Royal revitalisation
Royal revitalisation
‘Bay course’ basks in newfound limelight
‘Bay course’ basks in newfound limelight New-look
Gone surfing
Gone surfing
Wilson farewells Wembley
Wilson farewells Wembley
Loyalty and longevity
Loyalty and longevity
Concord’s Chris Howe readies for ASTMA Championships
Concord’s Chris Howe readies for ASTMA Championships
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Turf Managers Association is indebted to the support of the following premium partner companies
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The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association encourages all members to support these companies who support your association
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The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association encourages all members to support these companies who support your association
Australian Sports Turf Managers Association encourages all members to support these companies who support your association
In late March, Royal Sydney Golf Club officially reopened after an 18-month construction blitz which saw one of the biggest golf course transformations seen in Australia. Under the guidance of renowned international architect Gil Hanse, Royal Sydney has spared no expense to ensure their new ‘Bay’ course is befitting the club’s esteemed stature in the industry. Following on from the series of articles that featured in Volume 26.4 (July-August 2024) midway through the project, ATM editor Brett Robinson catches up superintendent Adam Marchant to reflect on the gravity of what has been achieved at the famed Rose Bay site and what it has meant for him both on a personal and professional level.
Cover: Concord Golf Club will play host to the 2025 ASTMA Golf Championship on 23 June. Pictured is the 11th.
Brendan James (Snap Hook Media).
“20 seconds earlier and I was gone!” Those are the words of course superintendent Adam Marchant as we sit in his Workman adjacent to the new 1st green at Royal Sydney Golf Club. I thought something had looked different as we were driving slowly up the fairway just days out from the club’s new ‘Bay course’ unveiling back in March, but what Marchant would relay next would leave me wide-eyed.
For those who know Royal Sydney, the house situated immediately to the left-hand side of the 1st green and behind the 2nd tee has been home to the presiding superintendent for decades. Since 2018 it has been home to Marchant and his young family – wife Yvette and kids Max, Willow and Mackenzie – just as it had been for his predecessors Steve Marsden, whom he took over from, and NSWGCSA life member John Odell before him. Living on course has its advantages and disadvantages as any superintendent (and their spouse) will attest, but given the huge scope of works and intensive timeframe of Royal Sydney’s recent redevelopment it was certainly leaning towards the former.
On a Friday afternoon back in late January, with the construction works complete and the race well and truly on to grow in the new surfaces ahead of the re-opening, a storm front descended on Sydney. With the wind howling and gusts registering close to 100kph, Marchant had called his crew off the course after branches started coming down. He too was calling it a day and made a beeline for home in his buggy.
For years, the superintendent’s house had been largely hidden from view by three large Morton Bay figs, one of many across the Rose Bay site which the club had planted back in the 1930s. So big had these particular specimens grown that in the winter months they would cause significant shading of the 1st green which made it a challenge to manage the surface.
Pam Irvine (ASTMA); Brendan James (Snap Hook Media); Adam Marchant (Royal Sydney GC); Peter McMaugh AM (Turfgrass Scientific Services); Mark Parker (NSW GC); Albert Sherry (ASTMA); Simone Staples (ASTMA); Wesley Stewart (USGA Green Section); Jaxon Thorne (Royal Perth GC); Ben Tilley (Headland GC); Kate Torgersen
Parking his buggy next to the back gate, directly underneath one of the figs, Marchant applied the hand brake, jumped out and walked through to the house. He got as far as the kids’ basketball ring when there was ungodly heaving sound. Almost in slow motion, Marchant watched on in disbelief as the 30m-tall tree came crashing down right where he had been just moments earlier. It took out the back fence, an awning, the buggy and had he been there, well, let’s not consider that shall we…
Although not exactly a story that Marchant likes to dwell upon or revisit in a hurry, it is just one of many which form part of the intriguing tale that is the Royal Sydney Golf Club redevelopment. As we covered off extensively in ATM Volume 26.4 (July-August 2024), it has been a project the scale of which we have rarely seen in this country (and with a price tag to match).
To walk out from the Pro Shop underneath the iconic Royal Sydney clubhouse and gaze upon the new vista that architect Gil Hanse has created is quite breathtaking. It’s a complete contrast to the former layout and since the re-opening Royal Sydney’s members have been revelling in their new and vastly improved surrounds.
For Marchant and his team, the re-opening signalled the end of a massive 18-month construction and grow-in effort and the beginning of a new phase as they now finetune the fledgling surfaces and dramatic new landscape. As Marchant poignantly notes in this edition’s lead story, it will be in 12 months’ time when the true character of the layout and the magnitude of the changes that have been made will be on full display as everything slowly matures.
Our revisiting of the Royal Sydney project and what has been achieved there heads what is a very Sydney-centric edition of Australian Turfgrass Management. That is no surprise of course given that the upcoming Australian Sports Turf Management Conference makes its long-awaited return to the Harbour City for the first time since 2001 (even I wasn’t with the association then which is saying something!). As well as our preview of the conference, we also look back on New South Wales Golf Club’s recent greens and bunker restoration project. While not to the same extent as their eastern suburbs counterpart, it was an equally significant project for one of this country’s iconic layouts.
Elsewhere, new ATM reporter Nick Creely catches up with Concord Golf Club superintendent Chris Howe who this year notched up 30 years with the club and is gearing up to prepare the course for the ASTMA Golf Championship. We also profile two WA turf managers – one who has just hung up the hole-changer for the last time and another who is in the early stages of his turf management journey, one which has just seen him return home after three life-changing years in the US. I look forward to seeing you all in Sydney, but until then, enjoy the read…
Brett Robinson, Editor
The Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition returning to Sydney for the first time in many years delivers the industry a great opportunity to network, continue professional development and showcase local facilities throughout the area, including the magnificent Concord Golf Club which will play host to the ASTMA Golf Championship this year. We are now just a few weeks out from the industry converging on the Sydney Showground (23-26 June) and the ASTMA team is in top gear as we get everything organised for what will be another fantastic event.
This edition of Australian Turfgrass Management Journal contains a full preview of the conference and the week ahead. From page 32, ATM editor Brett Robinson and reporter Nick Creely highlight this year’s education program, preview the ASTMA Golf Championships, profile the Graduate of the Year Award finalists and take a sneak peak at some of the new innovations that will feature during the two-day trade exhibition.
The ASTMA is excited to be welcoming several international speakers Down Under. We are thrilled to have US experts Alan FitzGerald (CGCS, Rehoboth CC), Dr Jim Kerns (NC State University) and Dr Chase Straw (Penn
State University), each of whom will be leading several discussions throughout the week on turf management, agronomic practices, turf research and developing leadership and management. Complementing their sessions, the ASTMA team has put together a compelling line-up of local speakers, with more than 100 hours of education sessions across the three days, plus machinery demonstrations and the trade exhibition.
The conference also presents an opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievers across the industry through the National Turf Industry Awards dinner (to be held on the opening night) and for turf managers to discuss and share ideas. Sydney promises to be a great event.
In early May the ASTMA Board met with the state association presidents in Melbourne for a day of discussions and forward planning. It was a great opportunity to work through many of the challenges and issues the industry is facing both nationally and at a state level.
