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79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

July 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

79 not out as groundsman Tommy Curlett still rolling: Many of us may baulk at the idea of doing the same job for 55 years, even more at the prospect of still working at the age of 79, but Co Down man Tommy Curlett has no intention of abandoning his beloved Co Down cricket ground – […]

Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever

July 19, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by External Source

Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever: Modern turf management practices are raising the standards for golfers. Greenkeeping Lecturer Anthony Stockwell gives us an update on the modern turf management practices that are raising the standards for golfers. Updates in technology are driving the greenkeeping industry at an accelerated pace. Once keepers of […]

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

July 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever

July 19, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by External Source

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79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

July 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

His labour of love started in 1962 when Dundrum Cricket Club was left without a groundsman.

Tommy, just 24 at that time, was the helper, but little did he know then that 55 years later he would be doing the same job – and he says he has no intention of stopping.

Curlett is a famous name in the village, especially at the cricket club, where brothers Tommy, Jack, Bobby and Jim all played for years and years, out of the limelight, not looking for honours or headlines: but such clubs are the lifeblood of the Northern Cricket Union.

Tommy recalled: “We were playing in the East Down Cricket League and big Kenny McCammon did the ground, but I would give him a hand.

“When he left to join Downpatrick I took over, there was nothing else for it.

“They had to get somebody to do it and I have been doing it ever since.”

This week the club’s chairman of selectors Jeff Maguire organised a cricket match between club members young and old to raise funds to buy new covers, to make Tommy’s job that much easier.

“The old covers were a dead loss,” he said. “The rain kept getting underneath them so that’s why we’re trying to get new ones. It only took one night’s rain and the game that weekend was called off.”

Ironically, the day before last Sunday’s fundraising match, the game against Saintfield was called off and Mr Maguire wanted to send their opponents a picture of the waterlogged pitch, to prove it was unplayable and save them from travelling.

But proud Tommy had to make it picture perfect first.

“The pitch had been marked and rolled earlier in the week but the lines on the creases didn’t look very good, so I wanted to paint them again before we sent the picture.

“But the ground was ready for them, the rain overnight just ruined it,” he said.

Tommy loves the game so much that he even jokes he is married to it, having never tied the knot.

“Me, I never married. I’m married to cricket,” he said.

“My nephew John played cricket for Dundrum, then he went to Downpatrick, but he came back. He’s 51 now, so has quit the cricket. At that age he should be retired.”

However, Tommy does not appear inclined to take his own advice. “I started playing cricket when I was at Down High but I didn’t play again until I joined Newcastle Cricket Club in 1959,” he said. “Then, when Dundrum started up again in 1961 – they had folded for a few years – I joined them and have been here ever since. So a long time.

“I was going to stop when I was about 45, but Brian Murray, one of my team-mates, said: ‘You’re too young to quit’.

“I played my last game for the Firsts against Drumaness when I was 50 and then played for the Seconds until I was 65, although I didn’t play much the last few years as I had knee trouble – which I still have sometimes!”

His one regret in cricket is that he didn’t get to play at some of today’s major grounds.

“I was disappointed not to have had the chance to play at the big clubs. We’ve always been in junior cricket, so missed out on playing at places like Waringstown and North Down, although I did play at the old Ormeau ground in a cup match, just once.”

As Tommy was having his photograph taken for this article, four youngsters were getting out the bowling machine at the ground to give themselves some practice.

“That’s why you keep going, to make sure there is a good pitch and a club for the next generation,” he added.

To read the original article from Belfast Telegraph, click here

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Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever

July 19, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by External Source

Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever: Modern turf management practices are raising the standards for golfers.

Greenkeeping Lecturer Anthony Stockwell gives us an update on the modern turf management practices that are raising the standards for golfers.

Updates in technology are driving the greenkeeping industry at an accelerated pace. Once keepers of the green used scythes and sheep to keep the turf short.

In this article we look at five major advancements that are pushing the boundaries of turf management, so that golfers particularly of the elite level can play on unbelievably smooth greens and fine fescue fairways.

1. MACHINERY

Machinery has become lighter in weight enabling less compaction to the turf. Super sharp blades are able to cut with the turf with accurate precision.

Maintaining the tools and equipment on a golf course has become easier. Advancements in electrical machinery has enabled smarter and more sustainable use.

Robotic machinery is on the horizon and it won’t be too long until all surfaces on a golf course are cut without the need for an operator.

2. PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Turf managers have become obsessed with data collection and measuring the performance of their turf.

These measurements enable the greenkeepers to make informed and accurate decisions. Soil sensors can instantly measure soil moisture, temperature and salinity.

Green smoothness, trueness and speed can all be accurately objectively measured. These readings along with accurate weather forecasts can help them make informed decisions, such as “do we roll greens or mow?”

This aspect will be used a considerable amount at Royal Birkdale for the 146th Open Championship. This will help the greenkeepers give the optimum conditions for the professional golfers.

3. SEAWEED

The history books will tell you of greenkeepers adding seaweed to golf greens during the winter.

However, nowadays, universities are conducting innovative research into the exact science behind this green slime and their benefits to playing surfaces.

Once formulated and sprayed on to the golf course the substances can provide benefits to the turf including greater tolerance to droughts, pests and diseases – all of which help the golfer enjoy a smooth and consistent playing surface.

4. TURFGRASS BREEDING

Turfgrass breeding is a marathon task, usually taking over 10 years of arduous scientific work to create a new cultivar of seed.

New seed cultivars are providing golfers with surfaces that are finer and demonstrate greater tolerance of environmental pressures.

The type of grass seed you find on a golf course will certainly not be your average seed you can buy in your local garden centre.

5. FUTURE SOIL AND LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

The world of football has been pioneering with expensive technology such as grow lights.

Under soil heating, soil vacuum systems and over ground ventilation to reduce surface and soil moisture. Turf reinforcements system are enabling a greater volume of players to use the surface.

Will these products be used on golf courses? Well, they already are at the elite level. Perhaps, these types of turf products are the future for golf.

However for the time being you won’t find such expensive technology at your local pay and play golf course, if ever at all.

To read the original article from Golf Magic, click here

For the latest industry news visit turfnews.co.uk

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

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79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever

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79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

Why Golf Greens Are About To Become Better Than Ever

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