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EDITOR'S BLOG

GETTING THE GAME ON
Even over the break - and in extreme weather!
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

As we reach our final TurfPro of the year, it’s a fitting moment to wish all turf professionals a very happy Christmas - and to recognise those whose work continues through the festive period.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all turf professionals a very happy Christmas. This is our final TurfPro of the year and we'll be back with our first edition of 2026 on January 5th.

We are aware, though, that whilst most of us are enjoying the delights of the festive break, a few of our colleagues will be hard at work - particularly those grounds teams and greenkeepers who must prepare sports pitches for the Christmas season sports calendar.

This time of the year brings with it many challenges, especially coping with the weather. Even with all the latest weather forecasting predictions, we often do not know what we may be facing in terms of snow, frost and icy conditions.

Getting the game on is a skilled operation. Preparation and planning are essential to ensure we can legislate for a window of poor weather. For many of the top-flight or Premiership sporting venues, they are now fully prepared with an array of tools and systems to ensure the game goes on.

This comes in a plethora of systems now available such as under soil heating, grow lights, fans, irrigation systems, frost protection covers, sub air systems, inflatable tents and covers to name a few. These systems make the life of a turf professional much easier than in days gone by.

Having said that, there are several issues and time restraints on what can be used to get the game on. The availability of labour and resources will have significant part to play.

Also, spare a thought for the clubs who may not have access to, or the money for, these systems, and perhaps must rely on other means of getting the game on.

For the prevention of frost - until we had the more sophisticated systems such as grow lights, undersoil heating and tents - many groundsmen had to solely rely on the trusted frost sheets to help protect the pitch.

Often quite a laborious task in the old days, now we have several companies who sell and provide frost sheets that are easier to handle and store. Stuart Canvas are an example of a company that have been supplying frost sheet covers for many years and have now developed a range of products that suit a range of needs.

However, despite products such as these being available, we still see several games being played on frozen and waterlogged pitches. In my opinion this does not help either the players or the pitch.

Frost on the grass leaf blades tells us that the water inside the leaves is frozen. Remember that 80+% of plant tissue is made up of water. When this water is frozen, foot traffic on the turf causes the ice crystals in the cells to puncture through the plant's cell walls, thus damaging plant tissue.

More long-term damage can be caused when play takes place as the turf is thawing after a prolonged freeze. Under these conditions the top surface of the turf may be soft, but the underlying soil can still be frozen. Root damage occurs easily from a shearing action as players’ feet move the soft top surface against the frozen sub soil.

Having checked some UK weather forecasts, it seems the weather during the Christmas period will remain wet and mild with the likelihood of some snow and frost on higher ground during the festive period.

It will be no surprise, however, when many winter sport pitches inevitably become saturated. We are already starting to hear of some matches being postponed due to the wet weather.

Many of these postponements could be prevented if clubs were to invest more into their pitches, both during the construction phase and post construction - plus having a robust maintenance regime in place.

However, for many natural soil-based pitches it is more about the lack of maintenance and understanding about the type of pitches being managed.

Most pitch problems are caused when soils are saturated and compacted. When saturated, a soil is said to be at its maximum retentive capacity; that is, all soil pores are filled with water. Saturation usually occurs for short periods of time, either during heavy rainfall events or when soil is being irrigated.

Once a pitch becomes saturated, that is to say all the pore (air) spaces in the soil profile remain filled with water, then we are in a situation of the pitch being in a poor state and will be prone to damage. 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, leading to many problems associated with compaction.

The heavier the soil the longer it will take for the pitch to dry out; sandy soils are more free draining than heavy loam or clay soils and, therefore, will dry out more quickly.

NEWS

GREENKEEPING FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
For the BIGGA awards

In our first WEB ONLY story the finalists for the 2026 BIGGA Awards have been confirmed, with the winners set to be crowned on the opening night of BTME.

EGO CELEBRATE 10 YEAR MILESTONE
With distributors at Nanjing HQ

In our next WEB ONLY story, held over four days, delegates from Europe were treated to an extensive programme that offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturer's operations.

91st MASTER GREENKEEPER HONOURED
Now owns two of the highest accolades available to greenkeepers

Recipient says that it's been quite a journey, with some failing along the way, but each time he refused to give up.

Jeremy Boone, general manager and director of agronomy at Springdale Resort, has become the 91st Master Greenkeeper since the certification's inception in 1990.

