Proves a partnership that’s built to last at The Glasgow Academy
ISEKI
TG 6495 versatility Drives Year-Round Growth at Brora Golf Club
36 | JULY/AUGUST 2026 DUNCAN ROSS Rejuvenates Broughton High School Sports Field
GROUNDSFEST 2026 The Event Bringing Landscaping Professionals Together
From smarter navigation to enhanced cut quality and optimised scheduling, Wisecut now puts more control in your hands.
• Adaptive mowing patterns for improved e iciency
• Step Cut Mode: The mower cuts areas over several passes while intelligently following the exact shape of the zone — not just in straight lines
• Smarter zone management means automated mowing for each specific game area: tees, fairways, semi-roughs, roughs and pre-greens
• Improved integration with scheduling and monitoring platforms
Working in Partnership with
In this issue
Welcome to Groundskeeping Journal, the UK’s leading bi-monthly publication providing latest product innovations, industry news and opinions from key professionals within the industry. With focuses on Aeration, Irrigation & Drainage; Greenskeeping; Latest News; Machinery; Pitch & Line Marking; Specialist Mowers; Sports Ground Equipment; Sports Pitches; Top Dressing; Sprayers & Spraying and Turf Management.
6 Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet
8 Hastings MacHale Park presented with GAA National Pitch of the Year award
10 Kubota proves a partnership that’s built to last at The Glasgow Academy
15 Newark Golf Club Invests for the Future
18 ISEKI
TG 6495 Versatility Drives YearRound Growth at Brora Golf Club
28 Duncan Ross Rejuvenates Broughton High School Sports Field After Eight Year Closure
34 SIS Pitches
Advanced Pitch Technology in Action at Nine 2026 World Cup Stadiums Across USA, Mexico & Canada
40 Agrovista Amenity Plays Key Role in Cold Ashby’s Course Transformation
50 MAKITA
Be blown away by the new Backpack blower’s performance
62 Salsco Rollers
Why are they finding a Place in Modern Turf Programmes
Contact Us
Enhancing Quality Sports
ello and welcome to Groundskeeping Journal. Our publication has been created to showcase the very latest industry news and product information from the Groundskeeping sector.
HIn each edition we carry in depth articles from some of the industry leaders, the articles cover many aspects of Groundskeeping with some offering tips and advice on Sports Pitches, Turf Management, Greens Keeping and much, much more. Whether you are looking for tips and advice on creating the perfect green or looking to
taking the time to read our publication, we hope you enjoy the read and if you would like to keep up to date with all things GKJ then make sure you check out our subscribe page.
Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet
rinkels UK has reinforced its commitment to sustainable grounds maintenance with a major investment in a fleet of Kress commercial battery powered equipment, supporting the upkeep of parks, open spaces across Westminster.
The new fleet, including mowers, blowers and brushcutters, was delivered to the company’s base at Victoria Embankment Gardens.
The setting provided a striking backdrop for a milestone moment, as operatives were introduced to the new equipment through live demonstrations and hands-on training sessions covering both the machinery and the Kress app system.
Krinkels UK holds a major contract with Westminster City Council, making performance, reliability and efficiency essential across all operations. For Assistant Operations Director Steve Morris, the investment
reflects both day-to-day operational needs and a clear long-term plan.
“Wherever possible, our instinct is to move towards electric equipment,” he said. “That said, we have to be realistic about what we’re delivering on the ground. We need to know that any solution can meet our contractual commitments, whether that’s power, battery life, and the practicality of carrying enough batteries for a full day’s work, and ultimately whether it represents value for money for our customers.”
“It’s important to us that we deliver a high-quality service, but also that we do so in the most environmentally responsible way possible.”
“This is a significant initial investment, but when viewed over the long term, it makes sense. It’s not just a financial investment, we’re investing in the future of the environment, and in the wellbeing of
the public and our teams.”
“Westminster is a particularly important step,” added Steve. “Operating in the heart of London brings additional responsibilities, and there is a clear ambition to move towards fully electric operations as part of wider air quality improvements. This sits alongside broader goals around greening, biodiversity net gain, and the development of connected green corridors in response to the climate emergency.”
Built for professional use, the Kress commercial range delivers the power required for demanding urban environments, alongside long run times and fast charging that help keep downtime to a minimum.
The consistent performance across the range ensures teams can work efficiently throughout the day, while low noise levels and reduced vibration improve operator comfort.
In addition, the Kress app system provides valuable insight into battery performance and equipment usage, helping teams plan more effectively and get the most from their fleet.
Ian Harwood, Sales Director at Groundserv, the supplying dealer,
has seen growing demand for highperformance battery solutions.
“We carry out demonstrations for a wide range of customers and people often say they’ve trialled other battery powered brands that haven’t quite ticked every box,” he said.
“With Kress, it’s the combination
of battery charging times, reduced downtime and the power of the machines that really stands out.”
For Kress UK, seeing its equipment in action across one of the capital’s most iconic landscapes is a proud moment.
“It’s amazing, a real privilege,” said Vince Jenkins, National Account Manager at Kress UK. “We’ve worked with Krinkels for around two years, supporting that transition from petrol to battery. Westminster is a prestigious and beautiful location, so to see the Kress fleet in operation here for the 2026 season is fantastic. It’s been a pleasure working together.”
As Krinkels continues the transition, Westminster marks an important milestone in the shift towards cleaner, quieter and more efficient grounds maintenance in the heart of the capital.
For more information, please visit www.kress.com/en-gb/
ISEKI UK & Ireland Announces Two Key Management Appointments
ISEKI UK & Ireland has announced two new management appointments as part of its continued commitment to supporting its dealer network and strengthening its market presence.
The company has confirmed the promotion of Andrew MacKenzie to the position of Sales & Marketing Manager with immediate effect.
In his new role, Andrew will take responsibility for the company’s marketing activities, including social media, print advertising and wider brand promotion, while continuing to support and manage the dealer network across Scotland, Iceland, and Northern England.
ISEKI UK & Ireland has also welcomed Matt Barr to the team as Regional Sales Manager for the island of Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Based in Northern Ireland, Matt brings extensive industry experience, having begun his career in golf course maintenance before moving into sales with an ISEKI and Raymo dealer. Most recently, he worked with a Toro turf equipment dealer.
With a strong background in groundcare machinery, technical support and sales, Matt will work closely with dealers and customers across Ireland and the Isle of Man, helping to drive growth, strengthen relationships and provide enhanced support throughout the territory.
Commenting on the appointments, ISEKI UK & Ireland said both moves reflect the company’s ongoing investment in its people and dealer network as it continues to develop and grow across the region.
Hastings MacHale Park presented with GAA National Pitch of the Year award
CL-sponsored award recognises standards in pitch preparation and presentation across GAA venues in Ireland.
Hastings MacHale Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo has been presented with the GAA National Pitch of the Year 2025 award at the League Final in Croke Park earlier this year.
Sponsored by ICL, the award recognises the work of grounds teams and volunteers responsible for maintaining high standards of pitch quality, presentation and performance across GAA venues in Ireland.
The 2025 finalists were assessed by Stuart Wilson (Grounds Management, Croke Park) and Ian McClements (iTurf Management), with pitches judged against
more than 30 criteria including playing quality, presentation, performance and available management resources.
Hastings MacHale Park was selected as the overall winner, with Chadwicks Wexford Park named runner-up. SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones were also recognised as finalists.
The award reflects the significant work involved in preparing pitches throughout the season, often under challenging weather conditions and heavy usage.
Colman Warde, ICL Turf & Landscape, said: “We were pleased to see Hastings MacHale Park recognised with the GAA National Pitch of the Year award. This is a well-deserved achievement for the team in Mayo and reflects the high standards
maintained at the venue. ICL is proud to support recognition for grounds teams and volunteers across GAA pitches in Ireland.”
The recognition is a credit to Head Groundsman Philip Heneghan and the wider team at MacHale Park for the standards maintained at the Mayo venue.
As part of the sponsorship, the winners receive a range of products and tools to support ongoing pitch maintenance and performance.
This year’s award highlights the continued importance of recognising the expertise, planning and consistency involved in maintaining high-quality playing surfaces across GAA facilities.
Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.com
Wiedenmann UK’s compact sweepers and collectors deliver year-round versatility
While sweepers and collectors are often associated with autumn leaf clearance, many turf managers and contractors rely on them throughout the year to maintain presentation standards and improve operational efficiency.
Wiedenmann UK’s Super 1300 range has been developed to provide a compact, manoeuvrable solution for sports grounds, golf courses, parks, estates and contractors working in areas where larger collection machines may be impractical.
The range comprises two models. The Super 1300 S is a dedicated sweeper, using twin rotary brushes to collect grass clippings,
leaves and surface debris into a 1,600-litre hopper. Alongside it, sits the Super 1300 M, with the ‘M’ standing for Multihead.
Rather than relying solely on brushes, the Super 1300 M features a versatile head unit capable of accepting either flail or scarifying blades. This allows operators to cut and collect, or scarify and collect, in a single pass, reducing the number of operations required and helping maximise productivity during busy maintenance periods.
Both models are designed for use with compact tractors, making them particularly suited to sites with restricted access, narrow gateways or areas where manoeuvrability is important. With a working width of 1.3m, the
machines can work effectively around trees, pathways and other obstacles while still offering a generous collection capacity.
A high-tip system is fitted as standard, allowing material to be discharged directly into trailers or skips up to 1.7m high. Operators can also specify an optional fill indicator which alerts them when the hopper reaches 90% capacity.
For grounds teams seeking a compact machine capable of collecting, sweeping and surface renovation work, the Super 1300 range offers a practical and versatile solution.
For your local Wiedenmann UK dealer call 0141 814 3366 or www.wiedenmann.co.uk
Kubota proves a partnership that’s
built
to last at The Glasgow Academy
ince Robert Cheape joined The Glasgow Academy in 1985, the school and accompanying sports grounds have expanded significantly! His tenure as Head Groundsman has been underpinned by a long-standing partnership with dealers Hamilton Ross Group, and much of the success he has attributed to the reliability and versatility delivered by Kubota tractors in use at the grounds for over 30 years.
SFounded in 1845, The Glasgow Academy is the oldest continuously fully independent school in Glasgow, now providing a private coeducational day school for 1700
pupils. The school is renowned for its sporting prowess – with rugby and hockey played by both the students and Glasgow Accies Sports club in the winter months, then switching to primarily cricket, tennis and athletics during the summer. Working alongside Robert on the maintenance of the natural turf and artificial surfaces is a busy team of six, with three of the staff having over 120 years of service between them.
“With sport played daily, we rely heavily on having the right, reliable equipment to produce pitches that can withstand the pressure of constant wear” Robert says. For
more than three decades, powering that maintenance operation has been Kubota. “In the shed we have a Kubota B1550 from the early 1990’s which still runs and is used for lighter jobs around the sites, a B2650 and, more recently, we added an L2622 to the fleet.”
“While we can see the improvements and things like the controls and operatorfriendliness has moved on they’re still, fundamentally, well-built, comfortable, reliable workhorses. For that reason, I’ll never use anything else” he adds.
The L2622 delivered in August 2025 brings increased power
and productivity, featuring a 61hp stage-V diesel engine and the highest rear lift capacity in its class. “With time of the essence, we found we were relying on larger, more powerhungry implements and the L2622 has proven the perfect partner for implements such as our Verti-Drain – which we’re increasingly relying on with the more regular periods of prolonged and heavy rainfall.”
