EQUESTRIAN
Getting Personal
Shane Webb - with the best advice to date
Who are you?
Shane Webb - Head Groundsman, Down Royal Racecourse.
Family status? I come from a family of five - two brothers and two sisters.
Who’s your hero and why? In a sporting sense there’s the obvious likes of Brian O’Driscoll. Then, being from Carlow, I’m lucky to have people like Paul Broderick (football) and Marcus Lawler (athletics) to look up to. My dad Pat also deserves a big mention as I’ve been looking up to him for a long time ... and still do!
What’s been the highlight of your grounds career so far? Taking on the role of head groundsman at Down Royal this year is no doubt the highlight.
If your younger self saw you now, what would he think? I’d like to think he would be pleased.
What job would you love, other than your own? Airline pilot.
Brexit or Remain? Remain. What is your favourite film? Harry Potter. What is your favourite sport? Gaelic football.
Do you have a lifetime ambition? Take life one day at a time, whilst trying to improve and learn every day.
Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? Elvis, Emily Ratajkowski and David Attenborough.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? A pat on the back is only six inches from a kick in the backside!
What’s your favourite smell? Freshly cut grass.
Which three albums would you take to a desert island? I’d bring Spotify and a portable charger!
What’s the daftest work-related question you have ever been asked? Do you just cut grass?
What’s your favourite piece of kit? The Major grass lifter finishing mower and I also couldn’t survive without the verti-drain.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Impulsive, persistent and hard-working.
What is the single most useful thing you could tell a 16-year-old groundsperson/greenkeeper? Don’t be afraid to move around when you’re young. Try different things in different places.
134 PC October/November 2019
team and equipment to the golf course when they require it, so it works very well for us all,” he said.
The soil profile at the Down Royal Racecourse is predominantly sandy which can dry out quickly. This was a huge issue last year when there were drought weather conditions in Northern Ireland.
Shane said: “It dries quickly and needs to be put back very quickly after racing. However, thanks to a water system we can pump water from rainwater tanks in the yard to the course via underwater piping when conditions get very dry. The course also benefits from regular verti- draining and aeration,” he added. Down Royal Racecourse extends to almost two miles of track set in 40 acres just outside Lisburn and runs alongside the River Lagan.
Shane said: “The River Lagan can encroach on the rear of the course which will be a problem, but thankfully
one I haven’t had to deal with yet. Shade and air flow are not major problems with us really, but the five furlong chute can become shaded. However, for the most part the track receives the required light.” “Walking back, rolling, divoting and aeration all form part of our maintenance regime. Weed spraying is a regular occurrence, especially this time of the year.”
“We also regularly use the verti-drain, spiker, mower, fertiliser spreader and sprayer. Fertiliser use depends upon soil test results. Marking out is done by myself and we all put up the rail as a team.”
“All the staff carry out any of the jobs. All hands in, the more versatile everyone is, the better. Presentation is ranked very highly at Down Royal Racecourse as there is only one chance to make a first impression,” said Shane.
Changing weather patterns can affect
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 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164
