughout the course of our post- When I look at the Premier League for moment going forward, trying to get groundsman in the Premier League”) match outing, he’s stopped countless instance, I don’t see any progress; money for things became a lot easier. or Dave Roberts. times for photos with autograph- what I was doing in the Premier That mentality is now not only at He’s also frequently on Twitter (“It hungry fans. Far from being just “the League 10 years ago with regards to Arsenal, I think it is everywhere.” reminds people that I’m still alive,”), gardener” (there’s no equivalent term lights, nothing has changed. Nothing It isn’t the first success story he’ll and aside from keeping the lines of for groundsman in Spanish), Paul is a has moved on one bit in the last venture during our talk, an interview communication open with key turf standout star in his own right. And yet decade.” in which he also shares plenty of players back home, the social media despite having a team of 48 staff, he When speaking of lights, he is of strong opinions. Our discussions range platform also acts as a conduit still enjoys the practical side of the course referencing the time he from unsung glory to what constitutes between Paul and the press, as public job, and is often found marking the became the first groundsman in the a great groundsman, and of course his speaking has been something of a pitch lines himself – albeit warily world to buy lighting rigs for use on a move from Arsenal to Real Madrid in barrier to this relationship so far. when the media is around to watch. whole football pitch back in 2005, a 2009, a move that Arsène Wenger “No one gets more frustrated about “I have a camera on me at every feat for which he doesn’t believe he dubbed “the most amazing transfer that than me,” he says. “I think I have game following me around,” he says. receives the acknowledgement he during the window.” got a really nice story to tell. I am not “When I am speaking, I have to cover deserves. The investment set a new bar His career in groundsmanship scared of being asked a question that I my mouth because if I don’t, they for Premier League clubs, a home seemed destined from early doors, don’t know the answer to, because make up what I am saying and put truth he doesn’t shy away from. when at 14 years old and football- there are plenty of things I don’t know. subtitles, and usually it’s not what I “When I left Arsenal – and this is mad, Paul read an article on then- going to be painful for some Head Groundsman at Arsenal Steve groundsmen to hear, but I don’t care – Braddock. “I thought, that sounds Arsène Wenger said that I didn’t only quite interesting, so I went to school make the Arsenal pitch the best, but and said I wanted to do work that I improved every single pitch in experience as a groundsman at the Premier League by bringing in Blackpool FC.” lights. Suddenly we’d raised the bar His work experience lead to a and good wasn’t good enough – you summer job, and a permanent had to be really good.” position followed – before the Premier Other teams needed to react, and League beckoned. He joined Arsenal react they did. Tottenham bought at 18 years old, and when the lights. Manchester United bought development of the training site saw A Toro Procore at work at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. lights. Indeed any Premier League
10 JUNE 2016 www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk
“This stadium is iconic and Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world.” – Real Madrid ‘gardener’ Paul Burgess. team that wanted to compete with the frustration for Paul – one of many. me using him as an example,” says that stadiums will be used all year quality of his pitch soon made the Frustration rears it’s head again Paul. “Dave had been out of round that could present opportunities investment, and even though lighting when the subject of Britain being professional football for 15 years or so rather than challenges. rigs are now a standard feature in most home to the best groundsman is working at private school. Then, he One such opportunity could be to major stadiums, the fact that the first raised. In international eyes, Britain is comes back and walks into one of the work alongside the marketing lights were on Paul’s pitch is one he renowned worldwide for creating and top five jobs in the UK – he can do manager and presenting ideas for the feels is often overlooked. “I think I exporting the best groundsmen in the that because in the last 15 years, way the pitch could generate revenue. should have been recognised for that – world – Paul himself a prime example. everyone has been standing still. “If I owned a football club, the Head the only person who did was Wegner,” But the subject raises questions about “Would you get on an airplane Groundsman would be working in the he says. “It is a disappointment when I what the standard of being the “best” when the pilot hasn’t flown for 15 marketing department,” he says. look back on my career; I mean, I really entails. years? Would you have heart surgery if “After the club and the players, the sleep okay at night, but it would have “I think British groundsmen are the the doctor hadn’t operated for 15 most marketable thing in the football been nice to have some recognition best, but it can be a lot better – there is years? He’s been out of football for 10 club is the pitch.” Paul adds that for that.” no doubt about it,” he says candidly. “I to 15 years and is now one of the top groundsman are best placed to know But while things such as the get frustrated because I keep hearing two or three groundsmen in the game. if the pitch is capable of handling aforementioned lighting rigs or hosting we are the best – well, really if this is That, to me, tells me there has not another fixture – information the events can help drive groundsmanship the best, then I don’t think the rest is been much progress.” marketing team won’t necessarily have forward, other and altogether more that good. There is so much more we Paul’s passion for progress is unless told. It’s taking the initiative to common practices have in Paul’s mind can do, and especially in this day and tangible. He has made a great deal of breach these barriers in set the industry back. The primary age. We need to start having standards his own since arriving at Santiago communication that can help clubs – culprit? – virtually every industry in the world Bernabéu, namely through adapting to and ultimately the grounds teams Renovations. Where 15 years ago, has standards and in the turf industry, the fact that the venue is an events within them – reach new pinnacles of all groundsmen were doing their own it just seems to be, is it green or not? stadium rather than just a football success. renovations, outsourcing to contractors Things have to change.” stadium. Events are held on more or Speaking of success, we return to has become the norm. But while this In Paul’s view, an increased less a daily basis, and then Paul and the subject. Paul’s career as a may seem like a more efficient use of accountability will not only lead to the the team have two weeks before the groundsman and UEFA consultant has resources, could it be that forfeiting standards of groundsmanship being start of the season. presented many opportunities, and has the handling of this important part of amplified, but it will also improve the “Obviously at the beginning I didn’t enabled him to travel and enjoy pitch maintenance is putting perception of the job, and heighten like that at all, but it’s a good learning incredible experiences. In the weeks groundsmen at a disadvantage? the standards, recognition and rewards curve. At the end of the day, I cost following our interview, Real Madrid “I don’t think there are many that accompany it. If the pitch is the money, my department costs a lot of went on to win the Championship (groundsmen) that have the skillset or twelfth player, could this be an money, and they need to therefore League Final in a stunning match – an who want the responsibility to do their opportunity for the groundsman make money. When I look at the UK event Paul was at in a spectator renovations in-house,” says Paul. “The perhaps become the thirteenth? stadiums, I don’t see many profit- capacity. Surely this must be one of problem is that every groundsman It is indisputably the case that making green departments. many highlights in what has already wants that contractor in on the same technology and machinery has forged “They shut down their business for been an impressive career? day, which obviously can’t be done. ahead in the past 10 to 15 years – three months of the year – name “After seven years, I think my So these contractors are tearing everything from hybrid pitches to another industry in the world where career highlight is just walking into the around all these pitches trying to do aeration techniques along with turf they are only open for business nine stadium every day,” he says. “This them all, which means somebody is science as a whole has seen vast months of the year! It makes no sense. stadium is iconic and Real Madrid is getting their pitch renovated in improvement. However, for Paul, It doesn’t have to be pop concerts, it the biggest club in the world. I have conditions that aren’t ideal, because it these changes may have made things could be anything – it’s not my job to had many amazing days and nights, is not sunny every day of the week. easier for groundsman to the point that say what they should do, but these weekends here, and I think it would “You are gambling on that day the skills and knowledge required to pitches should make money and be wrong to dismiss one over having good conditions, and if it’s not use them may have slowed to a they’re not.” another…though I’ll tell you, my the result you want, you have to live standstill. Case in point, the length of While sites like Wembley and biggest highlight is really watching my with that renovation for the next 12 time a groundsman can be out of the Twickenham may have already two children speaking to each other in months.” game and return without being experienced life as a multipurpose Spanish! That is probably another The fact that a groundsman would hampered by a skills gap. venue, other stadiums throughout the highlight. Just being a part of this sooner gamble on their pitch than “I really rate Dave Roberts and he’s UK are not immune, according to wonderful club is an honour and a invest their own time is a source of a friend, so hopefully he won’t mind Paul. In fact, it is embracing the fact privilege.”
