Much more than a walk in the park

156 Pages·2017·48.93 MB·English

SERVING GREENKEEPERS & GROUNDSMEN
The turfcare magazine
from pitchcare.com
pitch
care
TM
February/March 2018
Issue No. 77 £5.95
FEATURE
REAPING
THE BENEFITS
Rethinking course maintenance
at Harpenden Common Golf
Club to focus on soil biology has
reaped rewards on the course
and in the clubhouse
Much more
CLIMATE
CHANGE AND
than a walk in BIRDS
Large scale monitoring
programmes have
the park provided data for a
number of cross‐species
analyses to examine the
impacts of climate change
Henry VIII probably, and The Beatles definitely, ‘walked the course’ or at least
part of what is regarded as one of England’s best golf course settings. Neville
Johnson discovers that history and celebrity are not all that sets it apart
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“It still grabs me now. It has its
pitch tricky moments and, at times, I
care
ask myself what the hell I am
doing driving 50-odd miles down
the M6 to work”
Tim Johnson, Penn Golf Club
Is change as
“I’m here because the manager
good as a wants the pitch to play right.
Otherwise, what’s the point?
rest? There is no point in having a
pitch that plays like a dud, even
if it looks great”
Andy Thompson, Sheffield Wednesday
There’s been talk, in recent weeks, about a
winter break in football to allow the
players to recover. It’s an interesting “Each year, something needs to
debate, with many citing ‘tradition’ as one be sacrificed to make up for the
of the reasons not to. deficit, and this year it’s going to
be renovation of the square, by
Conversely, the home nations’ poor
the looks of it”
performances at international tournaments
(Wales a recent exception) is also Jamie Smart, Newtown Cricket Club
considered a strong argument in favour,
with player burnout regarded as the main
“General managers need to be
contributory factor.
more educated about the
Interestingly, a fan poll on the BBC Sport
demands the golf course makes
website came out 54‐46% in favour of a In STFC’s case, we have been victims of our
on maintenance - why we do
winter break, which may well have own success, with good cup runs and a
what we do”
surprised a few onlookers. disproportionate amount of home draws. In
January alone, we had to accommodate Sean Brocklehurst, Harpenden Common
Personally, I wouldn’t advocate a winter five games and seven training sessions,
break, but I find it ludicrous that the EFL made worse when I think that many other
want to play rearranged games in January clubs will have played only one or two “We will witness more products
and February instead of March, April, May games in that month. coming onto the market that
when the pitches stand more chance of
state they will do one thing
being able to recover. There should be Perhaps also the EFL should have a fund to
more autumn and spring fixtures, coupled help the lower league clubs invest in their when the reality will be that
with a sensible schedule in the winter. stadiums and training grounds. Most of the they do something entirely
Championship are okay, and some clubs in different”
And, if the tradition is important, then League One and Two also where
John Handley, Maxwell Amenity
retain the Boxing Day and new years day investment has been historic. However, a
fixtures over the holiday period ... and £1m payment to each meritable club, to be
that’s it. invested entirely into the provision of
“It was the first time I’d ever
better drainage, renovation etc., would be
I doubt the fans would complain; it can’t be marked out a football pitch, but
a small budget to find from the money paid
much fun huddled in the stands watching
we stood beside them and had
down from the Premier League?
their team on a freezing winter’s day, being
to just go for it. So, that was a
battered by strong winds and sideways I understand the need for players recovery
bit different and fun”
rain, along with the inherent travel time, but the same is true of our natural
problems for away fans that Mother Nature turf pitches, so surely a more structured Gareth Shaw, Ealing Cricket Club
hurls at us. fixture list is the way to go?
I suppose we have had a near perfect storm And, before I hear someone call for 3G “Our key task is to make the
at Shrewsbury this year, but there are pitches, that won’t work either. I speak to
most of the skills and the
plenty of other examples at our level where managers on a regular basis and they and
machinery we have to prepare
pitches are teetering on the edge of the players simply don’t like using the
the grounds to the best of our
catastrophe, or have already gone over. artificials at all.
