Newslines Summer 2017

News for Turfcare Professionals . Summer 2017 news lines

Cover Story

New agreement sees multi-sports venue trust in Toro once more pages 02-03 Roehampton renews

PRODUCT TEST GREENSMASTER EFLEX 2120 eFlex battery power is tech with staying power says James de Havilland pages 04-05

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Wentworth’s Kenny Mackay and tournament talk page 06

ROYAL MID-SURREY CELEBRATES 100 percent Toro red for 125th anniversary page 12

This agreement encompasses all the turf-based facilities we have here, the management of which requires a multi-disciplined approach.

Peter Bradburn Course and grounds manager, Roehampton Club

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Cover Standing from left, course and grounds manager Peter Bradburn, deputy head groundsman Ben Hunter and Reesink Turfcare’s Trevor Chard watch first assistant Simon Bailey put the Toro Greensmaster 1600 through its paces on one of the ten grass tennis courts. 01 Helping to maintain the beautiful surroundings of the golf course at Roehampton, the Toro Reelmaster 3100-D hugs the contours around the greens. 02 Achieving the velvety finish the members like, the Toro Greensmaster 1600 with 11-blade cylinder seen on one of the four croquet lawns.

New renewal agreement sees the Roehampton Club staywith Toro

Multi-sports venue trusts in Toro for golf, tennis and croquet surfaces

Constant evolution is what sees Roehampton Club remain one of the best multi-sports clubs in the UK. Every year for the last three years, there has been a major development at this attractive club in South West London. As it embarks on its next, which is a £3.5m investment on refurbishing its outdoor pool and adding new studios to the gym, one thing that remains the same is the club’s relationship with Toro machinery, recently confirmed again with the signing of yet another five-year exclusivity agreement. Roehampton Club has a rich and illustrious history with its origins in polo and croquet rather than the four core sports of golf, tennis, squash and health and fitness it is known for today. Then, as it is now, Roehampton is at the heart of London sporting society. The priority for course and grounds manager Peter Bradburn, who heads up a team of 20, is to maintain the high standards on the golf course, tennis courts, croquet lawn and gardens. With its fleet set to grow by up to 75 percent under the new agreement to include machines suitable for all three surfaces, the club has once again chosen Toro, after conducting a thorough market testing exercise. “I’ve been involved in the building of golf courses all around Europe,” Peter says. “And although the country – most recently Cyprus (Elea Estate Faldo design), Turkey (Maxx Royal Montgomerie design) and Italy (Palazzo Arzaga Nicklaus design) – changes, Toro has always been a constant. In fact many projects I have worked on were intentionally undertaken because they involved working

with Toro as you can rely on the quality of equipment, aftercare and service. “This agreement encompasses all the turf-based facilities we have here, the management of which requires a multi-disciplined approach”. Included in the first order under the new agreement comes the Groundsmaster 4700-D and the Greensmaster 3250-D for the 18-hole parkland golf course, which in 2015 was accepted by the World of Leading Golf for the quality of the course. The reason behind choosing the GM4700-D is the greater width of cut it offers. Peter says: “We’ve changed how we manage the roughs by opting for a machine that can deliver a wide cut each time. This improves our timings working around the course, meaning we get things done more quickly.” Improvements have also been made to the way the fairways are managed. Groomers have been added to the new GM3250-D, which Peter and the team have found enables a better quality of cut in damp conditions. “We can cut in all weathers using this machine”, he says. “And being able to get straight out on the course in the morning to start cutting, regardless of the dew, improves the day’s productivity.” Being the course and grounds manager of a multi-sports venue involves, says Peter, “wearing many hats!” There are four croquet lawns at the club, all at international standard and reputed to be the best in the UK. Hosting the Croquet World Cup and International Open Championships each year and regular internal and external tournaments, it is essential all four lawns live up to expectations. Peter explains: “Cutting on

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the croquet lawns is low at 3mm to create a billiards table finish. The Toro Greensmaster 1600 pedestrian mowers fitted with 11-blades deliver a 3mm cut without losing the velvety finish our players like.” For the 30 tennis courts, of which ten are grass, Peter has brought in Toro’s Greensmaster 1000 pedestrian mowers. “Tennis is a very different surface to manage to golf and croquet. A good, consistent bounce is required and to achieve that the courts must have a high clay content and the grass plant must be well established with a dense root mass to stabilise the ground similar to that used for the cricket field, otherwise the wear caused by play traffic would disintegrate the surface very quickly. The GM1000 mowers offer a precise but gentle cut, ideal for this surface.” Rubbing shoulders with the other ‘greats’ in the area: The Hurlingham Club, Queens Club and the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Roehampton Club is set apart by being the only one to offer golf for its members. It is ranked one of the best sports clubs in the country and Peter and the club’s greenkeepers, who skilfully maintain all grass surfaces with Toro machinery, take great pride in that.

