For more than 30 years, Boekholder & Associates Sports Surfaces has helped organizations across the United States make informed decisions about their athletic fields. We provide professional evaluations, maintenance planning, surface testing, and operational consulting designed to improve field performance, protect athletes, and extend the usable life of sports surfaces.
Our work is grounded in objective testing, on-site observation, and real-world experience. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all recommendations, we tailor our guidance to how your fields are actually used – accounting for sport schedules, budgets, staffing, and long-term goals.
Who We Work With
We work with organizations responsible for the planning, care, and oversight of athletic fields at every level. Our clients include school districts and athletic directors, municipal parks and recreation departments, colleges and universities, sports complexes, and private athletic organizations managing single fields or large multi-field facilities.
Across each of these environments, we understand the balance required between field availability, athlete safety, budget constraints, and long-term surface performance.
What We Help You Achieve
Our work helps organizations create safer, more consistent playing conditions while gaining the documentation and clarity needed to make informed decisions. Through evaluations, testing, and planning, we support proactive maintenance strategies that reduce emergency repairs and extend field life – while working within existing staffing structures, resources, and schedules.
Our Services
Boekholder & Associates provides comprehensive athletic surface consulting services designed to help organizations understand current field conditions, reduce risk, and plan effectively for both short-term needs and long-term performance. Our services can be used individually or combined into a complete surface management strategy.
Each engagement is tailored to how your fields are used, the resources available, and the level of detail required to support confident decision-making.
Surface Evaluations & Condition Assessments
Professional surface evaluations form the foundation of effective field management. We assess overall surface condition through on-site observation and measurable indicators, identifying areas of concern before they develop into safety or performance issues.
Evaluations may include assessments of surface consistency, wear patterns, compaction, drainage performance, turf health, and overall playability. Findings are documented clearly, with practical recommendations prioritized by impact and urgency. Each evaluation is tailored to the specific demands placed on your fields, ensuring that recommendations reflect real usage patterns, scheduling pressures, and operational constraints rather than generic benchmarks.
Nutrient Management & Soil-Based Planning
Effective surface performance starts below ground. Nutrient management planning is based on soil conditions, surface use, and performance goals rather than generic calendars or assumptions.
We use soil testing and field observations to develop fertility strategies that support healthy growth, recovery, and durability while avoiding unnecessary inputs. Plans are adjusted to reflect seasonal demands, usage levels, and long-term surface goals.
Cultural Practice Scheduling & Maintenance Planning
Cultural practices such as aeration, topdressing, overseeding, and surface grooming are most effective when timing and frequency match actual field conditions and use.
We help organizations develop maintenance schedules that align with sports calendars, staffing availability, and budget constraints. The goal is to maximize field performance and recovery while minimizing disruption to play.
Surface Renovation & Improvement Planning
When surfaces require improvement, renovation planning helps organizations move forward strategically rather than reactively. We assist with both short-term corrective measures and long-term renovation planning, including phased approaches that spread costs over time.
Planning considers surface use, timelines, budgets, and future goals to help organizations make informed decisions without unnecessary disruption.
Field Safety & Performance Testing
Objective testing provides measurable data to support safety programs and performance evaluations.
Surface Hardness Testing (GMAX / Clegg Hammer)
Surface hardness testing helps quantify impact severity and identify areas that may increase injury risk. Establishing baseline measurements allows organizations to track changes over time and document due diligence.
Traction & Stability Testing (Shear Strength)
Traction and stability testing evaluates surface grip and resistance to rotational movement, helping identify slipping risks and unstable areas that may compromise athlete safety.
Soil, Plant Tissue & Water Sampling
Sampling provides objective insight into what is happening beneath the surface. Soil, plant tissue, and water testing help identify nutrient imbalances, stress factors, and hidden limitations that affect surface performance.
Results are interpreted with practical application in mind, translating data into clear actions that support healthier, more resilient athletic surfaces.
Training & Education for Grounds Staff
Well-trained staff are essential to maintaining safe, high-performing fields. We provide group and individual training focused on practical best practices, problem identification, and effective implementation. Training is designed to complement existing experience while strengthening consistency and confidence across the grounds team.
Operational & Facility Consulting
Field performance is influenced by more than surface conditions alone. Staffing structures, maintenance workflows, equipment allocation, and facility layout all play a role in how effectively athletic surfaces are managed over time.
We provide operational consulting designed to help organizations evaluate how their current practices align with their goals. This may include reviewing maintenance routines, assessing staffing efficiency, identifying workflow bottlenecks, and evaluating equipment use to ensure resources are being used strategically and effectively.
For organizations planning improvements or upgrades, we also offer guidance on maintenance facility layout and functionality. A well-designed support space can improve efficiency, safety, and long-term field outcomes.
In addition, we provide support during grounds staff interviews, offering professional insight to help organizations build teams with the knowledge and practical skills required to maintain high-performing athletic surfaces. Our goal is to strengthen both the field and the systems that support it.
Make Informed Decisions About Your Athletic Surfaces
Athletic fields demand more than routine maintenance. They require informed oversight, measurable insight, and practical planning.
Whether you are evaluating current conditions, addressing performance concerns, or planning long-term improvements, objective guidance helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.
With more than 30 years of experience supporting athletic facilities across the United States, Boekholder & Associates Sports Surfaces delivers independent expertise grounded in real-world field conditions.
If you’re ready to better understand the condition and performance of your athletic surfaces, we’re ready to help.