“We also run a Kubota RTV-X1110 which is another reliable runaround, towing smaller equipment and getting people and tools around the sites quickly and safely.”
Reliability for Robert extends beyond the machines themselves, with Kubota he also has the added peace of mind of first-class dealer support
from the team at Hamilton Ross Group. “I’ve dealt with Paul Denholm since 1990 and the school’s relationship with Hamilton’s began even before that! We just know that if we need anything, from a simple advice call or a service visit, that they’ll be there to look after us. That sort of service goes a long way.”
GroundsFest 2026: The Event Bringing Landscaping Professionals Together
ive demonstrations, the latest innovations, free education and a dedicated Landscape Zone supported by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) make GroundsFest 2026 a must-attend event for the landscaping industry.
Landscapers, landscape architects, contractors and grounds professionals are being invited to register now for GroundsFest 2026, which returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on 16 and 17 September.
Now firmly established as one of the industry’s leading events, GroundsFest offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional trade show, combining live machinery demonstrations, handson experiences, free educational content and unrivalled networking opportunities in an informal and welcoming environment.
For landscaping professionals, GroundsFest provides the perfect opportunity to see the latest equipment, tools and technology working in real conditions. Visitors can compare machinery side-by-side, speak directly with manufacturers and suppliers, and make informed purchasing decisions based on live demonstrations rather than static displays.
The event brings together hundreds of exhibitors showcasing everything from battery-powered equipment, compact machinery and utility vehicles to landscaping tools, irrigation systems, arboricultural equipment, turf care products and commercial vehicles. Whether you’re looking to improve productivity, embrace new technology or explore more sustainable working practices, GroundsFest provides access to the latest innovations from across the industry.
A major feature for 2026 is the dedicated Landscape Zone, which once again has the support of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI). The zone will provide a focal point for landscape professionals, offering opportunities to meet leading suppliers, discover new products and connect with fellow contractors, designers and industry experts. BALI’s continued involvement further strengthens GroundsFest’s commitment to supporting and celebrating the landscaping sector.
Alongside the exhibition, visitors can take advantage of a comprehensive programme of free seminars and panel discussions, with industry specialists sharing practical advice,
technical knowledge and insights into the latest trends affecting the landscaping profession.
GroundsFest has also become known for its unique atmosphere. More than just an exhibition, it is an event built around the people in the industry, creating opportunities to catch up with colleagues, build new relationships and enjoy two days away from the day-to-day demands of work.
From live entertainment and networking to exciting demonstrations and attractions, GroundsFest offers an experience that visitors genuinely look forward to each year.
Whether you’re an established landscaping contractor, a designer, local authority professional, estate manager or someone looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry, GroundsFest 2026 offers an invaluable opportunity to see what’s new, learn from experts and connect with the wider landscaping community.
Registration is free, making GroundsFest 2026 the ideal opportunity to discover the products, people and ideas helping to shape the future of landscaping.
Register for FREE at www.groundsfest.com
ollowing the announcement of his appointment earlier this year, Matt has now officially started his role with Bernhard Academy, bringing with him extensive international experience in managing and maintaining golf course machinery fleets as well as leading technical teams.
With a career spanning leading venues including The Belfry, Copt Heath Golf Club and The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club, alongside international roles in Bahrain and Qatar, Matt’s expertise further strengthens Bernhard Academy’s commitment to delivering practical, industryrelevant training for turf professionals.
Matt also brings significant experience in equipment management, dealer support and industry collaboration, having played a key role in developing the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (TETO), helping create
Bernhard Academy is delighted to officially welcome Matt Axton to the team
As Programme Leader for Technical Training and Advisory, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Academy’s technical education offering.
a strong community focused on knowledge sharing and professional development.
Speaking about officially joining the organisation, Matt Axton said:
“I’m incredibly excited to officially begin this journey with Bernhard Academy. The opportunity to support the industry through practical technical education is something I’m deeply passionate about, and I’m looking forward to helping professionals develop their skills and confidence at every stage of their careers and to raise awareness of equipment management as a rewarding career path.”
As Programme Leader for Technical Training and Advisory, Matt will lead the delivery and continued development of Bernhard Academy’s growing technical training programmes, supporting turf professionals, equipment technicians and organisations across the industry.
Sami Strutt, Education Director at Bernhard Academy, commented:
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Matt to the team. His technical expertise, industry knowledge and passion for supporting others make him an outstanding fit for Bernhard Academy. We are excited about the impact he will have as we continue to grow our technical education offering and support the future of the industry.”
Matt’s arrival comes during a period of continued growth for Bernhard Academy, with increasing demand for technical, leadership and management education across the turf industry. The Academy remains committed to creating accessible, practical and forwardthinking learning opportunities for professionals around the world.
To learn more about Bernhard Academy and its educational programmes, visit bernhardacademy.co.uk
Newark Golf Club Invests for the Future
ollowing acquisition in 2024 that prevented Newark Golf Club from entering administration, its new owners, Stellar Asset Management, have invested millions of pounds into the club. With immediate improvements to the course, renovation of the clubhouse, shop and changing areas, plus the installation of a full trackman grass driving range and simulator room, the long term health of the club has never looked better.
And it is with that eye on the long-term that Newark is working with sustainable bunker experts EcoBunker to ensure that the course’s hazards meet the standards of the rest of the venue.
“For golf, food or private events Newark is unrecognisable from 2 years ago,” commented Group General Manager, Molly Pavey. “Members and visitors love the course and the facilities, but the bunkers are the last thing that needed an upgrade to deliver the overall experience that we want to
provide. As with every investment, we wanted to be sure that the owners got great value, golfers got a fantastic playing experience and that we’re securing the best possible solution for many years to come, so we spoke to EcoBunker.”
Based in South Wales, EcoBunker are the innovators of synthetic bunker edge technology. Using layered synthetic turf tiles Ecobunker technology creates a long term, sustainable bunker edge that reduces the need for bunker maintenance and protects the bunkers from sand contamination and erosion. By investing in EcoBunker, golf clubs lock in course design and save significant maintenance costs over the 20+ year guaranteed lifespan.
“Across the group we look for the best way to deliver a fantastic experience for customers on and off the course, but we obviously have to make sure that we are getting the best from every pound invested,” continued Pavey. “EcoBunker is simple to install, so after brief
training the on-site team is in the process of renovating all of the bunkers on the front nine. We plan to complete the program over the next 12 months meaning that very soon we will see cost savings and course improvements that will last for years.”
With further improvements to the changing areas due to be unveiled this spring, and the full bunker renovation program due for completion in the Autumn the investment program at Newark Golf Club continues to add value to the member and guest experience. From a club on the verge of administration, the turnaround at Newark in just 2 years has been remarkable. And with improvements like EcoBunker bringing long-term benefits, Newark is set to go from strength to strength.
OAS strengthens data and software portfolio with Spectrum Technologies partnership
Origin Amenity solutions (OAS) has brought further strength to its industry-leading portfolio of products and services for turf managers through a new distribution partnership with Spectrum Technologies Inc. This tie-up gives OAS customers access to a comprehensive range of measurement devices and software solutions to make the storage, viewing and intepreting of turf data even more simple and straightforward.
Proudly working alongside growers, researchers and turf managers, Spectrum Technologies have developed a broad range of precision monitoring and digital agronomy tools used by professionals in more than 80 countries. The range of products include monitoring solutions for weather, soil moisture and light alongside plant health meters and specialised mobile apps, software and services to view and
interpret data quickly and accurately.
Of particular note is the FieldScout TDR 350 soil moisture meter –equipped with integrated Bluetooth and GPS to allow the operator to view real-time data on volumetric water content (VWC), electrical conductivity (EC/salts) and surface temperature.
The TDR 350 also integrates directly with the Rain Bird CirrusPRO central control system, enabling data collection and heat map visualisation through the irrigation controller. Together with its improved functionality, the TDR 350 also represents a cost-effective alternative to other moisture sensors on the market, making data capture accessible to customers operating within tighter budgets.
On the news, OAS Irrigation & Digital Solutions Lead Angus Finlayson said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with Spectrum Technologies to bring cutting-edge turf monitoring
solutions to our customers. This collaboration strengthens our technical capabilities and reinforces our commitment to providing trusted products for the turf professional and facilities we support.”
More information on Spectrum Technologies and the range of products available is available by speaking to your local OAS Technical Manager.
Each machine sold in this campaign will be providing funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.
STM Co Ltd in Warwickshire are the sole importers of SCAG products in the UK, and they are joining the SCAG incentive, PLUS doing a Prize Draw for a Pink Warrior machine in association with Cancer Research UK.
STM are donating one of these machines to a Prize Draw, with 100% of the total income from the giving page going to Breast Cancer Awareness through Cancer Research UK.
Using this QR code people can donate to a dedicated giving page, with a draw to take place at SALTEX at the NEC, 11th - 12th November 2026 Stand QO60
The STM Co Pink Warrior Draw
STM Co Ltd and SCAG Power
Equipment release the “Pink Warrior” Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness
“Supporting real-life warriors in the battle of their lives”
TM Co in Warwickshire import, for the UK market, grasscutting machinery from SCAG Power Equipment in the United States.
SCAG in the USA have started a Breast Cancer Awareness scheme, involving Limited Edition machinery specifically produced in the recognisable pink colouring, and with a sum from each machine sold going to Breast Cancer Awareness in the USA.
This message from SCAG as to what lay behind the idea: “Our reasoning is as the result of employees, employees’ family members and friends being
affected by breast cancer, and a combined recognition that we as a company can contribute to the efforts to aid those affected and help fund research to try ending this terrible disease”.
Here in the UK we at STM, because of a personal involvement, are also going to follow this incentive.
In addition, the STM management have chosen to offer a Pink Warrior machine in a Prize Draw, with tickets being available using a QR code our website, promotional literature and magazine adverts.
From Phillipa Mason, wife of Dominic Mason, the STM CEO:
“I am incredibly touched by Dominic’s generosity in this campaign. We went through a very difficult time when I had breast cancer; we owe such a lot to Cancer Research UK and we are pleased to have an opportunity to demonstrate our thanks”
All proceeds from this STM Prize Draw will be going directly to Cancer Research specifically for Breast Cancer research.
The tickets will be £5.00 and the Draw is to be at SALTEX, 11th –12th November, Stand QO60.
Website www.st-mach.com
ISEKI TG 6495 Versatility Drives YearRound Growth at Brora Golf Club
ver the past four seasons, Brora Golf Club has used its ISEKI TG 6495, supplied by ISEKI UK & Ireland through local dealer Fairways, as a platform for sustained growth. As play has increased and infrastructure has expanded, the tractor has become central to scaling operations, maintaining standards and strengthening the club’s longterm development plans.
Set against the dramatic coastline of the north of Scotland, Brora is widely regarded as one of the country’s most distinctive links courses. With increasing numbers of golfers travelling to the Highlands, pressure on key playing surfaces has
intensified, particularly on high-traffic tees.
“As we get busier, we’re having to make our tees bigger to accommodate so much more golf,” explains Course Manager
James MacBeth. “We needed to get more machinery, and the Iseki was a big part of that.”
