Seb Paynter, Jarrod McMullen and Matt Davey from Evergreen Turf at the Pakenham football oval yesterday. Despite concerns about its brown colour, experts say the playing surface is as good as ever.By Paul Dunlop
LOOKS can be deceiving.
That’s the word on the surface of the Pakenham football oval.
Amid concerns about its condition, people involved in the ground’s upkeep have moved to reassure residents that it is in tip top shape.
The dry brown colour and dull appearance of the grass playing surface has had some people asking questions about what has traditionally been regarded as one of the best grounds around.
Concerns have even been expressed by Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League officials, who believe the new look could detract from the spectacle of big games.
Speculation about the ground escalated further yesterday (Wednesday) when workers from Evergreen Turf were at the Toomuc Reserve to replace sections of the surface with new turf.
Pakenham Football Club president Scott Webster acknowledged the ground’s look had been a talking point.
But the message from the experts is don’t be fooled by appearances.
“The grass does look a bit dead but it is alive and kicking,” Mr Webster said.
“It’s only the colour of it. You talk to the players and they all love it.
“A few spectators and opposition players have made comments but once they have a closer look, they see the surface is perfect. In actual fact, it’s better than ever.”
The story behind the surface is that the grass species now in favour at the Toomuc Reserve oval is a summer variety couch grass that turns brown in colder weather.
As well as requiring less maintenance than the greener ryegrass cover, the new grass requires much less water and should prove a much more resilient and hardwearing surface than its predecessor.
Pakenham company Evergreen Turf assists the recreation reserve’s management committee in the maintenance of the ground.
General manager Dean Holden said the works at the ground this week were to replace highuse sections such as the goal squares and around the interchange boxes that had been ‘chewed out’.
Mr Holden acknowledged that people preferred to see green grass but was adamant its colour made no difference to the quality of the surface.
“The look of the grass has nothing to do with its condition,” Mr Holden said.
“Colour is certainly not everything.”
Mr Holden said the couch grass was dormant at this time of year and would begin to green up again in September.
He said many of Melbourne’s most prestigious golf courses were employing similar techniques.
Mr Holden, who is also the Lions’ chairman of selectors, said people’s concerns came down to the “ignorance factor”.
He said the benefits of the new approach would be increasingly apparent. In time, the Pakenham oval would be practically drought proof, he said.
“In the turf industry, we ignore colour and look at what is most practical and suitable,” Mr Holden said.
Mr Webster, who plays football for Pakenham, said the ground remained prized by local players and opposition alike.
“Once you step on it, there are no hassles at all. It’s great.”
