Pitchcare’s 10th Anniversary Open Day

When Pitchcare was launched over ten years ago, few would have believed the rapid progress the company has made. What started out as a website for the sharing of information between groundsmen and greenkeepers has now become the major resource for the turfcare industry.

Together with our sister company, Amenity Land Solutions, and under the Maxwell Amenity (our holding company) umbrella, yesterday (5th July) we opened our doors in celebration of our 10th anniversary.

This was an opportunity for our members and customers to come and see our operation, meet the team and enjoy free seminars, competitions, games and refreshments.

In this truly dreadful summer, we were blessed with near perfect weather. In truth, this was a double edged sword as some of the folk that had registered stayed away to work on their surfaces; fully understandable in a period that has been wretched for summer sports groundsmen. Even so, 225 people attended, some from as far afield as Norwich, Hull and Milford Haven, the latter leaving at 5.30 in the morning to ensure they arrived on time!

The day began with the usual welcome coffee, tea and cakes in the tented marquee, allowing guests to acclimatise themselves before the start of the day's action packed activities.

Over the course of the day, all the training seminars were well attended, especially as they were being given advice from some of the industry's most experienced practitioners.

Even our Managing Director, Dave Saltman, was on hand to explain the intricacies of linemarking. Dean Gilasbey gave an in-depth introduction to nematodes, raising awareness of their affects on turf quality and reviewing management solutions to combat them.

Other training seminars included: Sprayer Calibration; Fertiliser Application; Wetting Agents and Carbohydrates Explained; Preparing a Cricket Wicket for Play; Mid-Summer Bowls Maintenance Advice; Setting up a Mower and Grinding Demonstration; and Identifying grasses and weeds in turf.

Frank Newberry was also on hand to offer careers advice in his own inimitable style, and he was kept busy all day.

Site tours were given by one of our directors, Bob Bolland, and included a look around our new trade store.

Fun and games were to be had with a nearest the pin competition which, for much of the day, was being led by the second attempt at just 14" from the hole. However, in the last hour, David Lane from Stourbridge Social Cricket Club hit his ball to just 6" away from the cup.

Pictures of winners - (left) Eddie Mills, and below (right) David Lane receiving his prize from Dave Saltman

The penalty shoot out competition was an opportunity to do some damage to our goalie, Laurence Gale. Needless to say, the staff were queuing up to have a go! However, we can confirm that the winner was Eddie Mills, Head Greenkeeper at Edgbaston Golf Club, and also that Laurence was still able to walk when he came in this morning!

All attendees who registered on the day were issued with a raffle ticket and offered the chance to win a pallet of products worth £1000 for their club or business. Dave Saltman was in charge of the draw and the lucky winners were Grosvenor Estates.

We plan to host more events in the future and hope to see you all soon. Thank you to all who helped make the day so special and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Attendees, don't forget to claim your £10 discount voucher and 25% discount on any of our sports turf training courses.