At Tonbridge School, known for its widely regarded sports facilities, Danny Stunt has embraced practical and effective solutions to manage its extensive grounds. With multiple sports pitches and surfaces to maintain, the challenges are significant.
Since becoming Head of Grounds three years ago, Danny has focused on streamlining processes, with products like Attraxor® proving invaluable in addressing key issues such as excessive grass growth and Poa annua.
Supplied by Agrovista Amenity, Attraxor® has not only transformed the way Danny and his team manage turf but has also come with valuable guidance from Andrew Norman, a Technical Manager at Agrovista Amenity. “Andrew has been a brilliant help from the start,” Danny says. “I like that he has previously been a head greenkeeper and straight away, we had common ground. He understands what I’m up against and has always been there to offer advice.”
Danny’s journey into the industry was guided by his grandfather, who he worked alongside at a local golf club. “My grandad brought out my passion for the profession at a young age – he taught me all about high standards,” Danny recalls. This passion evolved into a career which started with greenkeeping until accepting a role as a mechanic at Tonbridge School in Kent.
It was a role he credits for honing his understanding of machinery’s role in grounds care. “That experience as a mechanic has been invaluable and has helped me in becoming a better all-round grounds manager,” he says.
Managing the grounds at Tonbridge School is no small feat. When Danny first took over, excessive growth and frequent mowing were significant challenges. “The team were cutting every day—it was relentless,” he explains. "We were spending hours mowing and collecting clippings, particularly on the cricket outfields."
This all changed when Danny started using Attraxor®. The product, containing the active substance prohexadione, regulates turf growth by inhibiting the gibberellic acid pathway, reducing turf height and biomass while promoting root growth.
“With Attraxor®, I can spray it on a Friday, come back on Monday to cut, and there are virtually no clippings,” Danny says. “In the past, especially in spring after fertiliser applications, it was crazy trying to pick up all the clippings. Attraxor® has saved us so much time.”
One of the standout benefits of Attraxor® for Danny has been its exceptional control of Poa annua, an invasive grass species notorious for its seed production and unsightly appearance. “The second-team cricket pitch was riddled with Poa,” he shares. “After applying Attraxor, it was the best it had ever been—both in terms of clippings and Poa control.”
Danny admits he was initially sceptical. However, its performance quickly won him over. “I’m normally quite sceptical about product claims, but I’ve never known anything like it. The Poa just disappeared,” he says. “A couple of years ago, the cricket outfields in April or May would be grey, full of Poa seedheads. Not anymore, and that’s thanks to Attraxor.”
For Danny, the benefits of using Attraxor® extend beyond aesthetics. The reduction in mowing has led to significant time savings, reduced labour demands, and decreased wear on machinery.
This change has also positively impacted the school’s sustainability efforts. “The school committee were pleased to hear we’ve reduced emissions by cutting down on the amount of mowing,” Danny says. “When you look at the cost-benefit analysis—fuel savings, less machinery maintenance - Attraxor® is a no-brainer.”
Danny plans to continue exploring how Attraxor® can further streamline operations at Tonbridge School. “I may increase the rates in the future to see if I can reduce mowing even more,” he says.
Reflecting on his experience, Danny emphasises the control Attraxor® has given his team. “We are now dictating to the grass - the grass isn’t dictating to us anymore,” he says. “Gone are the days of running all over an outfield picking up clippings, much to the delight of the team.”
For Danny Stunt and Tonbridge School, Attraxor® has proven to be more than just a growth regulator - it’s a product that has delivered results while balancing efficiency and sustainability. With expert support from Agrovista Amenity and Andrew Norman’s understanding of the challenges faced by grounds managers, Danny has found a solution that works seamlessly for his team and the school’s prestigious grounds.
For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity
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