October/November 2005 The turfcare magazine from pitchcare.com WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT TURFCARE CHRIS WOOD ‘PURRING WITH PRIDE AND SATISFACTION’ FREDDIE’S OLD HUNTING GROUND Andy Andy Mackay Mackay is is the the head head groundsman groundsman at at St St Anne’s Anne’s CC CC in in Blackpool Blackpool where where it it all all started started for for one one Andrew Andrew ‘Freddie’ ‘Freddie’ Flintoff Flintoff A HOLE LOT OF LOVE Regular Regular and and seasonal seasonal aeration aeration is is essential essential to to turfgrass turfgrass quality quality SPECIAL FEATURE Funding for Sports Clubs FUNDING THE GROWTH OF GRASS-ROOTS SPORTS ROBOT REVIEW BIGMOW, SPIDER AND TWO MCMURTRY MODELS GO UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT AT RUGBY SCHOOL PITCHCARE SPEND A DAY WITH TURFMECH’S AUSTIN JARRETT + MILLENNIUM MOVES• WATER MANAGEMENT• LA CONFIDENTIAL•WORMS•SOD’S LAW Take thatch out - put sand in Brand new concept to the Graden range Now there is a machine which not only grooves to remove thatch but also injects sand - right into the bottom of the groove. •Amendments can be added to sand, such as Zeolite, Profile and Axis •Can be used any time of year - even in damp conditions •Firms the surface •No loss of stability Phone us for more details about this revolutionary new process R& K Kensett, 4 Leazes Avenue, Chaldon, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5AH Tel: +44 (0) 1883 342632 Web: www.kensettsports.com Clean up process on wet green Graden will be exhibiting at the following trade shows: Scotsturf in Edinburgh 9th-10th Nov Sportsturf Ireland in Dublin 30th Nov-1st Dec Green Expo 2005 in Parc Expo Nantes 30th Nov-2nd Dec 1 www.pitchcare.com/re Inside this issue WATER management 38 8 ROBOT REVIEW Big boys toys or serious pieces of kit. Pitchcare invite groundsmen to Rugby School to test the latest hi-tech equipment 15 SPORT FOR ALL The greater the public’s level of sports participation, the greater the opportunity for local clubs to bid for precious funding 22 A HOLE LOT OF LOVE Regular and seasonal aeration is essential to turfgrass quality. Pitchcare’s Laurence Gale reviews the procedures available BOSS HAS 28 THE A FEW WORDS In, out, in, out ... Dave Saltman writes a few words about the Millennium Stadium’s modular system 44 56 LEATHERJACKETS Leatherjackets are the second most widespread pest problem on the golf courses in the UK and Ireland A DAY WITH TURFMECH For over 15 years Turfmech have been supplying their range of niche products to the turfcare professionals. Laurence Gale MSc talks to MD Austin Jarrett about the company’s success To subscribe to pitchcare magazine log on to www.pitchcare.com Trust McMILLAN Chris McMillan, Operations Officer with Bournemouth Borough Council, is responsible for managing 50% of the sports facilities in the Borough 34 RESTRICTING DRAINAGE OUTFALL 32 SODS LAW 41 EARTHWORMS - FRIEND OR FOE? 42 TOP TEN TIPS 49 FREDDIE’S OLD HUNTING GROUND 50 CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES 58 Gordon Jaaback, Hertfordshire County Council’s Agronomist and Project Manager, explains how they overcame the problem The Health & Safety Executive advise not to use mobile phones where safety is important. Also new sex discrimination regulations Why is it that groundsmen and greenkeepers fear earthworms so much? Should they really be that concerned about them? Trainer and Careers Counsellor, Frank Newberry concludes his series on self marketing with top ten tips for CV’s and Interviews St Anne’s Cricket Club in Lancashire is where it all started for Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff. Head Groundsman Andy Mackay talks us through his post season maintenance First of a two part article by Martyn Jones, reveiwing the processes of identifying soil physical problems THE PC TEAM DAVE SALTMAN WELCOME TO MD. Rumour has it that he was seen in the office on 3 consecutive days! Shame really, as we were just in the process of renting out his desk. After his experiences with the modules at the Millennium stadium all the jigsaws in his house have been consigned to the bin. JOHN RICHARDS Operations Director. As befits someone of his advancing years, he is coasting along quite nicely. Getting de-m mob happy as he awaits yet another trip down under to visit his daughter. Has offered to do articles with some of the Pitchcare members in Oz providing he can get himself away from the beach! LAURENCE GALE Joint Editor. Currently, trying to raise money for local charities with sponsored silences. After just one week he is very close to raising a fiver. We recently discovered that his hero as a child was Norman Wisdom. Why does that not surprise us! PETER BRITTON Sales & Production Director. All smiles last month when his golf handicap dropped into single figures - it lasted all of one week - October’s medal putting him back where he belongs. Still desperately trying to get over the stigma of having to wear a yellow shirt at Saltex. ELLIE TAIT PR and Marketing guru. Ellie had her first editorial day out with Laurence (the whirlwind) Gale for the Robot Review... and is still recovering. Avoided having to wear a yellow blouse at Saltex - “ I’m a woman, I have needs” was, apparently, her only argument. ALASTAIR BATTRICK Web Developer. New experience for him recently – he actually broke out in a sweat; when he was told that he would have to pen an article for this and future issues of the magazine. Is that in my job description? he was heard to ask. It is now. SHARON TAYLOR Company Accountant. The most energetic member of the team. Trains and jumps horses at competitions and trials around the country. She is actually very good, and we are very proud of her; but we don’t tell her in case she asks for a rise! Features and Editorial: Pitchcare.com Limited, The Technology Centre, Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV10 9RU Tel: 01902 824 392 Fax: 01902 824 393 Email: mail@pitchcare.com Advertising & Production: Pitchcare Magazine, 9 Imber Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8RX Tel: 01747 855 335 Fax: 01747 858 744 Email: peter@pitchcare.com No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Editorial contributions are published entirely at the editor’s discretion and may be shortened if space is limited. Pitchcare make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents but accepts no liability for its consequences. Pitchcare The Magazine is printed by the Gemini Press, Dolphin Way, Shorehamby-Sea, West Sussex BN43 6NZ A GROUNDSMAN myself, I have a belief that expert information should be imparted easily to current and future generations of Groundsmen and Greenkeepers. Pitchcare provides an opportunity for people within the Industry to pass on their wealth of knowledge and time served experiences. The Pitchcare magazine and website have proved to be great mediums to disseminate information and the website message boards are the perfect place to ask questions and get your problems solved quickly. With nearly 10,000 questions and answers already posted, a great many people have received immeasurable help. Whilst on this subject, I notice that the message boards have come in for some public criticism, and I’m slightly bemused as to why. Yes, there is the occasional halfwit, determined to wind others up and be destructive, but the vast proportion of the members are only too delighted to provide useful advice to fellow members. At Pitchcare we have always believed in the importance of education and training so earlier this year, in conjunction with the ECB, we organised a Media Training course. Attended by senior professionals its aim was to give the delegates the knowledge and experience needed to participate in television and radio interviews. The course came about as result of enquiries from Pitchcare members who were unable to find relevant training in this specialist area. The course was well received by participants and sponsors, and there are plans for another in the New Year. We have provisional dates in February 2006, so please contact me, dave@pitchcare.com for more details. Again as a result of enquiries from members we have teamed up with one of the industry’s most respected trainers, Frank Newberry, to run a course on Essential Management Skills. This new course is aimed at helping those in a supervisory or management position to acquire a range of vital management skills and put them into practice successfully in the workplace. I’m pleased to say that places on the first course were filled quickly and we’ll be announcing new dates on the website soon, so keep an eye on the new ‘education and training’ section. We have continually listened to our members and, where appropriate, look to implement suggested ideas. The drive to improve education is one such avenue. We have pursued the rights of our members, and lobbied for more control on player warm ups, goalkeeper scratch marks, and now the banning of bladed boots from winter sport. There is continuing debate on the benefit of trade shows, with some wide ranging views. With the announcement from the larger companies that they will now be exhibiting at alternate shows, the future looks uncertain. In other industries, trade shows have been streamlined as exhibitors find rising costs prohibitive. Many traditional consumer shows are now bi-annual. These days companies look to other marketing methods to spread the word and make sales. It seems increasingly unlikely in this competitive world that our sector can continue to sustain two major annual shows. Ultimately exhibitors have to look at their bottom line and major expenses, such as exhibitions, could become a thing of the past. Finally, there is some debate on this winter’s weather. The forecasters are suggesting that we are in for the coldest winter for at least a decade, the same forecasters that said this year was going to be as hot as ’76. I’m not a forecast sceptic, and regularly rely on calls to the duty forecasters prior to games; these prove to be invaluable. Forecasters are professionals, just like you and me, who use their depth of knowledge and expertise, coupled with the latest technology to make calculated decisions. More often than not, they are spot on. I hope to run a series of articles explaining the finer aspects of meteorology in the future. Best wishes, DAVE SALTMAN Managing Director Major players pull out of Saltex 2006 will go on record as the year when some of the major players in the industry said ‘enough is enough’ For several years there has been debate and discussions about the two main trade shows - BTME and Saltex. Do we need both? Are they held at the best time of the year? Are they convenient to get to? All valid questions in their own right, but the fact of the matter is that the cost to companies of exhibiting at trade shows is very high. More and more, they have been weighing up the actual costs of setting up an attractive (and expensive) stand for a week, on two separate occasions, at two separate venues, with a huge input of manpower and all the logistics of getting machinery to and from the venues. Understandably, they have been posing the question - is it worth it? The answer for many is clearly NO. Already, Ransomes Jacobsen have issued a press release explaining their decision not to exhibit at Saltex in 2006. They will be back in 2007, and this bi-annual approach is one that other companies, including Toro Lely, are also taking. Peter Mansfield, the Turf Division General Manager of Lely UK commented, “Survey work that we have done with our customer base suggests that many of them do not necesarily attend every show in every year. A popular view is that, because of the nature of our products, extensive on site trials and demonstrations are required and it is often more beneficial for the customer to actively use the product at his site. Static displays do not achieve this. We believe it right to do both in appropriate proportion. It seems to be appreciated that, for the larger machinery exhibitors particulary, trade show attendance is becoming harder to justify as costs continue to rise.” The organisers of Saltex have been notified by Toro Lely that their long term strategy is to attend in alternate years, and they will be taking a similar approach with BIGGA and BTME, exhibiting in 2006, 2008 etc. Other companies not appearing at Saltex 2006 include Kubota, Charterhouse, Hayter, John Deere, SISIS and Turfmech. David Hart, Divisional Manager at John Deere, said “We continually review our presence at all the shows we attend on both sides of our business, groundscare and agriculture - there is no automatic decision to exhibit or not to exhibit. Saltex does not fit into our overall marketing plans for 2006, but this does not mean we won’t attend in future years.” The MD of Turfmech Machinery, Austin Jarrett, was, as ever, candid with his comments, “We have been monitoring for some years the ‘cost per enquiry’ of all our marketing activities. It’s only prudent. Quite simply, the Saltex exhibition has generated less and less enquiries at greater cost each year for a number of years. Saltex has become prohibitively expensive per enquiry. Other marketing activities such as roadshows, advertising, factory open days and supporting dealer open days have become a much more effective way of communicating to our potential and existing customers. Our customers must remember that the cost of these exhibitions are passed on to them in the cost of the machine they buy from us. The Company that can communicate its message to its potential customer more efficiently can provide a more competitively priced product.” SISIS also announced its intention to attend Saltex on an “alternate year” basis and will not have a stand at the 2006 event. Joint Managing Director Roger Hargreaves said, “We are of the opinion that two major trade shows each year is excessive and our market “Saltex does not fit into our overall marketing plan for 2006, but this does not mean that we won’t attend in future years” David Hart, Divisional Manager, John Deere research shows that it is not what our customers want. We have advised both the IOG and BIGGA that we feel strongly that our industry needs either a single annual exhibition covering the whole market place or the two current exhibitions rescheduled to take place in alternate years.” “SISIS has been a staunch supporter of both the IOG and BIGGA since their inception and look forward to a continuing dialogue.” Philip Threadgold, Managing Director, Charterhouse Turf Machinery, stated, “Our withdrawal from Saltex for 2006 is no reflection on the IOG. Over the last few years our margins have diminished, as customers are demanding greater discounts from us due to tighter budget controls and reduced spend. This means that we can no longer afford to attend two major machinery shows in a year. Consequently we will be exhibiting at BTME in January 2006 and will be back at Saltex in September 2007.” Feedback to the organiser of this year’s Saltex, Penton Europe, from exhibitors and visitors suggests that a lot of people get a lot of benefit from trade shows. It is a good opportunity to meet up with contacts and view products; for new and smaller companies in particular it is an opportunity to showcase their products and services to their target market. Trade shows are beneficial in so many ways to all aspects of the industry. No-one is arguing about that. However, the message to the organisers, from the industry companies, is loud and clear - we don’t need so many, so often and at such a high cost. “Our withdrawal from Saltex is no reflection on the IOG ... we can no longer afford to attend two major shows in a year” Philip Threadgold, MD Charterhouse Turf Machinery 3 IOG get their man Institute of Groundsmanship appoint Geoff Webb as their new Chief Executive The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has announced that Geoff Webb has been appointed chief executive, effective 7 November 2005. Formerly Head of Grass Roots then Director of Facility & Stadia Development at the Football Foundation, and before that Head of Major Projects at the Lawn Tennis Association, 43-year-old Geoff brings to the IOG a high level of organisational and leadership skills at, he says, an exciting period in the history of the Institute and the industry it serves. At the Football Foundation (the UK’s largest sports charity) Geoff was responsible for developing the grass roots facilities and football stadia grant aid programme, managing an annual budget of £52 million. Prior to this, he had progressed at the Lawn Tennis Association to the position of Head of Major Projects with responsibility for the highly-regarded Indoor Tennis Initiative that developed 43 indoor pay and play centres across the UK. He has therefore developed a wealth of knowledge and experience in facility, sport development and grounds maintenance, as well as a thorough understanding of the issues affecting the UK sport leisure and charity sector. A keen supporter of the work of the IOG and the need for the profile of groundsmanship to be raised, Geoff comments: “During my tenure at the Football Foundation I utilised every opportunity to make the governing bodies and Government aware of this vital component of the sports industry.” “I have worked at senior level across football and tennis to ensure that opportunities through training, education and awareness were available to anyone with an interest in grass roots sport grounds maintenance,” he says. “I have a very positive and supportive view of the role and the profile of groundsmanship and, through the work of the IOG much is being done to enhance the reputation of this greatly needed and skilled profession.” “In my new role I relish the opportunity to help further raise the profile of groundsmanship in the UK.” 2006 Golf Industry Show will move to Atlanta Houston relocation agreement falls through Citing Houston’s inability to deliver previously agreed upon services, officials of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) announced today that the Golf Industry Show and their respective education conferences will be conducted in Atlanta in February 2006. The conferences and trade show were originally scheduled to be in New Orleans; however, due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, officials announced Sept. 7 that the events would relocate to Houston. Atlanta, which was one of a handful of cities examined for the original relocation, last hosted the GCSAA International Golf Course Conference and Show in 2003 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The dates for the 2006 conferences and show will remain the same as were originally planned: the GCSAA 4 Education Conference (Feb. 6-11), the NGCOA Solutions Summit (Feb. 7-10) and the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 9-11). “We are disappointed to be making this announcement,” GCSAA CEO Steve Mona said. “Officials from Houston had said they could meet our needs, but as discussions progressed, it became obvious that significant hurdles needed to be cleared. In the end, we determined the proposed arrangement would not create an experience that would meet the expectations of attendees, exhibitors, GCSAA and our show partners.” Mona and NGCOA CEO Mike Hughes said they are confident Atlanta will provide a successful venue. “The meeting and exhibit space, the hotel rooms and the supporting infrastructure Atlanta provides makes us confident that the Golf Industry Show will not be compromised in any way by this moves,” Hughes said. “Our experience in Atlanta in 2003 was beyond expectations,” Mona added. “The city was revitalized with the 1996 Summer Olympics, something noticed by attendees who had not been there in quite some time. The convention center and hotels will be convenient locations for education, networking and exposition activities. Unlike Houston, there are no other events that will conflict with our ability to conduct the conferences and trade show.” Despite relocating the events for a second time, November 1 will remain as the opening for conference and show registration. A new registration brochure will be produced and distributed by a date to be determined, but online access at golfindustryshow.com and faxback forms will be available (800/472-7878). GCSAA and NGCOA will be working with exhibiting companies to reconfigure the trade show floor. Souness blames Fibre Sand for injuries ACCORDING to Newcastle United manager, Graeme Souness, his lengthy injury list is caused by the fibre sand area used at their training ground. Eight of his first team are suffering from hamstring or thigh strains which Souness attributes directly to the fibre sand. He said: “We’ve lost close on 600 days to hamstrings alone in the last three years at the training ground. In the two years before Newcastle came to this training ground we were on a par with the rest of the Premiership. We were losing about 90 days a year to hamstring injuries. We’re running treble that now.” “We have a very hard fibre sand area that was the only area we could really train on last year and we felt that was our biggest problem, and the (hamstring) statistics bear that out.” His first team training has been moved to the Academy Training Ground. Days OFF! ... or what Pitchcare contributors get up to out of office hours PETE MARRON, Head Groundsman, Lancashire CCC: Ideally, I would like to spend some time taking the dog for a walk - but I don’t have one! And if I offered to take my wife for a walk she really would start worrying about me. During the summer there is very little time off; occasionally I get on to my local Sale Golf Club for a round and the greenkeeper, Chris, knows when I’m about because of the number of divots on the course! I like a game of golf but, unfortunately, I’m not that good. Out of the season my favourite hobby is getting bladdered. Me and my wife have a great social life so most of the weekend we are drinking, and Monday and Tuesday are spent recovering. Mid-week I occasionally go into town with my pal, Derek, for a drink and we usually end up in one of the more interesting establishments - the Fantasy Bar or Long Legs. One thing I definitely do not do on my day off is talk about cricket or wickets; I get enough of that throughout the year. Gardening is something else I definitely avoid. The front lawn has a good sprinkling of old English flowers, which can be a bit embarrassing as most of the neighbours know who I am. 5BLFBDMPTFSMPPL BU%FOOJT #SJOHRVBMJUZQBDFUPZPVSUVSG XJUIB%FOOJTDBTTFUUFNPXFS 0OFNBDIJOFUPDVUTDBSJGZ WFSUJDVUBFSBUF JOUFSDIBOHFBCMF DBTTFUUFPQUJPOT 4QSFBEUIF DPTUXJUIPVS 'JOBODF1BDLBHFT 'PSEFUBJMTPSBOPOUVSGEFNPOTUSBUJPODBMMPSMPHPOUPXXXEFOOJTVLDPN 2 www.pitchcare.com/re 5 BIGGA rebrand Harrogate show BIGGA has officially rebranded the third week in January as “Harrogate Week”. The decision was taken to provide an umbrella title for the vast number of events which occur during the busiest six days of the year. Two exhibitions - BTME and ClubHouse; the Continue to Learn education programme; R&A Seminar, AGM, and numerous fringe events, together with the fact that the North Yorkshire town is synonymous with BIGGA, naming it Harrogate Week seemed the natural option. The aforementioned Continue to Learn education programme more than doubles the educational opportunities on offer than ever before. More than 120 hours of education is available for industry professionals at every stage of their careers on a wide range of topics. The programme, supported by The GTC, is aimed at Greenkeepers, Groundsmen, Supervisors, Course Managers, Secretaries, Club Managers, golf club officials and others working in the fine turf industry and will include two-day workshops, one-day workshops, half-day workshops and seminars. The Association of Golf Club Secretaries and the English Golf Union, working together OBITUARY Gerald Brooks 1935-2005 Gerald Brooks sadly passed away on the 21st August after a two year battle with Cancer. He had worked in the trade he loved for over 45 years, firstly at Huxleys Grass Machinery where in the early days he worked with his father, Jack. Gerald worked for Huxleys for 25 years from when they were a Ransomes distributor to the time they imported the Cushman range and developed their own 6 New management course dates Details of the next ‘Essential Management Skills’ course have been announced on the pitchcare website. The two-day course, delivered by trainer and careers counsellor Frank Newberry, is ideal for anyone who works in a supervisory or management position or who aspires to be a manager and will take place on Thursday 12th January and Thursday 13th April 2006 at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club. with BIGGA, will present a full day of seminars aimed at golf club managers, golf club secretaries, golf club officials and golf course managers. The R&A will work together with BIGGA to present a much anticipated session on Maintaining the Sustainable Golf Course. A Fringe Seminar programme will also feature presentations from exhibitors at the BTME & ClubHouse exhibition. With an inspirational Keynote Speaker, Explorer and Adventurer and the man behind the Operation Raleigh project, Colonel John Blashford Snell; the presentation of the BIGGA Golf Environment Awards and the introduction of new Master Greenkeepers, the Continue to Learn Programme will give many much food for thought. Harrogate Week runs from Sunday January 21 – Friday January 27, 2006 Full details of the 2006 Continue to Learn programme are now available at www.harrogateweek.org.uk. manufactured products. In 1987 Gerald started in business with Turf Machinery and subsequently launched three other businesses including Garfitts International Ltd, Trac Ltd and Total Concrete with his sons Andrew, Trevor and Clive. In the 45 years of being in the trade he never missed one IOG exhibition from the early Hurlingham days to the present Saltex exhibitions at Windsor, where he enjoyed meeting his friends and acquaintances from the trade immensely. He will be missed by wife Pat, and family of three sons and six grandchildren. Full details including a course itinerary can be found in the education and training section. The cost, £239+VAT, includes two days of intensive training (no more than 12 delegates per course), lunch, refreshments throughout the day, course notes and a three month trainer helpline after the course has finished. Online registration is now available and payment can be made using Pitchcare’s secure online payment facility, or an invoice can be sent to your workplace. Visit www.pitchcare.com/training/ where you can also register to receive our new education and training e-newsletter. Alan Pierce (centre) with joint runners-u up David Newton (left) and James Lindsay. Alan Awarded 2005 TORO Student Greenkeeper Prize. Assistant Greenkeeper at Ham Manor Golf Club wins top Award. ALAN Pierce, assistant Greenkeeper at Ham Manor Golf Club, West Sussex, has become 2005 champion student greenkeeper, after winning the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award. The competition, now in its 16th year, is open to the 3,000-plus Greenkeepers in the UK and Ireland currently studying for industry qualifications, who have been nominated to enter by their colleges. Alan was nominated by his course tutor at Plumpton College and proceeded through a regional final before going before a panel of specialist judges at the national final of the competition, which is sponsored by turf machinery and irrigation systems manufacturer Toro, and organised by BIGGA. Alan, 25, has been in greenkeeping since he was 15. In 2000 he took his NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture and has since gone on to gain Level 3 in Sportsturf Management. He has also worked for Toro dealer John Shaw Machinery as a turf machinery technician and is qualified as a factory-trained technician with a number of turf machinery manufacturers. The 2005 competition joint runners-up were David Newton, 47, first assistant at Arrowe Park Golf Club, Merseyside, who studied at Reasheath College; and James Lindsay, 27, deputy head Greenkeeper at Bedfordshire Golf Club, from Merrist Wood College. Bill wins ECB award ADVISORY SERVICES AERATION ARTIFICIAL SURFACES CONTRACT SERVICES DRESSINGS & TREATMENTS ECOLOGY FINANCE & INSURANCE CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE HEALTH & SAFETY GRINDING MOWERS TRACTORS TRENCHERS BRUSHCUTTERS CHAINSAWS CULTIVATORS & ROTIVATORS ROLLERS HAND TOOLS LINE MARKING EQUIPMENT SCARIFIERS SHREDDERS SPRAYERS OIL & FUEL SOIL TREES & PLANTS TURF & SEED VEHICLES DRAINAGE IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT WEATHER SERVICES HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECT MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GOLF COURSE DESIGN A1 ASSESSOR TRAINING CUSTOMER CARE MANAGING WATER PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT L12 COACH TRAINING A1 ASSESSOR UPGRADE TRAINING BASIC WORD BASIC EXCEL BASIC POWERPOINT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MEDIA SKILLS MANAGING POA ANNUA INFLUENCING SKILLS DISEASE MANAGEMENT 3 www.pitchcare.com/re The ECB have announced this year’s Groundsman of the Year awards with Surrey’s Bill Gordon named Groundsman of the Year in both the four-day and one-day pitch categories. It is the third year in a row that the Brit Oval’s groundstaff have been recognised for the quality of pitches at Surrey. Meanwhile Taunton were named runners-up in both the four-day and one-day categories. ECB First Class Cricket Operations Manager, Alan Fordham, said: “Umpires marks have indicated a good overall standard of pitches in both fourday and one-day cricket in 2005. We are pleased to announce these awards which recognise venues and head groundsmen who have excelled this season.” “Special mention is made of Bill Gordon at the Brit Oval and Philip Frost at Taunton who have finished winner and runner-up respectively in both the four-day and one-day pitch categories which is an outstanding achievement. ECB congratulates all groundsmen who have won awards in recognition of their work in 2005.” Paul Sheldon, Chief Executive of Surrey County Cricket Club, said: “This is another great achievement by Bill and his team. They