Pitchcare Issue 111 November/December 2023

Issue 111

PITCHCARE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WHEN THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT FALLS ON YOUR CLUB, WHAT IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE ON YOU?

THE IMPORTANCE OF MEASURING DATA

top tips WINTER BUDGETS

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THE TEAM

Editor Kerry Haywood

The past four months have seen the industry travel to Stoneleigh Park and the NEC and, with the Harrogate offering just a few weeks away, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the shows.

Firstly, the new show on the block; GroundsFest at Stoneleigh Park. Now, many people I spoke to prior to the show had a negative viewpoint on adding another event to the industry calendar, however its inaugural year was undoubtedly a huge success. Exhibitors praised the GroundsFest team for hosting an event on that scale in its first year - which saw people brave no less than a hurricane on the first day - and visitor numbers and enquiries were aplenty.

FOREWORD FORWORD

IT’S SHOWTIME

Contributors

John Richards

James Kimmings

Sub-editor

Journalist

Jane Carley

Blair Ferguson

Phil Helmn MG

Greg Rhodes

For me, the show had a nostalgic ‘Windsor’ feel; it was great to see demos throughout each day and just be surrounded by turf. In a world where people are quick to judge and offer negative comments, 99% of people I spoke to offered well-deserved, positive feedback.

Neville Johnson

So then, just six week later, the industry flocked to Saltex at the NEC. It obviously has a different feel to a predominantly outdoor show, but again a positive, buoyant response from both exhibitors and visitors alike. The show certainly had something to prove and, in my opinion, it did that!

Seminars throughout both days were busy and the new Clubhouse and Community Sport Zone were popular.

As we head to Harrogate in just another eight weeks’ time, I think 2024 will be an interesting transition year. I think most people will agree that BTME has its own standing in the calendar. The question will come when some companies have to decide whether they have the budget, time and commitment to attend both GroundsFest and Saltex - will they choose both, or will they be forced to choose one? Time will tell.

In other news, look out for a new Pitchcare website launching in January.

There has been extensive development for the new site, offering a more intuitive, targeted, user-friendly experience - both on desktop and mobile.

Dare I say, Merry Christmas!

Kerry t: 07973 394037 e: kerry.haywood@pitchcare.com

Kellie Wake Advertising TSP Media

Pitchcare.com Allscott Park, Allscott, Telford. Shropshire TF6 5DY t: 01902 440270

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Editorial contributions are 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.

Printed by Buxton Press Advertising TSP Media t: 01952 234000

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

01

ALSO THIS ISSUE

01

Foreword

04 Latest News

CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY

32 The award-winning Operation Pollinator habitat creation at Corhampton Golf Club 64 Clitheroe Golf Club 78 Winter wildlife jobs

TOP TIPS

HOT TOPIC

30 Winter budgets

08

TECHNICAL

82 Rainwater harvesting

In the spotlight GOLF

16

What impact does being in the media spotlight have on you and your club? We get expert advice and opinions from industry professionals.

Solheim Cup 2023 PLUS ...

38 INDUSTRY Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award Pitchcare.com 48 WEATHER CORNER Identifying events

Director of Agronomy Ignacio Soto at Finca Cortesin speaks about the preparations and challenges.

INDUSTRY

54 Astley & Tyldesley Community Sports Club

24

60 WELLBEING

Levelling up

68 Repton School

Highly qualified greenkeepers complete a new apprenticeship.

74 TALKING TURF Back to Stamford Endowed School 88 TRAINING What’s driving you?

58

90 Classifieds

Women in the industry In this quick-fire Q and A, we spoke to Meg Lay at Gloucestershire Cricket Club about the current state of the industry.

02

SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE

42 Data analysis Using performance data to inform Agronomic Management decisions.

WINTER SPORTS

50 Morecambe FC Head Groundsman Rob Davidson has a keen eye for data gathering, which he uses to modify and ‘home in’ his operational techniques and inputs.

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

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09/11/2023 18:23

NEWS BAGMA CONNECT

NEW TURF ADVISOR APP to support active management decisions The new Turf Advisor app from Syngenta will now give greenkeepers, turf managers and agronomists instant access to a wealth of key information and advice to help make better decisions for day-to-day actions and planning.

Fully customisable for any location and situation, the revolutionary Turf Advisor app provides essential weather data and turf management models, presented in a clear dashboard that can be tailored and adapted through the season to focus on imminent issues and challenges faced.

The displayed data sets in Turf Advisor have been specifically selected as factors that influence turf health and management, including rainfall, leaf wetness, humidity, soil temperatures, day length and evapotranspiration, for example.

Uniquely, it displays both the historic weather data for recent days that will have impacted on current turf health and quality, along with the forecast information for the coming days helping turf managers understand where they sit in a weather pattern, helping them to make management decisions.

04 PITCHCARE November/December 2023

Furthermore, the app makes many of the renowned Syngenta turf disease forecasting models more accessible and easier to use – enabling turf managers to instantly assess risks, set risk thresholds tailored to their site and plan their actions. GreenCast disease models available include microdochium patch, anthracnose, grey leaf spot and, new for Syngenta UK & Ireland, specific Smith-Kerns model for Dollar spot pressure forecasting.

Turf Advisor incorporates the Growing Degree Day calculator that has proven the most favoured digital support tool on the Syngenta Turf website, along with an exciting new Growth Potential model.

Also built into the app is a clear spray window forecast, which can prove crucial in ensuring applications are made at the most appropriate timing and in the optimum conditions to improve efficacy and accuracy.

Turf Advisor app is now available to download free for Apple and android devices, from the app Store or Google Play, with direct links from the Syngenta website: syngentaturf.co.uk/ turf-advisor-app

A BAGMA Connect meeting, recently held at Uttoxeter Racecourse, saw independent dealers and industry professionals come together to gain information, support and advice from a packed agenda.

Keynote speaker Pete Harding from PFW Associates presented ‘Getting the measure of Aftersales’ with a focus on parts, inventory management and some of the mistakes that are made which lead to you managing a parts museum.

Other speakers on the day included Paul Marsh, Finance Director of Safety Aide who spoke about important regulation updates, Peter Arrand from CLAAS who provided an update on Training and Education, representatives from Novuna - a leading financial services company and AEA economy specialist, Theo Levanti-Rowe, with an update on the current market and what we can expect in the future.

For information on future BAGMA Connect meetings contact: stephanie.young@bagma.com

It’s a great opportunity to network and learn from a variety of speakers.

Rex Hedges, Olivers

NEWS © Jake Austin

ASOOTY open for entries The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries.

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by the Amenity Forum, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

The finalists and winner will be announced and presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME in January 2024, with prizes worth over £500. All ASOOTY applicants

will also be entered into a competition to win one of five Syngenta Sprayer Calibration & Application Kits. BASIS CPD points for participating in the awards have been applied for.

To complete the online entry form visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/59LDDBR Closing date for entries is 31st December 2023.

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November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

05

NEWS

Groundstaff Awards CELEBRATE THE BEST IN CLASS OF RACECOURSE GROUNDSMANSHIP AND TURF HUSBANDRY The Racecourse Association (RCA) is delighted to announce the winners of the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards for 2023.

Sponsored by DLF Seeds & Science, Agrovista Amenity and Duralock, the award winners were decided by an industry panel made up of representatives from the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and National Trainers Federation (NTF).

SUPPORT NEEDED TO DEVELOP A NEW DEGREE-LEVEL APPRENTICESHIP IN SPORTS TURF

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) has given the green light for the Sports Turf Trailblazer group to develop a new Level 5 Sports Turf Apprenticeship.

Whilst in the formative stages of development, this is an exciting opportunity to build on the work already done by the group in revision of the Level 2 and development of the new Level 3 apprenticeships.

Creation of a Level 5 apprenticeship will provide a recognised educational pathway from entry to degree level, whilst benefitting from government funded fee support for employers of 95%-100%. Making education more accessible will help with recruitment, retention and the ongoing professionalisation of the sports turf industry.

As part of the development process, the Trailblazer group wishes to engage with the wider industry. It is important that the apprenticeship

that is developed reflects the needs of the industry.

There may be an opportunity to integrate the well-established Foundation Degree into the apprenticeship (benefitting from 95%-100% fee support), but this can only be achieved with industry support. The Trailblazer group will be circulating communications in the coming months and arranging various forums to discuss what is proposed. We would encourage sports turf professionals and their employers to engage with these events.

Additionally, we would welcome new applications to be involved with the Trailblazer group from individuals who wish to be engaged more directly in the development process.

The winners and runners up across the three racecourse categories are as follows; Flat winner - Hamilton Park Racecourse Jump winner - Plumpton Racecourse Dual purpose winner - Ayr Racecourse Flat runner up - Salisbury Racecourse Jump runner up - Stratford Racecourse Dual purpose runners up - Kempton Park and Lingfield Park Racecourses.

Consequently, Hamilton Park (pictured above), Plumpton and Ayr will all be in the running to be crowned the 2023 Racecourse Groundstaff Champion, where the announcement will be made at the twelfth annual RCA Showcase Awards held at Aintree Racecourse on Thursday 23rd November.

For information visit: racecourseassociation.co.uk

For more information contact Chairperson of the Sports Turf Trailblazer Daniel Ratling: d.ratling@whitgift.co.uk

06 PITCHCARE November/December 2023

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19/09/2023 11:53

INDUSTRY

In the spotlight We get expert advice and opinions from industry professionals at: Wrexham Football Club Royal Liverpool Golf Club Twickenham Stadium Edgbaston Cricket Club

What impact does being in the media spotlight have on you and your club?

Over the past three years, Wrexham AFC have been thrown into the media spotlight largely due to a Hollywood takeover and a Disney+ docuseries.

J

ames Kimmings spoke to Head Groundsman, Paul Chaloner about dealing with increased attention, those documentaries and social media scrutiny.

Back in 2020, was it a shock when you first heard two Hollywood stars; Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were purchasing the Club?

We actually had a game on the day of the announcement and it had been circulating that something was happening behind the scenes. We all knew it was a Hollywood star, but none of us had any idea who. It was in the fifteenth minute of our game that the official announcement was made that Rob and Ryan were taking over.

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

At that time, it was COVID lockdown so no fans were in the stadium, but I remember looking at my phone thinking ‘this can’t be real’? Going into work the next day cemented the reality; there were numerous media outlets including Sky News, BBC News and even American TV channels. The day before, I only saw one man and his dog standing outside. Initially, the increased media attention was uncomfortable, however, as time has passed, it has become a new normal.

John Hennigan (who ran the first series of Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+) came in and integrated with the club before any cameras or film crews arrived - so that helped prepare us for what was to come.

HOT TOPIC

It’s not just about the club protecting their own image, but also about us protecting ourselves As a result of the takeover, how has the management and development changed?

We used to largely be a volunteer-run club, so the management structure is completely different now. There is a CEO around day-to-day and we also have a pitch consultant on hand.

Obvious investment has come from the takeover, with things such as a 12-month fertiliser programme and the ability to purchase new machinery - whereas before we would have to look into how we can get funding. That side of things has definitely given me more freedom and we have also recruited more staff.

What impact generally has worldwide attention had on the Club?

The club always wanted to make the pitch better, however, finances and not having enough staff limited us. I used to prepare for match days on my own, or with a friend who volunteered to help.

Now, we’ve got a full team of staff and we are presenting the pitch to its best ability - both on matchdays and for the documentaries.

How often are cameras filming at the stadium? Is this added pressure for the team?

Cameras are here every day; filming for the documentary or other projects, so they have become a staple part of the club. Luckily, the crew are really easy to get along with and they have integrated with ease. They make us all feel comfortable and never force anyone into taking part in interviews, or to appear on camera.

In terms of pressure, it is just about rolling with the punches and carrying on with the job.

The club are fully supportive of us as a grounds team which helps to take the pressure off. My apprentice Harry has been on a rollercoaster of a career and, so far, he has only ever worked in front of cameras. If he went to another club, it would probably be a shock.

Arguably, the situation has taken the pressure off, as I can now do things which I couldn’t do before. I don’t have stresses on a match day of my mower not starting up because we now have new equipment and machinery in place.

ABOUT PAUL When I left school, I went to work on my dad’s farm pretty much straight away. I then went to a local golf course where I completed an apprenticeship, before accepting a full-time groundsperson position for the next five years.

I joined Wrexham about sixteen years ago and I was promoted to Head Groundsman quite early on in my career here...

I haven’t looked back. When I joined the club, we had just come out of administration, so to see how far we have come now is pretty amazing!

Left © Colin Henrys

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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INDUSTRY Will Ferrell was walking around the pitch, it was a definite pinch-me moment. The key is to be calm and relaxed when someone comes - often the celebrities are really chilled out.

Has the increased coverage opened the floodgates for more social media criticism?

How do you cope with this?

Above Left Ryan Reynolds (right) and Rob McElhenney flying the Wrexham flag.

Right © Colin Henrys

What is it like when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds come to town?

Rob and Ryan have been so many times that it has just become the norm. Obviously, when I first met them both I was slightly nervous and shaky. They are two down-to-earth people, who care about the club and want to progress it. Their passion is across all areas and they are focussed on improving everything behind-the-scenes not just the first team.

When you think about the number of people the pair meet in their life, but then come to Wrexham and they know your name and know who your family are - it’s humbling. They have made a real effort to be a part of Wrexham.

I do sometimes get slightly star-struck when certain people visit the stadium. One of my alltime favourite films is Step Brothers, so when

THE POWER OF MEDIA ATTENTION Wrexham AFC has seen a 921.23% increase since the takeover:

10

Platform

Feb 9th 2021

Feb 9th 2022

Feb 9th 2023

Twitter

79,589

114,500

367,665

Facebook

36,415

46,000

149,000

Instagram

41,000

86,900

434,316

TikTok

N/A

109,000

669,400

YouTube

8,000

15,700

64,700

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

There has been a definite increase in social media comments. On one occasion when the weather was bad, we had to call off a game and received numerous comments such as ‘concentrate on the pitch’ when referencing the documentary.

My best advice would be to try and ignore the comments. I often say to our apprentice: ‘Ignore both the positive and the negative - just do your best and ignore the outside noise.’ Social media can get you down at times! It happened to me when I was younger, so I have learnt to ignore it.

Has the club been supportive in terms of well-being?

The club were very aware how big the changes were for staff; it was life-changing for me, so having the appropriate support and training certainly helped the transition.

We had someone come in and undertake media training with all staff which was really helpful. It covered what we can post on socials and about being mindful of the content, in case it comes across the wrong way. It’s not just about the club protecting their own image, but also about us protecting ourselves.

My social media went from a couple of 100 people to over 1000 in a very short space of time. It’s not massive in the grand scheme of things, but it was pretty eye-opening for me.

I don’t often post on socials, but I think more about the content and tone now.

Do you and the team now have to be more aware about your personal appearance such as clean work clothing with cameras around?

To be honest, I don’t think they really care too much about us being mucky - they understand that it can be a dirty job sometimes. It would be more of an issue if we came to work in Nike or Adidas, because the club’s sponsor is Macron.

HOT TOPIC

Ignore both the positive and the negative - just do your best!

Something which has changed about the uniform is surrounding health and safety and we have an assigned Officer. I used to undertake a lot of my daily tasks in trainers, but now we have proper safety boots.

Any other aspects of change?....

We now have to manage concerts and events which we didn’t before. Prior to the takeover, it would be a case of undertaking end-ofseason renovations and then the stadium would be locked up for summer. Now, the owners want a revenue stream all year

round, which has obviously changed my management of the pitch.

It’s now a constant ticking machine and it is both strange and rewarding to see how far it has come in the space of three years. I just keep going, drive forward and do what the club are asking of me and the team.

It’s nice to be in a much more relaxed position now that I have the foundations, resources and finances. I never thought I would, and it has made things far easier!

September/October 2023 PITCHCARE November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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INDUSTRY

Media requests come thick and fast Stand and deliver Links Manager at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, James Bledge, has been in the industry for twenty-seven years and knows the importance of speaking positively.

James Bledge Links Manager at Royal Liverpool Golf Club

12

As Links Manager of an Open Golf Course, you feel somewhat obliged to carry out any media requests that are asked of you, whether this be from industry magazines, turf and golf, television and even local news channels.

