In the summer of 2015 we held a demonstration tour in Ireland specifically for the golf course maintenance professionals. Product Specialist Brian O’Shaughnessy took the opportunity to highlight the latest products and techniques to some of Ireland’s finest greenkeepers and course managers.
This culminated in the Turf Science Live event sponsored by Everris (part of the ICL Group), Syngenta, Campey Turf Care Systems and Toro at Naas Golf Club in September, 2015.
The one day event showcased some of the latest research and technological innovations in turf care agronomy to over 140 greenkeepers, groundsmen and agronomists. The visitors were treated to a very enjoyable day of demonstrations of some fantastic new machinery, clever amenities and cutting edge technology.
Seven demonstrations were set up across four holes of the immaculate Nass Golf Club, with attendees split into seven groups and moved between demonstrations in intervals.
Brian demonstrated some of the most effective and least disruptive methods for modern turf maintenance and renovation. The Air2G2 and the VGR Top Changer were just a couple of the highlights from the demo. The Air2G2 as used by Real Madrid in the Bernabeu is very impressive and easy to operate. It’s designed to aerate deep into the soil by injecting air up to a depth of 10-12 inches, this decompacts the soil around the root zone. So powerful is it that you can actually see a ripple on the surface when the air is injected into it and yet there is no actual disturbance to the surface. The VGR Top Changer is designed to do several jobs at once; this impressive machine can aerate while simultaneously delivering nutrients, wetting agents and other soil improvers directly to the root zone.
Also of interest not just at the Turf Science Live but throughout the demonstration tour was the Imants SandCat with its dual action of combining an aerator and sand slitter in a single pass. And new to many of the participants was the exciting recycling technique using the Koro Recycling Dresser that reduces the cost of top-dressing and promotes sustainable maintenance.
Finally the Koro Field Top Maker with a range of rotors which offer the most effective method of resurfacing, renovation and restoration of sports pitches and golf courses around today.
“The level of interest in new machinery is heartening,” said Brian. Campeys is known for introducing innovative techniques and machinery. At our events we always get asked ‘what’s the next machine going to do?’ Everyone is keen to see if it’ll dig, inject air, inject water, scarify, collect, aerate. There’s always something fresh for everyone.”
Richard Campey is a strong advocate of demonstrations and practical events. “It’s a sign of the true turf maintenance professional that there is still a thirst for knowledge and a desire to see equipment and techniques in action. This is best and most effective way of showing the equipment to its full potential.”
