IGFH News
Welcome to the IGFH blog. Here, you’ll find news of our latest magazine releases, interviews with some of the greenkeeping industry’s most influential names and businesses, thought-provoking discussions on trending topics, reviews of turf equipment, and general grounds and greenkeeping news.
Catagories
Syn-Pro by SISIS at GroundsFest
Syn-Pro by SISIS is gearing up for GroundsFest 2024, set to take place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on September 10 and 11. You can find Syn-Pro by SISIS in Outdoor Area A on stand OSA170, where a wide range of advanced synthetic turf maintenance products will be on display. Syn-Pro
Explore SISIS’s Innovations at GroundsFest 2024
GroundsFest 2024 attendees can look forward to seeing SISIS in Outside Area A on stand number OSA170, where a variety of innovative turf maintenance products will be on display. This year, the focus will be on three key products: the Quadraplay, the Variseeder, and the Rotorake TM1000. In addition to
T.E.T.O Meet at Leicester City June 2024
‘Cutline Is King’ T.E.T.O, also known as Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation held their most recent gathering at Leicester City’s Training Ground thanks to Chris Minton, Head Mechanic at Leicester City and James Wilkinson Workshop and Equipment Manager and the Buckinghamshire GC. T.E.T.O was founded by Chris Minton, James Wilkinson and
Hunter Grinders Returns to GroundsFest 2024
After a successful GroundsFest 2023, Hunter Grinders is excited to announce its return to GroundsFest 2024, where it will be showcasing the enhanced Jupiter ATI ‘All in One’ Grinder. The Jupiter ATI is a fully automatic relief spin grinder, designed to deliver precision grinding at its best. It features automatic
Dennis to Exhibit E-Series at GroundsFest 2024
Dennis is set to make a significant impact at GroundsFest 2024, showcasing an impressive range of battery-powered products on stand 50 in Hall 2 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on September 10 and 11. Dennis is set to make a significant impact at GroundsFest 2024, showcasing an impressive range of battery-powered
Greater Western Sydney Careers Market – May 2024
We’ve been back at the careers fairs over in Sydney. The 2024 Greater Western Sydney Careers Market run by Brett Carter Events is done and dusted for this year and what a cracker of an event it was. Just shy of 6000 High School students from 52 High Schools and
BIGGA South Coast Grinding Workshop – July 2024
Event Details: Date & Time: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Location: Corhampton Golf Club, Shepherds Farm Lane, Southampton – SO32 3GZ We have been privileged to be associate members of BIGGA for several years. With a robust membership of over 5,500 individuals across the UK,
Meet the Members: Adam Witchell
Adam Witchell is our second featured member in this issue. Adam has had a busy career, starting as a greenkeeper at Aberdovey Golf Club and going on to secure Head Groundsman roles at Forest Green Rovers Football Club and Calne Town FC. Adam has recently left his role as the
Dennis & SISIS Partner with Croquet England for Lawn Maintenance Seminar
Dennis and SISIS, in association with Croquet England, recently hosted a highly informative Croquet Lawn/Court Maintenance One-Day Seminar at the Bristol Croquet Club. The event attracted croquet enthusiasts and lawn care professionals eager to enhance their knowledge and skills in maintaining croquet lawns to the highest standards. Dennis and SISIS,
Lackham Tradeshow and Careers Fair 2024
Brad of IGFH attended the Lackham Tradeshow and Careers Fair, held at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Lackham campus on June 17, 2024, which aims to “bring employers and students together to showcase the wide range of careers available in the local area”. We interviewed many of the exhibitors at
Navigating transformative time with the GMA
In our last article, we reached out to BIGGA to see how the association is strategically adapting to challenges in pay equity, embracing social media, and navigating industry shifts. This time, we’ve asked the same questions to the GMA —and you’re in for an enlightening read. Q: What do you
Going Green: Heart of Midlothian F.C. Embraces the Dennis ES-34R
In the ever-evolving landscape of sports turf management, combining sustainability and efficiency are becoming paramount for professionals like Colin Davie, Head Groundsman for Heart of Midlothian F.C. In a recent move towards greener practices, Heart of Midlothian F.C. has invested in a Dennis ES-34R rotary mower In a recent move
Seattle University’s Field Specialist Applauds SISIS Sweeper
Seattle University’s commitment to maintaining first-class athletic and sporting facilities has received a significant boost with the introduction of the SISIS SSS1000 towed sweeper. Seattle University’s commitment to maintaining first-class athletic and sporting facilities has received a significant boost with the introduction of the SISIS SSS1000 towed sweeper. Peter Larson,
Guide to creating an integrated weed management plan – Kersten UK