There’s simply been too many wet games ability to make a difference for
this year, coupled with an exhaustive Cheers the students”
fixture list. Dave Saltman
Colin Ball, Ampleforth College
PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018I1
Contents
Meet the
Pitchcare team
Issue 77 February/March 2018
DAVE SALTMAN JOHN RICHARDS
Managing Director Operations Director
t:01902 440 254 t:01902 440 256
e: [email protected] e:[email protected]
Gavin Kyle, Knole Park Golf Club
KERRY HAYWOOD JAKE BARROW
Editor Editorial & Media Cover story - 16
t:07973 394 037 t:07375 419 442
e:[email protected] e:[email protected]
Much more than a walk in the park
Henry VIII probably, and The Beatles definitely, ‘walked the course’ or at least part of what is
regarded as one of England’s best golf course settings. Neville Johnson discovers that history and
celebrity are not all that sets it apart.
Golf Winter Sports
PETER BRITTON PAUL HAWKINS The closest golf course to the City 24 Wednesday morning 3.00am... 46
Advertising & Production Advertising Executive
t:01952 898 516 t:01952 924 202 Hampstead Golf Club, consisting of nine holes, a The Wednesday Cricket Club was formed in 1820
e:[email protected] e:[email protected] practice area and with no room to expand, is the and was so named because it was on Wednesdays
closest full‐sized golf facility to central London. It is that the founding members had their day off work.
just down the road from Hampstead Heath, from In 1867, a meeting was held to establish whether
where the London skyline is famously very visible. there was interest among the members to form a
But Hampstead is famous for more than its views. football club to keep the team together and fit
during the winter months.
Putting Penn to paper 32
It takes two to tango... 54
As the last of the December snow cleared from the
West Midlands, Jake Barrow headed to a cold Penn Home to Ballymena United, Ballymena Showgrounds
Golf Club to find out how its new Course Manager, is regarded as one of the finest sports facilities in
Tim Johnson, is changing the mindset of the Northern Ireland. Chris McCullough met the council‐
members as he aims for a chemical free course ... run team who look after the impressive complex on
CAROL SMITH DAN HUGHES and the first double green in the club’s long history. the banks of the Braid River.
Grounds Training Marketing & Sales
Bryn there, done that! 40 Flying the non-league flag 62
t:01902 440 251 t:01902 440 258
e:[email protected] e:[email protected]
Every golf course has its selling features and its In the affluent North London borough of Barnet,
resources. At the only golf course in the Welsh football has always been a major concern. The area
No part of this publication may be reproduced without village of Betws‐yn‐Rhos, for example, there is wind is known around the world for its consistent
prior permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. ‐ lots and lots of wind. A battered and windswept concentration of world‐class players. Less publicised
Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily Jake Barrow met the club’s founder Thomas ‘Bryn’ but still flying the non‐league flag is well supported
those of the publisher. Editorial contributions are Jones and Head Greenkeeper Elfed Davies. Wingate & Finchley Football Club.
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. Images are presumed
copyright of the author or Pitchcare unless otherwise
stated. Pitchcare Magazine is printed by the Gemini Press,
Dolphin Way, Shoreham‐by‐Sea, West Sussex BN43 6NZ
Pitchcare.com
Allscott Park, Allscott, Telford
Shropshire TF6 5DY
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email:[email protected]
www.pitchcare.com 24 62
Christopher Sharp, Hampstead Golf Club Andrew Ward, Wingate & Finchley FC
2 IPC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018
Also in this issue
Editorial 1
News 5
Grasscutter 70
84 114
Jamie Smart, Newtown Cricket Club Stve Brocklehurtst, Harpenden Common
Schools & Colleges Conservation
Colin is having a Ball! 76 Climate change and birds 106
It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Arriving Large scale monitoring programmes, such as those 70
every day to absorb the sheer scale and spectacle reviewed annually in ‘The State of the UK’s Birds’,
of Ampleforth Abbey and College spurs a highly have provided data for a number of cross‐species
committed mixed‐skills team to excel. Greg Rhodes analyses to examine the impacts of climate change.
