Seamus argues. “On the whole we suffer few problems with weeds generally. Occasionally clover, which can be problematic as it becomes slippery, but this is rare. We use Clovertox to eradicate any weeds we have, but I could go without applying it for two to three years - our weed problems are minor ones.”
Seamus uses ryegrass throughout for the turf, with a rye, creeping red fescue and bent mix to repair divots - an often laborious process for many racecourse groundsmen. “It’s essential that they are repaired
correctly as we don’t want turf to come loose and affect the horses. At this time of year, with the right conditions, repairing a divot fully may only take seven to ten days. Seamus is about to introduce a straight ryegrass at Goodwood, as other courses around the country have used it successfully, he reports. “We are always keen to look to what other courses are doing, and take pointers here and there that might be of use to us,” he notes. With a lifetime spent overseeing racecourses, you might expect Seamus to offer up a long list of dos and don’ts for those looking to enter the industry. The reality though is quite the opposite, and he demonstrates that the simple approach is often the most effective. “My tips are these. Cut, feed well, water well and aerate. These may seem obvious points but the balance of these elements is the essential ingredient, making sure it is all done at the right time. You’d be surprised how many people overcomplicate what can be a straightforward process.”
Cricket rules...
Goodwood CC’s colourful link with Lord’s and the MCC
GOODWOOD Cricket Club is thought to be one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world. A receipt for brandy, given to the players, records the earliest known game of cricket at Goodwood in 1702. Today, the club and ground is owned by the Duke of Richmond, but run by a group of volunteers that make up the team. In 1727, in Goodwood Park, a game was played between teams representing the 2nd Duke of Richmond and Mr Brodrick of Peper Harow Park, near Godalming (cricket is still played there today). As was common in those days there was a wager on the match and a set of rules was drawn up. These rules are the oldest set of cricket rules in the world. The originals are kept in Goodwood House, with a copy in the club pavilion and at Lord’s.
The club has a strong link with Lord’s. The 4th Duke was one of the
original backers of Thomas Lord when he bought ‘the rough piece of land’ in St John’s Wood, and the 5th Duke was President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The present Duke is Patron of Sussex County Cricket Club. Another link with Lord’s is the club colours. They were the racing colours of the Dukes of Richmond, since 1801. Sometime after their use by the Dukes and the cricket club they also became the colours of the MCC circa 1888.
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