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The Wimbledon lawn tennis championships have long provided one south London golf club with a great opportunity to carry out important course maintenance and construction projects without interruption.
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| High-tip emptying ensure rapid disposal of collected debris from the CAT 800’s hopper. |
Situated within a golf ball’s throw of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon Park Golf Club is traditionally closed for the duration of the tournament enabling large swathes of the course to become a secure car park for tennis enthusiasts.
As crowds gathered on the opening day of Wimbledon to watch the tennis, high-profile golf course maintenance and construction work started in earnest just across the road under the supervision of course manager, Dave Langheim.
This year, major projects earmarked by Dave for Wimbledon fortnight included the reconstruction of five bunkers on the 17th hole by specialist contractor, M J Abbott Ltd, and scarification and sand injection of all 19 greens by sports turf contractor and amenity supplier, Machines Direct. Greens staff from Wimbledon Park assisted with both operations, as required by the two contract teams.
Followed over successive days by fertilising, over-seeding and top dressing, sand injection of the greens was carried out by Graden Contour set to work 12mm deep at 25mm spacings. A total of 60 tonnes of kiln-dried sand was applied to the club’s 19 greens during the two weeks that the course was closed.
Clear-up of surface debris was by Turfmech’s CAT 800 ride-on core and thatch collector with all arisings tipped hydraulically onto a flat-bed trailer for disposal in dedicated screened areas located around the course.
Richard Gooding, owner of Machines Direct, commented that the CAT 800 had proved invaluable since joining his contract fleet in spring 2008.
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| CAT 800 clears scarified debris from the greens at Wimbledon Park Golf Club in double-quick time. |
“We were one of the pioneers of Graden turf machines in the UK and had been looking for many years for a mechanised method of clearing up the resulting debris,” he said. “Not only does the CAT do a first-class job quickly and effortlessly, but it leaves the surface in a condition suitable for mowing, irrigation, over-seeding or top dressing, to suit the specific maintenance programme being carried out.
“Without the CAT 800, I can truthfully say that it would be impossible for us to to meet our deadlines. It’s saving us time, labour and money and, most important, our customers like and appreciate the job that it does.”
CAT is the cream for 2010 Ryder Cup venue
Renovation of all 18 greens on the Twenty Ten course at The Celtic Manor Resort was achieved without fuss or bother last autumn with help from a CAT 800 ride-on greens sweeper designed and manufactured by Staffordshire firm, Turfmech Machinery.
Purchased by Celtic Manor to clear-up behind intensive hollow coring and scarifying operations on the course that will stage the 2010 Ryder Cup, the CAT 800’s powered brush collection system enabled the greens’ renovation programme to be completed on schedule with significantly reduced effort and manpower.
“Three or four staff have been required in the past to clear up hollow cores and scarification debris from greens using snow shovels,” explained director of golf and courses management, Jim McKenzie. “Put to work for the first time last autumn on the Twenty Ten course, the CAT 800 transformed our busy autumn schedule, enabling one or two greens to be totally renovated in a morning before golfers reached them. Not only did we renovate all 18 greens within a two month period without having to close the course but we were able to clear up and remove surface debris using just one man.”
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Powered by a 20hp petrol engine, the hydraulically-driven CAT 800 has an 800mm wide floating debris collection head supported by a full-width roller which ensures close following of turf contours. Collected material is elevated into a 400 litre high-tip hopper capable of unloading up to 1.4m (54in) above ground level into a trailer or work vehicle’s dump box.
“The light-treading machine proved ideal for clear-up work on greens which first opened for play in July 2007 and are bedding in nicely ready for the 2010 Ryder Cup,” said Jim. “In addition to repeat operations on the 2010 course, we plan to use the CAT in 2009 for renovation programmes on our two other 18-hole courses and are looking forward to making similar valuable savings in manpower and effort.”