It is part of the territory and actually very enjoyable, albeit considerably out of any greenkeeper’s comfort zone!

In the weeks running up to the Championship, the requests come thick and fast. These are generally arranged by The Club’s media officer and could be from media companies that work on the behalf of the club, The R&A or magazines – all of whom would be looking for you to answer certain questions, discuss preparations, give progress reports etc, or even write an article for them. Quite often these requests could take a half day to complete, as camera crews would have specific areas of the course they would like to shoot at. One of the most time-consuming activities are photoshoots, which quite often can involve a large number of the team and are not everyone’s cup of tea!

There is a certain skill set you need when undertaking media work around a major Championship. You must always remain super professional and really think about your answers; are they factually spot on, do they reflect the way the club wish to be portrayed, do they reflect the way The R&A wish their championship to be portrayed? - especially during live television. A lot of damage can be

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

done should you slip up and say something that is wrong or comes out in a way you never intended!

Live television especially can be quite intense. Journalists are always after a ‘scoop’ and they can prey on greenkeepers to run a story. The perfect example at the 2023 Open: when a number of competitors struggled to get out of bunkers, a story ran discussing how greenkeepers had made huge changes to the raking style overnight. This was not actually the case, but as greenkeepers, we need to play our cards close to our chests sometimes - especially when tabloid newspapers are around!

It is important to always speak positively when talking about the course, club or championship. We are very lucky at Royal Liverpool to work in and around a positive environment and I feel this came across well in July.

Personally, I have always enjoyed speaking as a result of being pushed by my mentor Lee Strutt over ten years ago. Standing up in front of people - talking at colleges and conferences - gave me the confidence to talk in front of cameras. These skills help you to manage your team, whether it be with a small team of staff on a Monday morning or in front of fifty volunteers at The Open. It is a skill all modern course managers should possess - whether we are hosting a major championship or not!

HOT TOPIC

Negative comments are louder than the positives Gary Barwell describes himself as a lad from Leicester; no different and no more hard-working than the guy who cuts the grass for the local team! But, perception and judgement are increased by media attention.

I am judged by more people at a higher level and come under more scrutiny because Warwickshire County Cricket Club is in the media. I have a brilliant Chief Executive and Director of Cricket at Edgbaston, so they support me when media presence is increased.

Regardless if it’s pre-season, or the first day of the Ashes, it is just about trying to do your best and set high standards for every game. I am there to take the fall for the team if comments from the media or players are negative. However, if the comments are positive then that’s a win for the team. They are responsible for the good stuff.

The Ashes is the highest level of scrutiny you can get, and it comes with ups and downs

– although, I probably analyse it from a bigger picture; you can work your hardest, but often the negative comments are louder than the positives. Each time the first ball goes down the wicket, regardless of whether it is on TV or not, I still worry.

In terms of media pressure, the main judgement is when a player makes a comment about the pitch. For example, during the Ashes this year, an England player came out and made a negative comment about the pitch to a big media outlet. It creates a narrative, however, it can also go the other way! A few years back, Eoin Morgan said how good the pitch was and that gives you so much pride.

Gary Barwell Head of Sports Turf and Grounds at Edgbaston Stadium

TOP TIPS FOR DEALING WITH THE MEDIA Be strategic.

Think about what it is that you want to share, why you want to share it, and what it is you want to achieve. You need to think about the information you want to convey and where it will be useful.

Take advice - you’re not alone.

Most of us are connected or know of someone within the media. It’s likely you’ll have access to people who work with the media regularly, such as a press office or communications officer.

Speak to those that can give advice about managing an interview or media appearance.

Don’t expect journalists to share your agenda. Be aware.

You might be super proud of something that you have done, but this won’t necessarily be great news for journalists. They are unlikely to be completely interested in what you are

discussing especially media outside of the industry; they will pick up on the story that they want to run.

Have a clear message and deliver it.

Use short words and short sentences to communicate your message, and keep it very simple, plain and direct. Journalists receive hundreds of messages a day, so don’t overwhelm them and lose them in the first paragraph.

Stay in your comfort zone.

We are aware that being in front of a camera is not the norm for many in the industry. This may mean you are not very confident in engaging with the media; if you’re unsure, take small steps. If you feel nervous, I wouldn’t recommend an interview on live television straight away – try to get some media training and experience first.

November/December 2023

PITCHCARE

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INDUSTRY

Be clear and positive With over twenty years of grounds experience, Jim Buttar, Head Groundsman at Twickenham, has dealt with a wealth of media attention and scrutiny.

Jim Buttar Grounds and Technical Operations Lead at the RFU

Describe some of the challenges of being in the media spotlight and how you overcome them?

Does it increase stress levels when cameras and media are on site? How do you manage this?

I suffer massively from imposter syndrome and really struggle with any focus on what I’m doing regarding media. I have to work really hard on engaging with people who want to know more about me or what I do; it certainly doesn’t come naturally to me and I do have to consider what I am doing and saying. Social media is one way of controlling the content I share.

When I first came into the industry, it was very much a distraction at times. I’ve been fortunate to be in the industry a long time and you do become less aware of the cameras and media; over time it becomes normalised in your work.

Numerous tournaments receive thousands of visitors from far and wide as well as millions online and live media attention. Can you tell us about how you prepare for this?

I tend to shut off about most of this as it can become too much on the run up to tournaments.

My focus is on the job in hand and the planning and preparation, both before and during tournaments. I’m an overthinker, but I dedicate this superstrength to the job in hand. The only time I will ‘allow’ the noise in is the 5 minutes before kick off and as the teams walk out; I allow the match day buzz to wash over me, to remind me of where I am and why I do what I do.

How do you prepare your team for media attention? Do they all get media training?

All of my team are very amiable and will engage in content capture while working. However, as the lead of the department, I tend to be sought out to do interviews and media work for which I have had training from the GMA. Do any major events at Twickenham change your approach to the management of the venue?

In terms of our work, we tend to aim for the same high standards we always do. We are aware that we will have increased media engagement and content capture at times, which I am happy for us as a team to participate in - knowing that it brings positive spotlight onto our industry and increases awareness to the general public.

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

How do you deal with the negativity that can come with media scrutiny?

I’ve been quite fortunate that it hasn’t happened that often, but it’s hard - especially if you don’t have a voice or a platform to share information.

I also have to remind myself that it is someone’s opinion who doesn’t understand the job nor the work involved, or indeed the circumstances which generated the negativity.

In general, what would be your advice for dealing with media spotlight?

Be clear and positive when communicating.

Engage with the communications team to help and support you. Certainly consider getting some media training to give you confidence when engaging with the media.

Do you have any tips for turfcare professionals managing their own social media?

Remember, you are leaving a digital footprint for all to see. If you are representing a business as part of your social media, then ensure you are abiding by any policies which may be in place.

Also, don’t blur the lines between work and home life - if you wish to have personal elements remain private. It’s always good to share positive and negative experiences with work.

Coming across as normal helps you to engage with the followers who may wish to know more about you and what you do. This is something I am consciously aware of and consider this before I post or make comments. One question I ask myself is “how will this be received and is this ok to share?”

HOT TOPIC

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November/December 2023

PITCHCARE

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GOLF

Let’s go Europe!

Finca Cortesin recently had the prestigious honour of hosting the 2023 Solheim Cup - the first time that Spain had staged the match between Europe and the United States. Director of Agronomy Ignacio Soto speaks about the preparations and challenges.

Above Finca Cortesin played host to the first ever draw in Solheim Cup history in 2023.

L

ocated in one of the most sought-after enclaves of the Andalusian coast on a vast 215-hectare estate, the greenkeeping team at Finca Cortesin worked hard to improve the overall condition of the award-winning Championship course to heighten the playing experience.

Tell us about the planning stage The golf course underwent a comprehensive transformation, marked by the renovation and redesign of the Solheim Cup tees, enhancing the overall experience for players and spectators

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PITCHCARE November/December PITCHCARE August/September 2022 2023

alike. Significant improvements were made to the irrigation system, ensuring the lush greenery remains in pristine condition.

One of the most exciting changes was the routing alteration, which placed the challenging 4th hole as the opening tournament hole - a reachable par 4 with water all around, promising both excitement and drama from the very start. Additionally, the 7th hole, known as the longest par 4, was elegantly redesigned to enhance the landing area, making it an even more strategic and enjoyable part of the course, with the hole no longer blind from the tee

GOLF

box. These changes breathed new life into the course, offering golf enthusiasts an enhanced and thrilling golfing experience.

How did you deal with pressures on the run up and during the event?

Our success was undoubtedly a result of our exceptional team and the invaluable support we received from the agronomists at the Ladies European Tour. Effective and seamless communication with every member of our team and the agronomists played a pivotal role in our achievements. This collaboration and open dialogue was fundamental in ensuring that our project unfolded smoothly and efficiently, ultimately leading to our success.

Discuss final preparations and agronomy work undertaken In the final stages of our preparations, the primary focus was on the meticulous care of our greens and bunkers. Our goal was to attain consistent green speed throughout the entire week, including practice days, ensuring that golfers experienced the same high-quality

This job requires dedication, hard work and a love for the game of golf putting surface no matter when they played.

This involved addressing specific areas on the greens and meticulously rolling them to achieve uniformity and optimum playing conditions.

Additionally, our efforts extended to our 115 bunkers, where a dedicated team worked diligently to maintain them. These bunkers were meticulously raked by hand twice a day, and we remained vigilant in our pursuit of uniformity

Above Ignacio Soto, Director of Agronomy at Finca Cortesin, measuring the speed of the greens during the Solheim Cup.

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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GOLF

The primary focus was on the meticulous care of our greens and bunkers Below Ignacio Soto - Director of Agronomy at Finca Cortesin.

GETTING PERSONAL How long have you worked at Finca Cortesin?

Fourteen years.

What would you consider has been the highlight of your career so far?

Staging the Solheim Cup and having the opportunity to work in this environment everyday.

What’s the best part of your job?

Always being outside and around nature.

And the worst?

Being outside when the weather is bad – although this is normally only a few days a year!

to provide a fair and challenging playing experience for all participants.

What was the biggest challenge throughout the week? How did the weather affect play?

Our paramount focus revolved around achieving rolling uniformity, optimal firmness and consistent green speeds, all of which were essential factors in ensuring a level playing field throughout various weather conditions in every match. To maintain this precision, we diligently monitored and measured the speed, firmness and humidity of the greens before the commencement of each match. This meticulous attention to detail allowed us to adapt to varying weather conditions and provide golfers with a consistent and fair experience, regardless of the external factors at play.

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

Machinery For our daily operations, we are equipped with an extensive fleet of Toro machinery, which forms the backbone of our maintenance efforts. In preparation for our project, we went the extra mile by borrowing additional mowers and securing a robust fleet of Toro vehicles, courtesy of Riversa, the trusted Toro distributor in Spain.

This logistical support was instrumental in facilitating the transportation of our dedicated volunteers to and from the course, ensuring the smooth functioning of our operations. Furthermore, we’ve embraced eco-friendly practices by incorporating a few hybrid machines and introducing two 100% electric triplex mowers specifically designed for our greens. Experiencing the art of mowing greens with electric machinery

GOLF

has been nothing short of exceptional, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and precision in course maintenance.

How does sustainability and environmental awareness fare in day-to-day life on the course?

Sustainability has been at the core of our golf course’s ethos since its initial construction. We took great care in designing a picturesque landscape that harmoniously incorporates native flora, such as wild olive trees, various pistachia species and aromatic shrubs, enhancing the natural beauty of the surroundings. In 2017, a significant

sustainability milestone was achieved when we transitioned our greens to Ultradwarf bermuda grass, resulting in a notable reduction in the use of pesticides across the course.

Our commitment to environmental responsibility extends to our use of 100% organic fertilisers in fairways and roughs, promoting soil health and minimizing chemical impact. When it comes to our greens, we prioritise organic and natural products. Given their warm-season grass nature, our greens thrive for the majority of the year, experiencing minimal insecticide and weed pressure.

In a bid to preserve the biodiversity of our course, we’ve employed the services of an

Above The Solheim Cup was hosted in Spain for the first time in its history.

Left The 18th hole provided the perfect backdrop.

Below A view of the 1st green and grandstand during the tournament.

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

19

GOLF Above The 9th hole at Finca Cortesin during the 2023 Solheim Cup.

ornithologist who diligently conducts a bird inventory, a task made all the more exciting due to our proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, attracting numerous migratory birds.

Intriguingly, we’ve even ventured into honey production on-site, creating our own honey, a sweet testament to our dedication to sustainable practices. Moreover, we’ve implemented a water regeneration system, ensuring that 100% of our water usage is

recycled, contributing to our eco-friendly endeavours.

Lastly, we’ve introduced bird feed stations along the course, further nurturing our connection to the natural world and demonstrating our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

There is a huge recruitment crisis for greens staff in the UK, is that also true across the water?

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GOLF Left The Finca Cortesin agronomy team, including volunteers, pose with the Solheim Cup team captains, Stacy Lewis and Suzann Pettersen.

mutual benefit that goes far beyond the greens.

Are there provisions for apprentices to be part of big events at the club?

Our commitment to our community extends beyond the golf course; it resonates with the people of Casares. We take pride in providing employment opportunities to many local residents, offering them a chance to work in the outdoors within the backdrop of this remarkable climate. For us, it’s not just about the privilege of maintaining this beautiful course; it’s also about sharing that privilege with our neighbours in Casares, fostering a sense of connection and

Our regular crew of 25 dedicated individuals forms the backbone of our course maintenance team, working tirelessly day in and day out to ensure the optimal condition of our golf course.

However, during the event week, our team received a substantial boost with the addition of an impressive roster of 40 volunteers. These volunteers were no ordinary help; they were the head greenkeepers hailing from various corners of Europe, bringing with them a wealth of expertise and experience.

Their contribution is invaluable as they assist in maintaining the course to the highest standards, guaranteeing that it was

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GOLF How would you raise the profile of greenkeeping and sports turf in general within the media?

Left Clubhouse.

Right Significant improvements were made to the irrigation system.

in prime condition for the tournament. It’s a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines our operation, where passionate professionals from across Europe come together to showcase their skills and elevate our golf course to its finest state.

Experiencing the art of mowing greens with electric machinery has been nothing short of exceptional 22

By improving the general education around the subject and running more internship programmes.

Do you think those steps would encourage young people into the industry?

Certainly, our primary focus is on establishing internship programmes right here in Europe.

Currently, many aspiring greenkeepers find themselves compelled to seek opportunities in the United States due to the scarcity of local programmes. Our aim is to change that by creating accessible and valuable internship opportunities within Europe, ensuring that the next generation of greenkeepers can develop their skills and expertise closer to home.

What advice would you pass on to people joining the industry?

Becoming a successful greenkeeper requires dedication, hard work and a deep love for the game of golf. It’s essential to learn from the best in the field, embrace the challenges and find joy in the work to truly excel in this profession.

How has the industry changed over the years?

Significant advancements in technology, particularly in irrigation systems, have brought about substantial changes in the golf course management landscape. The emphasis is now on optimising water usage and enhancing water efficiency, recognising its paramount importance in today’s world. Additionally, the trend towards machinery electrification is gaining momentum, marking another positive step towards sustainability and environmental responsibility in the industry.

Article by Kerry Haywood.

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

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12/10/2023 14:07

INDUSTRY Nik Wadsworth First Assistant at Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club

Levelling up A new era has dawned on course care, as highly qualified greenkeepers enter the sector on completion of an apprenticeship that has raised the bar on standards.

T

he first apprentices to pass out from Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Level 3 are already applying their new skills across British courses, as they step on to a career ladder they hope will see them reach greens team management.

Content for the two-year course was developed by a group of employers and BIGGA advisors with a remit to upskill the sector.

Reaction from apprentices to date strongly suggests Level 3 has equipped them with a platform to move right up to the top, thanks to their commitment to succeed, inspirational tutors and supportive managers.

The ten-topic apprenticeship spans a broad curriculum, from health and safety, personal

24

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

and professional development and supervising staff to advanced golf course preparation and maintenance, construction of course features, integrated pest management and project finance and costing.

Apprentices learn remotely and at the training provider’s hub, with extensive practical work on their home course and, at the end of their Apprenticeship, take an end-point assessment (EPA) undertaken by an independent assessor. This is chosen by land-based awarding body Lantra, which includes a written examination, practical and a professional discussion.

