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Pitch Renovation At Reading FC

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Pitch Renovation At Reading FC: The Madejski Stadium has been home to Championship club Reading FC since its construction in 1999. With the playing surface having undergone significant wear and tear over recent seasons, especially given its dual function as the home ground for London Irish RFC, Reading commissioned a full reconstruction during the summer of 2017, in preparation for a renewed promotion challenge in the 2017/18 season.

The challenge

With the new Championship season just around the corner, Reading FC had just a five-week period to remove the existing pitch, replace both the lower and upper rootzones, and then relay the grass playing surface before completing the installation of the SISGRASS hybrid pitch system. All of the work needed to be undertaken and completed in time for Reading’s first home game of the season on 8 August.

Pitch Renovation At Reading FC

Given the pitch is used by both Reading FC and long-term tenants, London Irish RFC, the playing surface is not afforded the regular ‘off-weekends’ that other non-ground sharing clubs benefit from; while the stresses and strains of hosting regular rugby fixtures further test the durability of the pitch. As such, the club identified the need for a long-lasting hybrid solution which could withstand the intensity and variety of multi-sport use, without sacrificing the playability associated with a grass pitch.

The new pitch is a 95% natural and 5% synthetic fibre surface that is able to deliver longer playing hours with fast recovery times, making it ideal for the playing demands at Madejski Stadium.

With a view to starting work as quickly as possible, Reading FC appointed specialist sports surface contractors, M J Abbott Ltd. Given the tight timescales, and having worked together before on a series of projects, M J Abbott turned to Tarmac’s Topsport team to supply the drainage gravel, lower rootzone sand and upper rootzone for the project.

The solution

As the pitch playing surface was to be completely replaced, the first task was to remove the existing playing surface, followed by the rootzones and both the sub-pitch irrigation system and heating pipe system, ahead of the sand being delivered.

“Timing was absolutely critical to the success of this project,” said Richard Goddings, Technical Sales Manager – South, for Tarmac’s Topsport division. “Given the club’s first game of the season was at home, the deadlines were completely set in stone, with no room for error.

“Sourcing the large volume of high specification material required to undertake the work was the first challenge to overcome. We were able to source 3,000 tonnes of sand from our Sevenoaks quarry, which was no mean feat given the distance between Kent and Reading. As the pitch would retain its sub-surface pitch heating system, it was essential that the sand was laid quickly so that the irrigation and heating pipes could be re-installed ahead of the upper rootzone. Our team surpassed this brief by delivering the sand, to specification, two days ahead of schedule.”

Richard continues: “As soon as the sand was in, we were then able to deliver 1,800 tonnes of Topsport Kingsley rootzone, designed to meet strict horticultural and playing performance criteria, in less than a week. The rootzone was placed out on the Friday and laid by the Sunday. It was then levelled off, graded with a laser-guided bulldozer, and then seeded.

“The rootzone is a carefully balanced combination of high quality sand blended with organic materials, which encourages the free passage of air and water to facilitate strong and natural root growth. The 20 per cent organic content of the rootzone helps to improve moisture retention, leading to a higher quality playing surface which is noticeably softer than other hybrid systems, giving the feel of a true grass pitch. The improved percolation and water retention means that water can freely flow through the composition during wet weather, yet improves water retention in drier periods.

“To complete the installation, the hybrid element of the pitch was installed using patented technology to inject fibres into the playing surface. The artificial fibres ensure the pitch maintains consistency and stability by holding the rootzone together.

“We have a great relationship with M J Abbott who contacted us about the project, knowing that we could meet the tight timescales that were required.  Opting for a hybrid pitch with an 80:20 rootzone has resulted in a stronger and healthier playing surface which should withstand the inevitable wear and tear that comes with being the home ground for Reading FC and London Irish RFC.”

Nathan George, Contracts Manager at M J Abbott, comments: “The Topsport team’s efficient supply of high specification lower rootzone sand and upper rootzone was integral to this project’s success, given the looming championship season and physically demanding use of the pitch. The quality of the material supplied by Topsport meant there were no issues with stones or grit damaging our equipment when stitching in the fibres to create the SISGRASS playing surface. Thanks to our established working relationship, the project went smoothly and we were able to deliver a pitch, on time and to the Club’s satisfaction.”

For more information on Tarmac’s range of Topsport artificial sports surface solutions, please visit www.topsport.co.uk.

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Sam Green At BTME

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Sam Green At BTME: The Chief Operating Officer at Aqua-Aid, Sam Green, will be presenting ‘Thatch Reduction and Root Mass Development using WormPower’ as part of BIGGA’s renowned Continue to Learn at the upcoming BTME exhibition in Harrogate.

The presentation takes place on Wednesday 24th January from 16.00 to 16.45 and is free to all who are attending the exhibition. Sam will be focusing on the effect vermicompost and microbes have on thatch reduction and root development, as well as how to select the correct micro-organisms.

Sam Green At BTME

Sam is a graduate of Virginia Tech University with a Degree in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences and has 27-years experience in the turf industry. He has been on the superintendent side of the business most of his career and was most recently Golf Course Superintendent for Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, NC. Eagle Point was ranked in Golf Digest as a Top 100 course three consecutive times during his tenure.

