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Celebrating the efforts of australia’s turf management professionals
ISSN 1442-2697 www.agcsa.com.au
AGCSA
volume 16.6 Nov-dec 2014
New hallowed turf MCG’s $1.7 million resurfacing project Going ‘Agrostis’
Royal Canberra’s bold new fairway grassing strategy
Brazil 2014
Aussies pitchside for FIFA World Cup
lead STORY: MCG’s new hallowed turf Cover The MCG: The Melbourne Cricket Ground during its recent resurfacing. Nearly 19,000m2 of Wintergreen couchgrass oversown with ryegrass was laid. Photo: Brett Robinson
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Some 48 hours after the Hawthorn Football Club had snared the 2014 AFL Premiership in convincing fashion, the excavators moved onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) arena to embark on a $1.7 million resurfacing project. The largest works to the surface since the redevelopment of the ground prior to the 2006 Commonwealth Games, over a 19-day period HG Sports Turf stripped the existing surface, re-levelled and then laid new turf in readiness for a busy summer schedule which includes the 2015 Cricket World Cup. ATM editor Brett Robinson talks to MCG arenas operations manager Tony Gordon about the the process to renew the surface of one of the world’s most iconic sporting grounds.
Features Going Agrostis
Cott’s got the look 14
Royal Canberra Golf Club’s long-awaited and highly anticipated course redevelopment got underway in July with works starting on the front nine. While it’s the biggest project in the club’s history, it’s the grassing strategy that will see the use of creeping bentgrass on fairways that has the Australian turf industry sitting up and taking notice. ATM editor Brett Robinson talks to course superintendent Andrew Boyle about the groundbreaking project.
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Cottesloe Golf Club superintendent Simon Bourne looks back at course preparations for the recent WA Open and the wild weather which caused a few headaches for his crew ahead of the final round.
A chip off the old block
34 For expat Australian superintendent Gavin Reid, it’s hard to remember a time in his life when turf and golf were not a part of it. Here he reflects on a fascinating and rewarding career.
World Cup wonder
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In June AAMI Park head curator Justin Lang together with former Forsyth Barr Stadium turf manager Troy Jordon got the opportunity of a lifetime. Approached by the STRI, both were part of the organisation’s consultancy team that guided preparations for the stadiums and training venues used at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
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Australian Turfgrass Management 16.6
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