WELLINGTON 2018 WELLINGTON 2018
WELCOME TO WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
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n behalf of my fellow AGCSA directors, the AGCSA staff and NZGCSA president Steve Hodson and executive members, welcome to Wellington and the inaugural Australasian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition to be held at TSB Bank Arena. I sincerely thank everyone for making the effort to cross ‘the Ditch’ to attend; I am sure a great week of education and fellowship awaits. The idea of a joint conference between the two associations was first mooted some three years ago and much work by many people has brought it to fruition. Keeping with the joint collaboration, the theme of the conference is ‘Tipu Tahi – Growing Together’. The conference programme offers a diverse range of seminars and workshops to be presented to delegates. Leading off the week’s proceedings once again are the ever popular Monday workshops presented in conjunction with AGCSA Gold Partner Jacobsen. The agronomic workshop, presented by Scott McElroy (Auburn University, USA) will focus on ‘Understanding the problems of herbicideresistant weeds in turfgrass’ and ‘Manipulating fertility to control Poa-annua’. The management workshop is to be presented by Andrew Johnston (Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore) with the topic being ‘What drives your management practices?’ Both of these workshops and the various smaller workshops on the Wednesday are fully booked, confirming the continued popularity of this format. The remainder of the week promises varied educational content and I am sure there will be plenty of seminars with interest for all delegates, ensuring plenty of thought-provoking discussion and providing some excellent ideas to be taken back to your workplace. The trade exhibition will this year give delegates the unique opportunity to view products from both Australian and New Zealand companies who will have some trade specials on offer. I encourage delegates to take the time to visit all booths and support those companies that are supporting the conference. Special mention must be given to our conference industry sponsors Golf Australia and Golf New Zealand, as well as major sponsors Bayer, Jacobsen, John Deere, Nuturf, Syngenta and Toro. The AGCSA and NZGCSA also wish to acknowledge industry partners STA Australia, the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects and New Zealand STI. The 2018 AGCSA Golf Championship, once again proudly sponsored by Platinum Partner Toro, will be contested at one of New Zealand’s premier courses, The Royal Wellington Golf Club. Host to the 2017 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship,
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course superintendent John Spraggs and his staff will, I am sure, present a stern test for the quest of the Toro Red Jacket. Leading into Sunday’s championship is a fantastic pre-conference golf tour also sponsored by Toro. For those fortunate enough to have secured a place on the tour, they will get the chance to play two of New Zealand’s most celebrated layouts – The Kinloch Club and Cape Kidnappers. The conference’s famed social functions are to be held at two outstanding venues and will no doubt be among the highlights of the week. The first of these, the Syngenta President’s Dinner, will be held at Te Papa – The Museum of New Zealand. The turf bodies of both Australia and New Zealand will honour their award winners during the night. AGCSA Bronze Partner Simplot Partners will present the Farewell Bash to be held at the Te Wharewaka o Poneke, a fitting venue in which to wind down the week. Te Wharewaka houses some traditional Maori canoes and carvings which will be on display during the evening. After a hiatus for a number of years, back on the conference programme this year to complete a memorable week is the post conference Turf Tour. This year delegates will take in some of Wellington’s finest sporting venues including The Basin Reserve (Test cricket venue), multi-purpose sporting arena Westpac Stadium (the ‘Cake tin’) and Miramar Golf Club which is situated adjacent to Wellington’s airport which has had an interesting history. In what has been a great undertaking to present, I sincerely hope all delegates have a wonderful conference and enjoy your time in Wellington. The wonderful staff of the AGCSA and the boards of both the AGCSA and NZGCSA will be on hand to assist in any way needed throughout the conference. New Zealand is a beautiful country and I am sure that there will be many of you who will take some time to enjoy what the country has to offer either before or after the conference. To those of you that do, safe travels and I look forward to seeing you in Wellington.
BRETT BALLOCH PRESIDENT, AGCSA SUPERINTENDENT, ANGLESEA GC CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DESK OPENING TIMES Sunday: 2pm-4pm Monday: 8am-4pm Tuesday: 7am-6pm Wednesday: 8am-5.30pm Thursday: 8am-3pm