SQRL clears up greens in double quick time
Above: The Turfmech SQRL greens sweeper has transformed clear-up operations for Warwickshire contract firm, Avonmore Associates.
Turf maintenance and renovation contracts have been transformed for Warwickshire-firm, Avonmore Associates, following the addition of a Turfmech SQRL walk-behind greens sweeper to the company’s machinery fleet.
Purchased primarily for clearing-up following scarifying and hollow coring operations,
the SQRL has produced time savings of up to 50 per cent accompanied by significant reductions in manpower and effort.
“Before we purchased the SQRL, three or four staff were employed to collect and remove thatch debris and hollow cores from bowling and golf greens using brooms, shovels and wheelbarrows,” commented Brian Buttler, founder of Avonmore Associates. “One man can now do the same job in close to half the time, bringing major cost savings and helping us fit more work into a day. The machine has transformed our operations.”
Founded almost 20 years ago by Mr Buttler, Avonmore Associates is based near Stratford-upon-Avon and specialises in the maintenance, renovation and construction of quality turf surfaces used for sports, leisure and recreation purposes.
The decision to purchase Turfmech’s SQRL was not a difficult one, explained Mr Buttler. “Clearing-up following turf scarifying and hollow coring has always been a very labour intensive job,” he said. “In mechanising the complete operation, the SQRL demonstrated that it could dramatically reduce the time and effort involved. It was a no-brainer and we have now ordered a second machine.”
Above: Hydraulically tipped hopper gives fast, efficient emptying of
collected material.
Powered by a 13hp Honda engine, the SQRL gathers surface debris using a 600mm (24in) wide, fully-floating combined brush/paddle head which elevates collected material into a 0.35 cu m (12.4 cu ft) hopper. The hopper is hydraulically raised for emptying and has a maximum above-ground clearance of 1.2m (4ft) when tipped.
The Turfmech SQRL is available for demonstrations nation-wide.
Please contact us for more details.
Greens Sweeper Proves Ideal for Cleaning Synthetic Tees
Developed to remove cores and scarified material from natural grass, Turfmech’s SQRL has found an additional application cleaning and renovating winter tees made from synthetic material.
An important new application has been found for Turfmech’s SQRL walk-behind green sweeper.
Extending the SQRL’s primary function of collecting and removing hollow cores, scarified material and other debris from fine turf is the ability to pick up soil and vegetation from synthetic golf and practice tees to leave a clean and neatly groomed surface.
The SQRL’s additional capabilities were uncovered by Graeme Clarkson, head greenkeeper at the Worcestershire Golf Club, an 18-hole parkland course laid out in the
lee of the Malvern Hills.
“We purchased the SQRL originally to mechanise greens’ clean-up after the Graden scarifier-aerator had done its work,” explained Graeme. “Used for the first time in autumn 2007, the SQRL did a first-class job, saving us a lot of time and effort in getting the greens quickly back into play. When the work was completed, the machine was put away with no thought that it would be back in action again within six weeks.”
The synthetic surfaces benefiting from SQRL treatments are Huxley winter tees installed in mid 2007 on the club’s three par-3 holes. Commissioned by the Worcestershire to help take the pressure off natural grass, the tees were constructed using a high quality all-weather turf with a high fibre density able to accept a tee peg without the need for a filler.
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A synthetic winter tee at the Worcestershire Golf Club before SQRL treatment . . . |
. . . and following treatment which, according to head greenkeeper, Graeme Clarkson, “restores the tee to an as-new condition.” |
Brought into play in late October 2007, the tees were starting to suffer from a build-up of mud and grass clippings being walked onto the surface by golfers during periods of wet and frosty weather.
“The staff did their best to clean the surface with a hard brush and back-pack blower, but the appearance of the tees was starting to draw adverse comments from members,” commented Graeme. “The club was on the point of asking the supplier for advice when I suggested using the SQRL to clean-up and refurbish the pile. The results were superb, with each tee being restored to an as-new finish in less than 10 minutes.”
