The Going: The Cutting Edge of Turf Husbandry
For the final edition of The Going for #GroundsWeek The RCA’s Racecourse Services Manager Holly Cook recalls the popular Turf Management Seminar, a key learning and networking event for all racecourse grounds teams, plus wider support available to racecourses in delivering exquisite ground.
“I think much of the excitement around the Turf Management Seminar comes from tales of previous events—some more embellished than others!” explains Cook.
“The camaraderie amongst racecourse groundstaff is there for all to see and more than anything else we facilitate a space for the teams to come together. It is as much about people as it is about content.”
The content referred to is second-to-none and demonstrates that as well as a key social event in the calendar, the bi-annual Turf Management Seminar is a learning opportunity no to be missed. Speakers are invited to provide insight from the top of their profession whilst the venue for the seminar is specially selected as an inspirational backdrop to proceedings. Notable locations include the FA’s St George’s Park, The Belfry and the Forest of Arden Club.
Come rain or shine, grounds teams are eager to learn at the RCA Turf Management Seminar at the FA’s St George’s Park (image courtesy of the RCA)
“We curate the programme to give an overview of all aspects of turf husbandry, shine a light on innovations in the sector” states Cook. “We look inside the sport to allow our own teams to shine and, crucially, invite other sectors to join as we can learn so much away from racing.
“Working alongside racecourses, the RCA constantly looks to give opportunities for groundstaff to develop and learn. This seminar is a fantastic way for them to do that and the best thing that can be said in the feedback is ‘I will go back to my racecourse and try this’ after hearing it with us.”
But what of the tales from previous seminars which remain part of groundstaff folklore? “Of course, what happens at the Turf Management Seminar stays there” wryly smiles Cook. “I’d encourage anybody working on a racecourse to attend and join in the fun—you’ll make contacts for life and learn a substantial amount about what it takes to prepare a racing surface.”
In addition to the Seminar, the RCA hosts the annual Racecourse Groundstaff Awards to celebrate the best of the profession, reward those involved and share best practice.
The Groundstaff Champions York Racecourse celebrate at the 2019 Showcase & Awards (image courtesy of the RCA)
Dating back to 1996, the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards (formerly named in honour of Neil Wyatt, Jockey Club Senior Inspectorate of Courses) have given all types of racecourse the opportunity to be heralded for their racing surfaces plus individual awards for those that merit specific praise.
The Awards were incorporated into the RCA’s acclaimed Showcase & Awards in 2013 to combine all elements of raceday operation into one ceremony.
“The Awards recognise best practice in turf management and reward the performance and dedication of groundstaff teams” says Cook. “There are 3 categories: Flat, Jump and Dual Purpose, with each category crowning a winner and runner-up. The winners are subsequently put forward for Groundstaff Champion where we are able to offer a unique prize including a brilliant learning-opportunity plus a cash prize to be shared amongst the team. As you would expect, it is a highly competitive affair.”
“Racecourses have some fantastic groundstaff teams whose role in providing and maintaining a good quality, safe racing surface cannot be underestimated.
The Awards are just a small way of giving them their moment in the spotlight and campaigns such as #Groundsweek will go some way to showing our gratitude.
I cannot speak highly enough of the Racecourse Groundstaff teams and effort that they put into their work or the pride with which they do it.”
The Hall of Fame for the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards can be found here.
