2026 Conference Guide

MELBOURNE 2026

Welcome to

Melbourne ATM previews the 2026 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition which returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 22-25 June

O

n behalf of principal conference sponsors Toro Australia and Schweppes, the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), in conjunction with Golf Management Australia (GMA), welcomes you to the 2026 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition (22-25 June).

This year’s conference returns to Melbourne for the first time since 2022 and on behalf of the ASTMA Board and staff we appreciate your attendance and hope you gain plenty of valuable knowledge throughout the week while connecting with others throughout the sports turf management industry.

As is the case each year, this edition of Australian Turfgrass Management Journal (ATM) will be your guide to the Melbourne conference. Across the next 28 pages, ATM highlights the exciting panel of expert speakers 34

and presentations, previews the Toro ASTMA Golf Championship to be played at Woodlands Golf Club (see ATM reporter Nick Creely’s article with course manager Sam Langford on page 42) and profiles the Graduate of the Year Award finalists (page 56).

Across pages 46-54 we feature the trade exhibition highlights along with a full list of exhibitors and floorplan so you can plan your visit to the two-day show (Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June). Entry to the exhibition is FREE, however, if you are not already a conference delegate you will need to register prior to gaining access to the trade show floor.

Our host venue this year is the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), a landmark venue in South Wharf right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. MCEC, which opened in 1996, is the largest convention and exhibition venue in Australia and one of the largest spaces in the Southern Hemisphere.

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

There is underground carparking available with additional car parking nearby at the South Wharf Retail car park. Southern Cross Station is a 10-minute walk to MCEC, or you can take tram routes 96, 109 or 12 to stop 124A Casino/ MCEC/Clarendon Street to the entrance.

The 2026 Melbourne conference week will kick-off on Monday 22 June with the highlyanticipated ASTMA Golf Championship at Woodlands Golf Club in the morning, before the industry comes together that evening for the National Turf Industry Awards Dinner to be held in Crown Complex’s Palladium Ballroom.

The full conference program (page 40) will provide you with all of the room locations and approximate times for Plenary and education sessions, trade exhibition and all catered meal breaks. This year’s traditional Farewell Bash, once again proudly sponsored by ASTMA Silver Partner Greenway Turf Solutions, will be held at Melbourne Public, South Wharf

(adjacent to MCEC) at the conclusion of the conference on the Thursday.

This year’s conference will focus on the knowledge required to meet the future needs of the golf and sports turf management industry with a range of experts providing sessions on leadership, new practices, research, major project delivery and event preparation. Our Plenary session will be held on Tuesday 23 June, with the dedicated Golf and Sportsfield streams on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June, with some sessions combined and also with GMA delegates.

Showcasing the latest in golf and sports turf related products, equipment and services, the trade exhibition covers some 6000m², making it the largest golf and sports turf management exhibition staged in Australia.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has been a familiar home of the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition over the years

MAY-JUNE 2026 35

MELBOURNE 2026

FROM THE PRESIDENT… We return to Melbourne this year for the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and I am pleased to note we again partner with Golf Management Australia (GMA). This joint venture not only draws more delegates to the conference but also enhances diversity, strengthens relationships and provides a wide array of networking opportunities. I take great pride in welcoming all delegates to Melbourne and I hope you enjoy the week.

CEO Mark Unwin and the ASTMA team have worked hard this year to once again provide diversity in our content for the week.

With an array of Australian and international presenters, combined with experiences at the coalface from turf managers across the country, we have a really strong program incorporating presentations on agronomy,

leadership and success. With the surge of AI technology and integration flooding into the turf Industry, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will also enlighten us on what the future may hold.

These past 12 months have seen a number of significant turf management projects completed across the country. I am looking forward to listening to the lived experiences of those course superintendents and sports turf managers responsible for coordinating and delivering these major projects.

Once again our trade show has been oversubscribed as we continue to receive tremendous support from our industry partners and provide a vast array of static displays to cover all aspects of turfgrass management. That diversity is enhanced even more this year with additional support from GMA partners. I would like to thank all trade partners for their continued commitment and support of both associations.

A great start to the week will be the National Turf Industry Awards dinner, sponsored by Syngenta. This event showcases outstanding achievements in our profession from across the country and provides an opportunity to reunite with our peers and acquaintances.

I would sincerely like to thank ASTMA Platinum Partner Toro Australia and GMA major partner Schweppes for their continued support of the conference and our industry. It is a significant exercise to run an event of this size and we couldn’t do it without them.

I am looking forward to an exciting week and hope that you all enjoy the educational component as well as the networking and camaraderie that comes with an event such as this. Enjoy the week and I look forward to seeing you in Melbourne.

BEN TILLEY PRESIDENT, ASTMA SUPERINTENDENT, HEADLAND GC

Since the conclusion of the 2025 Sydney conference, we have been curating our lineup of guest speakers and are delighted to welcome some of the industry’s most prolific and respected experts to Melbourne. Here is a snapshot of what to expect across the week...

(South Region). Daniel has spoken in global forums around the world, most notably being interviewed by former US President Barack Obama. His talk in Melbourne will focus on innovation, social impact and how impossibility is only someone’s opinion, not fact.

DR KARL KRUSZELNICKI

DANIEL FLYNN

LIZ ELLIS

Plenary (Tue 23 June, 8:40am) Every year the ASTMA brings together a range of domestic and international guest presenters to not only provide a valuable insight into sports turf management practices but also about life, as well as health and wellbeing in general and how they can be utilised in both our work and personal lives.

This year’s Plenary sessions will be conducted all day on the Tuesday with a closing keynote speaker on the Thursday afternoon.

The ASTMA and GMA are delighted to have Thankyou co-founder and social entrepreneur Daniel Flynn delivering the opening address of the conference. Daniel co-launched Thankyou in 2008, a social enterprise aimed to end extreme poverty.

Thankyou was voted number one by Australian consumers as the most sustainable brand of 2022, ahead of Tesla. Daniel has raised more than $18.1 million to charities from products across the personal care and home cleaning categories sold in Australia and New Zealand.

Daniel is known for leading Thankyou’s unconventionality, consumer-led campaigns and has been recognised in Forbes’ Asia 30 under 30 for Social Entrepreneurship, one of Junior Chamber International’s 10 Outstanding Young People of the World, and was the recipient of EY Entrepreneur of the Year

Plenary (Tue 23 June, 9:40am) Legendary Australian netballer and broadcaster Liz Ellis is another quality addition to our panel of guest presenters. In her prime, Liz was one of the country’s highestprofile elite athletes and a former national captain. She went on to play an incredible 15 continuous seasons with the Australian Netball Team and won three World Championship gold medals, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and four national premierships with the Sydney Swifts. Post-netball, Liz ventured into television, ranging from netball commentary, hosting Olympic and Commonwealth Games broadcasts to more recently hosting The Project and Gladiators on Network 10.

As a much-respected voice in Australian sports media, Liz is a thoughtful advocate for women’s sport and thought-provoking commentator on wider sporting and social landscape issues. In 2009, she became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours and in 2018 was elevated to an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to netball as an elite player and coach through support and advocacy for young women and a contributor to the media industries. Her talk will cover life, teamwork and leadership, with a focus on planning to achieve success.

36

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

Plenary (Tue 23 June, 11:15am) Passionate TV personality Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM is sure to engage as a keynote speaker and has been spreading the good word of science in print, on TV, radio and online for more than three decades and is the author of 48 books (and counting).

With degrees in physics and mathematics, biomedical engineering, medicine and surgery, Dr Karl is a passionate lifelong learner.

Dr Karl’s dedication and passion to science was honoured with the prestigious Ig Nobel prize awarded by Harvard University in the USA for his ground-breaking research into “Belly Button Lint and why it is almost always blue”. In September 2003, Dr Karl was named Australian Father of the Year, while in 2006 he received the Member of the Order of Australia Award in the Australia Day Honours list. Dr Karl was the recipient of the 2025 NSW Senior Australian of the Year. His Plenary talk will look ahead at advances in technology, robotics, AI and sustainability and how these will affect everyday life, work and sport.

LINDSEY LEIGH HOBSON Plenary (Tue 23 June, 12:10pm); Combined Streams Workshop (Wed 24 June, 2pm) Melbourne-based businesswoman Lindsey Leigh Hobson is another quality addition to the conference Plenary and will deliver a keynote presentation on Tuesday as well as a Wednesday workshop. Lindsey is the CEO of Future Untamed, a leadership development agency pioneering the integration of human performance with AI-driven technology to

deliver personalised, high impact learning journeys for organisations.

As a 2025 Global Recognition Award recipient for Leadership, LinkedIn Top Voice in Mentoring (2024), National Lead for the Professional Speakers Australia Chapter President Council, and Founder of The Learning and Development Collective, Lindsey spearheads innovation in professional development across Australia and internationally. Her insights are trusted to shape corporations, government agencies and associations into high-performing workplaces where their leadership capability sets the benchmark for industry success.

GARY PERT Plenary (Tue 23 June, 2pm) Former AFL player and leading sports administrator Gary Pert is a highly intelligent, articulate businessman who previously enjoyed a distinguished 14-year career in the AFL between 1982 and 1995 in which he played 233 games – 163 for Fitzroy and 70 for Collingwood. He won Fitzroy’s B&F in 1989, was named All-Australian in 1985 and is a member of Fitzroy’s Team of the Century.

Post-football, Gary was previously the CEO of both the Melbourne Football Club and Collingwood Football Club. At Collingwood, Gary financially doubled the club in size and steered the club to three grand finals, including the 2010 premiership under his leadership.

He is chairman of both sporting focussed digital marketing companies, Greenroom Digital and Players Voice, and also currently holds a board position with the Heartwell Foundation. His talk will address challenges that organisations and their people face and will focus on the values of excellence,

leadership, discipline and community as well as the importance of goal-setting and feedback.

KURT FEARNLEY Plenary (Tue 23 June, 3pm) Champion Paralympian, fundraiser and disability advocate Kurt Fearnley AO will deliver the closing address on the opening day of the conference. Kurt is no stranger to ASTMA audiences having been a keynote speaker at the 2021 conference held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Kurt, who was born without the lower portion of his spine, went on to become one of Australia’s most successful and respected athletes and advocates, with his achievements as a Paralympian, service to people with a disability and fundraising efforts for Indigenous athletics and charitable organisations earning him an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018.

