FOREWORD THINKING WITH MARK UNWIN, CEO AGC SA
Sunshine State all set to welcome sports turf professionals
E
ntering June, the largest turf event in Australia and New Zealand is almost upon us and the AGCSA team has been focusing efforts over the past few months on delivering what should be a sensational 2019 Asia Pacific Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition (24-27 June, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre). The conference programme we have put together this year has been developed from member feedback and responses to conference surveys from last year. We have brought together a comprehensive line-up of leading international turf professionals, researchers and agronomists to complement an impressive list of local speakers presenting on a varied range of topics. The event kicks off on Sunday with the AGCSA Golf Championships to be held at Brisbane Golf Club, presented by Platinum Partner Toro. The Monday workshops, presented by Gold Partner Jacobsen, feature an expanded session this year with the addition of a sustainability seminar presented by Steve Isaac, director of sustainability for The R&A. This complements the existing agronomy and leadership and development workshops which will be conducted by fellow international guests Dr John Kaminski (Penn State University, USA) and Craig Haldane (Gleneagles, UK). Monday night sees the Syngentasponsored National Awards Gala Dinner, an event that continues to grow in significance within the industry. Looking ahead to the education sessions, alongside presentations from local researchers, superintendents, sports turf managers and a host of industry professionals, the line-up also includes a number of other international experts including Dr Rob Golembiewski (Bayer, USA), Jonathan Smith (GEO Foundation, Scotland) and Andrew Johnston (Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore) who makes a welcome return after headlining in Wellington last year. In this issue of ATM, we’ve given you a quick look at some of the highlights of the conference, including an expanded sportsfield and grounds education session featuring presentations from Sport Australia, the AFL, state Departments of Sport and Recreation, Football NSW and other industry leaders. This edition also outlines a range of exciting product and service releases from the sold-out trade exhibition (26-27 June). 4
national education programmes that build environmental and sustainable practices, enabling improved outcomes for sports and recreation facilities. It also allows for increased advocacy activities between national and state bodies to ensure superintendents and sports turf management professionals are recognised and represented. I would like to thank each of the state association presidents and committees for their support in this strategy and more so acknowledge their joint aspiration in working together to develop a more unified and professional turf industry.
‘THANK A SUPER’
AGCSA
For those unable to attend the education sessions, I encourage you to get along to the trade exhibition – entry is free – to see some of these new product releases first-hand and support the organisations that support your association.
HISTORIC CHAPTER AGREEMENT Outside the conference, it has been a busy few months for the AGCSA with a number of developments starting to take shape. Primarily among these was the recent announcement of the signing of an historic Affiliated Chapter Agreement which deepens the collaboration and cooperation between the AGCSA and all state golf course superintendent associations. The sanctioning of such an agreement between national and state bodies is significant, as it is the first time that all associations have established a co-operative agreement to play a unified role in the Australian sporting industry, particularly in the areas of advocacy, education and research. This agreement will see each of the state superintendent associations formally align under the AGCSA as national body and enables joint policy development, advocacy efforts, training and representation at state and national levels. Further, it creates a platform to implement and support local and
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 21.3
May also saw the delivery of the second ‘Thank a Superintendent Week’ campaign, an initiative designed to drive awareness and recognition of the great contributions that course management teams make to the game of golf in Australia. We were thrilled with the coverage this initiative received from golf media and industry bodies, with information appearing in print, websites, social media and radio.
PITCHING IN Finally, in a significant piece of work for the whole of Golf, the AGCSA has been working with the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) in putting together an advocacy campaign. The AGIC incorporates representatives from the eight leading bodies in golf within Australia and during the early part of the year put together an advocacy campaign leading into the Federal election. The programme, entitled ‘Pitch In: Grow Community Golf’, called on Federal MPs and candidates to get behind golf during the Federal election campaign, to support the great places and people in the sport. The AGIC has engaged in a number of meetings with MPs and advocated for further investment into golf facilities to improve the capability and sustainability of golf clubs around the nation. The campaign received a tremendous amount of support, resulting in various radio interviews, social media and media coverage in local and national newspapers and golfing magazines. Further updates on this campaign, and a host of other activities that the AGCSA has planned over the next 12-18 months, will be featured at the upcoming conference and I look forward to sharing these with you all there. See you in Brisbane.