For James, a tractor is a longterm operational investment expected to deliver 10 to 15
years of continuous work. That expectation has been met through versatility and year-round capability. During the main season, the TG 6495 supports spraying operations and fills top dressers, helping the team maintain presentation standards as demand rises. In winter, it becomes central to renovation and improvement works.
“The versatility is the main reason we got the TG 6495, and the power and front lift capacity are really important in that.
“We use it for spraying and filling up top dressers. But in the winter, it’s used for bunker work, moving bridges and whatever else we need it for. It’s very busy in the winter, so it’s a piece of kit that’s used all year round.
“That size and power were exactly what we were looking for, so we can use it for multiple tasks. If we ever need to get bigger verti-drains on the back, we can do that, and that’s important over a long period of time.”
The tractor’s reliability has underpinned that growth. “The tractor is four years old now, and it’s been very reliable so far. It’s always done everything we need it to do.”
That consistency has also created capacity beyond the golf course itself. As activity and revenue have increased, Brora has been able to invest time and expertise back into the village, with the TG 6495 playing a practical role.
“As we’re growing as a club and taking in a bit more money, we can expand and help the community.
“We solid tine, overseed and top dress the bowling green, and I look after the football pitch at Brora Rangers as well. Any other thing we can do within the village that we can help with, the club are really keen to do that.”
With growth continuing and future development in mind, the TG 6495 provides Brora Golf Club with the power, flexibility and reliability required for the next phase. It is not simply supporting today’s workload, but giving the club the operational confidence to keep evolving in the years ahead .
All-season performance, come rain or shine with the Profihopper
hen it comes to professional groundcare machinery that delivers yearround performance, the Amazone Profihopper stands out as the cornerstone of Amazone’s groundcare range. Built specifically for demanding environments such as parks, sports fields, cemeteries, golf courses and contractor operations, the Profihopper’s compact, selfpropelled design combines precision cutting with powerful auger driven collection and compaction technology — all in one pass.
The Profihopper is distinguished by its integrated PowerCompactor system, which uses longitudinal and transverse augers to convey and tightly compact cuttings into the rear hopper. By mechanically transporting material rather than relying on a high-speed blower, it achieves impressive filling efficiency while keeping dust and noise levels low — a real benefit when working in public spaces. The compaction system allows significantly longer working periods between emptying stops, helping operators maintain productivity throughout the day.
At the heart of the machine is the SmartCut fine flail rotor, delivering a clean, even finish in both short and long grass. Its ability to mow, scarify, mulch and collect makes it a genuine all-season solution — from early-season renovation through to
autumn leaf clearance. Available in 1.25 m and 1.50 m working widths, with smart hydrostatic drive and zeroturn steering, the Profihopper offers outstanding manoeuvrability around trees, pathways and urban obstacles. Operator comfort is also prioritised, with intuitive controls, excellent visibility and a smooth ride across varying terrain, including the option of a cab with integrated heating and air conditioning.
Alongside the Profihopper sits the Amazone Groundkeeper, a tractormounted flail mower-collector that’s a solid choice for larger estates and
municipal contracts, offering wide working widths of up to 2.1 m and excellent cut-and-collect performance across terrains.
Looking ahead, Amazone will introduce the Amazone ProfiMower to the UK later this year. Based on the proven Profihopper platform, it will offer high-output mowing with rotary BladeCut or fine flail SmartCut options, providing contractors and local authorities with even greater flexibility across a diverse range of maintenance programmes.
Amazone Profihopper the Professional’s choice
Mow
Scarify Collect Mulch Roll
LONG WET GRASS BLOCKAGE
FREE
Look out for the NEW rebranded range of AMAZONE Groundcare machines - same outstanding build quality and engineering - updated in the Green and Orange AMAZONE colours.
Take the Profihopper PH1250 and PH1500 self-propelled machines - wet or dry grass, long or short, collect or mulch, the proven Profihoppers do it all.
Don’t compromise - choose the AMAZONE Profihopper that comes with a unique auger conveying system for all weather operation and less emptying.
Profihopper
SmartCut flail collection mower in working widths of 1.25 m and 1.5 m
Contact the AMAZONE Team on: 01302 751 200. More compaction built-in for maximum work rates and less emptying.
Pellenc Sets New Standard with the Launch of the Rasion 3 Easy Pedestrian Mower
ellenc, the pioneer in professional batterypowered tools, is proud to announce the release of the Rasion 3 Easy, a professional-grade 24” (60 cm) self-propelled mower designed to redefine the balance between heavy-duty performance and whisper-quiet operation.
As urban environments increasingly demand reduced noise and zero emissions, the new Rasion mower provides a powerful solution for contractors and municipal teams. Engineered for high-frequency use, this mower combines a massive 60 cm cutting width with a surprisingly light frame, weighing just 28 kgs.
Unmatched Manoeuvrability and Versatility
The Rasion3 is built for the complexities of modern landscaping, featuring a unique zero-turn radius system and front caster wheels that can be unlocked for 360° agility or locked for precision stability when
working on slopes.
To handle diverse terrain and varying grass lengths, Pellenc has expanded the cutting height range to include new 85/95 mm settings. This allows for precise, selective mowing in demanding conditions without sacrificing the efficiency of the highperformance dual-blade system.
Built for the Professional
Despite its lightweight design, the Rasion 3 is heavy-duty in every sense. Key features include: Reinforced Protection: Side and front bumpers protect the caster wheels and chassis.
Hardened Components: A reinforced blade support and collection bin ensure longevity in harsh environments.
All-Weather Reliability: Equipped with waterproof wheels for consistent traction and performance in damp conditions.
Efficiency Without the Noise
Operation is as quiet as it is productive. With a maximum sound power level of just 95 dB, the Rasion 3 allows professionals to work in noise-sensitive areas such as hospitals, schools, and residential zones without disturbing the public or requiring hearing protection for the operator.
When paired with the ULiB 1500 battery, the mower delivers industry-leading range, capable of maintaining up to 1.3 acres (5,400 m²) or providing up to five hours of continuous mowing on a single charge.
Pellenc battery-powered equipment is distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.
For more information, visit www.etesia.co.uk/pellenc
You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.
Ventrac’s alternative
The current financial climate adds another layer of challenges for businesses purchasing equipment. In the commercial mowing world, decision makers are re-considering what they have traditionally purchased to get “the job done”. Single task mowers are becoming harder to justify, especially with higher horsepower engines and Stage V exhaust after treatment technology. Price Turfcare encourages a demonstration with their specialist team to show alternatives.
Ventrac offers an 18.6kW (25hp) four-wheel-drive, articulated power unit, to which more than thirty two specifically designed attachments can fitted in less than two minutes by one
operator. Most familiar mower types are available. Reels, fine and rough cut rotaries, flails and a boom mower. Ground engaging equipment includes power rakes, seedbed preparation and overseeding cultivators, a stump grinder and trenching machine, to name but a few. This makes Ventrac’s offering more cost effective than a stand-alone mower. The power unit spends less time standing idle when mowing is finished and reduces the rental of job specific machines. Additionally, hundreds of UK users capitalise on the Ventrac’s 30 degree slope capability.
Baroness delivers over a decade of dependability at Reading Football Club
For Scott O’Nyons, Grounds Manager at Reading Football Club’s stadium and training ground, when it comes to their equipment longevity and reliability aren’t just ‘nice to haves’, it’s an operational necessity. Delivering exactly that is a trio of LM2700 mowers from Baroness which, after more than a decade of service, continue to deliver reliable performance and an exceptional quality of cut week-in, week-out.
Scott began at the club 19 years ago as an apprentice. Today, he oversees a team of 10 staff working across the stadium and 130-acre training ground. With a demanding schedule and limited time between training sessions, machinery performance is critical. “From a productivity perspective, we explored the options available in the ride-on, multi-unit market and took delivery of our first Baroness LM2700 in 2013” he explains. “Impressed with its performance we quickly added a further two LM2700’s to the fleet which remain
fully operational, while the oldest has only recently been retired for parts.”
“Considering they’re more than a decade old and have clocked up a huge number of hours, they’ve been incredibly reliable mowers.” Across all three machines, one fact that stands out to Scott is that the club have never had to replace a single cylinder reel. “The reels are extremely robust and even when you inevitably catch a hidden contaminant in the ground, it barely leaves a blemish – a quick re-grind is all that’s needed and you’re back on your way.”
The LM2700’s five-unit configuration has been central to improving productivity, maintaining the 10 grass pitches at the training ground quickly, without compromising presentation. Scott explains how Baroness worked closely alongside the Reading team initially to refine the cutting set up for football, “In the early years we worked with Adam Butler then more recently Luke Collins who helped us finetune bedknife angles, grinding
setup and seasonal adjustments to achieve that desired finish. The support from Baroness, together with local dealers Lister Wilder has always been fantastic.”
And the result of that collaboration? An exceptionally high quality of cut that supports year-round plant health and presentation. “We run predominantly at 24mm height of cut in the summer, rising slightly to 26mm through the autumn.” Scott adds, “Despite their size, the machines distribute weight impressively well, so we get the speed and efficiency we need without compaction.”
He concludes, “Many will know that the club has navigated a challenging few years, but these Baroness machines have given us dependable performance year after year which is invaluable.”
For more information on the Baroness range, including the LM551B five-unit fairway mower which supersedes the LM2700, visit baronessuk.com
Premier John Deere dealership selling agricultural, construction, professional turf, and garden machinery from 7 depots
Industry leaders in technology and aftersales service
Established as a family business in 1976, Farol today has a team of over 350 staff whilst still remaining 100% family owned.
Redexim Launches the RINK Sandstorm
Redexim is pleased to announce the launch of the Sandstorm. The Sandstorm is a self-powered topdresser that works without a tractor or hydraulic connection. Simply hitch it to a utility vehicle and spread. It has a 28 ft³ (800 L) capacity and can spread up to 39 ft (12 m), so you can cover more ground with fewer refills while staying light on turf. Ideal for greens and tees.
Sandstorm – No tractor or hydraulics needed
The Sandstorm is designed to make topdressing simple. With its own engine, it operates independently of a tractor or hydraulic system. Just hitch it to a utility vehicle and get to work.
UTV Ready
It is compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including the Toro Workman, John Deere ProGator and Cushman Truckster XT.
Jason Jones, Sales Manager North America:
“With many turf managers relying heavily on utility vehicles and
not always having immediate access to tractors, the Sandstorm provides a practical and efficient solution that fits into their maintenance programmes.
“The launch of the Sandstorm Topdresser is particularly exciting for the North American market because it aligns with the dayto-day operational realities our customers face.”
It holds more. Spreads more Compact yet powerful. Compatible with 37 HP tractors. Adjust spreading speed from your seat. Move material up to 39 ft (12 m). It gets material moving and jobs done right.
Steady material flow
The Sandstorm spreads with care. Its design keeps weight low while distributing material evenly, making it perfect for greens and tees where a fine touch is critical. Its ribbed belt and hopper shape help prevent build-up, so sand, moist and heavy materials move freely.
Control from your seat
The Vision X Pro digital display
allows you to control belt speed, spinner speed, driving speed and gate opening from your seat. Save up to 20 profiles for repeatable results across different surfaces and changing conditions.
Powered by its own Engine
With its own Vanguard 14 HP engine, it is able to work without a tractor, PTO or hydraulics. Hitch it to a compatible utility vehicle and it is ready for fast, even topdressing on golf courses and sports pitches.