produce excellent wickets which allow spectators at the Brit Oval to enjoy watching the best possible contest. A large part of the Brit Oval’s strong reputation as a world class venue is due to the wickets produced by our groundstaff.” Four-d day pitch Winner: The Brit Oval Runner-up: Taunton One-d day pitch Winner: The Brit Oval Runner-up: Taunton Outgrounds Winner: Southgate Runner-up: Scarborough UCCEs Winner: Oxford Runner-up: Loughborough Commendation Four-day pitch: Lord’s, Chelmsford, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford One-day pitch: Sophia Gardens, Lord’s, The Citylets Grange Outgrounds: Whitgift School, Oakham School E x hi biti o n HARROGATE WEEK is so much more than an exhibition for the golf and turf industry. Packed with innovative ideas, product launches and an outstanding education programme. With a Careers Fair, Job Shop, AGM’s, and forums running throughout the week along with Dinners, Receptions and a Banquet it’s the only place to be each January. Continue to learn EXHIBITION 24 - 26 January 2006 EDUCATION 22 - 27 January 2006 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE VISIT www.harrogateweek.org.uk Organised by E d uc tio n a 7 ROBOT Review By Laurence Gale MSc & Ellie Tait The Pitchcare staff are always interested in innovation and new ways of working but know from talking to grounds managers that the latest 'robotic mowers' are viewed with suspicion as very few people have seen them in action. We believe that one of the ways that manufacturers and grounds staff can make greater advances in product technology is to work together, so we invited three manufacturers to bring their machines to the Midlands to be tried and tested by a group of grounds men and women from local schools, councils and contracting companies. In what must surely be an industry ‘first’, the ‘BigMow’ from Turfmech, the MAS01 and MAS02 from McMurtry and the Ransomes Spider were used together at one venue. Many historic events have been recorded at Rugby School over the years, but perhaps not since William Webb Ellis first ran with a ball there in 1823 has there ever been anything more worth watching than three robotic mowers mowing the grass simultaneously on the school rugby pitch. We all congregated for coffee at the Pavilion at 10.30 where we outlined the structure of the day and introduced the manufacturers to our invited guests. The group then made its way onto the pitch where each manufacturer introduced their machine and explained the history of its development, the technology involved and how they see it being adopted into its intended market. Our guests were then split into three groups, each being given the opportunity to operate the robotic mowers, look at them close-u up and ask more detailed questions before moving round to see the next machine. SPIDER Ransomes SPIDER RANSOMES OF all the mowers, the Ransomes Spider certainly lives up to its name. Its unique compact concept with 360-d degree turning capacity and an array of gadgetry made it a sure-ffire winner when it came to our guests ‘having a go’, especially those from the ‘Playstation Generation’, who quickly got to grips with the control pack that was strapped to their waist. Launched at Saltex in 2004 and already the winner of five international awards for design and innovation, the Spider was designed with operator safety in mind. Its ability to mow slopes with up to a 40% incline means that the risk of operators slipping down banks whilst strimming can be a thing of the past. It’s built in the Czech Republic and distributed by Ransomes Jacobsen in the UK and Europe. Being four wheel drive and powered by a neat 17hp Kawasaki engine allows it to track along and work on most terrains, even in wetland areas. Our demonstrator, Joe Turner told the groups that he’d mown waist-h height vegetation with a Spider and drove the machine onto a ramp so they could see the substantial blade underneath. Its cutting width is 800mm, with height adjustments ranging from 80mm130mm. He was also quick to point out that the Spider isn’t a robotic mower, it’s a remote controlled mower and human input is necessary at all times. Successful mowing with a Spider requires training and experience of working with it on steep terrain. The ergonomic remote control transmitter is strapped to the operator’s waist. It enables them to: • Start and stop the engine • Preset the travelling speed (turtle rabbit) • Engage or disengage the mowing device • Adjust the height of cut • Change the travelling speed and direction • Steering the machine through 360 degrees The spider will shut down if it travels past its operating range of 50m, if it encounters a similar radio frequency in the area, or if the signal is interrupted. Apart from removing the risk of ‘trip and slip’, using a Spider means there’s no exposure to vibration, reduced noise levels, reduced PPE protection required and no physical contact required with the machine during use. And the groups were impressed by how easy it was to load the Spider onto its trailer, reducing the need for manual handling. It retails at £15,000 with the complete trailer, including loading bars and legs, costing a further £850. As a specialist piece of machinery the Spider has proved a popular purchase for hire companies. Our guests from Rugby and Warwick Councils were so impressed, they asked the local Ransomes distributor if he could show it to another group of staff on some rough banks nearby. After a successful demonstration, they’re now considering the possibility of renting or buying one between them. BigMow Turfmech BigMow Watching Turfmech’s Austin Jarrett walking around the rugby pitch alongside a green, turtle-like object, you'd be forgiven for thinking that BigMow was some sort of pet he’d brought along for the exercise. It is, however a ‘mowing system’, the latest offering from Turfmech Machinery. The smallest of the machines on the field, it was launched at Saltex in September and is intended primarily for large domestic applications. By lifting its lid and pressing a button on the control panel, Austin instructed it to return to its docking station, a small box placed at the edge of the pitch which is where BigMow auto docks and recharges its 30-volt batteries when they run low or when its mowing is complete. He’d visited the site the day before and installed a length of cable just below the surface around the perimeter of the pitch. At a domestic property, the cable would be installed around the edge of the lawn and around borders and shrubs. It’s this cable that produces an invisible fence over which BigMow will not cross. Once it had docked, there was a whirring noise as the blades increased in speed to spin off any excess clippings before the mower shuts down to recharge. We gathered round to take a closer look under the lid to see how BigMow received its instructions. A simple menu shows a list of tasks that can be selected and enables the user to set the machine on a timer. Next to the keypad, there’s a gauge for adjusting the height PRICE - QUALITY - SERVICE THIS IS HURRELLS SEED POLICY •The Hurrells team are perhaps the most friendly and expert group in the North of England. •We are a family business that has been established for over 45 years with a wealth of experience •Hurrell’s are possibly the largest stockist of grass, game cover and wild flower mixtures in the North Of England go for growth Hurrells Beverley Road Cranswick, Driffield East Yorkshire YO25 9PF Tel: (01377) 271400 Fax: (01377) 271500 14 •We can, if necessary and providing your order comes to us by midday, despatch your order 24 hours anywhere in the country. •Provide Expert free advice on mixtures as individual as your club, your pitch and your requirements. •Only choose seeds that pass Hurrell’s unique rigorous Quality control checks. •Hurrell’s are a real, progressive company with an ear to the ground looking and developing new products and ideas all the time. www.hmseeds.co.uk 4 www.pitchcare.com/re BigMow will slow down if it ‘sees’ anything in front of it and will then mow in another direction of cut. This is done by lifting a pin and sliding the lever to the desired height. And there the human input ends. Because of its size, we were able to look at the workings of the BigMow in more detail and Austin flipped the machine over so we could see the ‘business end’. At the rear were two large drive wheels which steer and at the front, four casters which provide the machine’s suspension. Across the centre are five cutting discs, each with three ‘Stanley knife’like blades. Each disc has its own electric motor and a smaller, plastic disc on the under side which follows the contours of the ground, preventing scalping. Serrated discs may be attached if the machine is going to be used in an area where there is a lot of debris or even golf balls. The question of safety was raised, particularly with it being used in a domestic setting where children and pets might get in its way. The machine mows in random directions and travels at 3 km/hr, but the sonar eyes on the top of the machine will slow it down if it ‘sees’ anything in front of it. If this happens, it will turn and mow in another direction. The front of the machine has a touch-sensitive strip, allowing it to gently bump into an object before reversing, turning and moving in another direction. Turfmech has made some clever operational safeguards too. If the temperature drops below 6 degrees celsius, the computer recognises it’s too cold to mow and returns the machine to its docking station until the temperature rises, when it sets it off again. If the grass hasn’t grown, BigMow will recognise it is not cutting and return to the charge station to wait for the grass to grow. Another guest asked about presentation. If you want your lawn nicely striped, BigMow’s not for you. It mows in one-metre strips and will easily tackle any area up to five acres but it mows constantly, creating a smooth surface and thickening the sward as it clips the grass, creating the tiniest clippings. By mowing this way, it eliminates the problem of disposing of cuttings. Despite its £7,800 price tag, it has minimal running costs. Austin estimates it will use the same amount of electricity in one year as a freezer and a winter service with blade change will set you back £150-£200. There are other robotic mowers available to buy, but they can only mow up to half an acre, leaving BigMow to tackle the premium end of the domestic market. 5 www.pitchcare.com/re The ‘business’ end of BigMow 15 & 02 McMurtry MAS01 & MAS02 MAS01 BigMow looked considerably ‘little’ compared to the other two machines making their way up and down the rugby pitch. Ben and Richard McMurtry had bought their MAS01 and MAS02 mowers along for us all to see. The grey and yellow MAS01 cylinder mower has been designed for large stadia and sports grounds. The largest of the machines on show during the day, it was an impressive sight to see it gliding up and down the field. It was noticeably quiet, producing nothing more than a soft hum as it mowed the distinctive stripes into the surface. And if you’re a groundsman who likes to explore your creative side at work, it’s able to create a range of geometric patterns on turf. It can even be programmed to vary the pattern each time it cuts to avoid compaction of the surface by following the same route each time. We wondered how a machine of that size could create these patterns with such accuracy. Ben pressed a button and lifted the grass collection box at the front of the machine to reveal the 36 inch wide cutting blade. It’s this, coupled with the laser-guided steering system that controls the precise pattern creation. On top of the machine is a long-range, eye-safe laser scanner which McMurtry operates in conjunction with a number of fixed reflectors around the pitch. The on-board computer uses the laser to continuously calculate the machine’s position on the pitch, sending signals to the steering system to keep to the pre-programmed path with exceptional accuracy. Like BigMow, once it has been programmed it can be left to mow the entire pitch unattended. Powered by rechargeable batteries and electric motors, it can mow for more than six hours and can cover more than 12,000 square metres before it needs recharging. There are four settings of cut normal, quality, quick and slow for a first cut. For greater aesthetics, the cutting cylinder can be turned off for pitch rolling and striping without mowing and those concerned about putting large pieces of machinery on a worn surface were told that the machine can also be programmed to avoid muddy goal-mouths. There is an option to let clippings fly or have them delivered via a chute into the 70litre capacity grass box. You can programme the MAS01 to run to any part of the stadium and empty the high-lift box completely automatically, when full. All programming is done on a control pad which slots into the top of the machine. It’s connected by a flexible wire so that an operator can manually over-ride the automatic operation if they choose. The prospect of such a large machine running unattended in a football stadium meant that the group was understandably interested in its safety features. A warning sound is given when it starts up and a beacon on the rear flashes when it's moving. It has ultrasonic obstacle detection, bringing the machine to a complete halt if an object is in its path. It also has fail-safe soft bumpers at the front and rear and three emergency stop buttons on top for instant shut-down. Our guests were quite obviously impressed with the technology being demonstrated by the MAS01, but eyebrows were certainly raised when the brothers told them how operator and machine communicate with eachother. The operator is able to supervise the mower from their mobile phone and can even check up on its progress via text message. Likewise, once the mower has finished its match day preparation and wants to head back to the garage for a cup of tea (sorry- couldn’t resist it!), it’ll text the operator to tell him the job’s done. Groundsmen needn’t have nightmares about coming into work on a matchday and finding half the pitch uncut as the machine will also text to alert the operator if there’s problem. The absence of an engine means low maintenance and running costs - less than 50p per pitch. There’s no petrol and therefore no harmful emissions. However, the group thought it will take a groundsman to understand the value of freeing up a member of staff to carry out other tasks before they’d consider paying its £30,000 price tag. The McMurtry brothers also kindly bought along their new prototype MAS02, which works on the same principles as the MAS01 but is a rotary version intended for use by contractors. With a 60” (1.5m) mulching cutting deck and a zero turn radius, it can cover up to 1.7 acres per hour and can run for up to nine hours. The MAS02 will be launched in 2006 with a price tag of £25,000. ROBOT Review Conclusions ONCE all the three groups had seen each machine we all got together in the Pavilion to round up the day. Our guests were all surprised to find out how well advanced the production of robotic mowers was - indeed some of them were not even aware that robotic mowers existed, let alone that they were being marketed and were available for general purchase. They were very interested in talking to the manufacturers and understanding each machine’s capabilities. They also commented that they felt more comfortable about what robotic mowers had to offer the industry and it made them think about what part they may play in its future. Importantly, they had been asked to think about different applications and didn’t regard them as a threat. They were satisfied that none of the four machines on the pitch were a gimmick, and that each had the technology and the usability to be a viable management tool that complements what they do. James Mead, the Head Groundsman from Rugby School said that he could see many benefits from the development and use of these mowers in helping maintain sportsturf. In particular, he would welcome the fact that his staff could carry on with other important tasks which would improve the playability and condition of his pitches whilst the machine mowed. Our groups suggested that the machines could be adapted to carry out other operations such as sweeping, aerating and scarifying - often mundane jobs which take up a lot of time and resources. The majority of delegates were from Local Authorities and therefore understood that neither the McMurty MAS01 nor the BigMow were suitable for working in L.A. environments in their present format. Many recognised that the Bigmow would be more suited to the private domestic market, maintaining lawns for lazy gardeners and at the same time creating a good talking point for the neighbours - a definite ‘boys toy’. Several guests expressed concern that it might be a target for thieves who wouldn’t know that that machine is useless without its docking station or cabling. It was also suggested that BigMow would make an ideal Mole deterrent if it runs randomly across the lawn throughout the night. Although impressed with the McMurty mowers advanced laser technology, many thought that organisations and sports clubs would be put off by its £30,000 price tag. They suggested that grounds managers in America would be more likely to use it, where there are larger areas that need maintaining. In the States, new technology is welcomed and embraced and the groups thought that the UK turf industry is still very much for keeping with traditional groundmanship values and tools. However, many recognised the potential of the MAS02 rotary mower, especially for use on horse racing and polo fields in the UK as you can leave it to mow unattended during the night. One gentleman suggested it could be used on air fields, cutting the great expanses of grass between runways. And, probably due to our mainly Local Authority guests, it was the Ransomes Spider that created most interest. ‘Gadgets’ have always been popular and there’s no doubt that using the Spider at the demo was fun. Our guests thought the normally dull, and difficult, prospect of mowing banks could suddenly become the task that everybody fights over if they purchased one. Especially as it is a lot easier than walking up, down and along steep banks and slopes. Like all machines, there is a danger level to be considered, especially with the nature of the terrain it has been built to work on. The event gave everyone who attended the unique opportunity to see the machines working and to form their own opinions. Crucially, the manufacturers were able to gauge this opinion and gain valuable feedback from our guests. They were pleased with the level of interest their machines received and we hope it will encourage them to continue pushing machine technology forward for the benefit of the end user and the surfaces they maintain. Editors note:- Pitchcare is looking for product review venues across the UK. If you'd like to host a similar event, please email Laurence@pitchcare.com. EACH issue we catch up with a leading turfgrass professional and ask him or her what’s going on in .. Lives READERS Who are you? Chris Wood, Pitches Consultant for the England & Wales Cricket Board What would you be if not in this industry? God only knows. It’s all I’ve ever known since I left school! How are you? Purring with pride and satisfaction as an Englishman after the most memorable cricket season ever. Other than that, not in too bad a shape for a 55 year old! Who and what to a Caribbean Island? Cheesy I know but I’m married to a South American who loves the sun and rhythm of the Spanish guitar as much as I do. Trouble is I would have to take someone along who could play the thing as well. (The guitar, not my wife!) Where are you? At my office, based at my old patch at the Shenley Cricket Centre in Herts. 3 miles from home in London Colney and 20 miles from ECB HQ at Lord's. What are you on? Sorting out end of season issues, advisory visits and attending lots of meetings etc. interspersed with copious amounts of really strong Yorkshire tea for my attention span! What’s bugging you? Paperwork and traffic jams! What are you reading? “As It Was” The Memoirs of Fred Trueman. Professional Yorkshireman and t’greatest fast bowler that ever drew breath. My childhood idol and inspiration to make cricket a lifetime occupation. Trade shows - good bad or ugly? Great for networking and an excuse to get p****d. (not that I ever do!) What will you do when you retire? Probably be put out to grass! (A stud farm would be good!) Seriously, no idea at the moment although it's not long to go! Favourite bit of kit? That’s got to be my 36 inch Allett Regal that I loved in the 80’s with a Reliant engine, 3speed, reverse gearbox etc. - I felt like a turf-bound Hells Angel! Top 3 bowling heroes? Fred Trueman, Richard Hadlee, Darren Gough. Favourite TV programme? CSI & CSI Miami. Kind of reminds me of Pitch Panel investigations! Traditional Cricket or Twenty20? I like both forms of cricket equally. Favourite film? The Alamo. I think it’s my siege mentality. Stubborn and never give up until the end! Most likely to be heard saying..? “Looks very easy-paced to me” or “I’ll not being paying that price!” Best experience? Achieving a First Class status match and recognition 5 years from restoring a disused and run-down venue with zilch equipment to start with & Monday 12th Sept at the Oval! Least likely to be heard saying..? “Looks a right quick belter to me” or “I don’t mind paying the price as it’s got a famous label!" Worst experience? Being spat on and finding my tyres let down at 10pm at night, in the pouring rain, 250 miles from home after heated pitch panel hearings + not making the grade as a player and having to leave the Oval staff. Why this industry? Outdoor life and the nearest connection to broken dreams of becoming a professional cricketer. Shane Warne v Steve Birks - who won? Stevie Birks hands down because Warney had a strop and resorted to childish scraping of the surface, then scuttled off to the press announcing that: “The Groundsman should keep his mouth shut and get on with his job to produce a good Test Pitch” Birksy did and the Aussies, Warney et al lost the match priceless! 6 www.pitchcare.com/re SPORT for ALL Funding for Sports Clubs Participation the key to funding the growth of grass-rroots sport The Government’s strategy to get the population more physically active is filtering through to grass-roots sport, where aspects of local provision such as community involvement can hold the key to funding streams for cash-strapped clubs. Soundbites may come and go but Sport for All is still the name of the game - the greater the public's level of sports participation, the greater the opportunity for local clubs to bid successfully for precious funding. But there is no money tree from which they simply pluck blank cheques. Continued... To stand the best chance of receiving a grant or loan, clubs will need to prepare a detailed written business plan OFTEN it is a question of a hard-won fight for cash and of knowing ‘how to play the game’, whatever the size of the club. In essence, we are witnessing the transition from an amateur to a professional sporting dynamic, even at grass-roots level, and clubs have to demonstrate their professionalism by showing funding bodies that they can run their organisation to proven successful models. National sporting agendas aside, a huge opportunity will open up for clubs across the country now that London will host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - some say the best opportunity this country has ever had for inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in sport. A large slice of the funding that sports clubs receive annually is generated by the National Lottery. Each of the home countries has a national sports council (Sport England, Sport Scotland, Sports Council Wales, Sports Council for Northern Ireland), and they are the agencies charged with administering Lottery funds in accordance with their own key objectives. In England, the main funding stream for sports clubs to apply to develop their facilities is the Community Club Development Programme. Set up in December 2002 and administered by Sport England, the CCDP is a collaboration between the Department 16 of Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England and 16 national governing bodies of sport (four band A and 12 band B). The £60m programme is earmarked for some 250-300 projects designed to meet the CCDP's aims of creating ‘a sustainable and financial viable sports club infrastructure in England that links with schools, provides appropriate support and pathways for identifying and developing talented individuals and meets the needs of local communities’. Capital funding programmes exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each with their own criteria and levels of support (see Table: National Sports Councils). In Eire, the Irish Sports Council channels funds primarily through national governing bodies and its network of Local Sports Partners. In all cases the objective is to get people to start, stay and succeed in sport at every level. Eligibility criteria FUNDING sources lay down set criteria for eligibility. To stand the best chance of receiving a grant or loan, clubs will need to prepare a detailed written business plan. This will demonstrate the intent of the club to not only increase participation, but also to maintain their facilities at a high standard. When allocating funding, the respective sports governing body and national sports council, for example, will ask what the club will contribute to the local economy and community. If the club can convince the agency that they can do this, as well as promote the health and fitness of those using their facilities, they stand a good chance of being granted funding. The accent on community participation does not rule out the involvement of clubs in elite sport. Applying clubs might have aspirations to train aspiring Olympic athletes at their site, for example, as well as running a community sports programme. Excellence is a major priority for the national sports councils. A club that shows the intent to train athletes at Olympic standard will attract interest from funding bodies, as this is seen as meeting seal of excellence. The potential for participation will also be increased as higher standards of equipment and training make the club a more attractive and enduring proposition for a younger and broader catchment. By embracing the concept of excellence, clubs are seen to be leading the way in contributing to their community, in training professional athletes, training and employing coaches and encouraging youngsters to engage in sports activities. Clubs who seek funding should ensure that the potential they have to achieve excellence is clearly outlined in their business plan. The first port of call should be your own sport’s governing body Commercial funding FUNDING from the commercial sector represents a major source of financial support for sport clubs. Companies can be keen to back local and regional facilities but merely need the incentives and formal administrative structure in place for them to plough in money with minimal fuss and red tape. Sportsmatch, run in England, Scotland and Wales, is the government’s business sponsorship incentive scheme for grassroots sport, assists in this process by matching pound for pound commercial investment in approved community sports development programmes. In line with the governments overall strategy, it is directed at projects that aim to increase participation in sport at grassroots level and improve basic skills. Sporting projects typically involve coaching and development programmes, which aim to increase participation and improve basic skills. Applicants can include national governing bodies, clubs, schools, local authorities or other competent deliverers of sporting experience. Process summary THE first point of call should be your own sport’s governing body. Find out who the regional or local representative is, discuss the project to see if it fits in with the governing body’s strategy. Without support from your governing body you are unlikely to receive funding. Draft an outline plan of the project with estimated costs. Bear in mind that you will not receive a 100% grant (50% will be good going), so consider where the rest of the funds are going to come from. Contact your local sports council to discuss the project; you should get some indication of whether you are likely to receive funding if you were to go ahead with an application. If you get a green light, complete the application form. Make sure you cover all the issues, and highlight the works and programmes you are proposing to do which fit in with the sports council’s and sport’s priorities. Also, make sure you get estimates from reputable companies. The more thorough the initial application, the better your chances. Also, check when grant award meetings are taking place and give yourself a sensible timescale for getting the application in by the allotted deadline. VERSATILE. RELIABLE. COST EFFECTIVE. MT313 – Mini Triple Turf Mower LT324 – Triple Cylinder Turf Mower R324T – High Output Triple Deck Rotary Mower General purpose mower, also ideal for Tees, Surrounds and Fine Finish Areas. A superbly engineered, reliable and cost effective mower. Features easy access swing out centre cutting unit. A robust and dependable mower for tough commercial mowing applications. Options available on this and other Hayter models include ROPS frame, road use lighting kit, flashing beacon and air suspension seat. Perfectly cut rough and well-finished grassed areas are a feature of this 60 Horsepower Turbo diesel powered rotary mower. There are now Hayter mowers for virtually all areas of grass cutting, all conforming to the Hayter philosophy of excellent reliability, easy serviceability and low life time costs. For details of our full range call us now on +44 (0) 1279 723444 or visit our website www.hayter.co.uk email: sales@hayter.co.uk 7 www.pitchcare.com/re 17 Who you gonna call? Funding AGENCIES National Sports Councils Sport England - £5,000 plus; decisions made locally by 9 regional