NatWest RugbyForce 72
meets Colin Ball, the college’s new Head The Rugby League Bird 110
Groundsman.
At Wigan Golf Club, there has been a long history of
Summer Sports sustaining on‐site wildlife, and the grounds were
recently flagged as a potential stronghold for one of
the UK’s rarest birds, the willow tit. Wigan’s Head
Greenkeeper Paul Walker tells us more.
James and the Giant Pitch 84
Technical
Newtown is the largest town in Powys, but with a
population hovering around 12,500. Surrounded by
difficult to pronounce villages (unless you are
Welsh), the town’s cricket ground lies just ten miles The benefits of soil biology 114
from the border with England, where they play their
cricket in the Shropshire Premier League. Rethinking course maintenance at Harpenden
Common Golf Club to focus on soil biology has 72
Good turf requires labour... 90 reaped rewards on the course and in the clubhouse,
reports Greg Rhodes.
The Head Groundsman at Ealing Cricket Club has
two jobs ‐ he is also a doctorate educated, elected Iprodione loss the best thing 124 The five generations 140
Councillor for the Walpole ward. Gareth Shaw’s,
Maxwell Amenity Technical Manager John Handley
wife laughed at him when he said he was going to Social Media 142
discusses the loss of iprodione and suggests it is one
become a groundsman ‐ he didn’t get her vote!
of the best things that could have happened for the Burnley FC irrigation 144
amenity sector.
Equestrian Technology can cut costs 128 Pre‐season rolling 146
Robert Jackson, irrigation field sales manager for
Winners, whatever the weather 96 Reesink Turfcare, has witnessed a marked change in
attitudes towards irrigation in the past decade.
Wolverhampton Racecourse had eight inches of More flexible than you think 132
snow dumped on its ‘all weather’ track in mid
December, seemingly making nonsense of that Nigel Church, Product Trainer with Cutting Edge
claim. Yet, just twenty‐four hours later, the course Training, an operating division of Ransomes
was made ready for racing. Jacobsen, looks at common platforms and the
benefits of this practice for both manufacturer and
Artificial Surfaces end user.
Training
Things to consider 102 146
The decision for a sports facility to invest in a What’s the point? 136
synthetic turf pitch is considerable and is normally
made by the highest levels of authority within an Andy Wight, Head of Work‐based Training for Product News 148
organisation. Curtis Allen discusses what needs to Landbased Industries at Oaklands College offers his
be considered before installation. thoughts on education. Offside 152
96 136
152
Paul Gosling, Wolverhampton Racecourse Andy Wight, Oaklands College
PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018I3
News
So, it’s goodbye from her …
After almost twelve years, Chris Johnson is standing down from her
day-to-day role as Grounds Training’s Development Manager and is
taking a well-earned retirement
Chris founded the training management/team leader see the business grow to the
function in the early days of workshops. successful organisation it is today.
Pitchcare when it was then just a It has been a privilege to meet and
The focus is on group training
modest number of five staff work with some lovely people,
delivered at clients’ premises, and
including directors Dave Saltman both colleagues and clients and, of
regular clients for on‐site group
and John Richards in a small course, my team of
training include some of the most
office at Wolverhampton Science knowledgeable and enthusiastic
instantly recognised and
Park… a very different story to freelance Instructors who always
prestigious organisations in the
the ninety staff Maxwell Amenity go the extra mile to ensure that
sport, groundcare and amenity
employs today. our clients and learners receive
industries.
excellent service and training.”
Chris quickly developed a range of
sport specific Turf Maintenance Chris says: “The decision to retire “Having developed my career as I shall be keeping in touch with
courses, which she steered has not been an easy one to make, an Executive Administrator friends from Maxwell Amenity and
through Lantra Awards’ but I am now sure that it is the through a variety of environments, will be following the company’s
independent accreditation right time to hand over to the including the chemical industry, progress with interest as our
process. These courses formed the younger generation and I am construction, fashion and financial talented teams take the
core of our education portfolio confident that I’m leaving Grounds institutions, I can honestly say ‐ organisation from strength to
and remain the only such courses Training in very capable hands. with the voice of experience ‐ that strength in the coming years.”
