these Open Championship Clubs choose to relief grind - Pitchcare

getting the MBE, without doubt. It has to
be at the top. Being appointed here at
Wimbledon was also another big moment
in my life, and that was in 1990. I was
appointed Head Groundsman Designate
which, incidentally, is what Neil is doing
now.
The MBE was a total surprise, just not
something I was expecting. I received the
letter, and it was my wife who recognised
that it was from the Prime Minister’s
office. I didn’t, it was a brown envelope
and I thought it was probably from the
Inland Revenue! It was a wonderful
feeling. On the day, the Queen presented
me with the medal, and she was
absolutely phenomenal. Obviously, there
are people reminding her of who I was,
but immediately she was asking me
questions about the job as if she knew
what it was all about. It was a very special
day, and one I will always remember.
It was also nice meeting so many other
people, in particular an elderly lady in
her seventies who had done a lot of
charity work. She was getting an MBE at
the same time and she was absolutely
incredible, a very bright spark.
Pitchcare - How has the sports turf
industry changed during your time at
Wimbledon?
Eddie - I think the industry has changed
an awful lot. It has changed from the
individual’s point of view, conditions are
a lot better now for staff, in general
terms. I think they get better paid and
better recognition, and deservedly so.
From the actual grounds point of view,
there have been impressive
developments in machinery and plant
breeding. I think everything has moved
forward; for example we are getting
plaudits for the major improvements in
Keynote
“I got very close to
walking out of the
industry because I was
very disillusioned with it.
Instead of getting
involved, I became
marginalised and
disillusioned, not thinking
that I could change it”
football pitches, they’re far better than
they used to be. The science has moved
forward. I remember when I first came to
Wimbledon, there was a lot of Poa on the
courts, but now there is very little. It is
not a criticism of those who worked here
before me, but it’s a fact that modern
techniques have helped us treat and
eradicate a lot of the Poa, and that has
made a big difference to the playing
facilities.
Pitchcare - What additional pressures are
put on your work by being in the media
spotlight?
Eddie - You have to be constantly on
guard. Even when you give talks to
groundsmen, you still don’t know who
may be there in the audience at the time,
so you’re very careful what you say and
how you say it.
I have to say, however, that I have a very
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