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PRODUCT TEST Toro Greensmaster eFlex series by James de Havilland

Toro eFlex 2120 retains heart of eFlex 2100

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Although obviously keen to show off its latest products, Toro retains a six-season-old eFlex 2100 on its demo fleet. While this model has now been superceded by the eFlex 2120, Toro is keen to prove its faith in battery power. As the eFlex 2100 and current eFlex 2120 share the same driveline, why not prove this faith by continuing to run the previous model as a well-used demonstration model? It does take a little while to familiarise yourself to working a mower that is battery- powered. The gentle ‘putter’ of a petrol engine is replaced by a whirr, the ambient sounds you miss when using a ‘conventional’ mower all being restored when walking behind an eFlex. So why is Toro still employing a six-year old eFlex 2100 to show off these charms when this version has been superseded by the new eFlex 2120? Simple really. With the eFlex, the primary task is to demonstrate the efficiency of lithium-ion battery power, and what better way to do so than running a well-used demonstrator. Not only does this help prove the system’s longevity it also shows Toro has absolute faith in lithium-ion battery power. The downside, of course, is that a machine that is now in its sixth season will not benefit from the developments made to its newer siblings. But in terms of the actual ‘electric’ bit, an eFlex 2100 will give little away to its eFlex 2120 successor. That is not to say Toro has rested upon its laurels as developments in battery technology have been made but, rather than make new claims for the latest system, Toro simply sticks to what it promised at the

to be adjusted the instant weight is taken off the cutting unit for a turn. By simply adjusting the turn-speed down (it will also go the other way to speed the turn if wanted) it is possible to bring the speed down to what you want. During the demo, this was handy as the putting green we were cutting had a pronounced down slope on its extreme eastern flank. Getting the turn speed right for this element of the mow was made simpler with EZ-Turn, with no need to throttle the revs and rebuild them as you want to do with a petrol Flex model. Slowing the turn speed by around 10 percent made flipping between bouts easier and, more importantly, helped ensure the return pass was exactly in line with where you left off, with no speed induced in over- or under- compensation. A mower with a few hundred hours under its cylinders is always going to show a few signs of wear and tear. But with the eFlex 2100, the lack of a petrol power unit really masked the unit’s age and hours. As you would expect with a demonstration machine, the mower was well-prepared, but few suppliers would have the confidence to offer up a machine now entering its sixth season as a frontline demo model. That this eFlex felt pretty much ‘factory fresh’ is a sure indicator that battery power is not just a short-term fancy. It is a tech with staying power.

outset. An eFlex 2120 should deliver enough charge to mow up to nine greens, just as it promised for the original eFlex 2100. Operation between the original eFlex 2100 and the latest eFlex 2120 has not changed. Insert the key and turn the mower “on”. After a brief delay, the InfoCenter display comes alive, showing the state of the battery’s charge and speed setting in the default start up menu. Unlike a petrol Flex walk-behind mower, the InfoCenter bar chart showing the ‘throttle setting’ is repeatedly accurate in that the bar chart level of power selected by the operator will be the same each time it is set. Next up, you engage drive the DPA cutting units, select drive and off you go. Take up is best described as manageably instant. With no mechanical clutch to divert power to the drive roller, the eFlex just seamlessly surges ahead, a whirr from the cutting unit and a flurry of clippings appearing in the collector reinforcing the message that it is all systems go. When it comes to the turn, the accepted practice of raising the unit on its roller and swinging the mower around operates just as it does with a petrol Flex model. The difference here is that Toro fit the eFlex with an EZ-Turn feature. In flat conditions, many may not really see a need for this feature but, when you are mowing a green with an awkward approach or slope, EZ-Turn is really handy as it enables the speed of the mower

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05 Operating an eFlex calls for just the briefest of introductions, a slight delay between switching on to setting off allowing the electronics to fault test the system and ensure actual battery capacity is shown on the InfoCenter screen.

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01 The Toro eFlex walk-behind mower is pretty much the same as the company’s petrol powered Flex models. There are differences, of course: instant action from the electric power pack is one, little noise is the other. As for maintenance, the main one is to remember to charge the battery.

Toro Greensmaster eFlex 2120 FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Toro eFlex 1820 and eFlex 2120 models have received the core development tweaks applied to the petrol-powered Flex 1820 and Flex 2120 for 2017. The handles now feature an improved range of adjustment and the DPA cutting units are fitted with the new EdgeSeries cylinders. The core of the original eFlex 2100 models, launched back in 2010, however, has not been changed. Why? The Toro-developed lithium-ion battery system powering these eFlex walk- behind models is well-proven and consistently delivers upon its promise of giving nearly 4,500m 2 of cutting power between charges in ‘real world’ operation. In simple terms, that is enough to mow nine greens or half a football pitch pretty much in silence and with negligible demands in terms of fuel use. The system works and, as there is no need to change it, it has been carried over to the current eFlex models. Machine spec: Engine: Lithium-ion battery pack 53 volt 35Ah (42-64 volt, 1.68kWh). Single battery affixed to unit and charged onboard Electric motor: Brushless permanent magnet DC motor, nominal 1.2kW (20A continuous, 30A peak) with integral motor controller and helical gear reduction Transmission: Permanent magnet DC motor directly coupled to the first stage of a multi- ribbed poly-V belt drive. Traction drums are belt driven through a spur gear planetary differential with integral band style service/parking brake

