National recognition for BIGGA Sisis' US base BIGGA has achieved one of the BIGGA's success was also recog- most prestigious and nationally nised by North Yorkshire Training heads for the respected awards for business excel- and Enterprise Council. lence. "Investors in People has been Deep South The Association has gained the designed by some of the best busi- Investor in People National nesses in the country and by SISIS Inc is relocating its Standard which recognises that the achieving recognition the British and American-base from Florida to Association works actively to INVESTOR IN PEOPLE International Golf Greenkeepers South Carolina, following the com- improve its performance by linking Association has shown itself to be pany's successful piloting of a the planned, efficient development co-operation and enthusiasm of staff among the best," said Bill Johnstone, range of maintenance machinery of employees to the achievement of in working towards the award has Head of Business Services. for use on sports grounds and golf business objectives. been impressive and they are natu- "Investors in People help business- courses. "That we achieved the Investors in rally delighted at the outcome," said es to be more efficient, give better SISIS Inc is relocating to premis- People Standard so quickly is a trib- Executive Director Neil Thomas. customer service and as a result be es at Clemson University, within ute to the systems in place and the "I am proud that BIGGA has more profitable," he added. the Madren Conference Centre quality of staff who operate them. achieved this award and the mem- The achievement will be marked and Walker Golf Course complex. The support of Board members has bers should be delighted that they by the presentation of a plaque There will be a Distribution Unit also contributed to the assessors' have such an efficient and effective which will be displayed in BIGGA and Admin. Office initially man- positive view of the Association. The staff," he added HOUSE. aged by Ian Camp, General Sales Manager of the parent company SISIS Equipment Ltd. Although initially concentrating BIGGA/GCSAI: Joint statement on the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, N & S Carolina Objective If membership numbers suffice, and Florida, to ensure a high stan- As a result of a meeting For the two associations to com- the GCSAI may arrange outings, dard of support and after-sales held on 25 March 1999 at municate and work together for educational events for its members service, SISIS is happy to deal with Portmarnock Golf Club, the benefit of their members and in Northern Ireland and will liaise customers throughout the United Dublin, the following the greenkeeping profession. with BIGGA to avoid duplication States. statement has been and clashes of date. agreed. The GCSAI is to remain as the main association in the Republic Members of BIGGA in the Those in attendance of Ireland giving representation Republic of Ireland and Northern Free CD-Rom were: BIGGA - Gordon for superintendents, assistants, Ireland are to be invited to GCSAI Child, Elliott Small, Neil greenkeepers and apprentices. conferences, seminars etc. BIGGA Thomas. GCSAI - lain will likewise reciprocate in from Kubota Ritchie, Joe Bedford, Superintendents / greenkeepers Northern Ireland. Tracy Coburn in Northern Ireland will continue Kubota is using the second issue to have the choice of which associ- Both associations are commit- of its Owners Club magazine to ation they wish to join and the ted to remaining open and launch a. free CD-Rom entitled GCSAI and BIGGA are to encour- friendly as well as to communi- 'Kubota - Putting people first'. age membership of both. cating regularly. Attached to the front cover of the magazine, the CD-Rom uses pic- tures, graphics and commentary to STRI schedules two new courses on turf culture describe Kubota's worldwide envi- ronmental policy before moving on In a break with tradition, STRI is fine turf surfaces, and trade. substantial discounts for multiple to focus on the company's develop- replacing its annual five day residen- The structure of these training pro- bookings. ment, new products, services and tial training programmes on turf grammes allows the delegates much Each training day is split into two the customer support. culture for greenkeepers and ground greater flexibility in juggling both their distinct sessions. The morning ses- Suitable for playing on a PC or an staff with two new courses. time away from work and costs. sion, presented by STRI research Apple Macintosh computer, the Both courses are scheduled for the The two training courses each consist staff, covers facts and up to date infor- CD-Rom presentation runs for 14 Autumn at STRI headquarters in of five consecutive one day specialist mation on the latest trends and minutes. Bingley. courses. current thinking. The magazine, with CD-Rom November 15-19 "Your Passport to Delegates have the choice of attend- The afternoon session presented by attached, is being mailed to all reg- Perfect Courses" for golf greenkeep- ing one or more of the one day courses, the STRI agronomy and Consultancy istered members of the Kubota ers, Course Managers and trade and relevant to their specific needs. team, concentrates on "putting Owners Club. Membership of the November 22-26 "Your Passport to A range of optional accommodation research into practice", with the focus club is available free of charge to all Perfect Pitches and Playing Surfaces" packages are available for those wish- on practical implementation for par- new and existing owners of any for grounds management, including ing to stop over in Bingley, with ticular playing surfaces. Kubota product.

