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A Masterline mix for all surfaces

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A Masterline mix for all surfaces: In the 12 years since he established Greensward Sports Consultancy, it’s been seed from DLF that Director Andy Boyce has turned to for reliable results on surfaces from across the sporting spectrum.

Whether it’s bowls, cricket or winter sports, Andy swears by mixtures from both Masterline and Johnsons Sports Seed for germination, presentation and plant health that never fails to hit the mark.

A Masterline mix for all surfaces

A Masterline mix for all surfaces

Offering everything from regular maintenance contracts through to one-off renovations, Greensward delivers the full complement of services to a wide variety of sports facilities across the South West. “For me, the Masterline range from DLF offers not just versatility, but quality that has been consistent over the years” explains Andy, who heads up a team of seven. “This means that no matter the type of venue we’re working at, there’s a mixture or a combination of cultivars that’ll work.”

Andy’s go-to mixtures have been PM36 (Wicket) for cricket, croquet and grass tennis courts, and Masterline’s PM79 (Playing Field) for winter sports surfaces and cricket outfields. PM79 incorporates 50% Double 4Turf® tetraploid rye for stronger establishment, drought tolerance and exceptional disease resistance and overall performance during the winter months. “A lot of the football pitches we’re working on are at grassroots level, some of which can be hosting three or four matches a week. This is where you’re relying on mixtures with high wear tolerance and seed that can germinate at colder temperatures. DLF’s tetraploid perennial ryegrasses have been a massive step forward in helping us to deliver that.”

“The Masterline range tends to be at just the right price-point for a lot of our clients, but it’s great to also have the Johnson’s mixtures at our disposal if we think something from this range will be better suited, or sometimes to fulfil a customer request.” Andy will consult with his DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett, whose advice he has trusted for many years. “Ian is always on hand with the knowledge we need and can answer any questions we may have on the various cultivars, mixtures and ranges. The fantastic service compliments the seed – it’s the whole package.”

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A Mezmerising pitch thanks to Mansfield Sand

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A Mezmerising pitch thanks to Mansfield Sand: Mansfield Town FC Head Groundsman Michael Merriman, known to most in the industry as Mez, has revealed how products from Mansfield Sand have signalled a ‘massive improvement’ to the pitch at the One Call Stadium.

Mez might be a Liverpool fan but there is no team closer to his heart than Mansfield Town FC after working at the club for an incredible 24 years. It all started after seeing a job advert for the role of a trainee community football coach for Mansfield Town. From there he moved into the role of an assistant groundsman but also adopted the duties of kitman and a self-proclaimed ‘bath filler’. His hard work and dedication to the club paid off in 2004 when he was promoted to the role of Head Groundsman.

A Mezmerising pitch thanks to Mansfield Sand

A Mezmerising pitch thanks to Mansfield Sand

He now oversees the stadium and the training ground and manages a grounds team which is very much a family affair – his two assistants are his son Scott and Lewis Sprigg – who is the son of previous Head Groundsman Rob Sprigg.

It’s safe to say that Mez has become a part of the club’s fabric who has endured and enjoyed both difficult and prosperous times in the club’s recent history. It was perhaps during the more difficult times that he was particularly grateful of the help he received from Mansfield Sand.

“We’ve been working with Mansfield Sand for the entire time I have been at the club,” he said. “Before the new chairman came in, we had some hard times when we didn’t have any money and Mansfield Sand really showed their support for us. It is things like that which will never be forgotten, and I’d like to say a huge thank you.”

Support aside, there is a reason why the club has been relying on products from Mansfield Sand for so long, and Mez explained how they have been just so beneficial.

“We’ve been using MM40 (predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces) for as long as I have been here,” he said. “We used to use it every year during the May renovation and even when we weren’t able to turn the pitch over due to lack of funding, we would still put about 50 tonnes of the MM40 over the top, followed by a verti-drain to get a bit of drainage in the pitch.

“We’ll also very often follow up with a light coating of the MM40 in October – just to get us through winter; and I would say that over the past couple of years we have applied about 200 tonnes, if not more, of MM40 at the training ground.”

In 2017, Mez used a pure sand and polypropylene fibre reinforcement product that is particularly advantageous when grass cover has been reduced due to heavy usage and wear during the winter period. It is incorporated into an upper sand soil rootzone and consolidated to provide a stable divot-free environment.

A Mezmerising pitch thanks to Mansfield Sand

A Mezmerising pitch thanks to Mansfield Sand

“We applied 300 tonnes of the Fibresand mixed to a depth of 100mm and it transformed the way the pitch played,” he said. “It has signalled a massive improvement; we no longer get the sloppy surface and providing you do your renovations and prepare your pitch in the correct way then you won’t have a better surface. Fibresand is a great product, and I would recommend it to everybody.”