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02 eFlex models use the same floating DPA units as their petrol siblings, but the new for 2017 eFlex 2120 boasts new EdgeSeries cylinders and a revised mount for the clippings box. The latter now rests on the DPA frame as opposed to the mower chassis to enhance collection over undulating greens. 03 The chassis and DPA cutting unit is shared between eFlex and Flex models, electric and petrol models delivering the same high-quality finish. The pictured eFlex 2100 is in its sixth season and is run as a demonstrator to help reinforce the longevity of battery power. 04 EZ-Turn allows the operator to slow the turn speed to match conditions, a useful feature on greens with a pronounced drop as pictured.

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Full report at reesinkturfcare.co.uk

Mowing speed: 0.9-3.7mph (1.4-5.9kmph)

Transport speed: 5.7mph (9.2kmph)

Cutting width: 21ins (53.3cm)

Cutting units: Dual Precision Adjustment (DPA) cutting units Height of cut: Bench height of cut 0.062ins- 0.297ins (1.6-7.5mm)

Height of cut kit 0.297ins-1.0ins (7.5-25.4mm)

Number of blades: 8-, 11- and 14-blade

Weight: 293lbs (133kg)

Warranty: 2-year limited warranty

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Always something new at Wentworth Club and the BMW PGA Championship Highlighted kit: Greensmaster eFlex, Reelmaster 5010-H & TYM tractors Ever critical eyes adopted a new focus on this year’s BMW PGA Championship. The iconic West Course at Wentworth Club was subject to major reworking from June 2016 ahead of this year’s tournament at the end of May – all 18 greens were stripped and reseeded, and the bunkers redesigned. Wentworth’s director of courses & grounds, Kenny Mackay, says: “The 8th, 11th, 14th and 16th greens were subject to a complete rebuild with a further five having major work done. The bunkers were remodelled to address problems that included poor drainage through to inconsistent sand depth, with no fewer than 29 being removed completely.” Also new to 2017 was the decision to mow the fairways in one direction so there were no stripes, plus an alteration to the sequence in which the greens are cut. Instead of the team mowing and preparing all 18 tees and greens ahead of tee off, mowing of the back nine was delayed until the first player was on the course. Build-up to the tournament begins in May, Kenny says: “Thankfully, we have a fantastic relationship with suppliers like Toro and Reesink plus the support of BIGGA and the European Tour team. The key to a good build-up to a tournament is working together and trying to anticipate problems before they become one.

Experience of the BMW PGA Championship of course helps, but I’m always learning. That is what keeps this job interesting.” In terms of the kit employed at Wentworth for such an event, there were 20 hand mowers in action, with 40 mowers in total. “We bring in extra Toro equipment from Reesink Turfcare’s Tournament Support Fleet, with two of the company’s service personnel joining our in- house mechanics to look after the equipment.” The Toro equipment and TYM tractors used to tend the West Course are leased as part of the deal with Reesink Turfcare set up as part of a five-year programme, with the key mowing kit for the West Course replaced on a two-and-a- half-year cycle. This, says Kenny, is to allow access to the latest mowing technology: “We use hybrid fairway mowers, for example, and hand mow with electric greens mowers. I believe in always looking at improving the way in which we do things.” Kenny is clearly grateful for the wide support he receives not just from Toro and Reesink and his own in-house team, but the BIGGA volunteers too. The remodelled bunkers were tended to by 25 volunteers and those viewing the tournament on ultra-high definition television sets could not fail to see the care that went into raking the bunker sand, or indeed the care and attention to detail that goes into the whole course.

