The news of future changes to IOG Scotsturf did not alter the mindset this year of exhibitors nor visitors who travelled to Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Hall – everyone was there to do business!
With an array of products on view – a number of them being shown in Scotland for the first time – there was no surprise that many exhibitors reported high-level interest and serious leads from the 1,700 or so visitors (unaudited) from the groundscare and greenkeeping sectors, as well as buyers with specific sports, amenity, arboricultural, landscaping and play interests.
Of course, visitors also take the opportunity at IOG Scotsturf to network with colleagues and peers from across Scotland and the north, as well as to attend the schedule of free education presentations which this year included informative updates on pesticides, arboriculture, health and safety, as well as recruitment and training. In addition, for the first time at IOG Scotsturf there was an exclusive series of presentations specifically for golf greenkeepers and presented by the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), and these were certainly well-attended.
Out on the showfloor, Bryson Tractors collected two New & Innovative Product Awards: in the Large Machinery category with the Trimax Merlin rotary mower, which has a 3.25 m cutting width, and in the Small-Medium Machinery category with the R & K Kensett TB 200 contra-groom topdressing brush.
Sherriff Amenity collected the award in the Fertiliser & Pesticides category, with its Vision Pro visual spraying aid and UV-resistant turf colourant, and IPU’s FP fuel purifiner – which is designed to help keep diesel fuel free from water and other contaminants - won the award for Consumables & Sundries.
The IOG Scotsturf Stand Awards were won by A M Philips (9-24 m2), IPU (25-49 m2)) and Simon Tullett GM (64 m2) and larger). In addition, Terra Firma won the ‘Geared Up’ award presented jointly by IOG Scotsturf and the co-located Road Expo show.
Continuing the awards theme, Tommy Docherty - head groundsman of St Mirren FC – was crowned the IOG Scottish Football Groundsman of the Year for the 2010/11 season; he was also awarded the trophy for topping the Premier League category where the runners up were Celtic FC’s John Hayes (who has won the Award three times in recent seasons) and Tommy Cumming of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, who won the Groundsman of the Year title last season.
The winner of the 1st Division award was Mark Farrell of Greenock Morton (who was runner up in the division last year) and runner up was Queen of the South’s Kevin McCulloch. The 2nd Division Award was won by Stuart Speirs of Livingston FC, and Forfar Athletic’s Martin Gray was runner up. The 3rd Division trophy was collected by Clyde FC’s Dave Gilmour while Peter Clark of Arbroath, was runner up.
Sponsor Rigby Taylor also presented each division winner with a monetary award.
Going forwards, the IOG is looking to stage IOG Scotsturf In Action in 2012 - at a new venue, to be announced – and, in 2013, in consultation with exhibitors and visitors past and present, consider an outdoor show earlier in the year. In addition, investigations are already underway to link an event in 2014 to coincide with the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow.
