As easy as 1-2-3 - Issue 123 - Editor's Foreword
The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that this is the 123rd issue of Pitchcare magazine. That number represents over twenty successful years of publication, and I am immensely proud to be part of its continued journey.
The path to the magazine you read today has been long, but our core objective has remained the same: to bring you a leading title packed with topical, informative and thought-provoking content. If you ever feel we fall short, or if you have ideas for future articles, I would genuinely welcome your constructive feedback.
This may sound a little philosophical, but an article from Phil Helmn in this issue (page 84) includes a line that resonated with me: “Success and failure aren’t opposites – they are companions on the same path.” It encouraged me to step back and reflect on the quality of the work we produce - something I believe we should all do from time to time if we want to improve and move forward.
I’m grateful for our small, dedicated and passionate media team, which has recently expanded to include Kellie Wake as our in-house Advertising Sales Manager. Many of you will already know Kellie, and her arrival represents another positive step as we continue to grow opportunities for 2026 - both digitally and in print.
Reflection is also happening elsewhere in the industry. The GMA recently reached out after reading an article in a previous issue that highlighted perhaps the biggest challenge currently facing grounds management: recruitment. CEO Geoff Webb shares what the GMA is doing to tackle the issue on page 34.
As we head into autumn and winter, turf management demands a very different approach from summer. Our cover article explores the science behind preparing grass for winter stress, featuring insights from industry experts on innovative products, proven practices and preventative strategies (page 8).
Also in this issue we feature an interesting read on why not all sand should be considered equal and the considerations that should be made when using it for rugby and football pitches (page 28) and our regular Top Tips on fusarium management (page 20), working through the challenges of turfcare (page 48) and much more...
Strong reflection leads to strong results - keep up the excellent work!
Kerry
t: 07973 394037
e: kerry.haywood@pitchcare.com