REGIONAL PROFILE
Wagga Wagga CC, NSW
Wagga Wagga has a knack for producing some of this country’s finest sportsmen and women – hall of famer jockey Scobie Breasley,
AFL legend Wayne Carey and Kangaroos icon Peter Sterling to name just a few. It also boasts some great sporting facilities including Wagga Wagga Country Club which has been home to superintendent Brenton Morey his entire turf management career. Above: Looking back down the 9th from behind the green at Wagga Wagga Country Club a few days out from the recent club championships 58
Superintendent: Brenton Morey (31). Family: Wife Lisa, children Matilda (2) and Ted (4 months). Period as a superintendent: Three years, nine months. Association involvement: AGCSA (similar period). Turf management career: All at Wagga Wagga Country Club (apprenticeship 2002-2006, assistant superintendent 2006-2013 and superintendent 2013-present). Qualifications: Certificate III Sports Turf Management (TAFE NSW Riverina Institute – North Wagga campus). Where in Australia is Wagga Wagga and what is the club/township famous/known for? Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in NSW, situated halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. With a population of around 56,000, Wagga Wagga is the major regional centre of the Riverina. Although not directly reflected through our membership, the town has a large military population with the army base at Kapooka and the air force base at Forrest Hill. Charles Sturt University also makes up a large part of the town’s population. The club sits on the banks of Lake Albert on the southern side of town, boasting heavily tree-lined fairways and a tight, undulating layout with a clubhouse that has the best view in town overlooking the lake. Tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be a golf course superintendent. I grew up on a farm 100 kilometres south west of Wagga
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 18.6
Wagga. Coming from a rural background, working hard and long hours was the norm and ingrained early, especially from my grandfather. I finished school after Year 11 and worked a week’s casual work during renovations at Wagga Wagga Country Club (WWCC). Apparently they liked what they saw and I was offered an apprenticeship two months later which I started in December 2002. Not having a clue about golf or turf, the opportunity to work outside was enough to lure me up here. It didn’t take long for me to get the bug and my passion for the industry grew quickly. After completing my apprenticeship I was promoted to 2IC. Six years later my predecessor moved on and I was offered the position of superintendent. Who were some of your early mentors and what did your early postings teach you about the industry and turf management? Two of the older groundsmen, Trevor and Glen, working here when I first started took me under their wing early on. They shared a lot of their knowledge and were always there to answer any questions and offer an ear to listen. Glen has been a volunteer out here since he retired 10 years ago. Now he asks me the questions! How did the job at Wagga Wagga come about and what do you like most about being the superintendent there? The best part about being superintendent here is being able to walk into the clubhouse after work and see the members happy with what we’re producing day in, day out. There’s always a good vibe around the place. I’m also
PHOTOS: BRENTON MOREY
REGIONAL PROFILE