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Wimbledon Groundsman Happiest When Courts Go Unnoticed

July 3, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Wimbledon Groundsman Happiest When Courts Go Unnoticed – Wimbledon’s head groundsman Neil Stubley spends most of his waking hours worrying about the 18 championship lawns under his command in the weeks leading up to the tournament. They are his pride and joy, nurtured and pampered to perfection. Yet if the coming fortnight passes off with […]

Kubota’s New RTV Is X-actly What You’re Looking For This Summer

June 30, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by Freddie Rae

Kubota’s new RTV is X-actly what you’re looking for this summer – Kubota UK is setting the standard in power and versatility with the launch of its new four-seater utility vehicle, the RTV-X1140. The new model, from the market-leader in diesel powered utility vehicles, builds on the popular predecessor (the RTV1140), demonstrating its ongoing commitment to […]

Wimbledon Groundsman Happiest When Courts Go Unnoticed

July 3, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Kubota’s New RTV Is X-actly What You’re Looking For This Summer

June 30, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by Freddie Rae

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Wimbledon Groundsman Happiest When Courts Go Unnoticed

July 3, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

They are his pride and joy, nurtured and pampered to perfection. Yet if the coming fortnight passes off with barely a mention of the greensward, he will be a happy man.

“I would hate it if we got to a men’s or women’s final, match point and the court was involved in that winning point because that’s not what it’s there for,” Stubley told Reuters as his staff liberally watered Court One on a sweltering day, 10 days before the start of the world’s premier tennis tournament.

“For us, if the courts are not mentioned for two weeks – job done. We provide the stage, the players provide the stories.”

The process of preparing the courts began almost as soon as the final ball was struck at last year’s championships.

The surfaces are shaved, re-levelled and re-seeded, then Mother Nature takes over for a while.

“It’s a case of managing the courts as and when they come back all the way through winter and spring,” Stubley, working at his 23rd Wimbledon and sixth as head groundsman since the green-fingered Eddie Seward signed off in 2012.

“Now we are in the most critical period when the courts are 99 percent ready.”

The biggest challenge is posed by the British climate.

Record-breaking June temperatures were replaced by a deluge of rain the week before the tournament’s start – keeping Stubley and his 17 full-time groundstaff on their toes.

“It’s like a rollercoaster ride,” he said. “You need to dry the courts out and keep the plant just on the point of wilting.

HAPPY MEDIUM

“It’s about finding the happy medium to make the court is tournament ready so this week and next is our biggest challenge.

“I’m a born worrier. I’ll wake in the night thinking about the weather forecast. We don’t want too much rain and we don’t want it too hot – although warmer weather is better because we can control the irrigation overnight.”

For anyone battling to maintain their back garden lawn, the magnitude of the challenge facing Stubley and his crew is mind-boggling – although with 600 tournaments’ worth of experience between them, there appears little that can throw them.

The scientific attention to detail is impressive.

While players fret about rackets strings, diet, footwear and biometric data, Stubley is armed with moisture readers and instruments to test court hardness – and of course the latest weather bulletin from the Met Office.

Contrary to popular belief, the playing characteristics of Wimbledon’s courts don’t come from the top few centimetres of grass – but rather the clay-based loam beneath.

“It’s something akin to a cricket wicket,” Stubley said. “It’s rolled very compact to get a nice hard surface. The grass part on top is the aesthetic look and holds it together but the characteristics are coming from the soil.”

Unlike the other grand slams that are played on cement or clay, Wimbledon’s courts are alive. Making each court play the same is the key to player satisfaction, said Stubley.

“The biggest challenge is consistency. That also means the practice courts.”

One topic that crops up more regularly than most is a perceived “slowing down” of Wimbledon’s lawns since a new perennial rye grass blend was introduced in 2002 – producing a less skiddy surface.

Stubley rejects the claim made by the likes of former British number one Tim Henman, among others, that the grass has lost its zip to the detriment of the serve and volleyers.

“The speed is more or less the same. It’s more about the bounce now. We have a firmer, harder surface now with less of the energy of the ball being absorbed into the grass. It should suit everybody,” he said.

And a word for those envious gardeners attending the fortnight? “Cut little and often, and a well-balanced diet.”

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Kubota’s New RTV Is X-actly What You’re Looking For This Summer

June 30, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by Freddie Rae

The new model, from the market-leader in diesel powered utility vehicles, builds on the popular predecessor (the RTV1140), demonstrating its ongoing commitment to developing exceptional machinery which not only supports professionals in their day-to-day activities, but provides exceptional comfort and safety as standard.

Designed to provide greater power and performance, the RTV-X1140 enables operators to easily transport both cargo and crew with its versatile two or four passenger configurations. Users can single-handedly transform the 1102” cargo bed to two additional back seats in three simple steps, allowing for the safe transportation of four adults.

Dedicated to delivering a higher standard of performance across all tasks, its four-wheel drive and unrivalled 10.8” ground clearance enables smooth travel over any terrain, whilst its hydraulic bed-lift makes light work of dumping tasks. The three-cylinder liquid-cooled Kubota diesel engine also offers a robust 24.8 HP, supported by its Variable Hydraulic Transmission for increased power and traction.

To celebrate its launch, the RTV-X1140 will be travelling across the UK this summer, debuting at a range of national shows including Royal Highland, Royal Welsh and the Game Fair, providing visitors with an exclusive insight into its first-class features and capabilities.

For more information on Kubota and its extensive range of solutions visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

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)

Wimbledon Groundsman Happiest When Courts Go Unnoticed

Kubota’s New RTV Is X-actly What You’re Looking For This Summer

Wimbledon Groundsman Happiest When Courts Go Unnoticed

Kubota’s New RTV Is X-actly What You’re Looking For This Summer

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Wimbledon Groundsman Happiest When Courts Go Unnoticed

Kubota’s New RTV Is X-actly What You’re Looking For This Summer

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