ASSN REPORTS VGCSA ASSOCIATION REPORTS
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igher than average rainfall was experienced across the state throughout August which was a change from what was a very dry June-July period. The start to spring has been somewhat underwhelming though, with more wet weather, low soil temperatures and low maximum temperatures ensuring minimal growth. Hopefully, some sunshine and higher soil temperatures aren’t far away and the turf will kick into gear while the moisture is still in the ground. Another successful winter VGCSA Country Meeting has passed with 90-plus members enjoying the hospitality of Tocumwal Golf Club for two days of education, sponsor presentations and a game of golf. Many members were envious of the glorious weather we experienced over the two days and host superintendent Ben Lucas had the golf course looking and playing fantastically. The local knowledge of the golf course was emphasised with Ben and his assistant Aaron Dale taking the prize in the Ambrose competition on a countback from Clint Raven and Brendan ‘Sticks’ Robjant from Heidelberg Golf Club. Our guest speaker David Meagher provided two very informative sessions revolving around staff management and knowing your rights as a golf course superintendent, while John Neylan led an extensive discussion on sands used for golf green construction. John was also part of a panel for the open forum held at the end of the education day, discussing all things Poa annua.
Our September education meeting was recently held at Medway GC, sponsored by Syngenta. Guest speaker Gary Dempsey (superintendent NSW Golf Club) made his way down south to give an insight to his career thus far and also his thoughts on where the industry and the game of golf is heading into the future. Melbourne certainly turned on some wintry weather for Gary’s visit! Medway superintendent and VGCSA life member Colin Winterton toured members around the golf course, discussing his completed works over the years and programmes to ensure his surfaces are performing on a year-round basis. Colin also discussed his passion for beekeeping which helps him relax from the rigours of turf management. It was great to hear the thoughts and ideas from two stalwarts of the industry. It won’t be long before the association’s last meeting of the year comes around. The November Open Golf Day at Riversdale GC with superintendent Travis Scott will cap what has been another fruitful year for the VGCSA. Our members and sponsors continue to assist through their attendance across the year and we are fortunate to have this ongoing support. The association is also committing to further turf research over the next 12 months and beyond with the intention to supply relevant information for our members to use.
MATHEW POULTNEY PRESIDENT, VGCSA
CROCKFORD INDUCTED INTO VICTORIAN GOLF HALL OF FAME
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ormer Royal Melbourne Golf Club course manager Claude Crockford (pictured), one of the most influential pioneers of the greenkeeping profession in Australia, was honoured posthumously at the Victorian Golf Industry Awards held in mid-August. Crockford, who reigned at Royal Melbourne from 1937 to 1975, was inducted into the Victorian Golf Industry Hall of Fame in recognition of his services to golf course management. Present day Royal Melbourne superintendent Richard Forsyth accepted the honour on behalf of the club. Crockford, who died in 1995, was one of eight inductees in 2017 and joined the likes of former course architect Sam Berriman and Australian Masters and The National Golf Club founder David Inglis. A total of 44 have now been inducted into the Hall of Fame since 2011 and Crockford resides alongside his Royal Melbourne predecessor Mick Morcom who was inducted in 2016. The following is an excerpt from the awards detailing Crockford’s contribution to
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The tribute to Claude Crockford which resides in the foyer of the RMGC maintenance facility the profession: “Claude Crockford, qualified as an architect, spent eight years at Yarra Bend public course where he worked developing the course with Mick Morcom after it was built in 1928. Following this he worked at Royal Melbourne GC, when in 1935 then head greenkeeper Mick Morcom’s health began to fail. At this time, Claude was appointed assistant to Morcom at a salary of £5 a week and when Morcom died in May 1937, Claude succeeded him as head greenkeeper. During World War II the course
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 19.5
was neglected, so post war Claude and his staff of 12, along with Alex Russell, devised a three-year restoration plan. Within two years the course was back in first class condition. “Over the years Claude developed such a widespread reputation in every aspect of greenkeeping that he was often called on for advice and in later years published many articles on the art. Weed control, the behaviour of different grasses, soils, bunker maintenance, watering, the use of machinery on courses, native flora, course preparation for championships, rough control – Claude Crockford was expert in them all. He took the holistic approach to nature of the instinctive ecologist, long before that science became fashionable. “His philosophies and techniques remain an inspiration at Royal Melbourne today. Course management has progressed in many areas in recent years but arguably there have never been more pure putting surfaces than those prepared by Claude Crockford at Royal Melbourne.”