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Turf Spotlight
Turf Spotlight brings you in-depth features exclusive to Turf Matters, which focus on various aspects of this great industry. Published both online and offline, Turf Spotlight features are a must read for anyone whose passion is turf.
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Will It Be Sparks That Make The Clippings Fly?
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onWill It Be Sparks That Make The Clippings Fly?: James de Havilland gives his thoughts on the advance of the electric or hybrid mower revolution. Although detractors continue to focus upon the perceived weakness of mowers employing electric, andvto a degree hybrid electric power, change is in the air. Battery technology has advanced, electric motors […]
Coming To Terms With Artificial Pitches
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onComing To Terms With Artificial Pitches: Eric O’Donnell, Managing Director of Sports Labs, adds insight into the recent highly publicised debate in Scotland regarding players’ reluctance to playing top league matches on artificial pitches. PFA Scotland released a press statement regarding the state of pitches in the Scottish football Leagues with the headline statement requesting […]
Scott MacCallum Chats To Ben Hastie
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onScott MacCallum Chats To Ben Hastie: Scott MacCallum caught up with Ben Hastie, the man with the toughest job in turf maintenance as he prepared for… There is some debate about which sporting turf suffers the greatest damage when hosting the particular event for which it has been so lovingly prepared. Rugby Union has a […]
Five Years On Yet Still, Turf Matters
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onFive Years On Yet Still, Turf Matters: This issue of Turf Matters marks our fifth full year in production and the time seems to have just flown by. We first appeared in January 2014 with a major look at St George’s Park. I will forever be indebted to Alan Ferguson for opening his doors to a […]
Greenkeepers’ Acclaim For Meeting Ryder Cup Challenge
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onGreenkeepers’ Acclaim For Meeting Ryder Cup Challenge: For years the greenkeepers have remained the ‘unsung heroes’ behind tournaments and big events. For sure this year’s Ryder Cup coverage was focused on the players and the matches, but there has been far wider acknowledgement of Le Golf National as perfect hosts, and unprecedented praise for the role […]
Hagg’s Castle’s Silver Lining
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onHagg’s Castle’s Silver Lining: It wasn’t the best day that Scott Ballantyne, Course Manager at Glasgow’s Hagg’s Castle Golf Club, had ever experienced, and the fact that it was just before Christmas merely compounded his misery, but there has been a glorious silver lining to that particular cloud. “It was the Friday before Christmas 2016 […]
An Update From Scott MacCallum
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onWe have just come from a tumultuous six weeks of sport – with the World Cup, Wimbledon and The Open Championship at Carnoustie and you know what – the fact that the groundsmen and greenkeepers didn’t create one headline between them makes my heart sing. When it comes to turf maintenance and the media – […]
Jacobsen Success in Oman
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onJacobsen, a Textron Golf brand, is making waves in Oman, with equipment being exclusively installed at three out of four golf clubs in Muscat, the capital. With less than 1000 registered golfers in the country, competition is fierce to attract golfers to any one course.
Good To Have David Back
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onGood To Have David Back: David Withers, who became one of this country’s most successful exports when he rose to the position of President and CEO with Jacobsen after 24 years with the company, has taken on the role of Managing Director of Iseki UK with the task of building a British arm for what […]
Get Ready
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onGet Ready: The Ryder Cup is looming. Turf Matters pitches some questions to key people in the run up to the big event. ALEJANDRO REYES Golf Courses and Estate Manager, Le Golf National What is the biggest compliment you have had about the venue? I don’t know if it is the biggest compliment, but I remember […]
The danger beneath our feet?
