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NEWS ARTICLES

Mourinho Slams Russian Pitch

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Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United’s Europa League tie against FC Rostov to be postponed after condemning the state of the pitch at the Olimp-2 Stadium.

The United manager has questioned how the first leg of their last-16 tie can go ahead after likening the playing surface to the shambolic pitch at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing last summer that forced the cancellation of their pre-season tour game against Manchester City.

Mourinho raised his fears about exposing his players to a heightened risk of injury to a Uefa official, only to be told that his squad are insured “so if something happens, no problem.” To postpone the match, United – who are due to train on the pitch today – would have to make a formal request to Uefa by Thursday afternoon.

“It’s still hard for me to believe we are going to play tomorrow,” Mourinho said, before his players were due to train. “I know we have to, but it is hard for me to believe we are going to play tomorrow in that field – if you can call it a field.”

Henrikk Mkhitaryan is available again after a hamstring injury, but Mourinho said he did not know whether he was prepared to risk the Armenia forward and claimed the pitch had thrown his selection plans into turmoil.

“I don’t know what team to play, really,” he said. “I don’t know if Henrikh Mkhitaryan is going to play. I don’t know. I have now a lot to think because I was expecting something more playable. It is very similar pitch in the summer in China when we and Manchester City decided not to play, but it looks like we have to play.

“I didn’t have any contact with anyone until now [about the pitch]. I just had a quick contact with one gentleman from Uefa when I was looking at the pitch and when I told him about my concerns, the gentleman told me the players are insured, so if something happens, no problem.

“I was analysing these very good opponents that we didn’t speak about yet. In their previous matches against Bayern Munich, Ajax, Atletico Madrid, in all these matches it looked for me a very playable pitch and I was very surprised with what I found here today.”

This is not the first time this season Mourinho has had concerns about the state of the playing surface. Aside from the China debacle, when United’s International Champions Cup game against City was cancelled after the pitch was deemed a safety risk, United’s Europa League group game away to Zorya Luhansk in December was also briefly under threat because of a frozen playing surface in Odessa. Hot air had to be pumped on to the pitch in order to make it playable and Mourinho was also unhappy about the state of the pitch in St Etienne for the away leg of United’s last-32 tie.

Daley Blind, the United defender, echoed Mourinho’s concerns but said they could not use the pitch as an excuse if the game goes ahead.

“The pitch is not the best, not good, maybe quality of game will be a bit different, but it doesn’t have to be an excuse for us, we have to try to win, that’s what we’re here for,” Blind said. “The pitch is not good, maybe not for safety as well, but it is no an excuse, we want to win here, try to play a good game, that’s the most important thing.”

Uefa confirmed on Tuesday night that Rostov had agreed not to train on the pitch on Wednesday in order to protect the surface from “unnecessary damage”.

Ivan Daniliants, the Rostov coach, had already issued a warning that United may be in for a shock with the pitch. “The pitch is the same for everyone but it will still be a problem,” said Daniliants. “In the final of the League Cup [at Wembley], Man United played on an ideal lawn – it was like a carpet. When they arrive here, they will be surprised.”

To read to original article, click here

Former Groundsman Ready For Biggest Challenge of Career

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Former Aorangi Oval groundsman Mike Davies has one major goal.

That aim is to make University Oval, his new workplace, the best cricket ground in the county.

“I work with a great team here in Dunedin, Dunedin Venues Management Limited, the Dunedin City Council and Otago Cricket all want the same thing, for the University Oval to be New Zealand’s best cricket ground and I’m pleased to be working with them to try and achieve that.”

Davies, originally from Christchurch, moved to Timaru to take a golf development role, before being asked to assist with the grounds keeping duties at Levels Golf Club.

“It all just went from there and the rest is history.”

Going from Levels Golf Course in Timaru, then to the town’s small ground like Aorangi Oval,before venturing to Invercargill’s Queens Park last season, has Davies perched at a place where he will face just about the biggest test of all – University Oval in Dunedin.

New Zealand and South Africa face off in the first of three tests on Wednesday, the fifth ranked nation hosting the third best.

In the past, University Oval has been known as a docile pitch, so what Davies prepares for his international debut is sure to be well monitored.

“I’m not nervous. I’m excited at the challenge in front of me. I want to make this ground the best I can.”

Davies is like a kid in a brand new playground ahead of the opening test on Wednesday.