sports boards. It is important that any application meets the regional priorities and criteria. Website has easy to follow guidance notes. Project details can be submitted online using the enquiry form www.sportengland.org/funding, or you can phone to discuss your idea on 08458 508 508. Excellent funding case studies. Smaller fund - Awards for All www.awardsforall.org.uk - for grants between £500 and £5,000. Sports Council Wales - Sportlot Capital, schemes over £5000, up to 70% of costs for voluntary organisations. Guidelines available on website www.sports-ccouncilwales.co.uk. Smaller Community Chest, up to £750 in any one year, and specifically mentions groundsmanship and ground improvements in the eligibility criteria. Tel: 029 2030 0500 Sports Council for Northern Ireland Building Sport Scheme for capital projects which includes outdoor playing surfaces. Up to 85% grants available (95% if in a particular priority area). www.sportscouncil-n ni.org.uk 18 Sport Scotland - www.sportscotland.org.uk. Funding primarily through local authorities and governing bodies. The National Strategy for Sport has 11 targets but no specific mention of improvement to or additional pitches. Delivery of the strategy is, however, heavily dependent on local authorities and others working in partnership to contribute to capital and revenue costs. Difficult to find what funding is available and to whom. Commercial Funds Irish Sports Council www.irishsportscouncil.ie. Funding is allocated to sports National Governing Bodies who have to apply each year for funding. Clubs, one assumes, have to apply to their respective sport's governing body. As an alternative the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism have a capital grant fund for sports and recreational facilities. Up to 70% grant (80% in certain disadvantaged areas); floodlighting, playing surfaces (natural and synthetic) are included in the project listings. www.arts-ssport-ttourism.gov.ie The Football Foundation. Main funding schemes:Capital Projects - Funding is available to refurbish or construct changing rooms, grass and artificial pitches and clubhouses for community benefit. Funds applications with a 50% target level of grant support but, in exceptional cases, higher levels of support, up to a ceiling of 90%, will be available. **NOTE FOR UK SPORTS CLUBS - without support from your sports' governing body it is very unlikely you will receive funding from your National Sports Council. Sportsmatch - Government supported scheme to encourage local businesses to support grass roots sport. Matched funding available for approved projects. www.sportsmatch.co.uk Tel. 44(0)207 273 1942 Sport Specific Grants FOOTBALL Schools Capital Projects - Grants of up to £1m are available to primary and secondary schools across England, to build or modernise football pitches, changing rooms, floodlights or multi -use games areas, providing new opportunities for extending sporting provision for pupils and communities. Goalpost Safety - Provides funding for the replacement of unsafe goalposts. The Foundation will assist in funding half the cost of a pair of goals up to £1,500. Contact: www.footballfoundation.org.uk RUGBY UNION Community rugby will be spearheading the Rugby Football Union's new strategic plan under a £14m cash injection for the sport over three years. The bulk of the money will be ploughed into facilities such as training pitches, floodlights and clubhouses via the Community Club Development Programme, the Rugby Football Foundation and the newly announced National Sports Foundation. The Rugby Football Foundation itself provides two forms of funding An interest-free loan Scheme of up to £100,000 and pound for pound provision called Groundmatch Grant Scheme, which is available for projects between £1,500 and £5,000. Recent grants have been awarded for pitch improvements, pitch drainage, pitch purchase and floodlights. Eligibility criteria and application forms can be found under Rugby Football Foundation on the RFU website www.rfu.com CRICKET Funding available via the Community Club Development Programme. The ECB have identified 1,453 Focus Clubs nationwide. A Focus Club is one that has been identified for a clear strategic reason, and one that is committed to long-term junior development. Each Focus Club will be expected to meet certain criteria in return for ECB resources. There are a number of priority areas including fine turf (pitches, outfields, drainage and grass practice) and non-turf pitch/net systems. Information on www.ecb.co.uk in the Development section. LAWN TENNIS It is not made clear on the website www.lta.org.uk but, as tennis is one of the 4 Band A sports (with football, cricket and rugby union) selected by Sport England, clubs will have access to funds via the Community Club Development Programme. There are guidance notes on planning facility projects and how to access funding, but no specific information or advice on priorities or projects suitable for funding. BOWLS Grants purely for greens improvements are difficult to find and, if any have been awarded, it is likely to be from a local funding source. Greens improvements are generally encompassed in an overall project to improve a park or sports facility. As such, funding has been sourced from local community agencies, local authorities, National Lottery Awards for All fund. GOLF There are examples of funding, from local and national agencies, for environmental projects such as the creation/enhancement of wildlife areas. Funding is available for woodlands management and development www.forestry.gov.uk. The Royal & Ancient's Golf Development Committee have a reconditioned greenkeeping machinery programme, but examples on the website only show funding overseas www.randa.org RUGBY LEAGUE Funding is not available from the governing body, but guidance is given on suitable funding sources such as the sports councils' capital and community schemes, local authorities and Sportsmatch. RACING Horseracing Betting Levy Board. www.hblb.org.uk The Board supports a continuing programme of improvements with interest-free loans from its Capital Fund. High priority projects include improvement of the track, working areas (such as weighing rooms, stableyards and hostels). Financial support is also allocated each year to promote Research and Development projects designed to improve the horse welfare and related infrastructure at racecourses. Projects are proposed for funding by the Jockey Club Racecourse Committee. Grants approved in 2005/06 include support for a project to establish racecourse watering best practice at £10,000 a year for four years which started in 2002. 8 www.pitchcare.com/re 19 Case STUDIES Timperley Cricket, Hockey and Lacrosse Club “The process of bidding for Lottery money has become far easier than it once was”, says Colin Taylor, former club chairman and author of the club’s first Lottery bid in 1997 in which he put the case for funding for accommodation and changing facilities and an administration centre to replace the traditional wooden housing. That bid failed, a fact that the club was made aware of some 20 months after they had lodged the application. “We were left high and dry because the funding goalposts had been changed due, in the main, to a change in priority by one of the governing body’s of the sports we are involved with,” recalls Taylor. It was their second bid for Lottery cash in 1999 that ended in the award of a £0.4m grant from Sport England to part-fund a £1.1m redevelopment. “The newer grant-aiding process allows clubs to hear far earlier if they have made a successful bid,” Taylor says. Timperley’s approach to winning Lottery cash is a little different from the norm, Taylor believes. “We didn’t set out to chase funding,” he explains. “Rather, we undertook a root and branch evaluation of the club and its future, then put forward a sports development strategy embracing a 20 to 30-year track record of community involvement (the club has been very active in schools through their longestablished post of Lacrosse Development Officer, for example). “We then went to Sport England’s North-west region and asked them: ‘Will your Lottery funding fit this strategy?’” The game plan succeeded. Although the funding application process has grown less cumbersome, the task is still a daunting one for clubs, Taylor believes “Funding procedures and programmes can, to the inexperienced fund raiser, to be confusing. This creates a real problem for community and amateur sports clubs.” Given his experience working within local authority fund administration and application departments, Taylor is well-placed to talk on the subject. “Applying for funding can be a big, long, confusing process. My view is not to chase the funding at all but to put together a robust financial and operational management plan, decide what you want to achieve and proceed from there.” “If you do not run your club as a business, you cannot demonstrate to funding sources any trustworthiness in delivery. You have to put your management house in order and run profitably.” Although Taylor admits his experience with the funding process is “mixed”, he believes that Timperley represents a good example of a club working in partnership with local and regional agencies and the community. “It is our strong record with Trafford borough for example that helped us secure full funding for a sports development officer, in association with the authority and Greater Manchester Sports Partnership. We are creating employment.” Despite past trials and tribulations, Taylor is broadly praising of the Lottery bidding process. “It made us look closely at ourselves and we continue to apply some of the lessons we learned from doing that. Lottery bidding worked for us, that’s for sure.” “Applying for funding can be a big, long, confusing process. My view is not to chase the funding at all but to put together a robust financial and operational management plan” Ashmore Cricket Club, North Dorset ASHMORE’S claim to fame is that it is the highest village in Dorset. It is located at the southernmost end of the Wiltshire Downs in beautiful rolling countryside. Pitchcare’s Peter Britton was, for many years, both a player and club chairman of the village cricket team and it was he who sought to replace the 1950’s Nissen hut, that doubled as both a village hall and pavilion, with something more respectable. “The team had known some success in the Village Knock-out tournament in the 1970’s but plummeted down the local leagues in the 1980’s, only to recover again in the early 1990’s” says Peter. It was this resurgence, and the newly available Lottery funding, that prompted Peter to research just what was available. “I approached the Lottery Sports Fund, the local council, the County council and various other bodies. Everything looked so promising that, with the help of a few other club members, I prepared detailed plans for a new village facility ... and that’s when the problems really started!” The old Nissen hut was hardly ever used by the village except for a few hardy souls playing whist once a week in the winter, a few rodents and countless spiders. And, of course, the cricket team in the summer. “I was so confident that we would get the villagers approval” said Peter, “and was delighted when many of the 150 inhabitants turned up to hear our proposal. We had Powerpoint presentations, plans, a build cost of £74,000 and promised funding totalling over £40,000 from various bodies even before we had completed our Lottery bid.” “What I had completely overlooked was the villagers themselves! I had gone off on my mission without considering them. It must have appeared to them that we were undertaking some sort of cloak and dagger operation.” So not surprisingly, in hindsight, a few weeks later the project was taken over by the Village with one member of the cricket club sitting on the newly formed village hall committee. Over the following months, new plans were drawn up by a professional architect at a cost of £15,000 (10% of the estimated build cost) and fund raising activities were being organised by the the village. “Their hearts were certainly in the right place” says Peter “but at times it seemed more Dibley than Wembley. The drawn out negotiations between the committee and the Lottery fund, including one refused bid, meant that the Lottery Sports Fund offer had disappeared along with the £40,000 already promised to the cricket club. So other areas of Lottery.” funding were targeted. Their first criteria was that the ‘sports’ side had to be excluded from the bid if the building was to be a village hall - and I still don’t understand that. It also required ‘proof’ that we could cater for ethnic minorities (in a Dorset village), along with various other strict criteria.” The build cost rose to £220,000. Was the hall ever built? It was completed last month almost 11 years after the initial presentation to the village - and it looks fantastic. Lesson learned? “For a small sports club I’d say that however good your idea is, however viable and however certain that you are doing everything ‘by the book’, always make sure you enter into dialogue with as many ‘interested parties’ as possible.” “My big mistake was in thinking that I and the cricket team were doing the villagers ‘a favour’ by knocking down the old nissen hut and building a brand new hall. I think, more than anything, I hurt their pride! ” WEED OF TH MONTHE Japanese KNOTWEED (Fallopia japonica) Fallopia japonica, commonly known as Japanese Knotweed, is also known as Polygonum cuspidatum and Reynoutria japonica. This rhizomatous perennial invades habitats primarily through vegetative reproduction, though the plants are known to produce abundant displays of tiny white flowers followed by seed. Japanese Knotweed is a prolific weed that grows in dense clumps up to 3m in height, on tubular stems that ascend from the base of the plant. The plant dies back each year, leaving the stems to form a protective framework over the newly forming emerging shoots that begin to grow in the following spring. The roots are woody and have been recorded to depths of 1-5m or more. The plant forms rhizomes 0.5-5cm in diameter that spread up to 7m laterally each year. The ability of this plant to reproduce itself by rhizomes is the reason this weed so invasive. Knotweed forms panicles of white flowers up to 10cm long. The plant flowers from August to October before dying back to leave brittle hollow stems that stand throughout the winter. Leaves are 6-12 cm x 5-10 cm in size, broadly ovate and truncate at the base. Knotweed can reproduce itself by seed and by rhizomes. It’s vigorous powers of vegetative reproduction mean that it has been able to spread to all parts of the British Isles without the aid of sexual reproduction. It can tolerate most soil conditions, including very acidic soils. It will grow in most situations. Establishment and competition with other plant species is aided by a number of characteristics. Firstly, it’s ability to grow tall, out smothering many other plant species, it’s ability to reproduce by rhizomes and, finally, the amount of debris it leaves behind each year which eventually forms a carpet that shades out other plant flora. This plant is also shade tolerant. Once established it is often difficult to remove or eradicate. However, there are a number of tactics now being used to eradicate or reduce the spread of this weed. In most cases they are labour intensive: • Digging out the plant. Often this process must be repeated a number of times to remove all signs of roots and rhizomic growth. All debris harvested must be dealt with as hazardous waste and must be taken to deep landfill sites suitable for the disposal of live Japanese Knotweed rhizomes. It is an offence to knowingly spread this plant ‘in the wild’ (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). • Cutting on a regular basis. Continue to cut down the vegetation back to ground level and keep cutting it until it exhausts itself; not being able to manufacture food from photosynthesis. • Covering with plastic or tarpaulins to prevent light getting to the plant, resulting in the plant dying out. A combination of cutting and herbicide is probably the most effective. Chemical Control: Apply nonselective herbicides when plant growth is active. There are a number of products available for controlling Japanese Knotweed. These chemicals are best used when the weeds are actively growing, usually between April-October. • Roundup pro biactive. (Contains 360g/L glyphosate. Scotts. • Roundup Pro Green. (contains 450g/l glyphosate present as 590g/l (50.9% w/w) of the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. Rigby Taylor. • Timbrel (Contains 667g/L(44.3%w/w) triclopyr butoxy ethyl ester. (480 g/L triclopyr acid equivalent). Bayer Environmental Science. Herbicides are usually applied as a foliar spray but can also be applied directly to target plants using a weed-wiper or herbicide glove. Good results have been achieved by injecting glyphosate into hollow stems immediately after cutting. Herbicides are an effective tool where high quality turf is desired. However, they must be applied with care and accuracy and in the context of a good overall turf management programme. 21 A hole lotta LOVE! Okay, Okay, it’s it’s aa corny corny title, title, but but it it could could have have been been worse. worse. ‘Tines ‘Tines they they are are a’changin’ a’changin’ for for one, one, or or even even ‘Core ‘Core blimey!’ blimey!’ But But the the fact fact is is that that regular regular and and seasonal seasonal aeration aeration maintenance maintenance operations operations are are essential essential to to ensure ensure turfgrass turfgrass quality quality is is maintained maintained throughout throughout the the playing playing seasons seasons of of most most fine fine natural natural turf turf and and field field turf turf facilities. facilities. The The impact impact and and cost cost of of not not carrying carrying out out these these operations operations can can be be high, high, resulting resulting in in lost lost or or cancelled cancelled fixtures fixtures which which will will have have other other impacts impacts for for the the club club members members and and users, users, often often resulting resulting in in lost lost revenue. revenue. By By Laurence Laurence Gale Gale MSc MSc 14 15 Lack of effective aeration leads to poor root growth, poor grass growth and poor drainage All grass swards are grown on soil / sand profiles that provide the appropriate environment structure for plant growth. This growing medium, commonly known as soil, is made up of proportions of soil solids (mineral and organic material) and soil pores (water and air). Maintaining the correct balance of these components is critical for sustaining healthy plant growth. The spaces between the particles of solid material are just as important to the nature of soil as are the solids themselves (Brady & Weil 2002). It is in these pore spaces that air and water circulate, and help provide the plant with the necessary nutrients and air and water it requires to respire and grow. These pore spaces can vary in size and are generally classified into two sizes macro pores (larger than 0.08mm) and micro pores (less than 0.08mm). Macro pores generally allow movement of air and the drainage of water and are large enough to accommodate plant roots and micro-organisms found in the soil. The ability to retain a good balance of macro pores in soil structure is essential for maintaining grass plant health. It is when these macro pores are either reduced in size by compaction or filled with water that we see deterioration in pitch playability and resistance to wear. However, the main contributing factor that reduces and damages pore spaces in soil, is compaction, caused by compression forces normally associated with play and use of machinery, particularly during wet weather periods. Over time these compression forces reduce the pore spaces so that air, water and nutrient flow through the soil profile is restricted, and leads to many problems associated with compaction. Compaction can occur at varying depths. On winter games pitches there are two distinct types; one is compaction by treading (3060mm depth) and the other by smearing and kneading (30mm depth) when playing in the rain and bare soil surfaces (Adams & Gibbs 2000). Compaction has been measured down to depths of 120-150mm on horse racing courses. In addition, compaction caused by vehicles, and this includes mowers, greens irons and myriad other machinery designed to treat cultured turf these days, has been measured much deeper than 150mm. Greens and tees construction with heavy machinery, where minimum subsidence and a totally level surface is demanded can, in some cases, result in compaction panning as deep as 750mm. Quasi-compaction pans associated with black layer iron pan and similar chemically induced ‘compact’ zones also exisit. After all, they are impervious and prevent root growth just as well as any true compaction pan, can be a metre below the surface and develop wherever the soil chemistry and soil water oxygen content provides the correct (should that be incorrect) conditions. The extent of compaction is dependent on the soil type. Clay, clay loam, silt and sandy soils will all compact, but the majority of compaction problems are associated with the heavier soils (clay and clay loams). There are a number of methods available to measure soil compaction and hardness: • Cone penetrometers are devices that are pushed into the ground, measuring the resistance of the soil when inserting. • Taking soil samples using density rings to measure soil bulk density. • Clegg hammers that measures the impact of a weight dropped from a predetermined height. Other indicators of compaction are changes in visual appearance, performance and physical properties of the soil and surface: • Plantain weeds (Plantago major) seen in the surface generally indicate compaction problems. • An anaerobic soil condition is formed that reduces root growth and restricts micro organism activity. • Decreased water infiltration and reduced hydraulic conductivity that leads to surface water logging and ponding. • Saturated soils have reduced soil strength, which often results in loss of ground cover. The above conditions will adversely affect pitch playability in many ways, reduced ball speed, ball bounce, ball roll, player safety and, in the long term, damage the surface soil 23 Using a variety of aeration techniques and machines pitches are playable all year round structure, which may lead to expensive reconstruction costs. How do we aerate? www.groundsmanindustries.com To alleviate these compacted layers we need to consider a range of techniques and equipment that can encompass the different types of playing surfaces (fine turf and field turf facilities). The main aim of aeration is to penetrate the soil profile to create new macro pore space. This is achieved by several methods: • Using solid tines (Hand forks, Pedestrian and tractor mounted) • Using hollow / coring tines (that remove soil cores from the soil) • Using flat / star tines www.johndeere.co.uk • Disc / blade implements (linear aerators) • Compressed Air • Water systems • Deep drill • Drill and fill It is essential to include a variety of aeration techniques to prevent pan layers being created. This usually happens if you continue to use the same aeration tine / corer set at the same depth, and will result in a compacted layer forming at the base of tine / core depth. Most turfgrass managers try and vary methods of aeration, changing the depths, size and diameter of tines. The variety and choice of implements and devices now available is excellent, providing different tine sizes, operating widths and shattering features that can meet the requirements of any facility and, more importantly, do not disturb the playing surface and allow play to continue after use. With the demand for higher quality, all year round playing surfaces turfgrass managers are always interested in trying out new techniques to keep playing surfaces aerated. In recent years we have seen the development of compressed air and water aerators that offer deeper aeration than conventional aerators. When do we aerate? Aeration should be carried out on regular basis when weather and soil conditions allow. You may contribute to surface deterioration if you aerate during bad weather when the surface is saturated IS AUTUMN Earthquake Rotary Decompactors TM1 Walk Behind Vacuum Tornado Blowers Decompaction Clean-up Leaf Removal For further information or to request a demonstration contact: Tel: 01889 271503 sales@turfmech.co.uk www.turfmech.co.uk www.turfmech.co.uk 24 9 www.pitchcare.com/re and likely to smear. Timing is the key to successful aeration. Aeration is carried out to complement other seasonal renovation programmes, dethatching, and topdressing and over seeding usually completed in the spring and autumn. Normally only the deeper machines offer a heave action - machines that work down to a max of 100mm to 120mm deep do not normally have a heave facility. However those deeper machines that do have the facility can be used at any time of the year, varying the amount of heave, depth and tine diameter allowing reasonable playing surfaces to remain. The downside to heave is when it’s used in the wrong (too dry or saturated) conditions, when the heaving or fracturing that results, will be short lived. Hollow coring is generally done annually / biannually depending on the type of playing surface, and is used to remove thatch and reintroduce new materials to the playing surface. Compressed air systems work to relieve compaction in the top 5 ins of the soil, where most compaction is found, and can be used as frequently as necessary whereas deep compressed air de-compaction treatment, penetrating up to one metre below the surface is usually carried out to deal with panning below the reach of other aeration machines and should not be need to be repeated for 4 to 5 years. Aeration: • Improves soil surface drainage (water infiltration). • Helps to increase soil temperatures • Increases soil pore space. • Allows gaseous exchanges in the soil (oxygen, carbon dioxide) that improves root depth (growth and development). www.imants.com www.soilreliever.com The Ecosol Aero-fil System PROVIDING STATE-OF-THE-AR T AERATION AND DRAINAGE The Deep Drill 60/18 and Drill ‘n’ Fill aerators bring dramatic improvements to turfgrass quality, with unrivalled performance: • Drill, extract and backfill all in one action! • Improve infiltration, percolation and gas exchange up to 18" deep. • Bypass wet, spongy upper areas into freer draining, more structured soil beneath greens, tees and fairways. ALL THIS WITH NO DISRUPTION TO PLAY! For contract work, sales or a no obligation chat, call the UK & Europe’s sole importers today. • Aids integration of top dressings into soil profile • Aids the breakdown of thatch /organic matter • An aid to promoting better surface levels that will increase ball roll /speed • Aids surface firmness / dryness thus increasing ball bounce and surface grip 31 Castle Road Hythe Kent CT21 5HB Tel: 01303 267636 or 01666 861250 www.ecosolve.co.uk email: info@ecosolve.co.uk 10 www.pitchcare.com/re 25 www.toro.com GARETH ROGERS, Head Greenkeeper at Grimsby Golf Club “Since Terrain Aeration treated all 18 greens with their Airforce terralift machine in September 2005 they are looking good and in great shape - the Airforce machine does what it says on the tin.” IAN McMILLAN, Course Manager, Walton Heath Golf Club “Aeration on the golf course is the single most important job we do. I’m a great believer in aeration of all kinds. It promotes healthy root growth and that, in turn, provides healthy and strong grass plants. Deep aeration helps with drainage, allows water and air to the rootzone and provides compaction relief to heavily used areas.” DAVID GOWER, Head Groundsman, Bromsgrove Rugby Club “Deep aeration is an important area of grounds maintenance, improving drainage and aiding root development. Following a deep aeration programme last January the improvement in drainage on a very wet area of one of our pitches was particularly noticeable.” CHRIS MUSGRAVE, Estate Manager, Barbury Castle Estate. “We are renowned for the quality of our facilities here and it is really important that we keep our turf in the very best possible condition. The gallops can really suffer and that’s why I’ve purchased the new Terra Spike. The XF is much quicker over the ground than other machines, so it is much more productive. With 11 miles of gallops, it needs to be. After the horses have been over the ground, we hand fork the more severe areas, then use a roller to flatten the surface. Then we follow this with the XF aerator which helps relieve the compaction and improves drainage. It also allows air into the rootzone promoting healthy growth.” www.blec.co.uk www.ecosolve.co.uk www.turfmech.co.uk Where needles Adare! Paul McGinley says that the Adare Manor and Golf Resort course “is not just one of the best in Ireland, its one of the best in the world”- a statement not to be taken lightly. It’s also a testament to the dedication of Resort Superintendent Joe O’Flaherty and his greenkeeping team who manage the Robert Trent Jones designed 7,125 yards championship course set in 840 acres of rolling parkland and formal gardens within the 19th Century estate near Limerick. In 1999 Joe O’Flaherty designed and implemented a drainage and topdressing regime to ensure that the course was available all year round. The success of this was in no small way attributed to the deep aeration programme that was undertaken, initially using a contractor then followed by the purchase of a Wiedenmann Speedlink P160 aerator. “We are on a heavy clay base here”, said Alan MacDonnell, Assistant Resort Superintendent, “and Joe’s plan involved very intensive top dressing which has since created a 12.5 cm sandy rootzone. This, coupled with deep aeration to open up the clay base, has proved really effective and means that we are playable virtually every day of the year." The 8-year old Speedlink P160 has served the club admirably, but has recently been replaced with a Terra Spike XF, the very latest fast deep aerator from Wiedenmann UK. Purchased from local dealer, Seamus Weldon of Killarney, the new machine is up to three times faster than conventional machines and has provided significant benefits in a short timeframe. “The speed and quality of finish is superb”, continued Alan MacDonnell, “With the old P160 we could aerate one fairway a day, now we can get round the whole course in just 3½ days. The VibraStop anti-vibration system is excellent and we’ve gone for the hydraulic depth control option which makes it easy to adjust if the operator hits a hard area. It also frees up valuable time for other jobs.” The Adare Golf Course opened in 1995 and features rock-walled streams, undulating putting surfaces with the Jones signature clover leaf bunkers. A 14 acre lake dominates the front nine holes while the back nine is routed through wooded parkland. The River Maigue meanders through the course creating additional challenges. In 2000 the course hosted the inaugural Ladies World Cup of Golf, won by the Swedish pairing of Sophie Gustafson and Carin Hoch. In 2002 it was the venue for the A.I.B Irish Seniors Open, won by Seigi Ebihara and hosted the event again in 2003 and 2004. It was also the venue for the 2003 Smurfit Irish P.G.A Championship, which was won by Paul McGinley. In July, Adare was the venue for the JP McManus Pro-AM, which attracted top golfers from around the globe, with the eventual winner being Padraig Harrington. www.charterhouseturfmachinery.co.uk www.sisis.com www.wiedenmann.co.uk www.terrainaeration.co.uk How deep is your drill? In the situation of cricket wicket aeration: with the nature of the soil and loam that goes to compose a wicket, conventional solid or hollow tine work fails to penetrate more than a few inches. Deep Drill aeration can however drill into these hard surfaces with relative ease, giving all the benefits of aeration and root extension opportunities. It is the second of these points that is really helping improve cricket square performance as the deeper root structure has a binding effect within the soil profile. This has proven to reduce the movement between soil platelets (caused inadvertently by use of different loams over decades), thus giving a consolidating effect. The net results are healthier grass plants and wickets with more consistent surface firmness, i.e more uniform ball bounce There’s lovely The green, green grass of Tom Jones’ hometown, Pontypridd, in South Wales is making a rapid recovery, following the singer’s open-air concert to mark his 65th birthday. Pontypridd’s most famous son drew around 20,000 fans to Ynysangharad Memorial Park, in the town centre, at the end of May, for a homecoming concert, which marked the star’s first major appearance here since he became internationally known. According to Martin Sullivan, Outdoor Parks and Amenities Officer for Rhondda Cynan Taf Council it wasn’t the crowds that did the turf damage, but the construction and de-construction of the imported American stage. “Steel decking was laid onto the field as a track-way for the huge crane employed to construct and dismantle the stage,” he explains. “Due to the weight of the crane, (approx 20 tonne), once the event was over and the decking was lifted, we were left with a 50 mm depression over the surface area with severe compaction and water logging.” Sullivan, who had anticipated this kind of damage prior to the event, had already booked Suffolk based Terrain Aeration, who came in with the company’s Airforce machine, to administer deep, compressed air de-compaction treatment 12 days after the concert. “Our brief was to treat the sunken grass and as much of the rest of the adjacent football pitch as possible in a day,” said Terrain Aeration’s M.D. David Green. Working at 2 metre spacings to inject compressed air one metre down causing fractures and fissures to break up the soil, Terrain's Airforce machine was at first, hampered by the presence of boulders lying at about 250mm below the surface. “Progress in these adverse conditions was abysmally slow,” admits Green “with the power of the JCB hammer absolutely essential to make any progress whatever into the subsoil. Once full penetration to one metre depth was achieved there was suitable soil movement when the air blast was fired.” Fortunately the boulder layer was restricted to a strip, approximately 8 metres wide, after which it petered out into heavy clay. Once Terrain reached this point, the work rate increased 5 fold. Having treated approx. 