The first solid turfed TifTuf sports field in Australia.
The Redcliffe Dolphins are a 2nd Tier Rugby League team in the Queensland Cup competition, located in the northern bayside suburb of Brisbane.
The Dolphins required a full oval reconstruction and Lawn Solutions Australia member Twin View Turf (TVT) were initially contacted by ground manager Paynter Dixon to quote on the project. Twin View Turf had completed renovation works at the Redcliffe Leagues Club many times in the past and the club had requested them as a preferred supplier.
This was a full oval reconstruction by Twin View Turf and was handed back to the club last week after its maintenance period.
Why was TifTuf chosen?
The ground was originally specified as Wintergreen Couch as the club wanted the same turf type as the Sunshine Coast Stadium. But after Twin View Turf had showed them a sample of TifTuf and given them information about the significant advantages it had over Wintergreen, they started to reconsider. Malcom Caddies Ground Manager for Suncorp Stadium was also very interested in swapping over to TifTuf from Legend Couch at the time and this ultimately encouraged the Dolphins that TifTuf was the best option for them also.
Twin View Turf were awarded the job on the 5th October and works commenced in mid-November to install the very first TifTuf sports field in Australia.
Trent Hobson was project manager for the field construction and provided the following information on the works completed:
Preparation
- 2 total kill applications (Glyphosate Sprays) were completed in November to kill off all weeds and existing turf grasses that were on the field
- Then the top 50mm of thatch and soil was removed to help prevent grow back of existing turf grasses
- Next step was to rotary hoe the surface to a fine tilth and the existing soil was laser graded
- TVT then installed a drainage system than ran across the field at 3.5m spacing fence to fence
- Turf Irrigation Services installed a new irrigation system to the field after TVT’s drainage installation
- The field was levelled ready for the installation of TifTuf
Tif Tuf Installation
The washed TifTuf installation commenced the week of the 27th November, however it was disrupted by large rain events and wasn’t completed until the 6th of December.
Maintenance in preparation for handover
- Application of Pre-emergent herbicide plus starter fertiliser
- Approximately 7mm of topdressing, completed twice
- Follow up fertiliser application
- Mowing program with a cylinder mower
- Monitoring and adjustment of the irrigation system prior to handover
The Results
The independent consultant, Paynter Dixon representative and the club were all extremely happy with the overall job and were very happy that they decided to go with TifTuf.
The new surface will be given a thorough workout starting today and tomorrow when the 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championships are held at the ground.
Project Manager Trent Hobson is particularly excited saying he “Can’t wait to see this field in play after all the work that went into it. I think the dolphins and anyone else that plays here will be pumped with the quality of the field.”
TifTuf has a very fine leaf blade with dense growth, making it ideal for a wide variety of applications. Its density enables it to handle high wear situations like backyards and sports fields whilst its fine blade ensures shade tolerance and a very soft leaf to walk on.
For more information on TifTuf, check it out here
For turf suppliers in your area click here.
