mowing applications and I think the blend works very well for us. I have used the John Deere equipment for a long time, as the parts back up is simply the best in the industry. The Jacobsen equipment is much newer and has proved to be very reliable over the last three or four years.” For all the other applications, we use a
broad mix of machinery, but I have found the five Wiedenmann machines we have to be particularly good. So much so, we are just about to take delivery of a sixth machine, a folding Terrabrush for fairways.”
“Our Graden sand injector has been a massive help in reducing our organic matter levels. It’s probably the one machine all the guys dislike using because they know the work involved around it!” “The Wiedenmann Terrarake is also another tool that I wouldn’t have even looked at had I not seen it on a trip to Germany a couple of years ago. It’s such a simple piece of kit, but so effective at so many different tasks. We use it for light scarification of our fairways and roughs, for loosening any imbedded or stuck leaf material in the sward and for standing up any flattened grass after the initial cut of our eco rough. We have also found it really useful for clearing up under our numerous Scots and Corsican pines. The needles from these trees are very difficult to blow, as they have little surface area, so we rake them into windrows with the Terrarake and pick them up with our Wiedenmann Super 500. It has turned a
task that took hours by hand to complete into a one man, efficient operation.” Weed and pest control on the larger
areas, such as fairways and rough is undertaken by local contractors. Weed Management, as Paul finds this both cost effective and limits the exposure to pesticides.
In an ideal world, Paul would like six new hand mowers and the time to be able to hand cut on a regular basis. “The perception people have of hand cut greens being superior has never gone away,” he says. “However, I still maintain that a green, cut with a triple mower, performs equally as good and our performance testing proves this, so it’s hard to justify the extra time required.” “I’d like a decent lathe for the workshop to allow us to be able to make up parts as required, and a couple of extra tractors would be very useful, as we seem to be constantly changing implements over from one to another.” “Other than machinery, I’d like a decent drainage system to put us in control and not spend half the year in the lap of the Gods!”
As we conclude, and it’s time for me to put my shoes back on, I ask Paul what changes he has seen in his time in the industry. “We are certainly in different position than we were when I started greenkeeping thirty-two years ago! We are better respected as professionals but, without a doubt, there is still a large proportion of people that will never recognise that. I don’t think a week goes
by without someone at the club reinforcing that belief. I don’t think that will change anytime soon. That’s just the nature of things, despite the best efforts of everybody involved in the industry. The R&A and BIGGA have made enormous strides in changing and challenging the average golfer’s perception of sportsturf management, but more credit needs to be given to greenkeepers and groundsmen themselves for taking up the challenge to educate themselves and go about their business in a thoroughly professional manner.”
“Generally, and unfortunately, I’d have to say we are still undervalued a good deal of the time, although the club officials here at Fulwell recognise the commitment we put in as a team and the challenges we face on this particular site, so I’m very lucky. They always back my decisions fully, and that has helped us move forward.” “It would be great to get more coverage in national publications and TV, not just magazines within the industry. For example, I was watching Sky News recently who were reporting on the recent flooding of a golf course. Instead of interviewing the head greenkeeper, they put the questions about the course to the golf professional. What an opportunity missed to educate the general public about some of the challenges and remedial work that may be required to get the course playable again.”
TIGHT BUDGETS? SPENDING CUTS? NEED THE EQUIPMENT BUT CAN’T AFFORD IT?…
Verticutting Groomer/ Dethatcher 20” & 25”
£1,750-£1,950 +VAT
Greensmower 12-blade 20”&25”
£1,950 - £2,250 +VAT
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PROFESSIONAL QUALITY, UNBEATABLE VALUE
For more information contact Rivendell Projects
Tel: 01949-851420
www.rivendell-projects.co.uk
2-year parts and labour warranty. All spares available next day.
£2,250 - £2,550 +VAT
Golf Greensmower 20” & 25”
Golf Teesmower 25” only £2,550 +VAT
Multi-reel
Scarifier-Verticutter Groomer £1,600 +VAT
Greensmower 6 or 9-blade 20” & 25”
£1,650 - £1,800 +VAT £3,800 - £5,150 +VAT
Heavy Duty Mower 24”, 30” & 36”
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 PC 65 THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO CHOOSE
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