2,200 sq. metres of the worst affected areas, and watched the surface water drain away, Terrain Aeration returned to Suffolk leaving the welsh ground staff to top dress and bring the depressed areas up to surface level. “The field dried out in 3 days,” said Sullivan. “We had good weather and our cricket outfield was back in play immediately. We hosted three major games for the Ladies European Championship this summer, and brought the football pitch back into play in late Augustready for the first matches in early September.” Having foreseen the adverse effects of this concert and acted accordingly, Sullivan will not think twice about repeating the performance. “We now know that any further concerts or events of this nature will require similar aeration treatment after the event,” he confirms. The boss has a ‘few’ words! How the Millennium Stadium’s modular system complements multi-use By DAVE SALTMAN It was way back in March that I last wrote an article about the on goings at the Millennium Stadium. Since that eventful Welsh Grand Slam win on the 19th, the stadium has played host to a great many more games and other non-grass events. It is easy to gloss over the fact that the LDV Cup Final, Konica Rugby Union Cup Final, FA Cup Semi-finals and Final, three divisional Play Off Finals were amongst many other corporate games and minor cup finals played between the end of March and the end of May. On Sunday 6th June the last of the spring’s grass sport in the form of The Legends Tribute rugby match was played. No sooner had the game finished and the posts removed, than our team of labourers started to cut the grass into four foot squares, mirroring each individual module underneath and then they were removed the forklift drivers. For those of you that aren’t aware, the pitch at the Millennium Stadium comprises 7388 high density plastic modules (or giant plant trays), filled with a drainage layer and growing medium of fibre root zone that rises above the module by approximately 75mm. The module depth is approximately 200mm. The start of this removal operation is always slow, due to the limited space initially available. However, once the first few articulated lorries get loaded with modules down in the bus bay, the space in the bowl opens up and everybody starts to work more efficiently. With a reasonable space cleared at the top of the access tunnel, the articulated lorries are then driven straight up into the bowl. For everyone concerned, including me, this was a first, and that evening was the start of a new learning curve. With the Speedway guys moving in the next morning, we had to work diligently and keep the modules The Millennium Stadium gets ready for the play-off finals Blocks out Moving the pallets ... still moving the pallets “It was a valiant effort, with so many people working incredibly hard - it taught us some very valuable lessons about the system” moving out. After the game, I had marked out on the centre of the pitch the oval shape that was to be left in, for the speedway track to be built around. We were leaving in just over 3000 modules for another week. Our deadline was midday on the Monday, and just to add to the pressure, there were penalty clauses in place if we weren’t finished. The articulated lorries were loaded with anything up to 60 modules at a time, and then transported to a Freightliner site about six miles from the stadium. The lorries arriving from the stadium were unloaded and the modules stacked three high. The weather was appalling on the night in question, and fortunately the stadium roof was closed. There was no such luxury at the rail terminal and the poor guys on the forklifts were working in atrocious conditions. The tall pylons of floodlighting seemed to be ineffective in the heavy squally rain and the guys found themselves unloading the lorries in a wet gloom by forklift headlights. By 6am Monday the last modules left the stadium and the ‘bowl’ was cleaned using a skid steer loader and then a road sweeper. The Speedway guys arrived at 8am, delighted that they could start the track and wall construction much earlier than anticipated. The following week, after the Speedway was finished, the haulage and forklift guys were back and the remaining modules were removed from the stadium and stacked at Freightliner as well. With the system stacked we decided to have a go at piecing a trial area together and successfully put a 15 x 15 matrix of modules together at the rail terminal. However, we had concerns about the integrity of the modules and also made an assessment of each of the modules that we randomly pulled from the stack. It is important to know that this system was installed into the Millennium Stadium in 1999 and was only the second GreenTech ITM system in use anywhere in the world. The only working example was at the Giants Stadium in New York, where two modular systems were in rotation. The Millennium system has therefore been in operation for about seven years, regularly moved in and out First few pallets in of the stadium. Each module has been lifted, stacked, transported, re-laid a fair number of times and many of the modules are starting to look tired and ready for replacement. The stadium hosted two concerts, REM and U2. after the speedway and then the Watchtower convention moved in for three days of worship. As soon as their equipment was removed on the 20th July, we were back into the stadium to start the major operation of importing and piecing together over 4000 tons of modules and material. I had organised a surveying team to come into the stadium the week before and they had set out the 'bowl' from scratch, working with original drawings of the pitch. On the Tuesday that we started, one of the surveyors helped us to place the first line of modules in correctly. This first row, as we now realised, had to be absolutely exact. On the first shift we took 10 hours to place about 280 modules. The night shift took over from us at 6pm, ably supervised by Lee Evans (Head Groundsman) and through the night they laid another 770. Each shift consisted of 7 forklift drivers and 16 men, divided into three laying teams of four with a couple of general labourers, putting out feet and cleaning as we went. There were also three lorries working around the clock bringing in the modules from the rail terminal and an extra forklift driver there to load the lorries with the drivers. On the Wednesday shifts nearly 2700 modules were placed, but we started to encounter problems of squareness again, and had to pull a few rows out and straighten the foot locator pads. By the Friday all the modules were in and we laid the concrete step blocks around the perimeter of the pitch. Given that this was our first attempt at piecing the pitch back together in the stadium, working to deadlines once again, I was extremely proud of the way the 45 or so staff had performed on the eight twelve hour shifts. I had allowed a gap of two days between us finishing and SF Hodgkinson coming in to prepare the surface prior to turfing, this was in case of unseen problems- in the end we didn’t need this luxury. The dead vegetation that still sat on Installing modules top of the modules was Koro’d off and removed (thank God - the smell permeated every edifice within the stadium), and then the fibre rootzone was tickled up with a four metre stone rake. Over two days SF Hodgkinson’s contractor Derek Crane, achieved excellent levels and the surface was now prepared for the turf. I had no reason not to retain the Dutch company, Hendriks, for the supply and installation of the pitch. Their workmanship and quality of the turf delivered to date has been exceptional. Due to the nature of fixtures and events at the Millennium Stadium, this new pitch was only going to be in for three major games, the Charity Shield, the Powergen Rugby League Cup Final and the Wales v England World Cup Qualifier (WCQ) on the 3rd September. It didn’t seem that the surface had been in more than five minutes before we started to strip it out again on the evening of the 3rd September. England had just won a less than memorable game and as the stadium cleared of supporters, we removed the goals, while other guys de-rigged cameras/cables and advertising hoardings. I had decided to strip off the turf with the Koro (a crying shame), before removing the modules. This was for a number of reasons. One, so that we didn’t have a layer of stinking vegetation sitting on the modules when they came back; secondly, the next move back in was again against the clock, and we would be struggling with time to complete all operations, so removing the turf in advance saved us time a few weeks later; and thirdly, the cost saving of not having to pay a lot of extra labourers to cut around each of the 7388 modules. The pitch was Koro’d twice through the Saturday night, the lads finishing at 6:30am. I stayed with them through the night, catching a couple of hours sleep on a sofa. At 8am the haulier (eight lorries) and the forklift drivers arrived, and immediately found it easier to pick up and stack the turf stripped modules. The team worked efficiently through the day and by 11pm the site was clear of modules and concrete edge blocks. The stadium tarmac was again cleared of spoil, and swept spotless with road sweepers. The next events due in were a Pitch in Palletts installed concert for Gay Pride and the GB Rally. We also had a banquet dinner on the 4th October and it was this dinner that was causing us the biggest dilemma. The Wales v Azerbaijan WCQ was on the 12th October and training for both teams would have to be catered for, potentially on the 10th and 11th. There was also a Barnardo’s Half and Full Marathon in the event schedule on Sunday 9th. This involved 7500 people running down into the stadium and around the pitch through the day. The banquet event was an evening affair and so the catering tents, staging, lighting towers, flooring, carpets, tables and chairs had to be removed afterwards, all completely gone by midday on the 5th. Effectively this gave us three and a half days to piece together half the modular system, grade the surface and turf it, to my mind a virtual impossibility. Long in advance, I’d liased with the commercial department and event organisers and we reached a happy compromise. This agreement meant that we could import four fifths of the modules in advance, and turf just under half the surface prior to the banquet. With everybody organised, we started reinstating the modules for the second time this year on the 22nd September, just 18 days after it had been removed. I have tried to retain the same lads on each move, allowing them all to gain the knowledge and experience of piecing the modules together successfully. From the forklift and lorry drivers to the teams laying in the modules, everyone now works competently. 12-hour shifts aren’t the best at any time, Grading the pallets but there is some great camaraderie now, even between the day and night shifts. All the modules were in place by Friday teatime and the blocks had been placed around the completed pitch area. We had left out about 1250 modules in total for the banquet, some off the North end and the rest in front of the tunnel. These two areas were for the catering tents, welcome area and concert staging. When we were finished, SF Hodgkinson graded the laid area and Hendriks laid just over 4500 square metres of turf. The turf this time is a mix of tall fescue and smooth stalk meadow grass. We have chosen this mixture because the pitch has to withstand a fairly hefty fixture list of four rugby internationals and at least ten training sessions in November. Lee Evans had flown over to Holland to view the turf, and was extremely pleased with its quality. He even brought some back, though I doubt if he’s the first to bring grass back through customs from Amsterdam! The turfing was down with a few days to spare before the banquet organisers started their event build. On Wednesday 5th October, I arrived at the stadium at 7am, to find that virtually none of the banquet event had been de-rigged, (just what you need when you have just a few days to get the pitch ready for a World Cup Qualifier. There were two lorries loaded and on the way over from the storage site and about twenty men turning up at 8am to get started. Although the original de-rig was supposed to be completed by noon, the event organiser had subsequently told me that apart from flooring everything else would be gone through the night. Anyway problems are there to be solved and we set the lads on various tasks to help the event organisers get their equipment out of the stadium. The first concrete blocks were removed at 1.30pm and the last event lorry was clear of the stadium for 3.30pm. By the time the day shift were changing over to the night shift only 300 modules had been laid. The nightshift worked tirelessly and by 6am Thursday there were about 40 modules and about 60 blocks left to place in. Derek Crane arrived on behalf of SF Hodgkinson to do the final surface grading at 7am. Although we were finishing the corner area off, we brought up some steel ramps and helped Derek to get the tractor and stone rake up on to the modules. He started to grade while we finished the corner area. The first turf lorry arrived at about 10am and by 2pm the first turf was being rolled out. Derek continued to stone rake in front of the turfing team and our day shift lads, cleared rubbish and swept up around the pitch and seating. At 11.45am Friday morning the last turf was cut in at the edge of the pitch and now Lee and Steve had the unenviable task of getting the newly laid turf ship shape for the following week’s game. Lee managed to move the Wales training session to Tuesday morning, with Azerbaijan training that evening. The game itself went well, Ryan Giggs scoring two cracking goals. The turf lines still showed on the cameras on the North end, but the turf laid the week before had married in nicely. The next events start in November, with four Saturdays of international rugby. Each of these games are preceded by a training session for each team, and I believe the Welsh squad will be looking for at least a couple of extra training sessions as well. I will write an update on how this turf coped with these events at the end of November, after we have taken the whole system back out for a two-month schedule of Motocross, concerts and parties. Given the nature and scale of events at the Millennium Stadium, it is quite hard to envisage another suitable operating system. The modular system has major benefits, in allowing virtually any event to be hosted at the venue. When you think that this year alone, there will have been 4 sell out concerts, three different motor sports as well as a full programme of football and rugby to name but a few events in the annual calendar. It has been a tremendous year, and I would like to personally thank the haulier Mark Rees, Ace Site Services (forklift drivers), Linde Severnside (forklifts) as well as Lee, Steve (Assistant Groundsman) and all the staff, who have given up their time to help on the pitch moves. We are now looking at the gradual replacement of old modules, so that the system can be revitalised. The full version of this article can be read on Pitchcare.com POWERFUL STUFF! Earth shaking garden and groundscare equipment from Pinnacle Power. They’re tough and they mean business. 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For further information and details of your local stockist contact the Sales Desk 01932 788799 www.pinnaclepower.co.uk PINNACLE POWER EQUIPMENT LIMITED The Barns, Watersplash Farm, Fordbridge Road, Sunbury-on-Thames Middlesex TW16 6AU Tel: 01932 788799 Fax: 01932 784487 Supplying the horticulture, groundscare and hire markets The lack of suitable drainage outfall is a headache for Hertfordshire County Council Gordon Jaaback, HCC’s Agronomist and Project Manager, explains how they overcame the problem Restricting DRAINAGE outfall ... The intention of secondary drainage installation on football pitches is to remove surface water as quickly as possible. Throughout the wet winters the aim is to provide firmer grounds that enable play to resume as soon as possible after rain. The problem arising on many existing undrained sites is the lack of a suitable drainage outfall. In urban areas many of the pitch developments and renovations are surrounded by residential properties with no natural watercourse present. Furthermore, the waste water authorities will not always permit drainage of grassed football pitches to enter their storm water pipe reticulations. Where outfall is permitted, it is to be controlled in accordance with MAFF/ADAS Reference Book 345. With heavy clay soils established to grass cover and slope not exceeding 2% the permissible outfall rate is in the region of 6 to 8 litres per second per hectare. Redevelopment at Borehamwood In a current pitch development for the Hertfordshire County Council in 32 Borehamwood, North London, the requirement on a 4 ha site was to restrict outfall into the storm water system to a rate of 20 litres per second. The site is a very wet one with firm plastic clay down to below 1.6m. There was a natural slope though undulating of nearing 2%. After stripping the topsoil, this gradient was laser-graded to maintain this fall across the direction of play. The very wet conditions proved difficult in early grading but the warmth over July and August helped to firm up the surface. The deeply-wet subsoil did confirm the need for the relatively deep storage drains to control underground water movement from the top to bottom pitch. In considering the extent of the rainfall to be allowed for, tables compiled by HR Wallingford were studied. It was agreed to consider the highest precipitation within a 5 year return period for the duration of 30 minutes. This was established at 21mm. To cope with this concentrated rainfall, estimates were first made of the water that would be retained before run-off commenced. This quantity would comprise that amount that was withheld in the grass cover, the amount held in the microdepressions of the soil surface and the amount taking up all the voids in the slit and lateral drainage installation. Totalling between 8 to 12 mm the run-off quantity was therefore estimated at 12mm. Attenuation Three attenuation (temporary water storage) trenches measuring 1m wide and 1.6m deep were filled with 40mm stone within a geotextile to 1m depth. Above this there was a 300 mm depth of root-zone material, the surface of which formed the invert level of a grassed swale 300 mm deep with side-slopes of 1:10. The temporary storage capacity of the three stone-filled trenches and swale design would more than adequately contain the 12mm of water run-off from each pitch and further ensure that the bottom pitch did not accumulate any surface or underground surplus water for the pitch above it. Gulley drains installed into the root-zone further enable the maximum intake of all the water that the stone-filled trenches could hold without undue delay. Constructed between June and September 2005 the pitches have still to establish but to date all surplus water run-off has been satisfactorily controlled. In order to improve the porosity of the clay loam soil three applications of gypsum were made each at 5 tons per hectare. Slit drains at 1m spacing are to be installed in May and thereafter sand dressings will be made annually for the first five years at least. The established swales have proved to be a positive means of controlling and temporarily storing surface water flow and with a depth of 300mm and shallow gradient on either side, they are easily mowed without any scalping. Urban redevelopments Urban redevelopments are currently a priority and the provision of an adequate drainage outfall or temporary storage is a main concern where properties below the site would be subject to damage from flooding. Attenuation systems assist in controlling and restricting peak-flow outfall rates. Yet outfall to lower ground is inevitable on heavy clay soils at the time of persistent rains in the winter. The great benefit of attenuation is the ability to limit this flow rate to one that would be expected from a greenfield site. The calculations in accordance with the MAFF/ADAS No 345 publication ensure that an outfall can be created to adjoining lower ground where no natural watercourse exists - at a rate that would be reasonably expected if the site had not been developed. urban redevelopments are currently a priority Trilo vacuum, sweep, scarify, cut, spread and blow! The world’s No 1 in Vacuum Sweepers With 35 years’ experience and a range of quality machinery, it’s easy to see why Trilo is the world-leader in vacuum sweepers. Built to an extremely high standard, the wide choice of models and numerous options available ensures you can trust Trilo to make your job easier and more efficient. Trilo have a range of quality high specification groundcare equipment which offers the complete solution for scarifying, cutting, spreading and blowing. HIRE, SALES, PARTS & SERVICE SG700 SG400 SF150 bl960 Call us today for a demo Trilo UK Ltd Wadebridge Farm, Landwade Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7NE Tel: (01638) 720123 Fax: (01638) 720128 www.trilo.co.uk 12 www.pitchcare.com/re 33 Trust McMillan Bournemouth’s bowling greens are in the safe hands of Operations Officer Chris McMillan. Laurence Gale MSc finds out about his maintenance regime T he residents of Bournemouth have no excuse for missing out on their sporting exercise, with 17 individual bowling greens at 12 sites around the borough open for casual play between 10am and half an hour before sunset seven days per week, from the end of April to the end of September. Sixteen of these bowling facilities are maintained by Bournemouth Borough Council, utilising the expertise of their fine turf greenkeepers, headed up by Chris McMillan, the Operations Officer. Chris has been working for Bournemouth Borough Council for 15 years. He started on the grounds maintenance educational round, looking after the school grounds and sports pitches. After working on the schools for 3 years Chris became interested in fine turf and went to college at Sparsholt for four years and achieved NVQ levels 2 & 3 in sports turf maintenance and management. Last year he obtained NVQ level 4 and hopes to start the IOG National Diploma next year. In his role of Operations Officer he takes responsibility for managing 50% all the sports facilities in the Borough, 34 overseeing the needs and requirements of 16 full time staff and an extra 4 seasonal staff in the summer months. Bournemouth is a unitary authority and maintenance operations are done in house, and only involve external contractors when needed. All Chris’s staff presently working on bowling greens are trained to a NVQ level in sports maintenance or have a number of invaluable years experience. His responsibilities include the bowling greens, numerous football and rugby pitches and Green Flag awarded Parks within the Borough. Chris and his staff have transformed the quality and playing characteristics of their bowling greens by paying more attention to thatch levels. An aggressive de-thatching programme has been implemented since the purchase of a Graden Scarifier in 2002. Previously, the method of removing sub surface thatch on bowling greens was to hollow core twice a year with 13mm x 125mm tines at 50mm spacing. Whilst this method was tried and tested, and reasonably successful, the ensuing results they have achieved with the Graden are outstanding. Chris assesses every green and will tailor his maintenance regime to the condition and requirements of each of them. One of his main aims is to promote and maintain a high density of fescue and bents whilst at the same time reducing Poa dominancy. The Graden is now used once a month during the playing season with 1mm blades on the diagonal. In the autumn renovations they change the rotary shaft to 3mm blades and do two passes. Chris’s biggest problem has been to persuade his staff and the end users that the cosmetic damage after using the machine does not harm the surface. Once the green has been blown of debris and cut the surface is acceptable for play. Chris has also noted some other added benefits from using the Graden: • Reduction in worm activity (not all greens!). • Improved aesthetics and playability of the greens. Add some ‘autumnal magic’ to your site “the biggest problem has been to persuade the staff and the end users that the cosmetic damage after using the Graden does not harm the surface” • A firmer surface. • Increased root biomass. • Reduced stressed areas (areas of dry patch). • Improved surface water drainage. • Provides a better seed bed during autumn renovations. Also, he has not had to hollow core his greens, and he has noticed a reduction in crane fly larvae. He used to get large infestations on the greens because the cranefly used to lay their eggs in the holes in the soil profile. With the deeper and increased root mass the grass plant is more able to tolerate drought conditions which, in turn, has reduced the number of times they have had to water the greens this year. The main benefit, however, has been the ability to raise and maintain the height of cut at 6mm throughout the playing season and still produce a fast, true playing surface for the bowlers. Chris’s maintenance regime starts in March/April before the season begins when he implements his spring renovations - light scarifying, topdressing using 3-5 ton per green and over seeding the bare areas. No topdressing is carried out during the playing season as the dressings could possibly damage the woods. A combination of aeration, scarifying and feeding continues throughout the playing season April - September, and involves the following operations shown in the table below. Operation Occasions Scarifying with Graden using 1 mm tines Once a month Scarifying using a thatchaway to a depth of 2mm Fortnightly Solid tine aeration using a JD Aercore 800 Fortnightly One application of slow release fertilizer spead at 50gm Preferred ratio 24-5-10 At the start of the season. April Liquid feed if necessary. Preferred ratio 8-10-10 Late August Cutting height 6mm with groomers set 1mm above ground level 3 times per week Switching/Drag brushing Daily 2 Marcus C. Jones, Senior Horticulturist, Trentham LAURENCE Gale recently descended on the gardens at Trentham in a whirlwind of infectious enthusiasm for this publication. He talked voraciously, dished out cards and magazines, raced out questions at a fairly impressive rate of knots and finished off asking me to write ‘something horticultural’ that would be relevant to the magazine’s readership. After a couple of days thought on the matter I decided to oblige. My first problem was deciding what on earth to write that could be of interest to those mainly looking after sports facilities. I needed an angle of some description. After a couple of days scratching my chin, looking at local golf courses, driving past football and rugby pitches the answer just jumped out at me as being surprisingly simple. What many sites seemed to lack were interesting plants and plantings that could add to the amenity value of the place. So, for this edition I’ve decided to recommend a selection of four excellent trees for autumn interest. These will all add some horticultural ‘spice’ to any location and, of course, enhance the quality of the landscape. Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) • A slow growing, deciduous tree that is fully hardy in the British Isles. • The foliage of this tree turns yellow, orange and red in the autumn. • It grows to about 8 metres tall with a spread of about 10 metres. • It prefers full sun, grows best in a fertile but well drained soil and will tolerate alkaline, neutral or acid soils but ‘colours up’ best in acidic conditions. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) • This tree is slow growing, hardy and originally introduced from the U.S.A. • The striking foliage turns a beautiful butter yellow in autumn. • This tree is large growing up to 30 metres with a spread of 15 metres. • It requires full sun, although it will grow in semi-shade and prefers a deep, well drained soil. Tupelo (Nyssa sinensis) • A fairly quick growing deciduous tree. • The foliage turns a brilliant crimson in the autumn, especially after a hot summer. • It grows to about 10 metres with a spread of about 7 metres. • It will grow in sun or semi-shade and prefers a moist, neutral to acid soil. Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) • A medium vigour, deciduous tree with maple like foliage. • The leaves turn orange, red and yellow in the autumn. • This tree will grow to be 20 metres tall with a spread of about 10 – 15 metres. • It will grow in sun or semi-shade but prefers a moisture retentive soil. LPG - is there a future? Legislation will strengthen position say Hayter MENTION LPG to anyone involved in groundscare and you will get many different responses. “The modern diesel is a much better alternative than LPG.” “LPG is ok in theory but in practice it doesn’t work.” “I know somebody who ran a fleet of vehicles on LPG and they had nothing but trouble.” If you are lucky somebody will say. “With the need for equipment to be more environmentally friendly, there is a place for LPG but existing LPG powered vehicles are not up to the mark.” So what are the facts about LPG? The problem with traditional fuels such as petrol or diesel is that they produce harmful emissions. Diesel engines, commonly used in groundscare because of low running costs, emit high levels of Oxides of Nitrogen and Particulate Matter which are harmful to human health. Emissions of pollutants from vehicles powered by LPG are significantly lower than diesel powered vehicles. Much is promised for the future with vehicles fitted with fuel cells running on hydrogen with no emissions apart from water. That technology is here already but it will be many years before the costs become viable for mass production. Significant improvements have been made in both petrol and diesel engines in the last few years in respect of their efficiency and emissions. That situation will continue but progress will be gradual and emissions have to be cut quickly. In the groundscare industry the case for converting a petrol powered vehicle to run on LPG is straightforward. The cost of duty free LPG, around £0.26 per litre, is reason alone for the conversion. With no perceptible difference in performance between the two fuels, the savings on fuel soon justify the installation costs. The situation is totally different with diesel. (Incidentally a diesel engine cannot be converted to run on LPG; the ignition system precludes that.) With red diesel available in bulk at around £0.29 per litre the only difference between the two fuels is that of emissions. That is reason enough so why does the diesel still reign supreme? Hayter have strong views on that. Traditionally, existing standard machines have been converted to run on LPG; or a diesel engine has been replaced with an automotive petrol engine which is then converted to run on LPG. Often these products have not performed well and the problems have been put down to LPG itself. Hayter, who see an increasing demand for environmentally friendly LPG powered products, have come at it from a different perspective. Their new LT324G uses a General Motors 1600cc industrial engine which develops 44 hp and is specifically designed for LPG and has an installation approved by General Motors. This machine, outwardly similar to the highly successful LT324, apart from the two LPG tanks either side of the engine, is already beginning to dispel the myths regarding LPG. More powerful, and significantly quieter, it performs as well and, in some cases better, than its diesel equivalent. There is still a great deal of work to be done to convince the commercial user on the merits of LPG. However, Hayter believe the position of all manufacturers will be strengthened by the inevitable continual legislation to reduce harmful emissions which cause so much damage to our environment. Tri-maximum LOCAL authorities have the difficult task of grooming parks and many sports grounds to the satisfaction of local residents. With increasing demand on public services this task is not as easy as it may seem with wet weather, rapid spring growth and tough mowing conditions. Luckily for many local authorities throughout the UK they have Trimax to make their job a lot easier. Trimax Mowing Systems produces a range of commercial mowers that have been designed for and tested in the toughest municipal applications. The Stealth mower has been an indispensable machine for many authorities for years. The 3.4m wide Series 2 Stealth now provides increased wing flotation for following ground contours and is tough enough to handle difficult conditions. Yet despite its strength and rugged construction it produces a superb cut finish thanks to LazerBladez, and full width striping, a real benefit where sports grounds are concerned. For wide area mowing the Trimax Pegasus tri-deck rotary mower is unparalleled for productivity and versatility, grooming everything from high profile golf courses to council reserves. Available in 4.93 and 6.10m wide models with an optional full electro-hydraulic lift control system you can be sure that Trimax has the perfect model for all wide area mowing requirements. For maintaining smaller or more confined areas the Trimax FlailDek is ideal. This out-front mowing deck produces an excellent cut in long or short grass and can be easily manoeuvred around trees and over kerbs. Days OFF! ... or what Pitchcare contributors get up to out of office hours STEVE ROUSE, Head Groundsman, Warwickshire CCC - I got into cricket more by chance than design. I was 16 years old, just moved to Birmingham from south Wales, and was waiting for my pal who was playing cricket at Warwickshire’s indoor school. The coach said I might as well join in and I had a bowl. He told me to come back on the Monday and I was offered a 2 year contract on the groundstaff as an apprentice cricketer. At 18 I signed as a professional and spent 16 years with the club. My father wasn’t too happy because, at the time, I was at college training to be an RAF pilot. Both my father and uncle were fighter pilots in the war, so flying is in the blood. I love flying, I got my pilot’s license but I haven’t flown for 10 years or so, the cost became too prohibitive. Supporting the Welsh rugby team is a favourite hobby of mine and I go to watch them as often as possible. I also like a game of golf because it brings you down to earth, but I only play 3 or 4 times a year. We have 3 kids (all moved out thank God), so Gill, my wife, and I go out to Cape Town whenever we can. We’ve got a place there, it’s a fantastic part of the world. Sometimes Gill goes off skiing; I tried it once but it’s not for me, I hate the cold! My eldest daughter, Tash, is getting married next year 4 days before we have a Test match at Edgbaston. As if I won’t have enough stress! So any spare time coming up will be spent working, so that I can pay for the wedding! Zero-turn mower has helped cut mowing times by up to 50 per cent. commercial and industrial sectors and now employs close to 50 staff, providing a comprehensive landscape development, sportsground construction and grounds maintenance service to local authorities, construction companies and businesses throughout Ireland. “Having looked at and discussed the various merits of zero-turn, we took the decision earlier this year to bring in the Kubota ZD28 for assessment” said Redmond. “Although we did not have a great deal of specific work for it initially, the machine has been in action three or four days a week continuously throughout the season, enabling the staff to get used to the mower and its controls. All in all, the mower has impressed with its speed and ease of operation and tremendous manoeuvrability.” As to the future Redmond says that the time savings produced by the ZD28 could prove the answer both to reducing costs while also meeting customers’ demand for more frequent mowing schedules to keep on top of increased grass growth at the height of the season and following wet weather. “Kubota and their local dealer, Irish Grass Machinery, have always responded extremely well to our queries and service requests,” he concluded. "Although the zero-turn steering system takes a little getting used to initially, the machine’s workrate speaks for itself. You could say that we are most impressed with its all-round abilities.” Mower’s ‘all-round’ abilities impress IRELAND’S leading commercial landscaping firm is confident that Kubota ZD28 ride-on zero-turn mowers will become the mainstay of its grass-cutting fleet over the next two to three years. This belief is based on the impressive results being achieved by the company’s first machine which is producing time-savings of up to 50 per cent on some of the firm’s more demanding mowing contracts. Based at Mulhaddart, near Dublin, Redlough Landscapes was founded in 1983 by skilled horticulturists Liam Redmond and Liam Loughnane. Starting off with residential work, the business quickly expanded into the 13 www.pitchcare.com/re Z-Cat now has sense of Humus THE successful SCAG ‘Z-Cat’, that was introduced at the start of this year, is now available with the Humus safety cutting deck in 36” format The deck’s unique milling/cutting action, using a spiral with peripheral teeth that rotates at 7000rpm, means that debris such as rubble, glass and golf balls is ejected safely from the side. the deck is robust enough to cut through really tough and high grass. 37 WATER management The Met Office has announced that October was the ninth month in the last eleven to receive belowaverage rainfall, making 2005 so far one of the driest years on record by Alastair Mitchell Few would dispute that Britain’s climate is changing and that the traditional cycle of the seasons is shifting in sometimes unpredictable ways. If the recent past tells us anything, it is that water is becoming an increasingly precious commodity - one that grounds managers and greenkeepers, who are responsible for managing it on outdoor sport facilities, must use prudently. An 18-hole golf course for example will use typically between 80 and 140m3 a night at peak demand: a football pitch meanwhile will consume 30m3 a night during summer overseeding. The quantity of water applied to turf varies from club to club and pitch to pitch of course but the deciding factors in the water usage and management equation remain common to each - those of ambient temperature, evaporation rate, solar radiation and evapotranspiration of grass. To this list, grounds managers must add another factor that is assuming ever greater prominence within their reckoning, namely the price of water. Facilities now pay around £1/m3 for mains water, says Roger Davey, Managing director of independent irrigation consultants Irritech Limited and chairman of the British Turf and Landscape Irrigation Association, but recent research suggests that this figure could rise dramatically over the next 10 to 15 years. “Grounds managers are becoming wiser about how they source their water, and more aware of the implications of using it,” he says. “We are all now seeking recyclable and sustainable alternatives to sourcing everything from water companies, as sportsgrounds pay water rates just like you or I.” Despite the seemingly low rainfall affecting some areas of Britain, Davey maintains that there is “plenty of water around”. It is, however, becoming “an expensive commodity” - the reason why clubs are looking to source their own by abstraction, he says. The alternatives range from winter boreholes, which can be anything from 25 to 125m deep, to winter bournes, springs that are active only when the water table wells up in winter. Clubs can then store this abstracted water in storage reservoirs. “All clubs consider abstraction within their water management regime” Davey says, “although they should view it within their long-term strategy as lead-in times can be lengthy. It can take up to four years before clubs start to abstract water,” Davey said. “They would need to secure planning permission and an abstraction licence before they proceed.” Any club considering this route will have to do their homework as in some regions the Environment Agency (EA) will not allow any more water to be abstracted from aquifers. Regions differ and every case is judged on its merits, although the Catchment Area Management Strategy (CAMS) national framework offers guidance but should be viewed within the EA’s vision of sustainability within different environments. “Domestic drinking water is the priority for the EA” maintains Jon Jinks, Managing Director of Osprey Irrigation Ltd, who supplies turnkey systems for fine turf, sportsfield and landscape irrigation, as well as closed loop recycling equipment. “It must continue to remain free flowing and to be delivered at the volumes that now apply” he said. “Sportsturf is low on the EA’s list of priorities and the intention is to stagger charging rates accordingly.” Research conducted by Osprey at an 18-hole North Wales golf course about a year ago showed that the annual cost for buying mains water could rise from some £12,000 to £120,000 by 2012, a ten-fold increase. “This is the best case scenario and assumes that the course is using water efficiently,” Jinks said. “Water companies will price sportsturf customers out of the market as supplies will be ring-fenced for drinking water, which will remain at a lower fixed price.” With no affordable mains water available, grounds managers must look to new ways of sourcing their water, he advises. Inevitably, clubs will have to turn their attention to what is currently an untapped resource ‘grey water’, which includes rainwater and road and field run-off, as well as treated effluent from clubhouses and other facilities. “Water managers must start to seriously consider this option” he says. “Bore holes will not necessarily be viable for the same reason. A club could spend £30,000 on digging the hole and find that their licence is not “We all need to look at waste. It is an environmental more than a greenkeeping issue and there can be no excuses for it.” renewed in five years because of ring-fencing of the supply. They would do better to research collecting grey water.” Protecting water supplies earmarked for domestic use is designed to ensure that everyone has enough to drink but is also aimed at encouraging clubs to recycle. “Recycling will be the only way to save money over the next decade and beyond - that and collection of grey water will pay for themselves many times over in the coming years,” Jinks believes. There is another key process - of particular concern for local authority run clubs - that has to occur before recycling becomes the rule rather than the exception, as Jinks explains. “Local authorities have large maintenance budgets but little money to invest. This has resulted in clubs using a confusing and often inefficient mish-mash of irrigation systems, even on the same green. Many systems date back to the 1970s. Modern theories of water application - that it should proceed at precipitation rates - were still a long way off, and water was applied in measures of time.” “This method is difficult to work with, especially now, as the systems have been updated inconsistently, leaving many sprinklers with a variety of different heads across greens. Applied over, say, ten minutes, with all the applicators sprinkling different amounts, you’ve got an inconsistent application.” “The result is overwatering in some areas and underwatering in others” says Jinks, “with little regard for what the turf actually requires.” “You need to water at the precipitation rate to maintain the turf just at water holding capacity. To do this, the evapotranspiration rate needs to be established, which can be done from the local meteorological centre, then top up the turf accordingly.” The only way to achieve efficiency, and to stay on the right side of the local water authority, is to apply a uniform amount of water to greens, on a millimetre per hour basis. “Club managers, for example, will need records of all this activity when they come to apply for, say, a borehole licence. Local authorities insist on efficiency.” Becoming water efficient will not be the preserve solely of wealthy clubs, Jinks believes. Most will find a system to suit their budget and their needs. “Facilities could spend around £60,000 - half on a PC-based control centre, which can link directly to the Met Office, and the rest on radio controlled moisture sensors and sprinklers; or they could buy a wallmounted controller for £2,000 and a weather station for £500. An upgrade of existing sprinklers will bring the spend up to £3,000, and the system will soon earn its money back. And by recycling, facilities are set to save even more energy and money.” “The issue of wasted water and how to reduce the quantity lost from sportsgrounds and clubs is weighing increasingly heavily on managers and groundsmen” says Davey. “We all need to look at waste. It is an environmental more than a greenkeeping issue and there can be no excuses for it.” “With new technology in place, groundsmen can control individual sprinklers rather than just saturating areas that look like they need it. The new systems are computerised and use accurate electric valve and head sprinklers that deliver a more target load of water. Grounds managers can even use GPS and satellite images to target their turf. As technology improves, so does efficiency.” “Irrigation is an environmental issue more than domestic use for example, not just because of volume, but also because of where the water goes after use” Davey adds. “In the home, used water goes to wash down the drain and is returned to the water company. Water used for irrigation evaporates and condenses in a cooler climate. For this reason, there is extensive legislation stating what can and can’t be done. Managers have to consider everything, from by-law compliance to abstraction licences. Again you need to do your homework, particularly after the Water Regulations Act 2003.” “Recycling of water is set to become a major factor in water management strategies, both as a way of Hydroscape’s water management system conserving resources and reducing pollution” says Dave Mears, a director of Course Care, one of several companies who specialise is water-recycling equipment and who produce systems designed to be not only efficient but also environmentally sound. “Grounds managers have to observe the Ground Water Regulation Act of December 1998,” he said. “Waste water is not allowed to enter the ground with certain contaminants included in ‘List One,’ that is, oils and hydrocarbons.” “This applies particularly to washing down turfcare equipment,” Mears adds. “Whenever you do this, diesel, petrol, grease and oil will be washed on to the ground. It is your responsibility to ensure that they end up in the right place.” What then do groundsmen and greenkeepers need to do to stay within the law? “Until recently, groundsmen might have thought it was acceptable to stand a machine on hard ground and wash it down there,” said Mears. “It isn’t, as this still contaminates and pollutes. Every facility with turf care equipment now requires a dedicated washoff area, which is either kerbed or slopes into a collection sump or grass / sand trap to remove the grass clippings and dirt etc. from the wash water. The potentially contaminated wash water then passes into either a Class 1 Interceptor or a Closed Loop Recycling Wash-Off System. Tim Earley, Managing Director of Waste2Water agrees, adding, “Recycling has to be the preferred choice for the majority of maintenance facilities as Interceptors (Oil / Water Separators), which merely separate oils and hydrocarbons from water, are no longer legal if chemicals or a pressure washer are used. An Interceptor does not remove chemicals from water and a “Every groundsman and greenkeeper has to know precisely the boundaries that he or she is working in” Above: Carden Park Golf Club’s Environmental Activity Centre supplied by ESD Waste2Water Left: Integrated fuel storage and washpad recycling by Course Care at Ashby Decoy Golf Club Right: Small Equipment Wash Station from ESD Waste2Water pressure washer emulsifies oils etc., allowing them to pass through the Interceptor. In practise this means that for most equipment maintenance facilities installation of an Interceptor is no longer a valid option.” David Mears adds, “the disadvantage of an Interceptor is that it will gradually fill with contaminants and needs pumping regularly – between every six months and every two years, depending upon use. This is clearly an imperfect solution as no facility wants a buildup of pollutants. Recycling seems a good option. There are a number of companies supplying Recycling Wash-Off systems, all working on the same principal of digesting (eating) the contaminants biologically using specially selected microbes. These systems produce quality recycled wash water for continuous use, reducing wash water usage by a massive 90%. “An 18 hole golf course could save £800 a year by installing a recycling system,” Mears calculates. Golf course and larger maintenance facilities have a range of established recycling wash-off systems available, but what are the implications of this new legislation for the smaller facilities found at the majority of football and cricket grounds, which only have a small amount of equipment and are often limited for space. One answer may be the new Small Equipment Recycling Wash Station from Waste2Water. Tim Earley, commented “The Groundsman Wash Station is specially designed for washing hand mowers and smaller equipment, removing the need for a dedicated concrete wash pad. We believe this is the perfect answer for football clubs, cricket grounds and other facilities with a small amount of equipment. The ‘Plug & Go’ design allows for easy installation in the tightest of spaces.” Perhaps the greatest benefit of installing a recycling system however is peace of mind as recycling reduces waste and pollution, so benefiting the environment. “You can also be sure that you will not be prosecuted for polluting the local river or lake,” Mears says, but he believes that it is only a matter of time before a case is brought. “Until now, nobody has been prosecuted. Sooner or later there will be a case, and every club will have to fall in line by installing recycling equipment.” He estimates that fewer than 20% of clubs have a recycling system. “A class one interceptor is legal now, but for how long? The restrictions are getting increasingly stringent and interceptors will become obsolete as the EA’s demands tighten. There has been one well-known case in Australia, and the same will happen here.” “There is an increasing awareness of how strict the legislation is. Every groundsman and greenkeeper has to know precisely the boundaries that he or she is working in.” 14 www.pitchcare.com/re LAW WHAT’S REQUIRED OF YOU TO COMPLY WITH LEGAL AND HEALTH & SAFETY LEGISLATION New Sex Discrimination Regulations in force 1 October 2005 saw the introduction of the Employment Equality (Sex Discrimination) Regulations 2005. For employers in England, Wales and Scotland the regulations tighten the rules on how businesses deal with issues of sex discrimination. The Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) now requires employers to make it clear to staff that any behaviour that might offend another person, violate their dignity or create a hostile environment could be unlawful. The amendments include: • A new definition of indirect sex discrimination. • Prohibition on harassment and sexual harassment. • Clarification that less favourable treatment of women on grounds of pregnancy or maternity leave is unlawful sex discrimination. • An amended exception to the SDA, whereby an employer could refuse to offer a particular job to someone who was intending to undergo, was undergoing or had undergone gender reassignment. The regulations expand the definition of sex discrimination and spell out the way a person’s dignity can be violated by a hostile, degrading or offensive environment. So, for example, a colleague making remarks about a woman’s appearance could be accused of sexual harassment. Employers must now provide a working environment free from victimisation and harassment on sexual grounds, and this includes office parties and events. The amendments will mean people will have to be careful during and after celebratory occasions in case they make uncalled for comments, lewd remarks, indecent proposals or rude suggestions that might be taken the wrong way. If a person claims they have suffered discrimination or harassment, employers are obliged to respond to their complaint within eight weeks. If they fail to do so, it could count against them in an employment tribunal. Mobile phones - consider the Health & Safety issues I am worried about ur safety so get back to work It is accepted that mobile phones are often used at work. They can have benefits for safety, efficiency and convenience of employers and staff. Lone workers for example are able to call for assistance and be contactable as necessary. Since December 2003, it has been an offence to use a handheld phone, or similar device, when driving. These regulations, however, only apply to the drivers of motor vehicles on the road. They do not cover the use of tractors, sit on mowers etc. driven on sports fields, parks etc. Employers have legal duties to protect the health and safety of their employees and the general public. The Health and Safety Executive advises employers that they should instruct staff not to use mobile phones while driving, or doing anything else where safety is important and their use might interfere with concentration. This ‘anything else’ can cover the use of any machinery/equipment, and ‘doing’ can include any other potential distraction such as listening to ipods. There is a responsibility on the employer to provide the employee with clear, written guidelines on what is acceptable and what is not acceptable at work. Similarly, the employee has a duty to take reasonable care to safeguard their own health and safety as well as that of others and a duty to cooperate with their employers on all matters relating to Health & Safety. Many employers have banned the use of mobile phones and ipods during work hours, and unauthorised use is a disciplinary offence. It may seem draconian but, bearing in mind the possible injury that could occur to the employee, fellow worker or passer-by, it is also the most sensible approach. The Health & Safety Executive advise not to use mobile phones where safety is important Horticulturalists the world over have been encouraging earthworms in the soil for years, but the turfgrass industry has always seen them as a pest. Why is it that groundsmen and greenkeepers hate and fear earthworms so much? Should they really be that concerned about all of them? How can they control them? Cranfield Centre for Sports Surfaces has taken on the challenge to answer these questions. EARTHWORMS eat soil, and lots of it. They can eat up to 30 times their own body weight every day which passes out of the other end as fertile, well structured aggregates. There are normally about 300 earthworms below a square metre of turf, and the burrows that earthworms create and live in improve the drainage of soil. Earthworms also eat thatch and other organic material in the soil so they can reduce thatch build up. Earthworms help to complete nutrient cycles in the soil, reducing the need for inorganic fertilisers. A healthy earthworm population has the same effect as adding 100 kg of nitrogen fertiliser per hectare every year because they free nutrients from the soil. Not all earthworms behave the same way, only deep