After completing the apprenticeship, former business analyst Nik Wadsworth moved from his training base at Lymm Golf Club, Cheshire, to a

INDUSTRY

The course is a huge commitment and requires a lot of hours!

new role as first assistant at the proprietary Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club nearby.

Officially the first in the country to pass the course, which he completed through Myerscough College, Nik had taken his Level 2 at Lymm under Rick Sinker and Dave Whitby, and remained there to complete his practical projects for the Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Level 3, under James Dennett and Paul Davy.

“My tutor, Chris Garland-Kelly, supported me through the entire course and we carried out regular course walks at Lymm Golf Club to view my work and to check my knowledge, before I moved to Dunham Forest,” Nik explains. “The course content was more academic and had been extensively modified from earlier topic areas,” he notes. “With a geography degree under my belt, I suppose I was familiar with the process of passing exams, but the EPA was pretty demanding.

I worked hard and I was determined to succeed once I’d started.”

Nik’s practical projects included the taking and analysis of core samples on greens and approaches, assessing greens speeds, smoothness and trueness. He recalls, “the terms used in describing ball motion across a green are a language all their own. We watched a video of a ball ‘chattering’ and ‘snaking’ on the turf. The object is to remove these actions to deliver

perfect movement – an 8ft roll using the Stimp Meter is average, with 10 to 12 feet or above for competition golf.”

Nik turns to another element of the Level 3 course content. As a high achiever in the business world before switching career paths - “I fancied working outdoors and landed on my feet in greenkeeping at Dunham Forest; such an atmospheric place with its magnificent stands of native trees, some hundreds of years old.”

He knows the importance of handling staff effectively: “As you develop your career, managing a greens team to get the most out of it is crucial. Many greenkeepers have not experienced an office environment – totally different from working outside.”

The team at Dunham Forest is sevenstrong, headed by Course Superintendent Tim Johnson, with a deputy, two first assistants and three greenkeepers making

UPSKILLING Tim is justifiably proud of Nik’s achievement and sees the importance of upskilling the sector, evidenced by his initiative in setting up the North West Greenkeepers group to allow his counterparts to air issues and recommend advances through education and networking events.

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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INDUSTRY Above Nik takes a breather.

Below Project on the 11th bunker at Lymm Golf Club.

up the contingent.

“The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Level 3 is a demanding course,” Tim states, and requires a fair degree of academic ability to pass it. That’s a quality that Nik has plenty of.”

Dunham Forest’s transition to an allelectric fleet is a move Nik welcomes. “The environmental management topic is intended to give learners an understanding of a golf course.

I’m keen on nature and see why wildlife diversity is such a key aspect of course maintenance.”

“The course topic also stressed an holistic approach to greenkeeping. After all, do we really want to be handling and applying chemicals such as pesticides and fungicides?”

Not all apprentices can bite into course content the way Nik admits to doing. “I blitzed into it and asked for all the topic areas at once to really take hold early on,” he explains.

“It can be difficult to always find the time commitment the course demands. A man down on the team makes a huge difference to work schedules. You may suddenly find yourself

cutting twenty greens, all the approaches and surrounds. Cutting rough can take two or three days alone. Course maintenance has to take priority if we are short-staffed.”

“The course is a huge commitment and requires a lot of hours, both at work and at home in order to complete. The written assignments are detailed, and both the exam and end point assessment require you to study hard and to revise all areas thoroughly. However, all the topics undertaken in the course allow application in their everyday environment, whether it being in course preparation and course maintenance, project preparation and planning, communication, health and safety, drainage, irrigation, vehicle and equipment maintenance, financial management, risk assessment, environmental management and pest management.”

“It also helps with your own personal development plans, as well as that of the supervision and support of other colleagues.

All these elements are the key skills that are essential for the journey into golf course management. As a result, the rewards for all your hard work is definitely worth the effort when you successfully complete the course and will be invaluable for your career progression.”

Managing a greens team to get the most out of it is crucial 26

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

INDUSTRY

LEVEL 3 TOPIC AREAS

New Apprenticeship Standard

• Health and Safety

The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard was developed by the employer Trailblazer group in 2020.

It supersedes the Greenkeeping pathway of the Horticulture Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship framework, from which the first cohort of nine Apprentices have emerged, including Nik Wadsworth, Tom Bromfield and Jack Hopgood-Haines.

The new Apprenticeship Standard culminates in an End Point Assessment which includes three components, an online written examination, a number of practical tasks and a professional discussion with a course walk, undertaken by an Independent End Point Assessor.

The Trailblazer group’s main purpose was to raise the standard of greenkeeping,

the quality of those entering the sector and improving career prospects in an era of huge advances in technology and the scientific basis of turfcare.

Other training providers such as North Kent and Hadlow College, Plumpton College and Windsor Forest College’s Group Berkshire College of Agriculture are also leading the way to raise the greenkeeping standards with the Level 3 Apprenticeship.

The next few years could well witness a transformation in the sector as its latest recruits climb the career ladder.

• Personnel and Professional Development • Effective Communication in the Workplace • Supervising Staff • Advanced Golf Course Preparation and Maintenance • Construction of Golf Course Features • Supervise and Implement Maintenance of Machinery, Irrigation and Drainage Systems • Integrated Pest Management • Environmental Management • Finance and Project Management

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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INDUSTRY Below Two-year bunker renovation programme.

Tom Bromfield is the second Level 3 nationally, and was recently promoted to first assistant within the eight-strong team at his home course - private members club Trentham Golf Club - which has given him fresh insight into the work of others in the greens team.

T

om commented: “The exam certainly made me think about how the content applies to my everyday work. My job involves far more management thinking and I’m trying to put myself into the mindset of my deputy course manager and course manager, because I hope to climb further up the career ladder to run my own team eventually.”

Putting into practice skills covered on Level 3 is not necessarily that easy. “Integrated pest management presents a big challenge,” he states.

“How we can combat their impact is up in the air still. Pesticides we once used to tackle worm populations are off limits now, and casts cause havoc on parkland courses like ours.”

His ‘Supervising Staff’ topic, which covered appraisals and how to handle conflicts, chimes with Trentham’s evolving team strategy that includes more regular chats with staff - in Tom’s case it’s his line manager, Deputy Alex Brougham - to discuss any work or life issues.

“Although staff appraisals are done every December or January, we’re planning to have more monthly and fortnightly chats about anything that might impact day to day work,” Tom explains.

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

“Even a ten-minute morning catchup is better than no communication.”

“Since Alex became deputy course manager, I’ve tried to pick up things and become more knowledgeable about how everything works. Team member Steve is also pretty handy with machinery too and I enjoy learning more about that. I can now use the knowledge and skills that I have learnt to help the team in these departments.”

Communications is on Tom’s radar too. “Ed likes me to come to greens committee meetings to learn as much as possible from these to develop myself.”

“We’re lucky as the greens committee is usually receptive to our ideas on maintenance and expenditure. I’m also trying to meet company reps and contractors to gain more experience of communicating across all levels - all the time listening to Ed’s methods.”

Summing up, Tom states: “Completing Level 3 has been a big help and I’m already benefitting greatly from taking it. The content covered is more extensive and in far greater detail, which is tougher to pass all round. The exam and EPA require full concentration and your assignments also require more detail. All in all, a great preparation for undertaking the foundation degree in the future.”

Article by Greg Rhodes.

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TOP TIPS Deputy Head Greenkeeper, James Matthewman speaks about managing Maesteg Golf Club within a limited budget.

Your club isn’t blessed with millions of pounds of budget. What are the main factors when working on a limited budget?

The main factor is priorities. Once you know what budget you are working with, you need to prioritise what you need and what needs to be accomplished. It can sometimes be hard to pinpoint what is most important.

Is sustainable golf course management achievable with a limited budget?

Sustainability is the future, not just for golf course management but for the world in general.

We all should be doing our bit and there are plenty of opportunities (regardless of budget) that can be undertaken.

In terms of budgets and projects, is this more restricted in winter or summer?

If you plan your budget it shouldn’t really matter, however most golf clubs with smaller budgets might see a tighter squeeze in winter - due to less green fees and inclement weather.

When a course closes due to weather, does this have an effect on budgets?

It generally depends on how your golf club earns its revenue. If your club earns a lot through walkins, then yes this will impact it financially. Clubs run mainly on membership income will certainly have that little bit more stability. Members are much more important than meets the eye.

Despite some golf courses having minimal resources, how can you get the best out of your budget and time?

It comes down to the saying ‘You can only work with what’s in front of you’. If resources are really limited, you need to look after what you have got and use your time effectively and efficiently.

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

Do you think improved management skills and individual development has seen budget become less impactful on course management?

Absolutely! Having good management skills is vital in any workplace. Also having staff trained correctly and improving their professional development will certainly lead to a smoother, well-run course. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Have you implemented any changes such as cutting length and project development in order to save on budget?

Yes. Ecological areas were one of the first things we implemented. It’s not only brilliant for the environment, but it saves a lot of manpower in cutting and reduces fuel costs significantly. Nearly all projects we planned throughout the year were carried out in-house. We find this a very useful way to learn and it also keeps costs down.

How do greenkeepers reduce costs but still keep the same consistency of quality?

That is the million-dollar question! To simplify the answer, it comes down to having a very knowledgeable head greenkeeper who is backed by his/her team and supported by their club. The team goes far beyond just the greenkeepers.

How important is a strong management and team ethic?

It is never easy to stay motivated when times become difficult but, by having strong management and a good working team ethic, I believe you can get through and overcome anything. Positivity is key.

How important is it to understand that every club has a different budget and different resources?

TOP TIPS

The main factor is priorities!

The greenkeeping industry has such a helpful and caring community. I think all greenkeepers know the score when it comes to manpower, budget etc. If anything, you will find higher-end clubs are generally so supportive and will always help where they can. It is about reaching out for that advice when needed.

How damaging can it be for clubs on a limited budget if machinery breaks down?

This can be extremely tough, as there is only so much patching up you can do: ‘you can’t put a plaster over something that needs stitches!’

You should always look after your machinery at all costs.

Would you say it is important for members to have an understanding of the budgets greenkeepers are dealing with?

Yes definitely! I appreciate not all members would be interested but, if you can get one or two on board with the understanding that limited budgets can lead to implications, then at least they can relate.

How important is a good line of communication between the course manager, the committee and the golfer when budgets are limited?

Everyone knows that communication is probably the most important action in any organisation. What the course manager relays to the committee and management also needs to be passed onto members. Whenever there is a budget-related problem, if a complaint occurs because of it, nine times out of ten you can source it back to a fault in communication.

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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CONSERVATION

PLAYER ECOLOGY SUCCESS This summer, greenkeepers and turf managers from BIGGA Southern Section and other local facilities toured the award-winning Operation Pollinator habitat creation at Corhampton Golf Club.

I

nspirational Hampshire greenkeeper and course manager, Iestyn Carpenter, has harnessed player power at Corhampton Golf Club in Hampshire to deliver an award-winning environmental initiative.

Instigating a pioneering Ecology Group of players and enthusiasts, they have created an ethos of ecological enhancement across the club that has won the top accolade of Syngenta Operation Pollinator champions for the second time, as part of the national Golf Environment Awards.

But, whilst the plaudits of award winning have been pleasing, there is even greater satisfaction in the fact that the club has become recognised as a regional stronghold for the endangered Small Blue butterfly – within three years of focusing on the habitat creation.

The vast rolling agricultural arable fields of the South Downs that surround the club were something of a desert for butterfly and moth sightings, yet incredibly the tiny Small Blue – Britain’s smallest butterfly - has found the areas of chalk scrape and natural flora that the club has created.

“We were told that if we put the habitat back then wildlife would find it,” recalled Iestyn.

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

“What has been amazing, is just how fast that has happened. And the immense diversity of species that has been recorded so quickly.”

He believes that has only been possible with the engagement of the club members, which has generated the enthusiasm and commitment within the club to release resources to make it happen.

What started as an ecology walk to explain to members some of the things that were being done and potential improvements, quickly grew with the enthusiasm and encouragement of players and club managers.

“Those who were keen to get involved were adamant they didn’t want another club ‘committee’,” Iestyn emphasised. “But the Ecology Group is a better description of their interests and way of working collaboratively for something they believe in, and that gives them pleasure and enjoyment too.”

Iestyn is keen to point out that the Ecology Group draws on the strengths and interests of the diverse members, including publishing a newsletter for members, providing the materials and labour to build bird and bat boxes, and the initiative and time to apply for grants and support for the projects.

“With just five greenkeepers on what is quite

CONSERVATION

Left Iestyn Carpenter with the Corhampton Golf Club Operation Pollinator award.

Middle Marbled white butterfly.

Above Providing essential food resources and nesting habitat for pollinators.

a large site, we are very tight for labour just to manage the course,” Iestyn pointed out. “The absolute priority has to remain the golf course and continuing to improve the playing surfaces year on year. So we need all the help we can get for any additional projects.”

He describes the Ecology Group’s enthusiasm as infectious for the whole greenkeeping team. “We just come up with an idea or suggestion and they are instantly looking for a way to make it happen.”

With the chalk scrapes, for example, Iestyn and the team undertook the initial clear and construction. But now it is the Ecology Group that carries out the bulk of the annual maintenance, to cut and remove vegetation that allows the essential wildflowers to flourish.

“If it were left to the greenkeeping team, it might take weeks to find sufficient spare time outside of the course maintenance to complete the clearance. Now the Ecology Group organise themselves into a couple of afternoons working parties and have the job completed at the optimum time for the vegetation management and the insect species.”

“That’s a huge help, but also means that the members have a far better idea of what is involved with the greenkeeping and the overall

course management, and the greenkeeping team appreciate the support they are receiving which is extremely positive from both sides.”

The greenkeeping team is still involved where mechanical work is required, or for spot spraying invasive weeds with a selective herbicide where invasive species start to dominate, for example.

Overall, the chalk scrapes at Corhampton account for less than 1% of the area, but have an immense contribution in supporting a significant proportion of the course’s biodiversity. The variety of habitat, alongside extensive thin wispy rough, with abundant wildflowers and woodland managed to nurture wildlife, creates an ecological oasis in the wider environment. Importantly, it is a crucial connecting haven between other ancient Hampshire wildlife respite habitats.

Club member and Ecology Group enthusiast, Aelwyn Emmett, added: “We as members love our course and were highly motivated to get involved.”

“We are all increasingly aware of the loss of habitat and the issues that it causes. While most people can do things at home in the garden on a small scale, on the golf course we have the chance to collectively do something really

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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CONSERVATION

I need to understand every green as they all perform differently

Ro tem facepedis ra quae occum res similit et at debis nobitium voluptatur?

Above Corhampton Ecology Group with Iestyn Carpenter.

Far right Painted Lady and The Small Blue.

Below Left Meadow brown Right Clive Wood - Corhampton butterfly conservation specialist.

34

significant and make a real difference.”

“It is helping to beautify our course and make it a more interesting and enjoyable place to play.

And there is also great satisfaction in knowing that we are helping existing biodiversity, as well as actually bringing something back.”

“We know that we are fortunate to have Iestyn as our Course Manager and the greenkeeping team, so it is a way to say thank you and to support them. But we also get to enjoy being part of the Group and creating something collectively.”

“The key is to get members involved, and to keep them interested and engaged in what is being achieved.”

Iestyn acknowledges he has also been extremely fortunate to have the help and guidance of keen local golfer and

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

passionate butterfly enthusiast, Clive Wood, a member of the local Hampshire & IoW branch of Butterfly Conservation.

Clive’s knowledge of habitat creation has been instrumental in establishing the Operation Pollinator habitats and ongoing management.

“Initially the focus was on bumble, but if you provide the pollen and nectar habitats it is a positive action for all pollinating insects, including the thousands of species of butterflies and moths that are equally important as for their pollinating services.”

“Understanding what habitat is native to the area, and particularly what is missing within the local environment, gives the opportunity to focus on habitat creation that will have maximum impact and benefit for native biodiversity.”

“With just a little more attention, it is possible to create something bespoke for a specific species that could have a huge impact, just as the team at Corhampton have done for the Small Blue. But in doing so they have benefitted so much more too.”

