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Groundsman Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award

October 23, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Groundsman Maurice Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award: The unsung hero of Haydock park racecourse who makes sure the course is fit for purpose has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Haydock Park stalwart Maurice Crooks has worked at the venue for 46 years and the head groundsman has scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award in the […]

Are You Ready For The Sports Turf Challenges Of 2020?

October 23, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by Greg Rhodes

Are you ready for the sports turf challenges of 2020? The pivotal role of soil biology in sport and amenity turf health is at the heart of keynote presentations by Joel Williams, the internationally respected authority on soil science and leading edge techniques. Harpenden Common Golf Club hosts the `Getting Ready for 2020` seminar – which […]

Groundsman Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award

October 23, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Are You Ready For The Sports Turf Challenges Of 2020?

October 23, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by Greg Rhodes

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Groundsman Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award

October 23, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Groundsman Maurice Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award: The unsung hero of Haydock park racecourse who makes sure the course is fit for purpose has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

Haydock Park stalwart Maurice Crooks has worked at the venue for 46 years and the head groundsman has scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award in the RCA Groundstaff Awards.

Maurice and his team ensure the course is fit for racing and he also has the weighty responsibility for the safety and upkeep of the venue, which is one of the largest racecourses in the country.

Maurice, now 63, began his career in 1971 as a fence builder and then became a tractor driver.

He worked his way up through the ranks, becoming assistant head groundsman in 1980 assuming the role of head groundsman in 1995.

“I absolutely love it as much as I always have done,” said Maurice who grew up a stone’s throw away from the racecourse on Warrington Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

“I have worked here from being 10 or 11 and I liked to rise horses. “Mr granddad and grandmother used to work at Haydock going back. “She used to work here during the Second World War.

“There are lots of good memories that I have. I remember seeing Red Rum win here in the Grand National Trial in 1973.

“Kauto Star was another great horse, I remember seeing him.

“And another memory is when the big evacuation was on from Aintree. They evacuated everybody back to Haydock and that was challenging and quite exciting, meeting different people.”

Maurice’s enthusiasm for the job has not waned over the years and he says getting to rub shoulders with famous names is one of the perks he has enjoyed.

“You get to meet a lot of celebrities. I had tea and toast in Harvey Smith’s kitchen.

“And I got to go on stage with Rick Astley singing when he came here, though whether you can call it singing!”

And Maurice has no sights on retirement yet and will continue his work for as long as he can.

“It’s a marvellous job really and I just wish there were more young people coming into it. At the moment I feel fit and healthy.

“Friends and managers have congratulated me and I have had a lot of texts from racecourses across the country.”

Maurice will receive his lifetime achievement award at the RCA Showcase Awards, held at Newbury Racecourse on Thursday, November 16.

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Are You Ready For The Sports Turf Challenges Of 2020?

October 23, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by Greg Rhodes

Harpenden Common Golf Club hosts the `Getting Ready for 2020` seminar – which attracts four BIGGA CPD credits – on 14 November amid major strides forward for soil biology in golf course management and tougher EU controls on chemical applications.

The removal of ever more chemicals permitted for use demands a radical rethink on traditional methods of course management and time is running out to put more eco-friendly practices in place.

Outlining the principles of soil biology, Joel will discuss the functions, roles and interactions of soil life in golf greens – introducing key groups of organisms in the soil ecosystem.

He then moves on to cover how to advance soil biology and leverage the most from turf soils by understanding total, exchangeable and soluble nutrient pools – delegates also learning of the biological link to foliar-applied inputs.

After lunch, Joel tackles the future of integrated pest management (IPM) concluding with a considered view of the frontiers of soil biology, turf health and sustainable, resilient golf greens.

Rooted in results, Harpenden Common General Manager Terry Crump will reveal how the club has successfully applied soil biology within its course management strategy.

Sponsored and developed by Soil Biology Ltd, `Getting ready for 2020` will deliver `must-hear` knowledge and insight into what is a rapidly developing sector of turf care and is tailored for course managers, head greenkeepers and deputies.

Reserve your place now by contacting paul@soil-biology.co.uk or phoning 01959 564690.

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.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Groundsman Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award

Are You Ready For The Sports Turf Challenges Of 2020?

Groundsman Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award

Are You Ready For The Sports Turf Challenges Of 2020?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Groundsman Honoured By Lifetime Achievement Award

Are You Ready For The Sports Turf Challenges Of 2020?

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