The Sandstorm
The Sandstorm has a maximum spreading width of 39 ft (12 m) and a maximum spreading thickness of 0.6 in (15 mm). Its hopper capacity is 28 ft³ (800 L). It weighs 1,687 lbs (765 kg) empty and has a maximum working speed of 16 mph (25 km/h). Features include a self-powered engine, compatibility with utility vehicles and a lightweight design suitable for spreading wide across large areas while being light enough to work on sensitive areas without adding undue pressure.
For more information, visit https://www.redexim.com/uk/
Duncan Ross Rejuvenates Broughton High School Sports Field After Eight Year Closure
Broughton High School is ecstatic that the school field, which has been closed for eight years due to a large hole appearing, has finally seen extensive works carried out by Duncan Ross Ltd, bring it back to life and with it, extending the fantastic sporting facilities on offer.
Over the course of the last year, Lancashire County Council brought in drainage specialists Duncan Ross who were able to suggest a lasting solution and action the change over the summer holiday period.
Based in Burscough, Lancashire, Duncan Ross Ltd has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading sports turf contractors, with decades of experience in natural turf construction, drainage, and renovation. The company is regularly commissioned by schools, councils, and sports clubs to deliver robust, long-term solutions that combine technical expertise with an understanding of how facilities are actually used on a day-to-day basis.
“Concerns were raised by the school, to the Local Authority, about the safety of the field”, recalls Mark Hodges, Contracts Manager at the Council. “We got a range of other contractors in, and drainage specialists, and they came up with some proposed solutions, but we didn’t fully understand what the issue was.”
The school began using a small section of the field two years ago. However, in bad weather, it quickly
became unplayable, underscoring the need to identify the underlying issue. To do that, Mark approached Duncan Ross.
Duncan Ross initiated a thorough investigation, utilising site knowledge and aerial imagery to pinpoint the fault. The team traced the issue to a broken main drain, which was likely damaged years earlier when heavy vehicles became bogged down on the pitch. Since then, the old network of drains beneath the surface had silted up beyond repair. The clear choice was to replace the entire system.
“It was cheaper to install new drainage,” Mark explains. “So again, we got Duncan to design the system.”
The company specified a comprehensive scheme, installing carrier, main, and lateral drains at five-metre centres. Inspection chambers, junctions, and outfalls were included for ease of future maintenance. Once installed, the
field received a full programme of post-drainage operations including decompaction to relieve construction compaction, sand topdressing to improve infiltration and surface regularity, overseeding for density, and targeted fertiliser applications to drive establishment. Final as-built drawings provided the Council with a clear record for future stewardship.
After a journey spanning Mark’s five years at Lancashire County Council, experiencing the way Duncan Ross operated brought confidence that the project would be a success. “It was reassuring, to be honest, working with somebody who understands the needs of the school, understands what we’re trying to achieve, and coming up with a solution.” That confidence was rewarded as the project moved from design to delivery.
With the core works complete, the next phase is about consolidation.
“All the drainage works are complete,” Hodges says. “We’re waiting for the weather to improve so we can do the next phase, which is top dressing and overseeding. The field will see limited use this term, with full availability expected by next spring once the surface has bedded in.”
“That bedding-in period will be carefully managed. I’ve got to work with the school to be able to manage the pitch and make sure they don’t overplay it in wet weather and damage the surface.”
Speaking about the project, Headteacher David Botes added: “I’ve been extremely happy with the work carried out by Duncan Ross. Throughout the project, the company were professional, amenable, polite, on task and approachable. The work on the field is to an excellent standard, and we are extremely pleased.
“Duncan and his team are, as one, very easy to work with and we would not hesitate in recommending them to others or using them ourselves for future projects.”
For Broughton High School, the project marks the end of years of uncertainty and the beginning of a reliable new chapter in sport, while for Lancashire County Council, it represents a demonstration of evidence-led planning and investment.
Why the Right Infill Matters for Synthetic Pitch Performance
When discussing synthetic sports pitches, much of the attention naturally falls on the surface itself. The carpet, pile height and visible finish are often the first things noticed. Yet beneath the surface, the infill plays a crucial role in how a pitch performs, drains and withstands regular use.
For grounds teams, contractors, schools, clubs and local authorities, synthetic pitches are expected to deliver consistent performance across busy fixture schedules and changing weather conditions. That places considerable importance on the materials used within the system. The right infill can help support drainage, surface stability, traction and player comfort. The wrong material can contribute to compaction, inconsistent play, poor water movement and increased maintenance demands.
Premium silica sports sand remains a key component in
high-performing synthetic pitch systems. Naturally rounded particles help the material settle evenly within the surface, while controlled grading supports consistency across the installation. When sand is kiln-dried and precision graded, it can be installed more efficiently and provide the reliable performance required for both stabilising and performance infill applications.
Drainage is another critical factor. Synthetic surfaces are often relied upon because they can remain playable in conditions that would challenge natural turf. A high-quality sports sand helps water move through the system effectively, reducing the risk of water retention and helping facilities remain available for use.
Grantex Premium Dried Sports Sand has been developed specifically for synthetic sports pitch infill systems. Manufactured at our UK drying and grading facility in Rye, East Sussex, the sand
is naturally rounded, kiln-dried and tightly graded from 0.3–1mm to ensure uniform coverage and dependable performance.
With a water filtration rate of 16,000mm/h, it supports excellent drainage, helping pitches remain playable in poor weather. The product is fully compliant with the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf and World Rugby Turf Performance Specification standards, making it suitable for football, rugby, hockey, padel, MUGAs and synthetic training areas.
Available in 1250kg bulk bags and 25kg poly bags, Grantex Premium Dried Sports Sand provides contractors and grounds professionals with a reliable, UK-manufactured infill solution for synthetic sports surfaces where consistency, drainage and performance matter.
Premium Dried Sports Sand
The Perfect Choice for High-Performance Synthetic Pitches
Fully compliant with the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf and the World Rugby Turf Performance specification standards, it can be used as either a performance or stabilising infill.
Our Premium Sports Sand is produced at our state-of-the-art production facility in Rye, East Sussex.
The sand is naturally rounded and graded to ensure a size of 0.3-1mm guaranteeing improved permeability during wet conditions.
Grantex Premium Sports Sand is available in 1250kg bulk bags and 25kg poly bags.
16,000mm/hr
Premium Sports Sand is tested in accordance with: EN 1097-3, EN 933-1, EN 14955 and EN 12616. This product is manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems.
Tottenham Hotspur’s holistic approach to pitch renovations
t Tottenham Hotspur
F.C., pitch renovations are about far more than simply preparing surfaces for the new season. Under the guidance of Head of Playing Surfaces and Landscaping Nick Phillips, the club has developed a detailed, holistic approach focused on soil health, plant resilience and longterm performance; supported by products from Agrovista Amenity.
Having started at the club in 2004 as a 16-year-old apprentice, Nick has witnessed Tottenham Hotspur evolve from the old training ground at Chigwell into one of the world’s leading football facilities.
“The business has just grown massively,” said Nick. “When we moved from Chigwell to the new training centre, it almost felt like starting a new job for the same company. There has always been a drive to improve and develop every part of the site.”
That growth is reflected in the scale of the operation Nick now oversees. Across the stadium and training centre, he manages a department of 43 staff covering grounds, landscaping, irrigation, mechanics and horticulture.
Central to maintaining elite-level surfaces is the club’s renovation programme; something Nick believes is non-negotiable.
“Carrying out renovations every year is crucial,” he said. “Renovations are directly linked to surface performance, traction, firmness and the longevity of the pitch.”
Tottenham Hotspur took the decision around 15 years ago to bring renovations fully inhouse, a move Nick believes has
transformed the club’s flexibility and ownership of its surfaces.
“It gives you far greater control,” he explained. “You’re not dictated to by somebody else’s schedule. If weather conditions allow and you want to move quickly, you can. It also gives the team more ownership because you’re responsible for the whole process from start to finish.”
The renovation process itself is meticulous. After reducing mowing heights, the team removes the vegetation before repeated raking and cleaning operations expose the reinforcement fibres and remove accumulated organic matter.
Once the surface is cleaned, sand topdressing is applied at rates between 90 and 110 tonnes depending on the age and performance of the pitch, followed by aeration to connect the upper and lower profile. From there, the nutritional programme begins.
One of the key shifts Nick has implemented in recent years has been reducing reliance on fungicides and excessive nitrogen applications by focusing more heavily on soil biology and plant resilience.
“The industry is going that way,” he said. “Years ago, we probably all focused too much on the top growth. If the grass looked green, you thought it was healthy. But actually, if you create a healthy soil profile and healthy soil life, you reap the rewards in the plant itself.”
Working closely with Agrovista Amenity, Nick introduced a more balanced nutritional strategy built around supporting both the plant and the soil ecosystem.
“We shared the same vision,” he said. “It was about supporting soil health while still maintaining the plant quality and performance levels we expect.”
A major component of that programme is Agrovista Amenity’s Evolution Naturelle granular fertiliser range, used during the preseeding stage of renovations.
“We used to rely more on straight mineral fertilisers,” explained Nick. “Now we’ve adapted towards more of an organo-mineral approach.
Evolution gives us nutrition for the plant, but it also supports soil biology through carbon and organic matter.”
Nick applies two forms of pre-seed fertiliser, one with a heavier organic focus to support microbial activity, followed by another with a stronger mineral element timed to coincide with germination.
“We want that fertiliser sitting exactly where it needs to be when the seed germinates,” he said. “We use a dimple seeder after application because it creates a micro-aeration effect and just works the fertiliser into that upper profile where the response is all connected.”
The result is stronger early rooting and more efficient establishment.
Once germination begins, the programme moves into liquid applications, with Agrovista Amenity’s exclusive L-CBF Turfgrass Enhancer playing a significant role.
“There’s a very small window after germination where you can really
influence the plant,” said Nick. “L-CBF is high in carbohydrates, amino acids sugars and molasses, and it really stimulates early plant energy and growth.”
Applied before the first cut, L-CBF is designed to accelerate establishment during the critical early stages of development.
Alongside L-CBF, Nick also incorporates MicroGrow into the programme to enhance soil biology and rooting. MicroGrow is a specialised formulation with a blend of seaweed extracts and other naturally-derived compounds of marine and terrestrial origin. It is tailor made for root drench application to increase biological activity in sports turf soils.
“That’s one of the key products for us,” he explained. “MicroGrow goes in at those very early stages of germination when we can really influence soil biology and root development.”
The benefits are visible in the rooting performance across the surfaces.
“When we carry out root depth checks, you can clearly see the products working,” he said. “You get strong anchorage and early root mass, which is absolutely critical because pre-season is incredibly demanding on the pitches.”
With first team players often
training twice daily during preseason, rapid recovery and stability are essential.
“You might only have two pitches available initially, so those surfaces take a huge amount of stress,” Nick continued. “The deeper the roots, the more nutrition and water the plant can access, and the better the recovery and wear tolerance become.”
Nick believes the move towards more sustainable, biology-focused management is only going to accelerate throughout the industry.
“You’re never going to get those old chemicals back,” he said. “You either fight it or embrace it. We chose to get in front of it and start finding what works for us now.”
For Tottenham Hotspur, that means continuing to refine a holistic approach built around healthy soils, resilient plants and carefully targeted inputs.
