EDITOR'S BLOG
WORLD CUP WINNING SURFACES
Men's competitions will continue to use natural or hybrid surfaces
by TurfPro Editor, Steve Gibbs
 
Steve Gibbs

With the rights to host the 2026 World Cup won by a joint bid which included Canada, the controversies caused by the pitches used there for the 2015 Women's World Cup have been stirred up.

 


The World Cup is well underway now - and from my vantage point in front of the television, the surfaces in Russia are looking spectacular.

 

It's interesting to note that six of the 12 stadium pitches being used in the tournament have been installed by an Irish-owned company SIS Pitches.

 

The pitches at the Luzhniki Stadium, Otkritie Arena, Rostov Arena, Kaliningrad Stadium, Samara Arena and Saransk Arena have all been created using the company's reinforced natural turf system, called SIS Grass. These are comprised of 95 per cent natural grass and five per cent synthetic fibres.

 

What this means is that the final on July 15th will be the first time a World Cup will have been decided on a pitch which is not comprised of all natural grass.

 

What is significant though, is that no pitches in the competition are 100% artificial. Why is this? Do FIFA feel there isn't the appetite yet amongst players and managers and fans to play their showpiece competition on fully synthetic surfaces?

 

If so, that does seem to make it doubly insulting to cast one's mind back a couple of years to the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada where the world's elite female players were expected to play on such pitches - much to the dismay of many the participants. So vehement was the objection by some to playing their matches on artificial, a group of players led a human rights violation lawsuit based on gender discrimination. This was eventually dropped in January of 2015 ahead of the June tournament.

 

The controversy rose its head again this past week though when it was announced that a joint bid between Canada, USA and Mexico had won the right to host the 2026 World Cup. The U.S. lawyer who represented the coalition of female players in 2015, upon the announcement that the men's 2026 tournament would be played entirely on grass pitches, including the games in Canada, has demanded an apology for the female players.

 

The lawyer, Hampton Dellinger, said in a statement given to The Canadian Press "We are much closer in time to the plastic pitch debacle of 2015 than the grass tournament of 2026. And given the artificial turf the women were forced to play on and the threats made against those who protested, I believe Canadian, U.S., and Mexico soccer officials still owe female players an apology."

 

During that 2015 Women's World Cup it was reported that the pitches were heating up to incredible temperatures. According to Wikipedia, prior to the start of the Australia vs Japan quarter-final in Edmonton on 27 June 2015, Fox commentator Kyndra de St. Aubin measured the air temperature at 28 °C and the playing surface temperature at 66 °C! However, it wasn't deemed necessary to take cooling breaks because the air temperature was below 32 °C.

 

It does seem a weird case of double standards that in equivalent competitions, taking place in the same country, the men won't be expected to play any games on anything other than natural grass? It's almost as if FIFA are admitting it was a mistake to make the women play in such conditions isn't it? Or is that just me reading too much into it?

 

Last week in my reporting of the results of a survey of professional footballers in Scotland who had voted Hamilton Academical's artificial pitch as the worst in the country, I was accused by a reader of offering a "typical one-sided article" in favour of natural grass pitches. "Ask the future players from the Academies who train on synthetic day in day out," the reader proposed.

 

Which is an utterly fair opinion. Training on artificial pitches is rapidly becoming the norm, with youngsters knowing no different and having no objections to doing so. It just seems to me that for major flagship competitions natural turf, admittedly reinforced by a small percentage of synthetics, should continue to dominate.

NEWS
EMERGENCY AUTHORISATION GRANTED FOR SOIL PEST CONTROL PRODUCT
For control of Chafer grubs and leatherjackets
 
Leatherjacket

Syngenta's new insecticide, Acelepryn, for use on golf course greens and tees, horse racing courses and airfields, has had approval applied for by STRI, on behalf of and with support from the amenity industry.

 


An Emergency Authorisation has been granted for the use of the Syngenta insecticide, Acelepryn, for the control of Chafer grubs and leatherjacket on golf course greens and tees, horse racing courses and airfields. The approval was applied for by STRI, on behalf of and with support from the amenity industry.

 

Leatherjacket


Chafer Grubs and leatherjackets cause damage to turf through extensive feeding on roots, which can be severe in localised patches. Furthermore, extreme damage can occur when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of the grubs.


The Emergency Authorisation permits Acelepryn use in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified advisor.


With the loss of available control options independent advisors, ADAS, has calculated the economic cost of Chafer Grubs alone at up to £85 million a year for golf courses in the UK, from lost income and damage repair. The report also highlighted that on the 40% of racecourses affected by the pest’s damage, lost income could amount to up to £605,000 per course.