Toro brings wow factor and members to Chevin Kit: GM7200, Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, GM4700-D, RM3100-D, RM3100-D with Sidewinder, RM5510-D & ProCore 648 Chevin Golf Club’s first Toro fleet has brought the wow factor to an already impressive course and, according to course manager Andy Mellor, membership at the club near Derby has increased. “The course was in a good state when I arrived, but there were some areas for improvement,” he says. “One of the problem areas was the finish around the trees and on the roughs. I thought the answer would be Toro’s Groundsmaster 7200, and I was right. Its accessibility is fantastic, it’s in and out of the trees in no time. The range of cuts is extensive and that has allowed us to create a more bespoke cutting regime and a much smarter aesthetic on the roughs.” Making a particularly good impression with the five-strong greenkeeping team is the Reelmaster 3100-D with Sidewinder, with Andy calling it “the machine of the moment”. Andy says the machine earns this high praise because of the option to shift the cutting units from side to side: “Being able to move the cutting units left and right gives an extra 24 inches and increases the overhang for trimming. This is particularly beneficial when it comes to maintaining the bunkers, lakes and ponds, as pictured above. There’s no risk of damaging the walls because the weight is balanced away from the edge, and of course therefore there’s less risk that the machine and operator may tip into the bunker or lake!” The service from dealer Cheshire Turf Machinery has played a large part in Andy’s satisfaction. “I had a fantastic relationship with the Toro dealership Devon Garden Machinery who covered my previous club and the backup and support from Cheshire Turf Machinery here has been brilliant, too. Nothing is too hard for my contact Chris Halley and it’s clear Reesink Turfcare takes a great deal of care over which dealerships to work with. “Toro has eliminated all the niggles and little problems remaining on the course and as a result playability is further improved. Member retention is excellent and, since Toro came on board, 60 new members have joined.”

01 Toro at work at the 2017 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club. Pictured inset, director of courses & grounds, Kenny Mackay.

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SPRAYING

Machine Focus Toro Multi Pro 5800-D

“Modern spraying at its best”, “simple to use and so accurate”, “undoubtedly the best piece of equipment I’ve bought”… these happy customers can only be talking about one thing: the Multi Pro 5800-D, the sprayer that is entering the fold as one of the Toro ‘greats’ – the machines that go down in history, such as the ProCore 648 and the Greensmaster 1000, for being that good. The Multi Pro 5800-D, pictured left, has the power of a 36.5hp Kubota diesel engine to transport up to 300 gallons of chemicals and, if you opt for the large optional rinse tank kit, 30 gallons of fresh water too. That kind of capacity means a dramatic increase in productivity as chemical refill is far less often and you’ll be carrying three cycles worth of water at one time. Continual agitation of the tank contents means chemicals are always applied evenly at the optimum mixing point. While the optional Pro Control feature allows for precise calibration, responding instantly to the operator’s desired flow rate, consistently delivering it from start to stop, pass after pass. The boom can be enhanced with a boom shroud to minimise spray drift in windy conditions, which our links course customers find particularly beneficial, and to make sure nothing slows down operation there’s an optional fully-enclosed cab with air conditioning.

Pro Control feature allows for precise calibration, responding instantly to the operator’s desired flow rate, consistently delivering it from start to stop, pass after pass.

Specification

Engine 36.5hp Kubota diesel engine

Ground speed Forward: 0-10mph. Reverse: 0-4mph

Nozzle type Drift reduction

Spray control Manual as standard, optional Pro Control

Spray pump 6-diaphragm adjustable hydraulic drive

Chemical tank capacity 300 gallon (1,136ltr) Standard boom (open): 6.1m

Weight 2,882lbs (1,307kg)

Dimensions with spray system Height: 1.46m. Length: 3.91m booms forward. Width: 1.75m booms forward

Warranty 2-year limited warranty

GeoLink The great Multi Pro 5800-D can be improved further still by add-ons like GeoLink, which uses GPS technology to automatically turn individual sprinklers on and off based on the machine’s exact location and the boundaries set. This option virtually eliminates waste and elevates the Multi Pro 5800-D’s accuracy levels from superior to unparalleled.

Product literature at reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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The Roundup

an ongoing plan to redevelop and reconstruct areas of the course for which new machinery was required. I knew I needed Toro to help the team make it a premier golfing destination and I was happy to commit to Toro in a five-year rolling plan.” Involved in stage one of the plan is a Toro Groundsmaster 4500-D bringing, says Dave, a “wider-cut to the roughs”, a Reelmaster 3100-D “for bank work”, and a time-tested Greensmaster 3250-D for a precise, fine finish on the greens. The deal was negotiated by Elliot Wellman from Devon Garden Machinery who has more “The Reelmaster 5010-H’s PowerMatch technology greatly reduces fuel consumption and therefore our impact on the environment. We value biodiversity, so the fact that the more fuel- efficient electric cylinder drive reduces exhaust pollution and removes oil leaks are bonuses that won’t upset wildlife or players.” In addition to the Reelmaster 5010-H the club purchased a Groundsmaster 4500-D, Workman HDX, ProCore 648 pedestrian aerator and a Greensmaster TriFlex 3400 to join its existing Toro fleet. Greetham Valley Golf Club has been a Toro customer for 23 years and Adrian says he’s “always been able to rely on Reesink’s customer service”. “We remain exclusively loyal to Toro thanks to this service and the machines’ reliability. The machines are always of great build quality and the investment is worth every penny – especially as Toro’s reputation means they will have a great resale value in years to come.” Adrian heads up a team of nine greenkeepers, one gardener and one mechanic. On top of maintaining 45 holes, Greetham’s greenkeeping team use their skills and Toro machinery to tackle sports pitch maintenance and landscaping jobs in the surrounding area.

prevents the ground from flooding and lets air, light and all the good stuff in.” The TYM T433 tractor is the perfect choice for aerating the pitches and relieving compaction, as it’s powerful enough to pull attachments such as a deep tine aerator without damaging the turf. It was purchased as part of an order including a Toro Groundsmaster 3280-D and a Toro Reelmaster 5510-D and is considered by Peter to be an investment for the future: “We have plans to invest in a brush attachment for working in topdressing sand and for sweeping morning dew off the outfield in preparation for early cricket matches.”

