FOREWORD WELCOME TO SAY THAT AGAIN! Living with it
The current situation certainly feels as though we have moved from a ‘defeat Covid-19’ status to one where we must ‘live with it for the foreseeable future’!
With so much uncertainty surrounding the industry shows, it makes us question when the turfcare fraternity might be able to get together again. There was a recent survey asking whether we would be more comfortable with an outdoor show, and the findings suggested this is the case, but it remains uncertain whether large gatherings at all will be permitted over the next year - not only across our industry, but for concerts, weddings, funerals and such like.
Chatting to interviewees over the past couple of months, it’s good to hear that most venues have unfurloughed staff and are now busy preparing sport across all sectors. However, the pandemic will no doubt continue to have an impact in terms of renovations, budgets, purchasing new machinery etc. and there are still interesting times ahead to see how our industry adapts.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the ‘blame’ culture and criticism groundstaff receive from the media. Not least recently when Liverpool legend Graeme Souness bizarrely blamed the Reds’ poor performance on the state of the pitch, claiming that Villa groundstaff had left the grass longer in order to slow the visitors’ speed of passing. Villa groundsman Eddie Mills defended the comments as uneducated and insulting to all the massively hardworking groundsmen up and down the country, who put their hearts and souls into their proud work! Well said Eddie.
From one legend to another, it is with great sadness that we report the retirement of our Operations Director John Richards on page five. Many of you will be aware that John turned from
legendary Wolves player (who still retains the title of second-highest goal tally of all time, with 194 goals), to co- owner of Pitchcare with Dave Saltman. I’ve personally worked alongside John for over seven years and he has offered support, understanding and many laughs along the way. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for encouraging my career development and wish him well. He doesn’t escape entirely though, as we have convinced him to continue his expertise within the editorial department on a freelance basis.
Also, in this issue, we have an interesting article on Scotland’s Rural College and their practical teaching experience utilising Elmwood Golf Course. At one end of the spectrum, it’s great to hear facilities such as this are actually visiting schools and educating youngsters on what our industry can offer. However, at the other end, it’s hard to grasp how many industry jobs have been, and will continue to be, lost in the coming months. Stay safe and positive.
Kerry Haywood Editor
“You can’t get away from it. And that’s part of the joy of it, that it’s all consuming, but it can be exhausting, and you can get to the stage where you think your health might suffer if you keep going”
Mark Broughton, Aldeburgh Golf Club
“Those who are running the budgets may be thinking about where to make cuts. My experience tells me the grounds department will be one of the first places they look, unfortunately!”
Melvin Jones, Warrington Wolves
“You come into the job with a good idea of what it is going to be like, but I found out quickly that, no matter how much planning you do, it can go straight out the window … especially when something like coronavirus happens” Michael Hood, Leicester Grammar School
“We want to make this the best local sports facility in the county. It’s a great project and my goal is to continue to deliver good playing conditions. And, in spite of Covid, my five year plan is not far off track!” Tom Waldock, Towcestrians Sports Club
“It has been hard to plan for the coming year as nobody is sure what is around the corner. I hope that things will get back to some sort of normality soon” Richard Hare, Bromsgrove School
“When students initially come onsite, some of them have never been on a golf course, let alone worked on one!” Greg Kilgour, SRUC Elmwood
PC October/November 2020
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