In the same year, Kurt was named as NSW Australian of the Year.

He was also the first athlete with a disability to win ‘The Don’ Award as the Australian sportsperson most likely to inspire the nation.

As a former wheelchair racing great, he won three Paralympic gold medals in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 and is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Kurt won over 40 marathons in a career which spanned more than 20 years.

SEAN BELL Plenary (Thu 24 June, 2:30pm) World-record endurance athlete Sean Bell, best known for becoming the fastest person in history to circumnavigate Australia, will close out the 2026 conference

INTRODUCING OUR MC… Renowned Australian journalist Neroli Meadows will be the MC for the Plenary sessions on day one of the Melbourne conference. Neroli has extensive experience in live sport, magazine shows, news and in-depth interviews and is one of Australia’s most sought-after MCs. With over 15 years in the field post studying journalism at Curtin University and completing a Diploma in Broadcasting, Neroli has covered a large number of events, such as Super Bowl LIV from Miami, International cricket, Big Bash League, the 2014 Australian Open and as a courtside reporter for the NBL and Australian Boomers games.

She has hosted or co-hosted numerous shows for Fox Footy and Fox Cricket and was part of ABC’s commentary team for five years before moving to Triple M. She is the host of a podcast called ‘Ordineroli Speaking’ in which she showcases the mental health struggle stories of sports stars and celebrates the resilience in sport.

Neroli is a two-time finalist for the Australian Sports Commission Awards and won the AFL Players’ Association Grant Hattam Award for Excellence in Journalism. on the Thursday afternoon. In 2024, Sean became the fastest person in history to run around Australia, breaking the record when he reached the required 13,383 kilometres in 158 days, 14 hours and 52 minutes with an average of 84 kilometres per day and without a single rest day in between.

Sean’s journey into endurance sport was inspired by the loss of a football teammate at

Be Beready readyfor for any anychallenge. challenge.

No matter the situation, be prepared with our effective No matter the situation, be prepared with our effective portfolio of professional turf and ornamental products. portfolio of professional turf and ornamental products.

Visit ASTMA Stand #33 to learn how Envu can enhance your Visit ASTMA Stand #33 to learn how Envu can enhance your turf performance for maximum playability. turf performance for maximum playability.

Learn More → → Learn More Technical Enquiries: 1800 024 209 technicalsupport.australia@envu.com www.au.envu.com Technical Enquiries: 1800 024 209 technicalsupport.australia@envu.com www.au.envu.com

MAY-JUNE 2026 37

MELBOURNE 2026 18 years of age, an experience that reshaped his perspective on purpose, resilience and mental health. Running became both an outlet and framework in confronting adversity, setting long-term goals and performing when motivation is unreliable. Nowadays, Sean works with leaders, teams and organisations to translate his lived experience into practical insights on sustained performance.

DR DOUG SOLDAT Golf Stream (Wed 24 June, 9:10am); Golf and Sportsfield Streams (Wed 24 June, 3pm); Golf and Sportsfield Streams (Thu 24 June, 9:45am) Dr Doug Soldat, a renowned professor and turfgrass extension specialist in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will make the trip to Melbourne as our guest international presenter and will deliver a range of education sessions across conference week. Doug’s talks across both days of our education streams will focus on ‘Organic matter management in putting greens’, ‘Understanding wetting agents’ and ‘Optimising PGR programs for cool- and warm-season turf’.

Doug completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a Ph.D. in Plant Science from Cornell University in New York. Across the past 20 years, his research and outreach programs have primarily focused on improving turfgrass nutrient and water use efficiency, soil health and the environmental impact of lawn care practices and is currently working

38

on optimising putting green organic matter through a USGA-funded project. He teaches courses on turfgrass management and general soil science at the University of WisconsinMadison.

l

ELSEWHERE IN THE PROGRAM… Across both days of our dedicated Golf and Sportsfield education streams, we have a range of leading experts, from golf course superintendents, sportsfields managers, agronomists, pitch curators and racetrack managers, presenting on a range of topics.

They include… l Tim Warren, superintendent at Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide and 2025 ASTMA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award winner, who will talk about the process and challenges of the course’s recent unique redevelopment. (Golf Stream, Wed 8:30am) l Experienced superintendent Anthony Toogood, from Seven Mile Beach in Hobart, on the incredible construction of Tasmania’s newest links course. (Golf Stream, Wed 12:15pm) l The ASTMA’s senior agronomist Bruce Macphee, Dr Phillip Ford (Melbourne Polytechnic) and John Neylan (SportEng), who will deliver a joint two-hour workshop on managing sand-based profiles.

(Workshop, Wed 8:35am) l The National Golf Club duo Leigh Yanner and Scott Calder, who will talk about the unique Long Island course design and reconstruction and the incredible set-up across two sites and four world-class courses. (Golf Stream, Wed 9:50am)

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

Peter Foreman, turf manager at Adelaide Oval and 2025 ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award winner, on managing the turf at one of the country’s most beloved sporting venues. (Sportsfield Stream, Wed 8:30am) NT Cricket’s Jake Pavlich, Head of Grounds & Facilities, who will provide an insight into pitch preparation and challenges in the Top End. (Sportsfield Stream, Wed 11:30am) Royal Sydney Golf Club superintendent Adam Marchant on overseeing the club’s extensive Gil Hanse course redevelopment in 2024. (Golf Stream, Wed 11:30am) Liam O’Keeffe, Senior Manager of Flemington Racecourse for the Victorian Racing Club, on managing one of the country’s most famous racetracks.

(Sportsfield Stream, Wed 12:15pm) Richard Forsyth, shortly to step down as Director of Courses at Royal Melbourne to return to Metropolitan Golf Club, who will reflect on hosting the 2025 men’s Australian Open. (Golf Stream, Thu 12pm) Dr Brett Morris and Dr Chris Gray, from The R&A, on high-quality agronomic strategies. (Combined Stream, Thu 9am) Jyri Kaapro (Envu) and Nadeem Zreikat (Campbells) on turf herbicides – how they work and tips on using them. (Sportsfield Stream, Thu 12pm) ASTMA agronomist Amy Dingle joins John Neylan to discuss the VGCSA’s bent trials. (Golf Stream, Thu 11:15am) Agronomists Tim Fankhauser (ASTMA) and Will Bowden (PGG Wrightson Turf).

Proudly supporting the turf industry

To our customers, suppliers, partners, and industry peers, thank you for your continued support and trust in our team.

PROUDLY PROVIDING AWARD WINNING SUPPORT TO

THE AUSTRALIAN TURF INDUSTRY SINCE 2014

Right Advice. Right Support. Right Products.

2024 & 2025 WINNER SUPPPLIER OF THE YEAR

2025 WINNER GOLF SUPPPLIER OF THE YEAR

MELBOURNE 2026

2026 AUSTRALIAN SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE PROGRAM MONDAY 22 JUNE

GOLF STREAM

8am: 2026 ASTMA Golf Championship (presented

by Toro Australia). Buses depart Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (South Wharf entrance) at 6:45am Woodlands Golf Club 1pm-4pm: Conference registration desk open Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) 6:30pm-10:30pm: National Turf Industry Awards Dinner (presented by Syngenta) Palladium Ballroom, Crown Complex

TUESDAY 23 JUNE

Registration Desk open 7:30am-4pm (MCEC).

Located opposite trade exhibition hall

PLENARY

MCEC Plenary Room 3 Combined session with GMA delegates 8:15am-8:40am: Conference Opening and Official Welcome Mark Unwin, Paul Vardy and Plenary MC Neroli Meadows 8:40am-9:40am: Leadership - Being remarkable Daniel Flynn 9:40am-10:30am: Planning for success Liz Ellis 10:30am-11:15am: Morning Tea 11:15am-12:10pm: The Next 20 Years: Science, AI and the Human Future Dr Karl Kruszelnicki 12:10pm-1pm: Collaboration blueprint Lindsey Leigh Hobson 1pm-2pm: Lunch 2pm-3pm: Leadership – The importance of goal setting and feedback Gary Pert 3pm-4pm: Closing keynote session – Kurt Fearnley

TRADE EXHIBITION

4pm-5:30pm: Trade Exhibition VIP Opening MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24 (enter doors 15 & 16)

WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE

Registration Desk open 8am-5pm (MCEC)

WORKSHOP

MCEC Hospitality Rooms 6 & 7 8:35am-10.35am: Managing sand-based profiles John Neylan, Dr Phil Ford and Bruce Macphee

MCEC Eureka Room 1 8:30am-9:10am: Glenelg Golf Club Course Redevelopment – Inside the process, challenges and learnings of a unique upgrade Tim Warren 9:10am-9:50am: Organic matter management in putting greens Dr Doug Soldat 9:50am-10:30am: The National Golf Club’s Long Island redevelopment Leigh Yanner and Scott Calder 10:30am-11:30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition (MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24) 11:30am-12:15pm: Royal Sydney Golf Club redevelopment Adam Marchant 12:15pm-1pm: The development and construction of Seven Mile Beach Anthony Toogood 1pm-2pm: Lunch and Trade Exhibition (MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24)

SPORTSFIELD STREAM

MCEC Courtyard Rooms 8:30am-9:10am: Excellence at Adelaide Oval Peter Foreman 9:10am-9:50am: The adaptation of ryegrass varieties for sportsfields and racing Will Bowden 9:50am-10:30am: Getting your grounds through winter Tim Fankhauser 10:30am-11:30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition (MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24)

TRADE EXHIBITION

MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24 4pm-5pm: Trade Exhibition Happy Hour

THURSDAY 25 JUNE

Registration Desk open 8am-2pm (MCEC)

GOLF/SPORTSFIELD STREAMS COMBINED MORNING SESSION

MCEC Eureka Room 1 9am-9:45am: Strategies that enable high-quality agronomy Dr Brett Morris and Dr Chris Gray 9:45am-10:30am: Understanding wetting agents Dr Doug Soldat 10:30am-11:15am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition (MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24)

GOLF STREAM

MCEC Eureka Room 1 11:15am-12pm: VGCSA bentgrass trials John Neylan and Amy Dingle 12pm-12:45pm: 2025 Men’s Australian Open – Royal Melbourne Golf Club Richard Forsyth 12:45pm-1:45pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition (MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24)

