Summer Sports - Tennis
In early February, we were able to get on to mow all of the grass courts, first with a pass over using rotary mowers to hoover up any debris, and then a cylinder at our winter cutting height of 13mm
Practice courts post-renovation - Early November 2014
Wimbledon tournament, looking to get practice in the run up to the Championships, finding themselves playing on a surface that does not behave in the same way. For this reason, we try to replicate the maintenance techniques used at Wimbledon, from using similar equipment and practices, to using the same soils, topdressings and seed mixes. The knock on effect of this is that, hopefully, the selling point for our members is that they can get a little bit of the ‘Wimbledon experience’ in the middle of Birmingham! Heading in to winter, it’s fair to say we
were happy with the condition of the courts; if anything, our biggest problem was that the sward was a little too thick! Due to the relatively mild conditions, we continued with some light fertiliser applications through the winter, and applied two doses of iron through December and January as a turf hardener. With disease, we see prevention as being better than any cure, so monitoring turf health is of paramount importance to us. Coming in to February the overall health
of the courts was very pleasing. With the exception of a small amount of dieback in some areas, due to some standing water issues, the sward over all of the grass courts was of very strong health and gave us a good starting point as temperatures began to become more favourable. In early February, we were able to get on
to mow all of the grass courts, first with a pass over using rotary mowers to hoover up any debris, and then a cylinder at our winter cutting height of 13mm. This was followed by a pass with a sarrel roller, and then the application of a granular fertiliser. Unfortunately, since then, the weather has turned back against us again, with regular rain keeping us off the courts. However, having made the most of the opportunity to work on the courts when we have been able to, we are confident of the position we currently find ourselves in.
Whilst the grass courts are the focal point of the Aegon Birmingham Classic, along with the players who grace the courts, delivering the event is a huge project in itself. This has been complicated further this year due to some up and coming projects to be completed around the tournament. In the run up to this year’s Aegon Classic Birmingham, we are having two new artificial grass courts part-constructed, with the idea being that everything but the carpet will be put in place. Between the first phase of construction and the carpet being laid, there
” Match courts - first cut of 2015 in early February Remove that thatch!
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www.charterhouse-tm.co.uk PC APRIL/MAY 2015 I 75
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