ONCE again, the highs and lows of turf management were on show this weekend (more highs than lows!). At Old Trafford, Matt Merchant produced a pitch that had the TV and radio pundits cooing with praise. Unfortunately, his terrific work was slightly cancelled out by the official apology that Lancashire CCC had to make about the failure of the drainage system after a downpour which meant that play was lost when water stayed on the surface near the boundary.  As ever, grounds staff had to be seen to be 'doing something' and possibly could have made the situation worse, accompanied by the words of 'you-know-who, "My granny could wield a fork better than that".

MEANWHILE, on the other side of the Atlantic compelling late night viewing for the PGA Championship which saw a stunning Rory win in the dark.  A few hours earlier, the day's play had been written off by commentators and a number of players including Ernie Els after a violent downpour. It was to the absolute credit of the course constructors and the greenkeeping staff that only an hour or so was lost. How the science of turfcare has changed over recent times!

MANY congratulations to Darren Butcher of Tinsley Park Golf Course in Sheffield who was recognised at a ceremony for Sheffield International Venues employees for his long service. Head Greenkeeper Darren has looked after the course there since 1984 and said, "It’s fantastic to see golfers of all ages benefiting from the work I do to keep the greens in the best possible condition," reported local paper The Star.

AN interviewer standing still and Oldham FC's new groundsman Lee Williams sitting on his mower doesn't seem the most hazardous of filming conditions. But this Sky Sports cameraman managed to struggle with it this past week!