Sustainability is currently at the forefront for most companies, and rightly so. Without sustainable practices, processes will simply end at the first bottleneck. By definition, sustainability means the ability to maintain or support a process over time. My favorite definition is, “to meet the needs of today without compromising the
Bowling Green Maintenance Day – Knypersley Bowling Club
I’ve always been a huge supporter of free educational events, especially when they are open for all. I have had the pleasure to attend quite a few now over the years and I still walk away with new knowledge and contacts. This one was different from the rest, I’ve attended
Solid Tine Aeration
Solid tine aeration is used to improve soil structure, reduce compaction, release nutrients, allows water to penetrate the surface and enhance overall turf health. Unlike hollow tine aeration, which removes soil cores, solid tine aeration simply punctures the soil with solid metal spikes or tines. This method creates channels that
Dennis and SISIS Announce Partnership with Derbyshire Cricket Foundation
Dennis and SISIS, renowned names in turf maintenance, have announced a partnership with the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation. This collaboration aims to bolster grassroots cricket pitches throughout the county, promising a significant enhancement in the quality and accessibility of cricketing facilities. Roger Moore (left) from Howardson Group with Tom Coxhead from
Turf surface grooming
Turf surface grooming is a maintenance practice to improve the appearance, playability, and health of sports surfaces like golf courses, playing fields, and tennis courts. It involves using specialised equipment to break up debris and worm casts, remove dew, and fix minor surface irregularities. SISIS Flexibrush folded How Often is
Selecting the right fertilizer – Size to hardness
The information in this article was provided by Gilba Solutions One of the perpetual debates in the turf and amenity industry with selecting a fertilizer is whether granulated homogenous fertilizers give a more accurate application at a prescribed rate than blends of similar analysis. What is involved in manufacturing a
Biology of grass seed germination
There are many types of grass seed, but the early stages of seed germination are basically the same. The advantage of planting a lawn is that we can provide some of the necessary ingredients to make grass seed germination easier. We can provide the necessary moisture, proper soil conditions, and
What are PGR’s? – Plant Growth Regulators
Plant Growth Regulators are synthetic or biological compounds that positively benefit and modify the plants growth and development. They are widely used in many plants to shorten the internodes and create a denser, tighter and smaller plant. Growth regulators can be used on amenity grass to reduce the need to
Transitioning perennial ryegrass out of couch
Couch (Cynodon spp.) are commonly overseeded with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) for reasons such as aesthetics, increased wear tolerance and to protect the couch once it enters dormancy. The aim is to maintain this cover during the cool season months and then once it begins to warm up in the
Cricket Loam
Now the mixtures used and the definition of cricket loam can drastically change depending on which part of the world is using it. In the northern hemisphere, loam is soil composed mostly of sand, silt, and a smaller amount of clay. By weight, its mineral composition is about 40–40–20% concentration
Influences that temperature and light have on C3 and C4 grasses
The soil temperature required for growth and to keep C3 and C4 grasses are different. A warmer soil contains more energy. More energy available enables chemical processes driving plant growth to work faster and more efficiently. This means grass can make food quicker (through photosynthesis) and therefore grow faster. There
Discouraging weeds in turfgrass
Weeds will grow in almost any situation where the conditions are favourable. Weeds are opportunistic and will invade where suitable conditions arise. If there are any thin or weak areas of the turfgrass caused by neglect or unsuitable management, this creates a perfect opportunity for weeds to encroach. In order
What is sand?
Sand is the main component of the majority of top-dressing and construction materials (currently available) that are used for sports and amenity turf-grass surfaces. Sand can be composed of different materials with Quartz (SiO2)being the most well known and common.Sand is used to improve the mechanical conditions of soils, particularly
Controlling Crane flies
Crane flies are becoming an increasingly worse problem. Milder winters coupled with the withdrawal of chemicals are making Crane fly even harder to battle. Over the last few years the population of the Crane fly has increased dramatically due to wet Autumns and mild winters. A small moderate population is
Masterclass 3 – Reading FC
On May 28th, 2024, we conducted our 3rd masterclass for our Wiltshire College & University Centre sports turf students at Reading Football Club. The day involved a visit to the stadium, where James Stabler, David Newell, and Sam Ampleford introduced the students to the unique challenges of maintaining a top-tier
What is carrying capacity?