Clive has also been instrumental in working with the Ecology Group to undertake surveys

CONSERVATION

SMALL BLUE RESTORATION The Small Blue (Cupido minimus) is Britain’s smallest native butterfly. It does occur locally in small numbers across Britain, but primarily in chalk landscapes of southern England.

Its numbers have been in decline. and recordings of butterflies and biodiversity across the habitat areas.

That has given a benchmark of progress and focus, along with valuable data and evidence to engage with members and the club management.

The members trained in butterfly identification now undertake a set survey route and record all the species they

see. It’s a scientific approach that puts Corhampton on the map within the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme as a national insect records database.

Their work has seen recorded butterfly numbers increase from 387 in 2021, to 525 in 2022. Furthermore, the numbers identified were higher on five of the six survey dates in 2022, compared to the

The ecology charity, Butterfly Conservation, supported by Natural England, highlights that the Small Blue is under threat due to its small size and increasing isolation of populations.

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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CONSERVATION

Ro tem facepedis ra quae occum res similit et at debis nobitium voluptatur?

The key is to get members involved, and to keep them interested Above: BIGGA ecology walk.

previous season.

In 2022, there were 25 different species of butterfly identified by the Ecology Group survey team, compared to 23 in 2021. Meadow Brown, Small White, Common Blue and Gatekeeper butterflies made up the most abundant species.

“The beautiful Common Blue bounced back strongly amid the summer sunshine with

OPERATION POLLINATOR REWARDS Syngenta Operation Pollinator supports golf clubs and sports turf facilities to establish and manage areas of pollen and nectar rich wildflower habitat that will provide essential food resources and nesting habitat for pollinators, including native bees, butterflies and other insects.

Sarah Hughes, Syngenta Business Manager, highlighted golf courses and sports facilities can provide immense ecological resources and outstanding habitats, without compromising on high quality surfaces and playing conditions.

“Even managing small out of play areas for ecological benefit can make a positive contribution to biodiversity and the overall sustainability of the industry,” she advised.

“Operation Pollinator provides

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

a framework of advice and a network of enthusiastic people who collectively make a huge difference. It makes golf courses a more attractive place for players and biodiversity.”

“With over 250 clubs registered and actively involved in Operation Pollinator, it has created a significant national habitat resource and proving that sports turf and the environment can be effectively managed side by side.”

The Syngenta Operation Pollinator Award recognises golf courses that contribute to positive action for pollinators through habitat creation and management. It is presented annually at BTME as part of the Golf Environment Awards, independently run

by STRI ecologists.

48 individuals recorded. Its larval foodplant is usually Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil and should breed well on the chalk downland at Corhampton. The Gatekeeper also saw a welcome increase from five to 48 individuals,” he reported.

“The Green-veined White records are noteworthy because the butterfly favours lush, cooler conditions and is useful evidence that the golf club is able to provide a wide variety of habitat suitable for different species.”

“The Silver-washed Fritillary is a wonderful woodland and hedgerow species; it’s our largest fritillary and great to see on the wing,” enthused Clive.

“The Small Blue was a target species following the creation of the new scrapes, and the survey shows Corhampton Golf Club remains home to Hampshire’s newest breeding colony of this priority species, under Section 41 of the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act, 2006,” he added.

Iestyn Carpenter reiterated that one of the most satisfying elements of the Operation Pollinator habitat creation was being able to achieve so much, in so short a period of time.

“As a team we have loved learning so much about the local ecology. And it’s also been great to be involved with the enthusiastic and dedicated people that have forged into the Ecology Group.”

“I would urge any golf course to get involved with Operation Pollinator and to engage with members to get them involved with supporting and driving sustainable initiatives. It’s our experience that with a small group of enthusiastic people, you can create something special and promote golf as a positive force for the environment and responsible use of resources.”

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November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

37

INDUSTRY

Step 01

Step 02

Step 03

Office job

Greenkeeping

Winning Awards

Riding high Student greenkeeper, Michael Russell from Ormskirk Golf Club joined the greenkeeping world just four years ago and has recently won Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award.

M

ichael started by telling us what it meant for him to win the award: “I was absolutely over the moon about winning. To be recognised for the hard work I have put into everything is amazing as I have always tried to ensure I was educating myself further. Winning opens up so many opportunities for the future and I can’t wait to develop even further.”

“Recognition is always apparent within the team, but on the day the winner was announced, my phone went a bit mad, receiving messages from far and wide… even course managers that I had worked with in the

38

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

past were proud of my achievement. It means a lot. Industry people obviously understand the hard work that we put in and it’s been great that the club have also supported the award. We’re going to put the trophy in the clubhouse, along with BIGGA and Pitchcare magazines so that members can understand the achievement and raise awareness of greenkeeping and the opportunities it brings.”

He rolled back the clock and explained how he went from a nine to five job to the greens of Ormskirk: “I had gone to university, after completing my A levels, and I was looking to go into cardiac rehabilitation, but somehow fell into a position within the Home Office.

I’ve played golf since I was fifteen, but at that

INDUSTRY

PRIZE STATS

time, never had a passion for working within the industry. I know John Mcloughlin (who worked at Warrington Golf Club at that time) and he was posting on social media about morning setup and maintenance. It looked quite interesting, so I fired him a message asking if we could chat and he invited me to try it out.”

“I enjoyed the variation of tasks from the start and people would comment about how I was buzzing after being out on the course.”

Michael reflected on some of the challenges that joining the industry meant

for him: “In terms of pay, I had to take a reduction and it was like starting again.

With a mortgage and long-term relationship, I had to consider all the elements to ensure that it was going to work long term. I was quite fortunate to start with John as my course manager because of his vast experience within the industry and he passed on his knowledge so that I learnt quickly. I also got to travel around with him to view other courses and gain further insight into the industry.”

One experience was working at Royal

Winning the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year will give Michael an enrolment in an internationally recognised 10-week turf management remote study course, The Winter Turf School (University of Massachusetts); a twoweek work placement at a prestigious European golf course; an all-expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show (USA); and a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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39

INDUSTRY ABOUT THE AWARD

Saint David’s Golf Club within the first few months in the industry: “I worked for a week at the Women’s Senior Amateur, which is a great opportunity to work within a different team and experience different challenges and insights into another course.”

An opportunity then came up at parkland course Preston Golf Club, which was beneficial to his career progression at that time: “I had been at Warrington for just under two years when I spoke to the course manager at Preston about further development. They offered me a Greenkeeper and Ecology Manager position and I quickly obtained my chainsaw qualification.”

“I also won an ICL scholarship which allowed me to do three days at BTME and undertake fully

Hosted by BIGGA, Toro and Reesink UK, The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was introduced in 1989, with the ‘Young’ category added in 2016.

The awards offer greenkeepers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels a chance to excel, with winners afforded once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to further their career and network with influential industry leaders.

40

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

funded classes. These courses are upwards of six hundred pounds (which I couldn’t normally afford), so to get that opportunity was so good.

All this education certainly put me in good stead for entering the Toro Student Greenkeeper Award. At the same time, I was commuting fifty miles a day to Preston and back and spending a small fortune on fuel. I live around fifteen minutes from Ormskirk so, when a role came up, it was much more convenient for a long-term plan. I suppose that’s the story so far.”

Michael wants to step outside of the box and increase the awareness of the industry and the opportunities which are available: “I think it’s all about awareness of the industry from the outside and also an awareness on the inside of what opportunities are available to you if you really push for them.

These are numerous free opportunities to obtain further education and have different experiences. Even networking at industry events is so useful; meeting greenkeepers from all over the country and developing contacts which can help in the future.”

Michael has recently attended a First Green event called ‘Blackburn Inspiring’ - an education fayre at King George’s Hall to raise industry awareness: “Nearly 2000 students, around fifteen years of age, experienced a taste of what greenkeeping is all about. They looked at knapsacks and other different products to show that the industry is much more than cutting grass.”

“The majority of attendees had very little understanding about greenkeeping and that there are so many avenues and opportunities to explore. If you like ecology, then you can go

INDUSTRY

To be recognised for all my hard work is amazing

down that route and develop ecology projects, if you like machinery then you can look to get your mechanic qualification.”

Michael expressed the importance of allowing apprentices to develop all aspects of greenkeeping: “They might be young, they

might be inexperienced, but I would look to give them opportunities straight away. Having them rake bunkers for six months just isn’t the way to manage an apprentice greenkeeper. I know I would have hated that. Granted, that is part of the job, but greenkeeping is so much bigger than those stereotypical tasks.”

What’s next for Michael? “I want to progress my career, but it’s about balancing that with family life as well. Having a young one and another little one on the way, it’s obviously difficult, so it’s about moving forward in my career, whilst also thinking about family life.”

2024 The nomination period for the 2024 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will begin at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January 2024.

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November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

41

SCIENCE Using

performance data

to inform Agronomic Management decisions

In 2009, STRI Group pioneered the use of data collection on golf courses as a turf management tool.

Since then, around 25,000 golf greens were analysed for a series of performance factors.

Steve Gingell BSc(Hons), MBPR

42

T

hese factors included: surface smoothness, surface trueness, green speed, moisture and firmness. In addition to surface performance testing, the soil was also analysed to measure: organic matter at 4 x 20mm depths, pH, available phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O).

Whilst on site, agronomic factors were also assessed, including: botanical species content, sward density, soil profile condition and plant health. The combined use of these agronomic

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

factors and the supporting data helps to provide clubs with strategic and sustainable outcomes for their greens.

The large dataset allowed us to interpret data relationships that influence green performance and health. Whilst this information helps to provide pathways to make our golf greens perform better, the data alone may not give a full picture of the reasons behind a golf green performance. That said, the combined use of the data and the agronomic factors is paramount to the success of providing advice to achieve a

TECHNICAL

The most important parameter is that of the organic matter club’s goals and objectives. The performance data informs the agronomic decisions.

This article aims to show some of the data relationships and how they can help to make management of golf greens more sustainable by using the trends that the data provides.

A number of target-based inter-relational trends became apparent. For example, by visually noting ball interactions on a surface, we can conclude that a green on a links course would provide bounce-check release and roll out at firmness levels of 100 gravities or greater using a clegg impact hammer. This would also typically occur if the soil profiles were managed consistently at moisture levels below 25% VWCs (Volumetric Water Content).

The trends observed in the data sets over time are also important as these will show how a green is changing. For example, moisture content being taken at different times of year, with different weather conditions would show quite a degree of variability depending on whether it was collected on a very dry or wet period. The degree

of variability tracked over time can inform if a green was becoming wetter or drier as a result of similar conditions.

Left Organic matter testing.

Performance Data

Above Soft meadow grass surface.

Much of the performance data collected provides a snapshot of the conditions and immediate management prior to the data collection. These included smoothness, trueness and green speed.

Typically, clubs would set up the green in a similar manner for each data set, but the information provided by this data needs to be carefully assessed in order to assist the agronomic decisions regarding the next few weeks/months of maintenance. Moisture and firmness are less impacted by the immediate maintenance operations, but reflect the weather conditions around the assessment.

Soil testing is useful in reviewing long-term trends because it is less impacted by short-term management. Organic matter, particularly, is useful as it will clearly show how the soil profile is becoming drier through best practice, and therefore more able to support fine turf grasses within the sward. The level of organic matter reflects the weather conditions and management a season earlier and affects, most significantly, firmness and moisture of greens. Greens with low organic matter will vary less in moisture content than a green with a high organic matter.

Organic sampling accuracy is vulnerable to sampling techniques, and so small-scale changes within organic matter should be viewed with caution. It is much better to concentrate on managing the longer-term trends.

Below STRI trueness meter.

Green Performance Relationships It has long been known that some of the relationships of data collection are inter-related for a number of the performance measures.

For example, moisture and firmness (Graph 1) typically shows a straight-line relationship -

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

43

SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT Above Graph 1.

Below Graph 2.

Far right Fine turf fescue surface.

i.e., the wetter a green, the softer it will be.

It is interesting to observe how the predominant grass species mixture on a green also has an influence. It is clear that meadow-grass dominated species typically will be wetter and therefore softer than a fescue-dominated green.

Soil testing is useful in reviewing long-term trends 44

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

Green speed and smoothness are very closely related (Graph 2). The Trueness Meter was used to assess smoothness and trueness and provides a clear and accurate measurement of surface performance. A surface that is not smooth would typically be slower. However, speed is also impacted by surface moisture, to some extent the firmness, the height of cut and definitely by the species content. Density can also impact green speed, as the greater number of leaf blades will increase the stickiness or friction of a surface. We would typically look at all of these parameters to see if a low green speed was solely as a result of poor smoothness - or was due to the other factors.

Trueness is interesting in that it does not appear to have a significant impact on the green speed, but it is a particularly important parameter within the ball roll characteristic that would indicate a good ball roll. Trueness gives a measure of the consistency of the ball roll along a desired path, and it should be noted that the higher the green speed the truer a surface is required to be in order to create a playable and consistent surface.

Probably the most important parameter is that of the organic matter (Graph 3). Our data helped to indicate the ideal organic matter in the upper 20mm to achieve appropriate moisture and firmness and hence green performance. Organic matter has the greatest potential influence on many of the other factors, including soil moisture, firmness, potentially green speed and definitely plant health. Organic matter levels predominately are too high and especially in the parkland setting (Graph 4).

TECHNICAL

If we understand the relationship between the different performance measures, then the agronomics in terms of improving surface performance can be developed. These, however, must always be considered within the long-term goal of the course.

The trend was broadly downwards in the period from 2009 to 2020, but in the Covid period, when greens maintenance was relaxed, organic matter increased slightly. Research revealed that the ideal level of organic matter was 4-6% in the top 20mm, and then below 4%, below this depth.

At these levels, the greens would achieve ideal

firmness, moisture content and potentially ideal ball roll characteristics.

Firmness is especially important and is useful as a measure of how a golf ball will interact with a green surface. Firmness is measured using a Clegg Impact Hammer with a rounded golf ball shaped head which measures peak deceleration.

We tend to relate the data into two categories, firstly parkland courses which will be typically below 100 gravities, i.e. would be softer, and links which will typically be over 100 gravities.

Firmness also gives a clear idea of ball-to-surface interactions and green receptiveness.

September/October 2023 PITCHCARE 45 November/December 2023 PITCHCARE 45

SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT

Graph 3.

Data Influencing Plant Health The data we collect has some influence on plant health. For example soil pH, if extremely low, it can lead to a locking up of key elements such as Phosphate (P) and Potash (K), but it can also reduce the breakdown of organic matter by soil micro-organisms.

The pH therefore is monitored over time to see whether there are risk factors that need addressing, and therefore the agronomic advice would then be adapted to improving those conditions.

Moisture management can be used in prediction or at least management of plant disease. In the UK, the autumn Fusarium Patch (Microdochium nivale) outbreaks tend to occur in the cool conditions where soil moisture is relatively high but also leaf wetness hours are high. Therefore, data can be used to assist in predicting when these outbreaks may occur.

A poor smoothness reading may be related on a softer surface to a high level of a disruption through footprints and pitch marks. If severe and poorly repaired will act as a stress, particularly in meadow grasses and may, if conditions are right, increase disease outbreak.

Graph 4.

USING DATA TO MANAGE FUTURE SUSTAINABLE SURFACES It is widely understood that the ideal grass species for long-term sustainability would be the fine turf grasses of bentgrasses or fescues. The botanical composition able to be achieved would depend on a number of factors, predominantly that of: dryness and drainage of soils, environmental conditions, green size, tree management and the number of rounds that are currently being played.

In order to develop a fine turf surface, one of the most critical elements would be to ensure the organic matter is as low as possible and certainly within

target ranges. We are now seeing a number of clubs, that are reaching the targets, are starting to see increases in the botanical composition of fine turf grasses.

Management of these areas would then follow principles such as those discussed many years ago in the ‘Disturbance Theory’, where the particular chosen fine turf grass would then be managed following the basic principles of theory, reducing disturbance, utilising stress and increasing the chosen grass.

The management of environmental conditions, i.e. reducing shade, creating airflow

across green surfaces is key to improving those surfaces in terms of fine turf grasses. There is definite circumstantial evidence from our data over time that fine turf grasses have increased particularly where soil moisture, soil firmness, organic matter levels have reached target points. This could be as a direct consequence of improved environmental conditions around a golf green or tee or following a path to improve profile and appropriate management strategies for the chosen grass type.