SPORTSFIELD STREAM

11:30am-12:15pm: Pitch preparation and challenges in the Top End Jake Pavlich 12:15pm-1pm: Managing Flemington Liam O’Keeffe

MCEC Courtyard Rooms 11:15am-12pm: Ground playability and maintenance Dr Phil Ford 12pm-12:45pm: World of turf herbicides - how they work and tips on using them Jyri Kaapro and Nadeem Zreikat

1pm-2pm: Lunch and Trade Exhibition (MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24)

12:45pm-1:45pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition (MCEC Exhibition Halls 21-24)

GOLF/SPORTSFIELD STREAMS COMBINED AFTERNOON SESSION

PLENARY

Eureka Rooms 2&3 2pm-3pm: Collaboration Workshop with GMA delegates Lindsey Leigh Hobson Courtyard Rooms 3pm-3:45pm: Optimising your PGR program for cool- and warm-season turf Dr Doug Soldat

ASSOCIATION

MCEC Eureka Room 1 3:45pm-4:15pm: 2026 ASTMA AGM (open to all financial ASTMA members)

MCEC Eureka Rooms Combined final session with GMA delegates 1:45pm-2:30pm: Dealing with leadership headaches James Cronk 2.30pm-3.15pm: Closing keynote Sean Bell

SOCIAL

6pm-8.30pm: Farewell Bash (presented by Greenway Turf Solutions) Melbourne Public Please Note: Times, topics and speakers listed were correct at the time of this edition going to print.

AGCSATech

Independent, Analytical, Diagnostic and Consultancy Services

l

GOLF COURSE, SPORTSFIELD AND RACETRACK ASSESSMENTS

l

DRONE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES AND AERIAL IMAGERY

l

COST EFFECTIVE NUTRITION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS

l

EXPERT AGRONOMIC ADVICE CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

l

SOIL, PLANT AND WATER ANALYSIS DISEASE AND NEMATODE DIAGNOSIS

l

WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS PROJECT MANAGEMENT

l

AGCSATech l

l

The Australian turf industry’s leading provider of independent agronomic services Independent, Analytical, Diagnostic and Consultancy Services

CONTACT THE AGCSATECH TEAM (03) 9548 8600 Senior agronomist - Bruce Macphee bruce@astma.com.au 0409 183 710

40

Agronomist - Tim Fankhauser tim@astma.com.au 0422 418 038

www.agcsa.com.au/agcsatech

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

Agronomist - Amy Dingle amy@astma.com.au 0498 852 063

MELBOURNE 2026

Sandbelt

soul

Well-travelled and passionate Woodlands Golf Club course manager Sam Langford chats to ATM reporter Nick Creely as he gears up to host the 2026 ASTMA Golf Championship, sponsored by Toro Australia.

N

estled amongst the worldfamous Melbourne Sandbelt quietly sits the Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc, a unique slice of land and championship course which is highly regarded for its timeless design, narrow fairways, challenging pure bentgrass greens and strategically placed bunkers.

Its world-class short par 4s and par 3s are legendary and amongst some of the best holes in the country. Making the course all the more unique is the fact that since its establishment in 1913 it has remained relatively unchanged and on the same sandy ground where its historic journey began. While Woodlands might not be hefty in size at 6111 metres, the par 72 course is steeped in golfing tradition.

42

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

PHOTOS: GARY LISBON/WOODLANDS GC

Woodlands Golf Club plays host to the 2026 ASTMA Golf Championship for the first time this June. Main image shows the par four 7th, while bottom left is Woodlands’ iconic 5th which is quintessential Melbourne Sandbelt par three course architecture

It’s there that UK born-and-raised Sam Langford calls home every day, passionately plying his trade and utilising his vast experience across the globe to present the course alongside his dedicated crew to a world-class standard, and amongst Australia’s most top-ranked places to play golf.

FULL CIRCLE JOURNEY Langford’s journey to Woodlands spans across almost a decade-and-a-half of dedication to the industry. He started his journey as a teenager in Lincolnshire, a county in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber regions of England. With an already established passion and love for golf and a desire to travel while working, the greenkeeping industry made logical sense with the two going hand-in-hand.

“As a 16-year-old I just loved golf,” reflects Langford. “I was off four or five (handicap) and then fell into the greenkeeping side of things through work experience at Forest Pines in Lincolnshire, probably about 45 minutes from the famous Woodhall Spa, which is well known, and a Tom Doak design.

“When I got to around 19-20 years old I wanted to travel doing my job after I got my qualification. There was a guy who worked as a consultant for the European Tour and around courses in Europe and one of those was in the Czech Republic. I was 21 when I went there and while based there I was able to get some tournament experience at the Madrid Masters and Madeira Islands Open.

“I did that for a while and ended up going to New Zealand, basically following

the seasons. I eventually worked in the Netherlands after that and just got the sixmonth contract and went back to NZ, followed the seasons for a few years while travelling as well which was amazing.”

A desire to come to Australia in 2012, a true bucket-list item, was next on Langford’s life and career agenda. While working at Queenstown Golf Club (NZ), he contacted then Woodlands superintendent Rod Tatt (now superintendent at Mount Lawley Golf Club in Perth) who offered him a seasonal position with a chance of sponsorship. Australia was where Langford had set his sights and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Following seven years at Woodlands, working his way up to an assistant position, Langford made the decision to explore other opportunities before eventually returning to the very place which provided him his first opportunity to live and work in Australia.

“I went through the greens resurfacing at Woodlands at the time and in 2018/19 the assistant job came up at Yarra Yarra Golf Club,” explains Landford. “They were going through the Doak restoration process at the time and it was a great challenge for me. After that I decided I wanted to be a superintendent and started hunting for jobs and I got the super’s role at Heidelberg for a few years.

“The opportunity to return to Woodlands then arose, so it was kind of a full circle moment for me. To come back to a club that helped me so much is great. They helped me get permanent residency so I wouldn’t really be where I am today without Woodlands.”

DIFFERENT CONDITIONS With decades of experience across the globe, Langford has been lucky enough to work with a range of different grass types, superintendents and across many courses, learning plenty along the way.

“Grass is grass at the end of the day, but you’ve got your warm-season and cool-season grasses and that’s probably the big thing when coming to the Australian courses,” says Langford. “I had a qualification in the UK and then coming to Australia I had the opportunity to do the Diploma which was the exact same level of qualification, but I knew it would stand out more here because there are some differences.

MAY-JUNE 2026 43

MELBOURNE 2026

Woodlands has a lift-and-lay program on its greens to manage organic matter accumulation. The aim is to complete three greens a year, with 13 (pictured) and 14 to be completed this year

“In Europe it was all about aesthetics and striping things up, whereas in Australia, while aesthetics are still important, the priority is around the playability of the golf course.

With the European courses there was a lot of fertiliser, water and striping up, cutting and mowing every day. Melbourne Sandbelt golf is a lot more about leaner and firmer turf and doing minimal to get the best outcome. That’s what I’ve learnt the most.”

Melbourne’s climate can provide its share of challenges when managing a golf course, but Langford says he has adapted since arriving in the city 14 years ago.

“I don’t mind it. Being from the UK, I’m used to it,” he says. “Autumn is the best time in Australia, but in summer you know a cool change is coming in Melbourne and you don’t get that 2-3 weeks of constant humid heat.”

A UNIQUE COURSE Langford says Woodlands sits comfortably in the pecking order of famous Melbourne Sandbelt clubs. He believes it has its own uniqueness which makes it a bucket-list club to play for avid golfers who love highly strategic and challenging courses.

It’s had its share of elite and amateur golf tournament history along the way, hosting eight Vic Opens – the first in 1971 won

by Englishman and four-time winner Guy Wolstenholme and last in 2007 when Aussie Kim Felton clinched victory.

“I don’t tend to get hung up on the course ratings, everybody has their preferences,” states Langford. “For me, the architecture at Woodlands has stood the test of time and I am excited to be involved in the ongoing improvements alongside our consulting architects.

“Woodlands makes for a different style of golf with its smaller greens. There’s only a hectare of greens so the idea is that they’re flat with undulated surrounds. If you miss the greens you do have a very challenging up and down, so it’s still very much Sandbelt. That’s probably why people say ‘You’ve got to go play Woodlands’, it’s just a different type of golf.”

On Woodlands’ long-term plans to elevate itself further as a course in the future, Langford says improving vegetation is a key focus.

“The club has said that we need to improve the vegetation,” explains Langford.

“We’ve consulted some amazing architects,

Michael Clayton and Harley Kruse, to come in and pretty much confirm that and say to focus on vegetation, maybe the odd playing lines here and there, but in terms of course architecture we’re happy with where that sits.

“We want to highlight areas of improved vegetation which we’ve started to do in our Vegetation Management Plan. It’s ultimately a 10-year plan and we’ve started that in conjunction with our lift-and-lay program on the greens.

“In terms of thatch removal, we lift-andlay, not core, the greens and do our minimal maintenance with our solid-tining and dusting.

We’ve currently completed holes 1, 10, 19 and 15. We’re trying to do three a year, so we’ll focus on 13 and 14 this year and 7 next year and that’s just based on the age of the greens.

“There was some resurfacing done about 10-12 years ago so there are some that are older than others. We’re just working through which are the oldest and maybe make some improvements too. It’s a good project to be part of and the team gets to learn a lot.”

AN HONOUR TO HOST Langford says his crew – currently consisting of 15 full-timers, two-part timers and a vegetation apprentice – are ecstatic to welcome some of the sports turf industry’s leading minds (and players) to the course for the Toro ASTMA Golf Championship.

He anticipates the stretch of holes from 3-7 – a complex and challenging mixture of par 3s, par 4s and a par 5 – will make for some fascinating play and highlighted hole 15 as one of the “best straight holes” in the country.

Interestingly, leading international golf course architect Tom Doak – who designed the club’s Centenary 19th hole in 2013 – rates the 15th among the best 18 par 5s in the world.

Langford added it was an honour to be able to showcase the venue to some of the country’s most respected superintendents and assistants. “It’s an added pressure I guess to be hosting the championship,” says Langford.