Within the turfgrass industry the term carrying capacity (or sustainable use) can be defined as the maximum level of surface use, or activity on a turf surface before unacceptable levels of deterioration begin to occur. Potential carrying capacity is what could have been achieved given optimum use and management strategies
Howardson Group Hosts Successful Dealer Training Event
The Howardson Group recently brought together over 100 delegates from their dealership network across the UK, Europe and the Far East, over a three week period which proved to be an invaluable opportunity for all involved. The Howardson Group recently brought together over 100 delegates from their dealership network. Held
What are wetting agents?
In short, a wetting agent is a substance that lowers the surface tension of a liquid therefore increasing its penetrating and spreading qualities of previously water repellent surfaces. Wetting agents are from a class of chemical compounds known as surface active agents or ‘surfactants.’ Which you may also see them
Grass leaves
To the human eye, grass leaves in general look pretty much the same. However, under a microscope is where the differences become apparent, especially between warm and cool season grasses. Leaves of warm season grasses have thick walls around the vascular cells. Leaves of warm season grasses have thick walls
Sanitising equipment after and before use
We all know of the numerous myths and tricks about at the moment on ‘how to properly sterilise equipment’. Some are pretty solid, while others are outright hazardous to health or inflict damage to the surfaces they are used on. What is sanitising? In short, it means to ‘make clean
Why is height of cut important?
Now this is one of those topics in greenkeeping that is site-specific due to the large amount of variables, including grass type, weather, region, budget, staff and everything in between. However there are some important rules of thumb to keep in mind, the biggest one being to avoid cutting off
What is grass?
Despite being the fundamental basis of some sports, parks, and lawns, the meaning of the word ‘grass’ never really gets much thought. Even by qualified turf managers! So what is grass? ‘Grass is a monocotyledon plant, herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base.’ Vague, right? That’s because grass
Poa, ways to control and prevent
Poa Annua (Annual meadow grass) is a common grass that is part of the Poaceae family. This family of grass provides staple foods, from domesticated cereal crops such as maize, wheat, rice, barley, and millet, to feed for animals. For some, Poa is a turf manager’s daily grass; for others
Why is hollow tining important?
Improving soil aeration and decompaction is a huge part of maintaining any turf surface, but especially sports turf surfaces. This can be achieved using a variety of methods including slit or knife tines, soild or spike tines, or hollow tines. Today’s topic is hollow tining (coring). These tines physically remove
Why is quality of cut important?
Its no hidden fact that to achieve the highest possible mowing quality, a cylinder mower is the best. Their clean scissor-like cut makes them the perfect choice for sports turf surfaces, high-quality lawns and recreational areas. The basic design hasn’t changed since Edwin Budding developed the first machine in 1830.
Understanding plant water use – Evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration is a term used to describe the water consumed by plants over a period of time. Evepotranpiration is the water loss occurring from the process of evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation occurs when water changes to vapor on either soil or plant surfaces. Transpiration refers to the water loss through
A Sweeping Success with SISIS at Merchiston Castle School
Stuart Chalmers, Head Groundsman at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, has recently elevated his maintenance procedures with the addition of the SISIS Litamina 1200. This innovative tractor-mounted sweeper is helping to enhance the upkeep of Scotland’s only all-boys independent boarding school. Stuart Chalmers, Head Groundsman at Merchiston Castle School in
Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield
With over a decade of experience nurturing the hallowed grounds of the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium campus (SGM), Jim Dawson has recently embraced a significant change: the adoption of electric turf maintenance equipment, specifically the Dennis ES-860 cylinder mower, marking a shift away from traditional petrol-powered machinery. Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious
Causes of moss invasion – Sports Turf
Mosses are plants comparatively simple in structure and function and, with the Liverworts, comprise the Bryophyta family – one of the least complicated groups of the plant kingdom. Mosses are found in very many situations, for example, on stones, tree trunks and turf. If you have moss on your turf
Types of moss in Turf
There are three main types of moss in turf. Type 1: Hypnum and Eurhynchium species Fern-like mosses usually trailing amongst the grass stems. Present in many types of turf but characteristic of moist, rather spongy swards where there is a soft surface mat and a quantity of loose litter. Such
Controlling moss in Sports Turf
The invasion of moss in turf seems to be on the increase. Poor surface drainage has always been considered responsible for the invasion of mosses, yet many sports pitches have been troubled by the incursion of mosses in spite of their intensive care programs of scarification, aeration and soil modification
Coated vs Uncoated Grass Seed
One decision you may have to make at some point in your career is whether to opt for coated or uncoated grass seed, each offering distinct advantages depending on the specific requirements of the turf area. Coated grass seed is enveloped in a protective layer of materials like polymers, fertilizers,
A Slightly different overseeding perspective!
