AS SOCIATION REPORTS
VGCSA
I
t feels as though summer is once again stretching into early autumn here in Victoria, something that’s becoming the new normal for this time of year for us. The extended warmth has certainly kept everyone busy on course, but hopefully you’ve all had the opportunity to catch your breath after a hectic summer season. With Easter coming up (as I write this), I trust many of you can take a well-deserved break and recharge before heading into the cooler months to tackle the long list of ‘small projects’ that have accumulated over summer. Our first meeting for the year saw over 100 members make the journey to The National’s Long Island course for an exclusive look at the impressive redevelopment work currently underway. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, especially considering how demanding this time of year is for all superintendents and their teams. A big thank you goes out to those who were able to attend and also those who sent their staff to take part. Opportunities to engage with projects of this scale and innovation are invaluable. The tour offered deep insights into how The National’s golf course manager Leigh Yanner and Long Island superintendent Simon Page are navigating the rebuild in partnership with architects OCM Golf. The design approach being implemented is both bold and forward-thinking with the flexible ‘course within a course’ allowing for three different 18-hole routings. This has entailed constructing a final layout that will include 20 greens and utilising the same greens and tees in varying combinations to create the three different routings. Golfers may encounter entirely different holes from one day or one week to the next based on which sequence of tees and pins are in play. In order
The National Golf Club’s Long Island course hosted the first VGCSA meeting for 2025
to facilitate that, a large consideration with the greens design has been to build them so they can accept shots from different directions. The flexibility of the hole designs and the creative routing possibilities promise to deliver a playing experience that’s not only dynamic but also highly adaptable. The variety being built into the course ensures that the layout will remain fresh and engaging for years to come which is a testament to the vision and collaboration between The National and Ashley Mead from OCM Golf. At the time of the meeting, 13 holes had been constructed with 10 greens down and a further two to be seeded the following week. Leigh is expecting construction works to be finished by June, with the final tranche to focus on the practice facilities and clubhouse area which should be completed by September. That will then give Simon and his team the remainder of the year to establish everything, with all 18 holes reopening in the New Year.
ACTSTMA The ACT Sports Turf Managers Association is pleased to announce that Zac Wels (pictured) from Tura Beach Country Club on the NSW South Coast has been named as the 2024 Graduate of the Year recipient. Zac was a consistent performer at Canberra Institute of TAFE, contributing to practical work and collaborating professionally with his cohort. He was particularly proud of Tura Beach and the work that the team were undertaking to make it the course that it is. Zac was a popular winner of the overall award and interviewed well during his presentation in front of the committee. He beat home a very promising group of apprentices, 70
Looking ahead, we have a busy calendar of events planned for the remainder of the year, including the AGM in late April at Kingston Heath, followed by meetings in June (Course Staff Education Meeting, Cranbourne GC), July (Country Meeting, Yarrawonga Mulwala GC) and September (Education Meeting, Riversdale GC). These events are great opportunities to share knowledge and network. In addition to our regular meetings, we’re also rolling out a series of specialised workshops this autumn and winter aimed at upskilling staff across a range of topics including cutting units, biodiversity, budgeting and financial planning, irrigation systems and sprayer operation and calibration. I look forward to catching up with those who can make it to the ASTMA conference in Sydney in June.
ADAM LAMB PRESIDENT, VGCSA ON THE MOVE…
but special mention must go to Dylan Benfield (Garangula Polo, who was the winner of the Sportsfield graduate award), Ross McPherson (Royal Canberra GC) and Ashleigh Garrett (Belconnen Bowls Club). On 24 March we held our annual ACTSTMA Hutcheson & Pearce Golf Day. We had great support with over 130 golfers and sponsors turning up for the event held at Federal Golf Club which was presented in fantastic condition thanks to superintendent Peter Dunn and his staff. Our next event will be the Living Turf Education Seminar to be held at Thoroughbred Park in July.
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 27.2
SIMON SNEDDEN COMMITTEE, ACTSTMA
JAMES BARNES: From spray technician Palmer Coolum, Qld to assistant superintendent Avondale GC, NSW. MICHAEL BUNSTON: From foreman Box Hill GC, Vic to assistant Rosanna GC, Vic. ADAM CHANDLER: From Wodonga TAFE to assistant Howlong GC, NSW. JUSTIN GROVES: From racecourse manager Morphettville, SA to turf and irrigation manager Outside Ideas, SA. NICK KINLEY (CSTM): From superintendent Hartfield CC, WA to superintendent Wembley Golf Complex, WA. JOEL MANSON: From Lonsdale Links, Vic to assistant superintendent The Sands, Torquay, Vic. JAXON THORNE: Appointed assistant superintendent Royal Perth GC, WA.