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/96775
staff that needs to help get it right." He has put together a team of professionals who help him out in challenging situations. "I have developed a network of people and relationships who can come help me out. How good is the groundskeeper if his mower breaks down? I have known the guys I deal with for years, and they are dedicated to finding solutions for me. That's especially important when you have a new field." TURF TEAMWORK The turf at BBVA Compass Stadium is not yet a year old, so Griffin is always alert to new or developing problems. "Keeping bermudagrass healthy and green is a challenge. I focus on the strength of the rhizomes and root system to make sure it stays healthy." So far the shadows and sunlight are a daily challenge but one that the turf is meeting. "The benefit of bermudagrass is its strength," says Griffin. "But it's not always beautiful. How it performs is something we watch closely as well as how it looks, too." To help find the right type of treatments to keep his turf vibrant and healthy, Griffin part- www.stma.org ners with turf seed and chemical supplier WinField. Together they diagnose any turf problems quickly and remedy the situation before the turf is affected. Griffin has worked with WinField at all of his former venues. John Cabori, with WinField, is also watching this new turf closely. "While we have seed available, this project involved washed sod and the new TifGrand seed. This system was chosen by the Houston Dynamo because of typical stadium issues such as shade, and TifGrand has some strong advantages in these settings. As with any new variety, I have to be ready for any challenges that might pop up." To help ensure the field remains a bright shade of green, the kind soccer players and fans prefer, Griffin uses Mikropak, a crystalline micronutrient that is applied every 2 to 4 weeks to maintain color and vibrancy. Each application creates a wave of green on the field and enhances the beautiful but strong field that Griffin wants and needs for his players. Cabori adds, "We simply prepared ourselves for the unknown since it was such a new variety. We all learn something in these cases that ends up helping others who decide to use it down the line." "For instance, others will be watching and learning from Rodney since he is using a relatively new product, TifGrand," says Cabori. "While proven methods were used, some new methods may be needed to maintain the high quality and that's where Winfield comes into the picture. Rodney is like an experienced NASCAR driver, and I am like his crew chief. He communicates to me what he needs and I work to make sure he gets the best setup for the event." So far, the turf and the teamwork are paying off. "Any good groundskeeper knows his own field," Griffin says. "I see every square inch of the field and know that any big problem starts out with a small one, so I have a team who can come in and help me approach the small problems too." The field is performing well, in his estimation. And so is his team. "A lot can be learned from Rodney and his approach," Cabori says. "Keep it simple is Rodney's number one rule. Second is, understand it is a team effort. Rodney surrounds himself with people he can trust." For this first year field, turf and teamwork are the big payoff. ■ SportsTurf 21