Environment Greetham goes greener

Maintenance and repair Turf triumphs over weather with TYM

Environmental Golf Course of the Year, Greetham Valley Golf Club, has a conscientious environmental attitude as shown by its recent decision to purchase the Toro Reelmaster 5010-H hybrid mower, known for its ability to cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent. Ecological best practice is important to Greetham, it has implemented initiatives including reducing chemical usage, controlling pests, disease and weeds using holistic methods, creating wildflower meadows and constructing 17 new ponds. Course manager Adrian Porter says: “The environment and sustainability is at the forefront of the club’s mind. As an industry- leading innovator with greener mowing options, Toro matches our forward-thinking approach.

of an understanding of the club’s requirements than usual for a dealer, having worked at the club for 16 years as a greenkeeper! Elliot says: “Knowing the club as I do, and with an understanding from Dave of its ambitions for the future, these Toro choices are wise ones. It’s incredibly exciting watching the changes the club is making; it’s now one of the most successful clubs in the area, which is a great achievement for all involved.” It’s not often you come across a club which has the support and backing of a member as its owner and an ex-employee as its dealer. The understanding that T433. As soon as conditions are right, which is normally around September, we aerate the rugby pitches every three weeks right through to the end of the season. This relieves soil compaction, In the past six years St Joseph’s College has only cancelled one weekend of sport due to severe frost. Brought onto the superb sporting facilities at St Joseph’s College to maintain this streak is a TYM T433 compact tractor, which tows an aerator for relieving compaction and aiding turf health. Head Groundsman, Peter Hamilton, who opted for the T433 based on a demo and a fellow groundsman’s recommendation, says: “In the winter months the aerator doesn’t come off the

In the winter months the aerator doesn’t

come off the T433. Peter Hamilton Head groundsman, St Joseph’s College

this combination brings to the running of the club alongside a talented head greenkeeper such as Dave will undoubtedly bring it even greater success in the next two years.

Course redevelopment and reconstruction

Pivotal point in history sees commitment to Toro

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When Dave King moved to Cricket St Thomas Golf Club in Somerset as head greenkeeper two years ago, the club was at a pivotal point in its history. It had come under new ownership by a member, Steve Hill and his wife Jacqui, had been re-branded and a major investment in the future of the club was underway. “The club has undergone quite the transformation since it was bought,” says Dave. “And there’s

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turning heads with some help from the heavy-duty Reelmaster 5610-D: “The fairway mower’s DPA cutting units are giving a great after-cut appearance and visitors have compared our fairways to that of baize on a pool table,” says Derek. The final machine in the trio is the Groundsmaster 4300-D. According to Derek: “The greenkeepers use the GM4300-D to chew through the roughs with ease and report that, like the other Toros, it is very comfortable to operate.” Derek says the deal was made easy by Reesink rep Mike Turnbull: “After lengthy discussions with Mike, an excellent deal was struck. We considered the fact that the machines have low fuel consumption and brilliant residual sale values. Reesink and Toro provide a first class backup service, too, ensuring optimum performance and longevity. All these factors led us to believe that by choosing Toro the club has made the right decision for its future.” With visitors raving about the results provided by the new machines within a month, it clearly was a good decision.

Greens, fairways and roughs Toro trio impresses

Duns Golf Club, an 18-hole parkland course established in the Scottish Borders in 1894, has recently taken charge of three new Toro machines, which join the existing fleet to maintain almost 100 acres of turf. And since the Toro trio purchase less than a month ago the undulating course is “really starting to impress”, says club captain Derek Bates. The machines purchased were the Reelmaster 5610-D, Greensmaster 3250-D and the “excellent” Groundsmaster 4300-D. Derek says: “The course which covers 97 acres with many undulations is really starting to impress now. The greens are the highlight of the course thanks to the Greensmaster 3250-D. They are immaculate and visitors are impressed with how fast and slick they are playing. The machine follows the undulations effortlessly, giving a consistent cut, and climbs any hills with no problem.” And the greens aren’t the only talking point, the fairways are also

Q&A With Mark Pettit, pictured above and inset, ex-Arsenal Football Club groundsman, who with IOG recognised young groundsman, Josef Farrow, forms Premiership Lawncare. Here Mark give us a glimpse into

we get dry weeks, means late night watering with portable sprinklers. We wouldn’t change our job for the world though! Where do you see the future of turfcare maintenance going, any notable changes we can expect? Wherever the industry goes the basics will never change,

the company which provides top-flight lawncare, sports facility management, spraying services, aeration, commercial

good cultural practices will always go towards creating great surfaces. Products will come and go but we always find a way to adapt and continue to create

site management and renovations.