“This isn’t about simply greening up pitches,” said Nick. “It’s about creating the best possible surfaces through every detail of the programme. That’s something we pride ourselves on every single day.”
For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity. agrovista.co.uk/
SIS Pitches’ Advanced Pitch Technology in Action at Nine 2026 World Cup Stadiums Across USA, Mexico & Canada
IS Pitches’ advanced sports pitch technology is in action on football’s biggest global stage this summer, contributing to high-performance playing surfaces across nine of the 16 host stadiums at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including the venue for the final.
This summer’s tournament sees 48 teams compete across a diverse range of climates and venues in the three host nations. SIS Pitches’ technology will play a crucial role in maintaining consistent, world-class playing conditions throughout the tournament, despite the potential for extreme weather and the demands of an expanded fixture schedule.
The UK-headquartered sports pitches specialist has contributed different combinations of its SIS Grass Hybrid reinforced turf system, and subsurface drainage and aeration systems to nine of the host venues, one of which had its full pitch constructed by the company last summer. This builds on two decades of involvement in the World Cup which first saw SIS Pitches’ technology used at the 2006 tournament in Germany and has been featured more recently in both Russia and Qatar.
SIS Grass Hybrid is in action at stadiums in San Francisco, Miami, Kansas City, Toronto, Monterrey and host for the final, the New York New Jersey Stadium. The hybrid system sees synthetic fibres stitched into the surface across the
entire field to provide increased durability enhanced root growth. This will help each hybrid pitch recover and perform consistently across different climates and grass types, from bluegrass to Bermuda grass.
SIS Pitches’ DrainTalent system is being used in Guadalajara, Seattle and Vancouver. Importantly for the world’s biggest football tournament, the system provides vacuum drainage to quickly extract excess water from the pitch in storm conditions to avoid delays or disruption to play. Where required, DrainTalent also has the ability to offer a subsurface irrigation function, delivering water directly to the rootzone from below. This promotes deeper root development and improves water efficiency, ensuring irrigation and drainage management can be delivered from a single platform.
The pitch in Monterrey was designed and constructed in full by SIS Pitches’ expert team in 2025 and then also maintained in peak condition during CF Monterrey’s regular season. It features SIS Grass Hybrid alongside the company’s SIS Heat Core undersoil heating and SIS Air Core subsurface aeration systems, with the latter promoting healthy growing conditions for the grass while also deploying powerful vacuum drainage to minimise disruption in the event of extreme rain.
With each venue presenting unique challenges ranging from high temperatures to the expectation
of extreme rainfall, SIS Pitches’ technologies will play a crucial role in ensuring playing surfaces remain consistent for the duration of the 39-day tournament.
SIS Pitches’ sports surface expertise and technology have been combined with the capabilities of other specialist companies to deliver elite-level playing surfaces, including some built over stadiums’ existing synthetic pitches. This transition was made possible thanks to the knowledge and commitment of the American, Canadian and Mexican grounds teams who have worked tirelessly to ensure every stadium was fully prepared ahead of the tournament start.
Ivo Lamot, CEO at SIS Pitches said: “Seeing our technology present at nine of the 16 stadiums being used this summer is a huge moment for SIS Pitches and a reflection of the reputation it has around the globe.
“Having been involved in the previous two tournaments in Russia and Qatar, we understand how important it is that our technology works alongside that of other partners to ensure each pitch system performs as intended. For this tournament in particular, expert grounds teams and the best companies in the industry have come together across the stadium network to transform multi-use NFL and MLS venues into highquality hybrid surfaces for the world’s best players.”
For more information on SIS Pitches, visit www.sispitches.com
Guadalajara
Kansas City
New York
Miami
Monterrey
San Francisco
Seattle
Toronto
Vancouver
Clubs bowled over by Terrain Aeration
t the end of September, when bowling clubs are thinking about carrying out end of season maintenance, aeration is a concept that is thought about but rarely addressed. Scarifying, re-seeding, and top dressing are on the front line of the main budget planning. Forgotten are the days when games had to stop play because the ground was waterlogged. A nuisance at the time, but now is the time to bring this problem up at a committee meeting and address it.
The Terrain Aeration Scamper Terralift machine was designed 20 years ago to be able to access most bowling greens. The Scamper Terralift machine hammers a hollow probe (1 1/2” ( 37mm width) one metre into the soil before releasing a controlled blast of compressed air, to a maximum of 20Bar/280 psi. This pressure is monitored or changed by the operator, so there is a slight movement of the top surface before the turf settles back down. Then, the operator knows that he has aerated the ground from one metre to the top surface. On the tail end of the release of compressed air, dried seaweed is incorporated which sticks to the walls of the fractures and fissures created by the main air blast.
Over a period, the seaweed expands and contracts with the moisture content of the soil, swelling and contracting - similar to breathing underground, helping to keep the fissures open longer. The machine uses 2m centre spacings on a staggered grid pattern, each shot interconnecting with the previous ones, ensuring the whole area is aerated and decompacted. The probe holes are backfilled with an aggregate, with the top 1”-2” backfilled with normal top dressing material. Once this deep aeration treatment has taken place, it would not be required for at least another 10-12 years, so it is extremely cost-effective. Deep aeration treatment of a green takes around 5 to 6 hours. The engine/ compressor unit is kept off the green with an umbilical air hose to supply the compressed air, thus reducing weight on the green as well as having to start and stop the machine every two metres.
It is preferable that the greenkeeper slits or hollow tines before the Terrain Aeration treatment, to relieve the surface tension so the air can gently blow through those top holes. The treatment can take place before top dressing and re-seed. but if ground conditions at that time deem the green too wet, then the end of season maintenance can continue and later, the Scamper Terralift can come in and
aerate the green. There is enough time to fit this in before March of the following year. Terrain Aeration has at times even treated a bowling green mid-season - one had a black squidge where the bowler’s back foot was placed. If the treatment hadn’t taken place, that green would have played itself out until the end of the season. It would not have been repaired/replaced. That green survived and is going strong many years later. One club commented that after Terrain aerated their green on one of their matches, rain stopped play. They found that they could only have one pint from the bar before the green had drained away of water and play could continue.
A final point. Clubs considering laying in drains will have disruption to their green, but still have compaction panning in between the drain runs. With a track record of treating greens for over thirty years, it’s certainly worth Terrain Aeration taking a look before committing to the expense of laying drains.
Terrain Aeration works nationwide, providing deep aeration relief for waterlogging and flooding for bowling greens, sports grounds, amenity areas, golf courses, public spaces and house builders.
COMPACTION AND WATERLOGGING STOP PLAY. DOWNTIME COSTS MONEY.
Terrain Aeration’s long-term treatment reaches one metre deep where compressed air blasts the compaction. The soil is opened up for good drainage and a healthy sward with minimum disruption. We have been successfully deep aerating sports turf, bowling greens, golf courses, parks, racecourses, trees and gardens for over thirty years.
s irrigation systems work harder throughout the summer months, having the right products and support in place is essential.
TWL Irrigation supplies a comprehensive range of irrigation products for golf courses, sports turf, landscapes and agricultural applications. Our range includes controllers, decoders, fault-finding and testing equipment, hand watering products, hose tap adaptors, nozzles, wetting agent applicators and Underhill sprinkler tools.
Alongside our product range, we provide technical
support, advice and practical guidance to help installers, greenkeepers and turf managers keep irrigation systems performing at their best.
Whatever your irrigation requirements this summer, TWL Irrigation has the products, knowledge and support to help.
TWL Irrigation – If In Drought, Give Us A Shout! Phone: 01346 531193
www.twl-irrigation.com
Agrovista Amenity Plays Key Role in Cold Ashby’s Course Transformation
Cold Ashby Golf Centre in Northamptonshire is enjoying some of the best course conditions in its history - and according to Course Manager Ashley Hammond and long-time member Roger Griffiths, Agrovista Amenity has played a big part in that success.
Since becoming a memberowned cooperative in 2019, Cold Ashby has been on a mission: to improve playing conditions, boost biodiversity, and manage the course in a more natural and sustainable way. With just five full-time staff, it’s no small taskbut Ashley, who’s now in his 16th year at the club, has been fully committed to the approach from day one.
“It’s one of those things - you’ve got to be all in,” he says. “You can’t do it half-heartedly.”
Roger Griffiths, a member since 1978 and a retired golf course architect, has helped steer the club in this direction too. “The course is in better condition than I’ve ever seen it,” he says. “It’s a team effort. Ash does a wonderful job around the course with his team and we’re gradually improving it in a more natural way which is certainly more kind to the environment.”
A key part of the club’s progress has been its close partnership with Agrovista Amenity and Area Sales Manager Charlie Seager.
“Charlie’s been brilliant,” says Ashley. “He’s been with us from the start - we were actually the first course he visited when he got the job. And straight away it wasn’t a sales pitch. He just came in for a chat, got to know the place. That’s made a big difference.”
One of the most noticeable changes has come from a specific tank mix Charlie recommended - E2PRO Soluble and HumiMax. Applied monthly from March through to October, it’s become a core part of the club’s maintenance programme.
“It’s worked really well for us,” says Ashley. “Being a small team, we’ve found solubles easier to handle. You can tank mix them with other products and don’t have to worry about watering in or watching the weather too closely. It just fits our way of working.”
E2PRO Soluble is a highperformance, water-soluble fertiliser designed for fast and complete uptake by the plant. Its advanced formulation and full trace element package support plant health, rapid recovery, and resilience.
“Application to the greens has been consistent and we’ve definitely seen improvements,” Ashley explains. “We used to have early-season issues with disease, but this year that’s not really been a problem. It’s another tool in the armoury - and it’s working.”
HumiMax, a liquid humate derived from a natural source, complements the E2PRO Soluble by boosting soil health. It improves soil structure, enhances the soil’s nutrient-holding capacity, and helps release bound-up nutrients for better plant access.
From a member’s perspective, Roger says the change in approach has also improved the experience out on the course.
“Years ago, you’d pick up your golf ball and your hands would feel grim,” he laughs. “Not now. There’s barely any impact from the products - just a better course all round.”
“The recovery’s been quicker too,” he adds. “This year especially - it’s one of the fastest we’ve seen.”
Ashley agrees. “The course is definitely in the best condition it’s ever been. No doubt about it -
and I think most of the members would say the same.”
As Cold Ashby Golf Centre continues its journey towards a more sustainable and highperforming future, the support from Agrovista Amenity and its tailored product solutions have proven to be a vital part of the story - helping the team deliver a better course for members, and a more environmentally conscious one for the future.
For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https:// amenity.agrovista.co.uk/
One system, many landscapes
How an electric mowing system is finding its way across a wide range of regularly maintained grounds
The Eco Clipper FM343 and FM4 are being used across football pitches, utility company grounds and a motorsport circuit. The sites differ considerably. The results are consistent.
What these applications share is a regular mowing cycle, ranging from several times a week on a sports pitch to once every two weeks on less intensively managed terrain. The system is designed for grounds where the grass is kept in condition through regular cuts, not occasional heavy ones.
Sports fields
On a full-size football pitch, the EC-FM343 completes the
job in under 15 minutes. The EC-FM4 is faster still. Deck sections follow the contours of the field independently, clippings are spread evenly, and the system performs reliably in wet conditions as well as dry. The low noise level is a practical advantage near residential areas around the ground.