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Pitchmark chosen for Euro 2016 in France PITCHMARK, international suppliers the incredibly bright and durable of line marking paint and results it offers. This is especially equipment, have been chosen to important during tournaments like supply their products for the this as the eyes of the world will be European Championships 2016 in on the pitch. In particular it is vital France, where four of the five ‘home with goal-line technology, which is nations’ will be showcasing their also helped by the implementation talents alongside Europe’s elite. of Pitchmark’s LineFix socket system. Richard Hayden from Clive Mark said: “Education is Richardson Ltd, who are responsible important when it comes to line for organising pitch construction and marking. Our Eco System focuses maintenance throughout the on atomising high quality paint so tournament, approached Pitchmark. that each leaf of grass is covered, Mr Hayden said they had been giving the best visual results possible chosen because of their excellent with just a couple of litres.” reputation in the industry, as well as “I’ve come across many grounds their proven track record of where the staff are applying fifteen or supplying competitions like the twenty litres of paint for a pitch. The Confederations Cup 2013, World problem with this is that most of it Cup Brazil 2014 and European Pitchmark’s Mark Rodman (second left) demonstrates the Eco System at runs straight down into the soil, Super Cup Final 2015. the Stade Matmut Atlantique. which can damage the root system As a leading worldwide supplier, Stade Matmut Atlantique in small family business, our products, and can give inferior results. Pitchmark managed the quick Bordeaux, as well as the Stade expertise and customer service are Sometimes, less is actually more.” turnaround required of delivering Velodrome in Marseille. market-leading. We’re very proud!” Mark added. “We’re very much both paint and machines into all 10 Mark said: “We’re delighted to Pitchmark’s Eco System – looking forward to the tournament host stadia. Mark Rodman, have supplied our products to yet consisting of Ecoline+ ready-to-use now and keeping an eye on those Managing Director of Pitchmark, another high profile event. It proves paint, fine conical nozzles, and Eco lines!” flew out to help train staff at the that even though we are a young, spray markers – was chosen due to www.pitchmarkltd.com
LEICESTER CITY FC’S head busy schedule to host the day and groundsman, John Ledwidge, recently Schoolchildren learn give the children some heart-felt facilitated an IOG Young Board of advice: “I feel privileged to play my Directors’ ‘Schools into Stadia’ part at a successful sporting venue,” educational day at the club’s King a lesson at Leicester he said. “I’ve worked very hard to get Power Stadium, where he helped the where I am today and would IOG team to engage with a group of (IOG) Young Board of Directors – represented good use of educational encourage all students to find 15-year-old students to help them whose remit is to promote time and offered a great opportunity something you love to do and work better understand what’s involved in groundsmanship as a career choice to for the children to find out about hard to achieve your goals.” his day-to-day grounds management young people – and supported by the pitch preparation.” Would-be Will Graves, chair of the Young role. Board’s sponsor Toro, John was joined groundsman Joe Watkins, a student at Board and groundsman at Watford The 35 pupils from Leicester’s by members of the Young Board, who the school, said he loved the day. “It FC, added: “The event was a great Fullhurst Community College and The are also full-time groundsmen at was good to understand what success and one to build on as we Lancaster School had a ‘behind-the- sports facilities, plus IOG regional groundsmen do. I particularly like move the Schools into Stadia concept scenes’ snapshot of what it takes to pitch advisors. working with machinery and would forwards across the country. It’s been produce a world-class sports surface, Commenting on the event Reuben love to be a volunteer groundsman at great to see the kids and teachers so with practical insights into mowing, Walker, PE technician at The the King Power Stadium.” engaged and we’ve received some fertilising, pitch testing and stadium Lancaster School, said: “The day John Ledwidge took time out of his excellent feedback.” lighting. Leicester City’s grounds team Toro marketing manager, Holly are current holders of the IOG Jones, said: “To see the Young Board Professional Football Grounds Team of Directors pull together such a of the Year Award. fantastic learning experience to Linking grounds management skills demonstrate what an interesting and and procedures to school curricular rewarding career in groundsmanship subjects – such as maths, biology, can offer made us proud to be science and technology – the children involved as sponsors. The event also completed a comprehensive provided a genuinely rewarding questionnaire on what they had learnt experience for those who attended, from the day, and were given a tour of opening eyes and doors to what’s the pitch and stadium. possible within the industry with a bit Organised and hosted by members of hard work and dedication.” of the Institute of Groundsmanship’s The budding groundsmen with John Ledwidge at the King Power Stadium. www.iog.org
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ROBIN TAYLOR, a volunteer a wide range of equipment in groundsman for Grendon Rangers, a serving the professional ground care, FA Charter Standard Club, has sworn Trusting in Etesia sports, private estate and by his Etesia Hydro 100 for the last of great advantage to grass roots However, Robin doesn’t really homeowner turfcare markets. One of twenty-one years. In that time he has sports – not only does he tend to the have time to dwell on such feats; the company’s biggest selling brands picked up five awards and believes it main pitch but also the whole of the when he is not dedicating his spare is Etesia and Robin is certainly an is down to his trusty ride-on mower. recreation ground, the school sports time to maintaining the grounds for advocate. His pitch has played a large part in field and a nearby children’s park. It Grendon Rangers FC, he also finds “I use the Etesia Hydro 100 ride- ensuring that the club meets the FA therefore seems fitting that he has time to work for RT Machinery, on mower which is what I call my pyramid step 7 criteria. picked up five awards in his time as based in Aylesbury. right arm. It is so adaptable and I can Grendon Rangers FC boasts two groundsman – the most recent Recently awarded the 2015 UK do whatever I want as far as grass senior teams and six youth teams achievement being the runner-up Dealer of the Year Award in the cutting goes. It’s a work horse for me from Under 7’s upwards. It’s a good, Groundsman of the Year throughout Service Dealer Awards, this really and I use it for everything I do. successful footballing organisation Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. successful family run business offers “The cut is excellent – it is clean, for all ages, but arguably the club’s can cut to any length, and the star performer is Robin – who clippings come out the back of the dedicates up to 12 hours a week of machine without any loss of suction his spare time to ensure that players and it leaves the pitches nice and have a good pitch to play on. tidy,” said Robin. “My whole purpose in doing what “I chose the Etesia Hydro 100 I do is to have a nice level pitch that because if you are not careful you the players can play football on and can end up with a machine that only it has to be safe pitch – no divots, no does one job. The football club has big cracks and nothing that can hurt not got a lot of money to throw a player. We all have past-times and around and one of the biggest things mine is football. I enjoy maintaining when you are maintaining pitches the pitches and I enjoy watching as for a club such as this is to keep the well,” said Robin. overheads as low as possible.” Robin’s admirable enthusiasm is Robin Taylor (centre) with his awards and Hydro 100. www.etesia.co.uk.
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Research is key factor for The AMEX As Head of Grounds Maintenance at AMEX Stadium, Steve Winterburn played an integral part in bringing this impressive stadium to life. He tells Turf Business more about the journey from planning to development, prepping for the Rugby World Cup, and the as-yet elusive dream of preparing a Premier League pitch, which they missed out on in the end-of-season play-offs.
AMEX STADIUM – the home to team will have seven to eight weeks Brighton & Hove Albion – is a site in which to get the pitch grown back that cost an impressive £93 million to in. “We’ll be starting from scratch and develop over the course of three growing from seed; there’s always a years. slight risk when you completely strip
For Steve Winterburn, Head of L the pitch. You start to look at the Grounds Maintenance, the clock straight away. But unless development of the stadium was an something wayward were to happen, exciting opportunity – one of many we will be fine to get the pitch ready since his involvement in the club in time.” began as a consultant in 2001. He does add however that this Initially brought in to advise club year’s weather made the job of management on how to effectively tending to the pitch difficult, a invest in the pitch of then-home sentiment no doubt echoed by many grounds at Withdean Stadium, Steve Martin Smart in conversation with Steve Winterburn at The AMEX in the industry. “It’s been quite a Stadium – see it now on Turf Business TV. moved into the role of Head tough season for us as the autumn/ Groundsman at Falmer Stadium, became necessary to have the aspects have improved greatly which winter just gone was hard. Whether currently known as the American lighting rigs as part of the design to has helped keep it really interesting.” that’s a trend we’ll continue to see in Express Community Stadium. combat the lack of light we would Along the way to Brighton & Hove the future I don’t know, but certainly This, however, happened early on invariably have in the wintertime.” Albion, Steve garnered experience the weather this season did hinder in the process, at a time when they in The final plans included these working with multisport surfaces, our ability to work on the pitch at fact had no groundstaff and were lighting rigs, along with the roof, and preparing playing grounds for sports times.” using only contractors at Withdean. stands that could seat 30,750 including cricket, hockey, rugby and, Although the roof looks “It was my job to liaise between the spectators, and the stadium officially of course, football. translucent, no sunshine is allowed club and the contractors, which was opened on July 30th 2011, at which In the five years that have passed through, which means the pitch challenging because when you have point the club hosted a friendly since the opening of the stadium, the struggles to receive natural light in the that sort of set-up, you can go round against Spurs. It was one of many club has welcomed Sky Bet winter months regardless of the the houses quite a bit to achieve what proud moments for Steve, whose Championship League Football along weather. In fact, by mid-winter, Steve you need to achieve,” he says. varied experience played a pivotal with friendlies, U-21 football, estimates the pitch is covered by 99 In order to provide accurate role in delivering a pristine playing women’s fixtures and corporate per cent shade. This was one of the feedback, Steve embarked on surface. events. As the latter takes place just reasons why he put forth the need for research to see what current pitch His career in sports turf began with weeks after the end of the season, a a lighting rig system when the designs were like in the market and work on school grounds, and from well thought-out strategy is needed stadium was under construction, the how they were performing. “It was a there, Steve moved into golf when it comes to renovations. “The cost of which was incorporated into large information-gathering process greenkeeping for a few years. “I’ve club directors are very good, and do the overall build (Norwegian-built that culminated with me presenting always found the production of sports liaise well with me in terms of what MLR rigs were eventually chosen). to the club my thoughts on what surfaces very interesting, how you we can do on the surface and when,” Aside from weather and lighting would be the best solution for what can provide something that people says Steve. concerns, the environmental impact we wanted. We were able to address can play on and how you can make The most recent renovations got of the stadium was also very much at the issue of the roof design and shade them look aesthetically,” he says. underway June 1st, and once the forefront of his mind during the patterns, and from the research it then “Over the years the technical completed, Steve and the grounds planning stages. “When the stadium