Kerry Haywood will be taking on
to achieve this enviable status. overall responsibility for the within groundsmanship I have met “But, for now, it’s cheerio and
Today, Grounds Training offers a Training function alongside her the most genuine, friendly and thank you to everyone who has
complete range of groundcare role as Editor of Pitchcare helpful people with a true passion made the last twelve years so
courses leading to Lantra Awards magazine, and managing the for their profession.” enjoyable and rewarding ‐ and
and NPTC/City & Guilds training office. All day‐to‐day “From day one, everyone has been huge fun along the way!”
qualification, covering turf processes remain in the very generous in sharing advice, For information on any of the
maintenance theory, machinery, capable hands of Carol Smith.” information and guidance, without Grounds Training courses contact
equipment, spraying operations, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my which Grounds Training would Carol Smith on 01902 440257.
turf/soil culture and other botany time and it has been wonderful to never have lifted off the ground. www.groundstraining.com
and ecology subjects, and
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4IPC FEBRUARY/MARCH2018
News
BIGGA announce
changes to BTME
Continued growth sees BIGGA initiate
substantial changes to the layout of BTME
BIGGA has announced major additional exhibitors also eager to
changes that reveal how BTME, take part. A waiting list was
the leading turf management established in an attempt to cope
exhibition in Europe, will look in with the additional demand.
coming years.
With Continue to Learn education programme will now be situated four traditional exhibition halls
Harrogate Convention Centre will numbers also reaching record at the centre of the entire visitor that we have utilised. The move to
continue to host BTME. The venue levels, it became clear that BTME experience, rather than at the very alternative facilities within the
has seen significant investment in had outgrown its current rear of the facilities used. centre enables us to retain all that
recent years, and BIGGA has opted configuration, and so avenues Meanwhile, the impressive is good about BTME, while
to take advantage, in a move that were opened to explore modern auditorium will be utilised presenting an improved visitor
will further improve the possibilities to allow expansion. for the key educational and experience and allowing all our
experience for visitors and celebratory events during the exhibitor base to take the space
As such, in 2019, BTME will no
exhibitors alike. week. they need to show their wares. It
longer utilise Halls A and M. Halls
is critical that all events evolve to
The focus of BTME will shift away B and C will be retained, but the BIGGA Chief Executive Jim Croxton
suit the needs of their
from the Ripon Road end of the King’s Suite, Halls D and Q and said: “The Harrogate Convention
stakeholders and I’m thrilled we
convention centre, to the main Studio One will become the main Centre remains the ideal location
have the opportunity to do so with
auditorium entrance, further exhibition spaces, with the to host BTME, as not only are the
BTME 2019.”
down King’s Road. This opens up primary entrance to the exhibition facilities ideally suited to hosting
different exhibition spaces, coming through the Harrogate such a huge event, but the North Additionally, BIGGA has engaged
creating an improved, structured Convention Centre’s main Yorkshire market town itself is the services of JR Exhibitions, led
journey for the visitor and brings a entrance. integral to the success of the by Jill Rodham, who has
whole host of possibilities for exhibition.” substantial experience of BTME, to
The Continue to Learn education
innovation and creativity. manage the exhibition sales
programme will remain in the “We’re delighted that BTME has
process.
The association has experienced a Queen’s Suite, but the new layout grown to the extent that it can no
surge in re‐bookings, with will mean the education longer be contained within the
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PC FEBRUARY/MARCH2018 I5
News
Golf Environment
North Oxford Golf
Club gets £2m to
Awards 2018
stay silent
Golfers have launched a
campaign to save a 110‐year‐ winners revealed
old course after North Oxford
Golf Club agreed to accept £2m
from Oxford University to
remain silent on plans to build
homes on the land. The winners of the 2018 Golf Environment
The course has been Awards (GEA) were announced at BTME
earmarked as part of a
development of 1,180 homes
in Cherwell District Council’s The annual Golf Environment Thompson of John O’Gaunt Golf
proposals to help Oxford's Awards provide the platform Club for his passionate dedication
unmet housing need. from which the golf industry can to nature conservation within golf.