The information in this article was provided by Gilba Solutions After the summer the following 3 practices are NOT a good idea if you are overseeding in the autumn. 1. Aggressive scarification – when this is carried out stolons are removed. These act as subsequent ‘’growing points’ when you
Why is it important to use loam/clay over native soil on a cricket wicket?
It’s no secret that preparing a cricket wicket can be classed as an art. A lot of knowledge and skill goes into preparing a top grade wicket, as anyone who has attempted it will know. Before you can even start any work, the most important part is ensuring you have
Grounds Maintenance Roadshow – 9th April 2024 – Fleet Line Markers
Despite the inclement weather on April 9th, 2024, the Grounds Maintenance Roadshow successfully unfolded at Birmingham City University’s Pavilion, Moor Lane. Over 20 companies graced the event to present their latest products and services. Such gatherings serve as vital platforms for the industry, spotlighting innovations and fostering crucial networking opportunities.
Beginner’s guide, plant growth regulators
Growth regulators are used in sports turf primarily to regulate and suppress grass growth. That has advantages for time and cost savings, but also some real advantages for maintaining consistent surface playability. You can vary the amount of suppression by increasing the application rate. Essentially, the higher the rate, the
Vertical integration key to success at Mountain View Seeds
Born out of a co-op in the heart of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Mountain View Seeds has emerged as a top player in the global grass seed market, providing high-quality turfgrass, forage, and cover crops with a focus on environmental sustainability. Today, the company contracts with more than 200 growers across the Pacific
Meet the members, Ben Swidenbank
Ben’s passion for sports turf has seen him take his career into some of the most renowned UK sporting venues, including Wimbledon, Wembley Stadium, Arsenal Football Club, and the Oval Cricket Ground. He currently teaches as an Adult Skills Tutor in Pesticide application and Horticultural machinery at Myerscough College, Liverpool
Capmey’s Pitch Renovation Tour – 2024
Campey’s have a long history of pitch renovation tours, before COVID-19 they would alternate between European sites and the UK each year. While being in the UK they would typically visit grassroots football clubs, with a change scale this year. Attending a mixture of levels from elite football venues to
Maldon Bowling Club: An Award-Winning Tale
Mark Piper, the Greenkeeper at Maldon Bowling Club, Essex, has overseen a remarkable transformation in the quality of the club’s green. Thanks to a range of Dennis and SISIS machinery, particularly the SISIS Supaturfman and the Dennis FT510, the once-struggling surface has become a point of pride, earning Mark the
Meet the Members: Ben Corby
Ben Corby, Sports Turf Manager at Desert Group, Dubai, UAE. Ben made the move to Dubai after craving a warmer outdoor working environment and has shared his fascinating insight into what it’s like to work in a country where camels invade the pitch, outdoor work isn’t permitted from 12:30-3 pm
Pioneering Sustainable Management: Kersten UK
Biodiversity and sustainability have been a hot topic in the greenkeeping and grounds management industry for several years now, but it’s never been more relevant than now. There’s a rapidly growing interest in taking a sustainable approach to grounds management, which begs the question: what can be done to implement
Navigating Transformative Times With Bigga
Adapting to Pay Equity, Social Media, and Industry Shifts Education events such as Continue to Learn provide greenkeepers with the knowledge required to overcome many challenges ‘There are countless ways to promote greenkeeping to the wider public and we’re … helping to create a strong industry not just today but
5 years in – 8th Magazine edition
8th Edition of the IGFH Gazette. Believe it or not, April 2024 marks 5 years of International Greenkeepers. I’m not sure where the time has gone either, that means this October it will be 5 years since I (Bradley Tennant) left for Australia. Daryl Davidson came to me with this
High Sheriff Award – Simon Moore
March 28th 2024 Congratulations to Simon Moore who received an award in recognition of his great and valuable services to the community. Awarded by Pradeep Bhardwaj at a great venue, Monkton Combe School. This is a fantastic achievement and recognition for all his hard work within the industry. Simon with his
My Path to Wimbledon: Conrad Cavill, Groundstaff
Written by Aman Ahmed – Communications team at the All England Club. Conrad Cavill – Wimbledon Groundstaff Inspiring new recruits from all walks of life to join the sector is the critical, but concerning focus for #GroundsWeek 2024. The main characters of sport’s folklore are almost always its coaches and