BIGGA mounties friendship with 2nd BIGGA GCSAC Golf Directory

It is intended that the second edition of the BIGGA Golf Directory will include BIGGA Gordon Child joins member information in addition to Dean Piller, President the trade information on which the of the Golf Course first Directory concentrated. Superintendents The proposed format would Association of involve members' names being Canada, in a flag listed under their golf club address waving exercise prior and telephone number. to the banquet at the Anyone who does not wish to be GCSAC Conference included in the Directory in such a and Show in Toronto fashion should contact BIGGA HOUSE Tel: 01347 833800. Career move Celtic Manor promotion for Jim for Chris Pye The Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, which is mounting a bid to stage golf's premier event in 2009, has appointed Jim McKenzie to the new post of Director of Golf and Courses Management. The 36 year-old from Helensburgh moves up to the wide ranging posi- tion after being in charge of estate management and overseeing the development of three courses in six years. The latest is the 7,450 yard, par- 72 Wentwood Hills course, which will be officially opened on May 17 by the resort's touring professional, Ian Woosnam, and Ryder Cup Captain Mark James. "I have no qualms as a Scotsman in saying that this is a world class Dow AgroSciences Specialty venue," said Jim. Products has appointed Chris Pye "Wentwood Hills has been special- as Sales Manager for UK and Eire. ly designed for matchplay and to He will be responsible for sales to cater for large crowds. It's ideal for key distributors of all the compa- the Ryder Cup." ny's turf, ornamental, amenity and When Jim arrived at The Celtic vegetation management products. Manor in 1993, from his previous Chris has extensive experience in position of Head Greenkeeper of the amenity sports turf, crop pro- Wentworth's West Course work had tection and public health sectors. only just begun on the resort's first On leaving university, his first post course. was with the STRI at Bingley. He "I recognised The Celtic Manor's comes to Dow AgroSciences follow- potential even in the early days," he ing five years in the public health said. sector with a major distributor. "I knew it was going to be some- A keen golfer in his spare time, thing special and felt I couldn't turn further. The next stage is to host a he can now carry forward that Chris is a member of Woolley Park down the chance to be involved in European Tour event, the icing on work on a wider basis and bring yet Golf Club, Barnsley. He is married creating three superb courses on one the cake would be the Ryder Cup." more success to The Celtic Manor." with two children and lives near site. The only people who now ask The Celtic Manor's Resort The Celtic Manor's other two Wakefield. me why I left Wentworth are those Director, Robert Church, believes courses are: Roman Road (par-69, who haven't been here." Jim is ideal for his new role. 7,001, opened 1995) and Coldra In his new role, Jim will continue "His quiet and unassuming com- Woods (par-59, 4,000 yards, John Thomas to guide the work of The Celtic petence and his passion for golf opened 1996). Manor's grounds maintenance team, have earned him enormous respect The Celtic Manor's new hotel John Thomas (46) of Lansdowne while also heading a golf operation throughout the industry. He has and conference centre is due to GC, Bath, had died following a short with an ambitious programme of already accomplished great things open this summer, giving the illness. He leaves a wife, Carol, and events. over the last six years, crowned by 1,400-acre resort 400 luxury rooms two sons as well as a son and daugh- "We're very proud of what we've the successful completion of and an 1,800-seater conference ter from a previous marriage. achieved here, and we want to take it Wentwood Hills. We're confident Textron to supply PGA European Tour

Textron Turf Care and Specialty \ % Products has signed a new agree- BIGGA ment with the European Tour as \ \ official suppliers of turfcare equip- ment to the Tour. Contact us The deal, which was completed recently at Wentworth, means that You can contact The British Textron equipment will be used at and International Golf Tour venues when additional Greenkeepers Association machines are required in the impor- in any number of ways: tant two-week run-up to the competitions. Post: BIGGA HOUSE, The Textron stable of machines Aldwark, Alne, York, includes the world famous names Y061 1UF Ransomes, Jacobsen, Cushman, Ryan, E-Z-GO and Iseki which have Tel: 01347 833800 become renowned in the golfing world for quality, adaptability ana Fax: 01347 833801 reliability. The products used on the courses will cover the whole range Textron's Richard Bishop with David Garland, Director of Tour Operations from tractor gang mowers and the E-mail: [email protected] popular walk-behind motor mowers "Textron is a top name in turf care look forward to working closely such as the Jacobsen Greens King with a range of products which is with them all over Europe," said Internet: www.bigga.org.uk whose name has become synony- second to none. We are delighted to Richard Stillwell, of the Tour, who is mous with top green care, through have them on-board again as an responsible for ensuring the good to aerators and Groom Masters. official supplier to the tour and we condition of all courses. Toro purchase Multi-Core Jayne plans a northern trip