Issues relating to staff attraction and retention were prominent, with most states feeling immense pressure in relation to staff shortages which in turn is placing an increased burden on many facilities to prepare and present surfaces. As the ASTMA’s Sports Turf Industry Survey highlighted, some 65 per cent of facilities are currently reporting they’re operating under headcount and experiencing challenges in finding or retaining staff –something that the association is developing initiatives to address and working with governments to address support levels.
Other items discussed were support for state career promotion activities, Golf Australia’s new Club Governance Program, environment and sustainability activities and the First Green program pilot and rollout at the Sydney conference. All up, it was a good few days spent working toward making the national and state associations as strong as possible to support members and continue driving the industry in the right direction. I look forward to seeing many of you in Sydney!
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“An incredible experience last night as we played host to the Matildas and Football Australia at McDonald Jones Stadium. Seeing and being a part of the organisation and execution of a high level international event such as this was a great learning experience. With an A-League men’s match the night before, seeing the pitch with minimal scuffing and divotting after the two games was a great confidence builder as we continue a very busy month in April.” (McDonald Jones Stadium, above, proved the perfect pitch for the CommBank Matildas as they defeated Korea Republic 2-0 in front of a record 28,000 fans in Newcastle on 7 April.)
“Once again the team have managed to get the course looking good with two shorter working weeks.” (Staff appreciation post from Newcastle Golf Club superintendent Earl Warmington midway through the Easter-ANZAC Day stretch.)
“Slowly getting to the finish line.” (The anticipation continues to build for Seven Mile Beach superintendent Anthony Toogood and his team as the course officially opened up for preview rounds in mid-May. It came 5301 days after founder Mathew Goggin first approached course architect Michael Clayton with a vision to “create a world-class golf destination that could stand proudly on the global stage” on the outskirts of Hobart. Good things come to those who wait…)
“Another Magic Round in the books at Suncorp Stadium – and what a week it was! In the week leading into Women’s Origin and Magic Round, we replaced over 50% of the NRL field – a massive effort that was well received by players, clubs, officials and commentators.” (Suncorp Stadium doing Suncorp Stadium things. 175,000 fans flocked there for NRL Magic Round, capping off a huge run of 32 events since January for the venue.)
A journey almost a decade in the making finally came to a conclusion in late March when Royal Sydney Golf Club unveiled its highly anticipated (and newly named) ‘Bay course’ after its Gil Hanse reimagining. ATM editor Brett Robinson talks to superintendent Adam Marchant about one of the most defining projects of his career and for the famed club.
Adam Marchant calls it his “happy place”. Nestled in the southernmost corner of the Royal Sydney Golf Club property is the 6th tee, the furthest point you can get from the iconic clubhouse and one of the highest parts on the course. Over the past 18 months it became a sanctuary of sorts for Marchant as he dealt with the pressure and expectation that came with overseeing one of the club’s biggest projects in its 130-plus year history. If ever he was stressed or needed some time out, he would drive out to the 6th tee, take a deep breath, reset and remind himself of the end game.
It is certainly one of the more spectacular settings of course architect Gil Hanse’s new routing which was officially unveiled to an
eager Royal Sydney membership in late March. Immediately in front is the dramatic short par three 6th (pictured above) with its heavily bunkered green and flourishing landscape plantings. In time, visually, it will become one of the most photographed holes on the course.
To the immediate right is the now bunkerless 5th green, while in the distance the 5th fairway merges with the new-look 7th, complete with its wonderful bunkering and green complex which sits just below the new 4th green. Looking beyond the 6th green are the two par five greens – 12 and 15 – while to the left, in the distance, is the new short par four 13th, with its yawning bunker guarding the right-hand side. The hole takes inspiration from Royal Melbourne’s famous 10 West and is one
Measuring just 120m from the back tee, the short par three 6th hole at Royal Sydney will likely become one of the most photographed sections of new-look Bay course which was unveiled to members in late March
that Hanse says was the most enjoyable of the whole project to bring to life.
Reflecting as he stands on the 6th tee, just three days out from the official March opening, even Marchant finds it hard to believe the transformation that has taken place at a course which has been home for more than two decades across two stints. Marchant has lived and breathed every aspect of the Royal Sydney redevelopment from start to finish, first as an assistant when Hanse was first appointed by the club in 2016 and then helping to drive the project since taking over as superintendent in 2018.
The near-decade long journey that the club, Marchant and his crew have been on has been all encompassing and they have had to overcome numerous hurdles and challenges. As was written in ATM Volume 26.4 (‘A site to behold’, p16-29), the club had to navigate its way through the NSW Land and Environment Court to get the project approved, producing one of the most detailed golf course Development Applications the industry has seen in the process.
It was therefore with no greater sense of relief that at 4pm on Tuesday 25 March, just four days before the club was due to officially re-open, Marchant got the phone call saying that Woollahra Council had signed off on the last of the 99 conditions which had been imposed upon the project. They were good to go. To celebrate, Marchant called up the various project managers and senior staff who had ridden the many ups and downs and that night allowed themselves a quiet and well deserved drink to celebrate.
“I don’t think we could have done it any better,” reflects Marchant. “Twelve months ago, we only had the 13th and 14th fairways grassed, no greens were seeded and the place looked like a bombsite. I knew it was going to be good and that Gil’s design would stand up, but to see the amount of infrastructure in the ground and the scale of works that have gone on, it still blows me away the quality of the finished product we were able to achieve.
“The project has been an absolute rollercoaster right from the early days and there were times where I seriously questioned whether it would get done. But the committee at the time pushed so hard to get it over the
line and that gave me the confidence and fight to also make it happen. To be able to sustain the drive and vision through all the challenges we faced and then to maintain the level of intensity throughout 15 months of construction and grow-in is something I’m really proud of, not just of myself but the team as a whole.
“I think when I get the chance to sit down and properly reflect, the thing which will blow me away the most is how my team have made this all happen. It’s so not possible to do something like this without those guys. I genuinely believe that what my team has done, maintenance teams don’t normally do. They were so heavily involved in all aspects of the project – the landscape plantings, the grassing, the bunker work, the course furniture. Everyone did their bit.
“The redevelopment was a massive responsibility and I certainly felt that pressure.
But I have had such a terrific team around me, especially my senior guys – Thomas Jones, Matt Broad, Christian Pink, Alistair Dunn, Kenny McNamee and Jerome Andrew. Their drive and commitment and input is what has made this project such a success. They were all invested to make sure it could be as good as it could be and I cannot be prouder.
“One of the most challenging parts over the past few years has been managing my time outside of work, and that has been extremely difficult. I am very fortunate to have a super supportive wife (Yvette) and three beautiful children (Max 12, Willow 11 and Mackenzie 6). They have ridden the rollercoaster with me and they all fully understood how important this project was and allowed me the time needed to ensure the project was a success. Their support has meant the world to me.”
To say the transformation that has taken place at Royal Sydney over the past 18 months is stunning would be an understatement. What has been crafted by Hanse, his team of shapers (led by Josh McFadden), an army of contractors (headed by Atlas Golf) and Marchant’s own crew has set the club up for the next 50 years.
