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King of apparel
Be on top of your game with these innovative accessories designed for the modern-day superintendent.
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Think you’ve seen it all when it comes to apparel and accessories to help you work more efficiently, safely and comfortably? These products will make you think otherwise. From a multipurpose belt and divot tool combo to shades that’ll let you see the future of your turf, you’ll be amazed at this collection of innovative gadgets made especially for superintendents and their crews.
1. Baseball bump caps — MPS Inc.
Most maintenance crew members take measures to protect themselves from all kinds of potential on-the-job hazards. They wear gloves for their hands and boots for their feet, but that one valued body part too frequently goes exposed — their noggins. Your brain, not to mention the skin and skull protecting it, are at risk of injury in many cases on the golf course, from working on equipment and trimming trees to standing in the path of an errant golf ball. To protect that prized possession on the course, MPS Inc. manufactures the baseball bump cap, which offers a protective head covering in the look of an ordinary baseball cap. The hats feature a hard sheath inserted in the top that’s designed to deflect objects that can cause minor head injuries, plus it can reduce potential cuts, bruises and stitches to boot. Mesh panels on each side of the cap offer ventilation. MPS Inc. also can customize the caps with embroidery or painted logos and slogans. The company adds that implementing the caps as a standard work policy can lead to decreased insurance premiums. For more information, contact MPS Inc., 800-852-6529 (www.go-mpsinc.com).
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2. QuieTunes AM/FM radio earmuffs — Gempler’s
Deleting the loud noises around you on the job often can be necessary for your sanity as well as your hearing. On the other hand, noise can be your best friend when completing those sometimes-monotonous tasks like mowing. The new QuieTunes AM/FM radio earmuffs from Gempler’s accomplish both of these extremes. With a noise-reduction rating of 22 dB, the earmuffs from Elvex are ideal for tuning out outside noise that could potentially cause damage to your short- and long-term hearing. With the new feature of an input jack, the earmuffs now can accommodate MP3 and CD players or communication radios. Of course, says Bruce Bahman, director of customer sales and service for Gempler’s, each facility makes a distinction of when it’s safe for employees to listen to music and when it’s not. The earmuffs contain several user-friendly features, such as an extra-large tuning knob for finer adjustments and easily distinguishable controls such as a push-button AM/FM mode selector. Wide and soft head and ear cushions are designed for user comfort and provide a low pressure seal. The radio muffs provide 150 hours of operation on two AA batteries, which are included. An automatic four-hour shutoff prolongs battery life. For more information, contact Gempler’s, 800-382-8473 (www.gemplers.com).
3. Turf stress detection glasses — Underhill
Put on this pair of shades, and you will see into the future. Well, the future of your turf, perhaps. This innovative pair of glasses developed by NASA scientists allows superintendents to identify spot disease and turf problems that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Equipped with Nastek lenses, the turf stress detection glasses work by blocking out the green spectrum reflected from chlorophyll in healthy vegetation, which appears gray or black. Stress conditions like disease, drought, pests or poor nutrition become apparent with glowing red, coral and pink shades. Those conditions can be identified two to 10 days before they’re visible to the unaided eye, according to the glasses’ manufacturer, Underhill. The glasses also are handy for spotting wilting caused by drought or broken sprinklers, locating weeds for pesticide application, checking mower blade sharpness, reducing overlapping cuts and identifying tree disease and pest problems. Diseases identifiable by the glasses include fusarium patch, pythium blight, yellow patch, brown patch, anthracnose and Poa invasions. At no additional charge is a new flame copper sun protection lens with the kit. For more information, contact Underhill, 866-863-3744 (www.underhill.us).
4. Flat front pant and performance polo — Under Armour
Being stylish as well as functional may not be high on your list of priorities, so it’s lucky that Under Armour makes it simple to do both. The company’s golf-specific line of microfiber apparel includes a wide range of polos, pants, windshirts, fleece vests and jackets. The flat front pant features a stretch woven herringbone pattern fabric designed to move with the wearer on the course, a full cut, Under Armour breathability and moisture transport. A five-pocket design provides a stealth side cargo pocket for added storage. Available in sizes 32-42, the pant comes in black and sandstorm. The golf performance polo features the company’s HeatGear moisture transport technology designed to keep the wearer cool and dry and also offers ultraviolet protection. The polos are available in five sizes and 17 colors. All Under Armour apparel includes its LockerTag heatseals, which eliminate the garment labels on the inside of a shirt. For more information, contact Under Armour, (www.underarmour.com).