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onThe danger beneath our feet?: A number of media articles regarding possible health risks linked to artificial pitches have prompted Turf Matters to investigate further – and as Scott MacCallum suggests, we must avoid burying our heads in the rubber crumb. I’m going to tell you a very sad tale from my childhood so don’t […]
Park Life
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onPark Life: A report by the Heritage Lottery Fund, State of UK’s Public Parks, suggests that in the UK 34 million people visit a park regularly. To put this into context, more people visit one in a year than voted in the 2015 General Election. The Victorian philanthropists who had the vision to create the […]
Rugby Groundsmen Connected
This article was written by Laurence Gale in Turf Spotlight onRugby Groundsmen Connected: As a past player, coach and club groundsman, I am only too aware of the importance of having a decent surface to play on, Having said that, there are still many rugby clubs that for one reason or other fail to invest the appropriate time, resources and money in keeping their pitches in […]
A data-driven approach
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onA data-driven approach: How a decade of technological innovation has put groundsmen more in control than ever before… Groundsmanship today looks completely different than it did 10 to 15 years ago. The time of solely fieldwork has made place for a more data-driven approach. Technological advanced tools enable groundsmen and greenkeepers to both monitor and control […]
The Lakes
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onThe Lakes: Laurence Gale travelled to Australia and persuaded an ex-pat greenkeeper to write about his experiences greenkeeping on the other side of the world. A recent family trip to Sydney to see my daughter, afforded me the opportunity to visit some local sporting venues, I was particularly interested in visiting the Lakes GC, knowing that Simon […]
2018 World Cup in Russia
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight on2018 World Cup in Russia: Laurence Gale takes a look behind the scenes at the venue for the World Cup final to be held in Moscow in July. With the FIFA World Cup less than two months away, many of the stadium venues will be focusing on ensuring their playing surfaces are fit for purpose and […]
The Beast On The East
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onThe Beast On The East: Scott MacCallum takes his life in his hands and heads to Carnoustie ahead of this year’s Open Championship. Carnoustie has always been one of the iconic Open venues… IT IS revered within the game. For one thing it has a role of honour which contains the name Ben Hogan – the […]
Exploring The Lakes
This article was written by tm-admin in Turf Spotlight onExploring The Lakes: A recent family trip to Sydney to see my daughter, afforded me the opportunity to visit some local sporting venues, I was particularly interested in visiting the Lakes GC , knowing that Simon Blagg, a British Greenkeeper, was working there. After a few phone calls I managed to contact Simon who is now […]
Stars of The Big Top
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onStars of the big top: Laurence Gale pops into Edgbaston to see how marquees are providing additional preparation time for both grounds’ team and players. A recent visit to Warwickshire CCC enabled me the opportunity to catch up with Head Groundsman Gary Barwell, who now starts his seventh season at the club. He like the rest […]
Feel The Power
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onFeel the power: Laurence Gale takes a look at PowerGrass and chats with Graham Longdin, of Agripower, about its qualities Within the last five years we have seen a dramatic increase in the installation of synthetic turf stabilisation systems, mainly driven from the success of the tried and tested stitched systems now being used in many […]
Improving on a Masterpiece
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onImproving on a masterpiece: An opportunity you would not let slip through your fingers! Scott MacCallum took the chance to visit the Machrie, a golf course very close to his home and his heart but which is not quite so easy for others to reach. He also manages to complete an entire article about Islay without once […]
Shrewsbury Rugby Club
This article was written by Laurence Gale in Turf Spotlight onLaurence Gale enjoys a nostalgic trip back to Shrewsbury Rugby Club: Our personal sporting heritage in this country, nearly always starts from our introduction into sport during our schooling days and then more progressively by the good work done by hundreds, if not thousands, of community sports clubs. My own sporting career started in the […]
World Class, without resting on their laurels
This article was written by Laurence Gale in Turf Spotlight onWorld Class, without resting on their laurels Laurence Gale travels to Derby to see developments at Dennis and Sisis: It has been a couple of years since my last Dennis and SISIS factory visit and it’s always good to catch up to find out about any new developments and see what new products may be coming […]
Demain’s the name
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onDemain’s the name: When the name of the Professional Groundman of the Year was announced at the IOG Awards Dinner in November, there was one man in the huge function suite in the National Motor Cycle Museum, in Birmingham, not paying too much attention. Vic Demain, Head Groundsman at Durham County Cricket Club, in Chester-le-Street, was […]
Vision of the future
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onVision of the future: Laurence Gale finds out what’s behind Gloucester City Council’s successful PPS Initiative. As an ex-local authority manager, I fully understand many of issues councils are facing in the light of the Government’s tight rein on council budgets and, notably, understanding the frustrations of many practising Parks Managers who for many years […]
Say Goodbye To Standing Water With Apex Soil Solutions
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onSay goodbye to standing water with Apex Soil Solutions: There is always a conflict of interest when it comes to golf. Course Managers like to get as much air under their greens as possible, but golfers detest the disruption it causes to the surface. Apex Soil Solutions have been working in the industry to demonstrate the […]
