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With this @GWR the @ESPNWWOS Maintenance team have achieved the “impossible” for natural grass fields - hosting 500+ training sessions across 14 fields & 51 between on 3 fields. The team is led by Tim Flowers, who is assisted by Tommy Evans & John Turnbull #TeamEffort #1stClass https://twitter.com/JeradRMinnick/status/1292886888941060097">https://twitter.com/JeradRMin...
While hosting each of the 26 @MLS teams at some point over the last 6 week, the @ESPNWWOS team has:
- Painted 70+ miles of white lines
- Some of those lines have required less “steps” because of @Turf_Tank
- Put down over 1,250 gals of mixed @pioneerathletic white paint #WOW
- Painted 70+ miles of white lines
- Some of those lines have required less “steps” because of @Turf_Tank
- Put down over 1,250 gals of mixed @pioneerathletic white paint #WOW
Latitude36 on the 3 matches fields have been “match prepped” down as low as .625” now 35 days in a row
- Totally 210 hours of mowing on @ToroGolf 3150 greens mowers
- Creating 100 cu yds of grass clippings that are composted for their rich nutrients – bei Field 17
- Totally 210 hours of mowing on @ToroGolf 3150 greens mowers
- Creating 100 cu yds of grass clippings that are composted for their rich nutrients – bei Field 17
With 8”+ of rain over the 35 day match period, over 15,000 “blasts” of air have gone into the soil from @Air2g2Official to decrease compaction, increase drainage, decrease soil CO2 & increase soil O2 #AirIsEverythingToAnythingThatLives #KeepItSimple – bei ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Also assisting w vertical drainage is subsoil decompaction from the 9” deep holes via @Redexim @RedeximTurfProd #VertiDrain #ImpactfulAeration – bei Field 16
But overall compaction, H20 & N mngmnt are fully data-guided on match fields
- 5,000+ points for soil H20 % & ec collected & GPS mapped w @POGOTurfPro
- 1,500+ points for shock absorption, energy rebound, & vertical deformation mapped w Advanced Artificial Athlete #NoGuessing – bei ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- 5,000+ points for soil H20 % & ec collected & GPS mapped w @POGOTurfPro
- 1,500+ points for shock absorption, energy rebound, & vertical deformation mapped w Advanced Artificial Athlete #NoGuessing – bei ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Compaction mngmnt has been vastly easier as well because of @DryJect @ProfileGolf @TurfaceC #FieldFairway into the top 5” of the high-use areas on the fields to reduce compaction potential & increase water infiltration #TreatHighUseAreasDifferently – bei ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Plant health, N reduction & compaction potential reduction also came from @earthworksturf #Renovate + #EcoLite & #MycoReplenish 3-3-3
Along w frequent, light sand topdressing to protect the crowns in hi-traffic areas + dilute thatch in low-traffic areas has also been impactful – bei Field 17
Along w frequent, light sand topdressing to protect the crowns in hi-traffic areas + dilute thatch in low-traffic areas has also been impactful – bei Field 17
Balancing regeneration for high-use areas v keeping growth controlled in low-use areas has certainly been the biggest overall challenge. @1ntelligentplay has been a incredible tool for tracking traffic in combo w #GPS mapping physical conditions. #NoGuessing – bei ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Balancing regeneration & controlling growth was made easier w controlled release fertilizer from @HarrellsLLC in combo w @NufarmUSTurf #Aneuw plant growth regulator #SlowNSteady
W that base, the data then guided spot specific apps from @FloratineFoliar @TrigonTurf for plant growth, health, & durability
- Floradox: antioxidants to reduce damage / encourage recovery
- High5: stimulates cell division in C4 grass
- FightsOn: Ksilicate to reinforce cell walls
- Floradox: antioxidants to reduce damage / encourage recovery
- High5: stimulates cell division in C4 grass
- FightsOn: Ksilicate to reinforce cell walls
This data-based, site-specific maintenance approach was utilized across 14 training fields that hosted over 500 sessions in 4 - 2.5 hour training session slots / day – bei ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
After the opening round of 37 matches in 16 days - w 15 matches on 1 field & 14 matches on another - for esthetics, the goal boxes were replaced w plastic grown, 1.5” thick sod from @precision_turf & installed by #QualityTurf #LayNPlay
So not always perfect - but always consistent - the data & these tools were vital for success. But ultimately it was the Rock Star @ESPNWWOS Field Maintenance team that made the previously impossible possible on natural grass #THANKYOU 
https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt="">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙌" title="Raising hands" aria-label="Emoji: Raising hands">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙏" title="Folded hands" aria-label="Emoji: Folded hands">
And #THANKYOU https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt=""> to the entire group of forward thinking, innovative, open minded @MLS Field Managers. ALL had an impact on & input in this historic maintenance operation. A unique collaboration that has set an entering new standard for #naturalgrass field surfaces #StrongerTogether
