POPPIES & POLICIES An unusual November by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR
I was heartened to see our sector play its part in the distanced Remembrance celebrations this year - at the same time as complying with the latest Covid regulations.
Now firmly into our second lockdown, we are all aware of the sanctions we must accept to try to slow this virus down. The monitory cost to the country is astronomical and will no doubt affect the lives and health of many until we can roll out an effective vaccine. However last week, we had the good news of a breakthrough on that front with a potential vaccine showing promise.
Preliminary data from the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine trial suggests it provides 90% efficacy at preventing the disease. At the very least, this news will result in a large sigh of relief across the vaccine community. It signifies a breakthrough – it is the first announcement that a vaccine can protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.
If all goes well the government are talking about rolling a vaccine programme out early next year.
50,000 deaths are a stark reminder of the severity of this pandemic and we should all do our best to safeguard the welfare of our family, friends and co-workers.
This year’s Remembrance Services were a somewhat more sombre affair with reduced numbers able to attend both at the Cenotaph, Whitehall and Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
However, I did enjoy seeing our industry embracing the whole poppy appeal in the form of all the poppies painted on sports fields up and down the country. Ed Smith of Agrovista Amenity UK for example painted a large poppy at the Quarry Shrewsbury for the Council.
As usual Ian Courage of Fleet Line Markers Ltd painted their respects on Malvern Rugby Club’s first team pitch.
Covid updates for our sectors
Following the announcement of a second national lockdown, the GMA have updated their interim works documents to help guide grounds staff with maintenance work that can be carried out over the next few weeks whilst sports have been halted. As for rugby, the RFU have made some announcements here.
I also read with interest the RFU are asking every rugby club in England to send it a club shirt to help create a visual representation of clubs at Twickenham Stadium during the men's Quilter Internationals, and women's meet with France in November – with the shirts to be placed on seats. It will be interesting to see how clubs respond to this request and should all participate it will be a visual and inspirational gesture to help promote the continuing efforts of our rugby community.
Each shirt will remind the players where they started their rugby careers, that we’re all still cheering them on from a distance and perhaps most importantly, underline to everybody watching on TV the importance of grassroots rugby and the impact the pandemic is having on our community game.
Last week I attended another successful RFU Webinar hosted by Ted Mitchell National Facilities Manager along with Keith Kent and Ben Langdon who gave a talk about the importance of pitch maintenance through the winter months - especially concentrating the benefits of aeration and what methods can be used at different times of the year.
As for football, not one of their best weeks with the resignation of their chairman Greg Clarke regarding some inflammatory remarks during a parliamentary question time. Apart from elite football, no other competitive football can be played.
Following the UK Government’s latest announcement regarding the introduction of local COVID alert levels, the guidance for grassroots football, which includes NLS Feeder Leagues (Step 7) and below of the Men’s Football Pyramid and Tier 7 and below of the Women’s Football Pyramid, remains the same.
It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers continue to strictly follow this guidance as well as the UK government’s latest guidance on COVID-19.
As for golf, The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf has conceded that there is no more that can be done to persuade the Government to alter its position to allow golf to continue during the present lockdown, therefore all golf clubs will remain closed until the 2nd December.
Some tough decisions will have to be made by many golf clubs on how they continue to treat their greenkeeping staffing arrangements during this second enforced lockdown. Some will be furloughed while other clubs may choose to keep on their staff fulltime to ensure they can complete essential renovation work while the clubs are closed.
Some other news on the golfing front is that BIGGA has established a formal relationship with the RSPB and The R&A’s partnership, that will see the association explore collaborative opportunities to increase awareness and support for biodiversity conservation on golf courses. Read all about it here.
The article went into detail about the way golfers talk to themselves can affect their putting success by 66%, according to sports psychologist Dr Martin Turner and Professor Marc Jones of Manchester Metropolitan University.
In 2011, Rory McIlroy had a four-shot lead after the first day of the Masters. However, he bogeyed the par-four first on Sunday, and then squandered his chances of a first major victory over the space of four holes - closing at eight-over 80. Charl Schwartzel took the Green Jacket.