With the SQRL’s powered collection brush set to lightly touch the surface, the machine is steered across the tee picking up stray material cleanly and depositing it into the machine’s on-board hopper. The action of the brush not only removes virtually all mud and vegetation but it helps lift the fibres for the benefit of golfers striking the ball off the surface or from a tee peg pushed into the pile.
“The club is delighted with the results for two reasons,” pointed out Graeme. “First, we are now able to keep our three winter tees looking and playing at their best with minimal effort and, second, we are extracting additional use and value from a machine that was bought initially with just one purpose in mind. This should make the SQRL an even more attractive and valuable proposition for any golf course with artificial tees and practice areas to maintain.”
Open
qualifying course benefits from TM5 scarification
Above: TM5 vacuum collector with scarifying head removing fairway thatch at Enville Golf Club
A Turfmech TM5 vacuum collector fitted with optional scarifying head is playing an important role in upgrading the fairways and renovating the semi-rough at Enville Golf Club.
Not that there is too much wrong with a golf course that has been selected to host the 2007 English Seniors and has been appointed also as a qualifying course for the Open Championship from 2007 until 2011.
However, as course manager Jonathan Wood points out: “Certain areas of the course did need attention, with specific emphasis being placed on improving the management of the natural habitat. With input from STRI agronomist, Bob Taylor, maintenance routines have been put in place that are producing a sustainable rise in course standards, benefiting the local environment while providing a sound and enjoyable challenge for golfers.”
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TM5 encouraging heather regeneration in the semi-rough. |
Enville
GC's course manager, Jonathan Wood. |
Comprising two 18 hole courses known as Highgate and Lodge, Enville Golf Club lies about 15 miles due west of Birmingham between the towns of Stourbridge and Bridgnorth. The two courses are probably unique in the UK in that both have nine holes of woodland and nine holes of heathland style terrain, giving players the opportunity to play shots in a variety of surroundings, irrespective of which course they choose to play.
And it's not just the surroundings that vary. As might be expected, the fairways and greens approaches within the wooded areas of the two courses are not as free draining as the heathland parts, allowing the ingress over the years of coarser poa annua and ryegrasses.
“The aim is to maintain the level of finer fescues and bents on the heathland fairways and steadily improve the woodland fairways to encourage and support the growth of better grasses,” pointed out Jonathan Wood.
These aims are being achieved through a fairway improvement schedule instigated by Jonathan across the two courses shortly after he was appointed course manager in June 2005. The programme involves extensive deep tining and scarifying operations in the spring and autumn, accompanied by once-a-year overseeding of all fairways in September.
“The TM5 with its 1.7m scarifying head allows us to remove and collect the thatch in one pass, providing a more receptive base for the grass seed,” he explained. “We are using pure fescues on the heathland fairways and a 60:40 bent/fescue mix in the woodland areas. The complete operation was completed within three weeks, which is excellent.”
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In addition to its work on the fairways, the TM5 is being used to scarify the semi rough adjoining all 18 heathland-style holes. This action, recommended by Bob Taylor, is intended to promote the re-growth of the heather that used to be major feature of the course and gave it a true heathland look and feel.
“By stirring up the soil, we aim to encourage germination of the heather seed that has fallen from the plants in the past, lying dormant in the soil for up to 25 years,” commented Jonathan. “The action has produced also a significant improvement in the condition of the grasses alongside the fairways.”
In late autumn, the TM5 vacuum collector's scarifying head is swapped for a rotating brush and the machine is put to work helping to collect the leaves that have fallen from the thousands of trees at Enville Golf Club. The job is enhanced by the optional hand-held wander hose that allows rapid leaf collection from ditches and bunkers.
“When we ordered the TM5 in late 2005, we wanted a machine that could do more than one job for us,” concluded Jonathan. “I am pleased to say that it has done everything asked of it without fuss or bother. It is also well made and ably supported by Turfmech. In a very short time, the TM5 has become a very important member of the course maintenance team.”