How did Premiership Lawncare come about? We both worked at Oakham School and on a wet day in November 2015 we sat in the works vehicle and got on the subject of starting our own business. Since then it’s been the best decision we could have made. What’s the project you’ve worked on that stands out the most? We enjoy all aspects of the job, but some of our most enjoyable projects have been domestic lawns. It’s great bringing our professional experience into people’s lives via their lawns, creating a fantastic outdoor living space. Every surface offers different challenges. Cricket is certainly a challenge especially with the great British summer being so unpredictable at times and more and more fixtures seem to be put on the square each year. We have limited time to get things done and bowls is another busy surface, there always seems to be something on the green. Without irrigation systems at some places watering becomes a problem, which, when Which surfaces are the hardest to treat?

great surfaces.

Which UK ground or club’s playing surface do you admire the most, and why? I respect any groundsman or greenkeeper in the industry, it’s not an easy profession to take up, scrutiny at whatever level you work at will be there and people’s expectations continue to rise due to the high standard we all work at in this country. Every facility in the country has different circumstances so for me it’s not fair to judge. With regards to business goals, where do you see Premier Lawncare in five years? We want to obviously continue growing as a business, we are already ahead of schedule and that is a good sign so we will just continue the good work and see where it takes us. We’ve got to ask, what’s your favourite bit of Toro kit and why? We looked no further than Toro when it came to buying an aerator. The ProCore 648 was ever-present in Arsenal’s shed and it is, in my opinion, the best there is for professional spiking.

accurate cut right down to 2.5mm with no risk of turf damage. It’s just not worth the risk. With Reesink Turfcare offering ten percent off all genuine Toro cylinders, bought this September, now’s the time to stock up and ensure you have a good supply and the best possible cylinder cut at the best possible price.

Parts Real deal for September

According to agronomists, cylinder mowing is the best option for grass, delivering the cleanest and healthiest of cuts. This is because the blades spin vertically creating a scissoring action against the bottom blade to cut the grass leaves. With the workings of a cylinder mower so intricate, it would be unwise to upset the equilibrium by putting anything other than genuine parts in your Toro machine. Fitting an inferior ‘will-fit’ part against a genuine Toro cylinder removes the guarantee of a consistently

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Irrigation Solutions

at work

brand as we are on a five-year leasing package for all our turf machinery. But Toro irrigation was chosen for its own merit and it was the Lynx control system in particular that sold it to me. I’ve been using the system since April 2017 and in my opinion it is the best system I could have chosen, it’s so easy to work with. But the real proof is in the grass, it looks amazing: green and lush and the members have really noticed a difference.” It definitely helps having over a thousand sprinklers working their magic!

and lined every one with bunker Blinder. We’ve added lake edges to two feature holes and concrete pathways for ease of movement around the course.” It was while making these changes that Andy and the team decided to replace the irrigation system. Andy explains: “The irrigation system was 25 years old and as a result the PVC piping was turning brittle, it was very unreliable and the computer system was antiquated. And all of these factors were visibly displaying on the course. We had dry patches and grass that was turning yellow.” Andy says the owners encouraged him to seek out “the best”, a decision Andy turned to irrigation specialists Lakes and Greens to help him make. “We were after the highest specification,” says Andy. “Wall-to- wall sprinklers, a mapping system and Grundfos pumps that work with the controllers were key. “We are familiar with the Toro The computer-based software is coupled to wireless soil sensors beneath the surface enabling effective planning and real-time adjustments to benefit plant health, playing surface conditions and to sync with other turf management regimes. “The efficient head-to-head sprinklers, soil sensing equipment, weather station system and integrated pump stations have had a big impact on how much water we use and on the club’s bottom line. Water off the mains is not cheap and it’s sensible not only for the environment, but also our budget to use the resource effectively. We’re making big savings and it’s improving grass- growing conditions, too. “There are plans to put in place water holding tanks underneath the stands to harvest water from

A game of numbers It’s all in the numbers for The Buckinghamshire Golf Club, which has recently undergone a £3 million course redesign. The course has been lengthened to 7200 Championship yards, 112 bunkers have been redesigned to 64 and the 25-year-old irrigation system has been replaced with a new Toro Lynx controller with

1275 Flex 35 and T5 sprinklers, ensuring that not an inch of the 226 acre venue goes without a good watering. Course manager Andy Ewence says the course needed some alterations to ensure its position as one of the finest inland courses in the British Isles: “We wanted to update some aspects of the course. Lengthening it adds a new challenge for our members and better suits the tournaments we host. We’ve reduced 112 bunkers to 64, relocated the remaining 64

Lynx let loose at Rhinos’ home

the stand roofs. The surface area there will collect a good amount of water to reuse,” Ryan tells us. “I will test the nutritional value of the water every four weeks and from the results will be able to decide whether to use the water to irrigate the pitch or use it in the washrooms and showers. “The bottom line is Lynx gives us the power to make these kind of big-impact, long-lasting decisions, which is fantastic.”

