Dennis and SISIS head to BTME

Dennis and SISIS will be heading to Harrogate and BTME 2019 on their new stand-located in the red zone on Stand 247.

By visiting the Dennis and SISIS stand, greenkeepers, course managers and turfmanagers responsible for a wide range of various sports surfaces will get theopportunity to find out how the SISIS Rotorake TM1000, the Dennis FT510 and theexciting new Dennis PRO 34R could have a significant impact on the way theymanage their turf.

The SISIS Rotorake TM1000 is a tractor mounted heavy duty scarifier and linearaerator and is un-rivalled when it comes to removing and controlling thatch. Itincludes a collector box and floating unit to follow ground contours. Itscontra-rotating reel throws debris forward ensuring a clean, consistent grooveresulting in an excellent finish when the time comes to scarify. Withinterchangeable blades and a quick, simple depth setting without tools, it’s nowonder that so many turf managers have reaped the benefits from using theTM1000.

When it comes to all areas of fine turf, the Dennis FT510 professional mower, hasfor many years, been celebrated for its top performance and durability. With a51cm working width, the FT510 provides its user with comfort, flexibility andexcellent presentation. A true sense of control is obtained through the uniqueroller clutch drive for a smooth take-up and a variable clip rate helping tocreate the desired finish. Available with five-bladed and ten-bladed cuttingcylinders the machine can be matched to any situation and the interchangeablecassettes can be changed without the requirement of any tools. The range of 11different cassettes mean that one machine can be used for several keymaintenance tasks including scarifying, verticutting or brushing. This featurecombined with the click height of cut adjustment system makes it extremely userfriendly for its operators.

The PRO 34R was the machine that everyone was waiting in anticipation for – and now it is here. Officially launched just last month (November), this 34″ (860mm) rotary mower has been designed to help turf managers achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface.

The mower is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘DennisStripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using asingle ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditionsand meeting operator requirements.

Unique features of the Dennis PRO 34R Rotary Mower include 5 forward / 1 reverseselection for speed of operation, 90 litre capacity grass box, fully adjustableangle of deck for changing conditions, 2 section cast aluminium rear roller,single point height of cut adjustment for ease of operation, optional frontwheel or smooth/weile roller options and front brush for standing grassesupright.

Dennis & SISIS have been regular exhibitors at BTME for a number of years and asalways, the company’s experienced staff will be available to answer any queriesand offer valuable advice about the machinery on show.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found byvisiting www.dennisuk.com/ www.sisis.com.

MM – a grass seed that rocks!

From the very first day that legendary guitarist KK Downing decided to establish a golf course, Astbury Hall Golf Club in Shropshire has only ever used MM grass seed.

Course Manager Sean Jarvis has long relied on the market leading MM grass seed, ever since working at Bournemouth’s Iford Golf Club and then to the Open Golf Centre in Leicester where he managed the establishment of a new 9-hole golf course. In 2004, Sean again turned to MM seed when he took on the role of Course Manager at Astbury Hall and oversaw the complete construction of the championship course.

“I’ve been using MM seed for 22 years and counting. It is still as good now as it was when I first started using it all those years ago,” he said.

Astbury Hall Estate was formerly owned by KK Downing, the lead guitarist for heavy metal band Judas Priest, who purchased the estate, just outside Bridgnorth in Shropshire in 1985. A keen golfer, KK bought the estate to establish a top-quality elite golf course. His design was largely influenced by his experiences of playing golf around the world.

MM – a grass seed that rocks!

For the construction of the Astbury course Sean used MM22 for all fairways, tees and roughs with the greens being sown with a mix of Creeping Bent, Browntop Bent and Fescue.

KK may not own the stately home anymore, but the course continues to go from strength to strength under the watchful eye of Sean – who persists to use products from the MM range.

“We now use MM50 100% Ryegrass for tees and fairways as we need more wear tolerance,” he said. “This is because the tees are quite small compared with the amount of golf we have, plus the Ryegrass varieties in the mix are very fine leaved so it gives a nice fine sward.

“The greens are oversown with MM9 – a 100% Browntop Bent plus Cobra Nova Creeping Bent. We tend to overseed the greens towards the end of the summer while there is still a reasonable soil temperature to get a good germination rate.

“Given that it can be quite cool here in Bridgnorth in the early spring, oversowing the greens in late summer gives me a window of opportunity when carrying out general greens renovation. Plus cutting heights are not at the lowest during this time which gives the seedling grass a better chance of surviving. Fairways and tees are divoted over the course of the summer as part of the general course maintenance.”

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK sportsturf and amenity industries. With a proven track record of producing the best possible swards, the MM range of grass seed offers an unrivalled performance and appearance. There is a reason why Sean has been using the mixtures for so long – as he explains.

“The different MM mixtures and varieties have always worked for me at the three different courses I have managed,” he said. “All three had different challenges with the climate and growing conditions from the dry south coast through to the wet Shropshire countryside.

Germination speed, establishment and seed quality are just three strengths of the products I have come to rely on. Furthermore, the seaweed based Headstart Gold seed treatment helps with seedling establishment.

“I have experimented with other blends in the past but never found them to deliver in the way that MM mixtures do.”

Aside from the performance of MM mixtures, Sean was quick to praise the support he receives from Matt Gresty, MM & Designer Sales and Brand Manager for DLF UK.

“I have known Matt since the year 2000 when he got involved with the project at Iford Park and I started using the MM mixtures. Since then, I have used Matt’s advice and seed knowledge on the courses I have managed. A strong relationship with my suppliers who can give good technical advice that I can trust, has always been important to me.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.