OUR QUALITY IS ON COURSE No one can accuse John Deere of standing The 220A is the latest addition to John still. Since 1995, we've added 8 quality Deere's quality line of walk-behind greens machines to our line. Another strong state- mowers. 220A improvements include an iso- ment about our commitment to your busi- lation-mounted engine for reduced vibration, ness. New this year are the Turf Gator and improved operator-presence safety system, 220A Walk-Behind Greens Mower. and an easier-filling grass box design. The Turf Gator's unique combination of Add superior parts support and our toughness and quietness make it perfect for existing line of quality mowers, tractors, the golf course. Toughness comes from uni- aerators, root zone injectors and utility body construction and one-piece forged vehicles and you see why John Deere is the axles. Quietness comes from a large volume fastest growing golf and turf equipment silencer, internal sound absorbing mate- name in the world. Talk with us soon rial, and golf-car-style transmission. for a first-hand look. NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE AD John Deere Ltd., Harby Road, Langar, Nottingham NG 13 9HT, Telephone 01949 863299 (answerphone) REF 103 • The next edition of a* Greenkeeper International should be with you by April 9 BIGOX President The Rt. Hon. Viscount Whitelaw K.T., C.H., M.C., D.L. BIGGA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT Chairman: Patrick Murphy Vice Chairman: Gordon Child International Past Chairman: Dean Cleaver BOARD MEMBERS MARCH 1997 Richard Barker FREE READER George Ban- Robin Greaves REPLY SERVICE Jim Paton Use the post-paid David Milbourne Reader Reply EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Contents Card facing Neil Thomas B.A. Page 2 for further mû ADMINISTRATION MANAGER information on John Pemberton Facelift for the products and EDUCATION OFFICER services Ken Richardson Musselburgh advertised in this issue. Just state ^J-S®""' SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER James McEvoy Mary Queen of Scots the companies' Ad Ref numbers, post the card to us MEMBERSHIP SERVICES OFFICER played there in 1567 - and and we'll arrange for further Janet Adamson information to be sent to you while there have doubtless direct. Where to contact BIGGA Aldwark Manor, Aldwark, Alne, been other changes since ADVERTISERS' INDEX York, North Yorkshire Y06 2NF then, current improvements a quick reference guide Tel: 01347 838581 are being hailed as a big success. Scott MacCallum visited the Ad Ref Page Fax: 01347 838864 Baileys 339 32 course recognised as the oldest in the world Pages 26-28 Banks 168 42 Barenbrug 172 34,38 Bathgate Silica Sands 543 36 C8>P Soilcare 46 8 Making machinery last the distance Charterhouse 130 40-41 Picture the scene: the day of a major club tournament and a Force Limagrain 507 45 Glen Heat 280 24 International vital piece of machinery fails. Take steps to lessen the chances of Hardi 25 64 is the official monthly magazine Hayter 90 6 of the British & International such a nightmare with the Learning Experience ..Pages 10-11 Hoofmark 539 12 Golf Greenkeepers Association IC Irrigation 541 24 EDITORIAL J Gibbs & Co 542 12 Editor: Scott MacCallum A decade of progress John Deere 103 2 Johnsons Seeds 540 10-11 ADVERTISING BIGGA is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and Kawasaki Sales and Marketing Manager: 544 51 James McEvoy Greenkeeper International together with the Association's first Kubota 86 49 Sales and Marketing Assistants: Lely 61 18-19 Amanda Freeman Chairman Walter Woods, step back in time Pages 13-15 21, 46-47 Jenny Panton Levington 102 21 Telephone: 01347 838581 Links Leisure 493 12 E-mail: [email protected] Logic Irrigation 545 24 PRODUCTION Inside the STRI Marlwood 501 8 Design and Production Editor: The Sports Turf Research Institute commands the utmost Miracle 54 28, 37 Tim Moat, telephone 01904 610611 New Holland 165 52 E-mail: [email protected] respect from our industry. But what really goes on, on a day to North Staffs Irrigation 217 24 PRINTING day basis? We look behind the scenes Ocmis 360 23 Hi-Tec Print, Unit 7, Universal Crescent, Pages 30-32 Pattissons 35 8 North Anston Trading Estate, Ransomes 9 29 North Anston, Sheffield S31 7NZ Rhone Pouienc 59 16 Tel: 01909 568533, fax: 01909 568206 Risboro Turf 386 36 Greenkeeper International: winner SGI 491 22 of Certificate of Merit in Magazine Regular features Service Chemicals 304 30,35 of the Year category, Editing for Industry Awards 1994 and 1995 Sisis 176 50 Sovereign Turf Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise Scott MacCallum The Greenkeeper International editor reflects on BIGGA's 435 38 reproduced without written permission. Return first decade with a sideways glance at other events happening in 1987... days Standard Golf 421 34 postage must accompany all materials submitted Weed Free 504 if