“But it’s exciting to have so many people from the industry come out and we can showcase the course and the job our guys are doing. It’s an awesome opportunity for us as a club.”

Langford says preparation for the ASTMA Championship began a month out, but with the turf in strong shape it was all about being consistent and not dropping standards to ensure the course presented the best it could.

“As soon as you find out you’re hosting it and know you’ve got so many supers and assistants coming to play, you start from day dot to try and get everything in place for that sort of day, but in terms of the time of year, the grass isn’t really growing,” he says. “We Woodlands is renowned for its small greens and dramatically sloping surrounds. Pictured is the 12th

44

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

haven’t really mown fairways since March so the biggest thing for us is bunker maintenance and trying to dress the course up.

“We have fescue surrounds which are a pleasure to work with. They complement the small green complexes and act as an extension of the greens surface. We enjoy getting the greens and surrounds firm and fast through the dry periods, watching golfers struggle to hold the green and having them pitch it on to the fescue first, which makes for a challenging approach. This obviously isn’t possible year round but our cool-season fescue surrounds enable us to produce great surfaces through the winter months.”

RED JACKET CONTENDERS The ASTMA is excited to welcome a very strong field to Woodlands for this year’s championship, presented in conjunction with Platinum Partner Toro Australia.

Nudgee Golf Club superintendent Peter Culross returns to defend the title he won last year at Concord Golf Club, but will have plenty of competition from his fellow Red Jacket holders. South Australian duo Ben Hallam (Tea Tree Gully GC) and Jordan Sherratt (South Lakes GC) will lead that charge, with Hallam gunning for his second title and Sherratt a

Woodlands’ fescue surrounds perfectly complement the bentgrass greens and ensure firm, fast playing conditions

third. Shaun Page (Southern GC) will also be looking to add a second title, while 7 Mile Beach’s Anthony Toogood could create history and claim an unprecedented fourth title.

This year’s stroke field contains no less than five ‘+’ markers – Hallam, Brad Foster (Tura Beach CC), Craig Bevan (Palm Beach GC), Sean Daines (Beerwah GC) and Connor McLennan (Mount Lawley). Foster and Daines

have multiple club championships to their names, while Canadian McLennan was once a professional. A total of 21 players have handicaps under 3, making this one of the more formidable fields assembled in years.

The ASTMA Golf Championship tees off at 8am on Monday 22 June, with buses departing the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (South Wharf entrance) at 6:45am.

COMING SOON

Introducing Lynx® Drive and Spatial Adjust™, smarter irrigation management, wherever the job takes you. From real-time mobile irrigation control to data-driven watering recommendations, Toro helps you make faster, smarter decisions with confidence.

Visit Stand 40 at 2026 ASTMA to discover the latest Toro innovations.

Follow @ToroAustralia on:

MAY-JUNE 2026 45

MELBOURNE 2026 The GreensPro e1700 greens roller will feature on the Toro stand at the 2026 Melbourne exhibition

Prize

exhibits The trade exhibition across the Wednesday and Thursday of the Melbourne conference will cover an impressive 6000m2 of floorspace. ATM checks out some of the new products and promotions set to feature during the week.

2026 MELBOURNE CONFERENCE SPONSOR TORO Stand 40 ASTMA Platinum Partner Toro Australia is excited to introduce the GreensPro® e1700 greens roller at the 2026 ASTMA and GMA Conference & Trade Exhibition. This heavyduty, all-electric greens roller is engineered to deliver exceptionally smooth, consistent golf greens while boosting operator efficiency and productivity. Powered by Toro’s advanced HyperCell® Lithium-ion battery technology, the GreensPro e1700 delivers reliable power and performance.

“When it comes to productivity, superintendents are going to see a significant increase in what they can achieve with the GreensPro e1700,” says Brian Goodridge, product marketing manager at Toro. “From the wider rolling width to the SmartHitch™ transport, it’s designed for maximum efficiency and helping teams cover more ground faster.

The virtually silent operation is also a gamechanger for those essential early morning rolling shifts.”

46

The SmartHitch™ Integrated Trailer replaces traditional separate trailers or pullover drawbars, improving the speed and ease of transport. The simple drive-up system allows the GreensPro e1700 to efficiently connect to a transport vehicle without the operator exiting the machine. Operator comfort and control are enhanced through new intuitive joystick controls, which allow users of any experience level to easily manage speed and direction with point-and-go steering. These controls also include an advanced pass alignment function that ensures uniform, repeatable results with the push of a button.

The power behind the GreensPro e1700 is the Toro HyperCell Lithium-ion battery technology. The standard two-battery configuration is capable of providing enough runtime to easily roll more than 18 holes.

ASTMA GOLD PARTNERS SYNGENTA Stand 26 SPIIO™ Soil Sensors are changing how turf managers build performance from the ground up – by making the unseen measurable.

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

Instead of relying on broad weather apps or labour-intensive spot checks, SPIIO™ delivers precision, with site-specific insights into the conditions that matter most beneath the surface.

The sensors collect data every hour and the resulting data is accessible on your phone or computer, anywhere, anytime. Setup is straightforward – subscribe, connect and bury the sensors to begin turning raw conditions into actionable decisions. Each compact unit (180mm x 47mm x 48 mm) captures four key

measurements – temperature (-20 to 70°C), moisture, salinity and light. Sensors can be installed at varying depths (signal permitting) and are designed for longevity, with a battery lifespan of 3-5 years.

The real value is then in what the data enables. With historical trends, custom thresholds and property-level views, turf management teams can fine-tune irrigation scheduling, evaluate rainfall coverage and uniformity, guide cart or player traffic decisions after rain and measure the effectiveness of soil flushing to manage salinity. Soil temperature trends can also support bettertimed preventative insect, weed and disease programs, while light data can inform shade studies to improve growing environments.

The SPIIO™ dashboard adds hyperlocal GPS weather – forecasted within 5.2km² – featuring ET, pest risk, dew point, wind, humidity, precipitation and more, with hourly widgets and customisable, colour-coded alerts. It’s a modern toolkit for meeting rising performance expectations with confidence.

Scan the QR code for more information and visit the Syngenta stand at the ASTMA conference.

JOHN DEERE Stand 30 Get ready to move your game forward with John Deere’s expanding lineup of golf equipment! From reducing inputs to lowering environmental impact, John Deere is helping turf managers maintain high-quality playing surfaces while operating more responsibly.

Precision technologies such as GPS-equipped ProGator™ sprayers and spreaders allow operators to target applications with greater accuracy. This reduces overlap, minimises chemical use and helps protect surrounding areas, supporting both cost efficiency and environmental outcomes.

Alongside precision application, John Deere continues to innovate in equipment designed to lower impact on the course and the community. The 185 E Cut™ and 225 E Cut™ electric walk-behind greens mowers deliver consistent quality of cut with significantly reduced noise, allowing work to be completed with minimal disruption.

Building on this range, the new 2775 E Cut™ electric triplex mower will be introduced in Australia and New Zealand later this year.

Designed for greens, tees and fairways, it offers quieter operation, reduced maintenance requirements and eliminates the risk of hydraulic leaks. The result is a cleaner, more controlled approach to turf care with less impact on the environment and the operator.

Together, these innovations enable a more sustainable approach to course management, reducing inputs while improving efficiency and overall performance. Visit your local John

The John Deere 2775 E-Cut electric triplex mower will shortly land in Australia and New Zealand

Deere Golf Dealer today to see how we can enhance your course or come by our stand at the Melbourne trade exhibition to see how we can move your game forward.

ASTMA SILVER PARTNER KRESS Stand 64 The Kress Voyager autonomous mower will be showcased at ASTMA 2026 on Stand 64, giving turf professionals the opportunity to explore advanced unmanned mowing technology engineered for professional turf environments.

Designed for sports turf venues, councils and large‑scale sites, Voyager represents a practical evolution in how routine mowing tasks can be delivered. Operating autonomously within defined areas, Voyager delivers consistent cutting performance without the need for an on‑board operator, allowing mowing activities to continue reliably while skilled staff focus on higher‑value work.

For turf managers facing pressure around labour availability, site coverage and operating budgets, unmanned mowing offers

a pathway to measurable operational savings.

By reducing the hours required for manual mowing, Voyager supports more efficient use of labour resources, lowers reliance on overtime or contracted services and enables teams to manage larger or additional sites without increasing headcount.

Voyager has been designed to integrate seamlessly into existing maintenance programs, complementing conventional equipment rather than replacing it. Its electric operation contributes to lower running and servicing requirements compared to traditional petrol‑powered alternatives, while also supporting sustainability goals through reduced emissions and quieter operation in sensitive environments. As automation becomes an increasingly important part of modern turf management strategies, Voyager demonstrates how intelligent, unmanned solutions can deliver real efficiency and cost benefits alongside consistent turf presentation.

Delegates are encouraged to visit Stand 64 to see Voyager up close and discuss how autonomous mowing can support operational savings, scalability and long‑term turf management objectives.

Designed for sports turf venues, councils and large‑scale sites, the Kress Voyager autonomous mower represents a practical evolution in how routine mowing tasks can be delivered

MAY-JUNE 2026 47

MELBOURNE 2026

ASTMA BRONZE PARTNERS

ALSO EXHIBITING…

CENTAUR ASIA PACIFIC

ADE TURF EQUIPMENT

Stand 12

Stand 63 Visit the ADE Turf Equipment stand (63) to find out more about the new Allett Omnia 22, the most precise, manoeuvrable and versatile machine in the Omnia range, designed for fine turf environments where accuracy, consistency and finish are critical. Purpose-built for groundskeepers and sports turf professionals who demand exceptional results, the Omnia 22 (pictured below) performs a wide range of turf care tasks with ease – including mowing, verti-cutting, scarifying, brushing, raking, hollow-tine aerating and sorrel rolling – making it an indispensable tool for year-round turf management.

Excess moisture remains a key challenge in maintaining consistent playing surfaces. At this year’s Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition, Centaur Asia Pacific will be showcasing Hydrowick, a drainage system designed to deliver effective results with minimal disruption.

Using a 25mm heat-treated fibreglass element, this drainage system applies strong capillary action to draw water out of waterlogged profiles. Its internal stainless steel mesh core carries water efficiently without the need for gravity fall, offering a clear advantage over traditional pipe drainage systems.

