“Treading-in is part of the show but it would have a greater effect if they trod-in after the game as well!”


the game as well. To ensure the grounds are pitch perfect for the next match, a treading-in team of up to 30 moves in when the crowd has gone home. The treaders-in use about 1,500 tonnes a year of sand- soil mix with seed to cover the divots flung up during games. “This levels out the field and eases play for the ponies,” says Jonathan, “while an additional 5,000 tonnes of topdress sand is applied to the fields each year also.” Work on the polo fields is a year-round operation, with spring seeing the first application of fertiliser. Spread on to all of Cowdray Park’s polo grounds are 60- 70kg of nitrogen per hectare, per annum, Jonathan explains. “By using exactly the right amount of fertiliser, we avoid excessive growth, but the turf doesn’t struggle. Reducing excessive growth saves time, as it in turn reduces


the need for sweeping after cutting the grass.” “We are cutting so little off, that there is no need to sweep, and the grounds are ready for action almost all the time, or can be ready with just a few hours notice,” he adds. It is in spring that the turf receives its first summer cut - to a depth of ¾ inch.


As Jonathan speaks, the hum of a tractor on a distant polo ground prompts him to remind me that deep core aerating is a year-round activity at Cowdray - a process crucial in ‘decompacting’ the earth compressed under the horses’ hooves during play. The grass itself is cut every other day,


trod in after every game, and irrigated as required. The right level of irrigation is key to maintaining a polo ground worthy of the best players in the world. For Jonathan, a safe pitch must neither


be too soft, nor too hard. All the grounds at Cowdray differ in their drainage level, he explains. “As a rule, however, we would irrigate at a rate of 15ml over the entire pitch, two to three days before a game, over 12 hours, using around 250,000l of water. That’s assuming it doesn't rain of course.” How and when to irrigate the grounds is determined though by Jonathan’s daily pitch inspections. Then there are meetings with grounds staff, scheduling and final decisions to be taken on what grounds to use for what games, with five of the pitches designated ‘high goal’ on account of their greater consistency, visibility and public facilities (high goal games typically attract larger crowds). However, the preparation for each


ground is similar, no matter who is playing or the importance of the game, he stresses. “The pitch is always prepared


David Jenkins Turfcare Equipment Ltd The choice of champions SR54: 3-in-1: Needle tine - Micro tine - Deep tine


FAST! INTENSIVE! DEEP!


We believe that the SR54 is the most versatile greens aerator on the market. It is fast and will stay ahead of play while it is taking care of three of your major aeration jobs. Needle tining with 32 x 8mm tines across the width of the machine; micro tining, again using 32 or 18 x 12mm hollow tines, and deep tining, using 18 or 12 x 12mm solid tines 250mm long. To demonstrate this versatility, we are making a special autumn offer for the whole machine complete with a full set of tines for £11500 plus VAT.


We try to help greenkeepers stay ahead of the game.


 Minimum hp requirement: only 20hp.  Fast: stay ahead of play.  Intensive hole pattern ensures air and water penetrate deep down to the grass roots.


 Makes maximum use of irrigation - saving money.


We invite you to fill out the form on the reverse to obtain more information about this offer.


Chiddingfold Road, Dunsfold, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4PB, England Tel: 44 (0) 1483 200976 Fax: 44 (0) 1483 200983 Email: sales@djturfcare.co.uk Mobile: 44 (0) 7785 352572 14 www.pitchcare.com/re 37


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68