What were McIlroy’s reflections after this collapse? “There are lot of worse things that can happen in your life . . . Shooting a bad score in the last round of golf tournament is nothing in comparison to what other people go through”.
He said that “You’ve just been in a place where millions of people have no clean water, and millions of kids get no education, and you’re nervous about hitting a golf ball into some water!" McIlroy went on to win his first major (US Open) in resounding fashion, shattering the tournament scoring record and winning by eight strokes.
In fact, McIlroy now appears to have moved on completely from that Masters collapse, stating that, “It’s the screensaver on my laptop. I love that view down the hill on 10. It’s my favourite spot at Augusta”. Rather than being the scene of a nightmare, it’s becoming the scene he likes the most at Augusta National.
The winner of this year’s 2020 Augusta National was Dustin Johnson with a course record of 20-under 268 total. It was a thorough victory and represented his control in every aspect of the game on the way to the famous Green Jacket. For the record Rory Mcllroy came 5th with a creditable -11 under par.
Our first WEB ONLY story is the partnership will see the association explore collaborative opportunities to increase awareness and support for biodiversity conservation on golf courses.
Ground Control has created a tranquil outdoor space at a newly established veterans’ centre in North Shields.
Ground Control has created a tranquil outdoor space at a newly established veterans’ centre in North Shields.
The nationally renowned veterans’ charity ‘Walking With The Wounded’ has opened its new North East Regional Service Hub, which contains ten, two-bedroom flats for residents as well as offering welfare and employability support.
Part of the project involved revamping a 30m x 20m moss-covered and concreted back yard into a tranquillity garden, offering a place of retreat and comfort, for the veterans and staff based at the site.
To maximise the limited amount of space available, the 10-day project involved laying 15 tons of top soil, planting 130 trees and plants, building three benched seating areas and a bird table as well as creating raised bedded garden areas for residents to grow their own herbs.
“The Ground Control team has been phenomenal. WWTW’s new Hub will provide vital support services to the local armed forces community,” said Tommy Watson, WWTW North East Regional Manager. “The design of the Hub’s tranquillity garden will give our staff and beneficiaries a quiet and calm place to go when they need it. It will make a huge difference to their mental health”.
Ground Control say they are a proud supporter of the Armed Forces Covenant and employs many veterans from various sectors of the Armed Forces.
Jay Hicks, Ground Control’s National Operations Manager for Winter Maintenance and an armed forces veteran himself, enthusiastically took the lead on the project after being approached by a friend.
“We are very pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile charity and project which will help armed forces veterans find their feet after serving their country so valiantly,” said Simon Morrish, Ground Control CEO.
“I hope the transformation of the outdoor space at the new hub will give everyone who uses it the time and space they need to recuperate and find their next steps.”
Idverde UK had a Mean Green CXR zero turn mower stolen last Friday night from their Gunnersbury Park site in West London.
Idverde UK had a Mean Green CXR zero turn mower stolen last Friday night (November 13th) from their Gunnersbury Park site in West London.
Guy Overton from UK distributors Overton (UK Limited) has been in touch with TurfPro to see if readers can help them in their efforts to help Angus Lindsay recover the mower.
The mower's serial number is 130206.
If anyone in the turf professional sector or the lawnmower trade have any information or are asked for spare parts for this mower please contact Overton on 01522 690011 or guy@overtonukltd.com.
Perth-based Alistair joins the team as an amenity specialist for North Scotland, where he’ll be contributing more than 30 years of industry experience.
Previously, he worked for grass seed company DLF as a technical sales manager, and prior to this, spent 12 years working for Germinal. Earlier in his career he also progressed through a range of commercial and technical roles within the crop protection industry.
Alistair, who is BASIS and FACTS qualified, said: “Turf has essentially been my life for the past 14 years. Throughout this time I’ve explored many issues associated with turf health - from nutrition management and improving disease tolerance, to environmental implications of product selection and managing the loss of key chemistry.
“My experience combines both technical and commercial knowledge across a range of business types. I believe this will benefit customers as not only do I understand the challenges they face, but I can break down technical product information and make it relevant to them.