Six Nations: How the grounds staff are preparing
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onSix Nations: How the grounds staff are preparing For many sports fans it is the most exciting time of the year. The NatWest Six Nations is a celebration of sport and while non-rugby fans can wonder at what on earth is going on – particularly at scrum time – for those in the know each […]
The World’s Best
This article was written by Laurence Gale in Turf Spotlight onThe World’s Best: Laurence Gale goes back to university to discover what has made Loughborough the world’s best university for sport Loughborough has been named the best sporting university in the world in the global QS higher education league table. It is actually the first time the annual QS World University Rankings by subject have included […]
Inside the Webb
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onInside the Webb: Scott MacCallum catches up with Geoff Webb, the IOG’s Chief Executive and the man who steered Saltex to its new Birmingham home. With two successful editions of the new NEC Birmingham-based Saltex under his belt you would think that Geoff Webb would be relaxed heading into the third version of the new Saltex. […]
Whatever The Customer Wants
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onWhatever the Customer Wants: That legendary American industrialist, Henry Ford, who brought automotive transportation to the masses, was famous for many things, among them one of the best known quotes of the 20th century. The Model T Ford was the car which gave the American public the ability to travel and Henry’s quote was: “A customer […]
Laurence Gale Makes A Return Visit To The STRI
This article was written by Laurence Gale in Turf Spotlight onResearch at its Best: Laurence Gale popped up to Yorkshire to make a return visit to the STRI It has been a few years since I last visited the STRI trials grounds, so it was pleasing and very rewarding to have the opportunity to attend one of the recent STRI Research open days last week and […]
Providing Consistent Conditions To The Best Show Jumping Arena In The World
This article was written by Turf Matters in Turf Spotlight onEdward Bunn is Facilities Manager at Hickstead, one of the most iconic show jumping arena in the world. Still a family-run business, Ed’s been tending to the showground since 1983. Having watched it grow from strength to strength, in 2011 he managed a £650k complete reconstruction of its international arena. Ed says: “We’d admired the […]
Transforming Greenock Morton FC
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onScott MacCallum catches up with Mark Farnell, Head Groundsman at Greenock Morton, a man used to making the most of what he has got. There is groundsmanship going on all around us at every time of day, or year, and at so many locations that it would render your Sat Nav hoarse should you set […]
Day Of The Tetraploid
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onDay Of The Tetraploid: Wonderful work is being carried out by Top Green which will take sports surfaces to another level. Scott MacCallum dug out his passport to find out more about what is going on. A message to all turf managers who find themselves battling with a poor quality sward, disease or pest infestation. There […]
A Legacy Bearing Fruit
This article was written by Scott MacCallum in Turf Spotlight onA Legacy Bearing Fruit – Scott MacCallum catches up with Greg Bolton as he works on transforming West Ham’s new stadium back into its original athletics’ arena guise. The word heard most frequently in relation to London’s iconic Olympic stadium was “Legacy”. it was perhaps the key single element in clinching the 2012 Olympics for […]
The Challenges of the UK’s Most Iconic Stadium
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onScott MacCallum meets up with Lee Evans, Head Groundsman at the Principality Stadium with the Champion’s League Final looming There can be no more iconic stadium in whole of the UK than the wonderful Principality, located slap bang in the centre of rugby mad Cardiff. As the National Stadium of Wales it plays host not […]
No Excuses Now!
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onScotland’s new Performance Centre gives the country’s sporting elite (and aspiring elite) the chance to maximise their potential There may not be any conclusive evidence so far when it comes to the round ball game, but it would not be too much of a stretch to attribute some of the improvement in Scotland’s oval ball […]
Working in a Winter Wonderland
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onIt’s a myth which needs exploding. Sports turf professionals do not hibernate in the winter. Nor do they spend their time playing darts or three card brag in the Mess Room. Sports turf professionals do an inordinate amount of work during the winter months, work which often makes the quality of the surfaces so much […]
GROUNDSMAN ON A MISSION
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onIn a Turf Matters exclusive, Leicester City FC grounds manager John Ledwidge, speaks openly about his iconic pitch designs, raising the profile of the industry and hits back against the criticism. In one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, Leicester City were crowned champions of the 2015/16 Premier League title. However it was […]
THE SWISS ARMY KNIVES OF STADIUMS
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onWe look at the development of the all-purpose, multi-use stadium, and how they have become part of the fabric of modern day society. The vast majority of stadiums in this country were built for football clubs to enable spectators to watch the country’s most popular game. The football calendar wasn’t quite so crowded in days […]
HOW TROON TOOK ON THE WEATHER
This article was written by Admin in Turf Spotlight onFollowing a spate of adverse weather conditions, Royal Troon is gearing up to host the world’s greatest golfing tournament… Wouldn’t we all love to have a superpower? What would be yours? Time travel? Invisibility? Superhuman strength? Ability to fly? For me, it would be the ability to get inside the head of all referees in […]