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Although the roof looks translucent, no sunshine is allowed through, which means the pitch struggles to receive natural light in the winter months. was built, we went through a process can’t work at all. Then there’s the difference. “Having a good .tournament and the games would be of letting the local authorities know performance of course. I tend to try relationship with the manager is for televised worldwide, so there was a how we were going to carry out before I buy and speak to others who me up there as being one of the most bit of pressure on to get it looking as certain tasks like water management, have that equipment before making a important things in terms of being best it could for the cameras and and what our green waste policies decision.” able to my job properly,” he says. playing as best it could for the teams.” would be, and I think the stadium When asked to name a standout “The manager (Chris Houghton) With both games considered a itself, with it’s modern design, was investment, Steve names the Toro has to let me know what he requires, success, could more rugby be on the created to be as efficient as it could ProCore. “I think it’s a very robust and I need to feedback to him what cards for the club? For Steve, the be.” piece of equipment, and the work we are able to give him at certain possibilities for the stadium’s future As the demands on pitch rates are very high and the times of the year, such as when are endless – although there’s one in presentation and playability have performance is very good. Myself dealing with adverse weather particular for which he is especially increased, suppliers have been quick personally, I don’t think there’s conditions, for example.” hopeful. “I would love for the club to to respond with new advanced anything else in the market that can As the Rugby World Cup took make it into the Premiership and to cultivars being developed each year. touch that in terms of pedestrian place across England and Wales in have the chance to create surfaces for To rise to the challenge of creating aeration.” September and October of last year, Premier League football,” he says. “I a pristine surface, Steve uses seed In addition to working on the pitch two of the tournament’s 48 matches think that would be fantastic. We’ve mixtures from Barenbrug and Rigby at the AMEX, Steve and his team are were held at the AMEX Stadium. had the training ground for two years Taylor. “I think their cultivars have also responsible for overseeing In preparation, the groundsmen now, and I think there’s scope for rated very highly, and I’ve used them grounds maintenance at the club’s involved in the World Cup at various development there still as well.” for many years now,” he says, adding training facility in Lancing, West venues went to Twickenham to spend To help with this development, that they conducted trials on their Sussex. There is a team of three at the time with seasoned RFU Head Steve is a firm believer in finding time own grounds before making a stadium, one supervisor and two Groundsman Keith Kent, receiving to keep up to date with changes and decision. groundsman, while a team of 10 staff advice on how to ready the pitches to improvements to products in the Steve has what he calls a “variety (eight groundstaff and two host such large-scale international industry to see how these can better of machinery in the armoury” to care supervisors) tend to the training matches. The AMEX Stadium was to his facilities both in Lancer at and for the grounds at both stadium at the grounds. welcome South Africa vs. Japan and AMEX Stadium. “It’s hard to factor in training facilities, with equipment Day to day duties encompass Samoa vs. USA, but beyond seeing everything you want to in the from Toro and Ransomes Jacobsen to caring for a mix of synthetic and the effects of a trial run rugby match working week, but when I can, I the forefront. natural surfaces along with an indoor in the spring, Steve was unsure of certainly like to focus on research to There are for Steve a number of pitch, and though Steve’s main office how the pitch would perform. see what I can do for us. aspects that factor into the decision is at the training grounds, his time is They had football on the Tuesday Communication in the industry is when selecting machinery, such as firmly split between both sites. This night, then rugby practice (Captains very important; some of the health and safety. “You have to be enables him to have a strong Runs) on the Friday and the two governing bodies want to achieve a mindful of operator’s regulations relationship with both teams, but he matches on Saturday and Sunday. “It uniform level of surface to a very regarding things like noise levels, is quick to add that there is a was a reasonably quick turnaround high standard, and I think the more emission levels, and vibration levels,” relationship with one club individual considering the occasion,” he says. we communicate our ideas, the he says. “If you can’t work safely, you in particular that can really make all “We knew it was a massive better the results will be.”
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Cambridge Utd groundsman’s twelfth man THE turf industry is bristling with and we don’t have the flexibility of dedicated, innovative and passionate lighting rigs. With RPR we’ve seen a professionals, so receiving the IOG massive improvement in areas that Groundsman of the Year Award – five were previously very thin. times in one career – isn’t something “Seven weeks after germination, easily topped. we played our first friendly against Except that, Ian Darler, Head Ipswich Town. The Cambridge team Groundsman at Cambridge United manager declared the pitch excellent. has also just received the Institute of Amazingly, there wasn’t a divot on Groundsman’s Award for National the surface. Considering such a short Unsung Hero—the first one ever window of growth, RPR Stadium presented. really showed its pedigree.” We caught up with Ian to learn his Ian has another trick up his sleeve, secrets to success. Ian says: “I feel in the form of BAR 50 SOS. He says: honoured to have won the awards, “I call it my twelfth man. During the Ian has spent almost £30k of his own money maintaining the pitch. but also very grateful to the other 2009-10 season the playing surface members of my staff over the years a minimal budget. There just hasn’t into the top 100mm of the playing started to show signs of wear due to who have assisted me to make this been the cash available to spend on surface. A.T Bones won the contract poor weather and volume of games possible. The groundsmen in this the pitch over the years. But we’ve and set about stripping the surface and training sessions, I had a visit country – in my opinion – are some always worked hard to ensure the turf with a koro, and then cultivating and from the Barenbrug representative, of the best in the world and what is is at its most playable.” adding 360 tonnes of fibre sand who told me about this incredible great is that they all offer support and When asked ‘how’, Ian waxes concentrate. We had only one non- new fast germinating seed in cold advice to each other.” lyrical: “The one common negotiable to the process – that the weather. Again, I had a degree of Ian has been a groundsman for 40 denominator over the years has been seed must be Barenbrug’s RPR disbelief, but gave it a try. years and at Cambridge for 37. He our use of Barenbrug seed. We’ve Stadium. “We reseeded areas of wear in continues: “When I joined, I was the used nothing else for 12 years. First When asked why, Ian says with January. Temperatures were low, but youngest Head Groundsman at a time was a case of ‘oh, let’s give it a conviction: “Because I’ve yet to see to my amazement we still had rapid professional club in the UK. try’ never imagining it would make anything with faster establishment. germination. The surface soon looked Cambridge United were playing in much of a difference. But once we The speed of coverage is exceptional. completely re-established and by the the old Division One league, now made the swap, we never looked RPR Stadium also produces a dense end of the playing season it looked as known as the Championship.” back.” sward and has an outstanding colour, it did at the start of a brand new In four decades, Ian has spent Ian continues: “During the close while maintaining a good strong root. season. Simply outstanding and, for almost £30k of his own money season of the 2014-15 season, the It’s proved to be very successful in the my benefit, an award winning pitch. maintaining the pitch – from club made a commitment to have shaded areas of the playing surface, “I think we were one of the first materials to machinery – and his low cost part reconstruction carried too. clubs to use it and again that year we loyalty and generosity to the club has out to the playing surface. We made “Even though we have a small won groundsman of the year. There’s seen it through tough times. the decision to have Mansfield Sands stand, we have areas that are pretty no higher praise than that.” He says: “We’ve achieved a lot on fibre sand concentrate ameliorated muchl in the shade most of the day – www.bar50sos.co.uk
THE Keepmoat Stadium is a multi- purpose stadium – home to Doncaster Rovers FC, Doncaster Johnsons delivers Rugby League FC and Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Team. quick fix for Donny With games coming thick and fast, Head Groundsman Jim Davison is Cantley Park. “The maintenance is plan of using tetraploids,” explained mindful that grass cover needs to be ‘full-on’ for my team of 4 guys with Jim, “and they’ve worked a treat!” kept as close to 100% as possible – John Hughes acting like an extra pair The Stadium is a regular user of but was finding that by October each of arms – always at the end of the Johnsons J Premier Pitch for his year it was starting to struggle. phone if we need him! With the renovation work and didn’t want to Jim turned to John Hughes, of budget we’ve got, we have to work move away from what they knew DLF’s Johnsons Sports Seed, for hard to create a pitch that keeps the worked. In view of this John Hughes Jim Davison. advice. players, fans and the media happy. recommended they use Double and The main pitch at the stadium is a By not having soil heating or lights Fabian for overseeding later in the wear areas of the stadium pitch to re- desso system, meaning it’s harder we’re very much dependant on the season as it is known for its very introduce tetraploids slowly but wearing and allows teams to perform weather being kind to get the results good wear tolerance and rapid surely – we’ve had success every 3-4 times a week. Outside there are we want, but starting off with the germination at lower temperatures. time. It’s an extra tool in our box 2 pitches used by academies; a full right product is the first step. Jim again, “It delivered the dense moving forward, I know we can use size, newly-refurbished 3G pitch; 4 Therefore, when we asked John sward ‘quick fix’ we were after and, it whenever we need to regain grass full size pitches and a training area about improving our grass cover ever since October, we’ve been cover.” at their nearby training ground over winter he came up with the using it little and often on the main www.johnsonssportsseed.co.uk
