Nestled in the rolling hills of West Sussex, Cowdray Park Polo Club is an iconic institution in the world of polo. Known for its breath taking grounds and rich history, the Club owes much of its success to the meticulous work of its groundskeeping team. At the helm of this team is Anthony Lewis, a man whose passion and dedication to his craft ensure that Cowdray Park remains one of the finest polo venues in the world. In this exclusive interview, Anthony shares insights into his work, his team, and what it takes to keep the grounds in top condition year-round.
Anthony is one of the longest-standing employees at the estate, with an impressive 43 years under his belt, 23 of which he has dedicated to polo groundskeeping. As Groundsforeman he manages a small team of Groundskeepers, working day in and day out to prep, maintain and manage the fields to the highest of standards. Their daily tasks range from spreading sand and irrigating to cutting, line painting, and trimming. They really are the backbone of the club.
Becoming a groundskeeper
Originally starting in the Forestry department, Anthony was no stranger to a tractor. “I did everything from growing little trees to cutting them down, and routine maintenance,” he explains. When the opportunity arose to transition into groundskeeping for polo, it was a smooth shift, thanks to his plethora of transferable skills.
Evolution of Polo
Reflecting on his 23 years at the club, Anthony has witnessed a significant evolution in the sport; “Polo in general has got a lot busier, and faster, and overall, just much more demanding on the grounds with players wanting the best,” he notes. Adding to the challenge is the increasingly intense and unpredictable weather. “I would say the last two winters have been the hardest the Club has seen because it’s been so wet, preventing us from doing vital winter work.” Despite these obstacles, Anthony takes great pride in his work, particularly watching the world’s best players come together to compete on the high goal fields he has lovingly maintained. “It is an honour working on these two grounds – Lawns 1 and Lawns 2 – the best pitches in Europe. How many people can say they’ve done that in their lifetime?”
Life outside the tractor
During the winter months, Anthony and the groundskeeping team continue their hard work, “In Winter we carry out the long process of putting the pitches back to bed which involves scarifying, drilling, and reseeding, followed by Verti-drainage and cutting”. He also takes time to enjoy his personal pursuits of gardening and dog walking, as well as taking trips to Devon to see his daughter and holidaying in the Mediterranean in the off season.
Future of groundskeeping
A career in groundskeeping is active and demanding, and Anthony emphasizes the importance of ambition and a love for the outdoors; “You have to want to know about grass… have a passion for it.” His journey as a groundskeeper is a testament to the dedication, passion, and craftsmanship required in this role.
As the sun sets on another successful season, Anthony takes a moment to thank his fantastic team of groundskeepers for their tireless efforts in making the 2024 season one to remember. It’s not a one-man job, but a true team effort, and they look forward to maintaining the fields for the seasons to come.
