News
And the latest winners are...
Pitchcare’s monthly online photo competition attracts a record number of stunning entries
PITCHCARE’S monthly online photo competition continues to deliver great imagery with some fantastic pictures taken during the months of October and November.
October’s competition, with its theme of Autumn, attracted a lot of entries, however Chris Mitchell’s (Royal Ashdown Golf Club) picture of a large stag staring menacingly at the camera attracted the most votes. Runners- up were Lee Mitchell and Alexander Macdonald.
Kelso top RCA Awards Kelso Groundstaff top RCA Showcase & Awards
The introduction of the Groundstaff Awards in association with Pitchcare, ALS and Watt Fences to the main RCA Showcase & Awards proved an excellent decision, highlighting the endeavour of the groundsmen that work in horseracing. The event, held at Lingfield Park Racecourse on 14th November, celebrated excellence and innovation across all areas of racecourse life.
The three shortlisted racecourses were judged in three categories - Jump, Flat and Dual Purpose - with Kelso, Chester and Leicester coming out on top in their respective categories.
However, when it came to the ‘Innovation’ aspect of these awards, the sponsors felt there was a clear winner.
The Boss - a rest from the rutting season at Knole Park by Chris Mitchell
November’s competition attracted a record number of entries. The theme was Water and James Hutchinson’s (Fairhaven Golf Club) amusing picture of three greenkeepers paddling through a very flooded golf course received most votes. Runners-up were Richard Bridges and Bryan Mcdermott.
Kelso took the brave decision to make significant alterations to their track layout. It is always difficult to introduce change, especially in something so traditional as horseracing. The Course Executive had to be convinced and the racegoers had to be persuaded that the changes would have great benefit - not only producing more exciting racing but improving the flexibility on racing lines and the consistency of the racing surface, having a dramatic impact on course presentation during the winter and allowing an increase in the fixture.
It is to their credit that all the work was done professionally and with little fuss.
To quote one of the trainers; “I think the new track layout, while a brave move, is the correct one.”
The judging panel consisted of representatives from the RCA, British Horseracing Authority, National Trainers Federation and Professional Jockey’s Association.
Caroline Davies, RCA Racecourse Services Director commented; “The groundstaff teams at each of the winning racecourses worked, often in difficult weather conditions, to overcome a number of issues, all of which were appreciated by trainers, jockeys and the BHA.”
PJA Industry Liaison Officer Dale Gibson stated, “Racecourses and their hard working staff battle consistently against the elements to produce a quality racing surface that professionals and horses require. Once
We Give Up! Greenkeepers at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lytham by James R Hutchinson
Both winning entrants receive a £100 Pitchcare Gift Voucher and go into our end of year shortlist to win an iPad Air.
The overall winner will be announced early in January, with a new competition due to start in 2014.
The iPad Air
Apple’s iPad Air has been launched and one of our monthly winning entrants will be the recipient of this latest technology. The winner will be announced in January on the Pitchcare website.
Hazel Peplinski and Head Groundsman, Brian Meikle, accept the award from Pitchcare’s Dave Saltman
again, the standard was extremely high from all those who submitted applications. The PJA applaud all who work on racecourse ground, not just the winners.”
Richard Linley, Senior Inspector of Courses at BHA said, “Again, it was an extremely difficult task to select the winners of the Groundstaff Awards. The knowledge and expertise in preparing racecourses again demonstrates the dedication of the groundstaff to their working lives.”
Rupert Arnold, of the National Trainers Federation, said; “Racecourses had shocking conditions to contend with last year so they all deserve credit for running as many meetings as they did. They all deserve trainers’ thanks.”
On behalf of the sponsors, John Richards of Pitchcare added; “As always, the judges faced the unenviable task of selecting just one winner for each of the categories. This year, we had a record number of entries and high quality contenders. My congratulations to all the winners, and also my thanks to the judges for their thoroughness and fairness in making these difficult decisions.”
Hazel Peplinski, Clerk of the Course, Kelso Racecourse commented; “From a groundsman’s perspective Kelso has had an extremely challenging 12-18 months; what with the new course layout, new fences and unprecedented weather conditions. However, Brian, Logan, Davie, Alastair and Connor have answered every call magnificently and retained their sense of humour throughout - they truly deserve this award.”
BASIS Points for Pitchcare Mag
Don’t forget that two CPD points are on offer to ‘hard copy’ magazine subscribers
IN the last issue we announced that *BASIS have awarded two CPD points for subscribers to the hard copy version of Pitchcare magazine, due to the “diverse range of content that relates to the control, management and use of pesticides”.
This announcement is good news for all BASIS registered members as it means they can now obtain a further two valuable CPD points for their Professional register, simply by paying for a subscription to the ‘hard copy’ version of the Pitchcare magazine.
4 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014
The approval has been backdated to September 2012, so any member subscribing to the hard copy magazine after that date qualifies for the CPD points.
Anyone wishing to claim their points should email their full name, BASIS membership number, date of birth and postcode to
editor@pitchcare.com.
*BASIS is an independent standards setting and auditing organisation for the pesticide, fertiliser and allied industries.
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