Get in the points with Operation Pollinator training

Greenkeepers and course managers attending the Syngenta Operation Pollinator Training Workshops this summer will gain up to 13 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme points. With the addition of practical application advice, along with hands-on ecological site management, the comprehensive one-day habitat creation Workshops have been allocated CPD points for BASIS (7), NRoSO (3) and BIGGA (3) qualifications.

Syngenta Technical Manager, Dr Simon Watson announced the Workshops in England will include demonstrations of practical techniques to create optimum sowing conditions and for the removal of excess vegetation by groundcare machinery specialists, Amazone. In Scotland, Andrew Mellon has his own scarifier at Elmwood College.

Dr Watson highlights that experience of trials at STRI has identified the potential for enhanced and more cost effective wildflower habitat creation using combinations of cultural techniques, with equipment such as the Amazone Groundkeeper, along with the use of Rescue herbicide to remove aggressive weed Ryegrass and Primo Maxx to suppress competition that can aide wildflower establishment.

"The Training Workshops will give guidance for turf managers to assess which options are most appropriate in their own situations, and how to get the best results from their use," he added.

Each Workshop will commence at 10.00am, to focus on what Operation Pollinator can deliver for golf courses in terms of ecological improvements and enhancing players' golfing experience. STRI Head of Ecology, Bob Taylor, will detail all the management options available, and the cost implications of different routes. After lunch delegates will be out on the course, to see some of the options in practice. The events will conclude mid-afternoon (3.30pm), with a review of how Clubs can generate new marketing opportunities and positively communicate what they are doing with members.

"The timing of the workshops means they can put the skills into practice this autumn," added Dr Watson.

The Operation Pollinator 2011 workshops will take place at:

28 July Marriott Worsley Park, Manchester
29 July Normanton Golf Club, Hatfeild Hall, Wakefield, Yorkshire
3 August Elmwood College, Fife, Scotland
8 August De Vere Belton Woods, Grantham, Lincs
9 August The London Club, Kent
10 August Beaconsfield Golf Club, Bucks
15 Sept Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, Somerset


Greenkeepers and turf managers can register for the Operation Pollinator training at http://www.greencast.co.uk