5. Name badge — The Cawley Co.
Imagine a golfer coming to you and trying to identify a crew member or beverage cart employee — how certain are you that he’s offering a positive ID? Whether it’s a complaint or, though it may be hard to imagine, a word of praise, feedback coming from your customers should be accurately attributed to a member of your staff. Equipping your staff (that includes you) with name badges can reap plenty of benefits, from increasing accountability and making staff members feel valued as employees to adding a personal touch to a golfer’s experience at your course. With more than 60 years in business, The Cawley Co. offers name badges, lapel pins, buttons, nameplates and more. Personalize the products with one of the company’s systems such as the overlay print system, inkjet system, direct print, digital print system or the rotary engraving system. Or The Cawley Co. can customize them before shipping them to your facility. Choose from a selection of real and simulated woods, piano finish boards, acrylic, granite, marble, plastics and metals. For more information, contact The Cawley Co., 800-822-9539 (www.thecawleyco.com).
6. SunBuddy sunscreen — SunBuddy
No one in their right mind would go all day in the sun without SPF protection. But when you’ve got a million other things on your mind while you’re preparing for your day, it can be easy to forget that important skin-saving step. And when you’re already out on the grounds tackling the day’s to-do list, that bottle back in the shop is even further from your mind. That’s why SunBuddy makes individual, single-application packets of its SunBuddy sunscreen. Pack one in your pocket and take it with you for application whenever you need it. In addition to its portability, SunBuddy is non-allergenic, waterproof, sweatproof, unscented and non-greasy. Made with an organic formulation and offering an SPF 30, the sunscreen received the FDA’s stamp as an approved pharmaceutical, food-grade sunscreen, which makes it safe to apply to lips. SunBuddy is available in 2-ounce, 4-ounce, 8-ounce, quart and gallon bottles. For more information, contact SunBuddy, 417-858-2700 (www.sunbuddy.com).
7. Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker — Kestrel
Equipped with this handheld device, you may feel ready to challenge your local weatherman to a duel. The Kestrel 4500 pocket weather tracker measures nearly every environmental condition you can imagine, including wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, dewpoint, altitude, wind direction, barometric pressure, wet bulb temperature, wind chill, heat stress index and density altitude. And if that isn’t enough, the tool also lets you store up to two year’s worth of weather information with a 1,400 data-point log. All data is customizable. An optional Kestrel Interface allows data to be uploaded to a PC. Paired with the company’s vane mount, the 4500 can transform into an air-movement-assessment tool. Each Kestrel 4500 is individually calibrated to ensure accuracy and reliability, the company says, adding that each unit is waterproof and weatherproof. For more information, contact Kestrel, 800-784-4221 (www.kestrelweather.com).
8. Green Friendly Golf Belt — Green Friendly Golf Co.
Superintendents who like to keep their pants pulled up and also need to smooth out divot-riddled golf course greens will likely find this combination useful. The Green Friendly Golf Belt pairs the function of a belt with a divot repair tool that slides right into a metal clasp at the front end of the belt. The divot tool features short forks that are designed not to damage greens’ root systems. With an added ball marker nestled in a groove on the divot repair tool, this multifunctional accessory may eliminate the habit of carrying those items around in your pockets. The product’s manufacturer, the Green Friendly Golf Co., says it can engrave your name, logo or slogan on the tip of the belt for a customized look. The belts, which feature 100 percent full grain leather, double stitching and a nickel finish, are available in a wide array of colors and in both men’s and women’s styles. For more information, contact the Green Friendly Golf Co., 800-924-6711 (www.greenfriendlygolf.com).
9. Work gloves — Eagle One Products
We know superintendents generally aren’t a vain bunch, so buying hand insurance à la George Costanza is out of the question. Still, your hands rank No. 1 in importance when it comes to doing your job. Keep your hands protected from sharp and heavy objects and potential injuries with Eagle One Products’ work gloves. The most popular model among the company’s line of gloves, they’re made with split cow leather for the palm and feature a red canvas band on the back, 8-ounce jersey lining and a 2½-inch rubberized safety cuff. They’re suited for all kinds of jobs that superintendents and maintenance crews routinely do, says the company’s director of marketing, David Howard. General maintenance work, operating equipment, tree trimming, irrigation repair and even construction work — they all pose a risk of hand injury and call for hand protection. For more information, contact Eagle One Products, 800-448-4409 (www.eogp.com).
10. LawnGrips footwear — LawnGrips
People can find shoes specific to most any activity or type of athletics, but while they’re working around heavy machinery and potentially dangerous situations where feet should be protected, they wear old sneakers or construction-type shoes more suited for indoor work. LawnGrips set out to change all that with what it says is the first shoe designed especially for lawn and garden work. The men’s Pro 6-inch model features a roomy steel toe for added protection against fallen heavy objects, a 6-inch lace-up for additional ankle protection, and a rubber overtoe that resists scuffing. Water- and stain-resistant with full grain leather, the shoe features a patented Grip-N-Go outsole based on a soccer shoe design ideal for maximum forward and lateral traction even on wet grass. A sole built from butyl rubber holds up to shovel work, the company says. Various LawnGrips models are available, including slip-ons for men and women, laced boots for men and GardenGrips clogs for women. For more information, contact LawnGrips, 877-447-4771 (www.lawngrips.com).
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