The Toro Company has completed its purchase of Multi-Core Aerators Limited, the British manufacturer of lame turf aeration equipment. The three aerators in the Multi- Core range are now being sold and serviced in the UK by Toro Commercial Products' distributor Lely UK and its national network of dealers and service centres. Toro says the acquisition brings a high-quality product into its full range of turf maintenance machin- ery and greatly enhances its aeration range with equipment that has an immediate appeal to its own cus- tomers. "These are proven products with a Barenbrug UK has appointed high reputation and we are delight- Jayne Leyland to take over as Area ed to have them join our staole. Sales Manager (North), covering They shall continue to be made in Scotland ana the north of England. Britain, and with immediate effect Originally hailing from Cheshire, all sales, spares, repairs and service Jayne is looking forward to return- are now through our Lely opera- ing to her roots with the challenge of tion," said Pete Mansfield, Toro this prestigious role. General Manager at distributor Lely Jayne was appointed thanks to her UK. greenkeeping experience, at such All three large units in the Multi- courses as The Belfry and East Core range are mounted to a Changes will be made during the areas which can cover up to 1.5 Sussex National. Most recently, she compact tractor by way of a three- summer to the aeration tine hold- acres an hour; the productive and was Assistant Course Manager at point linkage for fast, optimum core ers so that all tines supplied both durable walk-behind Greens Chart Hills Golf Club, Kent. Indeed, aeration. They are lightweight for by Toro and Multi-Core become Aerator covering up to l,208sq m Jayne has been very busy since grad- use on sensitive turf areas such as interchangeable. Completing the an hour; and the trailed or mount- uating from Reaseheath College fairways, tees and greens, as well as Toro aeration range are its existing ed Turf Aerators, which can be with a HND in Horticulture (Golf sports pitches, and come in working Fairway Aerator, which is a towed fitted with open or closed tines or Course Management) in 1995. widths of 101, 152 and 203cm PTO-driven heavy-duty machine slicing blades and operate at She has worked in the USA and (40,60 and 80in respectively). for high-quality aeration of large speeds up to lOmph. Austria and has helped prepare courses for PGA European Tour events. She is also a GTC approved D32/33 Industrial Assessor. New role for Richard at John Deere H20 acquire John Deere Credit Limited has and contract hire services, and co- appointed Richard Kinsey as the ordinate the activities of the existing company's new Commercial & team of area managers and brokers. Watermation Consumer Equipment Finance John Deere Credit has also Watermation has recently under- Manager in the UK. announced a number of changes gone some major changes which will Richard was previously with FAF, designed to further improve its ser- allow it to move into the new mil- where he handled both groundscare vice to customers. lennium. Watermation 2000 has and agricultural finance in An additional 36 new staff mem- been acquired by the H20 Group Lancashire and Cheshire for two bers have been trained and now PLC. years, after a one year spell in direct provide extra support in essential H20 has been established for over sales. areas of the business. These include 10 years and is a leading company in His new role will be to liaise with the operations division, which is the field of domestic, commercial dealers in developing John Deere responsible for customer care and landscape and sports irrigation and Credit's business with golf clubs, new business, and direct sales, the addition of Watermation 2000 local authorities and contractors, which is responsible for customer will enable the Group to turn its particularly in asset management and dealer enquiries. attention to the golf market. A number of key staff have moved with the new business, including design, installation and mainte- Royal Inverdîvot GC... by Tony Husband nance engineers. The company will offer full design \t'S vOY^efe tV)e_- and installation packages, spares can tViqb the _ and maintenance and the contract- rtyLt^becs V>ar>9 the. Jokej ing side has already secured C\fçjLOsCV)a\ctYy>0 VOVìeo contracts from Royal Porthcawl, and Hanldey Common as well as the co orse. Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. "The addition of Watermation into the Group will reinforce our strategy of expansion in all areas of the irrigation industry. The Watermation name and technical staff are recognised throughout the golf industry and we aim to build on 3 these strengths," said Richard Allan, SM Chairman of the H20 Group. Slap on the suncream! Wonderful Walton Heath! Outdoor workers are at high risk The rain had stopped a few days of sun damage and skin cancer earlier. The course was beginning to because of their long-term exposure dry out. The sponsors were there in to ultraviolet radiation. Yet until force and so were the Greenkeepers now little information has been and their guests. Yes, everything was available to help employers protect set fair for what had all the ingredi- outdoor workers, who can be hard ents for a great day's golf, and a to reach with health advice. great day it turned out to be too. Therefore together with the Each year we