“I can’t wait for them to start playing. It has been tough at times but the last couple of weeks the weather has come right right and really helped me out.”

The 41-year-old is loving life as a groundsman at a bigger venue.

“It’s awesome, I work with a great bunch of people, and they’re all passionate about the same thing.”

.After six years as part time groundsman at Aorangi Oval, he moved to the greener pastures of Invercargill, a place he loved.

“Invercargill was great to me.

“It was my first time as a fulltime groundsman and I just loved it. The weather was a challenge but it was a nice ground and the [Otago] Volts had a good record down there.”

His results were good in Invercargill and the wickets were top quality.

“I’ll always remember Timaru and Invercargill fondly. They’ve helped me get to where I am and were great places to improve my knowledge.”

Weather conditions in Dunedin had made his first season difficult, with the grass weak, however plenty of sun during the last few weeks has given Davies something to work with.

As for the result, he’d love a New Zealand win but his focus is making sure the pitch is competitive for the entire contest and offers something to both the batsmen and bowlers.

“I just want a good game of cricket that sees plenty of people turn up and it goes the five days.

“Making it even for both is a challenge but as the pitch is made from Kakanui clay, the same as what Aorangi Oval and Queens Park used, I think I’ll be fine.”

Currently he’s loving Dunedin, and is hopeful he can entice New Zealand Cricket to bring more matches to the recently revamped ground with a top cricket wicket.

“I’m preparing a pitch for a team like South Africa, about to get married and recently welcomed a bay boy into the world, so Dunedin is great.”

He said with his industry being relatively small, plenty of groundsmen pass things on.

“I’ve just had Karl Johnson from Seddon Park down here helping me, while Jayden [Tohill] from the New Zealand Cricket high performance centre in Lincoln is also helping out.

“We bounce things off each other and that’s a great thing.”

Davies loved Timaru and said working for South Canterbury Cricket was great.

“I left because I wanted to do first-class games and Aorangi wasn’t getting any, but the South Canterbury Cricket Association were an awesome bunch to work for.”

As for a job at Hagley Oval back in his home town, Davies wasn’t interested.

“University Oval is where I want to be, and I have plenty to achieve here and a great company to work with.”

To read the original article, click here

Bigger is better for SALTEX 2017 exhibitors

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Based on the success of SALTEX 2016, an increasing number of exhibitors are looking to extend their profile at the UK’s biggest and most influential turf care event, which will be held on 1 and 2 November at the NEC, Birmingham.

According to show organisers a record number of exhibitors have already re-booked for 2017, and now it has been revealed that many have or are looking to increase their stand space.

Collectively, a number of exhibitors such as Etesia UK, Overton UK, Bomford Turner, Roberine, EP Barrus, Baron UK, Ego, Techneat, SIS Pitches UK, HillTip, T H White Machinery Imports and Bituchem Asphalt have acquired more than 300 additional square metres.

Commenting on SIS Pitches UK’s decision to enlarge its presence at SALTEX, Phil Blackwell – projects director, said: “2016 was our second year at SALTEX. As the industry continues to evolve, we predict it to continue to be a highlight of our trade shows and exhibitions calendar, as shows like this are a great way of exhibiting our patented technology. It was great to see a diverse range of visitors, groundsmen and sports managers who were very interested in how the industry and products have evolved in recent years and how they could benefit from the new technologies now available.

“We believe this is an event you have to be part of if you are in the sports turf market.”
Echoing Phil’s thoughts was Timothy Lane, divisional director for T H White Machinery Imports: “We have been attending SALTEX for many years as a dealer and will continue to do so. However 2016 was our first time exhibiting as the main importer for Ferris Mowers and Wright Mowers. We have now expanded our product offering with the full remote control range from Spider and for this reason we have decided to increase our stand space at SALTEX 2017.”

Charles Neale, event sales executive for SALTEX, says extra stand space has become a growing trend this year.

“It has been extremely encouraging to see so many exhibitors book extra stand space for SALTEX 2017. Many have pointed to reasons such as the great quality, quantity and diversity of visitors as well as strong lead generation. There are also at least 12 additional companies who are also currently interested in purchasing extra stand space.
“In addition, we have also welcomed a large number of new exhibitors who will be making their debut this year.”

SALTEX 2017 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 1 and 2 November 2017.