Installed through a narrow sandbanding process, the system forms a direct pathway for surface water while reducing common issues found in conventional drainage. The process is quick and minimally invasive, with surfaces typically ready for play within 24 hours.

Proven results show drainage performance on poorly drained playing surfaces can improve by over 70 per cent compared to conventional methods. Visit our stand to discover how Hydrowick can improve drainage efficiency and maximise available playtime across your turf surfaces.

COLIN CAMPBELL (CHEMICALS)

With a 22-inch (560mm) cutting width, it is ideally suited to bowling greens, cricket wickets, golf greens, tees and surrounds and high-end ornamental turf where turf health and strong stripes are demanded. Built on the same advanced platform as the larger models, Omnia 22 delivers professional performance in a lighter, more compact form, without compromise. Available Australia-wide through ADE Turf Equipment. Contact Jack on 0448 777 001 or email jack@adeturf.com.au.

AQUATROLS COMPANY Stand 54

The Aquatrols Company, a global leader in surfactants and specialty technologies for the professional turfgrass market, is pleased to announce its attendance at the ASTMA Conference and Trade Exhibition in Melbourne.

The event marks an important milestone for Aquatrols, as the company uses the show to introduce a selected range of products from its hydration and nutrition portfolios to the Australian market.

Developed to help turf professionals maximise the efficacy of every drop of water and every input applied, these solutions support more consistent moisture management to help promote and maintain healthier root systems whilst helping to produce stronger and more resilient highperforming playing surfaces.

“From tank to target, our products are designed to help turf managers get more from their water and inputs,” says Alan Pierce, International Account Manager. “We are excited to engage directly with Australian turf professionals and to bring our proven hydration and nutrition technologies to this important market.

Visitors to the Aquatrols stand will have the opportunity to meet the team, explore the product range, and learn how Aquatrols’ solutions are used on golf courses and sports turf venues around the world. For more information, visit www.aquatrolscompany.com.

Stand 1 PoaCure, drones and GPS sprayers… what do these three technologies have in common? At Campbell Chemicals we have a vision for PoaCure to be used across broad areas of turf and to be affordable. This has been our vision since 2018 and PoaCure allows us to bring this to the turf industry.

We have been trialling and demonstrating the power of PoaCure with drone mapping technology with Droneland and utilising the John Deere GPS sprayer to spot treat Poa areas with PoaCure. This technology allows turf managers to control Poa with brand new chemistry at an affordable price as well as reduce the amount of chemical use overall. So come past our stand (No.1) and have a chat about PoaCure and other solutions we offer.

48

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

Bartlett Manufacturing will be showcasing TurfRise™ Growth Covers at the trade exhibition in Melbourne

BARTLETT MANUFACTURING Stand 84 Bartlett Manufacturing will be showcasing TurfRise™ Growth Covers at the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition in Melbourne. Designed for professional sports turf applications, TurfRise™ is a purpose-built growth cover engineered to accelerate germination, improve strike rates and strengthen early root development.

The proprietary mesh construction combines black and clear monofilament strands, helping warm the soil while still allowing optimal light transmission. Fully permeable to rainfall and irrigation, TurfRise™ supports consistent establishment without water pooling.

Independent trials conducted by AGCSATech in 2026 have demonstrated up to 67 per cent greater early growth and significantly improved root depth compared to traditional covers, supporting faster recovery timelines and earlier return to play. TurfRise™ has been used across a range of Australian sports turf settings, supporting ground staff in achieving consistent establishment results under varying conditions.

Conference attendees can visit the Bartlett Manufacturing stand to see the product firsthand, discuss application methods and learn about supply options in Australia and New Zealand. For turf managers planning renovation, repair or overseeding programs, TurfRise™ provides a practical solution to improve outcomes and reduce downtime.

BROWN BROTHERS ENGINEERS Stand 66 Brown Brothers Engineers Australia is committed to delivering high-quality pumps and custom engineered pumping solutions to meet the diverse requirements of the turf and golf course markets. Visit us on Stand 66 to find out more about our custom trailer mounted solutions. Engineered with precision and tailored to your unique needs, our innovative trailer-mounted pump set (pictured below) offers an alternative to the way you manage irrigation on the move and provides a cost-effective solution to flood mitigation.

We installed a custom solution at a floodprone golf course in southeast Queensland.

After enduring recurring flooding events that damaged the course and, more recently,

washed away it’s pumping infrastructure, our team engineered a mobile pumping system fitted onto a trailer. Despite subsequent flooding, the course immediately reaped benefits. With just two people, the pumps were relocated in 15 minutes by hitching the trailer to a vehicle and towing to higher ground.

Typically, a custom-mounted booster set features a Lowara e-SV Series pump renowned for its hydraulics and IE2 high-efficiency motor.

Complemented by an INCA control panel, our solution offers optimal system control and flexibility. Designed for practicality and ease of use, installation is seamless while the quickrelease electrical connection to the control panel enables fast and safe shutdowns as well as quick transportation, allowing sports turf managers to relocate the entire pump unit to higher ground within minutes.

CAMPEY AUSTRALASIA Stand 71 Launched in 2022, Campey Australasia is pleased to confirm it will be once again exhibiting at ASTMA 2026.

This expansion by Campey Turf Care Systems has strengthened our presence in Australasia, bringing the high-performance machinery and customer service Campey is known for worldwide. By partnering with established local dealers such as Fernland, Mexted Sports Turf and Turfmate (Stand 72), customers across the region can access some of the world’s most respected turf maintenance equipment.

At ASTMA 2026, we’ll showcase a broad range of proven favourites and new additions, built to solve turf maintenance challenges across natural sports pitches and golf courses.

The line-up includes scarifiers, brushes, rakes, drag mats and sprayers, including the Campey Uni-Scratch, UniRake, Campey Speedresser and the ML Sprayer.

Campey Australasia is led by export sales manager Nick Brown, who will attend alongside our dealer network. Together, they’ll explain how we operate and share practical guidance to help you address your specific turf maintenance needs. By working closely with dealers and customers and investing in export development, Campey has earned the trust of greenkeepers and groundsmen worldwide.

Visit www.campeyaustralasia.com or contact Nick Brown at nick@campeyturfcare.com.

DRONELAND Stand 10 Droneland is proud to showcase its advanced turf management and aerial data solutions in Melbourne. Our services are built to address critical pain points in the management of turf assets and site features. Droneland services aim to reduce inefficiencies in maintenance programs, limit reactive decision-making, and provide clear, actionable data.

By leveraging drone technology alongside integrated data analysis, Droneland delivers highly accurate, repeatable insights across open spaces and sporting fields. Our outputs include high-resolution mapping (surface models and contours); plant health analysis; moisture variability; plant stress and wear patterns; weed identification with infestation calculations. The Droneland platform presents this data in a clear, intuitive format, enabling immediate understanding and application.

Our focus is on translating complex datasets into practical outputs that turf and open space managers can rely on with confidence. Reporting is both precise and accessible, allowing teams to optimise irrigation, fertilisation, turf recovery and renovation scheduling with greater efficiency and certainty. This extends to playground and tree audits, where aerial inspections provide clearer, more consistent records.

Our capture methods improve the efficiency and effectiveness of asset monitoring and compliance.

At the conference, we will demonstrate how our solutions integrate seamlessly into existing maintenance programs, reducing guesswork and improving resource allocation.

We will also showcase recent project outcomes across elite and community facilities, including Poa weed mapping case studies,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 51 MAY-JUNE 2026 49

MELBOURNE 2026

50

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

Exhibiting in Melbourne (24-25 June, 2026) CONFERENCE SPONSORS

92 BASF 101 Adama

40 Toro Australia G1 Schweppes

ALSO EXHIBITING…

ASTMA GOLD PARTNERS 22 Jacobsen Textron 26 Syngenta 30 John Deere

ASTMA SILVER PARTNERS 17 Ventrac 20 Living Turf 21 Rain Bird Australia 23 Nuturf Australia 33 Envu 37 Greenway Turf Solutions 64 Kress

BRONZE PARTNERS 1 Colin Campbell (Chemicals) 11 Husqvarna Group 12 Centaur Asia Pacific 14 Repco Australia 24 Dint Golf Solutions 29 Advanced Seed 32 ICL Specialty Fertilizers 32 K&B Adams Turf 34 PGG Wrightson 35 Sustainable Machinery 38 Kubota Australia 39 Tru-Turf 41 Greenworks Commercial 43 Hunter Industries 52 Lawn Solutions Australia 65 David Golf & Engineering 67 All Power/Powerup

2 Trimax 3 Franklin Electric 4 BA Group Australia 5 Colbrook Industries 6 Leemco Piping Solutions 7 Turfcare Australia 8 Agrion Crop Solutions 9 Sundew Turf Care Solutions 10 Droneland 13 Hydrosight 15 Blue Pacific Minerals 18 Farm Concepts 19 Sharper Solutions 25 Indigo Specialty Products 27 Statewide Turf 28 Victorian Sports Group 31 Fieldquip 36 Plasson Australia 42 STIHL 44 SkimTurf Management 45 Nutrien Water 46 Turf Breed 47 HR Products 48 Arbortech 49 Turf Metrix 50 Rainbow Enviro 51 Multikraft Probiotics Australia 53 StrathAyr 54 Lamberti Australia/Aquatrols 55 Environmental Golf Solutions 61 Parklink 62 Euroturf 63 ADE Turf Equipment 66 Brown Brothers Engineers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 prescription mapping and targeted spraying applications. Visit our stand to see how we can streamline your operations, enhance decisionmaking and elevate turf performance.

ENVIRONMENTAL GOLF SOLUTIONS Stand 55 Environmental Golf Solutions is excited to debut CourseTrackR at the 2026 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition, a first-of-its-kind platform developed by the industry, for the industry.

Purpose-built for golf course operations, CourseTrackR is a practical mapping, tracking and reporting tool designed to help clubs keep clearer records of what is happening across their property, reduce manual admin and make day-to-day course activity easier to capture, review and share.

