“Education needs to start in schools with more work experience offered to get the kids involved in our industry in the future”
has obviously rubbed off on Richard, who talks with immense enthusiasm. “I want to see the quality of sportsturf improved but my biggest bug bear is the local authorities. Standards need to be raised. People bang on about the Olympics changing the industry’s perspective but will Joe Public learn more about the work we all carry out? No.”
“Education needs to start in schools, with more work experience offered. This year we have invited local schoolteachers to a tour of our premises. They can then see at first hand what we do and, hopefully, will go back to school and encourage some of the kids to get involved in our industry in the future.” “I thoroughly enjoy what I do and like to keep ‘hands- on’. We continue to develop new ideas and concepts that will benefit the work of groundsmen and greenkeepers. As a company we are always ready for fresh challenges.” “More recently, a new sister company has evolved. TurfWorks was born out of a chance meeting over a pint of beer between John Coleman and Simon Gumbrill. We first got to
know John as a greenkeeper, who had moved to Norway to look after a golf course. Our Dakota dealer over there was only a few miles from the course and we subsequently sold him some machinery.” When John moved back to the UK, he went to work with his father at an engineering company. A surprise birthday present that we had to deliver to his father led to the discussions that developed the TurfWorks concept. Since launching, TurfWorks it has taken us onto the world stage and, after the GCSAA show this year, we have sold over 200 sets.”
Campey’s are always on the look
out for new and innovative products, recently acquiring a new rubber Dragmat range. The contracting side of the business was sold to Suiters last year, although a close working relationship still remains. This sale gave Richard and his team the opportunity to concentrate on selling products as well as freeing up much needed space at the premises for more new equipment.
Richard summed up by saying, “We couldn’t have got to where we are today without the help of our staff, many of whom are still with us today. We are a very proactive team. All of us are highly motivated and keen to progress this industry.”
Campey’s latest
recruit is Rob Jenkins, an
Australian with a flair for IT and retail sales. Rob is working very hard to convert Richard to the benefits of information technology.
Above: Dakota Top Dressers ready to hit the road. Left Koro Field Topmaker. Below: Selling the contracting side of the business freed up much needed workshop and storage space
Tools of the Trade DEW SWITCH
An invaluable piece of equipment for Greenkeepers for removing dew, leaves and worm casts from fine turf playing surfaces, such as golf greens, bowling greens and croquet lawns. The cane can also be used to clean up after top dressing operations The use of a dew switch
helps promotes quicker drying surfaces and reduces leaf wetness that, in turn, reduces the likelihood of disease attacks. Switching, or caning, the
greens has always been part and parcel of the greenkeeper’s course maintenance regime. A long bamboo cane was originally the preferred and most practical way of removing morning dew, worm casts and leaves; bamboo switches are still used by many greenkeepers, but more modern styles have now come on to the market. Nowadays, switches are
generally made of an aluminium pole, with
handgrips, and a replaceable, flexible, end section made of fibreglass. Telescopic models are also available. The average cost for a
4.5metre dew switch is around £60.00. The technique is to apply
pressure so that the end section is flat on the surface, then swish the cane from side to side whilst walking forward. Once mastered, an average size green (500 M2
) can be switched within 5 minutes.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76