Utility company grounds
A Dutch water utility company previously needed both a selfpropelled rotary mower and a flail mower to cover its full range of terrain. The rotary mower handled the maintained lawns around the office buildings; the rougher grassland in the water extraction zone required the flail mower. The EC-FM343 now handles both, in a
single operation with consistent cut quality across the full range of terrain. The quiet operation is appreciated by the operator and around the office buildings.
TT Circuit Assen
TT Circuit Assen has around 80 hectares of grass surfaces maintained by the Eco Clipper FM4, covering the slopes, run-off areas and car parks. Ditch banks and small corners are handled separately, but the EC-FM4 takes care of the bulk of the area efficiently, keeping pace with the circuit’s maintenance schedule throughout the season.
Further information and specifications are available at www.ecoclipper.com
REDUCE COSTS. MAINTAIN QUALITY.
Eco Clipper delivers consistent cut quality across a wide range of conditions, including wet grass and mixed sward, with lower fuel consumption and minimal maintenance.
CUT QUALITY Holds up under varying field conditions, without compromising productivity.
LOWER COSTS High output per hour, low energy use and reduced maintenance requirements.
QUIET OPERATION
Significantly reduced CO2 emissions and low noise output.
Used by turfgrass producers and grounds professionals across Europe.
Groundsman Grass Maintenance Machines
Since 1990, Groundsman Industries have developed their unique range of grass maintenance machines and accessories for maximum performance and durability from their factory base in Co. Antrim N. Ireland.
Two and Four-wheel drive Turf Cutters deliver effortless sod cutting with low operating vibration levels. These versatile machines can be fitted with sod blades 30cm to 60cm wide to cut 1cm to 7cm thick sod and a Cultivator Blade to prepare the surface for new sod. Trench, De-compaction and Mole-draining blades can cut down to 12cm deep. A Guillotine Attachment is available to measure and chop the sod into lengths for easy handing or relaying.
Groundsman Aerators are available from 60cm to 180cm working widths. All use Groundsman’s proven durable Elliptical Plunge Action mechanism for aeration down to 15cm. Quickchange Tines for Solid Spiking, Hollow Coring and Chisel Slitting are available for plus Cluster Tines for dense pattern needle and micro hollow aeration, thatch removal and over-seeding.
The incredibly efficient Flexblade Core Collector is available from 0.8mtr to 2.3mtr widths to fit many makes of aerators as well as Groundsman to core and collect in one pass plus three point linkage mounting for follow-up core collection.
Visit: www.groundsmanindustries.com
Tel: +44(0) 28 2766 7049
Email: enquiries@groundsmanindustries.com
Flails Direct started supplying flail mower/hedgecutter blades and their associated parts more than 25 years ago, initially selling to local drainage boards and farmers.
The business has grown dramatically over the years, and they now supply to the Agricultural, Amenity, Forestry and Land Management companies as well as end users both in the UK and globally.
From their vastly stocked warehouse located on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire
border they can supply a large range of flails/associated parts on a next day delivery service to the majority of UK customers.
Flails Direct also hold some stock items for supplying directly to several machine manufacturers. These items are sold exclusively to these manufacturers and are not sold directly to the end user.
Flails Direct are happy to receive any purchase enquiries from equipment manufacturers, dealers and end users with regards to flails,
topper blades or any other wearing parts that require manufacturing on their behalf.
Various other types of blades are also available from Flails Direct’s warehouse, including: many rotovator blades, stone burier blades, green waste shredder blades and forestry mulcher carbide tipped teeth
For any enquiries large or small Flails Direct will be willing to assist
GKB SPM400 powers productivity for Premier Turfing Ltd
or contractors working in demanding environments and, often, to tight schedules, machinery needs to be robust and reliable to deliver day-in, day-out. That’s why many, like Lincolnshire’s Premier Turfing Ltd, rely on GKB Machines. Owner Ian Mawer has recently added to his fleet with the purchase of an SPM400 topdresser, joining a GKB Sandfiller, Combinator and DrainMaster already delivering dependability for a demanding workload.
Founded over 15 years ago, Premier Turfing Ltd has established a reputation as a leading sports turf contractor – delivering construction, renovation and maintenance services on winter sports pitches, cricket outfields, racecourses and golf courses throughout the UK and Europe. Supporting a 16-strong team that works across Premier Turfing Ltd and the recently launched sister company, Premier Golf Ltd (formerly John Greasley Golf),
owns & operates a vast and varied fleet of equipment.
“The GKB build quality is something that really stands out to us as contractors, and that reliability and efficiency is something we’ve become accustomed to” explains Ian. “When we were looking for a high productivity and large capacity dresser for big projects and those in our peak busy period, I knew straight away where to look.”
Ian stopped by the GKB Machines stand at SALTEX 2025, where he discussed the options available with longstanding contact Tom Shinkins. “There’s no nonsense with Tom, he knew exactly what we were after and his recommendation of the SPM400 has, so far, ticked every box.”
At 4m3 (level hopper load), the SPM400 offers not only GKB’s largest hopper capacities, but one of the largest available in the market. Part of the Sandspreader range, the SPM features an
additional material handler for the convenient filling of bunkers and drainage machine hoppers. “For a relatively small additional investment, we’ve infinitely increased the versatility of this machine. Not only will it be used to spread sand on end of season football or rugby renovations, we’ll also use it for drainage projects and in conjunction with the GKB DrainMaster where we can now quickly and easily top up the hopper.”
In a few short weeks since its delivery, the SPM has made a solid first impression. “The team said it was great – super easy to set up, with a really good spread pattern. They loved it!” With a busy renovation season just around the corner, Ian firmly believes the machine is set to become a key weapon in their armoury. “We’re looking forward to exploring the full potential of it and reaping the rewards of its larger size helping us to get jobs done both more effectively and more efficiently.”
KAR UK Launches K-Series Hose Reel Trolley
AR UK has announced the launch of its brand-new K-Series Hose Reel Trolley – a robust, British-built solution designed to meet the demands of modern turf care and industrial washdown applications.
Handmade in the UK by a local manufacturing partner close to KAR UK’s headquarters, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley combines craftsmanship, durability and practical design all in one compact unit.
Developed for use across golf courses, sports pitches, parks, nurseries, agriculture and industrial environments, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley has been engineered with daily, heavy-duty use in mind. Its sturdy construction and thoughtful design make it ideal for both field operations and on-site washdown tasks where reliability is critical.
At the heart of the design is a weather-resistant blue powdercoated frame, finished with a distinctive KAR-made laser-cut logo, reinforcing the quality and provenance behind the product. A heavy-duty galvanised tow hitch ensures strength and longevity, even in challenging conditions.
Mobility across sensitive turf areas has also been carefully considered. The trolley is fitted with wide pneumatic tyres featuring turf-friendly tread, providing excellent stability while minimising surface impact – a key benefit for greenkeepers and grounds professionals working on fine turf.
The K-Series Hose Reel Trolley is available in two configurations to suit different operational needs:
BARE unit – ideal for users looking to integrate the trolley into existing hose and equipment setups.
Ready-to-Go bundle – supplied complete with 50 metres of 1-inch hose and a Hunter SpotShot, offering a turnkey solution straight out of the box.
To ensure consistent service and support, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley will be available exclusively through KAR UK’s trusted distributor network.
The K-Series Hose Reel Trolley has already been put through its paces in real working conditions by Jimmy Butler, Head Greenkeeper at Wyke Green Golf Club, who praised its practicality and build quality.
“As a course manager, I’ve found the KAR Hose Trailer to be a very practical and durable piece of equipment. It clips easily onto our course workman/runaround, making it quick and simple to use during daily maintenance.”
Jimmy also highlighted the trolley’s stability and reliability during regular use:
“The trailer is well-built and handles regular use on the course without any problems. It tows smoothly over uneven ground and feels secure at all times. After consistent use, it has proven to be strong and reliable with no issues.”
“Overall, it’s a tough, easy-to-use hose trailer that saves time and does the job well. I’d recommend it to any golf course looking for a reliable hose transport solution.”
With British manufacturing at its core and a focus on strength, usability and professional performance, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley sets a new standard for hose transport in turf care and industrial applications.
For more information, please visit www.karuk.com
You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.
Boiling From the Inside Out: The Physics and Practicality of Systemic Electric Weeding
For decades, the standard response to invasive vegetation on hard standings and amenity lawns has been chemical. However, as grounds managers across the UK and Ireland know all too well, the legislative landscape is changing rapidly. Tightening restrictions on glyphosate, rising public pushback, and stricter environmental mandates near waterways have forced teams to seek non-chemical alternatives.
Yet, many initial alternative trials have left greenskeepers frustrated. Thermal methods like gas flamegunning or pressurized steam look impressive initially, but they often yield disappointing long-term results. Within weeks, the weeds bounce back.
To understand why thermal methods fail—and how a newer technology solves the problem—we must look at plant biology through the lens of electrical resistance.
The Core Defect of Heat and Steam
Flame and steam systems operate on external heat transfer. They cook the upper leaves of a weed, bursting cell walls on the surface. While this achieves a rapid “knockdown” effect, it rarely penetrates the soil substrate.
For resilient weeds with dense taproots or creeping root structures, thermal shock is merely a haircut. The plant simply re-allocates its underground carbohydrate reserves and pushes up fresh shoots within a fortnight. Consequently, grounds teams find themselves locked into
the paradigm. Rather than applying external heat to the leaf surface, electric weeding uses the plant itself as an electrical resistor.
When a treatment electrode makes physical contact with a weed, a high-voltage circuit (typically between 3,000V and 10,000V) is formed between the machine, the plant structure, and an earth return electrode.
Because the plant tissue naturally resists the current, that electrical
Data shows that destroying just the top 20% of a taproot is structurally sufficient to prevent the plant from regrowing. Electric weeding easily achieves this, causing deep-tissue decay within two weeks, leaving hard surfaces weed-free for months.
Integrating Electric Weeding into Your Fleet
For estates managers looking to transition to chemical-free weed
management without a drop in efficacy, NaturaVolt provides a dual-pathway solution tailored to operational budgets and infrastructure scale.
Path A: Professional On-Site Contracting
For operations handling localized outbreaks of aggressive, deeprooted invasive species—or for teams looking to test the efficacy of the technology before capital investment—NaturaVolt offers fullservice professional contracting. Their specialist crews bring highvoltage technology directly to your site, making them ideal for sensitive environments like school grounds, cemeteries, heritage properties, and paths adjacent to open water where spray drift is entirely prohibited.
Path B: In-House Fleet Ownership
For facility teams, local councils, and golf courses managing extensive hard standings, pavements, and gravel walkways daily, long-term ownership of the equipment is the most costeffective route. As the exclusive distributor of this technology across the UK and Ireland, NaturaVolt supplies professional-grade gear directly to landowners.
Spotlight on the eWeeding Roller
The flagship tool for in-house amenity management is the pedestrian eWeeding Roller. In use with 50+ organisations, this unit is engineered specifically for the rigors of commercial groundskeeping.
Power Source
Replaceable, rechargeable battery pack
Input Power 3,000 Watts
Treatment Width 60 cm
Side-Shift Function 8 cm lateral adjustment
Runtime 3 to 6 hours per charge
Crucially, NaturaVolt does not simply drop machinery off at a depot. Every equipment purchase is backed by full machine commissioning, tailored advisory services, and official operator safety certification to ensure your staff are fully trained and confident in utilizing high-voltage equipment safely.
