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Alabama Turf Times – Chad Lambert, Sur-Line Turf

When I was asked to write this article, I had some doubts as to my qualifications. I have been a contractor for over 30 years with no Ph.D. to give me the extra wealth of knowledge usually poured into such an article. However, I was asked to share my expertise, so here we go! I started working in the turfgrass industry not by accident, but by birth. My father, Louis “Skip” Lambert III, was a well-known agronomist, contractor and founder of Sur-Line Turf, Inc., in Northport, Alabama in 1991. Prior to this, Dad worked with Southern Turf Nurseries, and I can remember him talking about Prescription Athletic Turf (PAT) and Enka Turf Systems at an early age.

The PAT system had the ability to pump water into or out of the playing surface using pipes installed underneath the playing surface. The Orange Bowl in south Florida had this system installed due to the high rainfall they experience each year, especially during hurricanes. The University of Alabama’s Bryant Denny Stadium had its PAT system installed in 1991, and still has it in place. Enka Turf used synthetic mats to strengthen the playing surface and prevent cupping. Arkansas’ Razorback Stadium was recently renovated using a similar system.

These were high end athletic field systems installed in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s at some of the most high-profile turf venues across the United States. I got to walk some special places going to work with Dad as a young boy, (Citrus Bowl, Orange Bowl, Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, Houston Astrodome, numerous Southeastern Conference venues, Augusta National Golf Club, and many more). Dad retired in 2006 and I’ve carried on in his footsteps.

High Profile Athletic Fields

All the venues mentioned previously are high-profile for sure. So, what defines a high-profile athletic field? The definition of a high-profile facility is determined by the money available for construction and maintenance. Qualified athletic contractors use the same equipment and personnel to build everything from little league to professional fields. The true difference lies in site design, materials, and maintenance, all of which cost money.

Sites are extremely important to athletic fields. They vary greatly and affect cost exponentially. Generally, the higher profile complexes can effectively change the landscape to fit their needs. Often high-profile facilities are in urban areas, where space becomes a huge factor.

Design is also an all-important factor and can make or break the facility. Architects and designers are challenged to create the perfect stage or playing surface. At times this stage must be incorporated within a stadium that allows fans good access and is a fun place to observe sporting events. Players and staff also require adequate facilities, and all this must mesh with field efficiency. This design team often uses more than one professional, with at least one that specializes in design of the playing surface specifically. The sports field designer is the person in charge of designing a stage that will accommodate whatever sport is to be played under varying conditions provided by Mother Nature. The exception is closed stadiums, which present new challenges.

Types of Playing Surfaces

Possible materials used to build high-profile athletic facility playing surfaces are determined by the specific design or type of field. With that said, there are three basic types of playing surfaces no matter the sport being played.

• Natural Grass
• Synthetic Turf
• Hybrid Systems (combines both natural and synthetic turf)

All of them have a place in modern athletic facilities.

Natural Grass

Natural grass fields are still considered the standard by which every other type of playing surface is compared. High-profile natural grass playing surfaces are durable and provide excellent playability when properly constructed and maintained. These have some real selling points. First, natural grass is the only true ‘green’ system used today. It protects the environment: artificial turf can’t take in CO2 and give off O2. Second, natural grass is generally known to have fewer injuries and is unquestionably the coolest option on a sunny day. Synthetic turf is 40–70 degrees hotter than surrounding air temperatures on warm, sunny days.

Third, natural grass maintained properly sustains itself and recovers from damage. The key to this is often selecting the best variety of grass for the region and sport being played. Today, there are many options when selecting the best grass for your venue. The region of the country will often determine the species of grass that can be most effective. Next, the cultivar that best suits the site, timing and use of turf can further accentuate the quality of the playing surface. More recently, the number of grasses commercially available can be confusing, but generally sports turf managers will give their peers a true picture of what works best in their region. Additionally, the turfgrass manager, working with the designer, should contact local universities such as Auburn and speak with their turfgrass researchers for any information they can offer. To further improve the playability and use of natural turfgrass, soil profiles can be modified to improve infiltration, air and gas exchange and compaction. A majority of high-profile facilities use sand-based mediums with extensive drainage systems that can be used in all weather conditions. In truth, they are built much like a USGA putting green, modified to fit the need of sports turf. However, as good as natural grass may be, it does require regular and intensive maintenance with adequate sunlight and water. And let’s not forget that natural grass can wear quickly when overused. Turf managers, if possible, should rotate use at high profile turf venues for the optimum benefits, health and appearance of all natural turfgrass.