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

More Players For Heswall Since Toro Fleet Brought In

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When the board of directors at Heswall Golf Club on the Wirral Peninsula chose Toro for the first time in 2013 following a lengthy study of the “top three” brands, it was in a move to help improve the quality, appearance and playability of the course. Now, two and a half years later, it’s time to catch up with the club to see how things are going.

Guy Cannings, course manager, says: “Until the end of 2013, we’d never had a Toro machine here at Heswall, so to go from nothing to a whole fleet was a big move. Although Toro performed brilliantly in the demos and in all areas actually, any step into the unknown comes with uncertainty.”

There was no need for reservations though, as Guy says the “quality of the mowers is evident in the quality, now, of the course aesthetically and how it plays; it has improved since we’ve started using Toro and we are attracting more players to the club as a result, which is fantastic.”

Not only has the ten-strong Toro fleet proved itself by helping improve the quality of the existing course, but it has also tended six greens as they have been relaid. And as a result of its positive performance, Heswall has since added to the shed with another Reelmaster 3100-D with Sidewinder, a Groundsmaster 4700-D and a ProPass 200 trailed topdresser.

Guy says: “When it came to adding to our fleet, we didn’t just opt for Toro again simply to add to an existing predominantly Toro fleet, we conducted a thorough evaluation and Toro came out on top again.

“The RM3100-D has proved itself over the last couple of years, it’s really economical, which is why we have invested in another for the greens. This will complement the original Sidewinder which will now apply its versatility on the greens surrounds, tee banks and semi-roughs.”

Steve Halley of Cheshire Turf Machinery, Heswall’s local Toro dealer and who worked with the club to agree the deal, which also includes a maintenance package, says: “Before any machinery was installed we took the greens staff to Reesink Turfcare HQ in St Neots for operator training. This was to ensure the team was confident in the operation of the mowers, how to get the most out of their new machinery and manoeuvre the fleet safely and skillfully.”

Reesink is renowned for its industry-leading training, which is delivered by nationally recognised quality assured trainers and assessors, and is committed to those companies, like Heswall, who wish to develop and invest in their employees’ skills.

It also provides the perfect opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better, as Steve Halley confirms: “Not only are the training courses beneficial on a practical level, they also offer the opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. We’ve really enjoyed working with Guy, Graham [Capewell, club secretary] and the team over the last couple of years and it’s great to hear they are finding more players now enjoying their beautiful course and all it has to offer.”

Spey Valley Golf Club Tackles Thatch

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Spey Valley Golf & Country Club may have been voted the most picturesque course in the UK, but for Head Greenkeeper Dave Beardwood it has its drawbacks. At 400 feet above sea level, and set in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, this 18 hole championship course delivers some spectacular views for the players. With a reduced growing season being so far north, Dave needs to maximise the efficiency of the maintenance season so he turned to a Graden CSI and a Redexim Speedbrush, from Charterhouse Turf Machinery for help.

“Because of our high location, we have a more limited window to get maintenance activities done. We don’t usually get good growth until the start of May and it tails off again in October – we just don’t get the soil temperatures” explains Dave. When he joined Spey Valley nearly 3 years ago, there was an issue with moss on the greens which Dave didn’t want to tackle with coring. “I was keen to eradicate the moss using a less invasive method, while still removing a good amount of material.”

Having used a Graden machine before during his time working at a club in Cyprus, Dave decided to invest in a Graden CSI, from Charterhouse Turf Machinery, which was delivered mid-2016. Due to staffing levels, the greens were covered over a period of weeks with Dave delighted at the results. “We removed a good amount of material, some of which we sent off for testing. It showed only 5% thatch which reaffirmed my decision not to hollow core. When using the CSI we used a combination of sand and seed to backfill the grooves and we achieved great germination, despite the work taking place late in our growing season.”

At the same time, Dave took delivery of a Redexim Speedbrush to help him achieve his greens project. “We’d carried out some deep aeration followed by a heavy topdress, and with the damp mornings etc it took a while for the sand to work in – it was evident we needed a piece of kit to work the sand down more effectively.” To date, the Speedbrush has been great for light topdressings following the Graden work and for collecting seedlings and debris from the greens.

“It’s relatively early days but the results achieved with both machines so far are very positive. We’re all looking forward to what can be achieved with a full year and season ahead.”