Gone is the hemmed in parkland-style course of the past, replaced by a sweeping open layout that affords incredible vistas across the gently undulating Rose Bay site. The playing surfaces blend in with the natural landscape and are counterbalanced by extensive areas of native plantings which will mature over time. The course boasts new Pure Distinction bentgrass greens which provide a wonderful contrast to the Santa Ana couchgrass which is on all other surfaces –tees, surrounds, fairways and rough – while the impressive aboveground features are matched by state-of-the-art infrastructure underground.
Along with the course’s new look has come a new name. Previously referred to as the ‘Championship Course’ (and sometimes the ‘Long Course’), the new-look layout is now known officially as the ‘Bay Course’ in reference to the club’s location in the suburb of Rose Bay which can be seen from the elevated 1st tee adjacent to the clubhouse.
The new short par four 13th took inspiration from Royal Melbourne’s 10 West and is one that Hanse says was the most enjoyable of the project to bring to life
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Despite having got to the finish line in that last week of March, ironically it would be Sydney’s weather which would steal the limelight come opening weekend. Heavy rain prevented the first rounds of golf from being played, meaning they had to be postponed until the following weekend. Marchant was due to be in the very first group to tee off alongside Royal Sydney president Lucy Regan, men’s captain Adam Cornell and former president Chris Chapman who played a critical role in the early stages of the project. It didn’t stop the festivities from proceeding, however, with a special ‘thank you’ dinner for dignitaries held on the Friday at which Regan officially declared the new course open.
While the ceremony of the functions and first tee shots were memorable, for Marchant the real moment of enjoyment had come a week earlier when Hanse returned to the course for a whistlestop visit. It was the first time he had seen the completed surfaces since finishing the shaping of the final green, the 16th, the previous October. Marchant and
Hanse spent Sunday morning going around all 18 holes, putting every green and pin location. In the afternoon they were joined by Cornell and the project’s landscape architect Harley Kruse, going around again but this time hitting tee shots, bunker shots and approach shots.
The following day, Hanse provided an audio recording to a video flyover of every hole, discussing his design intent and strategy which will be used as an historical reference for the club. That evening, the club held a function attended by 250 members where Hanse held court and spoke candidly about the journey he had been on with the project, his first assignment in Australia.
As part of that he regaled members with his memories of the construction of each hole, some of the unique features that have been created and funny stories behind them coming to fruition. He spoke of his affection for the 13th, the tee shot on 15 and that some of his best shaping was on greens 1 and 9 (the old 16th) and connecting the plateau that runs between them.
Hanse also paid special tribute to Marchant and his team and the incredible amount of work they did and level of conditioning they had achieved ahead of the opening. Indeed, he told members that across all the projects he has been part of, the Royal Sydney team were arguably among the best he had worked alongside and that the only greens he had seen in better condition for an opening were at Merion in the US.
“Having been so switched on with everything this project has thrown at us and being so fast paced, to have that time alone with Gil was so enjoyable,” states Marchant of their walkaround together. “It was the first time I’d walked the golf course and thought more deeply about the architecture and what he has created. Some of these vistas now, your mind can just wander and the way it has opened the place up is amazing.
“Regardless of what is said now, I think that the design will carry us through and that’s the bit I’m excited about. I’m excited to have the members out there playing it and hopefully they’re embracing the new challenge. I know there’s going to be negative feedback on certain elements, but that’s no different to the last seven years I’ve been superintendent.
“Gil summed it up really well during our walkaround. He said that regardless of what happens from here on, what has been achieved here can never be taken away from us – how we have handled the year under construction; how we worked with him and his team and how we made their job easier; and how we grew in the golf course and had it in such a good spot for the opening. To hear those comments from a guy of his stature, who fully appreciates the level of work that goes into a project like this, was humbling and a huge boost for the crew.”
Aside from a wet April-June period in the first few months of the project last year which hampered progress, off the back of that the project team powered through and got back in front before the start of spring. The final tranche of works involved completion of the 11th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes, as well as construction of the club’s new 8.8ML dam which was carried out over a 10-week period between October and December.
The last green (16) was seeded as planned in mid-October. Then it was a matter of bumping out the construction compound which had been set up on the new par five 15th hole (old 8th) to enable that fairway to be shaped and grassed, along with the 16th. The last rolls of Santa Ana went down on the 15th on Christmas Eve, with the final construction piece taking place the week of the opening with the pouring of the asphalt access road to the maintenance facility.
From Christmas onwards it was all about concentrating on the final stages of the growin and navigating the Pure Distinction greens through Sydney’s hot and humid summer months. For the most part the weather played ball and the quality of the surfaces that were achieved for the opening were a testament to the exacting programmes that Marchant and his team had in place.
“I’m so glad I set the timeline for the end of March,” states Marchant. “At the end of February we weren’t there. We could’ve opened but it would have been premature, so giving ourselves all of March was good. It was really in those last three weeks, with a bit of rain, that the course really bounced.”
While the majority of the final works proceeded without issue, there were a few areas which created challenges and required some deviation from the original plan. Due to construction delays with the new dam, that caused flow on effects in other areas, especially in relation to irrigating the course and the construction of a new ‘paperbark wetland’ which formed an integral component of the project’s requirements.
The wetland is effectively the club’s old irrigation dam which is located between what is now the new 17th hole (old 11th) and Royal Sydney’s Centenary Course (short course). The new wetland couldn’t be constructed until the new dam and pumphouse had been built because the old dam was being used to irrigate the course. However, delays with the new dam construction and with a deadline to have all grassing completed by Christmas meant Marchant needed a contingency.
Decommissioning the old dam and pump station, Marchant brought in six 30,000litre tanks, rediverted the bores into them and hooked them back up to the old pump
station to irrigate the course. That meant they could build the wetland and then get heavy machinery back over a temporary bridge which had been earlier constructed over a culvert which runs through that section of the course. With the machinery back on the other side, they would then be able to deconstruct the bridge and grass that area.
With the logistics of all that, it meant for an eight week period between November and December Marchant was irrigating out of tanks with limited capacity, with new grass just laid as well as the rest of the course which was in various stages of maturation. Based on how quickly they could recharge the tanks, Marchant was only able to run the pumps at 25L/s which meant they were irrigating around the clock. To put it into context, the old system was 75L/s and the new system is 170L/s. Adding to the challenge, Marchant had no way of monitoring water levels in the tanks remotely or being alerted if the tanks were running low.
He therefore had to physically check them and to do so set up a rigorous daily schedule.
“I’d check them on my way home about 7:30pm [Marchant lives on course]; check them again at 10pm before I went to bed; set an alarm for midnight to check them again; and then checked them at 3:30am on my way back in,” explains Marchant. “We had all new grass down and only limited capacity to irrigate. A couple of times we had to isolate and turn water off because the tanks were too dry – it was a brutal stretch.
“And that was part of that whole feeling of relief in getting to the finish line, because there were times like that where we did have some significant challenges. We also had a particularly hot and humid period in January which with juicy bentgrass greens meant disease pressure was high. We had some pythium come into them but thankfully we picked it up early. It was a moment where you thought to yourself, imagine if we lost grass
now and that was the reason why we couldn’t reopen in time.
“I couldn’t imagine going through a project like this, with years of planning and trying to cover everything, and then dropping the ball at the eleventh hour. While it wasn’t great that we had some disease flair up, it was a very timely reminder that we needed to absolutely thorough and robust in all our programming.”
