FIELD OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL SOCCER
2022 was very eventful for our club and crew . In January , new ownership took over Real Salt Lake , and with that takeover came hope . We hadn ’ t had a lot of hope the last few years with the old owner leaving under bad circumstances and new owners not coming in for two years . It was a tough time not knowing if we would have a job month to month , or if the team was going to leave . That being said , my crew here performed professionally and without complaint . The thing we take pride in the most is getting our work done and not having our general manager , president or the team worry about us . Our job of maintaining a safe , playable , beautiful field has never wavered in these tough times . All staff participate in the maintenance of the field — mowing , fertilizing , divot walks , spot watering , identifying issues and game prep . Players , coaches and staff ( not just from Real Salt Lake ) tell us that our field is the best in the league , and we get constant shout outs on social media from fans , players and commentators . The surface is consistent , safe , stable and provides a premium ball roll . We began incorporating Clegg testing , moisture meters and soil sensors into our daily maintenance procedures . This helped recognize what areas of the field need aeration and more / less water without having to aerate or water the entire field . Soil tests also play a big role in how we fertilize by showing us the exact nutrients we need for healthy soil and grass . I take a lot of pride in my work , and I expect a lot from the crew . They deserve this award because of the passion , professionalism and pride they show for this team and for their work . Everyone is working toward the same goal of making the team successful . The crew and I are driven to strive for perfection and explore new ideas and technology to constantly learn and adapt . After 11 seasons in Salt Lake , I can say that this has been one of the best fields we have ever put out .
— Dan Farnes , director of fields and grounds sportsfieldmanagementonline . com December 2023 | SportsField Management
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