Ramsey Golf and Bowls Club in Cambridge, is experiencing remarkable improvements in turf health and playability thanks to the SISIS Maxislit.
Head Greenkeeper Richard Shilling, who has dedicated 35 years to the club, highlights how this aerator is transforming their maintenance practices.
Richard began his journey at Ramsey Golf and Bowls Club as an apprentice and has been a mainstay ever since, now serving as Head Greenkeeper for the past four years.
Overseeing 150 acres of parkland, he manages both the golf and bowls greens. Despite the club's floodplain location, Richard sees the occasional flooding as a benefit.
“Although we do have issues with flooding, we have been open more than local courses because the course is built to flood. The flood is a good thing because it puts all the nutrients back in the fairways, so in that 40-degree summer the other year, everyone thought we had fairway irrigation!” he explains.
To maintain the health and playability of the greens and fairways, aeration is crucial. “You can’t buy aeration in a bottle, and it is one of the most important tasks you can carry out,” Richard says. As part of his efforts to modernise the club’s maintenance practices, Richard recently purchased the SISIS Maxislit.
The Maxislit is a tractor-mounted deep slitting aerator, designed for sports field and golf course maintenance. It is particularly effective in improving drainage, reducing turf compaction, and minimising thatch buildup. “Part of the modernisation was buying a new slitter. This was bought for the greens, fairways, and generally most areas on the course.” says Richard.
The Maxislit’s deep, clean penetration and simple design, requiring minimal maintenance, make it an ideal tool for outstanding turf treatment. One of the standout features of the Maxislit is its tine design. “The tines are well designed - these are well-shaped, sturdy, and well-built,” Richard notes. The machine’s angle of the tines and spiral design of the tine shaft assist penetration, giving maximum underground cultivation with minimal surface disturbance.
Richard also praised the Maxislit’s simplicity and mechanical reliability. “It is simple and easy to use. I think being more mechanical is the way forward – and aeration is the way to go instead of spraying lots of chemicals,” he says.
The Maxislit’s ability to produce outstanding underground cultivation with minimal surface disturbance allows for uninterrupted play. “The beauty of using this is that people can play straight away, they won’t even know if the work has been done. Slit it, mow it, forget about it.”
By implementing the Maxislit in his maintenance routine, Richard has seen significant benefits. “I see deeper rooting and more air is pumped in. We’ll slit the greens one month, then vertidrain and alternate – we always mix it up as we go along because it gives you different depths,” he explains. This method ensures the turf remains healthy and resilient throughout the year.
With its robust design and effective performance, the SISIS Maxislit has become an essential asset for Richard and Ramsey Golf and Bowls Club, ensuring the course remains in top condition for members and visitors alike.