Since opening, Marchant and his team have swung back into full maintenance mode for the first time in many months which has been a pleasant change. They brought down the cutting heights of the Pure Distinction from 3mm to 2.75mm for the opening, with a 3.5mm perimeter cut and 6mm couchgrass collar (two walk-behind mower widths) around each green. All other couchgrass surfaces have been around the 9mm-10mm mark.
To assist with easing the new course back into play and to protect what has been constructed, Marchant has been able to implement a full day course closure every Monday for the first year with the backing of
the club’s Greens sub-committee and General Committee. In addition to that, tee times on all other days start at 8am with a limit of 600 rounds per week. Marchant also has the ability to close the course in the event of adverse weather, while no carts are allowed on course or trollies across greens.
The so-called ‘Maintenance Mondays’ will allow Marchant and his team to undertake some of the bigger tasks and cultural practices (dusting, aeration, chemical spraying) when there is no golf around with the rest of the week essentially being prep for play. A big focus in the first year will be on the greens and getting consistency across them given that there was a seven month difference between the first and last being seeded.
“It’s a very sensible approach,” says Marchant of the decision to close the course on Mondays. “The big unknown now is the traffic piece and how the course will respond. We want to get these surfaces as good as we can, so having these protective measures in place makes sense. The club has been very supportive and communicated the importance of it to members.
“The next 12 months are going to be really exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing how the members navigate their way around the course and what we will need to change or tweak. From a turf perspective, it will be about managing that first winter and making sure we are not overdoing it and trying to understand what we need to do for the next growing season to fast-track things.
“The exciting bit will be getting a greater understanding of how the surfaces perform and respond to some of the changes in our management practices. With the new profile in the greens we will be able to play around a lot more with moisture content, while we are still learning about how to manage the Pure Distinction.
We’ll be regularly looking at organic matter levels and measuring firmness and trying to get an understanding of what needs to be done. There’s obviously a lot of talk now whether you need to remove a plug to manage thatch and that if you dust enough you should be fine. I still like the idea of punching a hole and I think these greens will really benefit from a deep Vertidrain at any opportunity. But I want to get a feel for the thatch readings and that accumulation and let that determine what we need to do. We won’t pull a core or be aggressive for the sake of it, but if we feel like we need to we will.
“I’m really loving what I am seeing with the Santa Ana surfaces. It provides such a different look compared to the Wintergreen. The couch was quite green and lush at opening because it had to be to be ready, but the plan over time is to run them leaner and meaner, harder and faster, which means the course will visually look very different than before which is something we have started educating the members on. I have budgeted for a full topdress of the couch surfaces later this year, so with that and a full growing season under the belt, come February-March next year I reckon the place will be humming.”
Editor’s Note: The three articles in ATM Volume 26.4 (July-August 2024, p16-29) discuss more in depth the various elements of the Royal Sydney redevelopment – the design, the greens profile, turf varieties and seeding/ grassing strategies, bunker construction and irrigation system set up. The next edition of ATM will look more in-depth at the landscape element of the Royal Sydney project which is an ongoing component. ATM wishes to thank Adam Marchant and Royal Sydney for their assistance in putting this article together.
To help protect the new course, Marchant has been able to implement a full day course closure every Monday for the first year which will allow the team to undertake some of the bigger maintenance tasks and cultural practices
One of Australia’s most iconic golf courses underwent a significant makeover last spring and summer.
ATM editor Brett Robinson catches up with New South Wales Golf Club superintendent Mark Parker to reflect on the Mackenzie & Ebert greens and bunker restoration project.
As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Mark Parker, superintendent of New South Wales Golf Club (NSWGC) in Sydney, likes to think that it also takes one to redevelop a golf course.
Of anyone in the turf management industry, the NSWGCSA life member knows a thing or
International golf course architecture firm Mackenzie & Ebert were engaged by New South Wales Golf Club to add greater character to the greens complexes which they have certainly delivered. Pictured is the famed par three 6th green which is now over 1000m2
two about golf course redevelopments. In his previous 30-plus years at Concord Golf Club, he oversaw two significant course projects under Ross Watson and Tom Doak. In a way, they were a precursor to what transpired recently at NSWGC where he has been superintendent since 2018 after taking over from good friend Gary Dempsey.
Between September 2024 and February 2025, the famed La Perouse club closed its doors to members and undertook one of the biggest redevelopments in its history. While not quite to the scale of its venerable eastern suburbs counterpart Royal Sydney up the road (see previous article), it was nonetheless a defining moment for the club and for Parker.
Any works undertaken to a world top 50 golf course will always be heavily scrutinised, but what has ultimately been delivered at NSWGC is one that has been widely celebrated. To achieve that, however, it has taken the aforementioned ‘village’.
As Parker is quick to tell you, the project throughout was a real “community effort”, whether that was using local contractors, leaning on the support of fellow Sydney superintendents and industry contacts and even having the wife of the lead architect laying turf on greens at one point!
It also started at the top with the NSWGC Board, in particular president Chris Coudounaris. Parker says having someone of his experience asking the right questions and making prompt decisions to keep the project moving forward was critical. It was indeed a collaborative effort across all levels which has helped to deliver a project that has exceeded expectations and enhanced the club’s reputation as one of the world’s best.
NSWGC holds a special place in Australia’s golfing landscape. As Parker notes, you don’t
get to be a world top 50 course without being special, and NSWGC is definitely that. It’s dramatic location on the La Perouse headland, gateway to Botany Bay, is the envy of most. It’s iconic 5th and 6th holes would rank among the most photographed in world golf, while its exposed coastal location means it can be an absolute brute. As predecessor Dempsey loved to joke, the wind there can “blow oysters off rocks” it is that strong, something that Parker has certainly come to appreciate.
For all its grandeur and natural beauty, the one area which had long been critiqued was the greens. Their shapes were largely twodimensional and were bland in comparison to the sweeping natural landscape around them. The variety of pin locations was also limited due to greens size and factoring in the exposed nature of the site.
From a club perspective, over the past quarter of a century there had been a number of projects undertaken on course but nothing holistically. Indeed, when Parker started, the club wanted him to look at rebuilding four greens. His response was that if they were going to do four, why not get a recognised architect to do the lot and have consistency.
Taking that on board, the club initially engaged Doak (Renaissance Golf Design) to come up with a masterplan and also undertake the redesign of the 6th green which had been necessitated due to construction of a new public access coastal walkway. However, based on Doak reducing his consultancy work along with a few masterplan issues, the club and Doak decided to part ways.
Pivoting, in late 2022 the club announced the appointment of UK-based firm Mackenzie & Ebert (M&E) to develop a new masterplan overseen by director Tom Mackenzie. Although having a long list of high-end UK and European courses on their books, including a number of Open Championship rota courses such as Turnberry, Royal Portrush, Royal Dornoch and Royal St George’s, it was the company’s first assignment in Australia.
Unable to change the routing due to the course being located within a national park, the M&E masterplan would focus on greens complexes, bunkering, sandy waste areas and fairway shaping. Initially they had wanted to dramatically increase the number of bunkers and sandy wastes, which raised some concerns due to the windy nature of the site.