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THE end of the playing season including an easy arc, true trajectory signals the start of the renovation Replace or update to and ratcheting riser. So performance season for stadium groundsmen the was never going to be an issue. It length and breadth of the country. adds to the mix, though, a focus on Along with preparing the pitch for Infinity sprinklers maintenance and is designed to take maintenance work, now is the time account of the reality of stadium to decide whether to replace or update the irrigation system, Infinity such as increased efficiency, for maintenance. Therefore there’s no update the perimeter sprinklers, too. 55 sprinklers carry on evolving with which Toro is renowned, says more digging, no further damage to Choosing Toro’s Infinity 55 the stadium’s requirements, because distributor Lely Turfcare’s Toro the turf and no external components sprinklers with Smart Access means Infinity is built for flexible expansion, Irrigation sales manager, Robert vulnerable to damage.” choosing easy maintenance and not replacement. Jackson: “The Infinity Series has the Furthermore, nozzle flexibility and flexible expansion. The patented In terms of performance, Infinity same impressive, proven features as the choice between full- or part- Smart Access design means every 55 still has all the quality benefits, the Toro 800S and DT Series, circle models provides fast, firm and serviceable element – big or small, uniform coverage. mechanical or electrical – is easily Designed with a firm eye on the accessible from the top of the unit, future, Toro has made all the internal using just a screwdriver. components ‘forwards compatible’. It means an end to digging out the So enhancing the sprinkler with new sprinkler for repair and servicing and and improved, or redesigned or consequent damage to the turf or the upgraded systems and replacement surrounding areas and the time- parts over time, is not only possible, consuming repair work needed to but easy, quick and economical. And make good; with Toro Infinity everything is backwards compatible, sprinkler servicing has never been too, for retrofit stadiums. easier season after season. Toro really has thought of Ideal for perimeters, choosing everything with the Infinity Series – Infinity 55 sprinklers also means there’s even the option to brand the choosing flexibility. As technology sprinklers with clubs’ own logos. advances or decisions are made to Choose Infinity sprinklers for easy maintenance and flexible expansion. www.lely.com
HEAD groundsman at the Principality the flexibility it offers – you can Stadium in Cardiff, Lee Evans claims simply change a cassette as opposed that the Dennis G860 is the ‘perfect ‘Just perfect’ for the to buying a new machine. They are machine’ for him and his staff. so reliable and seem to go forever. Since opening in June 1999, the Principality Stadium They also give a great cut, they are Principality Stadium (formerly known light and they leave an excellent as the Millennium Stadium) has previously been using.” interchangeable cassette system, stripe behind them.” welcomed, on average, over 1.3 The Dennis Premier is available in giving options to fit a variety of heads In fact, Lee thought that they were million visitors per year. It has played 30” and 36” cutting widths. A three including scarifiers, verticutters, so good that he ended up purchasing host to two Rugby World Cups section rear roller and steering brake brushes, spikers, and slitters as well as three of them so that all three of the including the final in 1999, three make it easy to manoeuvre giving an 6 or 8 bladed cutter cassettes, the grounds staff could have one each. Wales Grand Slam successes in the excellent stripe and rolling G860 is relied upon in stadium “Leading up to a game, when we RBS Six Nations, six FA Cup Finals characteristics. Complete with a large environments all over the world – want to get a first class finish and and also witnessed a multitude of diameter front roller with adjustable and Lee hasn’t looked back since. stripe, we will introduce the Dennis concerts with some of the world’s scraper, for precise height of cut , the “I had heard a lot of good things G860’s. After starting with the G860’s leading artists in the music industry. machine is easy to adjust on both about the G860 so I trialled one to we then take hardness readings with Since embarking on his role twelve sides with the use of a single spanner. see what it was like and I was really our Clegg hammer and if the pitch years ago, head groundsman Lee has Lee purchased two Dennis impressed. It’s basically a multitude of requires firming up a little bit more seen most of these events take place. Premiers and soon added to his machines in one which is great and for any reason we use the Premier. With an impressive CV, including collection after seeing the Dennis saves you a lot of time.” Immediately after the game we then roles at Fulham and Aston Villa, it is G860 in action. Featuring an “The best feature on the G860 is return to the G860 with the brush safe to say that he knows how to get cassette to clear away any debris.” the very best out of a playing surface. “Aside from match day preparation Therefore, when Lee started his we also use the G860 with the sorrel position at the Principality Stadium roller cassette in between games he knew exactly what turf because it helps keep the surface maintenance equipment he needed. open and prevents algae from “I’ve been using Dennis mowers forming. We even use it pre-season for as long as I can remember but and prior to overseeding – just to get when I first came here we didn’t have even more holes in the surface to let any – so I soon changed that. the seed in.” Obviously there were other machines “Overall it’s a fantastic piece of kit available but I preferred the Dennis and is perfect for us here,” said Lee. Premier machine which I had All three grounds staff at the Principality Stadium has their own G860. www.dennisuk.com
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Dennis pitch perfect for 2,000 students BOB CARDER, head of grounds at change heights all the time. So now Stamford Endowed Schools in when we repair a pitch we’ve got the Lincolnshire, has praised his range of option of simply putting a cassette in Dennis mowers for helping him keep to suit the job. In particular, I love on top of a busy work schedule. using the verticutter cassette for the Stamford Junior School, Stamford finish it provides – the presentation is High School (girls) and Stamford just fantastic.” School (boys) are all part of the elite As Bob says, the Dennis FT510 is Stamford Endowed Schools. The an interchangeable cassette cylinder diamond structured schools provide mower giving users options to fit a tailored and personalised twelve different heads including education at every level. scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, Bob, who has been at Stamford Bob Carder and his team with his trusted Dennis machines. spikers and slitters as well as 5 or 10 Endowed for eleven years, has a tennis court in the summer, two “We cut all the cricket squares blade cutting cassettes. certainly played his part in meeting cricket squares and a synthetic with the Dennis G760 at 12mm and The FT510 and G760 mowers the required criteria. With close to cricket pitch. This is in addition to then with the Dennis FT510 we take assist Bob in a range of tasks across a 2,000 pupils playing multiple sports the facilities on offer at the girls’ them down to 8mm. Following that variety of sports turf and the Dennis on a regular basis, Bob knows all too school and the junior school. we then use a scarifier or verticutter Razor Ultra 560 provides him with well that the facilities must be of the To help Bob keep on top his turf cassette before taking them down even more versatility. The machine highest quality to ensure the safety maintenance operations he chooses further to 5mm. The Dennis has a 560mm (22”) cutting width and well-being of the students. to use a range of Dennis mowers machines really do complement one and incorporates many key features The schools boast 45 grass areas which includes two Dennis FT510’s, another and the interchangeable including an 11 bladed cutting for various sports. At the boys school a G760 and a Razor Ultra 560. Each cassettes make everything easier.” cylinder, an ultra-short wheelbase for alone there are seven rugby pitches, machine plays a key part in Bob’s “We went for the interchangeable undulating greens, tungsten tipped four of which are transformed into turf maintenance programme and cassette system of the FT510 groomer, click height adjusters and football pitches in March, a sand are used in conjunction with one because there’s nothing worse than stub free transport wheels. based hockey pitch, which turns into another, as Bob explains. fiddling around and having to www.dennisuk.com
GETTING the fragile heathland back of the Grillos lies in their unique to today’s condition after years of Heather care system versatility. “They are fantastic decline hasn’t been easy or quick. machines that are easy to use – Trees that have blocked lifegiving quick, light and highly light have had to be been thinned, for The Berkshire manoeuvrable to get into the invasive rhododendrons and grass woodland areas that we have have been removed, and drainage which can be raised to a height of gone into decline because of lack of cleared. Added to that, we can use has been improved. 210cm, a 44hp diesel engine and a woodland management and invasion them to collect leaves and to cut Courses Manager Ian Morrison turning radius of just 62 cm. by rhododendrons, but now we are rough and steep areas that we reckons that the regeneration of the With a 30-year greenkeeping all making a really big push on it. couldn’t handle previously.” habitat is about half done – but the career which has included spells at “It’s an important habitat but it is The heather care regime includes success is already very evident. The Troon, Wentworth and West Hill also essential to the character of a spraying in February to keep the 88-year-old Ascot club has invested (Surrey) golf courses, Ian knows a course like this one and to the grass out. Areas that have been via Lister Wilder in not one but two good bit about the challenges that go defensive challenges that it poses to overly invaded by grass or bushes Grillo FD2200 out-front mowers with heather and was particularly golfers.” He adds: “We have made are then scraped clean for re- with specialised decks to cut and involved in the regeneration good progress over the past three seeding, some of which utilises brash collect the heather. campaign at the latter. years and the look of heathland has collected from the previously cut With one Grillo to tackle each of “The Berkshire is one of the truest started to come back. We know what heather by the Grillo’s high capacity the two Herbert Fowler designed of all heathland courses in this area works now and we are much more 1,200-litre boxes. courses, the greenkeeping team can because it has so much heather,” says protective of it.” With the regeneration and tree hit the cutting job hard each Ian. “Here, as elsewhere, heather has Ian says that the great advantage clearance work really now showing September/October – and reduce the its benefits, Ian is delighted to see time it takes from two months to two the topography of the two classic weeks. The machines can then earn courses coming through and their their keep beyond exercising their true character shown to best effect. capability to collect leaves. “You get a real buzz when the And if, as Ian hopes, ‘wander’ heather is looking its best,” he says. hoses are connected to Grillo’s deck “We have members who didn’t think for the future, it will also be possible it would be possible to regenerate it, to clear ditches and further assist the and it is great that they are now drainage effort. The top-of-the-range commenting on how successful we FD220 has permanent 4WD drive, an have been.” out-front cutter deck, a grass catcher The club has invested in not one but two Grillo FD2200 out-front mowers. www.listerwilder.co.uk
18 JUNE 2016 www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk
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Solar farm mowing attachment from STM STM CO LTD in Warwickshire have a PV unit, utilising a swing-out head. been dealers for the Humus range of This swing-out head features a grasscare machinery for many years, sensor to move it back out of the with the spiral “Safety Cut” mulching way when it reaches any part of the head being an outstanding and frame structure. award-winning product. To explain how the cut width Humus have specialised in works out, an AFLR1800, for machinery for cutting grass in the example, cuts 1.4m with the swing fruit growing areas, and the required out head in, 1.76 with it out, plus the maintenance under tree branches facility to move the whole unit has lead to the development of the laterally 1.6m. AFLR unit for maintaining grass There are two larger units – the under solar farm PV units. AFLR2300 (1.83-2.39 with 2.33m The attachment acts like a rear- sideshift) and the AFLR2500 (1.93- mounted mowing deck with three 2.56 with 2.49 sideshift), and available cut sizes of 1.40m, 1.83m minimum power requirements are and 1.93m, with the addition of side 20HP, 35HP and 40HP respectively. shift to position the head well under www.st-mach.com
ROYSTON GOLF CUB, located on his own unique style really showed the Cambridgeshire and what the Spider was capable of, and Hertfordshire border close to the Spider solves health we were suitably impressed” Ian A505, has taken delivery of a added. “Following the demo, I had Ransomes Spider 1 remote to compile a detailed report for the controlled mower from their local and safety issues committee and Natural England to Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Ernest four-wheel steering, looked to be a built and it also gave us the show how and where we would use Doe & Sons Ltd. better alternative, so he approached opportunity to view the Spider. We the machine. I quickly highlighted Royston Golf Club was Andy Rice, Ernest Doe Area Sales quickly decided that a demo on site 16 banks that were a health and established in 1892 and was formed Manager and made him aware of his was needed.” safety risk. In addition, there were a by two gentlemen from the requirements. The demonstration was took place number of other banks that would Cambridge University Golf Union. Following a visit to the Ransomes late in 2015 and was attended by the have been grazed by sheep, but this The golf course is set out on factory to view the Spider, Ian greenkeeping team, committee has happened less and less over the common land, known locally as commented: “This was an excellent members and representatives from years, so these needed maintaining Therfield Heath, which is a Site of visit and we were so impressed by Natural England to ensure all parties as well”. Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the working factory and facility at could evaluated how the The committee and Natural renowned for its flora especially wild Ipswich. This was a real eye opener performance of the Spider. England agreed with Ian’s findings orchids. for me and the greenkeeping team; “Jason Bristow from Ransomes and gave him the go ahead to Course Manager Ian Coote, who we were able to see products being brought his demo unit along and in purchase the Spider. Early in 2016, has been at Royston since 2007, Andy Rice and Jason Bristow works closely with Natural England delivered the Spider and carried out to manage the course and ensure a full installation training course with that the SSSI status is maintained. the Royston greenkeeping team. Numerous discussions and meetings Ian concluded sayin: “We have took place prior to the purchase of had the Spider for a few weeks now the Spider, due to the sensitive and it has done a lot of work already. nature of the site. We have one bank alongside the first “We have huge areas of banks that fairway that was taking four staff, require managing as much as the three weeks to cut and clear. The rest of the course and cutting these Spider managed to do this in just five has become more and more of a hours. I was amazed at its speed, so problem with the current health and this machine won’t take long to pay safety laws and the sensitivity of the for itself. I would recommend the site, so I was tasked with finding a Spider to any course that is having solution,” he said. issues cutting steep banks. It has His research found that most revolutionised our operations here at remote controlled mowers on the Royston; it is saving us time and market run on tracks and he had real money, but more importantly we concerns that these would damage have eliminated a real health and the grass banks and the flora that safety issue from our day-to-day flourishes at Royston. The Spider, work.” which uses four-wheel drive and The Ransomes Spider in action at Royston Golf Club. www.ransomesjacobsen.com
20 JUNE 2016 www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk
JOHN DEERE’S new Tango E5 Series intuitive controls make it simple to II robotic mower is designed to make Tango – the ultimate set the mowing schedule to suit you, life easier by maintaining your and to change it whenever you want. grassed areas automatically, in Tango is also extremely quiet, so late sunshine or rain, and at any time you in effortless turfcare night or early morning mowing choose. You’ll never have to mow won’t disturb anyone. the grass yourself again. that only the mower’s owner can use straight back into the lawn as a The mower’s special recessed This next generation mower it. Safety during operation is also valuable fertiliser. The result is a blade cuts swiftly and cleanly. It’s features a new operator interface guaranteed; the blade stops perfect lawn with no clippings to durable and will mow throughout and smarter navigation technology, automatically when the mower is dispose of and no trace of them left the season without losing its edge. so it’s even simpler to operate and tilted or lifted up, or comes into on the grass. A tidy-up lap around The height of cut is adjustable from produces consistently excellent contact with any obstacles. the boundary keeps all the edges 19 to 102mm (¾ to 4in) and is easily results. A robotic mower cuts more neat. changed by rotating the blade Tango mows in a random pattern frequently than a conventional Programming the Tango E5 Series protection shield. within a boundary wire that’s easy to mower, and the grass clippings go II is easy. A large display screen and Slopes and inclines are no install and is virtually invisible. It’s problem for Tango, and an optional also easy to move if you change your New John Deere Tango Series II Traction Kit enables it to master hills garden layout. As the mower moves robotic mower. with a gradient of up to 36 per cent around the lawn, its navigation (depending on the layout and sensors detect the boundary wire, as ground conditions). well as any obstacles, and it turns The Tango E5 Series II sets off automatically. L slowly, building up gently to its full Tango uses a lithium-ion battery speed. This helps to reduce turf wear that delivers enough power to cover and the risk of slipping on wet grass areas up to 2200m² (about half ground. In more challenging an acre). The robotic mower knows conditions, the speed can be when it’s time to recharge and heads reduced if required, for smoother for the docking station automatically. operation. The PIN-protected display ensures www.JohnDeere.co.uk
Sales with Service GRILLO HEATHER-CARE SYSTEM BOOK YOUR DEMO TODAY
Contact our Reading branch for further details and to book your demonstration! 01189 884888 White House Farm, Spencers Wood, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1HR
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Exciting times ahead for Devonshire Park Known to most as the home of the Aegon International Eastbourne tournament, Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club is set to undergo an impressive £40 million redevelopment plan. Turf Business spoke to Head Groundsman Danny Negus about what’s in store, and learnt more about caring for the courts at this historic grass court venue.
WHITE lines marking the first tennis March, and it’s one he’s ready to meet which are practice courts. assumption,” he says. “Events are not court at the Devonshire Park Lawn with keen anticipation. “Having There are a further three practice government funded, so there is Tennis Club were painted in 1880, already been here for ten years, I’m courts at a training site in Mead, pressure for them to generate with the park opening doors to the looking forward to new challenges,” about a mile and a half away from the revenue. But I have to say in general public for the first tournament a year he says. “I’ve worked really hard to grounds, and then there is the care of as a local authority site, we are very later. get to the point where I can have this infrastructure for which Danny and well supported, because it’s fully Now, more than 130 years on, the opportunity, so I’m very much the team are also responsible. understood how important tennis is to grounds that have affectionately been looking forward to it.” “There’s one and a half hectares of the town and in general for tourism.” billed as “tennis town” by the club Danny’s career in sports turf began fine turf here, and then you have all Tournaments like the Aegon chairman have become a veritable over 20 years ago at Willingdon Golf the amenity and shrub areas, so that International Eastbourne are of course staple of the grass court season. Club, a local club with whom he still includes things like flower beds and important to players on the WTA Tour, Tennis gets underway when club enjoys a strong relationship today. borders,” he says. Charged with too. For many, the tournament is members begin arriving in April, with Indeed, many nearby sites come caring for this landscape are three billed as a ‘warm-up’ to Wimbledon, “pay-as-you-play” also available to together to help each other and full-time ground staff, with two but for Danny, having his courts used the public. nurture the development of each summer hands providing extra for such prestigious preparation This precedes tournaments such as respective sport. support as the season begins in April. doesn’t eclipse their event – if the Aegon Trophy Series, which then “We are very lucky – because “As a team we’re very lucky, anything, it elevates it. “Wimbledon leads into the biggest non-Grand Eastbourne is quite a small place, because two of us have a background is unarguably the biggest Grand Slam Slam event in the world, the Aegon there are quite a few local golf in golf. Because we have a small in the world, so if players choose International Eastbourne. This is of courses and colleges with whom we team with a small budget, that Eastbourne as their venue to get ready course the club’s most famous fixture, have wonderful relationships,” he encourages you to learn things like for the big Championships, I view and for players on the women’s tour, says. “We all pull together at times of irrigation and mechanical skills so that as a positive not a negative it’s the prelude to The Championships need, because without that, you that we are well-equipped with a thing.” at Wimbledon. wouldn’t get anywhere. I like to think multitude of skills to take care of While players prepare for Though the grounds themselves that we’re lucky, and that we as an things in-house.” Wimbledon, Danny and the team may be synonymous with the industry are lucky when it comes to Devonshire Park is owned and must prepare the courts, which International (perhaps better known that.” operated by the local authority – so means ensuring a consistent level of to many as simply “Eastbourne”), the The court best known to spectators does this mean Danny and his team play across all of them. The many fixtures that take place here is the Stadium Court, which alone has are playing with less in the way of preparation of these courts ultimately have kept Head Groundsman Danny a capacity of 8,000 people. However, budget compared to their starts the second the current season Negus busy for 11 years. work doesn’t stop here – there are a compatriots? ends; as soon as the renovation This season will be his first in the total of 12 courts on site, eight of “Without knowing everyone’s progress gets underway, plans are put role since taking up appointment in which are match courts and four of budgets, I think that’s a fair in place for the following year.
The court best known to spectators at Devonshire Park is the Stadium Court, which alone has a capacity of 8,000 people.
