3-in-1: Needle tine - Pitchcare

“Treading-in is part
of the show but it
would have a
greater effect if
they trod-in after
the game as well!”
the game as well.
To ensure the grounds are pitch
perfect for the next match, a treading-in
team of up to 30 moves in when the
crowd has gone home. The treaders-in
use about 1,500 tonnes a year of sandsoil
mix with seed to cover the divots
flung up during games. “This levels out
the field and eases play for the ponies,”
says Jonathan, “while an additional 5,000
tonnes of topdress sand is applied to the
fields each year also.”
Work on the polo fields is a year-round
operation, with spring seeing the first
application of fertiliser. Spread on to all
of Cowdray Park’s polo grounds are 60-
70kg of nitrogen per hectare, per
annum, Jonathan explains. “By using
exactly the right amount of fertiliser, we
avoid excessive growth, but the turf
doesn’t struggle. Reducing excessive
growth saves time, as it in turn reduces
14 www.pitchcare.com/re
the need for sweeping after cutting the
grass.”
“We are cutting so little off, that there
is no need to sweep, and the grounds are
ready for action almost all the time, or
can be ready with just a few hours
notice,” he adds. It is in spring that the
turf receives its first summer cut - to a
depth of ¾ inch.
As Jonathan speaks, the hum of a
tractor on a distant polo ground prompts
him to remind me that deep core
aerating is a year-round activity at
Cowdray - a process crucial in
‘decompacting’ the earth compressed
under the horses’ hooves during play.
The grass itself is cut every other day,
trod in after every game, and irrigated as
required. The right level of irrigation is
key to maintaining a polo ground worthy
of the best players in the world.
For Jonathan, a safe pitch must neither
be too soft, nor too hard. All the grounds
at Cowdray differ in their drainage level,
he explains. “As a rule, however, we
would irrigate at a rate of 15ml over the
entire pitch, two to three days before a
game, over 12 hours, using around
250,000l of water. That’s assuming it
doesn't rain of course.”
How and when to irrigate the grounds
is determined though by Jonathan’s daily
pitch inspections. Then there are
meetings with grounds staff, scheduling
and final decisions to be taken on what
grounds to use for what games, with five
of the pitches designated ‘high goal’ on
account of their greater consistency,
visibility and public facilities (high goal
games typically attract larger crowds).
However, the preparation for each
ground is similar, no matter who is
playing or the importance of the game,
he stresses. “The pitch is always prepared
David Jenkins Turfcare Equipment Ltd The choice of champions
SR54: 3-in-1: Needle tine - Micro tine - Deep tine
FAST! INTENSIVE! DEEP!
We believe that the SR54 is the most versatile greens
aerator on the market. It is fast and will stay ahead of
play while it is taking care of three of your major aeration
jobs. Needle tining with 32 x 8mm tines across the
width of the machine; micro tining, again using 32 or
18 x 12mm hollow tines, and deep tining, using 18 or
12 x 12mm solid tines 250mm long. To demonstrate this
versatility, we are making a special autumn offer for the
whole machine complete with a full set of tines for
£11500 plus VAT.
We try to help greenkeepers stay ahead
of the game.
� Minimum hp requirement: only 20hp.
� Fast: stay ahead of play.
� Intensive hole pattern ensures air and water
penetrate deep down to the grass roots.
� Makes maximum use of irrigation - saving money.
We invite you to fill out the form on the reverse
to obtain more information about this offer.
Chiddingfold Road, Dunsfold, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4PB, England
Tel: 44 (0) 1483 200976 Fax: 44 (0) 1483 200983 Email: sales@djturfcare.co.uk Mobile: 44 (0) 7785 352572
37