In further praise of Mansfield Sand, Mez commended the customer service he receives.

“I work with Sharon Morris from Mansfield Sand who is an absolute diamond,” he said.

“There have often been times when I have put orders on her late and she always pulls it out the bag for me. With Mansfield Sand it is not just a case of providing you with products and then off they go. Sharon will come in and take samples, makes sure it is at the right depth and ensure that the contractors applying it are doing a good job. The delivery drivers are also extremely helpful and courteous.

“It is a great service all round.”

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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A pond fit for a Royal

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A pond fit for a Royal: Robert Patterson, Course Manager at the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, has explained how a Kasco decorative fountain has improved the health of the water and brought a certain elegance to a picturesque pond on the course.

Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is the sixth oldest golf club in the world. For the first thirty-five years of its existence the club was known as The Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, and it was these very golfers that first introduced the five-minute limit rule on searching for golf balls.

A pond fit for a Royal

A pond fit for a Royal

Fast forward to 2021 and Royal Aberdeen is now regarded as not just one of the best golf courses in Scotland but also the world. It has hosted many professional tournaments including the Scottish Open & the Walker Cup and it boasts two links courses (Balgownie & Silverburn) which run alongside the North Sea offering spectacular views. Furthermore, it is renowned for having the ‘finest front 9 in golf.’

Robert admits that he sometimes has to pinch himself: “Being able to work outside and to look after one of the best courses in the world is incredible. I feel extremely fortunate,” he said.

A greenkeeper for his whole career, Robert joined from Royal Dornoch Golf Club and has been the Course Manager at Royal Aberdeen for 24 years. He now oversees a team of 11 who work hard to maintain the stunning 36 holes.

Always striving for perfection, no stone is ever left unturned, and this was certainly the case when he decided to explore the possibility of aerating a pond in a prominent position on the course.

“The pond is mainly used for irrigation water, but we also draw water out for human consumption,” he said. “There was nothing wrong with the water but in summer, with the sun beating down, there is always a risk of it going stagnant. I also felt that the water could, in the hotter weather, look a little bit discoloured at times.”

To avoid any such problems, Robert identified the Kasco J Series Decorative Fountains as the solution. Ranging from ¾ HP to 7.5 HP, there is a Kasco J Series Fountain perfect for any size pond or lake. The corrosion and clog resistant technology offer reliability that is unparalleled by any other outdoor fountain brand. All J Series Fountains come with multiple nozzles that deliver classy, elegant spray patterns.

In addition to enhancing the class and elegance of your pond or lake these fountains will improve the health of your water with increased oxygen transfer. Kasco’s outdoor fountains are designed and built to deliver reliable and efficient performance, meaning lower long-term operating costs.

The Kasco Fountain was supplied and installed by Turf Irrigation Services, and Robert hasn’t looked back since.

“We also have a lot of fish in the pond and probably about a dozen carp,” he said. “The idea behind the Kasco Fountain was to push more oxygen into the water – just to make it a bit healthier. It is good for the turf as well because we are putting on water which is of a better quality.

“It is in a prominent position, so it is nice to see the fountain when you are playing golf – the members have also commented on it being a nice feature.

“I’ve never had any problems whatsoever with the Kasco Fountain,” continued Robert. “It is doing exactly what we wanted it to do, and I simply cannot ask for more than that.”

Kasco products are distributed in the UK by KAR UK.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com.

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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A first from Ariens

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A first from Ariens: Ariens has introduced the APEX 48 RD rear discharge, petrol zero-turn mower, designed specifically for the European and UK markets. Manufacturing the APEX 48 RD with rear discharge deck shows the company’s firm commitment to their European presence, says Ariens. They will build the new model in their Oxfordshire factory.   

A rear discharge zero-turn offers the professional operator significant benefits, especially for council, local authority and amenity work. There is less risk of objects being ejected from the side and hitting pedestrians or causing damage to cars and property, which may incur compensation. The operator can also trim on either side of the deck without the need to change direction in order to avoid discharging grass cuttings on the road, pavement or flower beds. Containing the clippings behind the wheels and dropping them in the zero-turn’s path saves time and cleaning up.

A first from Ariens

A first from Ariens

The APEX 48 RD boasts the same class-leading specifications as Ariens APEX 48, but with the 122cm (48”) rear discharge deck which is fully fabricated, 10-gauge, and offers superior airflow with exceptional cutting performance. The deck lift system is foot-operated, and a spring-assisted lift allows you to adjust effortlessly between 15 cutting positions. The industry-leading solid and fully welded frame supports the overall design and an optional ROPS (Rollover Protection System) can be fitted to order. Large tyres, 55.9cm (22”) rear and 33cm (13”) front, provide solid traction and a comfortable ride. All-day comfort is also emphasised with the high-back plush seat and padded armrests. Power comes from a Kawasaki FR691 V-Twin engine and a self-adjusting belt drive minimises wear and tear with little to no maintenance required.