68 Trench It - Terraway Attachments/Sammut Ag 69 Duramega 70 Robologic 71 Campey Australasia 72 Turfmate 73 Positioned 74 Marnick Turf Machinery 76 MowMaster Turf Equipment 78 Wayrobo 79 Forewarned (Blind Shot) 80 McMahons 81 GreenPro 82 The Toolbox Team 83 Precision Control Australia 84 Bartlett Manufacturing 85 HG Turf Group 86 Shenzhen JAYU Gardening Machine Co. 87 Green Turf 88 Wacker Neuson 89 Grundfos 90 Oasis Turf 91 Helix Hydro 93 Denaiyou Intelligent Tech.

94 Star 8 Australia 95 Signature Systems 96 Nake Sports Turf Machinery 97 Metalform Ag 98 Nano Bubble Technologies 100 Turf Group Australia

GMA AREA

G7 Sporte Leisure G8 SENPOS G9 MiClub G10 Northstar G11 Solucio G12 Savage Bull G13 Transform Golf Shops G14 Clubcar G15 Shield Training G16 Titleist G17 De Bortoli Wines G17a Swing Factory G18 GBAS G19 Toro/Harper Turf Equipment G20 A2Z Golf G22 Pariter G21 Bidfood G23 Golf Genius G24 First Choice G25 Good Drinks G26 Rabobank G27 The Golf Travel Agency G28 Avenue G29 Golf Loot G30 Ace Society G31 Future Golf G32 Golf Now G33 Risk Essentials G34 Glfn G35 Hunter Technologies G36 T&S Signcraft G37 Risk Profilers/BeHeartSmart G39 TRUE Linkswear

G2 Hostplus G3 Secom G4 Dot Golf G5 Callaway G6 Country Club

Note: Floorplan/stand numbers correct at time of publication.

For any updates/changes please refer to the conference app

At the Environmental Golf Solutions stand, attendees can see how CourseTrackR brings course works, follow-up actions, biodiversity records, project areas, reporting and storytelling into one simple, map-led workspace.

Course staff can capture the work they are already doing – from planting and habitat care to tree works, weed management, irrigation follow-up, projects and infrastructure – with mapped locations, notes, photos and due dates linked directly to the relevant activity on course. CourseTrackR also helps clubs build a living record of change over time, using

historical imagery, evolving site records and environmental context to make progress easier to see, review and communicate.

For superintendents, general managers and committees, the platform turns day-to-day course activity into clearer internal records, committee-ready summaries and stakeholderfriendly updates without rebuilding documents from scratch each time. Conference attendees are invited to visit the Environmental Golf Solutions stand to see CourseTrackR in action and discuss how it can support course management, reporting, member communication and long-term stewardship. https://www.coursetrackr.com/.

HYDROSIGHT Stand 13 In Melbourne we are proud to present our new Hydrosight TDR soil sensor, designed to provide even more accurate and MAY-JUNE 2026 51

MELBOURNE 2026

reliable underground soil data for irrigation management. The sensor (pictured above) measures soil moisture using Time Domain Reflectometry technology, helping users understand how much plant-available water is actually present in the soil. This allows irrigation decisions to be based on real underground conditions rather than estimates, weather assumptions or manual checks.

The new TDR sensor is built for demanding environments such as golf courses, sportsfields, racecourses, farms and public open spaces. It is fully waterproof and suitable for underground installation, keeping it protected from machinery and foot traffic.

Compared with traditional soil sensing methods, TDR technology performs well across different soil types and conditions. It is especially useful in more challenging soils where accurate moisture measurement can be difficult. The sensor also supports different probe lengths, giving users more flexibility for various rootzones and installation needs.

Data is sent wirelessly to the Hydrosight platform, where users can view information in real time. The sensor can also be connected to irrigation controllers, allowing irrigation to be adjusted or skipped automatically when the soil already has enough water. This helps reduce water use, improve turf and crop health and lower the need for manual inspections.

With the new TDR sensor, Hydrosight continues its mission to help customers use water wisely and make every drop count.

MULTIKRAFT Stand 51 Multikraft is bringing a new level of biological performance to modern turf management through the Natural NRG System – a practical approach built around nutrition, resilience and growth.

Backed by more than 25 years of European research and over a decade of Australian manufacturing, Multikraft combines advanced microbial technology with stable nitrogen delivery to help turf professionals achieve stronger, more consistent playing surfaces. At the centre of the system are two flagship products developed specifically for the Australian turf industry and which will be on display at the Multikraft stand in Melbourne.

52

SuPr Turf delivers controlled-release nitrogen, iron, carbon and biological inputs designed to improve nitrogen efficiency, extend colour response and reduce the volatility commonly associated with traditional fertiliser programs. Turf NRG focuses below the surface – supporting soil biology, root development, nutrient uptake and long-term turf resilience through a concentrated blend of beneficial microbes and bioavailable nutrients.

Together, they form the foundation of the Multikraft Natural NRG System – helping turf managers move beyond short-term responses toward healthier, more durable turf performance.

A recent 12-month independent validation program demonstrated the strength of this approach, with the venue achieving the ICC’s highest possible surface rating. As biologicals continue to reshape the future of turf management, Multikraft is focused on delivering systems that are scientifically validated, commercially practical and proven under Australian conditions. Visit Multikraft at Stand 51 and come say ‘G’day’ to the team.

NAKE TURF MACHINERY Stand 96 Nake Turf Machinery is proud to introduce a breakthrough in turf technology at this year’s Melbourne exhibition – our Ride-On Greens Roller and Topdresser. This self-propelled powerhouse (pictured top right) is the only equipment on the market engineered to roll the green and apply topdressing simultaneously in one seamless, ride-on operation.

The perfect sequence for superior greens, our unique system follows a ‘roll first, sandafter’ logic, providing a more stable and level surface for sand application. By rolling the turf immediately before the sand is dispersed, the machine ensures a perfectly level foundation, allowing for more uniform sand distribution into the turf canopy in a single pass. This synchronised sequence maintains consistent green firmness while filling voids efficiently, getting your course ‘play-ready’ faster than ever before.

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

The ergonomic ride-on design reduces labour fatigue and maximises productivity across all 18 greens. Completing two essential tasks in one pass significantly minimises the mechanical footprint on your most sensitive surfaces. This equipment is not just an evolution, it is a total reimagining of green maintenance efficiency. We invite all attendees to join us at Stand 96 and experience the future of turf care firsthand. Exclusive showonly discounts and priority delivery slots will be available for orders confirmed during the event.

STATEWIDE TURF Stand 27 StateWide Turf is a leading provider of sports turf construction, renovation and maintenance services across Victoria. StateWide Turf operates as a vertically integrated business delivering end-to-end solutions across sports turf, civil works, irrigation and water infrastructure, providing a complete, onestop service offering for councils, clubs, racecourses and major sporting facilities.

Our core services include: l Sports ground construction, renovation and maintenance. l Golf course renovation, construction and ongoing maintenance. l Irrigation design, installation and water management solutions. l Racecourse track construction and renovation. l Civil works, drainage and sub-surface water management.

With strong local knowledge supported by national capability, our focus is on delivering high-quality, performance-driven outcomes. We are here to support the Melbourne market with reliable, technically driven solutions across all aspects of sports turf and infrastructure. Come by our stand (No. 27) to see how our services can support your operations.

RAINBOW ENVIRO

SKIMTURF

Stand 50

Stand 44

Come and join Paul Jackson and the Rainbow team at Stand 50 for the official global launch of Rainbow Enviro – a new business dedicated to delivering trusted solutions for turf, landscape, vegetation management and environmental professionals. We invite golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, local government professionals, contractors, and industry partners to visit the stand and be part of this exciting milestone.

As the global launch event for Rainbow Enviro, this is your opportunity to learn more about our vision, meet the team behind the business and explore the latest product developments designed to support performance, protection and healthier environments. To help celebrate the launch, we’ll also have a range of exclusive giveaways and merchandise available throughout the event. We look forward to welcoming you to Stand 50 and celebrating the beginning of the Rainbow Enviro journey together.

SHARPER SOLUTIONS Stand 19 Come by the Sharper Solutions stand in Melbourne and take advantage of fantastic show specials on Bernhard grinders and Sisis equipment, running until 30 September.

Purchase the Bernhard Express Dual 3000MC and Anglemaster 3000MC as a package for just $88,500 (incl GST), saving $5K. Similarly, package the Sisis Veemo Mk2 scarifier and Sisis Litamina 1200 sweeper/debris collector for the special show price of $68,000, saving $4K. www.sharpersolutions.com.au.

SkimTurf™ Management is an advanced satellite-based agronomy platform designed to support precise, data-driven turf management for golf courses. The platform enables golf course superintendents to monitor key agronomic indicators across the entire property, including soil moisture, nutrient content, vegetation health and turf stress, without the need for on-course hardware installation. By combining satellite remote sensing technology with AI-powered diagnostics, alerts, reporting and mobilefriendly tools, SkimTurf™ helps turf managers make faster and more informed decisions while improving operational efficiency.

A major advantage of SkimTurf™ lies in its ability to transform agronomic insights into actionable field applications. Through its “Prescriptions” module and integration with the John Deere Operations Center™, superintendents can create precision prescription maps based on specific turf conditions and transfer them directly to GPS-enabled sprayers. This allows for highly targeted and variable-rate applications of fertilisers, wetting agents, plant growth regulators, biostimulants and other inputs. As a result, golf facilities can reduce unnecessary product use, optimise water and fertiliser consumption, improve labour allocation and achieve more consistent playing conditions.

By enabling precise management rather than generalised applications, SkimTurf™ supports environmental stewardship while helping courses maintain high-quality turf conditions. Leading facilities such as Desert Mountain Club are already leveraging the technology to improve precision, evaluate turf performance and optimise resource management. If you want to learn more stop by our stand in Melbourne (No.44).

SOIL SCOUT/TURF METRIX Stand 49 Come and see the revolutionary HAPPI100 – the world’s first wireless underground oxygen sensor. Because oxygen is life. Now you can measure it. Key Soil Scout features include: l Totally wireless – no cabling or trenching. l Battery-powered and maintenance free – enjoy up to 20 years of battery life, the most cost-efficient solution available. l Get live data for oxygen, moisture, water balance, temperature and salinity. l Measure soil at any depth – Soil Scout sensors can be deployed at various depths, providing flexibility in monitoring.

l

l

l

l

l

Scalable network – easily extend coverage across large or multi-zone areas.