Exploring Adaptive Golf at EDGA D3 with Get Golfing
Bradley Tennant of IGFH recently participated in February’s EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) D3 coaching session hosted by Get Golfing. The event, held at Mill Green Golf Club, aimed to raise awareness, provide training, and educate attendees on the adaptability of golf for individuals with diverse disabilities. The day kicked
Dennis ES-34R’s are perfect for FAW
Head Groundsperson James Mathewson has praised his fleet of Dennis ES-34R battery powered rotary mowers for making a difference at Colliers Park National Football Development Centre. The centre, situated on the historic site of Gresford Colliery in Wrexham, stands as a testament to the Football Association of Wales’ (FAW) commitment
Fairways to Fair Pay: Groundstaff Equity in Sports Turf
Bradley Tennant of IGFH discusses the ongoing issue of subpar pay within the sports turf industry. In the serene landscapes of golf courses, football fields, and cricket grounds, where the beauty of meticulously maintained turf meets the passion of sports enthusiasts, a contentious issue often lingers in the background: the
GroundsFest Introduces Education Fund to Support Future Grounds Management Leaders
In a significant move to nurture the next generation of grounds management professionals, the GroundsFest team recently visited Wiltshire College University Centre to officially launch the GroundsFest Education Fund. This initiative marks an important step forward in the industry, aimed at empowering students and tackling key challenges in the field.
Howardson Group Appoints David Williamson as New Commercial Director
Howardson Group Ltd, home of world-class groundscare for Dennis, SISIS, Syn-Pro, Lloyds and Hunter Grinders, has proudly announced the appointment of David Williamson as its new Commercial Director. David Williamson has joined Howardson Group, home of Dennis, SISIS, Syn-Pro, Lloyds and Hunter Grinders, as its new Commercial Director. Howardson Group
Join us for the Midlands Grounds Maintenance Roadshow
Join us for the Midlands Grounds Maintenance Roadshow A FREE event that brings together industry leaders and showcases new product innovations in the grounds maintenance sector. Tea and coffee will be available on arrival between 9:15am and 9:30am. Free refreshments and a light lunch will also be provided* as well as demonstrations and exhibits from key experts,
Meet the Members: David Newell
Featured in this issue of Meet the Members is our interview with David Newell, Deputy Head Groundsman at Reading Football Club, UK. Here, David explains how he worked up to his current job role, his future plans to work with warm-season grasses overseas, and which “old-school bangers” he’d have on
Our Top Recommended Books on Turf Management
Looking to expand your turf management knowledge? We’ve read dozens of educational turf management books, and these are our current favourites. Note: Buying a book through one of our links helps to support the free operation and services provided by International Greenkeepers For Hire. Affiliate commission is one of the
Osca 3 elevates synthetic maintenance at Colliers Park
James Mathewson, Head Groundsperson at Colliers Park National Football Development Centre in Wrexham, has found a game-changer in the Syn-Pro by SISIS Osca 3 for the upkeep of their synthetic pitch. Osca 3 elevates synthetic maintenance at Colliers Park. James brings a wealth of knowledge from his diverse career path,
Explosive Start for GroundsFest 2024
Following its groundbreaking debut, GroundsFest is returning with a bang, promising an even bigger and better experience for the groundscare and landscaping industries. With a wave of new exhibitors, expanded space, and mounting excitement, GroundsFest 2024 is set to exceed expectations, offering extraordinary opportunities for industry professionals. GroundsFest exhibitors continue
Dennis gives Colliers Park the cutting edge
Head Groundsperson James Mathewson, in his 18 months at Colliers Park, has ushered in a new era with a forward-thinking approach, exemplifying this through the adoption of cutting-edge sustainable technology, such as the Dennis ES-860 battery-powered cylinder mower. Dennis gives Colliers Park the cutting edge. His choice in equipment is
2024 Turf Pesticides Manual
To get a free copy of the manual – Click here! 2024 International Greenkeepers for Hire Turf Pesticides Manual A must get sports turf management and lawn weed management guide for all professional turf managers. Covers registered turf pesticides (branded and generic pesticides) in australia. Its 100% FREE and fully
Pitch Renovation Tour UK 2024
Watch the latest turf care machinery in action at Campey’s regional demonstration days There will be practical, hands-on demonstrations of turf care and pitch renovation techniques in real-world scenarios. Live renovations of sports pitches, including full pitch renovations, reseeding, aerating, or repairing damaged areas to improve the overall quality of
