AS SOCIATION REPORTS
NSWGCSA
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020 has been a write-off for all NSWGCSA events. The Board decided early that it could not host any events and guarantee that all attendees would be safe from COVID-19. However, with life returning to somewhat normal again, the NSWGCSA has decided to hold the 2020 Elite Sand and Soil Rube Walkerden Trophy at The Lakes Golf Club (superintendent Anthony Mills) in February 2021. This will mean 2021 will see two Rube Walkerden events with the second to be hosted by Killara Golf Club (superintendent Ryan Fury) later in the year. On 18 November myself and David Somerville (vice-president), along with two representatives from the NSW Bowling Greenkeepers Association, met with the Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey to discuss the drought and water restrictions that were in place over the 2019/2020 summer period. The Minister has requested that we present a document outlining our industry requirements through each level of restriction to be discussed at our next meeting. This is going to be a long process but it is really positive that we have started open communication between the industry and the State Government.
Northbridge GC superintendent Mal Harris was awarded NSWGCSA life membership at the AGM
The 2020 NSWGCSA Annual General Meeting, sponsored by Syngenta, was held on 7 December via Zoom conference. Ian Elphick (Gunnedah Golf Club) stood down from the Board after departing the club to concentrate on his own business. Peter Donkers (Long Reef Golf Club) was nominated and accepted for the vacant position of director. Long-serving Northbridge Golf Club superintendent Malcolm Harris was honoured
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NATHAN BRADBURY PRESIDENT, NSWGCSA
SAGCSA
TSTMA ou little ripper! We can now welcome visitors from all States and Territories at last! Although we have been very isolated from mainland Australia, which in a pandemic situation was a good thing, it is so very encouraging to see the flood gates open as we welcome everyone back. We did hold a training day in September at Invermay Bowls Club. With 50 attendees and quite a few new faces it was a very successful day. Theme was ‘back to basics’ which was focused mainly on apprentices and volunteers but also a bit of a refresher for us long-standing turfies. Andy Byard discussed spraying application and a machinery demonstration on Invermay Park by Pellows (Toro) capped off a great day. Our day finished at UTAS Stadium where Bryan Dunn explained his management practices on the new turf. Shortly after the meeting Bryan announced he was leaving UTAS Stadium after 16 years, including 14 in charge, to take on the northern operations manager role with Tas Racing. Congratulations go to Adam Spargo who has taken over the reins from Bryan.
at the AGM with life membership. Mal has spent over 35 years at Northbridge after taking on the superintendent role three years after starting as an apprentice in 1982. Mal served nine years on the NSWGCSA Board where he looked after the education portfolio. Mal’s life membership will be celebrated at February’s event at The Lakes Golf Club. On 10 December NSWGCSA Board member Pat Wilson (Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club) hosted an education event for the Far South Coast greenkeepers. Talks from Nuturf’s Dr Mark Walker and Dr Brett Morris were coupled with machine demonstrations from LandHQ/John Deere and Turf Air. The attendees were also treated to a Zoom interview with Steven Britton, superintendent at The Chevy Chase Club, USA. This was a great format and will be adopted for an event on the Far North Coast in 2021. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year; I think we all have had enough of 2020 and fingers crossed summer is much kinder than last year.
A big thanks to Invermay Bowls Club, Brodie Coulson and Geoff Stephens (Pellows Toro), Andy Byard and all attendees for making the day a success. The TasTafe training calendar has been released by Richard Lancaster and it most certainly looks like a vast improvement, with four one-week training blocks in the cooler months to lessen impact on clubs or organisations with having staff away when busy. We are hoping this updated training programme will improve over time to bring us in line with the other states with teacher/ student contact hours. As the industry association, we must also show support to TasTafe and wherever possible look at the possibility and benefit of enrolling an apprentice and making our industry stronger. Congratulations to Tony Smith (Mowbray Golf Club) on his preparation of the course for the Tasmanian Amateur in November. Golf Australia’s Chris Bell said the course was in fantastic condition.
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6
PHIL HILL PRESIDENT, TSTMA
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ntil recently, South Australia remained largely unaffected by COVID-19. That changed dramatically when the SA Government imposed a full lockdown on 19 November (thankfully now lifted) and for a few days we obtained a better understanding of the inconvenience endured by our interstate counterparts. Metropolitan Adelaide notched 15 days over 30oC for November including our first 40oC of the season. After some decent spring rain most SA clubs have sound water storage capacity as we enter summer. With continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the SAGCSA committee is reviewing its events programme for 2021 and looks forward to being able to offer a full and varied offering in the near future. We wish all superintendents, their staff and clubs all the best for the festive season and trust 2021 will be the dawn of much improved health and economic situation for all.
NATHAN BENNETT PRESIDENT, SAGCSA
