SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/82015
FieldScience | ByJerad Minnick European adventure: one intrepid turf manager's report on bold practices J ERAD MINNICK, sports turf manager for the Maryland Soccer Foundation, Boyds, MD, spend a few days last spring visiting some of his peers in Europe to see how they keep their pitches and other playing surfaces in good playing condition. He blogged daily on http://growinggreengrass.net and here we share his impressions: growth similar to what I am observing here. So the debate renews in my mind on the pros and cons of using ryegrass in our Wash- ington, DC climate. Following a gray leaf spot outbreak last August, I swore I would never use it again. But now after the cool, inconsis- tent spring here I am back to re-thinking that. One of the core times that we need to increase of soil borne pathogens in a native soil higher than a sand, especially a new sand on a new field? It seems the population would be differ- ent. On the "control" field we have each year where no fungicides are used, the soil biologi- cal activity is staggering. How different are the pressures? May 8 Wow what a fantastic day with one of the UK's finest gentleman, Mr. Simon Gumbrill. Starting at Wimbledon, progressing through horrendous London traffic to Emirates Sta- dium, off to the Arsenal Training Ground, and finishing with a pass through the Chun- nel to Calais, France and Gent, Belgium for the night. Tomorrow we are off to the Nether- lands near Eindhoven and the Koro by Imants factory for a demonstration day, then up to Amsterdam and Europort for the boat back to the eastern UK. Thank you to Simon, [and] to Mr. Richard Campey who I got the pleas- ure to see at Arsenal today, and thank you as well to Ms. Julia Campey. I could not have enjoyed the day more! Many thanks to head groundsman Mr. >> L TO R: Richard Campey, managing director, Campey Turf Care Systems, Minnick, Steve Braddock, head groundsman, Arsenal Training Ground, and Simon Gumbrill at Arsenal Training Ground. The main observation of Day 1 in London in GREEN! For weather that is in the 40's and 50's (F), the fact is all the grass (and flow- ering plants) are actively growing. Obviously I knew a trip to the UK would be filled with ryegrass, but observing it dramatically high- lights rye's ability to grow in cooler conditions than Kentucky bluegrass. The ryegrass, even in the common areas that is not even regularly maintained, is growing and green. Nearly every day of our "cool weather" during the month of April was warmer than even 1 day of the weather here in London. And just this past week did we begin to see sustained May 6 12 SportsTurf | September 2012 our play is in the cooler weather of Feb, March, Nov, and Dec and ryegrass is certainly an avenue to help. The questions created now revolve around Eddie Seaward for having me to Wimbledon today, as well as to Grant Cantin for taking time from his busy day to show us around. Preparing for the Championships and the Olympics, I can't imagine the stress they are under. rootzone in management of ryegrass. On a sand-based rootzone, the "moist" conditions that cause disease on ryegrass on our native soil fields are greatly reduced. And managing nitrogen and the use of basic chlorothalonil helps combat gray leaf spot. So, on a field that gets the most traffic from Feb- June and Sept- Dec. isn't overseeding ryegrass into the blue- grass stand a good idea? Another question: is the disease pressure different on sand v. native soil? Is the amount around to say hello, even with our being de- layed in traffic and his having prior commit- ments. What a class operation. No wonder he collected the award for Groundsman of the Year in the Premier League. Even with corpo- rate events taking place, the pitch is tight and gorgeous green. Thanks to Mr. Paul Ashcroft for sticking Groundsman at the Arsenal Training Ground. In the middle of renovations, Steve was very generous with his time to show us around and discuss the different ideas and successes they have through the challenges of such a large scale training ground. Steve's reputation of perfection is well deserved! The most amazing part of the day was the sheer kindness and hospitality that these And thanks to Mr. Steve Braddock, Head www.sportsturfonline.com