The Bottom Line
Shifting away from chemical weed control doesn’t have to mean accepting inferior results
Zero emissions, silent operation for public spaces
Heavy-duty electrical output to snap tough weeds
High-efficiency path clearing
Cleans tightly against kerb edges and wall bases
Covers extensive urban or facility footprints
or doubling your labour hours. By understanding the physics of electrical resistance and deploying targeted tools like the eWeeding Roller, grounds managers can achieve long-lasting, root-deep weed eradication safely, legally, and sustainably.
To learn more about arranging a site trial or purchasing an eWeeding Roller for your fleet, contact the specialists at info@naturavolt.com www.naturavolt.com
BE BLOWN AWAY BY THE NEW MAKITA BACKPACK BLOWER’S PERFORMANCE
The Makita UB004G is a new powerful cordless backpack blower designed for professional grounds maintenance and large-scale outdoor cleaning applications. As part of Makita’s advanced 40VMax XGT® platform, it combines a high efficiency brushless motor with a comfortable backpack design to deliver strong airflow while reducing operator fatigue.
Anatural successor to petrol powered tools, and built with high airflow and airspeed for extended commercial use, the backpack blower features variable speed control to provide the performance and versatility required for clearing leaves and other debris.
Powered by two 40V Max Li-Ion batteries connected in parallel, the blower operates on one battery at a time, automatically switching to the second when the first runs out of charge. When using two BL4080H batteries, the machine delivers around 38 minutes of power on the
low mode, and 14 minutes on high.
Providing performance comparable to a 65cc-class engine blower, the backpack blower can tackle even wet fallen leaves, with an air volume of 0 – 19.1 m3/min and an average air speed of 0 – 80.5 m/s and a max air speed of 0 – 96.0 m/s. The tool features adjustable airflow, giving users greater control with a range of settings from a gentle breeze to strong wind. A one-touch airflow lock with cruise control also allows users to maintain their preferred airflow without continuously holding the trigger. Additionally, it features a mode switch button, which provides
tactile feedback for quick switching and added convenience.
For enhanced comfort, the backpack weighs only 8.8kg with two BL4080H batteries, which is 40% lighter than previous models, while still delivering powerful performance. Finally, it also features a large control display with high-brightness LEDs for excellent visibility, allowing operators to quickly monitor settings and make adjustments, even in lowlight conditions.
For more information, please visit: www.makitauk.com.
1st March - 30th September 2026
Why Versatility Remains Essential for Grassroots Pitch Maintenance
Across grassroots football and rugby, robotic mowing is becoming an increasingly common topic of conversation in pitch maintenance. With the promise of consistent cutting, reduced routine labour and improved presentation standards, it’s no surprise that clubs are exploring how automation might help them make the most of limited resources.
For many facilities, robotic mowing may play a valuable role. Commercial robotic systems may help grounds teams achieve reliable results through regular, automated mowing cycles while freeing up time for other essential tasks. As the technology continues to evolve, robotic units are likely to become an increasingly familiar sight across the sports turf industry.
However, the growth of automation does not remove the need for versatile, high-capacity mowing equipment. For many grassroots
clubs, commercial rotary mowing remains an essential part of maintaining safe, playable pitches throughout the season.
Different technologies for different challenges
The conversation around mowing technology is often framed as a choice between robotic mowing and conventional rotary equipment, but successful grounds maintenance rarely comes down to a simple either-or decision.
Every club faces different challenges - from volunteer availability and fixture congestion to unpredictable weather and seasonal growth patterns. The question is no longer “robotic or rotary?”, but “which combination of tools best supports our site, our people and our long-term goals?” Robotic systems excel at delivering consistent, light-touch maintenance. Commercial rotary mowers, whether tractor-
mounted or trailed, provide the flexibility and capacity to manage larger areas, tackle heavier growth, and support the wider maintenance tasks that define grassroots sport. Increasingly, clubs are recognising that these technologies are not competitors, but complementary parts of a broader maintenance strategy.
Managing the realities of grassroots sport
Unlike professional venues with dedicated grounds teams, many grassroots clubs rely on volunteers or small maintenance teams juggling multiple responsibilities. Weather patterns, fixture schedules and seasonal growth can all influence how and when maintenance work is carried out.
A pitch that is routinely maintained during one part of the season may require a very different approach after a period of rapid growth or a busy run of fixtures. Having the ability to
respond quickly and effectively remains a critical part of successful grounds management.
As clubs look to maximise limited budgets and resources, versatility remains one of the most important considerations when investing in equipment.
The value of versatility
For many grassroots clubs, the tractor remains one of the most valuable assets on site. Beyond mowing, it supports aeration, seeding, topdressing, renovation work, trailer duties and a wide range of general maintenance tasks throughout the year. This flexibility allows clubs to maximise the value of their investment while supporting multiple aspects of pitch and facility management.
Commercial three-point linkagemounted mowers such as the Trimax Striker and Trimax ProCut have been developed
specifically to meet the needs of community sports facilities.
• Trimax Striker offers an accessible, dependable mowing solution with low power requirements, simple operation and proven durability - a practical long - term investment for clubs looking to get the most from their existing tractor fleet.
Trimax ProCut is built for larger sites and more demanding maintenance programmes. Designed for productivity, durability and exceptional cut quality, it delivers the performance required by busy sports facilities, with the benefit of zero daily maintenance features.
For clubs aiming to maximise the return on their tractor assets, commercial three-point linkage-mounted rotary mowers continue to offer significant long - term value.
Looking ahead
Robotic mowing will continue to play an increasingly important role in sports turf management, and for many clubs it may become a valuable part of their maintenance programme. But automation alone is unlikely to meet the full range of demands placed on grassroots facilities.
The future is not about choosing between robotic mowing and rotary mowing It’s about selecting the right combination of technologies to deliver the best outcomes for players, volunteers and grounds teams.
As maintenance demands evolve, commercial rotary mowing remains a vital part of the equation - providing the flexibility, productivity and versatility that grassroots clubs rely on year after year.
To learn more about the Trimax Striker and Trimax ProCut, visit the Trimax website: trimaxmowers.co.uk
Robotic Line Marking: The Cure for Festival Parking Panic
arking is rarely the part of an event people talk about when it works. When it fails, it becomes the only thing people talk about. At Cereals Event 2026, held at Diddly Squat Farm, Origin Amenity Solutions used a TinyLineMarker robot to bring order to the ground before the crowds arrived.
A Calmer Start
A large field can look generous until the first wave of cars arrives. Then the small problems start. Rows drift. Spaces disappear. Drivers hesitate. Stewards have to invent a system while traffic is still moving. That is parking panic.
Clear marking changes the mood. It gives stewards a visible plan and helps drivers understand the space without lowering a window and
asking questions. It keeps routes open, protects walkways and helps the site feel organised from the first car through the gate.
For the organiser, the gain is practical and immediate: less time marking by hand, less pressure on staff, better use of space and a calmer start to the day.
All Festivals Need a Robot
The interesting part is that car parking is only the beginning. A line marking robot can also add life to the festival site itself. It can paint small football pitches, children’s mazes, sponsor zones, activity areas, crowd games and temporary wayfinding. It can paint logos on grass too, which matters more now that drone footage turns festival grounds into a visual surface of their own.
That is the real shift. A robot is not only a tool for infrastructure. It can also help create moments that live on in footage, photos and memories.
A Practical Solution
Simon Hughes, who carried out the robot line marking on the day, says: “When people arrive, you want the site to feel welcoming. The robot helps with manual work that takes time and can otherwise be left to chance, such as car parking, plot marking and visitor movement. But it also gives organisers room to be creative. That combination is exactly why more events should be looking at building robotic line marking into their plans.”
www.tinymobilerobots.com
Effortless Effortless Line Marking Line Marking
for for your your
You will never have to worry about You will worry line marking again. Fill. Set. Mark. marking again. Fill. It’s that easy. It’s that pitches pitches
One supplier, one proven programme at Cromer LTA
At Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), building long-term relationships with facilities is just as important as supplying the right products. That partnership approach is on full display at Cromer Lawn Tennis & Squash Association, where Groundsman and General Manager Matthew Jordan relies on OAS as the club’s sole supplier of grass seed, nutritional products and line marking paint to maintain 10 busy grass courts through an intensive playing season.
Cromer LTA is a bustling multi-sport and community venue, offering accessible facilities and coaching for a range of racket sports together with supporting local groups including yoga, chess and running clubs. With around 500 members including 120 juniors, the facilities are open year-round – with the grass courts hosting the brunt of the action between mid-April and the end of September. “For us, maintaining consistently highquality playing surfaces is essential and it’s something that is much more achievable with the reliable results
we achieve with an OAS programme” explains Matthew.
“It’s something that we’ve developed over a number of years, working closely alongside our OAS Area Sales Representative Mark Keysell to establish the right products and gather the practical guidance we need to make informed decisions. We have budgets to work to and really appreciate that Mark respects this and structures a plan that delivers both value and long-term results.”
Keeping the courts fit for daily play in addition to a packed tournament schedule which includes a British Tour event, county championships and junior and senior tournaments begins with the right grass seed, and for that Matthew opts for R9 100% dwarf ryegrass. “This hardwearing mix is ideal for tennis. After a fairly heavy renovation, we sow R9 at the conclusion of the grass court season and let this establish throughout October.”
Matthew then turns his attention to a winter nutrition programme consisting of Multigreen 15-0-22 to maintain plant health through the
colder months before kickstarting spring growth in February with an application of Cold Start Boost-R 11-5-5. “This product really get’s the grass moving, enabling us to gradually lower the heights and increase the frequency of mowing to get us down to 8-10mm when the season starts” he adds.
Supporting performance during the busiest periods is H-Cote 22-3-8, which forms part of a wider site programme which includes selective weed controls, Enclean hard surface biocide and Tri-Cure granular.
For Matthew and the team, having one trusted supplier simplifies operations and provides confidence throughout the year. “It’s now at the point where this programme is tried and tested, but it’s great to have Mark on hand with help, advice and guidance when needed.”
He concludes, “It’s thanks to this partnership that our grass courts are as good as they are.”
SWOZI is changing the way sports pitches are marked
Combining Swiss engineering, cutting-edge robotic technology, and dedicated UK support, SWOZI helps grounds teams mark pitches more efficiently while delivering consistent, professional results on both natural and artificial turf.
Traditional line marking can be timeconsuming and often depends on the experience of the operator. SWOZI’s robotic line-marking system simplifies the process, allowing grounds staff to create accurate and repeatable pitch markings with less effort and greater consistency. With no need for measuring tapes or strings, a single operator can mark a fullsized football pitch in around 20 minutes.
Whether it is a rugby pitch, an athletics track, or a multi-sport facility, system delivers reliable results every time.
Designed with ease of use in mind, the SWOZI robot can be operated with minimal training. Intuitive software and advanced navigation technology make it simple to set up and mark even complex pitch layouts quickly and accurately. This reduces the risk of human error while helping teams save valuable time throughout the season. SWOZI also supports more sustainable grounds maintenance. By optimising paint usage and reducing waste, the system helps organisations lower their environmental
impact while reducing operating costs. At the same time, grounds staff can focus on other important maintenance tasks instead of spending hours marking pitches.