 

Chafer grub


‘”Since the withdrawal of effective insecticides, economic damage from chafer grubs and leatherjackets has been of major concern to many of us,” reported STRI Head of Research, Dr Ruth Mann. “Obtaining this Emergency Authorisation of Acelepryn enables us to manage the most damaging effects of these soil pests as part of an integrated turf management programme.”


Acelepryn UK Emergency Authorisation


The UK Emergency Authorisation for Acelepryn has been granted from 7 June to 30 September 2018, to cover the key Chafer Grub and leatherjacket treatment timing.


The Emergency Authorisation covers golf greens and tees, horse racing courses and airfields, specifically where there has been a history of pest damage or a recognised risk of damage. In all instances the use of Acelepryn must be recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist.


The authorised label permits application at the rate of 0.6 litres per hectare, applied in 500-1000 l/ha water. Ideally Acelepryn should irrigated in after application. One application per year is permitted, with the latest time of treatment being 30 September.


Turf managers or owners who believe they have suffered economically damaging effects of Chafer grubs and leatherjackets are advised to contact their BASIS agronomist or ICL Area Manager in the first instance.

NANTWICH TOWN 'DEVASTATED' AFTER THEFT OF GROUNDCARE EQUIPMENT
Some items had been donated by supporters
 
Nantwich Town FC

Nantwich Town FC have spoken of their devastation following the theft of thousands of pounds worth of groundcare equipment last week.

 


Nantwich Town FC have spoken of their devastation following the theft of thousands of pounds worth of groundcare equipment last week.

 

In a statement on the club's official website, Nantwich said, "Thieves broke into the ground and took a ride-on John Deere mower and one of our Hayter mowers plus other pieces of kit. Both pieces of equipment stolen were less than two years old. The Hayter mower was bought for the club by our supporters."

 

This was the second break in which the club had suffered in two years. Chairman Tony Davison told the club's website, “This is devastating news for the club. The equipment stolen was nearly brand new. Some of it had been donated by supporters which makes the theft even more upsetting.

 

“Running a club at this level is difficult enough at any time but events like this can put the whole future of the club at risk. We will have to launch an emergency fund raising initiative to replace the equipment and make sure we can look after the pitch to make sure it is ready for next season.”

 

The Crewe Chronicle reported that a spokesman for Cheshire Police said,  "Police are investigating a burglary at a football club in Waterlode.


"Sometime between 10pm on 12 June and 8am the following morning thieves broke into the grounds of Nantwich Football Club and forced open a container stealing garden equipment including lawnmowers.

 

"Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number IML 92102.

 

"Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

NEW COURSE MANAGER FOR YEOVIL
But Toro stays
 
Course manager Jason Connaughton, left, shakes hands with Elliot Wellman from dealer Devon Garden Machinery

Yeovil Golf Club in Dorset has a new course manager, Jason Connaughton, who within days of his arrival placed his first order for a Toro Groundsmaster 4000-D.

 


Yeovil Golf Club in Dorset has long been a Toro customer and that remains the case with the arrival of new course manager Jason Connaughton who, within days of his arrival, placed his first order for a Toro Groundsmaster 4000-D.

 

Course manager Jason Connaughton, middle, shakes hands with Elliot Wellman from dealer Devon Garden Machinery, with club secretary Chris Huggins, left

 

Jason says it was an exciting time to join the 27-hole parkland course as the club was undergoing a management restructure. He says, “The club is in a very exciting position. There has been a management restructure and we are working together to move the club forward in a positive way. Plans to buy in new machinery are well supported, and we are all in agreement that investment should focus on our number one asset: the course.”

 

As mentioned, first up is a Toro Groundsmaster 4000-D, which Jason had the pleasure of using extensively at his previous club, Saffron Walden Golf Club in Essex: “We had just replaced like-for-like at Saffron Walden, so when I arrived at Yeovil and spotted the gap for a roughs mower I turned straight to Toro and the GM4000-D again.”

 

Jason didn’t have to wait long, Elliot Wellman from local Toro dealer, Devon Garden Machinery, was on site by Jason’s second day to discuss what was needed. Elliot says: “Over the last six years Yeovil Golf Club had gradually been filling the shed with Toro, and there is quite a comprehensive fleet now in place. Jason needed a roughs mower, and it’s no surprise his first order is a GM4000-D, as he was already very familiar with its capabilities.”

 

Next, comes a bigger and more detailed decision to make: a five-year machinery replacement plan. Jason explains: “While the shed is looking good, the time comes when replacements need to be made. The board trusts us to pick the right machines for the right jobs, and we think a five-year plan will best serve the club and the results we want to achieve.”