Synthetic Turf

The first large-scale synthetic turf (artificial turf) project was installed on a recreation field in Providence, Rhode Island in 1964. This first-generation synthetic turf was called “ChemGrass”, a name I’m sure wouldn’t be used today. “ChemGrass” was made from nylon and was very stiff and hard. This product was installed in the Astrodome in 1966 and that’s where the name “AstroTurf” originated. A second generation of synthetic turf, polypropylene, was introduced during the 1970’s and this material was softer and less abrasive than its first-generation predecessor. However, the second generation still did not exhibit the playing characteristics and actual ball behavior capabilities of natural grass. Today, we see the third generation of synthetic turf, polyethylene. It was made available during the mid-1990’s and provides even softer play due to the required infill of recycled rubber granules.

Synthetic turf does offer some strong points of its own. The biggest being its ability to resist wear and provide a consistent playing surface during all times and seasons. There are various turf colors to choose from for the playing surface, and field markings and logos can be added as permanent features. However, multiuse venues will sometimes add these field markings and logos for each event using temporary turf paint. For indoor use, an important benefit is synthetic turf doesn’t require sunlight. Typically, they are built with an aggregate subgrade with extensive drainage systems. The carpet, or turf, is then installed over the aggregate and attached at the seams and edges. The turf is then filled with infill to support the piles, or blades, to give it the appearance of grass. Generally, with normal maintenance, they are striped and ready to go when the team is ready. The disadvantages of synthetic turf include:

• Some evidence of increased injury
• Extremely hot on sunny days, being superheated to 120°F – 180°F (irrigation can be used to lower the temperature)
• Non-sustainable
• Requires regular maintenance such as cleaning, sanitizing, grooming and leveling of infill material, debris removal, temporary striping applied for different sports and physical damage repair to name a few
• Expensive to replace Synthetic turf is not maintenance free!

Hybrid Fields

Hybrid fields are an up-and-coming type of facility. The field includes both natural grass and synthetic turf. The primary advantage of this type of field is the use of synthetic turf in high-wear areas, where grass can become worn, thin, or non-existent. These fields often have the best of both turf types. The one unique disadvantage is the need for dual-maintenance. Artificial turf must be groomed, while grass must be mowed. Also, some type of turf planer must be used on the natural turf to maintain it at the same height as the synthetic turf.

The Key Factor

Building and maintaining high profile turf venues involves more than selecting the physical materials, or site appearance after construction. It has a human element that must be addressed. Therefore, the key factor in maintaining a high-profile turf venue requires building a first-class maintenance staff. This is critical after the expense of building any facility from park league to professional sports. Honestly, staffing with topnotch personnel is the true key to creating and sustaining a high-profile turf venue. They must stay on top of their game (pun intended) by keeping themselves informed with the latest information regarding all things turf related. Attending seminars such as those provided by the Alabama Turfgrass Association is critical to keeping staff educated and motivated at the level exemplified by the work they need to perform. Even the perfect high-profile turf venue will fail without regular, exacting care and attention to detail – that involves the human element.

Lastly, turf managers are challenged with the conflict between “show business” and protection of the site (turfgrass, specifically) coupled often with the unrealistic expectations of coaches, players and fans. They must walk the ever-moving line between administration, management, staff, budget and required daily maintenance. As most of us know, it’s not that easy to do. So, the next time you view a beautiful high profile turf venue, tip your hat at those making it happen.