He is now the Chief Operating Officer for Aqua Aid Incorporated, Aqua Aid is the parent company of Aqua Aid Wetting Agents, Verde Cal Calcium and Potassium products, WormPower Turf Extract, and the North American importer for Campey Imants equipment lineup.

WormPower has been a massive success in America and Sam has been an instrumental part of that, with his experience using the product greatly contributing to its growing use on golf courses across the USA.

A large part of using WormPower is understanding how it works, and the aim of the presentation is to focus on what the product is, the effects it has on the root zone and soil composition and what the results of using it are.

For anyone desiring to learn about WormPower before the seminar, information is available at www.aquaaid.eu and on the Aqua-Aid EU stand B37.

For more information on the range of products please visit the www.aquaaid.eu

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FTMI Volunteers At The Ryder Cup

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FTMI Volunteers At The Ryder Cup: Jacobsen and BIGGA have selected a group of Future Turf Manager Initiative (FTMI) graduates to assist the course maintenance team during the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France.

One delegate from each FTMI in the past five years has been selected to volunteer at the event, with one more person due to be chosen from the FTMI class of 2018.

FTMI Volunteers At The Ryder Cup

The chosen BIGGA members are:

  1. Leigh Powell, Windlesham Golf Club (FTMI Class of 2013)
  2. Peter Moore, The Wentworth Club (FTMI Class of 2014)
  3. Gavin Neill, St Andrews Links Trust (FTMI Class of 2015)
  4. Richard Johnstone, Nairn Dunbar Golf Links (FTMI Class of 2016)
  5. Adrian McCullough, JCB (FTMI Class of 2017)

Jacobsen and BIGGA have worked closely with Alejandro Reyes, Golf Courses and Estates Manager at Le Golf National, to provide this potentially career-defining opportunity for BIGGA members for the very first time.

Next year’s delegates were recently announced, and the 20 BIGGA members selected to take part will attend the three-day event at Jacobsen’s HQ in Ipswich from 6-8 March 2018.

Aimed at up and coming greenkeepers who want to make the leap to Course Manager, FTMI focuses on personal and professional development. The FTMI programme utilises the expertise of leading Course Managers, dynamic trainers and industry experts to mentor and educate the next generation of industry leaders.

In 2018, The Ryder Cup will be held in Continental Europe for only the second time in its history. Le Golf National will be hosting the biennial match on its spectacular L’Albatros course. Alejandro and his team of approximately thirty greenkeepers have completed extensive renovation work in the lead up to hosting the event. Renovation work has included a brand-new drainage system capable of draining 90mm of surface water within three hours on all playable surfaces, fibre optics have been installed for on-course connectivity and many holes have been completely renovated.

During the Ryder Cup, which takes place between 28-30 September 2018, 180 members of staff, including 140 volunteers, will be manicuring the golf course to ensure that the playing surfaces are in pristine condition for the duration of the matches.

Situated around 20 miles south west of Paris, the spectacular course is one of the best in the world for spectators and is consistently ranked in Europe’s top ten courses. Le Golf National has hosted the French Open every year, except for two years, since 1991.

Commenting on the unique volunteering opportunity, Director of International Golf Sales at Textron Golf, Andre Andrade, said: “We feel privileged to be able to offer FTMI delegates the experience of volunteering at the Ryder Cup. It is a huge event, and one I am sure they will remember for the rest of their lives. This opportunity is testament to the close working relationship that Jacobsen has with Le Golf National, and we thank the team there for allowing us to make this happen. Jacobsen is very proud to be an official supplier to the 2018 Ryder Cup, and we look forward to taking the lucky FTMI delegates with us to France next year.”

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “It may only be six years old, but FTMI has already proven to be an incredible success, with many of the programme’s graduates going on to secure management roles, and the association is extremely grateful to Textron Golf for their continued investment in BIGGA members.

“I’d also like to thank Alejandro Reyes for enabling this incredible opportunity for six FTMI graduates. The 2018 Ryder Cup is sure to once again be a passionate, hard-fought competition, and with an estimated 500 million viewers worldwide in 2016, the course will no doubt be under closer scrutiny than any other in history. I wish Alejandro the greatest success, and I hope that our guys are able to help the home team achieve their goals in whatever way they can.”

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Dennis & SISIS At STMA

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Dennis & SISIS At STMA: Dennis and SISIS are heading to Fort Worth, Texas, to showcase a range of industry leading turf maintenance equipment at Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Conference and Exhibition on 16-19 January 2018.

As the Dennis and SISIS brands continue to gain widespread recognition in the USA, the annual STMA Conference & Exhibition is fast becoming a firm date in the diary for the British manufacturers.

Dennis & SISIS At STMA

In an impressive line-up, Dennis will be showcasing its G860 dedicated cylinder mower, complete with a range of interchangeable cassettes and visitors will get the opportunity to find out more about the newly launched Spring Tine Rake cassette. Operators already have a plethora of options through the G860’s interchangeable cassette system, which includes scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, slitters and six or eight bladed cutting cylinders; and the Spring Tine Rake will provide them with even more versatility.