Ramsay MacGregor, Scottish regional ,anager for Agrovista Amenity, said, “We are delighted to welcome Alistair to the team in Scotland. Alistair brings a wide knowledge of the industry with him, in particular, his specialty of grass seed which will be invaluable to us.”
Daniel Tomberry is relocating to the Midlands from South West Scotland to take on the role of sales manager for the area.
Daniel Tomberry is relocating to the Midlands from South West Scotland to take on the role of sales manager for the area.
Daniel Tomberry
Daniel has almost fifteen years’ experience in sports turf management in various roles including head groundsman at East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and three years sales experience working with all Reesink brands in Glasgow and West Scotland.
Daniel said, “My time in various greenkeeping positions and as a head groundsman has certainly enabled me to relate to customers in my sales role with Reesink over the last few years. It’s given me a practical understanding of what they want to achieve, and which products will best suit their needs.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Reesink in Scotland and I feel fortunate that my experience and sales record affords me this new opportunity to work with Reesink customers in the Midlands. I’m excited about making a new home in the area and look forward to carrying on the good relationships the company has with existing customers and creating new ones.”
Daniel’s role covers both fine turf and grounds customers and turfcare equipment sales manager Alastair says Daniel is ideal to cover both markets: “The Midlands is a key area for us, so it was imperative we get the right person in the role. The remit includes all turfcare customers from golf clubs and sports venues, to local authorities and contractors, which matches with Daniel’s experience to date. He not only understands sales, but also the pressures and requirements of all those working in the turfcare sector. I believe he is a strong replacement for our open sales area.”
Daniel can be contacted via Reesink HQ on 01480 226800.
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Recently I had the opportunity to see two compressed air aeration machines being demonstrated at Lilleshall GC. Watch a video report of the machines in action and read all about the demo day.
Click above to watch demonstration report
October was one of the wettest months on record and the current weather forecast is not much better with even more rain forecast for November. Most winter games pitches and golf course fairways will now be at field capacity and any more rain is likely to tip the balance, causing them to become saturated / waterlogged. Once in this state they are prone to damage either from play and training or indeed from trying to carry out maintenance tasks.
Pore spaces, particularly in soil dominant root zones will be filled with water (saturated). Playing on saturated soil profiles will certainly result in surface damage. Soils, when saturated, lose their stability and strength. The action of players running, stopping, sliding and turning in studded or bladed boots will result in surface damage. The severity of the damage will be dependent upon the soil type and the ability of the top 100mm to drain quickly.
To help keep the top 100mm free draining a programme of surface aeration is necessary. This is achieved by regular spiking with slit tines to a depth of 150mm or more when conditions allow.
There are a number of specialist machines that can help with improving surface drainage, for example the versatile tractor mounted Verti-Drain machine. Also, linear aerators have been around for many years and continue to do a good job of decompacting pitches down to a depth of 200mm. Whilst in recent years we have seen the development of several compressed air aided machines such as the Sisis Javelin Aer-Aid 1500, AirG2, GP Air machine , OxyShot and the The Airter to name a few that can aerate to greater depths.
It is essential to employ 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 to 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 pressure air and water aerators that offer deeper aeration than conventional aerators.
On test at Lilleshall GC
Recently I had the opportunity to see two compressed air machines being demonstrated at Lilleshall GC resulting from a meeting I had between their director of golf, Chris Cann and head greenkeeper, John Chantrell. They had said they were interested in trialling both the Air2G2 and OxyShot machines at the club to see if they could help improve some surface water logging issues they had on two fairways. Knowing that local contractor Kevin Moult, md of Air 2 Root Turf Care & Soil Solutions Limited, had both machines for hire we set up a meeting to arrange the demonstration.
Kevin and his son Jamie started the company in 2018 when they had the opportunity to buy a Air2G2 from Campey Turf Care Systems and on the back of the purchase along with other aeration equipment and renovation equipment, they now can offer a full programme of renovation and aeration services to sports clubs up and down the country.