After a number of iterations, a final design was decided upon which did increase the number and size of those elements, with the club agreeing to increase the maintenance budget for these areas to cater for their upkeep.
Another initial hesitation Parker had was M&E’s ability to do everything remotely. The company has a strong focus on technology, using CAD drawings and CGI graphics to provide a very good representation of the final finish to both members and shapers. Despite that capability, the club included in the contract with M&E that Mackenzie, as lead architect, would make three, 10-day visits to the course throughout the works to oversee progress. It provided Mackenzie the opportunity to make adjustments in the field with the shapers to achieve the overall vision, which Parker says was critical to the end result.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Mackenzie, not only for what he has produced but just how good he was to work with,” says Parker. “He was willing to listen and make changes along the way and I think the result we have ended up with has been all the better for that. The old greens were very two-dimensional and rounded and there wasn’t a lot of variety
in terms of pin placements and shots. What M&E has done is create a lot more interest in the greens complexes, more pin locations and movement which ties in better with the wonderful landscape we have here.”
With works commencing September 2024 and needing to be completed within a six-month timeframe, all construction was completed in-house using three experienced local shapers – Miles Raicevich, Craig Brown and Daniel Scott – who each worked on two greens at a time. Once six greens were bulked in, Mackenzie would come out for a stint and make any necessary changes prior to the gravel, sand and turf being installed.
Parker opted to construct the NSW greens with a perched water table, using USGA-spec gravel (7mm) and a variable depth sand profile. Taking inspiration from earlier visits and discussions with superintendents at Merion and Winged Foot in the US, where there are lower points in the greens a greater depth of sand (up to 350mm in parts) has been added to assist drainage. Similarly, where there are higher ridges and peaks, they have a lesser
The new 11th green from the tee (top) with aerial photos showing the old (below left) and new (below right) shape. The new greens complexes have been designed to blend in and take inspiration from the natural landforms of the La Perouse site
depth of sand (225mm in parts) so as not to drain as quickly, with the overall aim to try and even out the drying process across each green. Mackenzie was on board with the methodology and altered his drawings to accommodate it. He provided updated coordinates for the shapers to use the roving GPS units, quickly modifying the base profile and subsequent layers.
Unable to source a consistent 80/20 mix which Dempsey had used when the greens were reconstructed in 2011/2012, Parker opted for a sand from Terara near Nowra, NSW. Having seen its use at neighbouring St Michael’s Golf Club, Parker had numerous discussions with superintendent Lee Sutherland over its performance in their Pure Distinction greens and the excellent results they had achieved. Shane George, now the assistant at The Australian, had also used the sand at Shellharbour with much success, further cementing in Parker’s mind that it would be a good fit for NSWGC.
Complementing the new profile, Parker, after some comprehensive trial work, would select 777 bentgrass for the new greens, becoming the first course in Sydney to use the newer generation variety. The 777 replaced the Mackenzie variety which Dempsey had sown during the 2011/2012 works when the greens were converted across from Poa annua
Parker was after a variety that was finer and denser than the Mackenzie as the new greens designs included extra pockets, particularly on the coastal greens, to allow for more pin placements which were protected from the wind. That would enable him to have the greens a little quicker than previously.
Over a couple of years the nursery green became a trial site with upwards of 10 varieties in plots. As well as observing those, Parker had also visited the US to view trial sites and clubs to get further data before making a final decision. In the end it came down simply to what was the best fit for their unique site.
“I’m not saying that 777 is the best bentgrass out there, but it is the best for here,” states Parker. “We had it on the nursery and every time I went down there it looked the best up against the others. It was fine and dense, without being too fine and too dense. I’m a huge fan of Pure Distinction which is an unbelievably good surface, but for here, with the wind we get, 777 just seemed right.
“Speaking with a couple of experts from America, they pretty much said that the new
NSWGC has become the first course in Sydney to use 777 bentgrass. The greens feature a USGA spec gravel layer with a variable depth sand profile
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varieties nowadays all work, it’s just about how you maintain them. In particular [777 breeder] Dr Richard Hurley made himself constantly available via email and even visited the course assisting where possible.
“With the Pure Distinction we were a bit concerned it would get too quick with the wind. If you grow it longer so it’s not as quick, to me that always looks shaggy, so I prefer cutting it at what is its appropriate height.
Lee (Sutherland) has Pure Distinction at St Michael’s and they are brilliant. Even though he is next door it’s surprising that little bit of difference in wind which we get more of here.”
With 777 chosen, the next phase was determining whether to seed or solid turf. When Dempsey installed the previous greens he had seeded them, however, this time Parker opted to solid turf for a number of reasons. Key among those was the tight timeframe and the fact that all the works were being done in-house. The site’s notorious winds were also a major factor. Parker can certainly attest that during the first few months of the project he lost count of the number of times they’d shape greens up only to come back the following day to find them half eroded.
As he had done at Concord, Parker reconnected with Frank Casimaty and StrathAyr who grew the 777 on their farm outside of Hobart, Tasmania. It was quite a logistical exercise to get the turf up to Sydney and to ensure it arrived in good condition. Due to changes in biosecurity regulations, the slabs of washed turf couldn’t be packed with ice in a container due to the potential of it melting and creating run off.
To get around that problem, Casimaty called upon a neighbouring grape producer who had cooling rooms where the temperature could be dropped to 0oC. He was able to cool the pallets of turf for a few hours before putting them into refrigerated trucks which then went to the port, on to the boat and up to Sydney. All up it was a three day process from the turf being lifted to being laid on site at NSWGC.
A key focus of the M&E works was to inject greater character into the greens complexes and have them marry into the landscape and ridge lines better. They have certainly delivered on that front. In terms of overall strategy, green size has increased from one hectare to 1.5ha. The most significant changes have come with the 6th green which has effectively doubled in size, now measuring 1002m2, and features a gravel layer which covers the entire green and surround to aid drainage.
Other key changes include a new front right section on the 5th green behind the greenside bunker, as well as a narrow 8m-wide entry into the 3rd green (pictured below) which
is guarded by a deep revetted bunker that wraps around the front right-hand side. The 16th green and 19th greens have also been joined together to create a large double green.
The 3rd green was particularly satisfying for Parker and the discussions between him and Mackenzie around its eventual design provide a unique glimpse behind the great relationship they forged across the project. As Parker notes, it was his main role, along with president Coudounaris, not to design but to ask the right questions of and provide feedback to Mackenzie on the design brief.
To put the discussion into context, the 3rd hole at NSWGC is a dogleg left with a blind tee shot over a ridge down to a low fairway, with the second shot uphill to an elevated green. The green had been reconstructed by Greg Norman Golf Design in 2011 and was considered quite bland. Prior to that the green was an oblong shape about 35m long with a pinch in the middle which at its narrowest was 11m wide. The 2011 rebuild saw the green become more rounded and much wider.
“When I started here, I had a conversation with a Board member who said that one of the greens that could do with changing was the 3rd,” recalls Parker. “It used to have two bunkers at the front, was a small green which you played uphill to and he said that if you had a wedge in your hand from the fairway below you were scared. He said the new design had lost that element.