This new cassette contains 42 springs with 12mm spacings that can be used for the removal of dead turf matter, cleaning the surface and helping to stand grasses up. As with all of the cassettes, they can be changed easily with no tools.

Visitors to the Dennis and SISIS stand will be pleased to see the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid 1500 tractor mounted vertical action aerator, which recently gained rave reviews from the STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute). This popular machine injects air directly into the root zone speeding up the aeration process, moving air uniformly throughout the root zone for complete aeration and not just where the tines have penetrated the surface. Those operating the Javelin Aer-Aid have the flexibility to alternate tines for other operations such as hollow coring prior to top dressing. Other benefits include a fast forward speed for excellent productivity, minimal maintenance and a smooth and quiet operation.

From natural turf to synthetic, there will be solutions for all at STMA. Take the SISIS Brush-Pro for example. This ride-on brushing system comprises of a pair of mid mounted oscillating units and three rear mounted brush units that that have been specifically designed for maintaining synthetic surfaces. The Brush-pro offers maximum manoeuvrability and operator comfort with features such as an electric start, hydrostatic drive for forward/reverse and its brush combinations – oscillating for thorough periodic work and rear mounted brushes for routine frequent work which cause less compaction than conventional drag brushes.

Also featuring prominently on the stand will be the SISIS SSS1000 – a tractor mounted sweeper which can be pulled by any machine. There are no tools required for the adjustment of the brush or the angle of the draw bar and to make storage easy the draw bar lifts to an upright position. With an aluminium hopper with stainless steel mesh, any infill that is collected when using the machine is returned back down to the surface leaving it free from contamination of debris.

For the versatility of carrying out tasks on both turf and hard porous surfaces then the Singleplay implement mounted frame may well be of interest. This single pass maintenance system accepts a variety of implements such as the 1.8m Flexicomb and the 1.8m Straight Brush – both of which will be on show at STMA.

Designed primarily for use on synthetic surfaces, the Flexicomb ensures even distribution of infill materials and lifts the pile. The adjustable setting ensures the effect of a rake, but with the softness of a brush. For perfect results, the Straight Brush can be used to provide a nice level finish following the hard work of the Flexicomb.

A number of experienced turf experts from Dennis and SISIS will be on hand at the exhibition to speak in more detail about the products.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com

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Sherriff Amenity At BTME

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Sherriff Amenity At BTME: Sherriff Amenity will be launching the unique InterMix Tank on stand B34 at BTME in January. Visitors will also be able to see a wide range of market leading products designed to help greenkeepers and course managers maintain their courses to the highest possible standard.

InterMix Tank enables the user to mix a variety of products in order to meet a wide range of nutrient requirements. This unique 1200 litre capacity tank is fitted with a high quality Honda GX engine and centrifugal high output pump which ensures rapid and thorough mixing.

Sherriff Amenity At BTME

The spray solution can then be transferred into the application sprayer using the 5 metre transfer hose which is fitted with a petrol pump type dispensing valve – enabling a much reduced spraying time when spraying large areas through a reduction in the refilling of the spray tank. To support the launch at BTME an extensive range of InterMix product options will be available.

The exhibition is also an ideal opportunity to find out exactly why Sherriff’s renowned Marathon fertiliser range should be incorporated into any maintenance plan. This impressive portfolio features a wide range of organic based controlled release fertilisers suitable for a number of amenity requirements.

With five existing products in the Marathon Sport range – Autumn, Pre-Seed, Spring, Summer and Lawn Mini Pack, and four products in the Marathon Golf range – TCR, Spring, Summer, and Autumn – there is a solution for every requirement.

Other fertilisers featuring on the stand are; Marathon Horti K – a patented blend of mineral and organic fertilisers for shrubs, hanging baskets, bedding and potted plants; VitalBase – a granular, organic soil improver that stimulates microbial activity and reduces thatch; Ferromel 20 – a water soluble formulation of iron sulphate that improves greens performance by managing water availability; and Marathon Allround – a versatile long release fertiliser for use on all outfield areas that provides a reliable growth response with good colour for up to 3 months.

The Sherriff Amenity team will also be joined by Terra Firma (Agrovista’s latest Scottish acquisition) and Irish based Oilean Glas Teo – manufacturers of the SeaVolution range, Rapid Root and Amino Turf, all of which are distributed in the UK by Sherriff.

SeaVolution is a range of liquids and granules manufactured from unique, cold process seaweed extract from fresh, hand-picked Ascophyllum nodosum which is collected from the sheltered bays and unpolluted waters of the Atlantic Ocean. An efficient anti-stress bio-stimulant, Amino Turf contains the maximum concentration of free amino acids and is enhanced with nitrogen for faster and more efficient recovery of grass after abiotic stress.

For those looking to reduce environmental stresses and relieve high-wear areas then Rapid Root may well be the solution. This soil conditioner and root enhancer contains natural humic substances and amino acids and acts directly to stimulate soil microbial activity around roots and promotes improvement in water and nutrient uptake.

For further information, please contact Sherriff Amenity on 01638 721 888 or visit www.sherriffamenity.com

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