LONDON GC ADVISES ON FEEDING PROGRAMME
To achieve consistent growth
 
Lee Sayers

When it comes to nutrition, Lee Sayers, The London Golf Clubs’ Golf Courses & Estate Manager, has said he looks to Headland Amenity for advice on applying short-term foliars.

 


No matter how many years of experience a greenkeeper builds up, one of the biggest challenges that remains is how to achieve consistency throughout the year.

 

This is never more relevant than in light of recent extremes in weather, causing huge peaks and troughs in growth. When it comes to nutrition, Lee Sayers, The London Golf Clubs’ Golf Courses & Estate Manager, looks to Headland Amenity for advice on applying short-term foliars.

 

Lee Sayers


Now on his third stint at the London, but first in charge of the two internationally-renowned 18-hole courses, Lee has worked with Headland Amenity products for a number of years. “With Headland we cover both ends of the spectrum when it comes to plant nutrition - applying long-term, slow-release, low nitrogen-based products as a base feed topped up with sprays and feeds that go on the greens every 7-14 days. Short-term feeds give you what you need, when you need it and puts you in control of your plant growth.


“To get our feeding programme right, it’s all about monitoring three major factors. Firstly, just looking at the plant - you can tell by the colour how healthy it is and what is required to sustain that. Secondly, monitoring the clippings. People may assume this is a luxury we can afford to do with the size of team we have, but in-fact it takes the guys just a minute per green to measure in litres how many clippings are taken off each green. Finally, we have to keep a close eye on the weather - sometimes the biggest variable. Using this information, together with a little guess work to predict what may occur over the next 10 days, we will adjust our feeding programme accordingly.”

 

London Golf Club


With continuous monitoring, a feeding programme can be altered to ensure a balance between plant growth and health. Feeding too much will see a healthy plant, but one that grows too much slowing down the speed of the greens. Feed too infrequently, you can cut the greens less but can leave the plant vulnerable to disease.


Final word from Lee, “In a perfect world, you’d be running through the season with consistent growth but I’ve been in this game for a long time and it’s still very hard to achieve! The London is always on a knife edge, but by putting our heads together and using advice available from companies like Headland, as well as making sure we’re out monitoring the plants every day, we can take a step towards achieving that goal.”

HUSQVARNA STAFF RENOVATE DARLINGTON PARK
Dedicate a working day to makeover
 
L-R: Husqvarna's Ken Brewster, Anne Marie-Gardener and Caraline Robinson

28 employee volunteers from Husqvarna gave Cocker Beck some much-needed TLC, after area was chosen to benefit from its Husqvarna Loves Parks initiative.

 


Read more

Employees from Husqvarna, dedicated their working day on Monday this week (11th June) to the area around Darlington’s Cocker Beck giving it a much-needed makeover.

 

The Husqvarna team


The area, which was chosen by Husqvarna staff to benefit from its Husqvarna Loves Parks initiative, quickly saw an improvement as a total of 28 volunteers got hands on in clearing the area.


Husqvarna outdoor power tools, including riders, chainsaws and brushcutters were put to the test, as specially trained staff members got to work in clearing the debris. A park bench which previously hadn’t been seen for five years due to overgrown grassland was unearthed and brought back to life, as well as one of the parks ornamental stone archways.


The team also widened the walk ways and spent time getting their hands dirty collecting around 20 bags of litter, making the area much more usable and attractive to the local community and its visitors.


At the beginning of the year, Husqvarna, partnered with Darlington Borough Council and asked its staff to vote for a local park or green space which they thought was in desperate need of regeneration.


Cocker Beck received 39% of the overall votes, out of the four shortlisted parks put forward by the council, and staff from the Newton Aycliffe factory, including sales and marketing director Ken Brewster, HR director Anne Marie Gardener and manufacturing director, Caraline Robinson all dedicated their time and got involved.

 

L-R: Husqvarna's Ken Brewster, Anne Marie-Gardener and Caraline Robinson


Commenting on the day, Caraline said, ”As a company, we feel it’s important to give back to our local community in anyway that we can, and helping to regenerate a popular habitat such as Cocker Beck seemed a great way for Husqvarna to give back.


”It’s been fantastic to see so many staff come out in force to dedicate their time to keeping the green spaces on their doorsteps clean, tidy and more habitable for wildlife.”


Cllr Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure and the local environment, said, ”We’re delighted that we were chosen to benefit from the Husqvarna Loves Parks initiative and it’s great that so many of the company’s staff volunteered their time to help.


”With pressure on the council’s resources continuing, we are immensely grateful to them and all the other volunteers - individuals, friends groups and businesses - who help us look after our green spaces that make Darlington such a great place in which to live, work and visit.”