Article by Steve Gingell BSc(Hons), MBPR STRI Group Operations Manager

46

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

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Research

WEATHER CORNER

How to spot a wrong 'un In my series of articles this year, I have talked about how trough patterns in the jet stream are behind the increasing frequency of extreme weather as it is labelled by the tabloids. I have also highlighted how rain rate measured in mm per hour is the real villain of the piece when it comes to flooding as drainage systems are overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of modern rainfall dynamics.

In this edition, with Storm Babet fresh in the collective memory, I thought it would be helpful to talk through the process of identifying one of these excessive rainfall events in advance. What characterises them, where you can find the advance information and how do you interpret it?

So what characterises a bad storm system from a rainfall perspective? There are 4 to look out for: 1.

Mark Hunt Weather Analytics, Prodata Weather Systems

2.

The formation of a trough pattern of cooler air in the dynamics of the jet stream. Remembering that it forms at the boundary of warm and cool air when you look at a GFS projection (Global forecasting system), depicted by a dark green line, more on this later.

The presence of a slow-moving, low pressure system when you scroll through the projections. Ordinarily a strong jet stream speed will push a low pressure system across the U.K & Ireland in 12-18 hours, a low pressure system hanging around for longer will normally result in high rainfall totals.

3.

In general, (but not always) the lower the pressure at the centre of a low pressure system (measured in millibars), the more intense the weather system. Storm Babet, as an example, measured 956.4mb here in The Midlands, whereas typically an Atlantic low pressure would be in the region of 990-1000mb.

4.

The last is an obvious one - forecasted rainfall totals. If you’re seeing high rainfall totals on consecutive days and these stay stable as you get closer to the event, you know the characteristic of the rainfall.

What you won’t see (yet) is forecasted rain rate figures.

Where do you find the forecast projections?

There are various websites you can use.

I use one called www.tropicaltidbits.com. It is a free-to-use site but asks for a donation as a Patreon (if you intend to use information for this site regularly), which I think is fair enough. This site has huge amounts of weather information but, for the purposes of this article, there are two areas that provide the most useful information for turf managers. www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/ ?model=gfs&region=eu&pkg=z500_mslp This will take you to a GFS forecast of weather system movements over a set time period.

You can scroll through 6 hours at a time and watch how the weather systems move. What you are looking for is a low pressure weather system (characterised by a large capital ‘L’ in red). It will have the atmospheric pressure in millibars written next to it – remember, the lower the pressure, the more intense the low pressure system.

If you are interested in wind strength and direction, look at the closeness of the isobar lines on the charts and remember that low pressure systems rotate anticlockwise and high pressure systems clockwise (in the northern hemisphere that is).

48

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

WEATHER CORNER

Below is the schematic for Storm Babet from 20-10-23 06:00am in 6-hour intervals

Notice how the position of the centre of the low pressure system (marked by a red ‘L’) does not move in the more familiar west-east trajectory, rather it tracks in from the south and moves northwards, up the eastern side of the U.K. Another point of interest, rainfall events that follow this pattern (originating in the Bay of Biscay) tend to give more reliable rain to the south and east of the U.K compared to Atlantic low pressure systems which typically bring rain to the west, north west and north typically.

You can also access a rainfall pattern projection on the same website ; www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/ models/?model=gfs&region=eu&pkg=mslp_pcpn Run through the projections and see how it relates to the actual weather you receive remembering that local topography will impact local weather, especially in the case of rainfall.

visit: www.weatherstations.co.uk Send your questions for Mark to: editor@pitchcare.com

GETTING THE JOB DONE

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November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

49

FOOTBALL 50 PITCHCARE PITCHCARE November/December August/September 2022 2023

Head Groundsman Rob Davidson.

FOOTBALL

HOME SWEET HOME Morecambe Football Club have represented the seaside town on the football map for over one hundred years. Head Groundsman Rob Davidson has a keen eye for data gathering.

A

s any head groundsmen will testify, the job would be straightforward if it were simply maintaining the one stadium pitch! However, Rob Davidson and his team also tend their training ground as well as all the surrounding horticultural aspects of the facility.

“I manage a team of two full time staff, with a casual matchday team of eight,” explained Rob, “Like every grounds team, we have busy schedules across the two sites. It’s a challenge tending the training ground as it’s situated ten minutes’ drive away across town, loading our ‘kit’ into a van and trailer; however, we make it work.”

The devil’s in the detail Rob has a keen eye for data gathering, which he uses to modify and ‘home in’ his operational techniques and inputs. “I gather information from everything we do,” he explained, “from the data, I’m able to fine tune what we do to get the best possible outcomes.” Rob is meticulous about recording rainfall, temperatures (soil and air), moisture, nutrition and irrigation usage. As a result, he has used his findings to install much needed upgrades to the pitch’s drainage system.

“We have a traditional system,” he explained, “60mm perforated pipe is laid at five metre centres running longitudinally to a 90mm main drain line outside the ground. Back in 2017, the

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

51

FOOTBALL

Left Apprentice Elliot Marshall, Head Groundsman Rob Davidson and Skilled groundsman Alex Rickards (Left to right).

Right Apprentice Elliot Marshall linemarking for a recent game.

Below A mini renovation of double uni rake, overseeded with 4 bags of R140, granular feed followed by a destress foliar mix. Cut at 25mm and a pre match spray.

club invested in sand banding across those lines which, remarkably, is still clean to this day. I like to keep the moisture levels between 20%-25%, however, there were still areas of poor water percolation in the shaded areas, so recently we installed gravel bands to these areas to give far more uniformity of readings.”

Sustainability I know that environmental consciousness is high on most grounds teams’ list, and at Morecambe they are no different. Rob is meticulous when it comes to measuring his many and varied inputs. “The irrigation system is Rain Bird, with a mixture of 18 heads, both infield and perimeter series 8005, controlled electronically with an ESP-LXD controller,” he explained. “We use a R140 rye mix from Origin for overseeding and it has proved beneficial

in our improvement vision.” Rob continued, “I stick to two different Sierrablen Plus controlled release fertilisers which tickle in the background, I use Proturf monthly throughout the summer up until November, going onto conventional feeds every 2/3 week during winter months. I’m flexible with the use of liquids depending on the time of year, recovery rates and pre-match cosmetics! I alternate from nitrate liquids to urea, depending on the temperatures, and use irons, Cal Mag or phosphites for green up and strengthening the plant for disease protection, when needed.”

Where it all began Rob is a local born, Morecambe ‘lad’, currently 27 years old; as a youngster, he was a keen footballer, playing for his local club (on the fields where Morecambe FC are now currently situated!). The groundsman ‘bug’ came early on in life whilst volunteering locally as a pitch day groundsman, enrolling at Myerscough College in 2012, eventually qualifying with a distinction in Sportsturf Level 3 in 2014. Upon completion of his course, he joined the team at Manchester City FC as assistant groundsman and remained with the club for three years. “I learnt so

I gather information from everything we do 52

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

FOOTBALL

CLUB HISTORY Morecambe Football Club (nicknamed ‘The Shrimps’) was formed on the 7th of May 1920 and, in their early years, shared facilities with Morecambe Cricket Club.

much at City,” explained Rob, “It was a tremendous start to my career.”

From there, Rob moved to Reading FC training grounds, before being promoted to first assistant to work at the Madejski Stadium. “Reading was great,” he continued, “but then the opportunity to become the head groundsman at Morecambe arose. I simply couldn’t turn it down, and so I joined the team here in the summer of 2021.”

Crystal ball Rob is extremely happy at Morecambe and his devotion to the club and his team is commendable.

Who knows what lies ahead, but for now, his eye is firmly fixed on his team’s improvement vision and, of course, recording every piece of data along the way! Well done Rob, to you, the team and the club - great stuff!

Article by Phil Helmn.

Eventually, the club moved to its own dedicated grounds at Roseberry Park following the purchase of the ground by then President J.B. Christie, the stadium named in his honour.

Successful decades followed for the club and eventually, in 2007, the club made the decision to leave Christie Park and move to new grounds in preparation for the 2009/10 campaign.

In summer 2010, the club took up residency at the Globe Arena (now known as The Mazuna Stadium) where they live to this day, currently playing in EFL league two, the fourth tier of the English football league system.

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53

MULTI-SPORTS

Ro tem facepedis ra quae occum res similit et at debis nobitium voluptatur?

Paul Bennick and his daughter Willow.

I DO IT

MY WAY These days, when turfcare professional Paul Bennick is busy rolling the strips for his cricket club clients, ready for weekend fixtures, he’ll likely have his new work colleague with him - his six-year-old daughter Willow.

S

olo since forming RPB Groundcare in 2008, after greenkeeping stints at golf clubs across his home county of Lancashire, Paul is working almost every day of the year on playing surfaces for several sports - so a little help would surely come in handy. Paul’s workmate is a little out of the ordinary, however - it’s his six-year-old daughter Willow.

Leigh Cricket Club and the massively busy Astley & Tyldesley Community Sports Club, which hosts football, rugby, tennis and bowls, even cycle speedway, as well as cricket, are Paul’s regulars, not forgetting ambitious

54 PITCHCARE PITCHCARE November/December August/September 2022 2023

Pennington FC, bidding to rise into the next tier, with Paul’s help.

“Since Willow began playing cricket at Astley & Tyldesley, she’s started taking a keen interest in coming with me when I’m looking after the cricket square there or at Leigh nearby, preferring that to activity centres during school holidays,” Paul says.

She has a hankering for turfcare kit too, he adds. “Willow’s crazy about tractors. When she sees one, she’s raring to go.”

Willow’s taking a leaf out of Manchester City groundswoman Tara’s book, Paul says - “really keen and hard-working.”

MULTI-SPORTS

Willow’s crazy about tractors.

She’s raring to go!

“Tara would be the perfect role model for Willow, if she decides to enter the sector, but I’m trying to wean her off City - Willow loves to celebrate a goal like her heroes Haaland and Grealish do – on to my club, Bolton Wanderers.”

Mmm, good luck with that then, but what an inspiring way to fire interest in an industry still so male-oriented.

How does he hold down so much work and still find time to spend with the family? “I’m a local lad and have always been involved in sport,” he explains.

“I’ve been a member at Astley & Tyldesley for many years, playing cricket there, and you just fall into jobs. Dad and my brother handled turfcare there and I’d helped them since I was six. When they stopped, and I set up the business, they asked me if I wanted to take over.”

“Then Paul Tatton decided to end his work at Leigh, and he offered me the chance to step in.”

Starting his career straight from school at sixteen as a greenkeeper at Leigh Golf Club, Paul moved on to Hindley Hall, then Bolton Wanderers for three seasons, returning to Hindley Hall before taking on the head greenkeeper Post at Manor Park Golf Club.

“When the financial crisis hit in 2008 and Manor Park went out of business, I decided to set up on my own.”

A spell tending Manchester City’s Carrington training centre - “I worked there four hours daily, five days a week and oversaw mowing and

setting up the goals” - before the club moved to purpose-built facilities, was a prestigious job to land, and Paul has seen his fortunes flourish further with that of his other clients.

After Covid - “I was on half wages everywhere during the pandemic” - and a bad experience with a helper, “who let me down”, he turned the corner.

“Ten years ago, Astley & Tyldesley was a sleepy sports club. Now it runs a huge fixtures list across several sports and age groups. Once it introduced women’s football, everything snowballed. It’s unreal - some teams run three different age groups, from under sevens upwards.”

Although he runs a mini fleet of machinery, Astley & Tyldesley’s own kit helps Paul keep the playing surfaces - first team, 9x9, three-quarters 11 for U16s and U17s, a 7x7 for U9s and U7s and a 5x5 pitch hosting the Little Gems - primed.

“The club is extremely well organised and are very good at gaining grant-aid. Football Foundation funding allowed them to buy various machinery including a Kubota tractor, Major ride-on, Fleming spiker and a Quadraplay.

That kit helps me maintain the pitches to a good standard.”

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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MULTI-SPORTS At Pennington FC, the Manchester Association Premier League club plans to move up to a higher level, but needs to improve the quality of its match pitch to do that, Paul explains.

“I loop between the three sites on Mondays, starting out at Leigh Bowling Club to cut their green before cleaning up after weekend cricket nearby and at Astley & Tyldesley.”

“Pennington is still work in progress. They are building a stand with Football Foundation grant aid, but money dictates as always. The grant covers 100 per cent of the outlay for two years then tapers down in 20 per cent increments until things are self-financing.”

“Also, the club is sited on a hill and the pitches lie on shale, perhaps spoil from when the area mined coal, so they drain well, even though there is no installed system as such.

They looked into it, but the FF don’t offer grants for drainage - they channel funding into

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improving the playing surface.”

Paul works closely with local Aitkens dealer, James, to roll out a fertiliser programme and end of season renovations. “I Verti-Drain two or three times a year, then in May apply 200te of sand, Verti-Drain and overseed with forty bags of Aitkens renovation mix.”

“Everything is price sensitive, especially with costs rising so much. Sand has risen by £8 a tonne, for example, and that has a big impact at a club like Pennington.”

Besides his trusty New Holland T55 tractor and spiker, Paul recently invested in a Toro Groundsmaster five-reel rough cutter. “Ideal for the Pennington pitches. The name is a bit of a misnomer as the mower cuts well and its back roller gives a good stripe. The club is only two miles away from me, so it’s easy to take it on a trailer over there.”

“The back field I cut every ten days, but the main pitch I mow twice a week. You can hear the grass grow, it springs up so fast.”

As if all that lump of work wasn’t enough, Paul’s taken on another site, once again thanks to client success. “Astley & Tyldesley is using the facilities of St Mary’s High School, just a quarter of a mile away, for some of its fixtures. In return, the club maintains their pitches, which means me. The school has extensive sports provision, with two full-size football 11s pitches, rugby pitch, two 7x7s and a 9x9 area.”

Shunning any suggestion that a solo turfcare professional, holding down so much work, has to be a dab hand at time management, Paul puts his success down to a key quality so many lack in business. “I’m laid back about things. Working alone means I run the company my way. The work always gets done, even if I have to stay late and clients leave me to my own devices.”

Article by Greg Rhodes.

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INDUSTRY

Below Meg’s highlight of the 2023 cricket season; being part of a community of women for the IT20 at Egdbaston Cricket Club.

Right Gloucestershire County Cricket Club recognised Meg recently for all her hard work in a Special Recognition Award.

women in the industry

= adaptation In this quick-fire Q and A, we spoke to Meg Lay at Gloucestershire Cricket Club about the current state of the industry.

W

e discuss how the industry needs to adapt to make it easier for women who join and who want to start a family, as well as highlighting the ongoing

recruitment crisis.

When did you first think ‘I want to join the turfcare industry?’

I fell into this job by accident... as I think so many people do! I happened to be living with a couple of professional cricket players who were short on ground staff at their club. I thought they might want me to pull some sheets for a couple of weeks, so I reached out to the club. I never thought about it as a career path, I didn’t really know it was one.

How does it feel to be working for Gloucestershire Cricket Club?

I knew from the second I met Sean Williams, the Head Groundsman, that it was a team I wanted to be a part of. He’s such a nice guy and he’s got so

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much knowledge. His deputy, Paul Collett, knows everything there is to know about preparing cricket grounds. They’ve been in the industry for a combined 70-odd years (I hope they don’t mind me saying that), but they’re great guys and we have a really nice team. They’ve all been super welcoming. If they hadn’t been as amazing as they were, I would have been out in a week.

We work alongside the men’s cricket team and the Western Storm (women’s team) and they’re all awesome to work with. I haven’t worked in other sports, but I can’t imagine there are many others harder than cricket. The hours are pretty cruel and there are very few days off. There’s a lot of scrutiny over the pitch.

Can the industry do anything to attract more women?

We can recruit as many women as we want, but it doesn’t matter if we’re not retaining them. There are some big issues in the industry that we need to face. I’m 27 and realistically, in a couple of years,

INDUSTRY

There are some big issues in the industry that we need to face

I’m going to have to decide whether I want to keep working in cricket - doing 70 hours a week for hardly any money... not knowing when my day off is, or whether I want to have a family.

