The Golf Consultants Association has voted for chairman Howard Swan to remain in the post for a further two years, following the recent annual general meeting in London. Having been chairman since 2014, this latest decision ensures Swan, a course architect with the family-owned Swan Golf Designs, will serve a five-year term as head of…

“Wrapping chicken wire around a sleeper to prevent someone from slipping on hazardous elevated stepped access, or tripping or falling from steep sided tees just doesn’t solve the problem, it contributes to it, as do many other cheaper methods on wet hazardous railway sleepers and steps,” said Barry Eagle from Gripclad. “We can offer you…

Some say a week is a long time, but not Charterhouse Turf Machinery’s Nick Darking. Its ‘Dealer Training Week’ “flew by” he said, “with 68 dealer staff from across the country converging on Charterhouse School for us to update them on new and updated kit.” Existing, and recently appointed dealers from its distribution network had…

Turf and other chemical products will undergo a number of changes to the labels that appear on the product packaging. It follows the United Nation’s (UN) Global Harmonisation System (GHS) of the classification and labelling of chemicals. “GHS introduces revised hazard symbols, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements, with the aim of creating a…

One of the most respected greenkeepers in Britain, Peter Todd, has taken up a new role as estate manager of Royal Norwich Golf Club to oversee the development of its new courses. The position will include club managerial duties as well as overseeing the courses, which are being built because the club is relocating. Todd,…

Northenden Golf Club in Manchester is a parkland course, heavily populated by trees. Dealing with the extraordinary leaf fall is one of the biggest bug-bears for course manager Robert Cleisham and his greenkeeping team. However, the purchase of a Trilo S3 vacuum sweeper in November 2016 has been a “revelation” in dealing with the most…

Kubota’s high performance M7060 Utility tractor has joined forces with its L5040 counterpart to deliver a first class finish at the world-famous Rye Golf Club. Recently purchased by deputy course manager and Rye Golf Club course expert, Garth Grand, the powerful M7060 machine was chosen for the East Sussex course based on Garth’s single requirement…

Upton-by-Chester Golf Club has taken delivery of an all-electric Eclipse 322 ride-on greens’ mower, and an AR522 rough mower. Three sides of the golf course are surrounded by a residential area, and after several complaints about noise early in the morning, Head Greenkeeper Simon Ashford and Course Director Fred Hopley decided to invest in the…

One of the world’s foremost experts on turfgrass disease management, John Dempsey PhD, last year carried out a major trial on whether it’s possible to maintain healthy turfgrass on a fairway with just one application of a controlled release fertiliser. Here’s his report: In 2016 a field study was carried out on the 15th fairway…

Sherriff Amenity has announced the launch of Marathon Turf Core Renovator, which is the latest addition to the popular range of Marathon fertilisers. For a number of years, turf managers have reaped the benefits of Sherriff Amenity’s range of Marathon fertilisers – The Marathon Sport range of extended release fertilisers provide long-lasting, balanced growth on…

England’s most south westerly course, the nine-hole Isles of Scilly Golf Club, offers stunning views and is maintained by a team of three volunteer greenkeepers, headed by Derek Metcalfe. Having no previous greenkeeping, or even gardening, experience Derek relies on advice and guidance from trusted friends and industry contacts – like Headland Amenity for the…

The prestigious Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year awards are returning for 2017. Last year Jimmy Heritage, of Maylands, joined the list of talented greenkeepers who have secured the highly coveted award, which is now in its 29th year. “Winning the award was the culmination of three years’ hard work,” said Jimmy, 25. “Greenkeeping has…

Mount Lawley Golf Club, located in Perth, Western Australia, has taken delivery of a fleet of machinery from renowned turf equipment manufacturer Jacobsen. Local dealer McIntosh & Son made the delivery. The club decided to invest in brand new machinery to improve the playing surface of the golf course. The machinery leased through Jacobsen included…

Top Shropshire course, Market Drayton GC has taken delivery of the first Terra Spike SL6, Wiedenmann’s super light aerator for fine turf. “It came along just as I was looking for extra depth,” said head greenkeeper, Simon Cotterill. “Our previous micro-tine machine operated to about 100mm but going to 210mm just suits us better.” No…