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“All courts should play the same, He attends SALTEX each year and so if you’re practicing on court ten, by readily reads industry publications to the time the player goes over the keep on top of new developments – Centre or Court One, rightly so they something that will no doubt serve need to be able to feel that the courts him well as the grounds undergo a are performing the same way.” historic transformation… During renovations, roughly 70 per L Looking to the future and cent of the vegetation is removed, beginning in July, a £40 million following which the team begins redevelopment plan will commence reseeding and topdressing. One of on the complex, with completion Danny’s first decisions after his scheduled for 2020. This will see the appointment in March (made with introduction of a new show court, the help of his team) was to switch to complete with a ring beam to allow 100 per cent rye grass. This change in for a full inflated court cover, along The new Head Groundsman at Devonshire Park, Danny Negus. seed mix came ultimately came with the removal of two exhibition down to the fact that the game itself coast also allows for good air That is our hardest challenge out halls that will be transformed into has evolved. movement,” adds Danny. there on the field.” practice courts. “Over the years, things have “At times, we can be anywhere Another headache is the removal For Danny, his appointment as increased and improved in the realm from three to four weeks ahead of of the temporary stands that are Head Groundsman during such an of tennis as a sport, and so too should other places in terms of growth.” erected to seat 1,500 spectators for exciting period of growth could not the surface,” says Danny. “The days of This doesn’t mean that the grounds the International, with 176 supporting have come at a better time, as this using fescue are behind us – it’s just are without their challenges, pads that basically kill the grass will be the club’s first major no longer up to the standard. That’s however. Court One can receive underneath over the two week redevelopment in twenty years. why the decision has been made to shadow in certain times of the year period – it’s best not to look as Danny “The show court being built is switch to rye and so far it’s looking for example, which can present issues and his team would be reduced to designed to the same spec as those at very good indeed.” pertaining to dew build-up that can tears! the All England Club, or Devonshire Park’s idyllic location delay play. To try and negate that, While he cites the Toro ProCore as Championship Courts, so it’s a really on the coast puts Danny at an Danny and the team moves the being a favourite piece of kit, Danny wonderful opportunity to be involved advantage when it comes to a whole court as westerly as possible notes that the best investment he has and oversee something like this,” he growing factor with which all within the allowable parameters. made for his team thus far is the Turf says. groundsman grapple – the weather. Another key challenge is the quick Keeper software package. “I cannot “It’s a new part of Devonshire Weather fronts move easterly, and turnaround time between the recommend it strongly enough, Park’s evolution, and for me the peninsula of the beach pushes the International and the counties. especially to anyone looking to move personally, to be the groundsman rainfall north, which means the “You’re producing a living surface, into the industry or to move forward here – well, something like this grounds escape some of the more a living court that’s to be played on. within the industry,” he says. ‘Moving doesn’t happen very often. You can punishing weather that last year befell Once you get to the International and forward’ seems to be a common look back and be a part of history; venues further inland. “As far as once all the infrastructure has gone, theme for Danny, who is passionate that for me makes me very proud growing conditions go, we’re the you’ve go two weeks to get about ongoing education and personally, and I know the team are sunniest place in the UK, and the everything ready for the counties. training. very proud, too.” It’s advantage to Johnsons Sports Seeds DLF SEEDS are at the forefront of in the BSPB close mown and lawn varietal breeding and production. trials. Perfect for high quality tennis Over the years, they have introduced courts, J Premier Wicket is now several market leading cultivars available with Johnsons Sports Seeds’ across the many sports mixtures they new 4G seed coating, ProNitro to produce. maximise establishment. For tennis courts, the vast majority Commenting on the developments, of groundsmen are turning to DLF Regional Technical Manager perennial ryegrass mixtures due to the John Hughes said: “The latest improved cultivars of this species Johnsons varieties have exceptional becoming available over the last shoot density and fineness of leaf. decade. Within the Johnsons Sports These characteristics are combined Seed range, there are 2 main mixtures with rapid establishment and high from their portfolio, popular with wear tolerance. They are also tennis clubs; J Intense and, perhaps independently assessed at mowing unconventionally, J Premier Wicket. rapid estiablishment with high shoot considered as a cricket square heights down to 4mm. Using these A new mixture for 2016, J Intense density and wear tolerance. It is also renovation mixture, has a new 2016 specialist mixtures, composed of the makes for an ideal overseeding renowned for its rapid regrowth from formulation consisting of a 4 cultivar best varieties, will help the court to mixture. Containing 50% Dickens wear, making it ideal for overseeding mixture; 20% Clementine, 40% cope with the unique challenges and 50% Chardin Perennial on the high wear areas on the court. Dickens, 20% Chardin and 20% posed by modern lawn tennis.” Ryegrasses, J Intense is formulated for J Premier Wicket, more frequently Monroe. All varieties are highly listed www.johnsonssportsseeds.co.uk
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Service is the cornerstone for Fairways Delivering local service on a national scale is the mantra which drives Scottish-based Fairways GM. With a history dating back to John R Stutt in 1919, Fairways established the Ransomes Jacobsen dealership in Scotland in 2004 and has weathered the economic storms of the past few years with impressive resilience.
DELIVERING local service on a Despite the very challenging national scale is the mantra which market conditions affecting the drives Scottish based Fairways GM. industry over recent years, Fairways With a history dating back to John R has consistently invested in all areas Stutt in 1919, Fairways established of its business, from facilities and the Ransomes Jacobsen dealership staff to training and development. in Scotland in 2004 and has The company has four depots weathered the economic storms of strategically located across Scotland the past few years with impressive with 13 service vans and 15 service resilience. staff ensuring that customers are In early 2000, Managing Director supported at all times. For David Rae was looking for new customers in the more populated opportunities to strengthen and add areas in the south and central value to the company’s landscape regions, the head office at and sportsground construction Inchinnan and the depot at Kinross business, Sportsgrounds Ltd, and its provide high levels of service Wiedenmann (UK) Ltd operation. required to keep equipment running At that time Ransomes Jacobsen Fairways GM Managing Director, David Rae receives the Ransomes smoothly and efficiently. The depots were looking for a main dealer to Jacobsen UK Dealer Sales Award from Sales Director Rupert Price. in Aberdeen and Inverness serve the represent their business in Scotland remoter regions in the Highlands: and Fairways appeared to be the an investment that the business natural fit. The two companies recognised was essential to provide quickly forged an agreement and, a quality service across their for the past 12 years, Fairways has territory. been the Scottish dealer for the The service engineers are flexible Ipswich-based manufacturer. and move between depots, ensuring Over the intervening years, that additional support is available Fairways has grown steadily and in when needed to meet client 2015 saw sales grow by 20%. This demand. Ongoing training is vital is the result of a strategic focus on for skills development, which is why service and a restructuring of the Fairways service engineers are all sales team into two dedicated Ransomes Jacobsen trained to divisions, one targeting the golf and ensure they have the expertise sport sector and the other serving needed to deal with the technically the municipal and groundscare advanced machinery now on the contractors sector. market. The creation of bespoke Speaking from Fairways’ new premises at Kinross in 2010 headquarters in Inchinnan, just was a bold and ambitious move, outside Glasgow, David Rae ensuring that the business had 21st commented: “Service is the century standard facilities to fuel its cornerstone of our business, it’s one growth. of our founding principles and it David Rae commented: “Turf cascades throughout every area of maintenance equipment, especially our organisation. Relationships are mowers, have increased in absolutely key and we work hard to productivity and, in some cases, understand the needs of our complexity. Our engineers need customers and to deliver the local both mechanical skills as well as support they need on a national electronic expertise to deal with level. We have a strong today’s modern machinery. As an management team, led by General example, Jacobsen’s diesel-electric Manager Ray Crawford, with a clear hybrid mower, the Eclipse 322 is a vision for future growth over the Fairways has 13 service vans and 15 service staff ensuring that revolutionary piece of kit and next five years.” customers are supported at all times. engineers need very specific
24 JUNE 2016 www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk T
training to understand how this kind Fairways provides event and of advanced, hybrid technology tournament support for a variety of works. Our customers need to know clients, including a sponsorship that we have the skills and agreement with SRU Murrayfield resources required to provide them and tournament support for the with the service and back-up they’re prestigious Scottish Open, where looking for. It’s absolutely crucial to the greenskeeping team have access the success of our business that we to additional machinery and deliver on our promises.” technical staff to ensure the course The operational base and is in tip top condition. workshops at Kinross provide As the SRU’s machinery sponsor, modern service and repair facilities Fairways’ relationship with as well as a Parts, Sales and an Murrayfield spans 12 years and they administrative function. With over have just signed a new contract to £400,000 of parts held in stock at continue supplying turf any one time, each depot holds maintenance equipment to the specific items tailored to the local 67,500 seater stadium, which is area’s requirements. Parts are easily renowned as the home of Scottish moved between depots and this is rugby. backed up by Ransomes Jacobsen’s David Rae concluded saying, sophisticated parts system, with “There is no doubt that the past few high speed order processing and the years have been incredibly The operational base and workshops at Kinross provide modern service option of direct despatch from the challenging for the industry and the and repair facilities as well as a Parts, Sales and administrative function. manufacturer for parts which are businesses that survive and thrive needed urgently. Morrison oversees an experienced Jacobsen product portfolio, are those which place the customer Managing Director David Rae is sales force covering the two supported by the Wiedenmann at the heart of everything they do. supported by a strong management divisions – golf & sport and brand and its Terra Spike range. We also work hard to ensure that team, including General Manager municipal markets – as mentioned Fairways GM has been, for many we are absolutely connected with Ray Crawford, Sales Manager previously. The strong relationships years, the most successful the manufacturers we represent, at Wilson Morrison and Operations with golf clubs, sports clubs and Wiedenmann distributor in Europe all levels of their business and work Manager David Rhind. local authorities has resulted in and added the accolade of Jacobsen very closely with them to deliver a On the sales side, Wilson healthy sales across the Ransomes Dealer of the Year in 2014. completely integrated approach.”
