The Motz Group Takes the Field in Australia

When the world's finest athletes gather this summer in Australia, they'll be stepping onto a unique synthetically enhanced natural turf playing surface developed by The Motz Group, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Contracts have been awarded to install The Motz Group’s stabilized natural turf playing surface, TS-II, at three of Australia’s host stadiums.

“The Motz Group and HG Turf were awarded the contracts because the clients and their consultants felt we were the only field contractor and turf provider that could meet the time restrictions and their uncompromising requirement for quality,” said Joe Motz, president of The Motz Group, Inc.

On 2 September 2000, they will remove 8,400m2 of the existing 20,000m2 MCG playing surface and install TS-II stabilized natural turf surface. Four days later the newly surfaced area must meet stringent FIFA standards.

The Motz Group’s unique turf design combines a tufted mat and natural grass to provide superior playability, toughness and transportability. The technology made its debut last January at Super Bowl XXXIII, in Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida. “Until the Super Bowl, this kind of approach to stabilizing grass fields had limited success. But the footing and aesthetics of Motz’s turf were phenomenal,” said Alan Sigwardt, director of grounds and engineering at Pro Player. Dr. John Lill, MCC general manager, witnessed the installation of the Super Bowl field and concluded that The Motz Group’s technology would be “entirely suitable” for the revered MCG soccer pitch in September 2000.

Dr. John Street, sports turf researcher at The Ohio State University, believes the key to the product’s success is the mat’s dual-component backing, made from both biodegradable and synthetic materials. “Because one of the primary backings is biodegradable, the mat presents no hindrance to root development and the turf grows vigorously into the soil. The upright fibers provide superior shear strength at the surface and protect the grass from heavy damage, allowing extended wear and rapid recuperation” said Street.

Street was impressed with how the Motz product performed this fall on Ohio State’s new varsity soccer field at the Jesse Owens Track-Soccer Complex. “After thirty-some events over a seven-week period, including some in heavy rains, the field is in excellent condition,” he added.

Larry Lee, VP football administration with the Detroit Lions, shares a similar story. “We’ve been very, very satisfied with the Motz product. We had it installed at both our permanent practice facility in Pontiac and our Saginaw summer training facility,” he said. “The Motz fields have held up extremely well through some very intense professional and collegiate practice periods.”

The turf for the Australian venues is already well established on sod farms in proximity to their respective destinations. HG Turf is responsible for managing and manicuring the swards through the ensuing months. Come September, Motz and HG will harvest and install the stabilized turf in 1m wide x 10m long strips, each weighing nearly 700kg. All in a matter of hours and for all the world to see.

For more information contact:
Mark A. Heinlein, Senior Vice President
The Motz GroupSM
Phone: 513.533.6452
Fax: 513.871.5889
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)