That’s a choice I’m going to have to make and I think that disproportionately affects women. Our maternity policy is more in line with office workers, which isn’t realistic when we’re pulling heavy sheets and doing a lot of physical work. You have to think, should our policies be more in line with the players? I think that’s the reason why there are only three women working in cricket and certainly no mothers. That’s something that we can change and we need to change quickly.

What gives you the motivation?

I think this is one of the best jobs in the world and I can’t imagine doing anything else. However, the industry has so many problems - some of which I think have some obvious solutions! I really want to get stuck in and see how I can do my bit to make change.

I don’t blame people for leaving, but I don’t want to leave... I want to fix things. I want to make it easier for people that come into the industry. I want to promote the job and put a positive spin on this career, because it’s super rewarding and there are some amazing people in it.

In terms of diversity, being a woman in a male-dominated industry, how have you found this?

I guess diversity hasn’t really been addressed in sports turf because they haven’t needed to. The reason why we need diversity in the industry is because we don’t have enough men doing the job.

If there were plenty of men wanting to join, then it wouldn’t be as much of an issue. The problem we

have is people don’t want to join.

We need more people in the industry and, right now, you’ve got 50% of the population who are not putting their hands up. So, we need to figure out why and we need to encourage them into the industry. I don’t care who comes in; whether it’s men or women, but we need to make it more welcoming. I think most people do want more women in the industry, but ultimately, they just want more people!

How difficult was the application process for your role?

It couldn’t have been easier. That’s how much of a recruitment crisis we’re having at the moment. I literally sent an e-mail to the club and thay asked me to come in.

It wasn’t something I thought about, but I was pretty well equipped for it. I’ve got experience in agriculture, as I grew up on a crop farm over in New Zealand. I’ve also played cricket my whole life. I met the Head Groundsman and got offered the job on the spot.

Can you tell us a little bit about the all women team at Edgbaston over the summer.

It was unbelievable. We created this community of women that didn’t exist before, most of them are the only women within their different clubs. It was a hugely valuable experience just meeting them and getting to produce the ground for an Ashes match.

It again highlights how welcoming this industry is.

Gary Barwell from Edgbaston invited us onto his ground. It was a really big deal for us all and he was very generous with his time. His team were also fantastic and I can’t think of many other industries where you’d be welcomed like that.

It was a really positive experience for all of us and we will absolutely be doing more. That was just the start for women and turf in the UK. There will be more events, there will be bigger events, there’ll be more women. There’s so much more to come!

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ignore the stigma Stuart Fawcett is the Project Development Champion for for AndysManClub (AMC) in Essex and London. We spoke to him about his experience and how the organisation can help you.

Stuart Fawcett Project Development Champion

AndysManClub is a free peer-to-peer group which provides men with a safe and open environment to discuss the issues or problems that they have faced or are currently facing.

Stuart told us: “I have suffered with mental health since my teens. I had been in highpressure job roles which had taken a toll on my mental health and the stresses of work had crossed over into my personal life. My story is similar to many; I just didn’t talk or open up to anyone, which went on for many years. I was socially anxious, I didn’t want to speak with other people and I was closed off from the world.”

“About two years ago, a friend introduced me to AndysManClub and the first night I walked in, I didn’t feel alone anymore. I felt I could speak freely about everything that had built up. After eighteen months, I became a facilitator, before I took on this role of Project Development Champion at the beginning of October. It has helped me to find myself again,

whilst allowing me to spread the message. It’s an amazing space and concept. We are a male suicide prevention group, but we encourage any men who just want to talk - it doesn’t have to be about suicide.”

Stuart explained the format of an AMC meeting: “When you arrive, you are greeted by two AMC group members at the door who are super welcoming. It’s not a case of walking up to a massive group of lads outside of a nightclub.

Two facilitators will take the group, who will read out five questions and keep the flow of the conversation; three questions are always the same and the other two are often lighthearted. We use a ball, which is passed around so that everyone gets a chance to talk. We offer everyone a small introduction, which includes your name and a positive reason for you coming to AndysManClub.”

“The questions allow people to feel together and they can relate to each other about hobbies or interests. We do have an online club which was set up during the pandemic, due to not being able to meet up – as well as having an open Facebook group which people can access throughout the week.”

The Three Consistent Questions

itsoktotalk 60 PITCHCARE PITCHCARE November/December August/September 2022 2023

How’s your week been?

A positive from your week?

Anything you want to get off your chest?

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

People often don’t know where to access help and it needs to be signposted We asked Stuart to explain more about mental health and how it builds up to an explosive point? “I often talk about an emotional pot; if we don’t empty that pot every so often by talking, then it will start to overflow. It gets to a point when people can’t take anything else in because that pot is already full and that was certainly how I felt. Things can build up over time which can start to affect people.”

“For instance, something might go wrong at work, followed by a flat tyre and then a parking fine… by that point, stresses have built up.

Talking is certainly the start of the process, allowing yourself to empty some of those negative thoughts.”

“Monday night at AndysManClub allows some of those negative thoughts to be filtered out of your mind. The club has given me my voice back, it changed my personal life and my work life. It really is just from talking. Obviously, some people will have to deal with more extremes and dark thoughts, and there is further support out there if required.”

Stuart expressed the importance of mental health education: “People often don’t know where to access help and it needs to be signposted. Until you suffer and start to research what help is available, it’s hard to know where to start. We do presentations and talks about AndysManClub to spread the word to as many people as possible that we are here.”

www.andysmanclub.co.uk

ABOUT THE CLUB ANDYSMANCLUB takes its name from Andrew Roberts (above), a man who sadly took his own life aged 23 in early 2016. Andy was a lovely and doting father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, and was just 23 years old when he was taken away by suicide, sadly and tragically without warning.

On average, one man every two hours takes his life in the UK. It’s often said to be a factor is that men don’t talk.

That’s why ANDYSMANCLUB was born. Established in 2016 by Luke Ambler, Andy’s brother-in-law, the aim of the club is to break down these stigmas, support men struggling, and lend a hand to suicide prevention.

The change starts with you...

Since the birth of AndysManClub, it has extended to over 150 locations across the UK. One of the key principles of the club is ‘What is said in the club, stays in the club’ allowing for the information to be confidential. #ThatOneMan is the club promise to you, the volunteers, the attendees and the supporters, that no matter how quickly they grow, how many awards they win, how many partnerships they strike up or how many clubs they open, they will always remain true to the original goal. To be able to provide support to #ThatOneMan in his time of need and help him see that his tomorrow can be better than his today.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ADHD AWARENESS The facts and the myths October was ADHD Awareness Month. The awareness is designed to reflect on what ADHD is, and how it affects people and to celebrate neurodiversity. of evaluating what to do and when to do it. They prioritize tasks according to emotional importance.

What is ADHD? Many may not actually fully understand what ADHD is, here is a brief description for you:

The problem isn’t a lack of attention, but difficulty sustaining and regulating attention.

Especially for tasks that are considered to be mundane or boring.

ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it is a neurodivergent condition that affects both children and adults worldwide.

ADHD is a lifelong condition that is often stereotypically associated with hyperactivity, lack of focus and ‘disruptive behaviour’, particularly in school. However, people with ADHD are also creative problem solvers, capable of deep focus on tasks that interest them and bring innovation to their work.

It is common for individuals with ADHD to go into intense moments of concentration, called hyperfocus, where they are completely absorbed in activities that interest them.

While in hyperfocus, an individual’s concentration is so intense that they lose track of time, other chores, or the surrounding environment.

The Facts and the Myths While it is true that people with ADHD can be easily distractible or impulsive, someone with ADHD can focus intently on an activity.

When someone has ADHD, they have a different mental and emotional system

For more information: inclusiveemployers.co.uk/awareness-day/ adhd-awareness-month/ The ADHD Foundation www.adhdfoundation.org.uk

HEALTH AND SAFETY DO’S AND DON’TS • Don’t try and be Hercules Carrying anything of a very heavy weight can cause serious damage to both the neck and back. Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to ask for a helping hand from one of your work colleagues. A job shared is a weight halved.

If you have to carry it yourself, then even distribution across your back should be a focus. Also try to avoid bending from the waist, as this increases the stress on your lower back.

• Do stay hydrated - Hot weather and standing for prolonged periods of time can cause dehydration. This can then lead

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to fatigue and injuries to occur. If you know you’re going to be out preparing turf for most of the day, bring a big water bottle.

• Do wear appropriate attire - As we know within this industry, turfcare is something that has to happen in all weather conditions. Wearing the right uniform is essential: You don’t want to be too hot, or too cold.

Being cold can cause muscle and joint pain as well as stiffness, especially on a busy or long day.

Bring a jumper. Even if it is a Christmas one. Being too hot can lead to the previous point about dehydration. Keep the trusty

water bottle close.

• Don’t dismiss walking - A strange one based on the amount of walking that most have to do in the industry.

However, on those days when working on machinery or driving around in a buggy, it is important to stretch your legs. Moving around every 20 to 30 minutes can make a massive difference.

Something else to consider is taking a quick walk on your lunch break or doing some simple stretches while you’re warming up your lunch or boiling the kettle.

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63

CONSERVATION

Jean Holt

THE BIRDS & THE BEES Clitheroe Golf Club have incorporated a number of wildlife and ecology projects onto the course, and now ecology expert Jean Holt is spreading the word.

J

ean has worked at Clitheroe since 2019 and has created an ecology leaflet to explain how golf courses can be a great place to help wildlife thrive and develop.

Golf clubs particularly often have the space to accommodate bee hives - usually in less well-walked areas. Within the sustainable golf strategy, they make sound sense - a match made in Heaven when greens teams sow swathes of wildflowers along the course to create a ready source of nectar and pollen.

“My husband was the Greens Chairman at the club for many years, and one of the greenkeeping team mentioned that members wanted to cut down an area of woodland due to constantly losing balls. The greenkeepers obviously wanted to avoid that, so we brought in Ecologist James Hutchinson from BIGGA to get his expert advice. It gave me a much better understanding of ecology and I started to be much more hands-on. I also wanted to share the

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knowledge through a leaflet for members, with a map showing the woodland and explaining why we had made the educated decision not to cut down the rough. Since then, the ecology has evolved and now it just keeps growing.”

Jean has since printed over 2000 copies of her wildlife information leaflet with the aim of raising as much awareness as possible. She said: “I’ve probably distributed about 1500 leaflets. Every time we have visitors from other golf courses, I give one out.”

When asked about what her overall goals are, it is simple: “I want to encourage other golf courses to take on some of the things that we’ve done. It’s really important that people start caring for wildlife - especially because of the amount of green land that has been decimated.”

“In many parts of the UK, green land is increasingly under pressure from the need for more housing, making the decreasing acreage of green spaces more important for wildlife. Golf courses have an important contribution to make

CONSERVATION

It’s really important that people start caring for wildlife! with their large open spaces, natural rough, water and out-of-play areas. These have all been described as a green lung and a haven for wildlife.”

Jean told us about the recent wildlife projects at Clitheroe: “To date, I have released 182 hedgehogs. Some of them have been rescued as babies then, when they get to the correct weight, they are passed to us they’ve never seen woodland, they’ve never seen leaves or smelt the air. They just get so excited; instincts kick in and they huff, puff and squirm, then off they go into

the woodland. That’s what it’s all about and it’s the most joyful thing for the course to help in this way.”

“We’ve got 100 bird boxes spread over the course including boxes for kestrels and tawny owls, so we go and check them all regularly.

I also purchased four wildlife cameras to keep an eye on things. We have a thriving population of brown hares and members regularly see between four and six during their game.”

“We also have our own honey which we sell to members and the revenue gets put

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November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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CONSERVATION

Ro tem facepedis ra quae occum res similit et at debis nobitium voluptatur?

back into ecology projects. We introduced the bees without telling any of the members just to see how it would go. After 18 months, nobody said a word. There are five hives out there at the moment and approximately 200,000 bees around the ninth tee. Dave Heaton is our beekeeper and also Chair of the East Lancashire Beekeepers Association.”

Jean expressed how the importance of collaboration and understanding has helped to push the ecology drive: “All the greenkeepers are totally on board with the ecology projects.

Last year, they planted 500 square metres of wildflowers for the bees and we’ve done the same again this year. One of the team knows every creature on this course; he knows where it lives, how many legs it’s got, what it’s doing and how many babies it had. We’ve even had four baby deer born in the woods this year.”

Members have also been buying into the ecology projects, Jean said: “Since I started in 2019, everybody is so much more aware and caring about the wildlife. I can’t walk around without being stopped and people telling me what they’ve seen and where it was; it’s fantastic. One very hot day, a gentleman

WHAT’S HABITING? Mammal and bird wildlife known to be on the course…

Brown hares Roe deer Pheasants Hedgehogs Voles Shrews Field mice Grey squirrels

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Mallards Moor hens Little owls Barnowls Woodpeckers Tree creepers Wagtails Wrens

Robins Blackbirds Hedge sparrows Tits Nuthatches Stoats Weasels Kestrels

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

Redkites Rabbits Foxes Bats Jays Frogs Crows, rooks and magpies

telephoned to say he had found a baby tawny owl looking quite sick in the bunker. We went out and rescued it to the long grass, and the next day it’s mother was calling out. It felt like we had reunited the family.”

“Clubs need to get the members on board. I will guarantee that there is a member who likes birds, somebody who’s interested in butterflies and insects and someone else might be interested in lichens; it is just about letting the members know that they can help out.”

Jean reflected on using a sustainable wildlife cycle in order to work from the ground up: “We try to use all our waste. If you look after the tiny creatures, then the insects will bring in the voles and thus they bring in the tawny owls. It starts from the bottom; you have to have the full wildlife cycle to be sustainable and keep bringing in different species. We have used old pallets to make three bug hotels which provide safe shelter for tiny and mediumsized creatures, on whom the whole food chain depends. Voles and field mice thrive in bug hotels and, consequently, so do the owls who enjoy a plentiful food supply! There’s no cost to making little things like this.”

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November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

BUTLER SERVICE Repton School offers a packed sports programme and has produced more than 150 first-class cricketers and three Test captains. Accolades which wouldn’t be achievable without exceptional surfaces prepared by Head of Grounds and Gardens Andy Butler and his team.

O

n a very wet and windy day late October, Editor Kerry Haywood visited the school and commented: “I have lived in Derbyshire for almost twenty years and Repton School is a mere four miles from my house. I pass it often and its grandeur and history has always intrigued me, so it was great when Andy invited me to look around.”

“Arriving under the iconic school arch (moved to its current position in 1906), you immediately get a sense of the history, but it soon emerges that Repton today is undoubtedly modern in terms of its practice and outlook.”

Andy commented: “I have been at Repton for fourteen years now, and things have changed

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a lot during that time. Before I arrived, the maintenance was very reactionary and there was no remedial work done at all. It’s now a strict regime with seasonal programmes in place to undertake decompaction and renovations, whilst Chris Knowles from Agrovista Amenity advises on fertiliser inputs; a programme of MM50, MM Tetra Sport on the outfields and a variety of Compo Expert products.”

The team of thirteen grounds and garden staff manage the main site and also the Prep School in total comprising: 25 football pitches, 2 indoor and 12 outdoor tennis courts, cricket pitches, a multi-million-pound Sports Centre including 2 floodlit water-based Astroturf hockey pitches, a state-of-the-art, full size indoor hockey facility, plus netball and squash courts.

SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

Far left Head of Grounds and Gardens Andy Butler.

Left Sports programme includes football, cricket, tennis and hockey.

Below Arch and Old Priory.

“The soil profile across all sites is heavy clay,” continued Andy. “Once upon a time, it was home to The Vikings and there’s even an old monastery underground, so we’re constantly doing all we can to improve decompaction and import better material.”

“This summer, Sheltons Drainage installed gravel banding at one metre centres to our second football pitch, topped up with sand at 5 metre centres. We are also just handing back a second drainage project to staff which will make a huge difference in terms of usage. Historically, this time of year, pitches would no longer be in play, but this will allow them to be used throughout winter.”

“This coming term we prepare for football and girls hockey then, after Christmas, it will be boys hockey and girls football with a little bit of rugby, before starting athletics, tennis and cricket in the summer - so there’s a lot to do!”

It’s no wonder then why the school has just invested in a Turf Tank Two robotic line marker.