A solitary Ransomes Tri-King triplex ride-on mower at work at Murrayfield, renowned as the home of Scottish rugby.
www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk JUNE 2016 25 T
Only ICL will do for Deeside Golf Club NEIL MCLOUGHLIN, course something that would colour them up manager at Deeside Golf Club, has and thicken the sward without that been in the industry for over twenty top growth. We tried the years. For the entirety of his career he SierrablenPlus Stress Control 15-0-28 has been using products from ICL, and it worked incredibly well, so I’ll and claims that the stunning course definitely be sticking with it going you see today is, in part, thanks to the forward.” products. Other products to also feature in Nestling on the banks of the River Neil’s Everris inventory is Dee, Deeside Golf Club boasts both Greenmaster Liquid Spring & an eighteen hole course and a nine Summer 12-4-6, which is ideal to use hole course. The eighteen hole during the main growth periods; Haughton Course, a traditional Qualibra – a premier wetting and Scottish parkland, is considered one water conservation agent and of the best in Scotland and hosts a MedallionTL fungicide – a product number of prestigious events which Neil believes offers long- throughout the year. Also available for The eighteen hole Haughton Course, a traditional Scottish parkland, is lasting control in winter conditions. play is the Blairs Course, which offers considered one of the best in Scotland. “We’ll generally spray the greens an enjoyable nine holes for the whole because I can afford to skip a cut. weeks with Primo Maxx and in with MedallionTL as a precaution family, while still challenging the Before Primo Maxx, we’d have to cut addition to applying the growth going into early October, and then lower handicap player. after a flood and we would make an regulator he applies two granular we’ll give them another hit going into While the course provides absolute mess and ruin the mowers - feeds a year to the greens and one at early November. This way, the greens stunning panoramic views of mature so with the Primo Maxx there is not the start of the season on the tees. receive two applications before we trees and beautiful Royal Deeside as much pressure. With Deeside hosting the Scottish get snow. The product is great - it scenery, the River Dee has caused “One year we sprayed the fairways Seniors Amateur Championship gives us excellent protection and Neil a few problems over the years. on the Haughton course with Primo earlier this year, he decided that he keeps the greens disease-free Last year the River caused the courses Maxx but we didn’t on the Blairs needed an upgrade on the previous throughout the whole winter.” to flood six times and this year the course. During a period where we granular fertilizer he was using, and To assist Neil with his ICL same problem has occurred four had heavy rain we went out to cut the this led him to SierrablenPlus Stress products, Jamie Lees – technical area times already. Luckily for Neil and the Blairs fairways and there were grass Control 15-0-28. sales manager, is always on hand to members of Deeside, the flooding clippings everywhere. “We used SierrablenPlus this year – make sure everything runs smoothly. mainly happens in the off-season so it “When I haven’t used Primo Maxx which is the first time we’ve used it. According to Neil, this customer doesn’t affect the club too much. I’ve gone out and cut the greens in We were looking for a product that service simply adds to the overall However, the flooding certainly takes the morning and by the following day would give us a good slow release Everris experience. its toll on maintenance procedures I’d be out there taking off maybe four without a flush of growth. Coming “Jamie is a great representative for but Neil has a secret weapon in the boxes of grass – now I don’t even fill out of a very hard winter we were the company and is always available form of Primo Maxx, the grass growth half a box. The greens must have frozen for a long period of time and to talk to about products or any regulator manufactured by Syngenta. been a hell of a lot slower in the the green surrounds were in a very recommendations. “We do use a lot of Primo Maxx afternoons than they were in the poor condition. We had the challenge “Even before I was here, the for the greens, tees, fairways, mornings before we were using of trying to grow grass in May last previous greenkeeper used to use ICL approaches and on some rough Primo Maxx. year when there was no soil products so it’s always been ICL at around the greens. Keeping on top of “I’m a big fan of it and it’s the one I temperature and we had the Deeside – they must be doing Primo Maxx applications has use most consistently.” Championship in the middle of June something right.” prepared us for when we flood Neil sprays his greens every two too. So we urgently needed www.icl-sf.co.uk
SPALDINGS have introduced a range distribution of material being of Spyker heavy duty commercial applied. Adjustable in seconds Accu- push spreaders. Range of spreaders Way assists you in preventing The quality and range of these overspreading and striping of turf. spreaders is unrivalled in the and sprinklers Spaldings have also introduced an industry and offers a choice for every extensive new range of GEKA size of project or job. sprinklers renowned throughout the This powerful, quality driven line industry as being the best there features the option of stainless steel is. With outstanding precision frames and hoppers. They are manufacturing the end user is given matched with metal gear systems a high quality sprinkler for medium (with a life time warranty) and and high density watering for many durable hardware to provide years of professional applications. smooth and consistent performance. The new Spaldings ranges have it Accu-Way (a Spyker innovation) all covered. supports the proper consistent www.spaldings.co.uk
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www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk JUNE 2016 27
THE PHOENIX SPORTS & SOCIAL to spot treat specific areas that CLUB in Rotherham was originally Headland helps turn Graham knows will dry out to cut established to provide sports down on labour intensive hand facilities for the employees of the watering. nearby steelworks. Now open to the round the Phoenix “We buy our products in bulk public, the site boasts an 18 hole which proves to be more cost golf course, football pitches, a to manage our multi-sport areas but growth on the tees. C-Complex 4-3- effective than buying small units and cricket square with 10 wickets and a the available labour – with a team of 4 is used for multi-sport renovation avoids the separate carriage charges. bowling green. six we’re all kept busy!” whilst C-Complex 7-0-7 is applied I can then dip into it when the Head Groundsman Graham Alex recommended Xtend 46-0-0 mid-summer as a way to reduce application window, and fixtures, Pickin has been at Phoenix Park for 3 slow release granular fertiliser for plant stress. Headland’s 20:20:30 permit and can carry excess product years and explains how he’s turned fairways and sports pitches with tank mix, which has helped to create over.” Similar products were tied into the multi-sport facility around, on a applications spread across the year disease-free greens, is additionally the programme so that, where limited budget, with the help of and a low rate of Multigreen applied to the bowls and cricket possible, they can be used on Headland Amenity. temperature controlled release squares. Finally, Graham is now multiple areas. Graham also relies “Before I joined, the money fertiliser for strong, but not excessive using Tricure Granular wetting agent on Headland’s WeatherCheck wasn’t very well spent and the golf service so that applications are timed greens had extremely high organic to growth potential, therefore content which brought with it all maximising the effect of the product. sorts of disease and problems. On “The golf course in particular is top of trying to improve standards, I doing exceptionally well, attracting had to show sensible cost savings.” over 100 new members in the last Graham contacted all of his few months. We’ve got a guy, now suppliers, including Alex Hawkes at well into his 80’s, whose been a Headland Amenity who went in to member at Phoenix Park for 70 years assess the requirements with a view and he commented that he’s never to creating a simple, cost effective seen greens looking as good as ours feeding programme. “Alex is a very have this spring. As a team we’ve knowledgeable, helpful chap who turned the place around, which based all recommendations on the makes all the hard work results of a soil analysis. He took into worthwhile.” account not just the money available Graham Pickin at the 17th green at Phoenix Park Golf Club www.headlandamenity.com
SHERRIFF AMENITY has of organic acids, providing further announced the launch of a new support for the requirements of the range of Amino, Humic and Fulvic Sherriff launch new turf. Acid bio-stimulant products Rapid Root: A soil conditioner designed to improve plant health bio-stimulant range and root enhancer product, contains and root growth. natural humic substances and amino Sherriff Amenity has established a unique key features which go a long nitrogen for faster and more efficient acids to reduce environmental reputation as the industry leading way in maintaining healthy turf. recovery of grass after abiotic stress. stresses and to relieve the effects of supplier of professional products and Amino Turf: This effective anti- Amino Turf helps the grass conserve wear under playing conditions. The specialist advice. The company’s stress bio-stimulant, contains the energy otherwise used for the product acts directly to stimulate soil investment in research and maximum concentration of free production of L-amino acids. It also microbial activity around roots and development enables them to amino acids and is enhanced with stimulates soil microbial production promotes improvement in water and continue to provide innovative new nutrient uptake. Added NPK and products, ideas and solutions to their micronutrients ensure the grass is customers on a regular basis. supported for growth and recovery. Sherriff Amenity has now further HumiK Pro: For improving the added to its comprehensive product health and performance of portfolio by announcing the launch established turf, HumiK Pro provides of three new bio-stimulants - Amino essential support for the renovation Root, Rapid Root and HumiK Pro. and development of playing The new products have been surfaces. Containing a high level of shown to influence several humic and fulvic acids it relieves metabolic processes such as plant stress during critical periods of respiration, photosynthesis, nucleic growth. This high quality unique acid synthesis and ion uptake. They formulation with added phosphorus can enhance nutrient availability, aids seed germination and rapid root water holding capacity and development. It can be applied for metabolism whilst increasing hardening the turf and stimulating production of antioxidants and growth and recovery under periods chlorophyll. of stress. Each of these new products have www.sherriffamenity.com
28 JUNE 2016 www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk
“ SeaMax is playing an important part in my fertilizer programme. You get such a SeaMax natural green up.” Steve Wilson (Trump International Aberdeen)