“The original green M&E had drawn was 900 square metres which was wide at the front and back. We discussed it and they made a couple of changes, but then I mentioned the discussion with the Board member and I asked Tom what the narrowest green he’d ever designed was. His response was ‘12 metres’. I looked at him and said, ‘You’re not even trying!’ I turned and walked away and we laughed.
“That night he sent me a message. He’d contacted his team back in England and the message simply read ‘Royal Dornoch 9.5m’. I didn’t respond, then about half an hour later he sends another – ‘Postage Stamp 8.4m’, referring to the famous par three at Royal Troon. I sent a message straight back – 8.4m it is then! And that’s what we ended up with!
“About four weeks before opening we had one of the head professionals out here from St Andrew’s and I asked him what he thought of the changes. He’d played here 20 years ago and couldn’t believe how dramatic the changes were. I asked were there any particular changes he liked and he straight away said the 3rd – ‘I just wanted to drop balls and hit a wedge.’ Bang! I knew Tom had hit the brief!”
The new 3rd green before (top left) and after (top right) and the new narrow front section of the green (left) which measures just 8.4m wide and is guarded by a deep revetted bunker to the right
Total Agronomy + Total Irrigation = Total Control
Outside of the new greens shapes, there are a couple of other unique features of the NSWGC redevelopment. Perhaps the most noticeable and striking is the almost 300-metre long sandstone wall that now separates the practice fairway from the adjacent 18th fairway.
The wall serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose. It defines the out of bounds down the left of the 18th and also prevents range balls from rolling onto the 18th fairway. More importantly, the sandstone mimics that which is prevalent around much of the Sydney region. Although the sandstone looks new and fresh at present, over time the plan is to get lichen to grow over it to give a more aged look.
While the wall itself is a unique feature, the manner in which it was built was also. Rather than using an external stonemason, the wall was constructed in-house, with assistant superintendent Steve Kazurinsky coming up with the tools to build the wall and leading the works. Kazurinsky worked under Parker at Concord before moving to Cabramatta Golf Club. He rejoined his former boss at NSW in 2023 and like many played a critical role in the redevelopment across a number of areas.
Using locally quarried sandstone, Kazurinsky sourced a special saw that could be put on a rail to cut it on an angle and create a bevelled edge for the top row of stone (see photo above). The level of detail also extends to the look of the sandstone itself. On close inspection, many of the blocks have been etched so that they look like old convict pickaxe markings. Again, this was all done in-house, with four NSWGC staff working away methodically at it at a time prior to the course closure and construction. The final piece was the installation, which was led by another of the management team Callen Boulton.
The work on the wall was a perfect example of what Parker describes as a truly unique team at NSWGC. They were involved in the project from start to finish, working ridiculously long hours to achieve the objectives and in a manner that made it enjoyable to turn up each and every day.
As previously mentioned, M&E also incorporated more bunkers and sandy waste areas into the layout which was a point of contention early on. To address the issue of sand being blown out of the waste areas, Parker has come up with a novel way to hopefully reduce that. He has grown couchgrass through the bases (see photo below) which is then sprayed with a knockdown herbicide to “singe” the couch but not kill it. That way there is still grass to provide a matrix for the sand, which is placed on top, to bind with and hopefully lessen the likelihood of it being blown out.
Perhaps the most unique element of all, however, had nothing to do with the course. Every Wednesday for six hours throughout the majority of the project, Parker had a masseuse come in who would set up a table in the maintenance facility and provide 45-minute massages to staff working out on the course.
“He was brilliant and it was the best thing we did,” says Parker. “Dan Cook (The Australian) put me on to it. For the guys who are operating machinery, they’re sitting in excavators all day and their backs can get really sore. You’d see the guys go in and come out afterwards like a new person! It was little things like that which made a difference.”
If there was a single moment that Parker says defines the project and the many who were involved in bringing it to fruition, it would come during one of Mackenzie’s visits when wife Amanda also travelled with him. With turf in the process of being laid, both Mackenzies rolled up their sleeves alongside NSWGC staff and helped to lay slabs of 777 on several greens.
At other points in the project, Parker seconded clubhouse staff and members of the Board to lay turf also. Even Parker’s course administration assistant Lucy Sacco, who is a qualified architect, played a key role with some of the design elements around the 1st tee. Parker says the buy in and adaptability from everyone was enormous.
“It was that sort of project,” reflects Parker. “It was a real community effort and I cannot thank enough all the people that helped out, especially the support from my NSW superintendent and industry colleagues.
“Chris Howe, who was with me at Concord for many years, lent machinery, provided advice and even came over to help lay greens and do a revet bunker with us. Close friend Dan Cook also played a similar role. I had David Stone’s (Pymble GC) pedestrian topdresser probably longer than I should have, along with machines from Jake Gibbs at Elanora. Dad and Dave’s Turf transported across one of their big Brouwer turf harvesters so we could strip turf off fairways to use on the surrounds, avoiding the importation of clay.
“Lee (Sutherland) would let me view his greens and pull plugs to look at the profile and rootzone. Even my predecessor, Gary Dempsey, was there if I needed to call him, although he probably wanted to charge at times. The support was just amazing and helped us to achieve a fantastic result.”
The number of sandy waste areas has increased, with Parker letting couchgrass, which is regularly hit with herbicide, to run underneath and help bind the sand to reduce the likelihood of blowout from the wind
This past April saw the end of an era for WA superintendent Darren Wilson who departed Wembley Golf Complex after 22 years in charge. ATM editor Brett Robinson caught up with the former GCSAWA president and ASTMA Board member to reflect on an unlikely career in turf management.
Darren Wilson (CSTM) laughs as he fondly recalls his first ever job in the turf industry. Having spent more than a decade as a mechanic working on Porsches, BMWs and Ferraris, it was a rather different, somewhat agricultural piece of machinery that would greet him when he rocked up to his first day at Perth’s Lake Karrinyup Country Club in December 1988.
Strewn across the floor of the maintenance facility was an assortment of chains, sprockets and gears that were once part of an old PTOdriven Rake-o-Vac. The previous mechanic had pulled it apart and, well, that was as far as he had got. Karrinyup superintendent Niel Adams looked at his new recruit and said matter-offactly, “There’s your first job – put that back together!” With no Google or YouTube videos to refer to, Wilson deciphered the dog-eared operator manual and managed to piece the jigsaw puzzle back together.
Little would Wilson realise, but that humble first foray would blossom into a career path that not even he could’ve imagined, one that last August was recognised at the highest level when he became just the eighth person to be granted life membership of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of Western Australia (GCSAWA). Fittingly, the recognition was bestowed upon him at an association golf day held at Lake Karrinyup, the club which all those years ago had given him a lifeline (more on that below).
The honour recognised Wilson’s accomplishments across more than three decades in the industry, during which time he became one of the leading superintendent figures in WA. In addition to more than two decades at arguably Australia’s busiest public access facility – the 36-hole Wembley Golf Complex – Wilson would also play a significant role furthering both the state and national associations.
Months after from receiving his life membership and having ticked off more than most, in early 2025 Wilson announced that he would be retiring and farewelling Wembley after 22 years in charge. Thursday 17 April was his last day at the Town of Cambridge facility, with former Hartfield Country Club superintendent Nick Kinley (CSTM) ultimately selected to take over his role. It was somewhat of a full circle moment for Wilson who has handed the keys over to one of his former employees.