In doing so, Jeremy is just the 37th person to possess both Master Greenkeeper and Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) classifications - two of the highest accolades available to experienced golf greenkeepers on either side of the Atlantic.

It is an achievement Jeremy, who works in North Carolina, has been striving for since 2022 and he was overcome with emotion when Deb Burnett, learning and development manager at the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), called to deliver the news.

"It's been quite a journey," he said. "It's been at least three years of trying, with some failing along the way, but each time I refused to give up.

"When Deb called, she didn't say that I had passed or failed, she just said, 'I called to see if you'd be available to come over here to BTME in January'. It was the best way to tell me I'd passed. I just lost it.

"People had told me it would be worth it when I got through, and I didn't know how right they were. I told her she'd have to talk for a minute because I couldn't."

Jeremy's greenkeeping journey began in 1991, when he transferred to NC State University to study turfgrass management and committed to a career in golf. Over the following decades he worked across four states, earned CGCS status - a designation he has now held for 25 years - and first became aware of the Master Greenkeeper qualification in 1996 when he noticed 'CGCS, MG' alongside Gary Grigg's name.

He later stepped away from golf to run a local hardware business, helping expand it from one store to five, but was ultimately drawn back when Springdale came calling, with his family having deep roots at the North Carolina venue.

"The only reason I came back was this golf course," he said. "My mother, father and grandmother worked here. My grandparents are buried within a few hundred yards of it. This place drew me back. Without it, there would be no Jeremy Boone MG."

In joining that exclusive club, Jeremy has also achieved something personally meaningful.

"I'm probably the first Native American to be a Master Greenkeeper - I am an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians," he explained. "That is the reason why I have such an affinity and a tie to the land."

To qualify for the Master Greenkeeper Certificate, a candidate must have at least 10 years’ experience working as a greenkeeper including three years as a course manager, head greenkeeper or superintendent. Certification includes the completion of a rigorous assessment programme that covers all aspects of golf course management.

Master Greenkeeper is a mark of distinction and is highly respected in the golf industry, signifying the holder has achieved the highest level of professional expertise with a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of golf course management.

ECHO AFFILIATED TRAINING CENTRE ANNOUNCED
In partnership with LBS Training

As an affiliated training centre, LBS Training will incorporate Echo equipment into their courses.

FGM Claymore, the official distributor of Echo tools in the UK, has announced that LBS Training and Assessing Ltd, a respected chainsaw and machinery training provider based in Somerset, has become an Echo Affiliated Training Centre.

As an affiliated training centre, LBS Training will incorporate Echo equipment into their courses, providing students with the opportunity to learn using tools that are utilised by professionals worldwide.

“This partnership reflects Echo’s continued investment in the UK market and our commitment to equipping users with top-tier tools as they train for work in the industry,” said Paul Butterly, managing director of FGM Claymore.

Lee Kimber, director at LBS Training & Assessing Ltd added, “We are delighted to support a brand that shares our focus on professionalism, safety and high standards."

ROBOTS ON COURSE
At Great Yarmouth

L-R: Billy Hall, Alana Corcoran and Nathan Durrance, grounds team at Great Yarmouth Racecourse

The grounds maintenance team at Great Yarmouth Racecourse say that robotic mowers are now a playing regular role in their turf care regime.

The grounds maintenance team at Great Yarmouth Racecourse say that robot mowers are now a playing regular role in their turf care regime.

L-R: Billy Hall, Alana Corcoran and Nathan Durrance, grounds team at Great Yarmouth Racecourse

The racecourse has recently introduced a STIGA autonomous mower to support the upkeep of its parade ring and surrounding lawns. Nicknamed Shadow of Light by the grounds team - after a successful racehorse that began its career at the track - the mower is now part of the site’s year-round maintenance programme

According to Richard Aldous, clerk of the course at Great Yarmouth and Regional Clerk for the East, the robot mower has quickly proven its value.

“We find it extremely useful,” he explained. “It regulates the height of cut in all weathers and throughout the year. The robot cuts the parade ring daily and five other lawns three days a week, but it is out working somewhere every day. The saving in staff hours allows the team to focus on other important jobs.”

Presentation is a key priority at the course, which stages 24 flat race meetings during its summer season and has a horseracing history dating back more than 300 years.

Richard added, “The mower helps us keep the lawns in good order all year round, and it’s been interesting to see how people respond to it. Visitors often stop to watch it at work and say they find it quite therapeutic.”

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