burrowers earthworms are a pest to turfgrass because of the casts that they leave on the playing surface. There are 25 different species of earthworm found in the United Kingdom, but only three are deep burrowers causing this problem, the most common is Lumbricus terrestris. Nonsurface casting earthworms are beneficial for turf growth, being responsible for the majority of the nutrient recycling and thatch breakdown. the number of earthworms found; they prefer clay soils and are less frequently found in sandy soils. Earthworm Habitats Control of Earthworms Earthworms can survive in a wide range of conditions, but most earthworm activity is dependent on the quality of food available and the season. Deep burrowing earthworms will thrive where clippings are not boxed since food is always available. During the year when soil temperatures are at their lowest and highest earthworms go into a form of hibernation where they do not eat and can not move. This is why there are more problems with earthworms in the spring and autumn. The soil pH affects where earthworms are found and in strongly acid or alkaline soils earthworms are rarely seen (pH less than 4.5 or greater than 8). The soil texture will also affect Historically, earthworms have been controlled chemically, killing all earthworms in the turf. The most widely used chemical was chlordane, an organochloride, now banned due to it’s wide ranging toxic effects and persistence in the environment. Other chemicals such as benomyl, carbendazium, thiabendazole and thiophanate-methyl (all of which are primarily fungicides) have an effect on earthworm populations. Research has shown that thiophanate-methyl is the most effective at reducing casting. All these fungicides are considerably less effective at earthworm control than chlordane. Earthworms in Turfgrass Farmers encourage deep burrowing earthworms to thrive in their fields because of all the nutrient benefits they give, but casts on the surface of turf cause groundsmen and greenkeepers several problems. Deep burrowing earthworms generate casts that spoil the appearance of the turf surface that customers have paid to play on. More than this, if casts are then pushed across the surface by mowers or trodden underfoot then they can create patches of turf that are hard to revive and can also cause problems with drainage. On sandy soils this can also blunt mower blades. Another problem is that deep burrowing earthworms can move weed seeds from within the soil to the surface where they are able to germinate. Earthworm casts provide ideal conditions for germination; they are loosely packed, moist and full of nutrients. Even if the seeds are not in the soil, the earthworm casts provide a perfect tilth for wind blown weed seeds to germinate. EARTHWORMS Some groundsmen and greenkeepers use a different approach, trying to make the soil unsuitable for earthworms. This is achieved in two ways: the available food is reduced, by boxing grass clippings; and the soil is acidified using sulphur-based fertilizer thus lowering pH. The disadvantage of this approach is that soil unsuitable for earthworms is also unsuitable for turf, which can struggle to grow. Prior to the widespread use of chlordane, one way earthworms were controlled was using chemicals that forced the deep burrowing earthworms to the surface. The chemical irritates the earthworms which come up to the surface. The draw back with this method is that the earthworms then need to be collected and disposed of. The Solution? Groundsmen and greenkeepers are always trying to strike a balance between the positive and negative effects of earthworms. Everybody wants the increased aeration, drainage and nutrient cycling advantages of having the earthworms present, but nobody wants the problems associated with casting. Soil scientists at the Cranfield Centre for Sports Surfaces and the National Soil Resources Institute have been researching this problem, by trying to link all of the pieces of the puzzle. Focusing on golf courses they are measuring the size of the casting problem, working out what species are causing the damage and why they are there. Once these pieces are fitted together it should be clearer how the deep burrowers can be controlled and still maintain the advantages from the non-surface casters. Watch this space! Friend or foe! About the Author: MARK Bartlett is currently studying for a PhD in Soil Ecology at Cranfield Centre for Sports Surfaces, part of Cranfield University at Silsoe, under the supervision of Professors Karl Ritz, Jim Harris and Dr Iain James. Any enquires should be sent to m.d.bartlett.s04@cranfield.ac.uk or Cranfield University at Silsoe, Barton Road, Silsoe, Bedfordshire. MK45 4DT. Cranfield Centre for Sports Surfaces is a centre for research and training expertise based at Cranfield University at Silsoe. It provides the MSc Sports Surface Technology degree, unique in Europe for the advanced education of industry professionals. It is also a centre for excellence in both doctoral and commercial research, working with industry bodies and the UK government to advance knowledge, and to develop safe, sustainable sports surfaces in all environments. More details are at our website www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/ccss. The National Soil Resources Institute was established in 2001 to create a unified institute with the necessary scientific expertise and research capability to focus on the long-term development of the sustainable management of soil and land resources, both in the UK and around the world. Further information about NSRI is available at: www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/nsri DEC NOV OCT SEP AUG JUL JUN MAY APR MAR FEB A graph of annual earthworm activity on a golf green JAN Earthworms can survive in a wide range of conditions but activity depends on the quality of food available Know your worms! Earthworms are very adaptable creatures and can live in a range of soil environments. Biologists divide them into three groups Epigeic earthworms: Most commonly found in woodland environments. Not important to sports turf. Endogeic earthworms: These earthworms form burrows that are not open to the surface and do not cast at the surface. They normally live in the top 15 to 20cm of the soil. Anecic earthworms: These earthworms are capable of burrowing deeply and normally have burrows that are open to the surface. They feed on leaf litter that they find at the surface and mix it within the soil horizons. This type of earthworm is responsible for the formation of surface casts that cause major problems for sports turf. "DIJFWF ZPVSHPBMT .4D4QPSUT4VSGBDF 5FDIOPMPHZ "QQMJDBUJPOTGPSQBSUUJNFTUVEZBDDFQUFE VQUP+BOVBSZ 8PSMEXJEF "MMPWFSUIFXPSMEUIFTQPSUTJOEVTUSZJT EFNBOEJOHm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mFMEBDVL 8XXXTJMTPFDSBOmFMEBDVLDPVSTFT 15 www.pitchcare.com/re 16 www.pitchcare.com/re 43 Leatherjackets are the second most widespread pest problem on golf courses in the UK and Ireland (Mann, 2003) and throughout the majority of Europe. Unfortunately, little research has been carried out into leatherjackets infesting turfgrass Leatherjackets M ost research work on Leatherjackets has been concerned with forage grass. A review of work carried out into leatherjacket problems in grassland was written by Blackshaw (1991) and has been used throughout this report. Leatherjackets are a major pest in grassland leys, lawns, golf courses, sports fields and arable crops (Anon, 1984). Reports of leatherjackets damaging grassland or turf in England, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway (Blackshaw, 1991) and cool season turf areas of USA and Canada (Potter, 1998) have been published. Leatherjacket biology Leatherjackets are the larvae of the crane fly (Tipula spp.), more commonly called the daddy-long-legs. There are numerous species, such as Tipula paludosa, T. oleracea, T. variipennis, T. vernalis and T. subnodicornis (Blackshaw, 1991). Only T. paludosa and T. oleracea are recognised as a pest throughout Europe and T. paludosa is cited as the pest species found in US and Canada. The lifecycle differs depending on the species. Tipula paludosa emerge as adults in August and September (Blackshaw, 1991). Females do not move far from emergence and mating occurs quickly with eggs being laid within 32 hours of emergence. Larvae enter a resting phase in the summer before pupation which may be responsible for the synchronisation of adults emerging (Blackshaw, 1991). Tipula oleracea has two adult flight periods per year. One in August/September and a second in May/June, although adults may also be present all summer (Blackshaw, 1991). Mating takes place after the eggs have fully developed and not immediately on emergence. The females are multivoltine so egg laying is spread over a longer period than other species. They also fly much further distances and so populations do not build up in affected areas. Up to 400 eggs are laid with 6 or less eggs being laid at one spot (Dawson, 1932). Eggs are dark brown and are laid into the soil at the base of grass stems (Drury, 1993). Eggs hatch around 14 days later and larvae start to feed (Dawson, 1932). Leatherjackets feed on roots but can often be found on the surface on damp Damage can range from no visible symptoms to complete sward destruction evenings feeding on leaves (Potter, 1998). The leatherjackets are grey/brown to green/grey in colour, legless maggots with no distinct head capsule (Anon, 1984). The first stage larvae are around 0.3cm long (Dawson, 1932) growing to 1cm after approximately one month (around November in the UK) and reaching 2.5 4cm after the feeding period in spring (Anon, 1984). Larvae then move down the soil profile in the summer to pupate. The pupae wriggle up the soil profile with the help of backward pointing spines and push themselves partly above the surface for the adult to emerge (Anon, 1984; Potter, 1998). Problems of leatherjackets on golf turf Leatherjackets feed on roots and organic matter below the soil surface. They may also come to the surface on damp evenings and feed on leaf material. Damage can range from no visible symptoms to complete sward destruction. Most turfgrass will harbour a low number of leatherjackets and show no adverse effects. The amount of damage is related to the number of leatherjackets present and the condition of the grass (Blackshaw, 1991). In turf, a threshold of 16 leatherjackets m2 has been proposed for insecticidal application (Anon, 1983). Potter (1998) reported more than 1000 leatherjackets m2 on heavily infected turf. Turfgrass that is already under stress will be more severely damaged by leatherjackets. Shallow rooted grass plants find it more difficult to recover from attack (Blackshaw, 1991). During the winter months when turf is only growing slowly (or not at all) leatherjackets may still be actively feeding. Turf may have difficulty in recovering in a period when growth is low or has ceased (Blackshaw, 1991). As well as feeding on the turf, leatherjackets disrupt the surface of fine turf by tunnelling. This may affect the trueness of the golf green. The activity of birds searching for the grubs also disrupts the turf surface with tufts of grass left loose and holes opened up in the sward. Badgers may also cause damage to the turf surface searching for leatherjackets. Past chemical control measures Dawson (1932) lists naphthalene, Jeyes fluid and orthodichlorobenzene as leatherjacket expellants. However, naphthalene gave inconsistent results and orthodichlorobenzene temporarily discoloured the sward surface. Lead arsenate was shown to be an effective leatherjacket killer which removed the need to dispose of the expelled larvae (Dawson, 1932). Many other insecticides have been shown to be effective in controlling leatherjackets. These included DDT, aldrin, gamma-HCH, gamma-HCH + thiophanate-methyl, triazophos and cypermethrin (Atrick, 1994). Applications of chlordane for earthworm control would also have controlled leatherjackets. The literature often suggested that leatherjackets were only a problem on golf fairways and not on greens. However, since chlordane was banned in 1992, leatherjackets may have become an increasing problem on greens. Leatherjackets were indicated as being as widespread as earthworms on greens, with 81% of respondents indicating leatherjackets being present, in a survey of golf courses in the UK and Ireland (Mann, 2003). Present chemical control measures Carbaryl and chlorpyrifos are effective and are still available in some countries for insect control. Cultural control measures All methods will be best aimed to reduce the leatherjacket population in the autumn before they spend the winter feeding. Methods that try to reduce the population in spring will not prevent feeding damage occurring. However, it may reduce the population for the successive season (especially in the case of T. paludosa as the females do not move far from where they emerge before laying eggs). Leatherjackets, especially small ones, are susceptible to drought (Anon, 1984). Therefore improving the drainage to prevent excessive moistness during the period of egg laying and hatching will help to reduce the population. Moisture shortage in September and October has been cited as the reason for reduced leatherjacket numbers in autumn (Blackshaw, 1991). However, a difference in leatherjacket numbers found between four different drainage systems could not be related to soil moisture. The leatherjacket population have been shown to decline over the winter months. This reduction will depend on how severe the winter is. An average decline, in grassland, of 35% with a maximum of 63% has been recorded (Blackshaw, 1991). In small areas the use of tarpaulins to encourage the leatherjackets to come to the surface has been successful (Dawson, 1932). The leatherjackets could then be swept up and removed. However, the amount of tarpaulin and man hours that would be required over a golf course would make this method prohibitive. Although, in extreme cases this may be possible on greens. Rolling is often suggested as a method of crushing the larvae. However, there is no evidence to suggest this reduces larval numbers. Rolling during the summer months has reduced adult numbers by trapping the pupae under a soil cap (Blackshaw, 1991). This could have serious implications for other characteristics of the rootzone such as drainage rates. Biological control measures Blackshaw (1991) reports little success with naturally occurring enemies of leatherjackets. Tipula Irridescent Virus has been Leatherjackets were indicated as being as widespread as earthworms on greens 44 found in a small proportion of the population. It appeared to be transmitted by cannibalism which restricted its spread. Although there was some success by introducing it through treated bran. However, in field populations the leatherjackets must encounter the bran while it is viable which may prove difficult. Wide scale production of this virus would also be difficult as it cannot be produced in vitro (Blackshaw, 1991). A parasitic wasp (genus Anaphes) has been found in Northern Ireland that was recovered from eggs, which may prove useful in future control methods (Blackshaw, 1991). However, the wasp has not been found in other areas of the UK and may not occur in other parts of Europe or the USA. An entomopathogenic nematode (Steinernema feltiae) has shown promise in reducing leatherjacket numbers (Peters & Ehlers, 1994). The highest mortality (51%) of leatherjackets was shown to be just before the first molt (15 day old larvae) in a laboratory test. Mortality then declined as the leatherjackets move through the larval stages. The number of dauer juveniles (the life stage of the nematode that infects the leatherjackets) required to kill the leatherjackets also differed depending on the age of the leatherjacket. The lowest LC50 was 7 dauer juveniles when the larvae were 6 days old increasing to 56 when the larvae were 72 days old. However, these results were for leatherjackets placed in sand filled petri dishes and the nematodes applied close to hand. A field trial would be required to determine the efficacy of nematodes in vivo when the leatherjackets may not be close to the site of application. In the UK, this nematode is currently on the market, aimed at lawn owners. We are unaware of anyone who has used this product and so do not have any information on its effectiveness. Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) has also been suggested as a promising biological control agent (Evans, 1996). Autumn application of Bti to grassland in Scotland reduced the leatherjacket population from 3 million larvae ha-1 to 0.5 million larvae ha-1. This reduction was similar to chlorpyrifos applied at the recommended rate. However, spring application of Bti did not significantly reduce the leatherjacket population compared to the untreated control. Chlorpyrifos significantly reduced the leatherjacket population in the spring. In grassland, it is commonly accepted that the economic threshold for treating leatherjackets to prevent a decrease in yield is 1.0 million ha-1 (100 leatherjackets m2). Treatment with Bti in autumn brought the leatherjacket population below this threshold. However, in managed amenity turf the threshold for pesticide application is 16 leatherjackets m2. Further work would be required with Bti to ensure it could reduce the population to an acceptable level for golf. Grass species infected with endophytes are often less susceptible to insect feeding due to their alkaloid content. Lewis & Vaughan (1997) investigated the effect of endophytes on the feeding behaviour of leatherjackets. Three perennial ryegrass varieties with and without endophyte infections were fed to leatherjackets in a laboratory experiment. There was no significant effect of endophyte infected ryegrass compared to no endophyte infection on weight, survival or number of adults that emerged. It was concluded that the levels of alkaloids may not have been sufficient enough to deter feeding by leatherjackets. The level of alkaloids produced differed depending on the endophyte/plant genotype and the season. It is possible that other grasses infected with endophytes may produce improved resistance to leatherjacket feeding. This article has been taken from a paper published in the Sports Turf Research Institute's annual "Journal of Turfgrass and Sports Surface Science",Vol 80, 2004.Copies are available from STRI tel:01274 565131. The author would like to thank the R&A for financial support in an expanded version of this article. References Anon. (1983). Pests of Turf. Sports Turf Bulletin 140, 7-8. Anon. (1984). Leatherjackets. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Leaflet 179. pp 8. Atrick, G. (1994). Insecticides: an historical perspective. Groundsman 47 (1), 34. Blackshaw, R. P. (1991). Leatherjackets in grassland. Proceedings of the British GrasslandSociety Conference. Strategies for Weed, Disease and Pest Control in Grasland, 6.1-6.12. Dawson, R. B. (1932). Leather jackets. Journal of the Board of Greenkeepers Research 2, 183195. Drury, S. (1993). Worst of Pests. Turf Management May, 16-17. Edwards, C. A. & Bohlen, P. J. (1996). Biology and Ecology of Earthworms. Chapman & Hall, London, pp 426. Evans, K. A. (1996). The control of leatherjackets in grassland using Bacillus thuringiensis. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain, 231-236. Lewis, G.C. & Vaughan, B. (1997). Evaluation of a fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii) for control of leatherjackets (Tipula spp.) in perennial ryegrass. Annals Applied Biology 130 (supplement), 2435. Mann, R. L. (2003). A survey to determine the spread and severity of pests and diseases on golf greens in the UK and Ireland. Journal of Turfgrass and Sports Surface Science, in press Peters, A. & Ehlers, R. U. (1994). Susceptibility of leatherjackets (Tipula paludosa and Tipula oleracea; Tipulidae; Nematocera) to the entomophthogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 63, 163171. Potter, D. A. (1998). Destructive Turfgrass Insects. Biology, Diagnosis and Control. Ann Arbor Press, Inc. Michigan, 117118. Days OFF! ... or what Pitchcare contributors get up to out of office hours PATRICK CALLABY: commonly referred to as Cal (a nickname left over from Army days). The last 11½ years I have spent as workshop manager at The Celtic Manor Resort and previous to that at St. Pierre Hotel & Golf Course, Chepstow for 8 years. I have a passion for dogs in general, but gundogs used in the field in particular, especially the English Springer Spaniel. I have kept them for many years (we won’t go into how many). I must have owned 50 odd during this time and have had a certain amount of success in competition, and generally train a competent dog for field work. I currently have 6 in the kennels, one Golden Retriever, 2 Clumber Spaniels (guests) and 3 English Springers. My wife says I think more of those dogs than I do of her and my reply is I think more of next door’s dog than I do of her. Married to Maralyn for 34 years; I have 3 grownups to my name, a son aged 27 - maturing to about 16ish and twin boy & girl aged 24. My daughter, Gail, has a son, who, at 2 years old is bonkers about dogs (don’t know where he gets it from) and would live in the kennel with Bob (his favourite dog) given half a chance; he’s a lovely boy. Retiring age is fast approaching and since my pension fund is absolute rubbish I’ve had to resort to plan B, writing articles for Pitchcare, a measure of my desperation (sorry Dave). When AUTUMN LEAVES start to fall www.sweepfast.com Artificial Turf Maintenance Specialist Artificial Turf Maintenance AUTUMN MAINTENANCE on artificial surfaces A STRANGE phenomena can be observed across the UK this autumn. Here we are heading towards the middle of October and the majority of our broadleaved trees are still in full leaf and green. So maybe, just maybe, I will get to appreciate the autumn before the dreaded annual event takes place! If you hadn’t already guessed I am talking about the annual leaf fall! Artificial surfaces and leaves go together as well as snow on a beach! Not only are they unsightly and dangerous on any sports pitch, but on artificial surfaces they can be positively ruinous! Already the phone is ringing from various parts of the country as drainage problems crop up. With the arrival of shorter, cooler days and autumn rain, lack of maintenance in previous years manifests itself now, just as football, hockey and tennis winter leagues get under way. In many cases this situation could have been prevented by good surface hygiene i.e. by removing all organic debris from the surface before it is broken down either by foot pressure or mechanical brushing. Any traffic over dead leaves will lead to small organic particles being pushed down into the pile and infill properties. Dragbrushing at this time of year, whilst essential to keep the infill mobile and the surface decompacted, will only increase the amount of debris in the infill if leaves are not removed from the surface before brushing takes place. So, out should come the leaf blowers, billy goats and cleansweep or greensweep machines to keep artificials free from leaves, pine needles etc. Another ever increasing problem is rearing its ugly head again - moss and algae. With a largely dry summer this hasn't been the problem that it could have been, but with a warm damp autumn the mosses are growing, busy producing spores for next spring. Moss not treated now could lead to an explosion next year. Again, moss growth seems to be a byproduct of poor surface hygiene; it doesn't seem to grow on clean infill but rather on the debris present - another reason to keep debris out of the surface! What we could really do with is a chemical that shows some residual activity against moss and algae. Most of the chemicals we have trialed seem to give reasonable control in the short term, but surfaces don't stay free for long. With the end of dichlorophen just around the corner and viable alternatives being cost prohibitive, I’d love to hear from someone who thinks they have a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, as soon as the first frosts arrive the leaves will be down en masse. My advice - the faster you get them off the better. SAM BREEDEN Sweepfast U.K. importers & Manufacturers of the Triple Greensweep U.K. importers of the Cleansweep Artificial Turf Restoration Before Restoration After Restoration Moss Control also available For friendly advice or a site visit ring 01675 470770 17 www.pitchcare.com/re 47 Trainer and Careers Counsellor FRANK NEWBERRY concludes his series on ‘self marketing’. This month he looks at how to market yourself through the format of your CV and how to come over well at interviews Top Ten Tips for CV’s and INTERVIEWS Tips for CV’s 1 Reduce it Keep your CV size down to two sides of A4 paper and don’t go below font size 10. CV sifters won’t wade through pages of detail to get the data they need to make a decision. 2 Jazz it up Make your CV look appealing with a nice layout and maybe a bit of colour and a flattering photo. Use short jargon-free statements to help the non-technical CV sifter. 3 Accentuate the Positive The job of the CV is to get the CV sifter to recommend you for an interview. It is a snap-shot, not a comprehensive history, so stress your successes and achievements, not just your past duties and responsibilities. 4 Put in a Profile A busy CV sifter will get a positive impression right away if there is a ‘Profile’ section at the top of the CV. The Profile is about six lines of text that summarises your suitability and stresses the positive aspects of your personality e.g. ‘a positive attitude and a cheerful disposition’. 5 Put in your Achievements The positive impression is reinforced if you place a ‘Work Achievements’ section directly under your Profile. This should be about six lines and summarises those work achievements that are impressive and those that relate directly to the vacancy advertised. 6 Customise it Make the CV sifter’s life easier by customising your CV to the precise requirements of the job advertised. If the advertisement is not detailed enough then call the employer and ask for a copy of the relevant job description and the employee specification (it describes the ideal candidate). 7 List Achievements in History Make life even easier for the reader by stating or repeating your achievements in the ‘last first’ chronological sequence of the ‘Employment History’ section. People are interested in your history but your achievements will get you the interview. 8 Address the Covering Letter to a Person If you don’t know who to write to then call up and get the correct name and job title of the right person. It makes your approach more personal, more polite and more professional. Unless you are on first name terms with the individual concerned use their formal title i.e. ‘Dear Mr Bloggs’ not ‘Dear Joe’. 9 Use AIDA format Use the AIDA format in your covering letter i.e. Attention: ‘I saw your advert …’ or ‘A friend told me…’ Interest: ‘I’ve heard very good things about…’ Desire: ‘I enclose my CV and I’d really like to visit you for a look round …’ Or if preferred you could write ‘Before I send my CV I’d like to visit you for a look round …’ Action: ‘I will phone you for an appointment …’ 10 Put it to Work Once written you can then customise your CV for specific vacancies or you can target your ideal employers, do some research on them and send the CV out to all of them. You can ask each for a visit and suggest they interview you first when there is a vacancy, before they spend money on advertising. Tips for Interviews 1 Visit in Advance As part of your research you can visit the organisation privately to check their facilities or publicly to meet key people. The ‘public’ visit would be seen as a proactive and professional move on your part. Whilst on their premises you should show a positive attitude and a cheerful disposition. If problems are mentioned, be understanding rather than critical or prescriptive. 2 Use Correct Body Language On your visit and at the interview relax but stand or sit in an upright position making eye contact when you meet people. If people offer a handshake then match the pressure they are using. When people talk lean forward slightly, maintain eye contact and nod to show that you are interested. 3 Plus One Dress Standard On your visit and at the interview dress and groom to a standard that is one higher than that expected. Many people think that first impressions count a lot and you should not disappoint them. ‘a positive attitude and a cheerful disposition’ 50 4 ‘Memorise’ CV statements 8 Use the ‘I’ word Remember what you have written in your CV. Interviewers will quote you and probe your statements A good interviewer will skate over any reassurances you give and probe your answers for evidence. At all times you should use the words ‘I’ and ‘my’ and not ‘we’ and ‘us’ in your responses. The interviewers need to know what you did and what you think. 5 Do Your Research For each interview do research into the organisation. Find out what the interviewers are like and what they are looking for. You might take an illustrated portfolio of your best work achievements. Take it with you but wait for a question that would make a picture an appropriate answer. To help non-technical interviewers some candidates do an illustrated portfolio on the organisation itself. Do not offer to leave your portfolio and don’t expect them to read it during the interview. 6 Rehearse Answers to Predictable and Difficult Questions Anticipate all their questions and rehearse positive answers containing real examples and evidence. Rehearse until your delivery sounds smooth and natural. 7 Don’t be modest and speak in ‘triples’ When you are preparing answers try to have three things to say. When you say something like ‘I think there were three things that needed to be sorted out’ it sounds convincing. One is not enough, two is OK and four is too many! Take-all patch ... disea se OF TH E MONTH 9 Have ‘mistake’ answers ready No one is perfect and a good interviewer will want to know about any significant mistakes and errors you have made. Prepare to give real life examples that show how you recovered from your mistakes. 