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Summer Sports - Tennis


Healthy new sward, but yellowing where nutrients are scarcer on the worn parts of the courts


“Adding two more SmashCourts, at the expense of two grass ones, would be a big investment and, if taken up, may postpone the irrigation upgrade”


Where the members head for on a dank November day


September. They open again the first week in May.


Returning to the club’s big dilemma over its future, for seven months of the year the number of all-weather courts is a critical ‘pinch point’. The reality is, if members want to play at busy times and can’t because all of the tarmac and clay courts are in use, there are raised eyebrows over the dormant grass courts - all eight of them. May can seem a long way away when you fancy a game on a decent winter’s day.


Adding two more SmashCourts, at the expense of two grass ones, would be a six figure investment and, if taken up, may postpone the irrigation upgrade on the grass courts and put back further koroing. It is matter of intense discussion right now at this delightful club, and Steve has more than a passing interest in the decisions that are made. He can’t speak highly enough about the advice that’s readily available from the very top of the tennis world in the UK. He refers to Eddie Seaward in particular and his successor Neil Stubley, and the regular seminars held at the All England Club. Queen’s Club, Hurlingham and Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park too; they are all willing and friendly sources of help, always, Steve tells me.


I noticed that he had recently used the Pitchcare Message Board to get advice on pop up sprinklers, potentially a big part of investments the club may be making in 2014. One of a number of respondents to his plea for specific guidance was Hurlingham’s Peter Craig, who even sent


Steve a sketch diagram of a sprinkler set- up at the famous west London club. The dialogue between the two of them and others said it all about the professional comradeship there is out there. Bit of a pat on the back for Pitchcare’s online services too?


Away from Sundridge Park, Steve is never far away from sports turf. He looks after the pitches for nearby Petts Wood Cricket Club, which he says he does in his spare time for fun and a bit of holiday money. He is also a pretty accomplished bowls player. In 2011, he was the Kent Outdoor Singles Champion, which is no mean feat.


Steve likes to work alone and can take the rough with the smooth, but says there are times when it does get a little too challenging, looking up at the giant oak trees. His affinity with the grass courts will never waiver, however many there may be at Sundridge Park. It is ‘lawn tennis’ after all.


What’s in the shed? Yanmar K-200h tractor


Groundsman 460HD turf aerator Team Sprayer, 120ltr tractor mounted Sisis Rotorake 600 scarifier BLEC tractor-mounted multiseeder Allett C24 cylinder mower Dennis FT610 cylinder mower Honda rotary mower Scotts fertiliser spreader Stihl leaf blower Various hand tools


Groundsman turned bowler, and a champion one, having become the Kent Outdoor Singles champion


58 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014


Even in the hottest, driest conditions the club's grass courts provide a great matchplay surface


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