are inclined to take Health Education Authority and for granted that we are to be pre- support from the Health & Safety sented with a golf course in Executive, East Surrey Health magnificent condition, whether we Authority has produced a compre- are just recovering from a freezing hensive training pack for winter, a dry winter or, the case this addressing sun safety in the work- year, an extremely wet one. This place. year was no exception, Clive Osgood and his Staff once again produced a miracle on what was a few days ear- lier a very wet and soggy piece of heathlanci. But it is not just because of Clive and his Staff that we have such a great day at Walton Heath. All the staff from the Secretary, Nick Lomas, and the girls in the office through to the Bar and Catering Staff seem to go out of their way to make sure that we have an enjoyable and our thanks are very much due to them for such a great effort. One of the traditions of the 'Gentlemen's Evening' is that Alan Stow, Vitax, and Dennis Smith, Rigby Taylor, act as unpaid starters. Ltd, Rhone Poulenc, Rigby Taylor Above: Alan Stow and Dennis Smith This year was no exception and Ltd,Rolawn (Turf Growers) Ltd,The armed with waterproofs and warm Scotts Co. (UK) Ltd, John Shaw Below: BIGGA Chairman, Gordon clothing they set off for the 1st tee. (Machinery) Ltd., Sherriff Amenity Child shows a touch of class as he The weather, however, was very Services Ltd, Sisis Ltd, and Vitax tees off kind and apart from an attempt at Ltd. rain around 11am the day got The Winners were 0-9. Category The pack enables organisations to warmer and warmer and Alan and Kenny Mackay; 10-18. Stefan run and evaluate workshops to Dennis removed more and more Antolik, Cooden Beach; 19-24. raise staff awareness of the dangers, clothes. Tony Bremer, Gatton Manor; and identify protection measures It was also nice to see Chris Allen, Guests and Trade - Mark Day, that are acceptable and practical for late of Lewes GC, who was serious- CMW; Rigby Taylor - Nearest-the- the workplace. ly ill a year or so ago, but thanks to Pin 7th. Barry Bell; 11th. Alec It is easy to use and can be a kidney donation from his son is Mclndoe, Stockley Park; 17th. followed either step-by-step, or now fit and well and gradually get- Mark Harvey, Epsom; Sisis Putting adapted by more experienced train- ting back to the 2 handicap that he Competition - Mervyn Downing, ers. It contains all the materials you played off before his kidney failure. Aldenham. need including: overheads, hand- Chris is now "doing the business" The Combined Score of outs, a case study video, for Sheerwater Leisure, one of the Greenkeeper Playing with Club background notes on si:in cancer day's sponsors. The others to whom Official was won by Mervyn and addresses of sun protection we are indebted were: Avoncrop Downing and Fred Hague, of suppliers. Amenity, CMW Ltd, Ernest Doe & Aldenham GC, who both received a With a growing body of scientific Sons Ltd, E & S Sports Grounds, delightful Waterford Crystal Clock. evidence on the dangers of sun Farmura, Gem Professional, Grass All in all, a great day exposure, both in the short term Roots Trading Co, H. Pattisson Co Derek Farrington with sunburn and long term dam- age leading to skin cancer, employers cannot afford to ignore this health and safety issue. Master Greenkeeper gains promotion Further information can be obtained from East Surrey Health John Quinn, a BIGGA Master tancy and contracting services for ing hollow tining, turfing, seeding, Authority Tel: 01372 731013. Greenkeeper, has been promoted to the sportsturf industry," said John top dressing, fertiliser application, Director of Golf Developments at "Research facilities are envisaged pesticide application, verti-draining, Elmwood College and will manage in the future. The Elmwood name spiking, scarifying and mowing. Latin Lessons all of the college's sportsturf related is synonymous with quality green- Full sportsturf consultancy ser- commercial developments under keeper and Course Manager vices will also be offered and In our article on Velvet Bents last the name of Elmwood Golf training and we now intend to offer include providing full advisory ser- month we inadvertently titled the Developments. our expertise to the wider sports- vices in the following areas: annual article Argostis capillaris. This is, of John was previously the Course turf industry." maintenance plans, maintenance course, (almost) the Latin name for Manager at the recently opened 18 Elmwood Golf Developments has budget planning, machinery evalu- browntop bents. British Seed Houses hole course in Cupar, and oversaw been set up to manage and expand ation and selection, materials would therefore like us to make clear the construction and growing in of its golf related commercial activi- advice, design advice, project man- that the Latin name for Velvet Bent the course. ties and will provide services to all agement, agronomic advice, is in fact Agrostis canina. "Among the future developments aspects of the golf industry. management plans, construction Humanum est errare, as they once planned are a feasibility study into With a contracting machinery specifications, materials specifica- said on the Roman fairways! golf academy for aspiring young fleet and fully trained greenkeeper tion and conservation and Translation? To err is human. golfers and the provision of consul- staff they will offer services includ- ecological management