CONTENTS CONTENTS
CELEBRATING THE EFFORTS OF AUSTRALIA’S TURF MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS
ISSN 1442-2697 www.agcsa.com.au
AGCSA
VOLUME 19.1 JAN-FEB 2017
2016 Emirates Australian Open Royal’s race against time
Architect insight
Gil Hanse on RSGC masterplan, superintendents and Rio
Capital improvement
New surface for Westpac Stadium
Future-proofing
How will your course look in 5, 10, 20 years’ time?
‘Scary beautiful’
Kingston Heath puts on world class show
COVER Kingston Heath: Tournament 8th (club 7th) at Kingston Heath which hosted the 2016 ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf last November. Photo: Brett Robinson, AGCSA
LEAD STORY: ‘Scary beautiful’ – World class Kingston Heath
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Kingston Heath Golf Club again affirmed its status as one of the world’s great golf courses when it successfully hosted the 2016 ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf in late November. ATM editor Brett Robinson looks back at the tournament, course superintendent Hayden Mead’s preparations and the challenges of getting warm-season grasses up for a November tournament, as well as talks to some of the volunteers who assisted the Kingston Heath crew during a memorable two weeks. ATM also catches up with Kingston Heath’s horticulturist Peter Murray who is responsible for managing the club’s famed vegetation. The Kingston Heath landscape was at its finest for the tournament thanks to the efforts of Murray as well as a little timely help from Mother Nature.
Capital improvement
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Affectionately dubbed the ‘Cake Tin’ by the locals, Westpac Stadium in New Zealand’s capital Wellington recently underwent a major surface upgrade for the first time since its opening in 2000. HG Sports Turf’s Erik Kinlon looks back at the project which had a few unique hurdles to overcome.
FEATURES Royal’s race against time
From Port Melbourne to Port Moresby 16
Royal Sydney Golf Club superintendent Steve Marsden normally presents a picture of calm and collectedness but even he admits to feeling the nerves in the lead-up to last year’s 2016 Emirates Australian Open. ATM editor Brett Robinson looks back at Royal’s race against time to present the course for the Open and also touches base with golf course architect Gil Hanse who was in attendance. He talks about the impending Royal Sydney redevelopment and the importance of the relationship between architect and superintendent.
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Melbourne turf manager Matthew Oliver writes about his six month contract as grounds manager of Papua New Guinea’s National Football Stadium in Port Moresby which hosted the final of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup last December.
Future-proofing your course
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As the golf industry evolves and course infrastructure deteriorates, golf facilities must be prepared to make the necessary changes to remain viable. USGA agronomists Elliott Dowling and Pat Gross discuss the importance of master planning.
TIME FOR WATER QUALITY TESTING! Let us provide you with a truly independent water quality report Send samples to 2
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 19.1
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