Greenkeeping Workshops at Duchy College

Last week Duchy College Greenkeeping students, along with an audience of Head Greenkeepers from across Cornwall, participated in two days of workshops hosted by Bernhard and Company, manufacturers of the Express Dual and Anglemaster grinders, supported by Toro, supplier of mowers and greenkeeping equipment to the golfing industry.

The first workshop, led by Bernhard Technical Training Manager, Ben Taylor, provided Level 2 Greenkeeping students with a lesson on the importance of correct maintenance of mowing equipment to benefit turfgrass sward quality, appearance, disease resistance, reduced fertiliser requirements and fuel efficiencies alongside reduced machinery repair costs. This was followed by a demonstration of specialist grinding equipment and the set up of a cylinder mower to ensure quality of cut.

An advanced workshop on the second day, directed at Level 3 Greenkeeping students, involved removing and weighing cuttings from trials which took place on Duchy College playing fields, to assess fuel efficiency and assess quality of cut.

Ben Taylor said: “Sports turf managers are required to meet ever rising standards of turf presentation. We are therefore proud to be able to pass on our knowledge and demonstrate our products to students who will, in the very near future, need to reach these standards."

Ron Skinner of Duchy College said: “These workshops have provided specialist and up-to-date technical information to support our main syllabus. We are especially grateful for the support from the greenkeeper attendees, Bernhard’s, Toro and the many Duchy staff who supported the event.”

Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College of which Duchy is part, said: “At Cornwall College we are always pleased to welcome outside knowledge which will benefit our students and help them gain an insight into the industry which they will soon be a part of.”

Duchy College is the land-based arm of Cornwall College. Cornwall College has 7 sites across the county and offers the widest range of high quality academic and vocational training.

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