ASSN REPORTS VGCSA ASSOCIATION REPORTS
Some 90 members attended the first VGCSA meeting for 2017 at Commonwealth and Woodlands golf clubs
Assistant Chris Adames outlines some of the recent works undertaken at Commonwealth during the recent VGCSA meeting Far right: Commonwealth superintendent Mark Prosser Below: Woodlands superintendent John Mann discusses the recent works to the club’s reconstructed second hole
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he association’s first foray for 2017 was our annual dual club education meeting conducted at Commonwealth and Woodlands golf clubs. A great turn out of members (over 90) had the pleasure of walking both courses and seeing firsthand the results of extensive works that both clubs have undertaken over the last few years. First stop was Commonwealth where course superintendent Mark Prosser spoke to the group about the development of the golf course and vegetation areas during his time at the club. Due to the amount of work to be seen, the group was split into three with Mark’s assistants Steve Bolt, Chris Adames and Tim Bickerdike showing members around. Extensive works to convert fairways and green surrounds to Legend couch and tee complexes to Grand Prix couch have been undertaken over a seven-year period with numerous bunkers also either remodelled, added or removed. Most recently, between January 2014 and October 2016, Commonwealth undertook a major course improvement programme which saw the clearing of a significant number of trees and introduction of more than four hectares of native vegetation around the course. The vegetation programmes
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 19.2
are showing great results and horticulture manager Kate Torgersen was on hand to explain the amount of work that has been undertaken. She indicated that spraying and works programmes in these areas are constantly modified to achieve limited labour hours when it comes to maintaining them. Following the walk around Commonwealth, the group headed across to Woodlands Golf Club where superintendent John Mann hosted the second part of the day. Woodlands is currently undergoing a greens replacement programme with the existing Penncross/Poa surfaces being converted to Mackenzie creeping bentgrass and surrounds to fine fescue. Attendees got to view the recently completed 2nd green as well as the 4th green complex which is currently growing in. Mann also showed off the recent works undertaken to realign the par five 2nd hole by Renaissance Golf Design (Tom Doak) to remedy boundary issues with White Street. This work saw the addition of three new fairway bunkers and narrowing the fairway from 65 to 35 metres along with the installation of extensive new fairway drainage lines. Members were also shown the practice tee extension which was done thanks to left over turf from the works to the 2nd hole. The VGCSA’s Annual General Meeting is the next major date for the association on Monday 8 May. Metropolitan Golf Club will be our host and I am sure course superintendent Dave Mason will provide excellent golfing conditions for our major golfing trophies to be decided.
MAT POULTNEY PRESIDENT, VGCSA