No cellular signal required at sensor locations – the sensors operate effectively in dead zones, with all data relayed via radio repeaters the Base Station’s 4G connection.

Rugged design – built to withstand the demands of sports and farm environments.

Web dashboard access – use an intuitive interface to view live soil data, track trends, compare zones and identify patterns.

Accessible anytime, anywhere, from any browser-enabled device.

100 per cent compatible with Toro Lynx and Intellidash, with a 10-year warranty.

STIHL Stand 42 Visit the STIHL stand to learn more about our latest commercial solutions, including the FSA 200 and the BGA 250.

With the powerful FSA 200 battery brushcutter, professionals in garden and landscape maintenance or in public enterprises can mow larger lawns very effectively and conveniently, even in noise-sensitive areas.

The ergonomic bike handle (mowing handle) supports comfortable working when cutting tall grass and weeds. The folding clamp makes it quick and easy to adjust the bike handle to the ergonomic position that suits you.

With a mowing circle of up to 450 mm and the powerful EC motor, you have the ideal conditions for efficiently caring for green areas with the STIHL FSA 200, particularly when mowing grass and scrub. The optimised, ergonomic control handle allows you to set the speed to three levels to work as efficiently as possible while saving as much energy as possible.

The STIHL BGA 250 battery leaf blower is the world’s most powerful handheld blower over its entire battery life – ideal for professional horticulture and landscaping applications. With the STIHL BGA 250, the blowing power remains constant over the entire battery life and does not decrease during use. The handheld blower is suitable MAY-JUNE 2026 53

MELBOURNE 2026

TURFBREED Stand 46

for quick, short applications, for example after trimming hedges or removing leaves, as well as for cleaning work in building management.

The blower is very easy to manoeuvre and pleasantly quiet, so that you can clear up leaves, green cuttings and dirt quickly and efficiently even in noise-sensitive environments.

SUNDEW TURF SOLUTIONS Stand 9 Sundew will be showcasing a new generation wetting agent pellet technology designed specifically for professional turf managers.

Developed and manufactured in Australia, the Sundew range delivers rapid, effective soil moisture management through a unique water-soluble pellet system designed for use with standard hose-end and spray equipment.

The convenient pellet delivery platform allows fast deployment and highly efficient application across golf greens, sports fields and other high-performance turf surfaces.

The Sundew range consists of three targeted formulations. SUNDEW CORE provides foundational wetting performance to improve water infiltration and restore uniform soil moisture in hydrophobic profiles.

SUNDEW AMINO combines advanced wetting technology with supplemental amino acids to support rapid turf recovery during periods of heat and moisture stress. SUNDEW ROOT+ incorporates rootzone support technology designed to improve root performance, water uptake and overall turf resilience.

Conference attendees visiting the Sundew stand will be able to see the pellet system firsthand and discuss how the Sundew range can be integrated into preventative moisture management programs, stress recovery strategies and rootzone performance programs for elite turf surfaces.

54

Visit Nathan Tovey at the TurfBreed stand to experience two premium turf varieties engineered for elite sports field performance – IronCutter Hybrid Bermuda and Kenda Kikuyu. IronCutter Hybrid Bermuda is a high-performance hybrid offering exceptional density and deep root systems for superior drought tolerance and wear resistance. It establishes quickly, maintains a fine, darkgreen finish at low mowing heights and performs reliably in extreme conditions.

Kenda Kikuyu delivers exceptional durability and rapid recovery for high-traffic sports applications. With four times the rhizome density of standard kikuyu varieties, it provides outstanding wear tolerance, vigorous winter growth and excellent drought resistance while maintaining year-round colour vibrancy.

Our team will be on hand to discuss custom turf solutions tailored to your venue’s specific requirements.

TURF GROUP AUSTRALIA Stand 100

Turf Group Australia will use ASTMA 2026 to introduce a new operating system for professional turf. Built for the people responsible for keeping courses, venues, facilities and open spaces moving every day, the platform brings the critical layers of turf operations into one connected environment – planning, task management, team visibility, applications, compliance, reporting and procurement. This is not another generic job management tool. It is being developed specifically around the way modern turf teams actually work – across crews, sites, seasons, weather windows, event pressures, budgets and compliance requirements.

Positioned as “The Operating System for Professional Turf”, the platform is designed to deliver greater operational visibility, accountability and control across the entire operation, while reducing the fragmentation created by spreadsheets, paper processes and disconnected systems. The platform has been

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

developed to help simplify daily execution while improving oversight, communication and consistency across teams and sites.

At the Turf Group Australia stand, visitors will be able to experience live operational walkthroughs and preview how the platform manages recurring works, operational scheduling, spray and fertiliser logging, workforce coordination and reporting across single and multi-site operations.

Turf Group Australia will also be discussing post-conference onsite walkthroughs, pilot opportunities and the broader vision for connected turf operations across golf, sport, education, local government and commercial turf management.

WAYROBO Stand 78 This year in Melbourne, Wayrobo is proud to introduce a breakthrough in maintenance efficiency - our Autonomous Bunker Rake Robot. Built to operate seamlessly while the course sleeps, this innovative technology ensures your bunkers are tournament-ready before the first tee-off, drastically reducing manual labour requirements and ensuring high-precision consistency.

While the unit is currently in its exclusive launch phase, we are inviting all conference attendees to visit our stand for a first look at the product’s capabilities. Although the physical robot will not be on the floor, our team will be available to provide in-depth technical briefings and discuss how autonomous solutions can be tailored to your course’s unique topography.

As part of this, we are now establishing a priority list for future on-site demonstrations. By visiting our stand and registering your interest, you will secure a spot in our upcoming demo roadmap. Don’t miss this chance to be among the first in the region to transition toward a smarter, more autonomous future.

MELBOURNE 2026

PHOTO: BRETT ROBINSON

South Australian finalist Max Clark (Kooyonga GC) volunteered at the 2024 Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club

National

T

aspirations

he country’s leading sports turf management graduates will line up in Melbourne with the industry set to recognise 14 of its outstanding achievers at the 2026 National Turf Industry Awards. The respective golf and sportsfields and grounds Graduate of the Year Awards will once again be presented in partnership with ASTMA Platinum Partner Toro Australia, with two of the most highly anticipated awards of the evening handed out after an intense 48 hours for the finalists.

Judging will take place the day before the awards ceremony, with all 14 graduates – seven from each category – presenting to a panel of experts before being asked a series of questions to test their turf management knowledge. The ASTMA, together with the respective state associations, wish all the finalists the best for the judging and for the awards night itself. This year’s finalists are...

56

ATM reporter Nick Creely profiles the contenders for this year’s Graduate of the Year Awards, sponsored by Toro.

ASTMA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR - GOLF HARRISON ALLARDYCE Busselton GC | GCSAWA Harrison began his sports turf management career as a teenager at the highly esteemed Busselton Golf Club and has blossomed in his role since. He was drawn to

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

the hands-on nature of turf management and wanted a career connected to sport rather than following a traditional school pathway.

He hasn’t looked back since. Now employed as the foreman at Busselton, he is heavily involved in irrigation which is an area of great interest due to its technical aspect of course management and something he takes great pride in overseeing.

Outside of his work at Busselton, Harrison volunteered as part of the crew at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club in 2024 and 2025 where he was exposed to a course of world-class calibre and provided valuable insight into highlevel course preparation.

“What I value most about turf management is the lifestyle it offers – early starts, working outdoors and the satisfaction of presenting a course to an exceptional standard for members and visitors alike,” says Harrison.

NATHAN BAKER Byron Bay GC | QSTMA An appreciation of sports turf and wanting to contribute to providing high quality playing surfaces saw Nathan begin his career as an apprentice greenkeeper at Byron Bay Golf Club. At the far north coast NSW venue, Nathan’s eyes were instantly opened to the industry, the challenges faced on a daily basis, the places it can take you and the incredible people you meet along the way.

Nathan has been exposed to different environments throughout his short career so far, moving to Kingston Heath on the Melbourne Sandbelt for a season in 2024.

During his time there he was part of the crew that hosted the Australian Open. In 2025, Nathan jetted off to Crownwood Club in Sweden, an exclusive private course under construction where he contributed to the establishment and grow-in phase of the new facility, gaining valuable experience in construction, agronomy practices, adapting to different climates and developing his knowledge of C3 grasses. Nathan has since returned to Kingston Heath and will be part of the crew for the 2026 men’s Australian Open.

“I have loved every minute of my journey so far and am driven to continue learning, improving and challenging myself as I work towards becoming a better sports turf manager, with the ambition of becoming a superintendent one day,” Nathan says.

MAX CLARK Kooyonga GC | TMSA Max’s journey in sports turf management began in 2021 at North Adelaide Golf Course as a horticultural apprentice after growing up in the country where he developed a strong connection to working in the outdoors after exposure to farming and viticulture. With his father a keen golfer, Max spent a lot of his childhood on the course which sparked an early appreciation for the environment and a curiosity for turf care. After establishing himself in the wine industry postschool and a brief stint at university, Max took the opportunity at North Adelaide.

Max has plenty of elite tournament experience having been a volunteer at the 2024 Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club and most recently playing a significant role when his club hosted the Women’s Australian Open this past March. He has been appointed leading hand at Kooyonga and completed two industry qualifications all while gaining exposure to emerging turf technologies.

In his current role, Max assists with daily

Victorian finalist Will Savickas (left) and Queensland representative Nathan Baker (right)

course setup, team coordination, irrigation management and chemical applications. “I most enjoy the dynamic nature of the work and the satisfaction of consistently presenting the course at a premium standard,” says Max.

JAG CLARKE Coffs Harbour GC | NSWGCSA Jag has been a part of the furniture at Coffs Harbour Golf Club since 2019 after advancing from a casual position to completing his matureage apprenticeship in September 2025. Sports turf management was always of interest to Jag who used to play as a junior at Coffs Harbour from 10 to 16 years of age and enjoyed watching major tournaments such as the Masters and admiring the work of those that maintain immaculate, world-class courses.

At Coffs Harbour, Jag works alongside a dedicated team of greenkeepers that work diligently every day. He enjoys sharing knowledge with his colleagues and learning from his supervisors who have provided training and guidance as part of his progression to spray technician. A recent

career highlight for Jag was being awarded the NSWGCSA Vince Church Graduate of the Year Award, something he is immensely proud of.