Drive through the gates of Donnington Grove Country Club and you enter a haven of quiet beauty, splendid buildings and wonderful scenery, complemented by the deer, pheasants, herons, duck, geese and swans which have made the parkland their home for the past 200 years.
Laid out in the early 1990s within the 550 acre Donnington Grove Estate - located on the north-western outskirts of Newbury, Berkshire - the club's 18 hole championship golf course was designed by architect, Dave Thomas, to harmonise totally with its surroundings while producing a good challenge for golfers of all standards.
There is no doubt that the course achieves both these aims, assisted by the various hazards created by the River Lambourn and the natural lie of the land.
The front nine holes are almost moorland in style, rising steadily from the clubhouse across short-cropped, undulating terrain to provide golfers with stunning views over Newbury and the surrounding countryside.
Walk across from the ninth green to the 10th tee and there is a noticeable change in the landscape to classic parkland, marked by hundreds of mature and specimen trees and interesting, attractive water features.
Although the front nine is heavily fringed by trees, it's those within the lusher, more sheltered parkland setting which create the greatest clear-up task each autumn for course manager, Ross Wilson.
To handle the job, Ross uses a combination of Turfmech Tornado blower and V800 truck loader which work successfully together among and around the wooded areas of the golf course.
“Presentation is a must on a golf course set within listed landscape gardens dating from the late 18th century,” commented Ross. “Donnington Grove Country Club has around 500 members and also hosts many society meetings and casual pay and play visitors each year. It's my job to ensure that the course looks and plays at its best throughout the seasons, while integrating also with the natural landscape.
“Mechanising autumn leaf collection has reduced the demands on the greenkeeping staff, enabling us to keep on top of other important course work at a busy time of the year. I like the machines. They do a good job and are not obtrusive.”
Pictured:
Tornado blower "sweeps" fallen leaves into piles for collection
by Turfmech's V800 vacuum truck loader.
For many
years, the eight greenkeeping staff at Woking Golf Club in Surrey
have been able to call on a team of willing volunteers to assist with
winter
course maintenance duties.
Known as the Hook Heath Artisans, the volunteers receive associate membership of the club at a preferential rate in exchange for tasks ranging from divoting and bunker raking to scrub clearance and tree planting.
Available from November through to April, the Hook Heath Artisans were, until recent years, spending a large amount of time sweeping and raking fallen leaves for collection through the hand-held wander hose of a trailer-mounted vacuum.
In the late 1990s, matters were greatly improved when the club bought its first Tornado debris blower from local Turfmech dealer, Golf and Turf.
Overnight, leaf collection became far less of a chore with the tractor-mounted blower working in harmony with handdirected knapsack machines to shift into rows and piles the massive annual leaf fall from hundreds of silver birch, oak and beech trees lining the fairways of the heathland course.
“It was still a very demanding and timeconsuming job,” commented course manager, Jon Day. “To keep on top of the leaves, I had two staff working full-time on the job assisted, as and when available, by the rest of my team and the Artisans.”
The major step forward came in 2003 when a Turfmech TM5 tractor-trailed vacuum collector was added to the fleet together with a new Tornado blower. “At last, we had the machinery in place to keep pace with the leaf fall,” said Jon.
Working ahead of the vacuum, the hand-held and tractor-mounted blowers shift leaves to the edges of the fairways, tees and greens surrounds which allows plenty of room for the high-tip vacuum collector to drive up and down, sucking up the rows of leaves through its 1.7m head. Damp material causes no problem thanks to the powered rotary agitation brush within the vacuum pick-up head.
“Apart from making the job faster and easier, full mechanisation of leaf collection has freed up staff and volunteers, enabling us to deal with the many other important attention-to-detail tasks which are required around the course during the winter months,” concluded Jon.