The APEX 48 RD comes with a 4-year or 500 hours warranty and a range of other optional accessories is available. For further information on the APEX 48 RD, contact your dealer or visit ariens-uk.com

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A Track Set for Records

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A Track Set for Records: The Tokyo Olympics 2020 is at last upon us, the delay as a result of Covid-19. While the world’s best athletes had extra time to prepare, did you ever stop to wonder about the preparation that went into the track to guarantee all athletes a safe and fair opportunity to break records?

Sports Labs was the entrusted independent testing institute responsible for the in-situ performance testing of the track at the National Stadium in Tokyo and this article will give insight into what was required.

A Track Set for Records

A Track Set for Records

The purpose of testing is simple – to certify the venue is safe for all athletes and the surface will provide the ideal platform for athletes to excel. The focus was on the surface which needed to be designed and installed to support the athlete over short and long distances.

World Athletics has a quality program to protect the integrity of records and to ensure they will be ratified only if the track conforms to a stringent series of safety and performance tests.

The Tokyo track is the National Stadium and it is registered as a Class 1 venue, one that has been both in-situ performance tested as a surface and also had a dimensional survey carried out to verify the slope, distances, and ancillary infrastructure are adequate.

There are two types of certifications for tracks.

Class 2: A dimensional conformance survey used to prove the accuracy of the line-markings for position and distance.

Class 1: A measurement conformance survey to prove the accuracy of the line-markings for position and distance and testing of the running surface, as laid, to prove compliance with the performance requirements.

For an international competition or meets such as the Olympics, Rule 140 recommends Class 1 certification. It means the product used must be registered and certified as well as the facility after installation.

But before ground is broken or a track is laid, the process requires a manufacturer to have the track product laboratory tested. These include tests at varying temperatures to ensure the product shows compliance in different climates.

The Italian manufacturer and installer, Mondo S.p.A., installed the MONDOTRACK WS-TY at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The responsibility for Sports Labs was to certify the performance testing of the surface, which looked for the following:

Visual Imperfections
Ensuring a facility has no defects such as delamination, uncured areas, or irregularities. This is important for athlete safety but also important when televised in high definition for elite competitions.

Slip Resistance (≥47 Wet)
A measurement of underfoot friction, a very important part of an athlete’s performance and foot/surface interaction during Gait. The surface texture plays a key part in providing the underfoot friction in dry or wet conditions.

Total and Absolute Thickness Depth
With more than 200 total thickness measurements taken at the venue to check the areas of minimum, maximum, and deliberately thickened areas, this tends to be more consistent in prefabricated products. Absolute thickness is also measured in the laboratory from extracted site samples and is a measurement considering 50% of the texture.

Force Reduction (35-50%)
This is a measurement of how hard a surface is compared to calibrated concrete. It is also referred to as Shock Absorption. Using the Berlin Athlete, it can’t be too hard or too soft, Most importantly, it must be consistent.

Vertical Deformation (0.6 – 2.5mm)
This is a measurement that also uses the Berlin Athlete. It utilises linear vertical displacement transducers to ascertain how much the surface deforms under impact.

Evenness (6mm/3mm)
Evenness is measured with a calibrated 4m straight edge to ensure a track has no surface deviations greater than 6mm in both the longitudinal and lateral direction. This test is focused on user safety to remove the risk of undulations and tripping hazards. A 1m straight edge is also used with a tolerance of 3mm.

Tensile Strength & Elongation
This test is to ensure the polymer, binder and all components are set and cure adequately. It is important to protect the life expectancy of the track and the tolerances vary for product type porous (≥0.40MPa/40%) or non-porous. (≥0.50MPa/40%). Samples are extracted from the site and tested in a Sports Labs laboratory.

Drainage
No surface water should be above the texture of the track after 20 minutes of free draining.

Conditions for New Records

Every athlete has their surface preference, but a track that is consistent in depth, shock absorption, and underfoot friction is ideal. Elite athletes commonly lean toward a track that has high energy restitution and sits closer to the minimum tolerance for Shock Absorption and Vertical Deformation.

Future Innovation

User feedback and athlete perception is becoming more important to manufacturers. Technologies that work to categorise feedback are becoming more widely available, including athlete feedback apps, built-in track sensor technology, and wearable technologies that collect multiple streams of data. Developments may come from test methods like the inclusion of Energy Restitution or refined tolerances on existing tests. This might be needed as innovation, manufacturing, and installation techniques drive forward.

The world is watching the Olympics and the remarkable stories of success coming out of Tokyo. Sports Labs is humbled and honoured to play a role in this historic event.

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