Wilson was very much a late arrival to the industry and it was by chance that he ended up in it. Turf management was the farthest thing from his mind when at the age of 16 he left school and took on an apprenticeship as a mechanic. It was at a time when WA was booming, Alan Bond was king and there was plenty of money rolling around. Expensive European cars were ‘de rigueur’ and Wilson jagged himself a job at one of Perth’s premier Porsche dealerships. Over the course of the next 13 years, Wilson would spend his days rebuilding Porsche engines and transmissions and for a brief stint also worked on BMWs and Ferraris.
Then came the global stock market crash of 1987. Like many businesses, the Porsche dealership that Wilson was working for was hit hard and needed to lay off three mechanics. Twenty-nine at the time, with a wife (Leigh), two young daughters (Brooke and Bridget) and a mortgage, it was an uncertain time. Wilson needed to find a new job, and quick. It just so happened that his best mate’s dad was good friends with the Lake Karrinyup Country Club general manager and it transpired they were looking for a mechanic.
Superintendent of Karrinyup at the time was Adams, himself one of the most influential figures in WA who would receive GCSAWA life membership and the AGCSA’s Distinguished Service Award. He was unapologetically old school – a farmer who was a hard taskmaster. As Wilson recalls, “If you did what you were told and kept your head down you were good, but if you stuffed up, well, good luck!”
Being a little bit older, Wilson hit it off with Adams and as time progressed he started taking more of an interest in the turf management side of operations. As most golf course mechanics do, Wilson was regularly roped into helping around the course, but Adams recognised something in him and encouraged Wilson to undertake some formal turf management qualifications.
Wilson duly enrolled in Murdoch TAFE’s night course and completed his qualifications in just two years, receiving the Baileys Shield as best night school student. Across that time Adams continued to give Wilson more responsibility, including spraying and irrigation, and would eventually promote him to leading hand, a role he held until early 1996.
During the 1990s, Perth was a focal point for tournament golf in Australia, with The Vines Resort hosting the Heineken Classic. Having left Karrinyup and after a brief stint as a rep with MacIntosh and Son, in 1996 the 2IC role at The Vines became available under expat Kiwi superintendent Dion Warr. Wilson would go on to play a major role in the last six Classics that The Vines hosted before the tournament shifted to Royal Melbourne.
Warr, who had completed his Masters of Agriculture (Turf Management) degree through the University of Sydney, encouraged Wilson to do likewise. Over a three-year period, Wilson studied via correspondence and together with fellow student John Forrest would travel to Sydney and stay at the University’s Camden dormitory for the two-week in-class sessions, using up his annual leave to facilitate it.
Successfully completing, the Masters degree equipped Wilson with a more inquisitive and critical mind. It fostered a healthy respect for doing your own research and problem-solving rather than relying on advice from the local chem or fert sales rep. It also gave him the confidence to back his own skills and would ultimately help pave the way for the next, most definitive move of his career.
When Wilson arrived at Wembley Golf Complex in late November 2002 he knew he had a big job ahead of him. His first posting as a course superintendent, Wilson had been encouraged
to apply for the job by then general manager Matthew Day who he had known from his days as a rep with the likes of Baileys, John Deere and Nuturf. Day himself had arrived at the club just a few months earlier and with the Town of Cambridge entertaining some bold plans to upgrade the facility, he knew he needed an experienced practitioner to oversee them.
In the office of the present day Wembley maintenance facility is a large aerial photograph of the sprawling 122-hectare site taken in early 2000 prior to Wilson’s arrival. It isn’t the most flattering of images, with many of Wembley’s 36 holes looking patchy at best. Mirroring that is another photo on the opposite wall taken in 2006 – to say they are chalk and cheese would be an understatement and the works that Wilson would go on to oversee would be a key reason for that transformation.
Wembley needed a lot of work. The heavily utilised facility – which comprises the Old and Tuart 18-hole courses – was pumping through about 160,000 rounds annually at that point and the wear and tear was there for all to see. The irrigation system and infrastructure was ageing and inadequate for such a large site and costing six figures annually to keep running. The fairways – a mongrel mix of bentgrass, couchgrass and kikuyu – suffered significant decline over summer, while the greens were heavily infested with undesirable grasses and had high thatch levels. Greens and tees were also small in size, compounding the wear issues, while Parramatta grass ran rampant across both layouts.
The priority was the irrigation system. Between 2004 and 2005, the Town of Cambridge would spend $2.8 million improving every facet of Wembley’s irrigation infrastructure – a new Rain Bird irrigation system with valve-in-head sprinklers, a new
pump station delivering 180L/s, new bore and irrigation mainlines, a fertigation unit, the replacement of all six bore cabinets and installation of water monitoring sensors.
The works also included the construction of two new irrigation lakes on the Tuart course with all bores directed into them to help strip the groundwater’s high iron oxide levels. Wilson rates that part of the works as the most gratifying and played such a critical role in remedying their water management issues.
With the new irrigation system in, it was the catalyst for a raft of other course improvements which quickly followed. Over the next few years Wilson and his crew, which had gone from six when he started to 12, including the employment of the facility’s first apprentice, reconstructed a heap of greens and tees, reshaped multiple bunker complexes and installed new cart paths. As a reward for that, Wilson received the AGCSA’s Excellence in Golf Course Management Award in 2007, the trophy of which took pride of place in Wilson’s office right up until his last day this April.
In 2010 the Town redeveloped the club’s practice facilities, installing a mammoth 80-bay, two-tier driving range which nowadays sees
in excess of 24 million balls hit a year. A new pro shop, car parks (from which rainwater is harvested), function centre and buggy room also followed, as well as a mini golf course. Such improvements have seen Wembley develop into the state’s, if not Australia’s, premier public access facility which now caters for more than 180,000 rounds a year.
For Wilson, seeing how the facility has progressed from when he first started has given him a huge sense of pride and satisfaction, as has been the opportunity to work alongside some terrific people who he says will be the biggest thing he’ll miss.
“I think there’ll be two lasting memories of Wembley,” reflects Wilson, who also oversaw the upgrade of the maintenance compound during his time. “The staff were simply great and like a second family. I like to think I always had a great relationship with them. Everyone got on with everyone. A big part of that is down to the guys like Scott Leckie and Glen Fowler who were there when I took over. Scott was 2IC and Glen leading hand and they’re still in those roles, both with over 30 years’ service.
“The second is seeing where the course was at and where it has got to. When I first
started, public courses had a pretty poor rap in the industry. I’d like to think that perception has changed over the years and hopefully I was part of that change. Some of the public courses in Perth and WA are pretty bloody good. Being a local government facility too, I can see that the guys now have pride in the golf course whereas maybe before they didn’t have that as much. Now they do because of the changes that have been made and the standards we have tried to maintain.”
As well as his efforts to improve Wembley, Wilson was equally as active outside of the facility’s boundaries. As soon as he landed at Wembley, Wilson joined the GCSAWA committee and within a year was president. Over almost two decades he would effectively hold every executive position on the committee and was a driving force for the development of some important local initiatives.