Kevin himself an ex greenkeeper with twenty plus years as a bowls maintenance contractor, felt it was time to leave the day to day maintenance of bowling greens and move into more specialist works, focussing on end of season renovations and specific aeration tasks - a decision that now sees him travelling the length and breadth of the country.
Lilleshall Hall Golf Club is set in a quiet and picturesque area of rolling Shropshire countryside. The 6253-yard course along with small driving range, sits in 165 acres of land adjacent to Lilleshall Hall and its National Sports Centre. It is characterised by tree-lined fairways, cutting through mature woodland and generally small, undulating greens. The course is one of 300 designed and developed by the most famous of golf course architects, Harry S. Colt.
Since its opening in 1937, minor changes to the course have been made to ensure that it remains an enjoyable but testing round of golf. Five years ago, two holes were extended to create challenging 500 yard+ par 5s. However, since the work was completed, both of these extended fairways in front of the two greens suffer surface water logging problems during the winter months. The club have installed a number of drains and regularly aerate with solid tine Verti-Drains and linear aerators, but to date still suffer from surface water ingress in areas in front of the greens.
The combination of having heavy clay soils, slopes, and foot traffic, underpinned by the fact that the land was previously marsh, has resulted in surface water not getting away efficiently leaving the fairway nearest the green waterlogged during the winter months.
Following recent discussions involving the club’s agronomist, Chris and John decided to see if either the Air 2G2 or OxyShot could help improve the situation.
First up, The Air-2G2 is a self-propelled hydrostatic drive three probe air injection machine, injecting compressed air to either 175mm or 300mm deep (depending upon probe fitting). This causes a fracturing effect of the compacted rootzone, with no surface disruption. The machine can be used for a variety of pitches including bowling greens, golf courses and rugby pitches, among others as part of sports ground maintenance routines.
Next was the CharterhouseOxyShot Air-Injection Unit that has a single probe which is available in two diameters. The machine is compact and manoeuvrable allowing easy access to normally difficult to reach areas. The, OxyShot probe blasts air in 4 directions at variable pressures to a depth and duration that the operator requires down to a maximum of 500mm using the 25mm diameter probe, thus lifting, expanding and de-compacting the soil.
When using the OxyShot the operator can vary the amount of air pressure being injected during the insertion of the probe, thus enabling full control of the amount air needed for any given situation.
I also took the opportunity to enlist the help of Jon Newton, a fellow photographer and video editor, md of Lets Get It Shot to film and record the work being carried out during the demonstration. See video at top of page.
It was interesting to see both machines at first hand. The Air2G2 was very effective and quick over the ground, whereas using the OxyShot was a tad slower due to the fact you had to have a tractor and compressor on hand to supply the power and transport the unit.
While there, they also propose to use both machines on some nominated tees and greens. Both machines are able to offer a different method of decompaction and the results will be defined by how well the machine has been used and the experience of the operator. Also, the timing of when the work is done will also have a bearing on its success.
Depending on the severity of the compaction it may well take more than one operation to achieve the desired results. Many more sports grounds are beginning to use these type of aerators on a more regular basis, say between 2-3 times a year. Several sports facilities are now utilising all three methods (Verti-Drain, linear and air compressed) aeration methods to relieve compaction on their playing surfaces.
The months of October, November and March tend to be the busiest periods for aeration work on most sports facilities, when the ground conditions are favourable. However, if you have a fully drained pitch, aeration work can be done virtually any time of the year.
Regular and seasonal aeration maintenance operations are essential to ensure turfgrass quality is maintained throughout the playing seasons of most fine natural turf and field turf facilities. The use of air compressed aeration machines are increasingly being used on sports surfaces to alleviate compaction, with the bonus that injection of air (oxygen) can have additional benefits of speeding up the carbon cycles within the soil profile, which often sees other benefits to helping maintaining a healthy sward.
I will certainly be monitoring the aeration work completed out on the course in the coming weeks, especially keeping an eye on the work done by the two machines on the two problematic fairways.
TurfPro will include an update on the aeration work, and maybe a more in-depth feature on the course and the work of the greenkeeping team, in the new year.
