Top Speakers Talk Turf On Scotts/Syngenta Stand

Three top turf professionals from the world of football, tennis and golf shared their expertise with visitors at Saltex with a series of presentations on the Scotts/Syngenta stand.

	Pictured at Saltex are, centre, Darren Baldwin, of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, with, left, Scotts’ Nick Martin and Simon Elsworth, of Syngenta.

Darren Baldwin, head groundsman at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Eddie Seaward, of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, and Duncan Kelso, director and course manager at Kings Hill Golf Club, in Kent, gave fascinating talks about their own turf management routines, including how using key Scotts and Syngenta products has helped them to produce a consistently high standard of turf.

Darren Baldwin of ‘Spurs’ kicked things off with a discussion on pitch reconstruction and renovation at White Hart Lane. Darren, who has been using the turf growth regulator Primo MAXX on the pitch, commented: “I have used the product this season and it definitely improves turf density, which we have struggled to achieve in the past.

“The product’s ability to slow grass growth has considerably helped our match day preparations. At this time of year the grass can grow at least 5mm between a morning cut and the match, but with Primo MAXX we know that the pitch won’t grow significantly during the day. This means we can ensure the right length of grass for the players.”

Eddie Seaward delivered an interesting insight into tournament preparation on the courts at SW19 and the construction programme for putting the roof on at this famous venue.  Scotts’ products, including liquid and granular fertilizers, are currently used as part of the overall turf management programme at Wimbledon.

Kings Hill’s Duncan Kelso revealed how he manages his fescue greens and other areas of the course with Primo MAXX. Duncan was one of the first turf professionals to use the product in the UK when he participated in the initial trials. He has continued to use Primo MAXX on the course and is particularly pleased with how the product has helped on his predominantly fescue greens. “Our aim has been to improve turf density on the greens, reduce water and fertilizer input and limit the quantity of annual meadowgrass (Poa annua) in the sward,” explains Duncan.

“Primo MAXX has certainly enabled us to achieve all these goals. We have reduced the input required to keep the greens healthy – saving us money and time – the density is significantly improved and annual meadowgrass has not increased in the sward.”

Scotts’ Nick Martin commented: “All our speakers are passionate about turf care and it was fascinating to find out how they implement their own individual management regimes to achieve such high quality results.

“Saltex was a very good show for us. The presentations and our products generated a lot of interest from landscapers, local authorities, cricket and bowls clubs and we will certainly be returning again next year.”