return is requested. No responsibility can be when Major and Blair meant Farrah Fawcett and Lionel Page 4 31 assumed for unsolicited materials. The right is Wessex Machinery 210 34 reserved to edit submissions before publication. News Turf grower's plans for the new millennium... a greenkeeper's revenge... Westurf • 8 Although every care will be taken, no responsibility is accepted for loss of manuscripts, new faces... worthy winners... details of the new Hayter Challenge plus a way of Buyer's Guide • 54-58 photographs or artwork. Opinions expressed are Classified • 59 not necessarily those of the Association and no controlling the rabbit population on golf courses Pages 5, 7, 9 responsibility is accepted by the Association for Job Shop • 59 such content, advertising or product information Education Ken Richardson with a run down of the awards and competitions Recruitment • 60-61 that may appear Circulation is by subscription Subscription which could transform your career in 1997 Page 36 rate: UK £34 per year, Europe and Eire £44. The nagazine is also distributed to BIGGA members, olf clubs, local authorities, the turf industry, and central government. Cover £50 CASH IN OUR ISSN 0961 - 6977 Musselburgh, acknowledged to be the BUYER'S GUIDE © 1997 British & International COMPETITION: ADVERTISING WORKS Golf Greenkeepers Association world's oldest golf course - and now TURN TO PAGE 54 IN GREENKEEPER enjoying a facelift Picture by Brian Morgan KÜ31 INTERNATIONAL: ^^ Hepworth Minerals and Greenkeeper Education and Development Fund BB Chemicals Ltd has The Fund provides the key to the future for greenkeeper, golf club ^^^ found Greenkeeper and game. Individuals and companies can join the Golden Key Circle /"«¡iTx v' jjt International an invaluable asset and Silver Key Circle. For details, contact BIGGA on 01347 838581. in the promotional campaign for GOLDEN KEY CIRCLE COMPANY MEMBERS: HMC Pro-Sport rootzone • Amazone Ground Care • Bailey's of Norfolk • Hardi Ltd • Hayter Ltd products • Jacobsen E-Z-Go Textron • John Deere Ltd • Kubota UK Ltd - TREVOR • Levington Horticulture Ltd • Miracle Professional • Mommersteeg International • Ocmis Irrigation UK Ltd • PGA European Tour • Ransomes LEADBEATER, • Rhone Pouienc Amenity • Rigby Taylor Ltd • Supaturf Products Ltd BIGGA Hepworth Minerals and %,Th e N ^ • The Tore Company GOLDEN KEY Chemicals Ltd SILVER KEY CIRCLE COMPANY MEMBERS: and SILVER KEY FOR MORE DETAILS CALL: SEMINÒ • Avoncrop Amenity Products • Fenchurch Insurance Brokers Ltd Minerals & Chemicals Ltd • H Pattisson & Co Ltd • Rola wn Ltd • Sisis Equipment CIRCLES James McEvoy, Amanda Freeman or Jenny Panton at You can book your exhibition space NOW for BTME 98 - for details call Amanda Freeman on 01347 838581 BIGGA HQ on 01347 838581. SCOTT MacCALLUM As I see it... BY PAT MURPHY BIGGA CHAIRMAN Ten years? ince becoming SChairman my feet haven't touched the ground. No sooner Seems like had I finished BTME 97 then I was off to Las Vegas for the GCSAA Conference yesterday and Show. BIGGA had a t the risk of sounding a 100 metres in a world record stand at the show Alittle like that Edmonds time; Mike Tyson became the and it was an bloke, in Noel's Telly Years, youngest winner of the World outstanding what were you doing a decade Heavyweight title; Lester Pig- success with a ago and what can you remem- gott was sent to prison for tax great many ber about 1987? evasion and Mike Gatting membership The reason I ask is that, as went nose to nose with Pak- enquiries. you no doubt know, this year istani umpire Shakoor Rana. Interestingly, our is BIGGA's 10th anniversary Looking at these events it is Master and it's interesting to look perhaps surprising how some, Greenkeeper back 10 years and recall what at least, seem like only yester- Award scheme life was like when BIGGA was day, and it does help to rein- appeared particular born. force the fact that, when popular with quite a number of superintendents. In the interests of this col- recalling the formation of It was a busy week with functions every day and I made umn, I've undertaken some BIGGA, we're not uncovering presentations to Joe Baidy, President in '95 and Paul extensive research of a time ancient history. McGuiness, the incoming President. when the names Major and The Association has made I also had the privilege to sit beside Jaime Ortiz-Patino, Blair conjured up images of Far- huge strides in a relatively the President of Valderrama Golf Club during the Gala rah Fawcett and Lionel, the short space of time. From vir- Dinner and he chatted to me about preparations for the Berlin Wall was still in place, tually a standing start the Ryder Cup in September. I also met both Robert Trent Nelson Mandela was still inside Association now boasts almost Jones Senior and Junior. and Melinda Messenger was 6,500 members; a progressive A speaker at the opening session was the astronaut only 12..