10 Have your own questions ready You will probably be asked if you have any questions. You should thank them for their time and then ask something meaningful like ‘Do you anticipate any changes that might affect this job in the near future?’ Further help FRANK NEWBERRY is an experienced CV sifter and interviewer. He has fully formatted sample CV’s that you can get by visiting www.franknewberry.com and clicking on ‘Contact’ and then ‘Request Information’. The Greatest Golfing Tips in the World John Cook £6.99 Public Eye Publications With a title like that the author, PGA Coach John Cook, is obviously not shy. But why is the book reviewed in Pitchcare magazine I hear you say? Well many of you will know the illustrator of the cartoons, one Graham Robson, often to be seen working (loitering) on the Simon Tullett Machinery stands at various exhibitions. And as many of us play golf it may just be of some use. Actually it’s a cracking little book. Full of useful tips, written and illustrated with a sense of humour. From the first cartoon where a player seeking to gain match play advantage introduces his oppo to “Knuckles my caddy” the tone is set. Explaining how short putts are missed Cook recommends “With any short putt of four feet or below, putt the ball and listen for the ball to drop. This will keep your shoulders square to the line. In the interest of slow play, if you have not heard anything within ten minutes, you have missed it!!” With a foreword by Cook’s close friend Gary Player and nods to Butch Harmon and his brothers, the book has a strong pedigree. The Greatest Golfing Tips in the World is available from Public Eye Publications. Email sales@publiceyepublications.co.uk. www.thegreatestintheworld.com It only costs £6.99 and I reckon any golfer, regardless of ability, will get something out of this book. Come to think of it I might just buy John Richards a copy for Christmas! This disease is caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. avenae and is frequently seen developing on fine turf swards during the late summer and autumn months. The fungus actually begins to infect turfgrasses as the rootzone temperatures start to increase in late spring (cool, moist weather) but the symptoms on the sward only become apparent as the summer stresses (heat and drought) increase and the individual plants become more heavily colonised by the fungus. Historically, take-all patch has been largely restricted to bentgrass swards although we are now seeing an increase in the development of take-all patch on annual meadowgrass swards. The general symptoms of take-all patch disease are roughly circular patches of damaged turf that appear bronze in colour. The patches can become slightly sunken towards their centre and once they appear, they may change in the intensity of their colour during any one season although they may increase annually in diameter. Towards the late summer, the outer edge of the affected turf may be more distinctly red/brown in colour. Patches may coalesce to form large, affected areas. The centre of the affected patches is often colonised by fescues or, in advanced symptoms, by broad-leaved weeds. Individual plants may show a dark fungal mycelial growth along the stem and root tissues and, as the disease progresses, dark flask-like spore producing structures may be seen protruding through the leaf sheaths around the stem bases. Take-all patch disease is commonly seen on newly constructed fine turf areas where the diversity of microbiology in the rootzone is limited. Several naturally occurring rootzone fungi and bacteria are known to be antagonistic to G. graminis var. avenae and once their populations have developed sufficiently, the disease subsides due to so-called take-all decline. The disease is more commonly seen on high sand content rootzones, on areas receiving unbalanced nutrient input and where rootzones either have a high pH or where the surface pH undergoes a sudden, slight increase due to product or water application. We are now aware that manganese is also important in the development of this disease and, where availability is limiting, the disease is both more likely to occur and more intensely. Fungicides are currently available for use that can be used as part of an integrated programme to manage this disease. Since this is primarily a root disease, it is important that the fungicide is applied in such a way that the product reaches the target area to achieve efficacy. Always ensure that the disease is correctly identified prior to the application of any plant protection product. Dr Kate Entwistle MBPR, The Turf Disease Centre Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff began his cricketing career at St Anne’s Cricket Club in Blackpool. The local residents (and their insurance companies) were delighted when young Freddie was fast-ttracked into the Lancashire County set-u up! FREDDIE’S old hunting ground Laurence Gale MSc reports Andy Mackay D uring a recent trip to Blackpool to attend an NTF meeting I took the opportunity to call in and see one of Pitchcare’s long standing members, Andy Mackay, who is the groundsman of two cricket clubs, Blackpool and St Anne’s, the latter located to the south side of the town. Both clubs play in the same Lancashire Premier Cricket League. Andy is employed by both clubs, sharing his time between the two. To help him undertake the heavy workload, especially during the season, Andy employs his dad full time. I met up with Andy at St Anne’s where I found him busy carrying out hollow coring operations on the outfield. St Anne’s is a prosperous club with well over 1300 members, putting out four senior sides and a number of youth teams. The club has been responsible for grooming many talented players over the years, none more famous than England’s current legend, Freddie Flintoff. He played at St Anne’s for a number of seasons before being fast-tracked to the Lancashire County side. There is plenty of memorabilia celebrating his time at the club. The ground is a tight and small, having a relatively short boundary on all sides, and surrounded by 1960’s housing developments. It was no surprise to discover that young Freddie was responsible for breaking a few of the roof tiles during his early career! ANDY has been working at St Anne’s for five years and, during that time, has vastly improved the playing quality of both the square and outfield. The club generously supported his education at Myerscouth College, where he gained a degree in sports turf management. The square at St Anne’s provides 16 match wickets and four practice wickets. 8 of them are kept for the first team and are generally sited in the middle of the square. With over 80 fixtures a year, maximising wicket use is a priority for Andy. Autumn renovations had been completed on the square, with the new grass now beginning to thicken. The square is well over 70 years old and comprises made up ground with a loam profile averaging 125mm in depth. The loam on the square is a Surrey Supernatural 28% Gostd loam which was introduced three years ago. The previous loam was another Surrey loam supplied by Gem. However there was a need to improve the quality of the square to accommodate better players. In the first year the new loam was integrated into the square at a 1-3 ratio, followed the second year at a rate of 50/50 . This year has seen a full application of 5 tons of Gostd loam at 100% content. Before renovations were started the square was well watered. Several passes with a SISIS scarifyer were undertaken followed by some aeration using solid tines set at 100 mm depth. The square ... the square at St Anne’s provides sixteen match wickets and four practice wickets was then overseeded with a mix of rye grasses and fertilised using a Scotts granular 7:0:14 product. Over the years Andy has experimented with different methods to control Poa and other weed species. He is now beginning to see a reduction in weed grasses on the square; it has gone down from 60% to less than 5% in three years. Now the square has been put to bed Andy concentrates his time on the outfield, often an area that gets neglected at some clubs. Being by the sea, the outfield at St Anne’s is predominantly a sandy soil with over 80% content in its profile. This makes it an ideal free draining turf. However, during warm spells, it is prone to drying out. Until the club introduced a new irrigation system a lot of grass was lost in the summer months. A number of drought resistant grasses were trialed to overcome the problem. However, to protect the grass during dry periods, Andy has been encouraging about 6 mm of thatch in his outfield. Each year the outfield is hollowed cored to maintain thatch levels, aid aeration and restore levels. The cores are brushed back into the surface using drag mats and brushes. Aeration is a key activity at St Anne’s where the outfield is spiked regularly during the winter. The square also receives some aeration which, when conditions are right, is undertaken on a fortnightly basis trying to get down below 150 mm. However, aeration is ceased after January. The outfield is cut with a ride on triple mower allowing the clippings to fly which helps to create some desired thatch formation. The sward is mown at 12 mm during the summer and raised to 15 mm during the winter. The square is maintained at 8 mm in the summer and 15 mm in the winter. Maintenance of the facility has been made easier with the introduction of a new automated pop up system that serves both the square and outfield. In fact the investment has nearly paid for itself because the sward remains healthy, requiring less inputs to replace dead and dying grasses which, prior to the installation, was a regular occurrence after dry periods. Now that the renovations have been put to bed Andy is hoping for some quiet time to plan the next improvement works, which will probably see the square being Koro’d to remove some minor undulations. I suppose the next time I visit I will need to call in at Blackpool CC and compare facilities. I am sure, however, that the hard work and commitment Andy puts in at St Anne’s is replicated at Blackpool. Aussie Turf Managers visited top UK venues as part of a development programme linked with the ECB through Pitches Consultant Chris Wood Rob Savedra with losing (sorry, had to put that) Australian Ashes Captain, Ricky Ponting Aussies ENJOY a WINNING tour! I t wasn’t just the Aussie cricketers that visited the UK this summer. Three members of the Australian Ground and Garden Managers Association also made the trip as part of a development programme linked with the ECB via Pitches Consultant Chris Wood, who visited Australia and spoke at the Association's conference in June 2004. Rob Savedra from Wesley College, Melbourne, Bill Sciarretta from Scotch College Melbourne and Warwick Starr from Bankstown Council, Sydney spent three weeks touring schools and sporting venues across the country as well as visiting Cranfield Soil Science Laboratory and the STRI at Bingley. They received funding from their employers to take part in the exchange, which aims to give groundsmen from both countries the opportunity to compare working conditions and practices and to find out whether they are affected by similar issues at work. A gruelling itinerary took them right around the UK and as it coincided with a number of sporting events, provided the group with a number of ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences such as meeting Aussie cricket captain Ricky Ponting out on the square at The Oval and being driven in a golf buggy down the fairway at St. Andrews during The Open. Rob Savedra is grounds manager at Wesley School, a traditional school in Melbourne which is the largest in the country with more than 3,500 pupils. It also sets the benchmark for sports surface standards, hosting the training sessions for the World XI Elite cricketers prior to their series of One Day Internationals against Australia earlier this month. He’d wanted to find out whether budgets, running costs, machinery and working conditions were on a par with those in Australia and to find out about the relationships that British grounds managers have with their employers, in “I got the impression that grounds managers in the UK aren’t valued in the same way as they are in Australia. They don’t seem to enjoy the same level of communication with their managers as we do.” 52 comparison to his experiences at home. “It has been fascinating to see at first hand, some of the turf management techniques used by the guys over here”, Rob commented. “Take cricket preparation for example. The weather’s so different in the UK - either too wet or too dry and there’s a real danger of overrolling. We’re luckier in that with 80% clay content in the soil we’ll roll just before a match to close the cracks. The cricket groundsmen over here have a very difficult job to do.” “I got the impression that grounds managers in the UK aren’t valued in the same way as they are in Australia. They don’t seem to enjoy the same level of communication with their managers as we do.” “I was surprised by the amount of grounds without irrigation and some having to make do with travelling sprinklers. In Australia, every pitch would have an irrigation system. I was also surprised by how little fertiliser is With Mick Hunt at Lord’s I was struck by how calm the guys were before such a major event - cool as cucumbers! used in the UK. Everyone’s so environment conscious, not wanting to spray if it’s not absolutely necessary. If they’ve got Fusarium, they’ll try and feed it out rather than spray. We use a lot of wetting agents and fertilisers back home, but you can’t wash fertiliser in if you don’t have an irrigation system. Lack of irrigation limits all sorts of things.” “The whole trip was amazing. Visiting the Oval and Lord’s just two days prior to international cricket was an honour and a privilege. Gordon Moir at St. Andrews also took time out on the Friday during The Open to show us his machinery and irrigation system. Visiting World-class venues was great, but the hospitality shown to us by everyone involved in our 18 www.pitchcare.com/re itinerary was amazing and we're extremely grateful to them for making our trip such a success.” Since returning home the group has presented their findings to relevant institutions and are using the knowledge gained to trial such things as fibresand in goalsquares and the possibility of importing the hovercover. They’re also spreading the word about how we can share knowledge from across the globe. Rob’s looking forward to welcoming the party of British grounds managers that’ll be visiting Australia in 2007, adding: “The hospitality will be reciprocated of course…but you can bring the Ashes!” Above: Freddie and KP in training with members of the World XI at the grounds of Wesley College, Melbourne prior to the first One Day game. Below: Muttiah Muralitharan, Daniel Vettori, Brian Lara, Shoaib Akhtar, ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and Makhaya Ntini listen to Kevin Pietersen ... probably talking about ‘that’ innings at the Oval! 53 Jargon busting Computer A little electronic machine that sits in a corner, has a few sockets around the back, a button and a couple of lights on the front, and serves well as a stand for your cup of tea (though I really should discourage you from that). A range of peripherals can be attached to it. Peripherals The collective name for devices that connect to the computer, eg Mouse, Keyboard Monitor A screen that displays things that the computer tells it to looks a bit like a TV Mouse A handheld device to provide control over the computer. Not usually furry Keyboard Like the top of a typewriter, to type text into the computer Modem A device that allows computers to talk to one another Network A collection of computers that are interconnected Internet Millions of interconnected networks of computers. Each computer is able to talk to any other Online When you connect your computer to the internet, you are ‘online’ Offline When you are not online, you are offline, disconnected from the network 54 The Web Monkey speaks Well, writes actually and presents us with part one of Pitchcare Online, for those who are Offline Hello, I’m Alastair, Pitchcare’s Web Developer and IT expert. I’m known (fondly, I like to think) as the Pitchcare Web Monkey. I’ve been asked to write a simple, concise and informative article to help you read the online version of this magazine, as well as provide tips for those of you who already have experience with this kind of thing. Here is part one, an introduction, looking at ways of getting online if you don’t have your own computer. Part two in the next issue focuses on “buying your own computer.” I've not written it yet, but I think part three will be in the February/March 2006 issue and will look at ways of connecting to the internet to help you get the most out your time online. If you don’t have a computer, don’t have an internet connection, don’t use a web browser, or don’t even know what those terms mean, you need to read this, because you need to read the online version of Pitchcare. If you don’t, you’re missing out on all the advice that would help you prepare the perfect pitch, the greenest golf green, the most wonderful wicket ... and that would be a disservice to the sports people who play on your surface(s). If you don’t have a computer, you will need access to one. You can buy a computer of your own (see next issue for help with that), borrow one from a friend, or easiest of all, use one at the local library, for free. I don’t know if it is a government requirement that libraries provide free internet access, but I do know that all the libraries in my local area have it, and I’m quite sure it is the same all over the country. You may have to book a session as they are well used. There is probably a librarian to ask for help, should you need it. Apart from the inconvenience of having to wait your turn and the fact that people can see the screen while you are online, I can think of no negative elements to this, and heartily recommend it. If you know someone who has their own computer, who is prepared to lend it to you, and possibly give you some training on it, you have a great friend and should take them up on the offer. They need to have an internet connection, and you need to be aware that they might be charged for every minute the computer is online. Training is essential if you are to make the most of your time when borrowing or buying a Not mentioned in dispatches is the little device top left of Al’s screen! It’s a mirror, not through any vanity on his part but to see who’s behind him. Al sits facing out into the Pitchcare office with .... a solid wall behind him! computer. You wouldn’t try and access to a computer, have drive a car without taking enough computer training to be lessons, and in my opinion, the able to comprehend the next same should apply with a sentence and are ready to computer. Of course it isn’t a experience the online magazine requirement, you are unlikely to for Groundsmen and kill someone if you don’t know Greenkeepers, you now need to how to use a computer properly, know how to get to Pitchcare but if you have no experience online. It’s as easy sitting at the using a computer at all, the computer, opening the web basics may not be obvious to browser, typing the following you and it may dishearten you. URL into the address bar and Many schools and colleges either pressing “enter” or run informal courses in basic clicking “Go”: computer use and provide http://www.pitchcare.com certif-ication upon comp-letion. There may be a fee, but usually I’d like to suggest that you this is only a few pounds. My should go to read “About father in law recently completed Pitchcare” before you do one, and his skill in operating a anything else. You can find the computer has increased link on the left hand menu, the dramatically. The stage after third green box down. It this basic introduction is to take provides you with a training a good course such as overview of Already online? the European what we are Computer Al’s best of the net: about, shows Driving License, you the team, • Get a new browser! You will probably or ECDL as is it the staff and use Internet Explorer (The web browser is more many of the that comes with Windows) to access commonly contributing the internet. You’re not restricted to known. Again, authors. From that, and I would recommend that you you can take install Firefox. It’s free and better, so there, if you training for this get it from http://www.getfirefox.com would like to and receive join the site • If you are regularly skint, the best certification at ways to save money and beat the (you have to do many schools system are documented by Martin this to read Lewis at and colleges, any of the http://www.moneysavingexpert.com but it is more 2500+ articles formal and • See how busy your commute is and or contribute avoid the jams for free with the there may be a to the Highways Agency's up-to-date Traffic larger fee. Message Info website at However, it is Board, and it is http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo an completely internationally free) click on recognised the “Join qualification, indicates your Pitchcare” button, sixth down level of computer competence, on the left hand menu. On the and will be appreciated by page that is presented to you, in prospective employers in the left hand “I am not a addition to providing you with a member” section, fill in a comprehensive education in chosen username, name, email computer skills. address, how you found out Assuming you somehow have about us and then click on AGRIPOWER TOP DRESSING OVER SEEDING DE-COMPACTION VERTIDRAINING GROUND BREAKING LANDSCAPING SPECIALISTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF SPORTSTURF CONSTRUCTION DRAINAGE AND MAINTENANCE BROOMFIELD FARM, RIGNALL ROAD GREAT MISSENDEN, BUCKS TEL: 01494 866776 FAX: 01494 866779 www.agripower.co.uk A good grounding in sport 19 www.pitchcare.com/re “Subscribe FREE.” You are then asked to fill in a few more details, and are finally automatically emailed your chosen username and a computer generated password. From this point, explore the site at your leisure. I hope I’ve given you enough information to get the training you need, get online and get started with the internet. If you do get online and are able to send email, I’d appreciate if you could email me at al@pitchcare.com to let me know how you got on. In the next issue I’ll tell you about the exciting world of computer purchasing. .co.uk Golf Tee Signs The Natural Choice G the natural choice for unique, affordable, top quality signage olf Tee Signs is no ordinary signage company op quality granite and over forty years experience on what to do with it set us apart from other sign makers ome of the many clubs with our signs are exclusive, but we're not. Our signs look expensive, but they are totally affordable. You will just be in very good company. 20 www.pitchcare.com/re 55 A day with TURFMECH Laurence Gale MSc spends a day with Austin Jarrett MD of Turfmech F or many years the sports turf industry relied on many of the old tried and tested manufacturers who were involved in the development and supply of traditional maintenance machines. It was not perhaps until the mid to late 1980s that we began to see some innovative developments with the introduction of some new product designs such as the vertidrain aerators, topdressers and disc seeders. They began to change and stimulate the industry into what we see today. The range of specialist machinery now on offer is staggering. We have Koro fraise mowers, linear aerators, air assisted aerators, topdressers, laser guided mowers and line markers, and so on. One firm that has contributed much to this change is Turfmech, a small Staffordshire company, formed in 1990 by Austin Jarrett and his wife Sabine. AUSTIN has always been interested in engineering, having studied and gained an HND in Agricultural Engineering at Writtle College. Once qualified, Austin got himself a job working for a turf company where he got hands on experience in using and selling turf harvesting equipment. It was his thirst for engineering that led him to decide to set up his own business in 1990. He saw an opportunity to fill a void in the leaf collecting and sweeping market which led to him designing the Tornado leaf blowers and vacuums, targeting the golf and Local Authority markets. From those early days, Turfmech Machinery has developed into a major equipment producer in its own right, manufacturing, marketing and supporting an extensive product range for the turf market. The company has developed and marketed well over twenty products, ranging from mowers, turf harvesting machines, blowers, vacuums, rotary decompactors and topdressers. Listed are a few of the products that have been developed and marketed by Turfmech: • Tornado debris blowers • Turfmech V800 high performance truck loaders • The TM5 and TM1 pedestrian and high tip vacuum collectors • Tri Deck fine finish rotary mowers • The Earthquake rotary decompactor which can now offer sand injection options • A range of ProPass ‘light and frequent’ top dressers The company has one of the few pipe and tube laser cutting machines in the country, which enables high quality fabrication in minutes TM1 Vacuum Collector Robotic Ball Picker Pro Pass Top Dresser Turf Harvester • Turf harvesters • Compaction meters • Robotic mowers and golf ball collectors AUSTIN is always keen to complement and support other industry manufacturers and, over the years, has built up a healthy relationship with many of the leading companies. Turfmech is not interested in trying to compete with established manufacturers but are keen to develop new concepts in machinery which meet the needs of the sportsturf industry. One example of this has been the recent development of the TM1 sweeper collector which was launched as a prototype at last year’s Saltex. This enabled Austin to gauge potential customer’s reaction and to refine the product accordingly. The result is an attractive looking, easy to operate pedestrian hoover sweeper that has the ability to pick up wet soil cores. The concept behind the design was to make the job of collecting soil cores easier and more efficient. The sweeper can collect and self empty, thus reducing the number of staff required to complete the tasks. OVER the years Turfmech has invested many thousands of pounds in research, development and manufacturing processes, coupled with the fact that he has managed to attract some of the best engineering minds in the UK. Combining these resources has enabled the company to produce quality, well designed products. The factory contains some leading edge technologies with laser cutting and scanning equipment. I was particularly interested in the laser scanner which, in minutes, could copy any profile of metal or solid object turning it into a fully finished CAD drawing. The copier cost over £50,000. The company also has one of the few pipe and tube laser cutting machines in the country, which enables high quality fabrication in minutes. Well over fifty full time staff are on the books, and include designers, machinists, welders, fabricators, technicians, accountants and sales representatives. Austin says the success of the company has been down to the fact that he and his staff are prepared to listen and try to understand customers' needs and requirements. The customers often have very good ideas of what they want, but do not have the resources and skills to turn them into reality. He also believes that Turfmech is primarily a facilitator which brings the idea to fruition. As a company they know they have only scratched the surface with regard to innovation within our industry. He knows only too well that there are many groundsmen and greenkeepers in the UK who are constantly thinking, or have even thought, of how they can make their tasks more efficient, easier or precise, but they are never able to put these thoughts into practice. Austin is always very interested to hear of any ideas, no matter how wacky they may seem at the time. Technology moves at a great pace and, sometime in the future, these ideas will become a reality. Turfmech’s latest machines are not just restricted to the professional turf market - the Bigmow and Ballpicker are robotic machines that can offer 24 hour non manual, emission free operation. Austin is confident that these new products will stimulate much interest and debate within our industry. Turfmech’s impressive new-iish headquarters Officially being launched this autumn is the TM1 Pedestrian Vacuum, designed to collect a range of debris off sports pitch facilities. The machine offers a variable suction mode that can be set for different debris, leaves, litter and soil cores. Austin believes this will be a great asset for the golf industry, particularly for removing unwanted soil cores from greens and tees during renovations. Nowadays all manufactured products have to meet stringent guidelines with regard to operator safety, noise and pollution; they all have to be considered when designing and building any new machine. After 15 years, Turfmech is very well established and recognised as one of the leading UK companies for innovation and design in sports turf machinery. 