“We’re still getting used to it, but we’re about 80% of the way there now. It’s going to be a

huge time and cost saver though; it requires one member of the team to set it up and away it goes – rather than having two or three of the guys marking out for most of the day.”

“The schedule for sport is full on, so it’s important we have a good relationship with teaching staff. I’ll hold regular meetings with the directors of cricket and football so that we all know where we’re going, what we’re doing and when we’re doing it. Communication is key and they have a good understanding of remedial work, spraying tasks etc. and why they can’t use certain areas at times.”

“We have also made big strides to improve sustainability on site, by switching to electric for most of our handheld equipment, and electric options is also something we will strongly consider when needing to purchase new mowers and larger items. We are also introducing several wildflower areas… there is a wooded area near the Astro pitches which has recently been planted with two or three thousand wildflower seeds and I’m sure it will be stunning. Pupils got involved in the planting which gives them a

FACTS Repton School was founded in 1557. For its first 400 years, the school accepted only boys; girls were admitted from the 1970s, and the school was fully coeducational by the 1990s.

The 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 Olympics all featured Old Reptonians

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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SCHOOLS & COLLEGES sense of pride, involvement, and an introduction to the grounds team.”

“Recruitment is obviously an emotive subject with everyone in the industry and it’s something that needs to develop as quickly as possible.

The last couple of times I have recruited, I’ve been lucky as I feel a school environment is appealing due to the variety of sports and daily tasks. However, I appreciate it’s generally tough to encourage people to join the industry when there are so many more appealing jobs for (quite often) more money! We have to question

CAREER PATH My career started with Green Thumb and that gave me enough interest and passion for working with turf. I played a lot of sport when I was young, so I desired a way of trying to stay in sport. I didn’t like coaching, so a school position appealed to me. Mike Kettle took me on here and I learned so much from him. Then, Mark Hillaby joined the school and, between them, they have taught me everything I know - two great guys. I was promoted to deputy and then spent the next ten years working hard and waiting for the opportunity to become head. During that time, I’ve gained all my NVQ qualifications up to level 4, got my PA1, 2 and 6, chainsaw licences etc…

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whether our Associations are doing enough?”

Career development is important to the school and they have recently introduced a more stringent e-learning process. Andy continued: “The guys work through the programme and are offered all the training they need and desire – right from an external company undertaking basic tractor courses, or advanced learning and qualifications. We have a really great team here with good retention; three of the guys have been here for more than twenty years.”

I ask Andy what the biggest change and/or challenge has been during his time at Repton: “When I first started, budgets were non-existent, as were general processes and maintenance regimes. Much of the equipment was on its last

SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

It’s important we have a good relationship with teaching staff legs and I had to beg, steal or borrow machinery from other local venues. The management of the grounds team has vastly improved and, over the years, we have purchased essential machinery such as an Imants Shockwave and our own topdresser etc.

We can now undertake the vast majority of end of season renovations in-house and it’s nice to be able to select jobs based on weather and staff each day.”

“I push hard with the team that you only get one chance to make a first impression. When a prospective parent or student is walking through the archway, as you did when you arrived, the first

thing they see is what the grounds look like; is there any colour around, are we striped up nicely, is everything looking its absolute best? We are striving to be better.”

Richard Fletcher, Facilities and Services Manager commented: “Since Andy took over in July 2021 , the transformation of the team has been remarkable and the improvements across all areas of the site is testament to his hard work, leadership and indepth knowledge. As a school community, we are all extremely grateful for all the excellent work that Andy and the grounds and garden team do.”

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CASE STUDY 72

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

A mix of wildflowers is perfectly fine when trying to integrate bee population

FOOTBALL

CASE STUDY

the

buzz around bees West Essex Golf Club have played host to beehives for the last three years. In this case study, we spoke to Head Greenkeeper, Paul Kimber about effective bee management.

P

aul began: “Four year ago, we began sowing wildflowers in order to attract pollinators such as bees. We have also re-wilded some areas which are just left alone, other than cutting down in October.

These areas have thistles, poppies, buttercups and daisies etc. for the bees to use.”

He also highlighted what benefits can come with taking a sustainable management approach to the course: “I’m not sure if there are any specific benefits regarding the golf course, but the wildflowers look great and members love them.”

When asked if Paul had planted any specific wildflowers, he said to keep it simple: “We did get some lavender in because I know bees are very attracted to it and we wanted to create an ideal environment for them. However, I don’t think they are fussy, so a mix of wildflowers is perfectly fine when trying to integrate bee population.”

“We have lots of ‘out of play’ areas which, once seeded with wildflowers, or left to go wild, really enhance the aesthetics of the course and members love them. We are currently in discussion with our beekeeper when we might start to produce our own honey, which we can then sell to both members and visitors.”

To Paul’s surprise, the member reaction has been extremely positive: “I’m not sure how many like the long grass as they lose their balls in it, but beyond that they love it. They like the fact that we are doing our bit to try to diversify wildlife on the course and that we genuinely care about our environment.”

He expanded on golfers and bees co-existing on the course: “They are totally harmless and would never sting anyone. The only problem is that the solitary mining bees quite often burrow into the faces of bunkers, which can frighten some golfers, but once they are informed as to what they are, they are happy to just let them be.”

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TALKING TURF In this regular column, we talk all things turf along with the projects and challenges you face on a regular basis.

Back to school It’s a challenge

Bob Carder Head of Grounds

James Kimmings recently visited his place of education at Stamford Endowed Schools, to discuss what it’s like to manage the grounds across three sites with Head of Grounds, Bob Carder.

B

ob has worked at Stamford for nineteen years - witnessing several changes along the way.

Like many in the industry, budgets have always been somewhat of a challenge and something he has had to manage tightly.

“In the past, we have had the budget to replace tools and equipment and even purchased a new tractor. Unfortunately though, budgets have become tighter year on year for many different reasons – which seems to be the norm for a lot venues.”

“The past few years we’ve opted to lease

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

equipment, but there are pros and cons to both. We’ve got a five-year deal that costs £35,000 per year for two 35 hp tractors, two 26 hp tractors and two Baroness mowers.

This is saving the school money, however, it would definitely be easier for us to own the machines. When something goes wrong with lease machines, we aren’t allowed to fix the equipment ourselves. It has to go back into the workshop, which means we are without a machine for a longer period of time.”

“This summer, the school spent a lot of money improving the car parks on all three sites – which has taken a huge portion of the overall budget. We are in desperate need of an irrigation system as some of the pitches go dry very quickly, which means we are having to work extra hard to keep the quality. We’re looking at approximately £55,000 for pop-up sprinklers across four acres though.”

He spoke about how working in a school can be very different to working in any other sports environment: “The main difference from a football stadium for instance, is that students are walking on the grass all the time which causes major issues when it’s frosty and extremely wet.

We obviously ask them to not walk on the grass, but there is little understanding about the damage it is causing.”

“It is challenging to have a multi-sport

TALKING TURF

Somewhere along the line you have played a part venue. Here we host football, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball and tennis and they are all managed in different ways. The difficulty comes with needing one machine in two places at the same time, so we must carefully manage what we’ve got - along with available manpower.”

Another major factor in a school is planning.

“We’re working in and around classrooms, when

lessons are taking place, so we can’t use loud machinery. I’ve just spent £14,000 on batteryoperated equipment in order to reduce noise levels and aid what work we can do at certain times. It’s great during school holidays because we can get a lot of work done without having to plan around everything.”

Bob thinks that all schools could help with the current recruitment problems within the industry: “The school are giving students

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TALKING TURF opportunities to experience real-life jobs as part of the curriculum and, recently, we had ten students who chose to work with the grounds team. This is a perfect introduction to the tasks and work involved and more schools need to offer this opportunity.”

When discussing the relationship between coaches and grounds staff, Bob said: “We always try and help the coaches out when we can and they actually use the pitch stripes to incporporate tactics and positions for rugby players. However, in this environment, it can be unpredictable. We could get a phone call tomorrow saying that they want a volleyball net put up for the afternoon. That means that someone from the team has to stop what they are doing and set it up – so all planning goes out the window and it’s not always possible.”

It is clear what the most rewarding aspect of the job is for Bob and his team: “When you have pupils come through the ranks and go on to playing international cricket or rugby,

SCHOOL STATS Set in the Georgian town of Stamford in Lincolnshire, the facilities of Stamford Schools are interwoven into the landscape of the town.

The sites sit on 60 acres of land, 20 of which are sports pitches at the St Paul’s site, and 15 acres at Stamford Junior School.

Home to over 1,600 students, the facilities offer extensive opportunities for our students and wider community.

The right investment in core areas of the school has helped

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

develop a considerable portfolio of facilities that benefit the students including: 9 rugby/ football pitches (1 floodlit), 6 cricket pitches, 10 outdoor cricket nets, 3 floodlit astroturf hockey pitches, 13 floodlit tennis courts, 6 floodlit netball courts, 2 swimming pools, 2 sports halls, 2 fitness suites, 4 squash and fives courts and 2 exercise studios.

that is so rewarding for us. You’ve not coached them to become a professional sports player, but you feel somewhere along the line you have played a part. You get to know the parents and they thank you for the quality of the playing surface and that recognition is really nice. Deep down you think, I hope I’ve helped them a little bit.”

Despite working for one place for nineteen years, with many challenges along the way, Bob believes that the grass isn’t always greener: “I was recently offered an opportunity to apply for an available position elsewhere – which would have given me a nice £50K salary. I don’t want it! The money would be great, but when you consider a football role it’s all unsociable hours; Friday nights, Saturday afternoons and Sundays. I have been here for so long that it is almost second nature to me, and I take great pride in my surroundings.”

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CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY

WINTER WILDLIFE JOBS Above Hedgehog in leaf pile © Ben Andrew, RSPB Images

Dr Marie Athorn from the RSPB and The R&A partnership shares some ideas on what winter jobs you can do to support nature on golf courses.

S

o, the cut and collect meadow management is done, what will you do with your time now?

Joking aside, I appreciate winter isn’t exactly a quiet time for greenkeepers, but there might be more opportunities to do some work that could support nature on your golf course throughout the year. Here are a few ideas.

Homes for wildlife Using some time over winter to build homes for wildlife, and then get them up in time for spring, is a great way to support wildlife on your golf course. Any homes you can create will benefit wildlife, but picking specific designs for bird houses for species of conservation concern will have the biggest conservation impact.

For example, instead of putting up boxes that would support Blue Tits or Great Tits, add boxes

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

that would be suitable for Starlings, Swifts or Spotted Flycatcher.

In a previous Pitchcare article, I talked about the benefit of attracting Starlings to your course and how they feed on leatherjackets without damaging the turf. But, as with Starlings, Swifts and Spotted Flycatchers are red listed species and really need your help! A screaming party of Swifts high in the sky is a favourite of many people in the summer, so encouraging Swifts to nest on your course could bring that spectacle on a summer’s evening!

Supporting hedgehogs Not all wildlife homes need to be artificially created as a box or structure. Your autumn and winter work could create natural areas to support wildlife. I’m sure many of the greenkeepers who manage parkland courses might shudder at the mention of the leaf drop!

CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY

winter to allow wildlife to take full advantage of their bounty! In the second half of winter providing some hazelnuts or sweet chestnuts as a supplement to their natural diet can help them survive in good condition through to spring.

Feeders in the right location can also provide an exciting opportunity for members and staff to get a closer look at these beautiful mammals.

Monitoring wildlife But, why not turn that into a home for nature.

Creating natural leaf and log piles, in areas of woodland or on the edge of scrub, can provide a great place for wildlife to shelter and hibernate over winter - especially species like hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs are hard to monitor, but we know their numbers are plummeting rapidly and golf courses are well placed to support them - often being important green spaces on the edge of urban areas. Providing them a safe space to hibernate, undisturbed over the winter, will be key to their survival.

Leaving nature’s food bounty Wildlife that isn’t hibernating over winter need to keep up their body weight to survive the harsher weather. Many people feed birds in their gardens over winter but, depending on where you are, there are other species that could benefit too. Red Squirrels are a firm favourite of mine and, if you are in Scotland, Ireland and some northern parts of England and Wales, you might be lucky enough to have them leaping between the branches of trees or scurrying along a hedgerow. Providing a natural food source for Red Squirrels in the form of trees and shrubs that produce nuts and berries is the best way to support them - remember to leave the management of trees and hedgerows until late

Left Screaming Swifts flying high in the summer sky © Ben Andrew, RSPB images.

Below Brown Long-eared bats. Photo taken under licence © Marie Athorn.

A lot of wildlife homes that you create are also a really nice way of monitoring what wildlife is using your course. Why not get in touch with local wildlife groups or conservation organisations to see if your new wildlife homes can be monitored? Putting up new wildlife homes might also be a catalyst to help you engage your members with wildlife on your the course. Could you also get involved in citizen science projects throughout the year mark the dates on your calendar so you don’t forget... the first one is RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch 26th-28th January 2024. Why not start thinking about how you could get involved, and maybe even turn it into an engagement event for members.

Getting organised Having a calendar for when to get involved with wildlife surveys is a great way to start to plan your work to support wildlife, but can you also put together a plan for any of the habitat management work that supports wildlife.

If you would like support on starting this journey, I am running a class at BTME 2024, on how to create your own ecological management plan. And, if you want designs for bird or bat boxes, get in touch with me either at BTME or on twitter @marieathorngolf.

BAT BOXES Bat boxes can be especially beneficial on courses where the trees don’t have many natural features - things like cracks, rot holes, tear out wounds or woodpecker holes. And, as with Starlings, the added benefit that encouraging bats will have them feeding on species like midges and crane flies. Once they are used by bats, boxes can only be moved by a licensed bat worker - due to the legal protection around bat roosts. Therefore, just think carefully about where you place them - don’t put them on that tree which you know needs work next winter!

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WILDLIFE

A leatherjacket’s life A rise in the leatherjacket population can spell trouble for greenkeepers. We take a deep dive into some of the issues of leatherjackets.

Leatherjackets are the larvae of a crane fly. They have a short lifespan and breed extremely quickly - typically hatching in late August or September. However, due to warmer weather and longer summers, golf courses may see a rising population of leatherjackets throughout November and December. The issues:

Being Eaten - Despite being big eaters themselves, they are also a desirable tasty treat for birds and badgers. Due to the leatherjacket hiding only slightly below the surface, often a dig is needed to allow the meal to commence.

Non-chemical tips:

3. Warmer Winters - The one thing that does stop leatherjackets in their tracks is a very cold frost.

Unfortunately, year on year, we are seeing warmer winters and, therefore, leatherjackets are able to survive and thrive.

• Fork over the soil in spring

2.

Eating - They feed on grass roots during the day, but also come to the surface on damp evenings to feed on leaf tissue.

1.

Wildflower

for you

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium One of the most frequent perennial wildflower species is Yarrow. It has a distinct appearance at all stages of development. The foliage is delicate and fluffy. The white flower heads are flat and composed of many tiny blooms.

The daisy family includes Yarrow.

It can be found in a wide range

of grassy environments and waste ground. Another ‘October straggler’ can be seen in bloom over the winter months. A golf course makes a perfect location for the Yarrow to grow in the rough areas.

The feathery and beautifully cut leaves of Yarrow are a crucial distinguishing trait. It gets its Latin name ‘millefolium’ from its finely split leaves. Its white, and sometimes pink, flower heads are arranged in dense, flat-topped clusters. On closer inspection, each flower head has five ray florets, and its centre florets are off-white.

It can withstand drought and thrives even on poor dry soil.

Yarrow is considered to be an indicator of loam. It prefers an open habitat and is a natural component of chalk grassland but is absent from woodland.

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

• Saturate the soil with water in the evening and cover it with a sheet. This will encourage the grubs to come to the surface so they can be brushed off and destroyed. Birds will think its an all-you-can-eat buffet. to expose the grubs and help birds feed.

Education An event to look out for: Beeston Wildlife Group Talk: Birds and Climate Change with David Parkin The event is due to be held at Trent Vale Infant School, Nottingham on the 18th of December. For just £3 you will be able to learn about how the warmer winters and earlier springs are already having a significant effect on many of

our birds. This talk will explore the evidence for climate change, and the consequences for some of our best-known birds and cast an eye towards future colonists and extinctions.

