cohesion, plasticity and elasticity (hardness).
When preparing wickets I like to expose the surface by reducing density - this can be done using brushing and removal techniques such as a combi rake, and even hand brushing to control any tussocky growth - poa annua (annual meadow grass). Its growth habit is bunched with very weak stolons. I spend many hours on my hands and knees scrubbing, such is my attention to detail.
Once games have finished on a particular wicket I thoroughly hydrate the pitch for some hours. I try to do the bulk of my watering in the early evening. If I want to use that wicket again, in a week or so, I water, cover and roll to introduce some life back into it. If not being used again I sarrel roll, overseed, fertilise and cover with a germination sheet.
Modern ryegrass cultivars can be up in a matter of days - This means the pitch can be reused in about 4-6 weeks.
I have numerous covers at my disposal, and remember, covers can also be used to keep the sun off as well as the rain!
Practice nets - I prepare these in blocks so I can move the cages about to rotate wear. I get about three weeks use out of a block. I try to have nets available at most times as I can get requests at short notice from the likes of the Yorkshire 1st team, touring Test teams and University sides. This area has 40ft wide flat sheets.
Main square - I try to get about 3-4 games out of a wicket - I try to prepare a new pitch for the Yorkshire Academy XI and the UCCE (MCC team), but most games can be played on
Promotion at Bridlington Golf Club
SHAUN Drum has recently taken over as Head Greenkeeper at the popular Bridlington Golf Club.
Shaun joined the club as a junior member at the age of 14 and, after showing great promise as an amateur golfer, moved into a career as a greenkeeper. Following more than 20 years of service Shaun says that he is looking forward to the challenge of his new role with enthusiasm. Shaun, now 40, served most of his time as assistant to previous Head Greenkeeper, Andrew Boyd, who resigned at the beginning of January.
He admits that he had an excellent boss and mentor in Andrew. The quality and reputation of the golf course continues to improve from year to year and Shaun is keen to keep up the good work that has gone before.
the same wicket i.e. Saturday and Sunday fixtures on the same weekend.
Covers available here are mobiles for the run ups, and sheets for the square, as at least 20ft either side of the prepared pitch is required to be covered in the build up to matches
Second square - This has all sorts played here! I use mobile covers and a flat sheet, as it is only 40ft wide.
Mowing - I use a Lloyds Paladin to clip the sward and, in spring, I reduce the height of cut by 2mm increments until I reach the desired height of cut which, for the square, is 15mm.
During match preparation I gradually lower the cut until I hit the playing height of 3mm two days before the game. After a fixture I allow the grass crop to recover by using some nutrient and allowing the height of cut to increase and come back.
During times of stress, such as drought, I retain a bit more leaf. During winter, more leaf is promoted to compensate for the lack of synthesised assimilates - Polysacharides (sugars) etc. caused by a reduction in photophosphorylation (the start of the photosynthesis process in which PS 1 and PS 2 (both photosystems associated with non cyclic photophosphorylation) are brought to a higher energy state by a charge separation.
It is essential to make use of any available light.
Fertilising - I fertilise about once every 5-6 weeks and after individual wickets have been used. I use a 12.0.7 or similar in the summer but use a 4.0.4 + Fe in the cooler months.
To advertise in this section contact Classifieds
Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email:
peter@pitchcare.com
SPORTS TURF CONTRACTORS SPORTSTURF
D CRANE EST. 1984
CONSTRUCTION•DRAINAGE RENOVATION•SPRAYING
Tel: 01924 493359 Mob: 07778 288579 Email:
alan.chappelow@
btconnect.com
Avonmore Associates sportsfield construction
25 year of experience in bowling greens, fine turf management, pitch design, sportsfield construction and irrigation
Tel: 01789 293439 email:
info@avonmore-associates.co.uk www.avonmore-associates.co.uk
FTS
Sportsground & Amenity Contractors
Cricket Pitch Specialists
Unit 5, Beenham Industrial Estate Reading, Berkshire RG7 5PP Tel: 0118 9714420 Mob: 07768 696291 Fax: 0118 9714522
www.fts-sportsturf.co.uk
CONSTRUCTION Golf Courses and Sports Fields
Sand Slitting, Gravel Banding, Piped Drainage DRAINAGE Koro Top Dressing, Overseeding, Sand Spreading Verti Draining, Scarifying, Hollow Coring,
For further details & consultation contact 07860 458822 or 07921 290985
Fungicide, Pesticide, Herbicide
RENOVATION SPRAYING
Vertidraining, Hollow Coring, Overseeding, Draining, Gravel Banding, Field Top Maker, Deep Scarifying & all types of Sports Turf Maintenance
Mobile: 07860 259692 Tel: 01284 735105 Fax 01284 735105
Email:
peter@buryturfcare.com www.buryturfcare.com D W Clark DRAINAGE LTD
SPECIALIST SPORTSTURF CONSTRUCTION & DRAINAGE CONTRACTORS • Gravel Banding • Sand Slitting
• Top Dressing • Renovation • Irrigation Unit 7, Brailes Industrial Estate, Winderton Lane, Lower Brailes Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5JW
Tel: 01608 685800 Fax: 01608 685801 email:
jim@dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk Web:
www.dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk 91
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 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100