Today, sports clubs, schools, municipalities, and professional venues are looking for smarter ways to maintain their facilities. SWOZI provides a practical solution that improves efficiency, enhances pitch presentation, and helps grounds teams achieve professional results with less work. With systems installed across multiple countries, SWOZI supports organisations in modernising their pitch maintenance operations and meet the increasing demands of sports facilities.
Abersoch Golf Club weathers coastal challenges with Johnsons J Sustain Fairway
erched on the Welsh coastline, Abersoch Golf Club has always lived at the mercy of the elements. Managing those ever-changing conditions for the last 37 years is Head Greenkeeper Arthur Evans who, in recent years, has found a combination of the right grass seed mixture and expert advice has transformed the condition and resilience of the 18-hole coursethat combination being Johnsons J Sustain Fairway from DLF.
Expanded from a nine-hole course up to 18 in 1988, Abersoch offers its members a traditional links golf experience. The challenge of managing surfaces in such an exposed location without fairway irrigation is one relished by Arthur and a team of just three, made easier with the help and advice of trusted industry contacts – one of whom is DLF’s Stuart Yarwood.
“I knew Stuart when he was greenkeeping and when he joined DLF, he came in to pay us a visit. Quite quickly the conversation moved beyond just products and
into practical agronomic support” he explains.
For years, the club had struggled with ryegrass and fescue mixtures that germinated well but failed to retain coverage when drought conditions arrived. In an attempt to encourage the naturally occurring sheeps and hard fescue and bolster this with other hardwearing, resilient and top-ranking fescue cultivars, Arthur and the team opted to sow J Sustain Fairway from the Johnsons Sports Seed range.
“It was evident very quickly that the J Sustain Fairway mixture was able to thrive in our sandy soil environment and within a few months from the first sowing, the club and the players noticed significant improvements in both coverage and sward density.”
Arthur continues, “Last year was our third year on this programme and, arguably, the most challenging with very prolonged, dry conditions. Thanks to the now established fescue populations, the fairways emerged relatively unscathed
which also instils confidence that the course is in a much better position to survive these extremes in weather moving forwards.”
Designed to thrive under low-input management, J Sustain Fairway’s fine-turf fescue formulation delivers excellent playability, density and visual merit with reduced fertiliser, lower irrigation and less intensive maintenance. Introduced to the range in 2023, it performs particularly well on heathland and links courses and those exposed sites prone to environmental extremes.
Stuart has been keeping a close eye on the progress, together with DLF’s Ben Morgan and the STRI agronomy team. “Because we don’t have fairway irrigation, we only really get overseeding window every year in the autumn, which makes the performance of this mixture even more impressive.”
He concludes, “The compliments we’ve received from the members are testament to the turnaround J Sustain Fairway has delivered.”
Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance
ndependent research carried out at the NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center in Norway has highlighted ICL’s H2Pro TriSmart and Syngenta’s Qualibra among seven commercially available soil surfactant technologies evaluated under prolonged drought conditions.
The work forms part of the STERFfunded FAIR WATER II project, supported by The R&A Golf Course 2030 initiative and the German Greenkeepers Association (GVD), investigating practical drought management and water-use strategies for golf course fairways across Northern Europe.
During the severe 2024 drought period, untreated plots required 116 mm of irrigation water to maintain the intervention threshold, compared with 90 mm for plots treated with H2Pro TriSmart. This represented a
statistically significant 22% reduction in irrigation water use versus untreated turf.
Alongside lower water use, H2Pro TriSmart maintained strong turf quality, green grass cover, and soil moisture performance throughout the drought period, with the trial paper describing it as delivering the “best all-round performance” under the conditions tested.
Within the same controlled rainout shelter trials at the NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center Landvik in Norway, Syngenta’s Qualibra was recognised for providing the “best overall visual appearance after prolonged drought”.
As golf courses continue to face increasing pressure around water availability, irrigation costs, and prolonged dry periods, the FAIR WATER II project is also assessing approaches including thatch management, deep aeration, and
the use of brackish or recycled irrigation water.
Dr Andy Owen, International Technical Manager for ICL, said:
“Independent trial work like FAIR WATER II provides valuable practical insight into how different technologies perform under prolonged drought stress. It is encouraging to see H2Pro TriSmart recognised for reducing irrigation water requirement while maintaining turf performance, alongside the visual turf quality delivered through Qualibra.”
For more information on the trial findings, visit the ICL Turf & Landscape Knowledge Hub.
Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.com
A Centurion Club places trust in DSV’s Eurograss range
t Centurion Club in St Albans, course manager Andy Garland knows every inch of the golf course because he helped build it from the ground up. Today, as the club continues to host some of the biggest events in professional golf, Andy relies on Eurograss Dual Use grass seed mixture to help maintain consistent playing surfaces throughout the year in increasingly challenging weather conditions.
Andy joined the club in 2006 during the construction phase and has remained at the heart of the venue ever since, overseeing its development into one of the UK’s most recognised tournament golf destinations.
“We spent the best part of five years shaping it, designing it, topsoiling it and growing it from seed,” he said. “I’ve walked every mile here and every part of the course; I know it like the back of my hand.”
Andy leads a team of 12 full-time greenkeepers, with numbers doubling during tournament preparation weeks. Managing a modern, in-demand venue means constantly adapting to evolving weather patterns and changing turf pressures; something that has also influenced his approach to grass seed selection.
“When I started my career, you probably wouldn’t have a mower out from November until April,” he said. “Now we’re mowing all year
round because of the mild weather. We get a month’s rainfall in a day and then go months without rain.”
As a result, drought tolerance, wear tolerance and recovery have become increasingly important factors when selecting seed mixtures.
“We’re still using similar species, but now they’re better cultivars,” Andy explained. “The breeding and seed technology has come a long way. We’re looking for drought resistance, wear tolerance, colour and grasses that can cope with being cut lower and put under more pressure.”
That search for improved performance led Andy to trial the Eurograss Dual Use mixture, supplied through Turfcare and recommended partly due to its strong STRI rankings.
Initially introduced for repairs and divoting work on tees and fairways, the results quickly caught Andy’s attention.
“I was very pleased with Dual Use and how it worked,” he said. “It helped recover divots quicker and even in droughty conditions on nonirrigated areas.”
Eurograss Dual Use is a hard-wearing amenity grass seed mixture designed for areas that need to look good while coping with regular use and
changing weather conditions.
Combining high-quality perennial ryegrasses with strong creeping red fescues, it delivers excellent wear tolerance, strong recovery and impressive drought resilience.
Following the initial success, Andy expanded its use across the golf course as part of Centurion’s wider overseeding programme.
“We overseed twice a year, normally about four-and-a-half tonnes in the spring and the same again in the autumn,” he said. “Now we use it wall-to-wall on tees, fairways, aprons, collars and even semi-rough areas.”
One particular overseeding programme in spring 2025 reinforced Andy’s confidence in the mixture.
“We had a very dry spring after overseeding,” he explained. “What really sold the Eurograss seed to me was when we finally got some water down on the drill runs fourto-six weeks later, the strike rate was really impressive.
“The plant, once it had germinated, was very tolerant to droughty conditions and it performed very well.”
Andy has also been impressed with the seed’s cold germination capabilities during autumn and winter use.
“We divot all year round using the product,” he said. “Even through winter, if you get a two-week window of mild weather, you can see the grass striking and germinating again.
“It ticks every box for me in regard to drought tolerance, wear tolerance and cold germination.”
For Andy, consistency and reliability are critical when purchasing between eight and nine tonnes of seed annually.
“When you’re buying that amount of seed, you need confidence in what you’re putting out there,” he said.
“I’ve seen competitors germinate, but nowhere near as well as the Eurograss products I’ve used.
“
“As a greenkeeper, that’s all you can ask for. You know every bag is going to work and that’s one less thing you’ve got to worry about when managing a golf course.”
Please visit
www.dsv-uk.co.uk
for more information.
Rolling with Purpose: Why Salsco Rollers Are Finding a Place in Modern Turf Programmes
s clubs and sports venues look for reliable ways to improve surface quality without adding unnecessary inputs, turf rolling is becoming an increasingly considered part of the professional maintenance toolkit.
For today’s grounds teams, consistency has become one of the defining measures of a wellmanaged surface. Presentation still matters, but so does the way a green rolls late in the day, how a pitch holds up under repeated use and whether a surface performs predictably from one area to the next. In that context, rolling is no longer viewed simply as a finishing touch. Used correctly, it can help support smoothness, firmness and playability as part of a wider turf management programme.
Following the contours
Salsco’s turf roller range has gained attention because it addresses a practical issue familiar to many greenkeepers and grounds managers: how to achieve an even result across surfaces that are rarely perfectly flat. The company’s oscillating, articulating roll design is intended to keep the roller in closer contact with the turf as it moves across undulations, contours and transitions.
That detail matters. When a roller follows the ground rather than working against it, the finish can be more uniform and the risk of scuffing reduced. On golf greens, the result is aimed at truer roll and more consistent pace. On larger sports turf areas, the same principle can help produce a cleaner, firmer surface that is better prepared for play.
Doing more with the maintenance window
The renewed interest in rolling also reflects wider pressures on the sector. Turf managers are expected to deliver high standards while managing labour, fuel, input costs, weather disruption and sustainability targets. Rolling cannot replace sound agronomy, but it can support it by improving surface uniformity and helping teams achieve performance gains without relying solely on lower cutting heights or additional treatments.
For golf courses, that may mean creating pace and smoothness within a balanced maintenance regime. For sports turf venues, it may mean firming and levelling areas before matches, reducing
small surface imperfections and helping pitches present well during periods of heavy traffic.
Just as importantly, rolling is a task that can be planned. When it fits around mowing, irrigation, set-up and play schedules, it becomes a proactive part of the maintenance routine rather than a remedial job squeezed in at the end of the day.
Choosing the right fit
The breadth of the Salsco range reflects the fact that no two facilities operate in quite the same way. Electric models, including the HP2E and HP3E, will be of interest to venues where low-noise operation, early starts or reduced on-site emissions are priorities.
Where the requirement is higher output, extra traction or work across slopes, contours and wetter surfaces, petrol-powered models such as the HP5.5, HP11 and HP11-III offer a more traditional route. The HP11 and HP11-III, in particular, are
positioned for productive greens rolling where pace of operation and finish both matter.
For clubs moving between multiple greens, the Roll-N-Go EHA offers a self-contained approach, while the Tranz-Former Roller and STR-180 tow-behind roller take the concept into larger turf environments such as approaches, fairways, stadium pitches and sports fields.
Operator confidence counts
In practice, a roller’s value depends on more than the finish it leaves behind. It has to be straightforward to work with, predictable under the operator and capable of fitting into the pace of the maintenance day. Comfort, traction, manoeuvrability and consistent turf contact all influence whether a machine becomes part of the regular programme or remains an occasional extra.
That is where repeatability becomes the real measure. If a grounds
team can send an operator out and expect the same controlled result across changing conditions, rolling becomes easier to justify as part of a planned maintenance strategy.
A practical place in the programme
For the professional grounds person, the appeal of turf rolling lies in its ability to influence playability, presentation and resource efficiency at the same time. Salsco’s rollers sit within that trend, offering a range of options for teams looking to make surface quality more repeatable across golf and sports turf settings.
As expectations continue to rise, the most effective maintenance programmes will be those that combine good agronomy with practical, reliable machinery. Rolling may not be the whole answer, but for many facilities it is becoming an increasingly useful part of the conversation.
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