In 2013, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, the West Yorkshire home of Leeds Rhinos rugby club and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, was the first sports stadium in the UK to opt for Toro’s advanced irrigation system, Lynx. Four years on the sports venue has a new head groundsman, Ryan Golding. Here we talk to him about the system, which placed the stadium at the forefront of sports pitch irrigation. “Lynx was chosen by my predecessor Jason Booth as part of a £1 million pitch rebuild,” he says. “He saw the reasoning behind having a high spec system for many reasons, but

predominantly for its real-time intuitive control and water sustainability.” It was hoped Lynx would enable the club to access detailed and comprehensive information on all aspects of the pitch and its irrigation programmes, to monitor water, energy and other inputs and based on the findings introduce a more sustainable way to manage the pitch. Ryan confirms that as hoped,

the system has put the pitch management team in control.

10 . news lines . summer 2017

Otterbine news SEEING IS BELIEVING AT ‘ACE OF HEARTS’ Thanks to the ingenuity of deputy greenkeeper Lewis Mattholie and Otterbine’s Fractional aerators, Brickendon Grange Golf Club has two new beauty spots at the club for golfers to enjoy. With the problem of slightly stagnating water in the ponds flanking the eighth and eighteenth holes and the occasion of the club’s 50th anniversary to mark, Lewis decided to tackle the problem. “The water needed some TLC, it was stagnating and starting to smell. I knew the answer was an aerator so I decided to create a makeshift unit with a hose and end plug to demonstrate the effect of a fountain!” The management committee could instantly see how a fountain would rejuvenate the two holes by bringing beauty and tranquillity. By choosing Otterbine’s Fractional five-in-one aerating system, the club benefits from improved water quality too. The Fractional transfers an impressive 1kg/2.2lbs of oxygen per hp/hr and has pumping rate of 115m3/ph, which keeps the ecosystem of smaller areas of water in balance. Lewis confirms: “The water quality has vastly improved.” In fact one member of the club was so taken with the two new fountains they offered to pay for both! Which leads us to ponder the club’s nickname of the ‘ace of Herts’. While we know it’s so named for its geographical location, with such kind-hearted members we wonder if it’s more appropriately named the ‘ace of hearts’!

Leeds Castle in Kent has recently installed a Toro Lynx control system with 180 Flex 35 and Flex 55 sprinklers on all the greens, approaches and tees of the nine-hole golf course, plus the short-game practice area, putting green and partial fairways to holes one, two and nine. Installed by MJ Abbott, the project has been such a success that irrigation has subsequently been brought on to the castle island too, with a further 130 sprinklers providing water to the croquet lawn, Maiden’s Tower garden and upper and lower level gardens.

Insider knowledge

What are your top tips for irrigation maintenance?

Too often a system has not been installed to a suitable standard or is no longer set up properly. As a result performance

A big part of my role is faultfinding within existing systems and providing advice on in-house maintenance. Things such as replacing old greased filled crimps for new 3m DBY/R units, routinely checking controller data matches sprinkler setup in the field, inspecting arcs to confirm application area is correct and checking that service earth points are always secure are easy to do and make a big difference, instantly. How did the irrigation day help with these kinds of issues? The two outdoor sessions I co-presented with my colleague Cevan Edwards brought a fully operating sprinkler system above ground. By having the whole sprinkler on display we were able to demonstrate best operating practice, show what potential faults look like, and help people identify and deal with these problems in a proactive manner. We could point out the hydraulic tubing, which is fitted to the outside of the Toro Infinity sprinkler body, and attached to the sprinkler below ground and away from damage. And the gear drives of the Flex and Infinity sprinklers which are all lubricated with water rather than oil. This detail provides a fundamental understanding of all aspects of irrigation and dispels any pre-existing assumptions of how some sprinklers operate.

Rob Green, inset, is Reesink Turfcare’s senior technical support for Toro

will suffer: cables that aren’t potted correctly, sprinklers that aren’t set up

Irrigation. The phrase – ‘industry stalwart’ – most certainly applies to Rob, with over a decade of experience installing, programming and maintaining irrigation systems,

properly, debris in the pipework from installation and incorrect data within the controller are all common situations. It’s why we always promote allocating the time and care needed for the installation of each and every system. It is imperative for supplier and installer to oversee everything to ensure the standard of installation matches the quality of the product and clients don’t incur unnecessary operating costs and repair time. Why do you think irrigation systems get overlooked? I’ve noticed users are sometimes uncertainty over the outcome of any changes made. For that reason, quite often irrigation maintenance doesn’t attract the same attention as the specialist machinery cutting the grass. Given that other than the land and its bricks and mortar within, an irrigation system is likely the biggest asset you can own, this never fails to surprise me. We think it’s time to start applying the same principles to irrigation maintenance that are applied to machinery maintenance. We show end-users how equipment can be made to last longer, do a better job and reduce operating costs. hesitant to meddle with their irrigation systems due to an

and now training. We caught up with Rob hot on the heels of presenting at the Turfcare

Professionals Irrigation Training Day, co-hosted by Reesink and turf irrigation specialists Aquaturf, in Dublin.