Stephen Thompson
The club’s members voted in demonstrate environmental Stephen has extensive biodiversity
favour of accepting a new lease excellence in all its forms. records for both courses at his
‐ believed to be 14 years long ‐ Established in 1995, the awards club, enabling him to tailor the Tom Freeman had introduced
which would break if planning have gone from strength to management of the mosaic of extensive native wildflower areas
permission was granted. strength. habitats accordingly. with the help of local primary
But a letter seen by The Oxford Carnoustie Golf Links were Abergele Golf Club won school children. Not only did this
Times also revealed the club awarded Environmental Golf Outstanding Environmental Project Operation Pollinator project
would receive £2.1m towards Course of the Year for their of the Year for their Tir Gwylllt provide for nectar and pollen
relocating if it did not object to incredible work within the local (Wild Land) area. Darren loving insects, it also provided a
the proposals. community and their continued Anderson, his team of great golf education to the
environmentally conscious greenkeeping staff and several younger generation.
The promise of silence does practices in all areas of golf course members have created a wildlife
The awards are sponsored by‐
not apply to individual management. Each decision at the haven from materials ready to
Ransomes Jacobson, Aquatrols,
members, who have now golf facility considers the impact hand or donated. The project is a
Syngenta, Tillers Turf and
launched a campaign group ‐ on the environment and each remarkable example of people
Wiedenmann.
Greenway Oxon ‐ to protect member of staff is trained to work pulling together to create
the course and have drafted a in such a way. something spectacular. www.golfenvironmentawards.com
letter to Theresa May.
Conservation Greenkeeper of the Operation Pollinator was awarded
Year was received by Stephen to Kingsdown Golf Club where
Syngenta UK Ltd. Registered in England No. 849037. CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.greencast.co.uk
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Distributed in the UK and Ireland by ICL Ltd. Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] Web: www.icl-sf.co.uk
News
Stuart receives
R&A Gold Scholar
Award at BTME
Stuart Yarwood becomes only the seventh
recipient of the highly acclaimed award
The R&A are the global governing community and create contacts
body for golf outside the United that will help them throughout
Stuart (right) was presented with the award at BTME
States and Mexico. Each year, their careers.
they invest a large amount of
In recognition of helping to
time and money in training
facilitate the programme, Stuart Five years ago, his involvement in in greenkeeping, so I like to
people all over the world.
Yarwood, Amenity Land Solutions’ the community, plus his support and encourage the
Currently, they support golf
Technical Sales Area Manager for knowledge and experience in the younger generations coming into
programmes at fifteen
Cheshire and North Wales, was greenkeeping industry, led him to the industry by helping them to
universities, and award around
presented with the Gold Scholar be invited to sit on the interview get started.”
100 individual Foundation
Award. The award is highly panel. Along with Dr Stuart Brown
scholarships. The Gold Scholar Award
acclaimed within the industry, and and Wendy Cole, and in
recognises Stuart’s commitment to
The programme was established in Stuart is one of only seven people conjunction with the R&A and
the industry throughout his career,
2004 to provide support and in the world to be presented with Myerscough College, he helps to
from being a Head Greenkeeper to
assistance to students enrolled in this accolade. interview applicants for the
helping and advising new
professional turf management scholarships each year.
As an active member in the scholarship students with the R&A.
qualifications.
greenkeeping industry and Stuart explains; “We interview Understandably, he is immensely
The scholarship enables students network, promoting sustainability them on issues like sustainable proud of this achievement, and
to visit different parts of the world and traditional greenkeeping golf course management and their wants to continue encouraging
for opportunities to assist values, Stuart regularly likes to employment experience and young people to get into the
greenkeeping teams at various give back to a community that has industry involvement. The industry through this programme.
events. It also gives them the supported him throughout his scholarship is a great experience
chance to network within the twenty‐five year career. for anyone wanting to get ahead
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