BTME 2001

This year’s show, although larger than ever and very well supported, seemed to lack that air of anticipation that is so essential for a successful show. There was a sameness about every Hall, which gave the exhibition a lack of clarity. The exhibitors largely consisted of the major machinery suppliers, a preponderance of chemical suppliers and a significant growth in the environmental side of the industry.

The exhibition was quite clearly aimed at the Course Manager/Head Greenkeeper but there was little else to hold the attention of the Club Secretary/Manager or his Chairman of Green, who hold the purse strings. Furthermore, despite this being the age of technology, there was a complete absence of software companies and an absence of the Home Unions. The only non-greenkeeping organisations present were the AGCS, STRI and EIGCA. Unfortunately, even the Stand of BIGGA, the show’s organiser, comprised a clothes shop ! Consequently, there was a shortage of casual meeting places to discuss and catch-up on the latest news and problems facing the industry, which in the coming year will be severe. The press facilities were however excellent, but a few more live press announcements would have been appreciated.

BIGGA proudly boast that the Exhibition will be extended to three full days next year, which I find surprising as I found one day this year to be enough. If this show is to remain the industry’s flagship, serious thought must be given to its content to make an overnight stay worthwhile. Indeed, if the problems caused by the weather this winter are anything to go by, next year’s exhibition will be significantly smaller. It is understood that already some companies are laying off staff to survive the loss of income and we are barely into the year. Many UK courses have had extensive periods of closure during the last few months and Clubs themselves will be struggling for survival, consequently their budgets for this year’s expenditure will inevitably be slashed.

As to the content of this year’s exhibition, apart from the splendid array of equipment from all the manufacturer’s, the following caught my attention :

• Hydroscape, following the wettest autumn on record announced a leap in sales for their ‘Bunker-Pumper’, which is designed to remove 12,000 gallons p/hour.

• Another of Hydroscape’s products is an electrical storm detection and warning system, ‘ESID’, which is currently in use on all R & A tournament courses and on courses used on the PGA European Tour circuit. It is designed to protect players, course officials and greenkeeping staff from injury or death by lightning strikes. When commissioned, the warning system provides 360 degree coverage over a 36-mile radius. Should the unit register two cloud-to-ground strikes within a 10-mile radius or one within 5-miles of the clubhouse, it automatically triggers warning sirens.

• Barenbrug UK announced a new variety of creeping bent grass ‘Barifera’ that has been bred especially for the cooler and wetter conditions of Northern Europe. It has a fine leaf with short growth, tolerating mowing down to 4mm and has a lower maintenance regime although, this is still higher than the traditional bent/fescue mixtures. Their new catalogue for ‘Amenity Grass Seed and Wildflowers Mixtures’ is an excellent example of how to clearly and concisely communicate technical facts.

• Lindrum launched an aid to photosynthesis, ProteSyn, which is a new foliar treatment suitable for the encouragement of grass growth in areas of shade. They also announced their ‘Keeper of the Green’ award to Kevin Wroe, who is Head Greenkeeper at Pannal GC. (This award is reserved for turf managers who successfully implement their full, tailor-made turf care programme.)

• Ecoblock, manufactured by Cooper Clarke, offered a very convincing alternative to hard durable surfaces for access roads and pathways. It comprises an 80mm deep cell structure that is easy to lay and will take the weight of a fire appliance. The cells are suitable for filling with soil and seed or gravel.

• Amenity Technology have produced a very neat Meterite Kit which comes in its own carrying case and comprises : “The Carrot” pH meter; a pocket soil thermometer; an economy soil probe; and a digital min/max thermometer.