57 CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES Planning an optimum programme The first part of a two-part article reviewing the processes of identifying soil physical problems and the design of a corrective programme using appropriate cultivation techniques based on a scientific understanding of symptoms. by MARTYN T. JONES, National Turfgrass Foundation INTRODUCTION IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM(S) The soil in most putting greens in this country is far from ideal and, as an alternative to costly and disruptive reconstruction, most course managers try to improve the performance of the soil through a programme of cultivation. Each situation has a distinct set of characteristics that require accurate diagnosis. Course managers should examine their own unique situation before deciding on a particular piece of equipment or course of action. Planning an optimum programme involves a number of stages. Firstly, what is the problem, or problems, that needs to be corrected? In some cases, the overall poor state of the green may result from an assortment of deficiencies and each fault may need individual attention. Secondly, what equipment is the most appropriate to alleviate the identified problems? Where there are a number of causal defects, a range of equipment with differing actions may be required. Remember that there is never a panacea for all soil ailments. And thirdly, what intensity of treatment with appropriate equipment will be needed to achieve the desired improvement? The latter point will include timing and frequency of operations based on prevailing weather conditions, state of the soil, and degree of acceptable disruption to play. Detailed inspection of the turf and soil is necessary to identify the problem or problems that may exist. Major problems can vary significantly from one area to another, even though the general symptoms of poor turf colour, low shoot density, restricted rooting, susceptibility to environmental stress, high disease incidence, and surface ponding may be common to all. Some conditions are easily identified. Examples include excessive thatch accumulation, or layering in the soil profile resulting from siltation from flooding, faulty construction, or inappropriate topdressing programme. Severe soil compaction, be it at the surface or lower in the soil profile is also usually easily identifiable. However, moderate compaction is not as easily discernable and may require close inspection of rooting and moisture movement to locate the zone of compaction and its severity. A soil probe can be used to locate a hard pan in the soil or physical impedance to rooting may also reveal the problem. All too often, inexperienced turf managers jump to conclusions without adequate diagnosis. Consequently, inappropriate actions may be taken in an assumption that a treatment will be effective. In some instances, not only is the treatment ineffective but the problem can actually be aggravated. There is never a panacea for all soil ailments, no matter how good the piece of equipment. Some problems are easily identified Where a green is constructed from fine-textured soil, identifying the causal problem is generally straightforward, whereas problems associated with high sand content constructions can be much more complex. For instance, it is not uncommon to find sand-based greens built to a perched water table specification that appear to drain rapidly, yet display shallow rooting, weakened turf, and the presence of black layer. There may be no signs of compaction, little thatch, and no visible surface water. Close inspection of the rootzone will often reveal that the material is saturated throughout its depth. Generally, unsuitable sand or an inadequate depth of rootzone material causes such a condition. Where the depth of the sand rootzone is less than the critical tension or air-entry pressure of the material, the pore spaces remain full of water, air cannot enter at the surface, and the rootzone material remains saturated. Such a problem is generally a construction fault and must be rectified by means other than cultivation techniques. Some suggestions in the identification of soil physical problems are: • Select an area that is a fair indicator of the general state of the green, tee or fairway. Avoid areas that are likely to be particularly wet because surface contours are simply channelling water into the area in quantities greater than the soil Reconstruction may be necessary Layering of thatch and top dressing can seriously interrupt downward movement of water and resrict root development Dug profiles can reveal all sorts of problems infiltration can remove it, thereby causing surface ponding. Such areas will require specific attention or even reconstruction may be necessary to refashion the contours. • If the area being investigated is a fairway, carefully excavate a hole to a depth of 450 - 600mm to observe the different layers or horizons in the soil profile. If the problematic area is a green or tee and is of a perched water table construction similar to a USGA recommended system, excavation only needs to be to the depth of the sub-base. Take a note of even small layers if the texture or structure is distinctly different from surrounding soil. Note the depth of the thatch layer, presence of black layer, and any obvious changes in soil colour, organic matter content, or moisture retention. Identify if there are distinct layers of topdressing, either separated by thatch, or as obvious changes in material selection. • If a layer within the soil appears to interfere with water movement, take a core, using a hole-cutter, and, with the offending layer in the middle of the plug, add water to the top of the soil and observe its movement. See if the downward movement of the water is interrupted by the layer and if it moves across the top of it. • Observe the root growth patterns for any indications of restricted rooting deeper in the profile. Abrupt impedance to rooting at depth will reveal a zone of compaction or a distinct change in soil texture. If rooting is hindered throughout the whole profile and not just at a zone in the profile, the problem will likely be caused by a compacted layer at the surface, either as a thin layer Days OFF! or several centimetres in thickness. The surface layer may consist of compacted mineral soil or a compacted humus-rich soil in which organic matter is blocking the pores between the particles. Alternatively, hindered rooting throughout the whole profile could indicate that the rootzone mixture is an excessively fine-textured soil. • To confirm a zone of compacted soil at depth in the profile, slowly insert a long, pointed steel probe of about pencil-size diameter into the soil when it has been thoroughly wetted, such as after prolonged rain. Note whether any zone of high resistance can be felt as the probe is inserted. Any suspect zones can be checked to see if roots penetrate them or water perches above them. • If it is thought that a high water table is the primary problem, rather than a drainage barrier that creates a perched water table within the soil, further excavate the hole to at least 800 mm and monitor the depth of the free water table over a three- to four-day period. A high water table will normally remain relatively static, whereas if it is a perched water table, the deep hole should drain it and allow a rapid lowering of the water. • If identification of the problems is not easy, check with someone who has experience in soil physics. Sometimes, proper identification of the primary problem can be difficult because secondary or tertiary problems mask the most significant symptoms. For example, black layer is a symptom of an anaerobic soil environment but the anaerobiosis can stem from a number of causes and accurate diagnosis is vital if the problem is to be corrected. Black Layer Some common problems that are either unidentified or incorrectly diagnosed are those that result in water ponding on the surface of a green. Basically, ponding occurs where the infiltration and percolation rates of a soil are insufficient to cope with the quantity or rate of precipitation arriving on the surface. It sounds simple but can be much more complex than it first seems. A relatively thin surface layer of compacted soil or excessive organic content can cause the symptom; a fine textured rootzone material to depth can also display similar symptoms; an impervious layer within the profile can interrupt downward flow; or excessive extraneous water flowing from adjacent ground can also display the same signs. The faults are all different and require different treatments. Failure to correctly diagnose the problem can result in inappropriate treatment and, unfortunately, may further aggravate the deficiency. For example, if it is assumed that the cause of the problem is a fine textured rootzone material compacted to depth; deep cultivation with a Vertidrain may be an appropriate treatment. However, if, in fact, it is merely a compacted layer at the surface which is causing the problem, deep cultivation would be inappropriate. Indeed, it might even create an additional problem of compaction at depth if executed when the soil is in an unsuitable state, i.e. when wet and susceptible to structural damage. Thorough investigation and accurate diagnosis of a condition are the first and most important stages in determining appropriate methods and a sequence of cultivation techniques. An applicable maxim is, ‘Knowing the problem is 90% of solving the problem’. ... or what Pitchcare contributors get up to out of office hours JAMES MEAD, the newly appointed Head Groundsman at Rugby School - I have been involved in the sports turf industry since leaving school in 1972. I served a five-year apprenticeship as a craftsman gardener with Birmingham City Council at Kings Heath Park Horticultural Training School. Also there at the same time was Pitchcare’s Editor, Laurence Gale but, despite this early setback, I was still keen to continue in the profession! I have always treated my job as a hobby; every day is a day off!! Living on the job often means that I find myself working additional hours ensuring that the school grounds are looking their best. With two teenage children I seem to spend most of my spare time ferrying them to various activities in around the Midlands. My son plays county cricket and hockey, so many weekends are taken up watching and supporting him. I’m a life long Birmingham City supporter, and I try to watch them at every opportunity, however it can be depressing at times. I enjoy listening to live music and have been to the Glastonbury Festival on several occasions. Keeping fit is another passion of mine, I swim and play cricket (not at the same time!), and I cycle in to work every day. However, I’m still settling in to my new post here at Rugby, so any spare hours will be dedicated to raising the standards to establish rugby school as a leading sports venue in the UK. Classifieds To advertise in the classified section of Pitchcare contact Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email: peter@pitchcare.com GOLF COURSE FURNITURE DRAINAGE AERATION 21 26 IRRIGATION 30 .co.uk Golf Tee Signs The Natural Choice 35 Design : Installation : Maintenance Construction Piped Drainage Systems Sand Slitting : Vertidraining Topdressing : Overseeding Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancs WN6 9DT t 01257 255321 f 01257 255327 e duncanross.ltd@virgin.net 36 GROUNDSMAN AERATORS 22 Hollow, solid and micro tine with tractor or pedestrian aerators from Groundsman HIRE AND SALES Contact Dave on 01380 828337 Mobile: 07971 843802 email: sales@synergyproducts.ltd.uk www.synergyproducts.ltd.uk Why not visit our on-line classifieds at www.pitchcare.com • Or visit the Pitchcare Shop for great savings on a host of quality products 27 Get more for your money 23 WITH GRASS CUTTING MACHINERY A self-propelled, laser-guided, reel-type mower capable of creating a multitude of geometric patterns on turf . . . without an operator being present. 31 Park Farm, Stancombe, Dursley Gloucestershire GL11 6AT. Tel: 01453 544135 www.mcmurtryltd.co.uk Trimax PegasusS2 32 Tractor not included ... HYDROJECT AERATION GROUNDBREAKER DECOMPACTION GOLF COURSE & BOWLING GREEN RENOVATION & MAINTENANCE PEDESTRIAN & TRACTOR EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT HIRE TEL: 01952 511000 www.oakleysgroundcare.com ... but everything you need for years of superb mowing is! Tel: 01933 652235 info@trimaxmowers.co.uk www.trimaxmowers.com E.mail phil@oakleysgroundcare.co.uk DRAINAGE One-piece nylon head that trims the grass around sprinkler heads in seconds A unique high 37 speed cutter which fits all commercial trimmers & brushcutters A range of cutters to meet the requirements of the world’s leading irrigation systems Distibuted in the UK by Lastec IRRIGATION Tel: 01622 812103 Fax: 01622 815534 SPEEDCUT 28 email: sales@lastec.co.uk CONTRACTORS LTD 24 38 SPORTSTURF Construction Drainage Renovation Sandslitting 33 NOW IN OVER 2000 GOLF COURSES Golf Course Irrigation Controllers & Decoders Programme Testers Lightning protection modules User Friendly Controllers Comprehensive Field Wiring Kits The world’s widest range of replacement decoders NEW - Golf Course Mapping Contact Kevin Smith OXFORD 01865 331479 Tel: 01269 832325 J&R ALKER 25 29 34 SPORTSGROUND CONSTRUCTION LTD Specialists in full construction, drainage, sand slitting, verti-draining, top dressing. Tel/Fax: 01695 622983 Mobile: 07974 462465 60 AGRIPOWER TOP DRESSING OVER SEEDING DE-COMPACTION VERTIDRAINING GROUND BREAKING LANDSCAPING SPECIALISTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF SPORTSTURF CONSTRUCTION DRAINAGE & MAINTENANCE TEL: 01494 866776 FAX: 01494 866779 www.agripower.co.uk info@tonick.co.uk • www.tonick.co.uk You can respond to advertising in this issue by logging on to www.pitchcare.com/re Clicking on to the relevant response number will take you direct to the advertisers website Classifieds To advertise in the classified section of Pitchcare contact Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email: peter@pitchcare.com SEED SUPPLIERS MACHINERY SALES & HIRE Part of Boughton Loam Limited TYM tractors for Hire 23-70hp all fitted with turf tyres. Competitive rates for long term or contract hire 39 TURF-CARE CONTRACTING TURF-CARE EQUIPMENT SALES TURF-CARE PRODUCTS & LOAMS Central Area 01283 704664 South East 01895 834411 Greens aeration with core collection Fairway aeration work with special winter rates. Greens dressing, seeding and groundbreaker hire INTERNATIONAL LTD Sportsground Mixtures • Next day delivery • Technical advice • STILL in 25kg bags Used Charterhouse Verti-drains for sale seeds@bshlincoln.co.uk 1.5m greens machines, 2m and 2.4 fairway machines www.britishseedhouses.com 44 Possibly the largest stockist of amenity grass and wild flowers seed in northern England www.stuarttaylors.co.uk 40 tel: 01254 813175 mobile: 07810 650007 You have the grass, we have the machine Lane Ends Cottage, Highfield Gate Lane, Balderstone, Blackburn BB2 7LJ 41 Moore Uni-Drill is the proven machine for accurate seed placement on flat or undulating areas Contact Dave on 01380 828337 Mobile: 07971 843802 email: sales@synergyproducts.ltd.uk www.synergyproducts.ltd.uk This space could be YOURS for as little as £40 per issue For further details contact Peter Britton on 01747 855335 or email peter@pitchcare.com 42 BENSON PLANT NUTRIENTS Strength Strength against against Stress Stress At BENSON we have long understood the problems of Stress in plants and have concentrated upon the effects and alleviation. a century of development and understanding of plant hormone Consolidate Plus Half production has resulted in the manufacture of specialised premium Renascent Tel: (0044) 0114 251 3344 Email: sales@tines.co.uk Fax: (0044) 0114 251 3000 Website: www.garfitts.com 45 Produce high quality topsoil from your own recycled materials HIRE AND SALES Contact Dave on 01380 828337 Mobile: 07971 843802 email: sales@synergyproducts.ltd.uk www.synergyproducts.ltd.uk You can respond to advertising in this issue by logging on to www.pitchcare.com/re Clicking on to the relevant response number will take you direct to the advertisers website ROLLERS 48 47 POWEROLL ROLLERS PLANT NUTRIENTS Consolidate Garfitts International Ltd Cross Scythes Works: New Street: Holbrook Trading Estate: Halfway Sheffield: England: S20 3GH Email: nick@hurrells.fsbusiness.co.uk SOIL SCREENERS We stock all types of grass cutting equipment from 4ft to 50ft cut Tines Tel: 01377 271400 Fax: 01377 271500 SOIL SCREENERS Northwest main dealer for Benye compact tractors NEED TO OVERSEED? Hurrells Specialist Seeds, Beverley Road Cranswick Driffield East Yorkshire YO25 9PF www.hmseeds.co.uk Sales & hire of used commercial mowers THE UK’s PREMIER SUPPLIER FOR ALL YOUR GOLF AND TURF MACHINERY SPARES Tines/slitters/scarifiers for turf maintenance machinery Tel: 01522 868714 Fax: 01522 868095 For more details contact Julian on 07774 746083 or email for pictures - jsimpson@boughton-loam.co.uk OVERSEEDING 46 43 Providing Boughton Turf Management SPARE PARTS products facilitating healthy root growth, disease resistance and most importantly, protection against Stress. GOT A PROBLEM? Contact Paul Benson on 07733 233333 email: paul@bensonplantnutrients.com www.bensonplantnutrients.com You can buy our products on-line at www.pitchcare.com NEW AND USED Tel: 01822 832608 www.poweroll.com To subscribe to pitchcare magazine log on to www.pitchcare.com 61 Classifieds To advertise in the classified section of Pitchcare contact Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email: peter@pitchcare.com SPORTS TURF CONTRACTORS SPORTS TURF CONTRACTORS FTS 49 54 Sportsground & Amenity Contractors Cricket Pitch Specialists Unit 5, Beenham Industrial Estate Reading, Berkshire RG7 5PP Tel: 0118 9714420 Mob: 07768 696291 Fax: 0118 9714522 www.fts-sportsturf.co.uk J&R ALKER Vertidraining, Hollow Coring, Overseeding, Draining, Gravel Banding, Field Top Maker, Deep Scarifying & all types of Sports Turf Maintenance Mobile: 07860 259692 Tel: 01284 735241 Fax 01284 735105 Email: peter@buryturfcare.com www.buryturfcare.com 50 55 SPORTSGROUND CONSTRUCTION LTD Specialists in full construction, drainage, sand slitting, verti-draining, top dressing. Tel/Fax: 01695 622983 Mobile: 07974 462465 Sportsturf Contractors • Construction • Drainage • Renovation Oasby Mill, Oasby, Grantham, Lincs NG32 3AQ Tel: 01529 455757 Fax: 01529 455775 Chris Boniface Ltd Cricket Pitches 51 A qualified cricket groundsman with 20 years experience in the maintenance and construction of cricket pitches Tel: 07795 634948 email: email: chris@cboniface1.wanadoo.co.uk chris@cboniface1.wanadoo.co.uk CH GROUNDS 52 MAINTENANCE LTD Construction Renovation Verti-Draining Sanding Seeding & Spraying Koro Field Topmaker CHESHAM, BUCKS Tel: 01494 758208 www.chgrounds.com e-mail: info@chgrounds.com Get more for your money 53 WITH SPORTS TURF RENOVATION & CONSTRUCTION EXPERT ADVICE & AGRONOMY SERVICES FINE TURF MAINTENANCE WORK SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT HIRE TEL: 01952 511000 www.oakleysgroundcare.com E.mail phil@oakleysgroundcare.co.uk 59 D W Clark DRAINAGE LTD SPECIALIST SPORTSTURF CONSTRUCTION & DRAINAGE CONTRACTORS • Gravel Banding • Sand Slitting • Top Dressing • Renovation • Irrigation Unit 7, Brailes Industrial Estate, Winderton Lane, Lower Brailes Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5JW Tel: 01608 685800 Fax: 01608 685801 email: steve@stevenpask.co.uk email: jim@dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk Web: www.dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk 60 56 SPORTSFIELD CONSTRUCTION, FENCING, DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING Our extensive experience over a wide range of contracts ensures that we can offer proven solutions for almost all situations. 01773 872362 01773 874763 info@pugh-lewis.co.uk SPORTS TURF CONSULTANTS 55 61 57 Sports Turf Consultancy Associates Ltd A multidisciplinary Turf Consultancy Service for all Golf and Sports Clubs and Turf Managers www.stca-ltd.com Director: George Attwood-Harris Phone: 01782 515679 Mobile: 07712 779473 Email: enquiries@stca-ltd.com 62 58 Total Turf Solutions One resource for all your turf care needs The tts culture is based on its independence. tts embodies a new generation of turf consultants combining experienced and practical groundsmen with in-depth technical knowledge. For more information on how tts can improve your playing surfaces and contribute effective resource management to your organisation, don’t hesitate to call. Telephone: 01604 750555 Mobile: 07973 885 775 Website: www.totalturfsolutions.co.uk email: enquiry@totalturfsolutions.co.uk To subscribe to pitchcare magazine log on to www.pitchcare.com Classifieds To advertise in the classified section of Pitchcare contact Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email: peter@pitchcare.com TURF SUPPLIERS TYRES TOP DRESSING 62 64 65 “For landscaping, for sports, for amenity ...” 66 Growers of natural & rootzone sports turf using the very best STRI cultivars Tel: 01724 855000 Fax: 01724 282777 email: andyfraser@countyturf.co.uk www.countyturf.co.uk 63 Top quality dressings Kaloam & Ongar Loam • Fertilisers Specialist grass seeds, machinery & tools Contact: Alan Ford - Tel:0870 242 1090 Alan.ford@monrogoundrey.co.uk www.monrogoundrey.co.uk Contact: Philip Furner - Tel:01277 890246 sales@binderloams.co.uk www.binderloams.co.uk NO MORE DOWNTIME - 100% RECYCLABLE WHEELBARROWS TO GOLFCARS PSI RATED TYRES KIND TO YOUR TURF CALL 01564 824343 GROWERS OF QUALITY TURF Telephone: 01842 828266 Website: www.qlawns.co.uk Email: sales@qlawns.co.uk FOR PRICE AND TYRE AVAILABILITY Why not visit our on-line classifieds at www.pitchcare.com WWW.HANCOX.CO.UK Respond to advertising in this issue by logging on to www.pitchcare.com/re Clicking on to the relevant response number will take you direct to the advertisers website Or visit the Pitchcare Shop for great savings on a host of quality products Job opportunities To advertise in the classified section of Pitchcare contact Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email: peter@pitchcare.com Head Groundsman Major Sporting Stadium London GROUNDSPERSON Brentford Football Club Head Groundsman is required to work on the main ground for this major sports club. Reporting to the Stadium Manager you must have experience of winter sports, used to providing quality pitches and have the ability to work under pressure. Brentford FC have a vacancy for a groundsperson, reporting to the Club's Head Groundsman. Salary is dependant on experience and qualifications and will reflect the high expectations of the club. Experience of working with performance sports pitches is essential, although the character and work ethic of the successful candidate will be of equal importance. To discuss this position in confidence please contact Helen Whiting of Groundsearch Consultancy Limited, 11 Laceys Lane, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7HL Telephone: 01638 578816 E-Mail: info@gscl.co.uk Telephone: 01638 578816 E-Mail: info@gscl.co.uk We are looking for a highly motivated individual, capable of working unsupervised at times, but also able to fit well into a closely knit team on matchdays. Work will be split at both the stadium and the Club's training ground. Salary will be in the range £15,000 to £20,000, dependant on experience. The opportunity is available almost immediately. Telephone: 0208 380 9907 E-Mail: rking@brentfordfc.co.uk 63 You CANNOT be serious! The not so serious side of the industry Some of our research for the magazine is conducted over the internet. Just type in a groundsman’s or greenkeeper’s name and, voila, all the info you could need. And more! Somehow I don’t think the following are actually all moonlighting but ... Did you know that KEITH KENT is a successful author of religious titles. Some of his published work include ‘Finding personal meaning in a crazy world’ and ‘Jesus did it anyway - the paradoxical commandments’. MICK HUNT is the chairman of the ASHP Foundation in Missouri who foster safe and effective medication use. DAVE ROBERTS, from Austin, Texas is a ‘voice-over’ expert for TV and radio commercials. STEVE ROUSE is a Director of Music at Louisville State University. EDDIE (Lockjaw) SEEWARD is a blues musician from the ’50’s. Spookily his best known track is ‘Digging a hole’ STEVE BRADDOCK is a Director of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition who specialise in low income housing. PETER CRAIG is another succesful author. Humorous adventure apparently. Titles include Southbound and Blood Fathers. ANTHONY ASQUITH is a British film director whose major works include ‘The Winslow Boy’ and, er, ‘Fanny by Gaslight’. GORDON MOIR is co-author of ‘Megalithic science and some Scottish site plans. And who’s the other author? RAY NORRIS, who himself is the head groundsman at Clayesmore School in Dorset DAVE SALTMAN is a Mildred Caldwell and Baine Perkins Kerr Centennial Professor (phew) specialising in Algebra and Division Algebras. LAURENCE GALE is a former President of Cryonics Research in the USA.... that’s freezing people to bring them back to life later - if only! Big Pussy in Scotland GREENKEEPERS in Fife have more than fox and rabbit scrapings to worry about. A huge cat, dubbed the Beast of Balbirnie, is prowling a public area of woodland. Two greenkeepers at the local golf club watched a large black animal sunning itself on a grassy bank for over an hour. Police are hunting the massive feline after a pawprint measuring 4in by 64 3.5in backed up numerous sightings by walkers in the area. They believe the beast, which is described as taller than a labrador and twice the length, could be a puma or leopard. Big cat expert George Redpath said yesterday there had been more than 30 sightings in Fife in the last year alone. This figure, he said, did not include hoaxes and those made by callers who appeared to be drunk. I know we did a similar thing in the last issue but these are just too good to go unpublished. Double Entendres Weightlifting commentator: “This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria . I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing.” “Ritchie has now scored eleven goals - exactly double last year’s tally.” Alan Parry Dressage commentator: “This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother.” “Oh, and here comes Caddick to bowl from the pavilion end again...well, I don’t suppose he’ll mind if I read the scores between his balls.” Henry Blofeld “What does it feel like being rammed up the backside by Barrichello?" James Allen interviewing Ralf Schumacher at a Grand Prix “The breeze is getting up and we can just about see Umpire Shepherd’s trousers filling up with wind.” Jonathan Agnew “She comes from a tennis playing family. Her father’s a dentist!” BBC commentator at Wimbledon - John Lloyd we think “I’m not going to make it a target but it’s something to aim for” Steve Coppell Caddies say ... the most hurtful (truthful) things Golfer: “Think I’m going to drown myself in the lake.” Caddy: “Think you can keep your head down that long?” Golfer: “Do you think it’s a sin to play on Sunday?” Caddy: “The way you play, sir, it's a sin on any day.” Golfer: “I’d move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course.” Caddy: “Try heaven sir, you’ve already moved most of the earth.” Golfer: “You’ve got to be the worst caddy in the world.” Caddy: “I don’t think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence.” Golfer: “Do you think my game is improving?” Caddy: “Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now.” Golfer: “Do you think I can get there with a 5 iron?” Caddy: “Eventually sir.” Golfer: “How do you like my game?” Caddy: “Very good sir, but personally, I prefer golf.” Golfer: “This is the worst course I’ve ever played on.” Caddy: “This isn’t the golf course. We left that an hour ago.” Golfer: “That can’t be my ball, it’s too old.” Caddy: “It’s been a long time since we teed off, sir.” BIGGA expanding? Not too sure what this means? Perhaps it’s BIGGA’s way of offsetting some of the losses they might incur in 2007 when some of the ‘majors’ pull out of Harrogate Week. Actually Bigga are a Jamaican Soft Drinks manufacturer who have recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary. Judging by past experience at the recently renamed ‘Harrogate Week’ I can’t see it becoming the official drink of show! Pictured at the recent LDCA Drainage event are a ‘mix’ of Barenbrugers and British Seed Housers! Bob Scott (BSH), Jane Leyland (Barenbrug), Louise Clegg (BSH) and David Singleton (Barenbrug). There’s no suggestion of a merger - just a very good way of illustrating what a friendly industry we all work in. We purchase and buy all our own machinery • Ludlow nestles in the heart of the Shropshire countryside within two miles of Ludlow Castle and theTown Centre. Can’t let the whole magazine pass by without a nod to Michael Vaughan and his team. A truly fantastic • achievement and one that warmed the hearts of a nation. The course is currently Also heart warming was Justin Langer’s Daily Diary on the vertidrained using a BBC Sports website. An honest appraisal of a closely fought contractor Well done boys ... series. So refreshing after the early series rants of Darren Lehman, Michael Slater and Matthew Hayden! It was also good to see ‘Freddie’ and ‘Harmy’ perform so well in the pointless World XI series - got ’em worried for the return? Forward THINKING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY NOVEMBER 2nd to 5th - Green Industry Expo (GIE), Orlando, Florida (www.gieonline.com) 9th - ‘Putting science into practice in your grounds and parklands’ - STRI, Bingley (www.stri.co.uk/training) 21st to 25th - ‘Putting science into practice on your sports grounds’ STRI, Bingley (www.stri.co.uk/training) 30th to 1st Dec - GCSAI Sportsturf Ireland, Dublin, Ireland (www.gcsai.org/tradeshow) DECEMBER 9th to 10th - IOG Scotsturf Edinburgh, Scotland (www.scotsturf.com) 5th to 8th - NTF Conference Blackpool (www.turfgrass.org.uk) 12th to 16th - EIMA 2005, Bologna, Italy (www.eima.it) 22nd to 27th - Harrogate Week (including BTME and Clubhouse - 24th to 26th), UK (www.harrogateweek.org.uk) 13th to 15th - Soccerex 2005 Dubai (www.soccerex.com) 14th to 18th - ‘Putting science into practice on your golf course’ - STRI, Bingley (www.stri.co.uk/training) JANUARY 2006 25th to 26th - The Hire Show, Excel, London (www.hireshow.co.uk) FEBRUARY 2006 6th to 11th - GCSAA Golf Industry Show, Atlanta (www.golfindustryshow.com) MARCH 2006 1st to 2nd - GCSAI Annual Conference, Galway (www.gcsai.org/annualconference.html) 1st to 3rd - Fairway 2006, Munich (www.fairway.de/english/esuche.htm) To add your event to Forward Thinking please email details to ellie@pitchcare.com and don’t forget that you can add it to Pitchcare’s online calendar yourself! Simply log on to www.pitchcare.com, select the yellow ‘calendar’ button on the left hand side of the screen and click on “Add event’ at the top of the page.