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THE International Sports Village at with the Aquatrax® unit.” Swansea University is home to Aquatrax® is a unique process, premier indoor and outdoor facilities ‘Wash and brush-up’ combining pressure washing and including 2 all-weather Astro ® vacuum extraction. The machine surfaces, natural turf pitches, tennis Aquatrax style applies pressure water jets to courts, 50m swimming pool, sports dislodge the dirt before a vacuum hall and gym. hearing good things about Replay, means it does get quite dirty. We aim extraction system removes the dirty The gem of the outdoor facilities is called them in. “Our track is in quite to give the track a deep clean every water to a tank on the machine the Class A, International Standard 8- a leafy area so the debris from the two years. Replay’s visit in March leaving a clean surface, free of lane athletics track that hosts the trees, as well as its daily usage was the third time they’ve cleaned it contaminants. First developed for the university’s athletes, external maintenance of polymeric athletics community and athletics clubs as tracks, it has since been adapted to well as top-level sporting events. clean dirt and algal growth from Continuing their relationship, Replay unfilled or water-based synthetic Maintenance recently carried out pitches. their unique Aquatrax® process on Replay have used the Aquatrax® the track, to bring it back to an ‘as machine on the two water-based new’ condition. Astro pitches at Swansea University, Athletics Facilities Manager most recently in November 2015, Andrew Griffiths is supported by a when Andrew commented, “Each team of grounds staff who help in pitch took two and a half days to the maintenance of both the natural clean and it was 4 days to transform and artificial surfaces on the site. the track and all ancillary areas such “Our in-house team are great at as the long jump approach and pole staying on top of the general vault run-up. Having worked with maintenance of the facilities but a Replay for a few years now we know few years ago we decided to bring in we’re going to get good quality a specialist company to deep clean results. The work they do makes a the athletics surface.” Andrew spoke significant difference to the look and to a few local tracks as well as the performance of our facility, it looks facilities team at the Alexandra like a new track again!” Stadium in Birmingham, and after Replay’s Aquatrax unit on track at Swansea University. www.replaymaintenance.co.uk
AS BUSINESS continues to rapidly nozzles to apply accurately the increase, Simon Akerman, Complete CWC London invests correct amount of herbicide just to Weed Control area manager for those weeds and their immediate London South East, London Central surroundings. Weed-IT not only and London North East has invested in new equipment produces exceptionally high levels in a range of new equipment to keep of weed control but it significantly operations at the highest possible is something I’m very proud of.” available for weed control on reduces herbicide usage and standard. Many of the new contracts Simon pavements and hard surfaces. It is a guarantees greater safety for the Simon, who has been with has gained have been achieved computer controlled herbicide operator and the public alike. Complete Weed Control for over through word of mouth from happy application system consisting of a Commenting on the new eight years, was internally promoted customers, and to continue offering shrouded spraying head mounted on equipment Simon said: “To keep to the position of area manager in the best possible service he has just the front of a purpose built taking the business forward we need 2014. He started his new role with purchased four new vans and three articulated carrier vehicle. Within to make these kinds of investments. two members of staff and now has new Weed-IT machines. the shrouded head are sensor units It helps us to stay ahead of the six employees working alongside Weed-IT is the most advanced which detect the presence of weeds competition and continues to project him – which is testament to how far application equipment currently and trigger the appropriate spray the excellent image of Complete the business has come in just a Weed Control.” couple of years. Simon’s investment in the new Simon also revealed that their equipment mirrors The Complete workload is set to become even Group’s philosophy in looking to the busier: “We’ve got a very busy year future and providing customer ahead and have just taken on service of the highest calibre. The Hillingdon, which is one of the company has always gone that extra biggest boroughs in London. We are mile in meeting customer now responsible for spraying four of requirements and over the years has the boroughs in London with the launched a range of new services possibility of adding a fifth one. such as Complete Ice Control, “With all the work that we are Complete Grounds Maintenance, taking on, we have calculated that Complete Moss Control and we will double our annual turnover Complete Invasives Control. – which is a great achievement and The CWC London team with their new vans and Weed-IT machines. www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk
30 JUNE 2016 www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk T
DOUG McGEOCH, owner of too - there’s nothing worse than McGeoch’s Gardening Services, is having a cloud of blue smoke the proud and first new owner of a Pellenc arrives in coming out of a two stroke engine range of Pellenc battery powered and choking you. tools on the Isle of White. style on the IoW “A big selling point for me is that Over the past two years Etesia UK, one battery has a lifespan which is the exclusive UK distributor of equipment, Doug has certainly “Another benefit is that I can the equivalent of using 4,500 litres of Pellenc, has reported a dramatic noticed a difference. operate the equipment in a quiet petrol. So even though it was quite a increase in Pellenc sales with over “I was getting repetitive strains in area without making any noise bit of money upfront to buy the 50 dealers now stocking the battery my right elbow and all the heavy which is something that my battery, it’s still a lot cheaper than the powered tools. The popularity of the work over the years had taken its toll customers have noticed - I can now amount of petrol I’d be using. It’s Pellenc range continues to spread – I needed to do something about start work nice and early without definitely far more cost effective in and Doug’s new tools now signals this to prolong my ability to work. waking anybody up! It’s also so the long run.” the first of potentially many more The Pellenc equipment is great for much easier when a customer may So as it becomes more and more sales on the Isle of White. this because it is considerably lighter come and speak to me. I can leave clear that we've perhaps reached a Doug purchased his Pellenc and you don’t have to worry about the harness on and simply take my new age of outdoor power equipment through the island’s starting engines all of the time. Pull- finger off the trigger. There’s no equipment, does Doug feel that he Pellenc dealer, C&O Tractors, and starting engines can be very stopping and starting engines and has had to make any compromises his impressive range of products temperamental and it is this pulling when I have finished the in achieving smoother, lighter, noise- includes the telescopic Selion motion which has affected my arm conversation, I pull the trigger and free operations which are better for polesaw, the Selion M12 chainsaw, over the years. off I go again. No fumes is a bonus the environment? the Helion hedge cutter, the Excelion “People say to me that batteries 2000 brushcutter and the Airion are not as powerful as the petrol blower – which are all powered by ones. Well I’d say no that is not the his 1100 Ultra Lithium battery. case, this range of equipment is This revolutionary battery can be extremely powerful - if not more used to operate any tool from powerful. I think that green Pellenc’s range of tools and not only technology is the future and the idea can it allow the user to work for a is to stop using our hand held petrol full day on a single charge but it also equipment completely. Towards the provides ultimate comfort through end of the year I plan to purchase a the carrying harness which battery-powered lawnmower and I effectively and evenly distributes the know that Etesia or Pellenc will be weight of the battery. the first place to look.” With his significantly lighter Doug McGeoch with his Pellenc battery-powered Excelion brushcutter. www.etesia.co.uk
DROITWICH GOLF CLUB can trace The PDS solution was to install a its history back to 1897 when it was a main carry drain as none of the nine hole course. By 1923 it boasted PDS solve draining affected greens were near a positive eighteen holes when the course was drain outlet. Primary land drainage redesigned and extended by James issues at Droitwich was then added on the 4th, 13th and Braid. Today the push-up clay 14th greens. After removing the turf, construction of the greens mean that for us, so we asked Toby to come in would be efficient and to a high 60mm diameter pipe drains were Course Manager Gary Watkins has and look at the problem and see what standard as well as price installed at two metre spacing and some real problems with drainage, PDS could do. We knew their work competitive.” 450mm depth. The drains were then especially in winter in particular, connected up using purpose made enough for Phil Day Sports to be junctions to the carrier drain. They called in to improve the situation. were then backfilled with gravel and “There were five or six greens, at topped with a 200mm sand layer the bottom of banks that just did not before finally the turf was re-instated. drain,” explained Gary. “Three in This installed system has helped to particular were continuously laying maintain a free-draining playing wet which meant the majority of the surface in all but the most extreme time golfers ended up playing on weather conditions. temporary greens. Me and my team All three greens were completed did all we could to manage the thatch within a week and back in play and get water through the profile, but within another three! “The whole once it got to the clay base it wasn’t process was smooth and going anywhere. This convinced the straightforward,” says Gary. “The committee the best way forward was greens committee were so pleased to install some drainage.” with the work that they’ve already Gary decided to seek advice before agreed to have another three greens deciding. “Phil Day Sports had been done at the end of this year. out in the past and done some jobs The Phil Day Sports team at work on a green at Droitwich Golf Club. www.phildaysports.co.uk
www.TURFBUSINESS.co.uk JUNE 2016 31
The Toro® Groundsmaster range with SmartPower™ The Smart Choice
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Acting as the ‘brains’ of the machine, Toro’s revolutionary SmartPower system automatically controls mowing speed according to ground contours and terrain for optimum cutting performance. It means all four mowers in our 4000-D Series rotary range can now offer dramatic savings in fuel and running costs without compromising on productivity and performance. In particular SmartPower prevents bogging down in heavy With the revolutionary SmartPower technology turf to provide an unmatched quality of cut even in difficult conditions. What’s more – the 48hp engine options comply with new EU emissions rules for non-road vehicles. It all makes it the smart choice. X Intelligent power use XAutomatically controls Full product details at www.toro.com mowing speed Put us to the test. For a free onsite demonstration, call Lely on 01480 226800 X Prevents bogging down XReduces fuel and running costs XComplies with EU emissions regulations
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Toro Commercial Products are distributed by Lely Turfcare, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 1QH. Tel: 01480 226800 | Email: [email protected] | www.lelyturfcare.co.uk | www.toro.com