Transformative Pathways
Sydney University’s Outreach at Cobham Youth Justice Centre Inspires Young men Throughout 2023, Daryl Davidson of IGFH visited Cobham Youth Justice Centre on behalf of Sydney University, with the aim of supporting young people in developing their career skills ready for their release. Felicity Zeiher, Communities & Youth Justice Skills
Two Ball One Stick Challenge at Cammeray Golf
IGFH’s Darly Davidson reflects on Cammeray Golf Club’s fundraising event, held on November 28, 2023. Great day yesterday for the very first Two Ball One Stick Challenge at Cammeray Golf Club. The rain held off just for a great fun day raising awareness for men’s health and raising $1000 that
IGFH Reflects on Successful Year at Brett Carter Events Careers& Job Expos
As a new year begins, Daryl Davidson and Damien Curtis of IGFH have reflected on their experiences last year attending the Brett Carter Events Careers and Job Expos throughout Sydney, Australia. Daryl Davidson left, talking to potential greenkeepers The expos, which are free to attend and attract upwards of 20,000
Welcome Kersten UK, Our Latest Sponsors
We’re delighted to announce our latest sponsor, Kesten UK, who join the Howardson Group and Mountian View Seeds in promoting our great cause. 2024 will mark the 5 years of IGFH, and what a way to start the year off! Kersten UK, Exhibiting at Saltex 2023 Chris, Sean, and the
Exciting Week at Wiltshire College & University Centre
🌱 Exciting Week at Wiltshire College & University Centre 🌿 This week, we had the privilege of conducting our first Masterclass for Level 2 Sports Turf Operative (Lantra) students at The Caversham – Home of Reading Golf Club. The day unfolded into a fantastic blend of education and hands-on experiences,
First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced
Nathan Lewis (R) receives the Pellenc prize from GroundsFest Event Director Christopher Bassett (L). Nathan Lewis from Lewis Garden Machinery is the proud winner of a range of battery-powered Pellenc equipment – a GroundsFest registration prize that added an extra layer of excitement to the spectacular event. The inaugural GroundsFest
Meet the members, Lewis Wells
When International Greenkeepers For Hire was still only a seed of an idea, one of our biggest aims was to facilitate partnerships between working professionals and global workplaces in the greenkeeping and grounds industries. And now, having achieved this for so many people, we continue to be inspired and excited
Meet the members, Ikumi Murai
Our chat with Ikumi Murai, who traveled to the UK to work as a groundsperson at Arsenal Football Club. Here’s what he has to say on the momnent he received his job offer, cultural adjustments when moving overseas, and his tips for others looking to follow in his footsteps. Ikumi
Generic Machinery Pre-start Check Guide
Machinery pre-starts are a critical part of maintenance and work safety. A good pre-start process for machinery can surface any underlying machinery and maintenance issues, and ensure that no silly or avoidable mistakes are made during normal truck operations. It is important to carry out a series of checks before
How to Ask for a Pay Rise in Turf Management: The Complete Guide
We all know about the current ongoing crisis within our industry regarding pay. With all industries, we expect some various levels of pay. Nobody is expecting a premier league grounds manager to be earning the same as a local sports maintenance manager. However, year on year, recommended pay scales are
Importance of attending trade shows – Turf management
There are many trade shows for our industry all around the world, from the UK, USA, Australia, Asia, Europe to Africa. You won’t be too far from one. Some of the more globally known are GCSAA, BTME, SALTEX and SFMA CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION. I’ve attended many trade shows all around
Katy Castle – Inspiring other women to join the industry
Katy Castle – 1 of 3 females to complete a Level 2 in Golf Greenkeeping in the UK. Would you like to start by telling us a bit about yourself, your current role, previous roles and general interests?At the time of writing, I’m 21 years old and a female assistant
The characteristics of C3 and C4 grasses
The perennial grasses can be classified as either C3 or C4 plants. Also known as cool season and warm season grasses. As a generalisation, C3 plants are more temperate, preferring cooler, moister conditions – winter active. C4 plants grow better in warmer, dryer conditions. The terms C3 and C4 refer
Wimbledon – with Neil Stubley
During Saltex 2022. Daryl headed over to the UK for a week and we did a round of tours at some fantastic venues, while there we talked all things staffing and the issues within the industry. Our final day saw us head to The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon,
Defining the ‘standard’ and pay within the Turf industry.