Why was there a need to hold an irrigation training day? Irrigation is a topic often left in the background. The result of this is when problems do arise, they can come on quickly, catch you out and won’t always have an obvious solution, meaning a contractor has to be brought in to rectify the issue. The training day provided information that can be applied to all brands of irrigation equipment, advice on the best sprinkler configurations for different areas of a course and hopefully helped end-users develop a trained eye to implement preventative measures against potential problems or ably respond to existing ones. What is the most common issue with irrigation systems? The most common issue I come across on site visits is negligence.

Call Rob at Reesink on 01480 226948 for more information.

news lines . summer 2017 . 11

He says: “We have 18 USGA spec greens on the JH Taylor Course and a reputation as one of the best golfing experiences in London to uphold. Both the JH Taylor and Pam Barton courses offer fast true greens and that has been the case since the club opened in 1892. With so many years of golfing history to maintain it’s essential we can rely on the kit to get the job done.” When a course is specifically created with ‘humps and hollows’ for distinctive character as Royal Mid-Surrey was by JH Taylor and greenkeeper at the time Peter Lees, it requires a talented course manager, a skilled greenkeeping team and a reliable fleet to ensure that character is presented as intended 125 years later. It’s thanks to Gavin, his team and Toro that this is the case. With so many years of golfing history to maintain it’s essential we can rely on the kit to get the job done.

Get in touch For turfcare machinery, irrigation and water aeration products: Reesink Turfcare UK Limited 1-3 Station Road, St Neots Cambridgeshire PE19 1QH Tel: 01480 226800 Email: info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk watch. It spoke volumes about the trust and commitment the ‘home of golf’ had in Reesink’s supply structure and the service and support we offer.” FIRST YEAR SUCCESS Reesink Turfcare is marking 12 months as Toro distributor. Managing director, David Cole, reports healthy sales, good market and revenue performance and excellent client retention: “The business has been steered down a new path and customer reaction has been extremely favourable.” Tribute was paid to staff for the way they embraced change and made things work smoothly for the new company and customers, headed by achieving the first phase of a necessary operating system changeover in only four months, instead of the expected 18 months. Investment in the business came with the opening of a new Scotland service branch and significant investment was made in the company’s IT infrastructure. The icing on the cake was, says David: “When The Toro Company and St Andrews Links signed a long-term partnership agreement under our new

100% Toro for 125th anniversary Machinery replacement deal for Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club

a regular replacement programme. We replace the machines based on their hours of work and general condition. It so happened that the purchase coincided with our 125th anniversary year, which brings with it a packed calendar with celebratory events planned for every month of the year, and in many cases multiple competitions in a month.” The initial reasons Royal Mid-Surrey opted for Toro in 2005 was for ease of use and machine speed over the ground, and it appears its performance has been nothing but exemplary. With two 18-hole courses to tend, each offering two very different tests of golf, Gavin needs to know he can rely on the machines to give a true cut.

In 2005 Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, one of London’s top private members club in Richmond-on- Thames, completed an all-in machinery purchase with Toro, making the club’s shed 100 percent Toro red for the first time. 2017 marks the club’s 125th anniversary and coinciding with that the club board was presented with a proposal to purchase 18 new turfcare machines by course manager, Gavin Kinsella, which they unanimously decided to action. Gavin, who has been at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club for ten years and heads up a team of 16 greenkeepers who maintain the club’s two 18-hole courses, says: “We have an extensive fleet and place huge demands on each machine, so it’s important to have

Gavin Kinsella Course manager, Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club

News in brief...

IT’S SHOW TIME

Five new members have joined Reesink’s East Anglia service branch. The appointments further strengthen the philosophy of the brand to provide knowledge and expert advice while also giving customers direct access to maintenance, servicing and operator and parts support in the east of England. FIVE STAR BRANCH EXPANSION

EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR

One of the industry’s biggest exhibitors at SALTEX and BTME, show preparation starts early for Reesink Turfcare who is taking Toro turf machinery and irrigation, Otterbine lake and pond aerators and TYM tractors to both shows. TYM tractors will also be at LAMMA in January.

September sees the finals of the 2017 Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award at BIGGA’s HQ in Aldwark and it’s set to be a closely run contest. With word out about the Young category, which debuted to great success in 2016, entries were notably up. Plus entries came from an even wider spread of colleges across the country.

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