“The things I enjoy most is preparing the course in the early morning so it is in the best condition possible when the golfers arrive, and undertaking massive projects such as green reconstructions,” says Jag. “It is rewarding to be a part of and see the end result of a large project that required hard work and dedication over a long period of time.”

JESS MACLAREN Devonport CC | TSTMA Jess began her apprenticeship as a greenkeeper in October 2022 at Riverside Golf Club in Launceston after a career change at 26 years of age after gaining a qualification in cookery. Deciding she wanted to do something active and in the outdoors, Jess discovered sports turf management and when she saw the job advertised it ticked all the boxes. Growing up in Scotland, she already had an appreciation of golf courses, often holidaying at St Andrews.

Kelly Fagents, from Perth’s Trinity College, has had the opportunity to volunteer at a number of major events, including the 2024 Australian Open at Kingston Heath

MAY-JUNE 2026 57

MELBOURNE 2026

Tasmanian finalist Jack Pearce cut his teeth at Devonport Country Club before moving to Burnie City Council

Jess has developed plenty of tournament experience when her club hosted the Tasmanian Amateur and the Tasmanian Junior Masters. She has also helped complete a bunker redevelopment project, which involved digging out all bunkers, reshaping some and installing new drainage before filling with new sand. After completing her apprenticeship in 2025, she began working for Devonport Country Club as a leading hand, overseeing daily management of the Riverside course which Devonport now manages.

“My favourite part of turf management is renovation season,” says Jess. “Everyone works together, whether it’s on the ProCore, scarifier, or sand spreader, with the collective goal of revamping the course… then waiting to see the results of everyone’s hard work.”

WILLIAM SAVICKAS Barwon Heads GC | VGCSA Prior to launching his sports turf career in 2022 at Barwon Heads Golf Club, William was involved in a landscaping apprenticeship before making the transition. He started playing golf at the time and became fascinated watching the greenkeepers working on his local course, sparking his interest in taking it on as a career. He was eventually given the opportunity to work at Barwon Heads, and alongside that has volunteered at 13th Beach Golf Links for the Vic Open and the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.

As VGCSA Apprentice of the Year, William recently completed a week of work experience at Tara Iti and Te Arai Links in New Zealand. He is currently working as a qualified greenkeeper at Barwon Heads and is enjoying helping new turf managers make their own journey as enjoyable and rewarding as his has been.

“My journey so far has been incredibly rewarding, giving me the opportunity to work 58

with an amazing team under the leadership of superintendent Craig Molloy and assistant Bobby Wallace,” says William.

BRODY SCHOFIELD Gold Creek CC | ACTSTMA Brody’s journey began on October 7 2022 at Harden Country Club in NSW where he was introduced to the science behind golf course maintenance and learned what goes on behind the scenes, things he never noticed as a golfer. His passion comes from a love of the outdoors, hands-on work and golf, providing him the opportunity to combine all three while working in a fun environment.

A major highlight of Brody’s career so far has been winning the ACTSTMA Graduate of the Year Award. Another highlight was completing his qualification at 18 years of age and moving to Gold Creek Country Club to continue growing his career. Currently holding the position of course foreman at one of Canberra’s busiest public access courses, Brody is involved in all course operations alongside superintendent Simon Snedden.

“What I enjoy most is seeing the results of the work put in throughout the week and watching the course come together in the best condition possible,” says Brody. “I’m still learning and developing every day and I’m excited to see where this career takes me.”

SPORTSFIELDS AND GROUNDS GRADUATE OF THE YEAR KELLY FAGENTS Trinity College | STA WA Kelly discovered the sports turf industry while completing qualifications in horticulture, conservation and land management. While attending an

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

open day at Araluen Botanic Gardens she met the late Eva Ricci, a highly respected WA turf industry advocate, who sparked her passion to go down the turf career path. She began her apprenticeship at Trinity College in Perth back in 2022 and has enjoyed combining her passion for sport and the outdoors.

One of the highlights of her apprenticeship has been the opportunity to volunteer at major events, such as the 2023 Women’s World Cup at AAMI Park which gave her an insight into FIFA’s high-performance standards. Kelly also volunteered at the 2024 Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club, facilitated by the ASTMA, gaining valuable exposure to the unique demands of maintaining a championship golf course.

In her current role at Trinity College Kelly is responsible for preparing and maintaining over 10 hectares of playing fields for PSA sport, as well as the college oval and surrounding grounds. “I’ve always enjoyed a wide range of sports and I love working outdoors,” says Kelly. “The physical nature of the role is something I thrive on.”

TOBY HENDERSON Department of Parliamentary Services | ACTSTMA Having been actively involved in sport from a young age, Toby commenced an apprenticeship at Australian Parliament House in February 2023. Toby has developed a strong appreciation for highquality turf surfaces at sporting clubs and schools throughout his childhood and that early exposure played a significant role in shaping his decision to pursue a career in sports turf management.

Toby’s time working at Australian Parliament House has been both rewarding and diverse, providing a range of memorable experiences, include receiving an award from the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House in recognition of turf presentation during the 2024 Royal visit, as well as contributing to the preparation of the sports field for the annual politician State of Origin event.

Upon completing his apprenticeship, Toby was honoured to receive the Certificate of Excellence in Sports Turf Management from the Canberra Institute of Technology and was also offered an ongoing position within the turf team at Australian Parliament House where is now progressing into a three-month placement as an irrigation specialist.

“What I value most about working in the turf industry is the variety and challenge that each day brings,” says Toby. “The dynamic nature of the work continues to motivate me and I am committed to building a long-term career in this field.”

MELBOURNE 2026

ANTONY WEARNE

QSTMA finalist Tobey Phillips is currently a turf surfaces attendant at Brisbane Racing Club’s Doomben racecourse

JACK PEARCE Burnie City Council | TSTMA Jack, who resides on the northwest coast of Tasmania, is currently working for Burnie City Council as a greenkeeper, maintaining West Park Oval which hosts Australian rules football and cricket matches. His journey in sports turf management began in 2022 at the Devonport Country Club after returning from living in the UK and has rapidly risen through the ranks. In his current role as a greenkeeper, he is responsible for preparing the surfaces for both cricket and football.

Jack takes tremendous pride in preparing sporting surfaces and gains great enjoyment in working outdoors. “What I enjoy most about the management side of things is the ability to be my own boss – for example, ordering products, communicating with sales representatives and trusting in the process I’ve been taught,” Jack says.

TOBEY PHILLIPS Brisbane Racing Club | QSTMA After spending time as a volunteer at a local baseball field in Newmarket, Brisbane, Tobey discovered sports turf management and a passion for the industry blossomed. That led to him undertaking an apprenticeship with the Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association under grounds manager Robert Watkins.

Over two years, he developed skills in daily maintenance, irrigation, drainage, renovations and facility programming within a small-team environment, allowing him to gain hands-on experience across all areas of the site.

Tobey also spent time working casually at The Gabba which he still does today, gaining valuable experience in elite-level venue preparation and event operations.

60

He eventually moved to Nudgee College to work within a larger team and facility, further developing his knowledge and skills before joining the Brisbane Racing Club as a turf surfaces attendant at Doomben Racecourse.

Tobey enjoys the challenge race days, trials and constant events bring each day.

“Working in racing has been a big change but the people around me have given me valuable insight into producing safe and fair racing surfaces while meeting stakeholder expectations,” Tobey says.

MATTHEW REINHARD Melbourne Grammar School | STA Vic After leaving the finance industry in search of a more hands-on and rewarding career, Matthew chose sports turf management.

Currently employed at the Melbourne Grammar School, managing the main oval, cricket wickets and lawns, Matthew is enjoying the responsibility that comes with managing high quality sporting surfaces and the satisfaction of seeing the direct results of his work each day.

A major achievement of Matthew’s career so far was being named the Melbourne Polytechnic Apprentice of the Year across all trades, as well as helping prepare surfaces for historic sporting fixtures such as the Cordner-Eggleston Cup football match and the Melbourne Grammar School versus Sydney Grammar School cricket match which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year.

“I’ve enjoyed how approachable and supportive people in the industry are,” reflects Matthew, who is currently studying his Diploma of Sports Turf Management. “Everyone is willing to share knowledge and offer advice to help you develop. Turf management has given me a real sense of purpose and direction and I genuinely enjoy coming to work each day.”

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 28.3

STA NSW | Royal Sydney GC A latecomer to the sports turf management industry, Antony has decades of experience behind him, firstly working cutting grass for his own business straight out of school and then spending more than two decades as a horticulturist across NSW. Antony eventually landed at Royal Sydney Golf Club and joined the Horticultural team for five years before switching to the club’s Northern Area team where he now helps manage 15 grass tennis courts, two bowling greens, two croquet lawns, seven synthetic grass courts, as well as feature lawns. He also helped on the newly constructed ‘Championship Course’.

During his time working at Royal Sydney, Antony has immersed himself in general maintenance, seasonal renovations, machine maintenance, setting up for play and has learnt about the importance of time management. Antony has a desire to continue his studies and gain his Diploma in Sports Turf Management and earn an irrigation qualification in the future.

“I enjoy being able to learn and improve every day,” says Antony. “Not every day goes the way I want, but it is how I learn and improve myself which is what I enjoy. Learning from experienced industry professionals has been extremely rewarding.”

SAM WORLEY Adelaide Oval | TMSA Sam’s journey to sports turf management wasn’t straightforward, but his career has always been underpinned by a love of sport, particularly cricket.

A qualified personal trainer, Sam was inspired to pursue turf management when watching the Adelaide Oval grounds team during the 2021 Ashes Series. A chat with head curator Damian Hough set him on the right traineeship pathway and he joined the team as a casual with no prior industry knowledge.

Sam showed an immediate aptitude for the skills required of an Adelaide Oval groundsperson – strong initiative and problemsolving, an ability to work both independently and collaboratively, attention to detail and a real feel for how best to make an impact without losing sight of the big picture. For these reasons, he was asked to travel to Florida to support Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions in its work for the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup. Other highlights for Sam have been maintaining the practice nets ahead of Test matches and rebuilding a wicket block from scratch at his old high school. Sam is a proud ambassador for the industry and Adelaide Oval and is motivated by the part he plays in maintaining the its world-class reputation.