Pictured: Tornado blower and TM5 vacuum collector dealing with fallen leaves alongside one of Woking Golf Club's many tree-lined fairways.
For Autumn leaf collection has been transformed for Newport City Council following the purchase by the authority of a Turfmech V800 vacuum truck loader.
Working as part of the street cleansing team within a radius of around five miles from the centre of the City of Newport, the V800 has boosted workrates by up 400 per cent with a 70 per cent reduction in manpower, according to Environment Manager, Malcolm Lane.
"Previously, there could be up to 10 people picking up fallen leaves manually ahead of the mobile street sweepers," he said. "The V800 can do the same job in a quarter of the time with just three people. It's cut costs, reduced labour and made a tremendous difference to the operating efficiency of our street sweeping vehicles, which simply could not cope with the very high autumn leaf falls."
Towed around Newport's streets behind a 3.5 tonne flatbed truck fitted with low sides and cage body, the V800 is totally selfcontained.
Producing the powerful vacuum used to suck-up the leaves is a high-speed rotating impeller, belt-driven via centrifugal clutch from an on-board 18hp petrol engine. A 4m long flexible suction hose is guided by the operator over the surface, gathering the leaves which are then blown through a directable spout into the net-covered cage body.
When the cage is full, the complete outfit is driven to Newport's central composting facility where the leaves are offloaded to join the other green waste brought in from across the city for screening, shredding and composting.
"Over the past five years, Newport has gone from zero to more than 6,000 tonnes of green waste treated annually," pointed out Malcolm Lane. "We are very proud of this achievement."
A final word on the V800's capabilities comes from cleansing supervisor, David Bayley, who commented that the machine had made a tremendous amount of difference to a demanding and costly seasonal job.
"Not only is it highly effective in picking up leaves and other debris, but it's very flexible," he said. "The V800 can work in just about any part of the city, yet can be unhitched from the truck in seconds. It's taken volume leaf collection into the 21st century for Newport."
Pictured:
Working in a residential innercity area, the V800 makes light
work of leaf collection.
For Prior to 2003, pine needles had been causing major problems for the greenkeeping staff at Parkstone Golf Club, a traditional heathland golf course situated close to the Dorset coast between Poole and Bournemouth.
Shed by hundreds of Scots pine trees during the later months of the year, the needles were choking existing and new grass growth, preventing the regeneration of the natural bents, fescues and heathers which had been a major feature of Parkstone when the 18 hole course first opened in 1910.
The arrival of a Turfmech TM5 high-tip vacuum collector in early spring 2003 has given the staff a highly-efficient means of collecting and removing the fallen pine needles before they can do any long-term harm, as course manager, Bill Garner, explained:
"Early photographs of Parkstone Golf Club show an open landscape with plenty of heather but very few trees," he said. "Over the years, a large number of silver birch, oak and Scots pine have become established, the latter being by far the most prevalent. The result was a complete change in the natural landscape which we are now trying to re-establish, supported by English Nature which designated the area a site of special scientific interest in the mid 1990s."
Run alongside
a woodland management scheme, the programme being pursued by Bill Garner
and his seven staff is regenerating and
re-establishing the natural heathland landscape, helping restore the course
to the way it looked and played during the early and middle years of the
last century.
"The
TM5 is proving ideal for the collection and removal of pine needles which
have accumulated over many years as well as dealing with new falls from
late summer makes a good job of loosening compacted material. There is
also a flexible wander hose which can be used in areas with
restricted headroom."
Towed and powered by a 60hp fourwheel drive tractor, the TM5 is seen by Bill and his greenkeeping team as a sound investment, capable of dealing effectively also with fallen leaves, fir cones and other tree debris around the course. "It's simple to adjust, easy to use and does the job well," he concluded. "We really can't ask any more."
Pictured:
Wander hose attachment for the TM5 vacuum collector allows debris to be
collected beneath bushes and trees.