Toro distributor Lely and BIGGA are celebrating the sell-out success of their first irrigation roadshow. Lely and BIGGA joined forces to stage events at Elmwood in Scotland and Sherborne, Dorset, for BIGGA members to learn about the latest developments in course irrigation.

Both venues – the first north of the border at Elmwood College and Golf Course, the second at Sherborne Golf Club – were fully booked well in advance, with greenkeepers, course managers and irrigation technicians all keen to hear about the latest Toro sprinklers and control systems and how to choose the best set up for their course. 

Live sprinkler demonstration at the Lely and BIGGA golf irrigation roadshow at Sherborne Golf Club.

The two events in this year’s calendar comprised a mixture of classroom-style seminars and practical sessions out in the field. Workshops covered sprinkler breakdown, fault-finding and trouble-shooting, with practical sessions including live sprinkler demonstrations. Added to the educational benefits, those who attended welcomed the opportunity to network with irrigation experts and their greenkeeping contemporaries. 

Greg Kilgour is deputy manager – education, research and environmental matters, at Elmwood Golf Course. He says: “As soon as word spread about this event, greenkeepers from all over Scotland were getting in touch to register their attendance and it was quickly full to capacity. It’s obviously something the industry has been crying out for, and it’s easy to see why. Both the practical and theory sessions were really useful and you could see how people would be able to make improvements to their systems based on what they learnt.

“For example, Adrian Mortram from Robin Hulme Associates explained the importance of design in system efficiency. You can have the best technology there is, but if the design isn’t right it just won’t work as well as it could. For greenkeepers looking to invest in a new system, that is invaluable advice to consider.”

Meanwhile, distributor Lely’s Toro irrigation sales manager Robert Jackson, who ran through the features and benefits of Toro’s latest range of sprinklers and its popular, state-of-art Lynx control system, says he is delighted with the events’ success. “We planned the content and format of the roadshow, and selected the hosts, very carefully to make sure the programme was jam-packed with invaluable information, help and advice,” he says. 

“Adrian Mortram was joined by independent contractor Callum Oliphant from Applied Irrigation at the Elmwood event with Roger Davey from Irritech joining us at the event at Sherborne. Lely’s Otterbine water management specialist Roger Lupton looked at the benefits of pond and lake aeration and together they provided greenkeepers with a broad and thorough view of the irrigation industry and shared their thoughts on best practice.

“We’re already planning next year’s event, and will be looking to extend it to more venues across the country to accommodate the big demand we expect from our experience with this tour.”