Husqvarna say they are passionate about caring for green spaces, and their “Husqvarna Loves Parks” project is a global initiative born of that passion. Since the effort began, staff members have used Husqvarna products to improve natural areas in Australia, the Netherlands and Charlotte, North Carolina.

ISEKI UK TO SPONSOR LOCAL PROFESSIONAL GOLFER
Sam Forgan based at Stowmarket GC
 
David Withers, MD ISEKI UK & Ireland pictured with Sam Forgan (right) at ISEKI UK & Ireland, Ipswich

Golfer hopes the sponsorship will offer more opportunities and a better chance of getting on the Challenge Tour this coming year.

 


ISEKI UK has announced that it has signed a one-year deal to sponsor local professional golfer Sam Forgan.


Sam, who is based at the well-respected Stowmarket Golf Club in Suffolk, is currently competing on the Euro-Pro tour having narrowly missed out on getting his card for the Challenge Tour last year.

 

David Withers, MD ISEKI UK & Ireland pictured with Sam Forgan (right) at ISEKI UK & Ireland, Ipswich


“Hopefully this sponsorship will give me more opportunities and a better chance of getting on the Challenge Tour this coming year,” said Sam, commenting on the recent announcement. “Working with ISEKI will also be a great learning experience for me and will give me an understanding of the supply side of the golf industry. I am really looking forward to the experience.”


David Withers, Managing Director of ISEKI UK, pictured above with Sam was equally excited about the new relationship. “I had the pleasure of meeting Sam and hearing more about his ambitions for the future and we are delighted to be able to help in this way,” he said. “Whilst this is good for Sam it is also good for us, Sam travels all-round the country playing golf and will be promoting our wonderful products everywhere he goes - also I hope he might give me a few pointers to improve my swing!”

BILLINGBEAR PARK INVEST IN NEW EQUIPMENT
Lastest to join Ventrac club
 
Head Greenkeeper Tom Evans mowing the lakeside banks

Supplied and delivered by local dealer, GA Groundcare Ltd, the club has invested in a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor complete with a rotary Contour mowing deck.

 


Billingbear Park, located alongside the M4 at Wokingham in Berkshire, is the latest golf club to purchase a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor complete with a rotary Contour mowing deck.

 

Supplied and delivered by local dealer, GA Groundcare Ltd, the new combination will be used for multiple tasks across the family-owned 9-hole complex.

 

Head Greenkeeper Tom Evans mowing the lakeside banks

 

Martin Blainey and his family have owned the club since moving from Hertfordshire to the Billingbear in 1996 and it is one of the oldest 9-hole courses in Berkshire, dating back to Victorian times. It was ploughed for the planting of cereals during WW1 and WW2, before being reinstated as a golf course to a design by Dr Martin Hawtree in 1989. Martin and Jacquie Blainey are now semi-retired and their son Greg and daughter Laura are now responsible for day-to-day operations.

 

Commenting on the Club’s latest purchase Martin Blainey said, “I’m good friends with Chris Brook, the respected courses manager at The Club Company, who has just purchased a couple of Ventracs for his operation. He has been very impressed with the versatility of the machines and recommended it to me.

 

“We initially purchased it with the Contour deck, which we are using on the semi-rough and surrounds, but have every intention of adding further attachments over time. The safety it offers around the banks of the lakes and the stability when we’re mowing the banking that separates us from M4 motorway, is superb. Our next purchase will probably be the Trencher, which will help us when we come to upgrade our irrigation system or run power cables to other areas on site."

 

Although a relatively new dealer, GA Groundcare, through owner Ashley Stevens and sales manager Alun Wright, have a long association with the Blaineys and Billingbear Park. Over the past 20 years they have provided a range of equipment for the business when they both worked for their previous employer in the area.

NSTS REVEAL NEW LOOK
At Cereals event last week
 
NSTS

Organisation says the logo redesign shows how the industry has moved forward since the original logo was designed to represent only the National Sprayer Testing Scheme.

 


NSTS unveiled a new look at the Cereals event which took place last week.

 

The organisation said this bright, modern design brings together the wide range of environments covered by the scheme, both currently and in the future. In a statement they said the logo redesign shows how the industry has moved forward since the original logo was designed to represent only the National Sprayer Testing Scheme.

 

Ian Forman, NSTS Manager, explained, "The new logo needed to show that NSTS do not test only sprayers but also other equipment including fertiliser spreaders, granular applicators and slug pellet applicators. This fresh new design brings conformity to everything covered by the scheme."

 

With the legal requirement for all types of pesticide application equipment to be tested, along with the introduction of fertiliser spreader testing in 2015, NSTS have continued to have an excellent coverage across the whole of the UK, providing these services to all sectors using relevant types of equipment.

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