First of all, what do we mean by ‘standard’, a level of quality or attainment in short. But within horticulture and particularly in sports turf this standard can vary dramatically. The local Sunday league team aren’t expecting to play on Wembley standard pitches, whereas the elite athletes will be. It’s
Meet the members, Stephen Valente
My name is Stephen Valente. At the time of writing, I am currently 27 years old and I am the current Deputy Course Manager of Nesklúbburinn in Reykjavik, Iceland. I am from Pennsylvania in the United States and graduated with a degree in Turfgrass Science from Pennsylvania State University in
Introducing: TurfMarket.co.uk
Your one-stop shop for job listings, machinery, training, events, & more in the UK turf industry. After several months of planning, developing, and testing, we’ve officially launched our latest resource for members of the turf industry: Turf Market. Turf Market is your all-in-one solution for buying and selling equipment, sharing and responding
Reliable Dennis G860’s are Excellent for Hartpury
Matthew Newman, Grounds and Sports Turf Manager at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucester, claims that his fleet of Dennis G860 mowers are reliable, robust, and ergonomically excellent. Matthew was once a student at Hartpury University and College completing a National Diploma in Horticulture before being offered a position on
IGFH updated website launch 2024
For some time now we’ve been wanting to update our website, which means switching over from a website ‘building’ client to a more custom system. After months of planning and testing, we launched our new site! During the following weeks or so there may be outages on our site, where
Seeding is simple with the Dennis S500
The Dennis S500 Plus seeder is helping to get the lawns into shape at Cheltenham Ladies’ College according to Ross Spry, Head of Grounds and Gardens. The Dennis S500 Plus seeder After initially starting his career in greenkeeping, Ross Spry has been working for various colleges in the UK for
The involvement of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis
Carbon is a raw material for photosynthesis, in the form of carbon dioxide. Green plants use it to make vital organic compounds. On the land, plants get the carbon they need as a gas from the air. In water, plants ranging from seaweeds to phytoplankton are supplied by dissolved carbon
The involvement of chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis
Chlorophyll is a green pigment which is most closely associated with energy absorption in plants. A pigment is a molecule that has a particular color and can absorb light at different wavelengths, depending on the color. There are many different types of pigments in nature, but chlorophyll is unique in
Meet the members, Jaxon Thorne
Hi my name is Jaxon Thorne and I am currently situated at the Secret Harbour Golf Links in Western Australia having only just completed my studies in Turf Management. I’m 21 years old at the time of writing and love the game of golf. What attracted you to greenkeeping?I’ve played
Meet the members, Jay Knowles
Hey all I’m jay knowles 25 at the time of writing from Edinburgh massive fan of football and a bit of a petrol head. What attracted you to greenkeeping?I actually wasn’t attracted at all. It wasn’t really something I knew of or thought of. I was put on a work
Meet the members, Liam Small
My names Liam Small I’m a senior greenkeeper at the national golf club in Melbourne, I’ve been in the trade for 15+ years and worked at a number of courses and just love everything about the trade What attracted you to greenkeeping?I’m an outdoors person just love being outdoors and
Meet the members, Brian Sandalls
Hi l am Brian Sandalls l live in Sussex on the South coast of England and l work for Sussex Cricket as Senior Groundsman, at Sussex’s academy ground. I have worked for Sussex now for 18 years, on various sites. I have previous experience in golf, football, and a racecourse
Meet the members, James Swanson
My name is James Swanson, I am 47 years old at the time of writing with a gorgeous wife and 2 amazing kids, daughter Caley-mae nearly 19 and at Uni and son Kiedis 15 and still at school none of which are interested in greenkeeping Right – James Swanson What
The light spectrum range which influences photosynthesis
This article was written by Jerry Spencer – Gilba Solutions PTY LTD Not all of the sun’s radiance is light, the term ‘light’ refers to the radiance we can see. As humans we can only see a limited amount of the sun’s radiance, which isn’t a lot at all. However
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