For further information contact info@beestonwildlifegroup.org

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TECHNICAL

Rainwater harvesting for sustainable water sourcing In spring, Reesink Hydro-Scapes discussed responsible irrigation and touched on water harvesting. But now, with pressure ever increasing on leisure turf irrigation to reduce mains use, they thought it timely to delve further into the subject.

S

ustainable water sourcing is now a recognisable term and a key theme in the GC2030 Water Security portal.

It relates to future water reliance being self-sufficient and how all water on a golf course should be treated as a resource and an opportunity, with the main aim for all UK golf courses to be reducing, and even removing themselves from mains water for irrigation.

What is rainwater harvesting?

The Environment Agency describes water harvesting as the rainwater collected from roofs and other above ground surfaces via a system of above ground pipes and tanks that are isolated from inland waters or groundwater.

82 PITCHCARE PITCHCARE November/December August/September 2022 2023

Are there restrictions for use?

Rainwater harvesting within a catchment must not affect the normal watercourse flow. The Environment Agency will not regulate harvested rainwater provided its use does not harm the environment, either alone or combined with other abstractions or transfers.

Do you need a licence to use harvested water?

You do not need a water abstraction licence: To harvest rainwater into a reservoir, with or without an overflow, if it only contains collected rainwater To use harvested rainwater that has not entered inland surface waters or groundwater

TECHNICAL

If the rainwater storage system is used for irrigation and is not a source of water supply To use water stored for irrigation in a reservoir with an overflow, provided the reservoir is only filled by harvested rainwater or water abstracted from another source under a full abstraction licence.

You will need a water abstraction licence if you combine harvested rainwater with water from any watercourse or land drainage into a reservoir storage system that discharges to inland waters. More information on how to apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence, types of water resources licence, help with your application and charges can be found by searching Apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence at GOV.UK Types of water collection There are a few ways to harvest water: from on or offsite or from a borehole or watercourse abstraction, and there are examples of golf clubs around the UK optimising each for their irrigation requirements to great success on The R&A Golf Course 2030 Water website.

The main points to consider about onsite water collection is that it covers a range of options from individual buildings, car parks, localised drainage collection or full-scale

landscape water collection, and requires large scale water storage ability to harvest water during wet periods. Storage options range from localised above ground tanks, larger below ground tanks, individual ponds, integrated network of ponds around a course and larger reservoirs.

Water harvesting offsite takes water from surrounding land users (agriculture, horticulture, highways and housing) and from other sources (streams or rivers, ditches, wastewater discharge and surface run-off from fields or roads). This water will need dedicated expert input and liaison with local councils, water authorities, surrounding landowners, developers and Government Agencies.

Onsite boreholes can produce significant quantities of water and anything above 20m3 a day will require an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency.

Watercourse abstraction, depending on local environmental conditions and restrictions, can be undertaken from local watercourses and has the same licence requirements as using a borehole.

Where to start The easiest option for small scale water harvesting is to harvest off existing buildings

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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TECHNICAL

It’s clear that all golf courses have a duty to themselves and the wider environment KEY POINTS

Key parameters to test water quality include: • pH • dissolved metals

onsite, and locally store the water in large containers. Small-scale storage is a low cost and easy solution to implement. To increase the volume collected, rainwater can be harvested from roofs, car parks and other hard standing areas and stored in larger tanks or moved to a site-wide storage system.

However, if you want enough water for irrigation use, we need to talk about reservoirs...

• nutrient content

Reservoirs

• Electrical Conductivity

Reservoirs can be used to store water for use with an irrigation system and/or to control run-off discharging from a site. They can house water from single or multiple sources such as a borehole abstraction, river abstraction, potable mains supply and/or rainwater harvesting system and range in size from 5,000-25,000m3.

Currently, anything over 25,000m3 must be notified and registered with the Environment Agency. The design of a reservoir will be dependent on site conditions, geology, water

• Biological Oxygen Demand • Total Suspended Solids • Viral or bacterial pathogens

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table, water storage requirements and potential localised restrictions.

For irrigating golf courses or pitches, a reservoir is key to harvesting rainwater, especially as there will be excessive rainwater in winter months which needs storing until it can be used in the spring and summer.

Making water irrigation ready There’s no point having all this carefully collected water if it’s not good enough to use and while, generally, water collected via the run-off method mentioned will be relatively clean, there can be pollutants and run-off nitrates, especially if the water originates from farming land.

The quality of the input water is the single most important factor that influences the quality of the reservoir water, and this can sometimes be difficult to control, so some treatment to make it irrigation ready may be necessary. One of the easiest, most

TECHNICAL

environmentally friendly and cost-effective ways to do this is to install equipment to aerate the water by pumping fine streams of air bubbles through it. This is where products such as those made by Otterbine step in.

How to diffuse the situation with Otterbine The motion of bubbles to the water’s surface has the capacity to move an enormous amount of water, estimated between 5000-8000 pounds per hour, within the pond, lake or reservoir. Water circulation will increase as the depth increases, so the greater depth of a pond or lake, the better the water will be mixed and aerated.

The smaller the bubble, the more effective the system. This is primarily since smaller bubbles tend to stay in the water longer, so a greater surface area of the water is influenced by the bubbles as they spread while rising to the surface. Larger, coarser bubbles rise to the surface quicker and leave less time for the oxygen to dissolve in the water.

Fine-bubble diffused air systems are also good at deterring algae growth odour, smells and discolouration as they are aerating the water, so in most cases there is no need for the additional use of chemicals or algaecides.

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TECHNICAL

The greater depth of a pond or lake, the better the water will be aerated Above Frilford Heath’s 6m, 10-milliongallon reservoir.

86

Otterbine in action Frilford Heath Golf Club near Oxford has a 6m, 10-million-gallon reservoir. Under licence from the Environmental Agency, it is piping water from a brook downstream through farming fields, bringing pollutants such as waste and silt with it. As it arrives, it’s ready for a clean.

Also, at the time, the water, silt and sediment at the bottom of the reservoir was stagnant, it hadn’t seen the light of day for over 10 years and was too unhealthy to go on the turf.

The club spoke to Reesink Hydro-Scapes and chose the Otterbine Air Flo 3 aerator. This pumps air to diffusers on the lake or pond bed to release oxygen, creating mass circulation to the bottom and top water layers without affecting the water’s surface. Churning the water up from the lower levels allows the aerobic bacteria to do their work and metabolise the nutrients.

Within 12 weeks, 10 years of bad water was clean enough to use on the course, and the water has remained irrigation ready since it was installed in 2016.

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

Conclusion The Environment Agency says we don’t have enough infrastructure to store water from wetter winters for the drier summers – this includes for the nation’s domestic use! With that in mind, it’s clear that all golf courses have a duty to themselves and the wider environment to ensure their water sourcing strategies are sustainable and secure for long term use.

Obviously, setting up a water harvesting system takes planning and there will be a cost attached. It’s not a quick process either. The subject is vast, and while this article won’t cover everything for all situations but it will hopefully have done enough to start you thinking about it.

All it is, is a new management technique.

Technology brings these along regularly; what’s different about this one is that it’s driven by the environment. With that in mind, there is no escaping it. Whether it’s this year or next, change in this respect must happen.

As referenced here, the GC2030 Water Security is a wonderful resource on the subject, our experienced Reesink reps are here to help too. But don’t forget, so many of your golf course colleagues are already on this journey, many like Frilford Heath are on the other side, so ask them. We don’t doubt they’ll be happy to share their experiences, lessons learned and recommendations given.

Call 01480 226800 for moreinformation.

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May/June 2023 PITCHCARE

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TRAINING & EDUCATION

Will your CV

IMPRESS A COMPUTER? Trainer and Presenter Frank Newberry has a quick look at two important issues you might wish to consider when trying to get your CV past a computerised CV reader.

I PROBLEM SOLVING If you have any questions about communication, management or problem solving please get in touch with Frank at: franknewberry.com

88

n the 100th edition of Pitchcare magazine, Frank Newberry offered some useful tips on what to include in your CV so that your job application impresses the person sifting through the CVs. His original piece ‘Will You Beat the Sifter?’ is still available to read online and now, Frank addresses two important issues to help you stand out: • Adding metrics (measurements) to your CV statements and • Adapting your CV so that it impresses an ‘Applicant Tracking System’ (ATS).

These computerised CV reading systems are used more and more by employers and recruitment agencies.

The CV sift is very thorough As I wrote back in December 2021 – my view over the years has not changed. The function of the CV (Curriculum Vitae or Resume) is to get you a job interview. In the past, the person who did the initial CV sift - of maybe 80 or so applications (for the same job) - may have known nothing about turfcare/horticultural practices or skills.

Now, it’s different. With a programmable computerised reader, the CV sift is going to be very thorough indeed. We need to make sure that our CVs are as attractive to computerised

PITCHCARE November/December 2023

CV ‘readers’ as they are to human sifters.

Adding metrics is very straightforward Adding metrics to a CV is very straightforward.

Whatever claims you make in your cover letter, profile or your CV’s achievements section – just add a number, a measure or a comparison. For example, here is one from a real life CV. It reads: ‘Proven track record of success that encompasses the full range of grounds maintenance activities and surface preparation including cricket pitches to county standard’.

The measure here being ‘to county standard’.

Elsewhere on your CV, if you claim for example that you achieved savings or saved time (hours worked for the same result) – the metric could be the percentage saving you achieved e.g. a 20% saving. A percentage is easy to imagine and helpful when the actual figures might be quite modest in some cases. In the interview, a smart employer will ask you to indicate ‘20% of what?’.

The golf sector is keen on league tables The golf sector is keen on league tables, like being in the ‘top 100’ golf clubs in UK’. This is very relatable, especially if you have been able to get the club to go up a few places on the list thanks to your excellent work or leadership.

If you have not been keeping track of the scale of your achievements, then go back to your job description, or the vacancy notice, think about meetings you had when you started the job. That

TRAINING & EDUCATION

you have inserted into your CV; metrics that can then be explored and assessed at each job interview and selection test.

ATS - the Applicant Tracking System Now, let us turn to the software called ATS. This computerised CV reader likes straightforward CV formats with content that is logical and words that are simple and jargon free.

On your CV, you should avoid special characters like emojis. Also avoid tables and charts unless requested in advance by the employer. Keep your fonts simple and your headings basic e.g. Profile, Achievements, Work Experience, Training, Education and Personal.

Under these headings, list your achievements, suitability, experience etc. in the same sequence the employer uses in the job description, job advertisement etc. There is no benefit, quite the opposite in fact, in devising a unique, novel or colourful CV. © 2023 Frank Newberry.

done, now appraise how far you have come.

Comparisons like ‘before and after’, ‘then and now’, ‘before the lockdown and after’ i.e. ‘brought results back to pre-pandemic levels’.

The hiring employer wants to know what your capabilities are and will welcome ‘hard data’ (evidence) to prove your claims. Your evidence, your hard data, will be the metrics

Key features: • 4-way air jet • 500mm max working depth • 3-point linkage lightweight design perfect for small compact tractors • Hose reel

FIX IT NOW So, good luck with super-charging your CV with metrics and ‘keeping it simple’ for the Applicant Tracking Systems.

If your prospective employers or employment agencies are not using ATS just yet - well, they will be one day! Fix your CV now - before the rush.

ATS will ultimately be cheaper, faster and better than all of the current alternatives. And may you get the job that you always wanted!

AirJet Ground Aerator

The Airjet has a single probe which is available in 2 diameters. The probe blasts air in 4 directions at variable pressures to a depth & duration that the operator requires, down to a maximum of 500mm using the 25mm diameter probe, thus lifting, expanding & de-compacting the soil.

Please visit our ground aerations website: www.air-jet.co.uk

T: 01284 735105

M: 07860 259692

November/December 2023 PITCHCARE

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BOWSERS

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Drainage Experts Design & installation Primary pipe systems Sand sitting Gravel banding Ground breaking Call 01722 716 361 or visit mjabbott.co.uk

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Est. 62 years

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t 01257 255321 e office@duncanrossltd.co.uk www.duncanrossltd.co.uk SPECIALIST SPORTSTURF CONTRACTOR

MH Irrigation Services Ltd

Certified suppliers and installers of

Design, installation and system maintenance Waggon washes and dust suppression Nationwide 24/7 cover

equipment

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PITCHCARE November/December 2023

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We offer a large range of rakes for all reasons, in sizes ranging from 35cm to 100cm wide, with a variety of tooth gaps. +44 (0)1409 220230

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Sports Turf Experts Hybrid sports pitches Sports turf construction Natural & artificial surfaces Drainage & irrigation Hard & soft landscaping Renovation & maintenance Call 01722 716 361 or visit mjabbott.co.uk

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Turfcare industry

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Pitchcare stock an extensive range of ƐĞĞĚ͕ ƚƵƌĨ ŶƵƚƌŝƟŽŶ͕ ƚŽŽůƐ ĂŶĚ equipment, all at guaranteed ĐŽŵƉĞƟƟǀĞ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ͘

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DATA AT YOUR FINGERTIPS TO MAKE MORE INFORMED TURF MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

MANAGING MICRODOCHIUM

SYNGENTA TURF ADVISOR GIVES AN EARLY WARNING OF LOCAL CONDITIONS WHERE MICRODOCHIUM INFECTION MAY HAVE OCCURRED, OR IS LIKELY TO HIT OVER COMING DAYS – IN TIME TO SUPPORT YOUR DECISIONS AND TAKE PREVENTATIVE ACTION. TURF ADVISOR TOOLS Pick the appropriate Turf Advisor tools to tackle disease for your dashboard and prioritise their order to keep track of microdochium pressure.

GREENCAST MICRODOCHIUM MODEL Keep a constant watch on the potential disease pressure for your specific location.

Developed specifically for UK conditions (0 = Low pressure 4 = High pressure)

HUMIDITY Humidity is one of the biggest drivers for disease and in the UK and Ireland low humidity breaks are unusual, use the humidity screen to watch for high and low disease pressure periods.

LEAF WETNESS Wet leaves from dew or rain encourage disease development. A valuable measure to influence ITM actions to improve air flow.

RAINFALL Impacts on disease development from wet surfaces and the opportunity for greenkeeping actions to reduce disease pressure.

TEMPERATURE Disease spreads faster in warmer temperatures. Highest risk is when the pathogen can develop, but turf isn’t growing quickly – typically 4 – 8ºC.

GROWTH POTENTIAL

SPRAY WINDOW

Pick the most appropriate mode of action for your turf growth – selecting contact or systemic. Plus a powerful measure of potential turf recovery rates.

Simple one screen picture to see when wind, rain, frost and other factors will allow an opportunity to get protection in place.

The new Turf Advisor app from Syngenta gives greenkeepers, turf managers and agronomists instant access to a wealth of key information and advice to help make better decisions for day-to-day actions and planning.

Fully customisable for any location (in UK & IRE) and situation, the Turf Advisor app provides essential weather data and turf management models, presented in a clear dashboard that can be tailored and adapted through the season to focus on imminent issues and challenges faced.

Syngenta UK Ltd. Registered in England No. 849037. CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Email: golf.syngenta@syngenta.com Web: www.syngentaturf.co.uk. © Syngenta November 2023. GQ12913.

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INSTRATA ELITE

DUAL ACTION

IN

OUTSIDE

PROTECTION CONTACT and SYSTEMIC action against Microdochium

PROTECTIVE

CURATIVE Powerful systemic difenoconazole plus fludioxonil contact action delivers reliable control whatever the weather - apply and it’s rainfast in 30 minutes!

Two applications per year.

Syngenta UK Ltd. Registered in England No. 849037. CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Email: product.technical_enquiries@syngenta.com. Web: www.syngentaturf.co.uk.

Instrata® Elite is a Registered Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. Instrata® Elite (MAPP 17976, PCS 05399) contains fludioxonil anddifenoconazole. All other brand names used are trademarks of other manufacturers in which proprietary rights may exist. Always read the label and product information before use. Use plant protection products safely. For more information including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.syngentaturf.co.uk. © Syngenta September 2023. GQ12833.

Distributed in the UK and Ireland by ICL Ltd. Tel: 01473 237 100. Email: prof.sales@icl-group.com.

Web: www.icl-growingsolutions.uk.

®