REGIONAL PROFILE REGIONAL PROFILE
South West Rocks CC, NSW The NSW north coast boasts some fantastic golf courses and among those is South West Rocks Country Club which is home to AGCSA superintendent member David Hobday.
Superintendent: David Hobday (42). Family: Wife Mandy, two daughters Ella (7) and Zoey (5). Period as a superintendent: Five years. Association involvement: AGCSA member 10 years, NSWGCSA five years. Turf management career: Warialda Golf & Bowling Club (apprenticeship 1991-95); Royal Pines Resort (greenkeeper 1995-2001); Murwillumbah Golf Club (assistant superintendent 2001-07); Royal Pines Resort (assistant superintendent 2007-2012); South West Rocks Country Club (superintendent 2012-present). Qualifications: Cert III Turf Management and Diploma of Management.
Where in Australia is South West Rocks Country Club? South West Rocks is located on the midnorth coast of NSW near the mouth of the Macleay River, about 120 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour. The township’s population of 4800 increases markedly during the holiday season, with local attractions including the Trail Bay Gaol, Smoky Cape Lighthouse and many beaches. Tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be in the industry? I grew up in Warialda, NSW (about one hour east of Moree) and I loved playing sport, mainly cricket and golf. As kids we were always mowing a cricket pitch or a golf green in the backyard with a pineapple tin for a hole. Two of my neighbours were greenkeepers, one of whom was a close friend and he used to talk to me about his job. That prompted me to get into turf management. Who were some of your early turf mentors and what did they instil in you? At Warialda Golf Club, Murray O’Brian taught me not to be dodgy – if you are going to do a job, do it right the first time; that has helped me throughout my career so far to set high standards for myself and the work we carry out on course. Later in my career Paul McLean (superintendent, Sanctuary Cove) taught me a lot about being a superintendent. He explained everything from his reasoning for the programmes
The South West Rocks crew comprises (from left) Brett Thurgood, Steve Branson, Nathan Moore, Brian Mugridge, Daniel Tinlin (on mower), course superintendent David Hobday and John Meehan 64
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 19.2