Meet the


Pitchcare team


Contents Issue 72 April/May 2017


DAVE SALTMAN Managing Director


t: 01902 440 254 e: dave@pitchcare.com


JOHN RICHARDS Operations Director


t: 01902 440 256 e: john@pitchcare.com Chris Drury, Featherstone Rovers PETER BRITTON


Advertising & Production t: 01952 898 516


e: peter@pitchcare.com


KERRY HAYWOOD Editor


t: 01952 897 416 e: kerry@pitchcare.com


Cover story - 86 Rovers Return?


Rugby league fans in Featherstone are preparing yet again for a possible promotion to top-tier Super League. And when one talks about the rugby league fans in Featherstone, they mean everyone in this heartland town of just 16,000


PAUL HAWKINS


Advertising Consultant t: 01952 764 851


e: paul.hawkins@pitchcare.com CHRIS JOHNSON


Training & Development t: 01902 440 263


e: chris@pitchcare.com


Comment Don’t Swallow!


Golf 12


When the European Chemicals Agency published its ‘must read’ report on the safety of rubber crumb infill, certain quarters saw this as a green light for its continued use. Yet, on closer inspection, perhaps the light should be stuck on amber.


Golf A woman can’t handle it!


ALASTAIR BATTRICK IT Manager


t: 01902 440 255 e: al@pitchcare.com


DAN HUGHES Marketing & Sales


t: 01902 440 258 e: sales@pitchcare.com


No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Editorial contributions are published entirely at the editor’s discretion and may be shortened if space is limited. Pitchcare make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents but accepts no liability for its consequences. Images are presumed copyright of the author or Pitchcare unless otherwise stated. Pitchcare Magazine is printed by the Gemini Press, Dolphin Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex BN43 6NZ


Pitchcare.com Allscott Park, Allscott, Telford Shropshire TF6 5DY


Tel: 01952 897 910 Fax: 01952 247 369 Email: editor@pitchcare.com


www.pitchcare.com 2 I PC APRIL/MAY 2017 16 Denise Fitzsimons, OSU TOP Program 38 Craig Eccleston, Giggleswick School 16


Denise Fitzsimons shares her experience of working at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Manassas Virginia, thanks to The Ohio State Program. She reckons she’s living “the American dream”, even though she was told a woman can’t handle it!.


Who has priority? 24


It's an age old question; who has priority out on the golf course, the greenkeepers going about their daily tasks or the golfers trying to enjoy their round? It’s a topic that generates furious debate, both in the clubhouse and on social media.


Are longer courses the solution? 28


Are longer courses the only golf course design solution to modern technology and long-hitters? Svein Drange Olsnes, EIGCA Senior Member & Council Member, believes that other options are available.


On top of the world... 32


Created by three golfing enthusiasts in the late eighties, Durness Golf Club occupies a stunning location. Peter Britton talks to the club’s only greenkeeper, Alistair Morrison, about plying his trade at the top of the world.


Schools & Colleges Creating a level playing field


38


Medieval ridge and furrow farmland can prove a challenge in delivering sporting excellence. Greg Rhodes speaks to Head of Grounds, Craig Eccleston, a man on a mission to create a level playing field across the winter and summer provision.


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  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148