In addition to being on the University of Western Australia’s turf research and trials panel, one of Wilson’s key legacies was the development of the Waterwise Golf Program. Instituted in 2013, the program is a joint initiative between the GCSAWA and the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Wilson says the program was borne out of a need to demonstrate to officials that WA courses were efficient users of water.
Wilson, together with Forrest, helped to develop the program which has a set of guidelines and targets aimed at achieving long-term water use efficiency to support and promote best irrigation practices within the local golf industry. A number of WA clubs are now part of the program and under Wilson’s guidance Wembley became the first to achieve ‘Silver’ level accreditation in 2024.
Wilson would also transition his skillset onto the national scene, spending six years on the AGCSA Board from 2011 to 2017, including four as treasurer. While it was a big step up, Wilson says it was one of the best things he did and afforded him the opportunity to meet colleagues from across the country, many of whom have become lifelong friends.
Having overseen many a change at Wembley and helping to establish it as a benchmark for all public golf facilities Australia-wide, Wilson departs at a time when it is set to embark on another significant chapter in its history. In mid-2023 the Town of Cambridge engaged Clayton, DeVries & Pont (CDP) and Kruse Golf as consulting architects to come up with a masterplan. While still in the early stages, there are a number of options in the mix, among them the redevelopment of both 18-hole courses through to turning the Old Course into a true championship layout, keeping 12 holes on the Tuart course and converting the remaining six into a short course under lights.
While excited for what the future holds for Wembley, Wilson knew in his heart of hearts that the scale of the impending works would be too much of an undertaking in the twlight of his career. He was happy to hand the baton over to someone new to lead the team through that next phase. With that in mind, he informed management in late 2024 that he was planning to wind down, agreeing to see out a five month period which would give them enough time to select a suitable replacement, which they have done in appointing Kinley.
“I knew my time was up. I knew that if I kept going I could run the risk of becoming a
miserable old bastard and I didn’t want that. I wanted to go out while still on top and while I still got on with everybody,” laughs Wilson.
“Don’t get me wrong, up until about two years ago I still had a real passion and it was strong. But as you get older and worn down – I have had a few health issues recently – the passion starts to wane a little. If you can see it early enough you have to make the call and I am totally comfortable with the decision I have made. You want to leave on a high, not a low.”
Although having driven through the Wembley gates for the last time as a Town of Cambridge employee, Wilson says he won’t remain a stranger for long. A keen golfer who has played Wembley pretty much every week
of his time there, he is looking forward to returning and having a regular hit without the stress of worrying about the surfaces are.
However, you are more likely to see Wilson out in the waves than on the fairways. A keen surfer since the age of 13, Wilson is champing at the bit to devote even more time to his obsession, one which has taken him to many of the world’s famous breaks. He’s a loyal member of the ‘Mettam Mongrels’, which while sounding tough is essentially a group of 10 50to 70-something blokes who like to surf, have a coffee and talk trash in their group chat. On the bucket list is a trip to western Europe and the famous Nazare Beach in Portugal which every winter attracts big wave surfers as huge swells roll in from the Atlantic Ocean.
“Don’t worry, 10-feet is my limit – I’m about having fun, not killing myself,” jokes Wilson, who has also just recently taken delivery of a new caravan to do ‘the lap’ of Australia.
“I have just bought a ‘Mark Richards’ retro board which I got restored and I plan to ride that as much as I can as well. Much to Leigh’s disgust I have also started collecting vintage surfboards which I’m getting a bit addicted to. I’ve got three that are worth over $2K each and I’ve got seven of my own. The big dilemma is where to put them – I might have to build a shed out the back!”
Newly appointed Royal Perth Golf Club assistant superintendent Jaxon Thorne recently returned home after three years working and living in the US. The emerging sports turf professional spoke to ATM reporter Nick Creely about the life-changing experience and how it has shaped his perspective on the industry.
As Jaxon Thorne adjusts to life back living and working at home in Western Australia, the lessons learnt from three years abroad resonate every day in his field. The 25-year-old has packed a lot into his budding sports turf management career already and is most importantly passionate about his craft and determined to be innovative and drive the future of the industry.
From his apprenticeship at Secret Harbour Golf Club south of Perth, to working on holes at sunset and sunrise at the world’s number one course Pine Valley in Southern New Jersey, it’s been an adventure of a lifetime. Yet ironically, his career is still in its infancy and with many chapters still left to tell.
Thorne recently landed the assistant superintendent role at Royal Perth Golf Club after three years practising his craft in the US. He said it was an exciting time to work at the private members club, which is the oldest club in metropolitan Western Australia and one of the most prestigious courses in the country. Royal Perth is currently undergoing a staged greens replacement project with
superintendent Pat Casey overseeing the changes being orchestrated by Kruse Golf and Clayton DeVries Pont.
“It’s good to be home and it’s a great position to come home to. It’s been awesome so far with a lot of exciting works and upgrades to come into the future,” Thorne said. “It’s certainly a different adjustment of pace. From where I came from in the US, it was very flat out, we were going through major redevelopments, a full 18-hole restoration so it’s been a nice change for me personally.”
His exciting new role comes after Thorne made the life-changing decision to jet to the other side of the world and pursue a passion for turf as a 22-year-old in 2022 after initially gritting his teeth as an apprentice in Perth.
“I loved every minute of being there. I probably had a lot of mixed feelings before I left and I was only 22, so pretty young. I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect but I knew for me personally it was the next step to advance in the turf industry,” he said.
“I got in touch with Mike O’Keeffe, who runs The Ohio Program, and got my visa and before I knew it I was there. I lived in Washington DC, Los Angeles and just outside Philadelphia, so three amazing cities. It was awesome to see those different cultures and I have made a lot of lifelong friends and memories. In the end I certainly left the US with some bittersweet feelings for sure.
“But the level of detail and professionalism, as well as education over there was a big thing
for me. In WA especially, I just wanted that extra bit of education to bring back. It’s such a small industry over here in WA so going over there and finding new ways to do things and learning from the very best was massive. Hopefully I can take things I learnt over there and infiltrate it back here to the younger apprentices at Royal Perth.”
Thorne initially interned for seven months at the Chevy Chase Club in Maryland, which is headed by expat Australian Steve Britton as director of agronomy. Britton previously worked at Royal Melbourne Golf Club before making the decision to ply his trade in the US more than two decades ago. Thorne said that working under the esteemed Britton was a privilege and an eye-opener in terms of his meticulous “attention to detail”.
“He’s definitely been my biggest mentor in the turf industry so far. I went over as a young Aussie and he just settled my nerves really quickly and helped me to adjust to things there,” Thorne said. “Stephen’s a real inspiration with the career he’s had already in the field, working at Royal Melbourne and other clubs like Robert Trent Jones… he’s one of the best in the world at what he does and has a huge reputation.
“It’s just the way he manages his water and his attention to detail is next level. It’s amazing how much work he puts into his craft and the time he puts into his apprentices and interns. It was a bit of an eye-opener for me working with him, he’s awesome.”
Thorne’s next two postings as an intern, at the prestigious LA Country Club in California
for nine months and Pine Valley – consistently ranked the world’s number one golf course – are what dreams are made of. For the next year he worked closely with superintendents Chris Wilson and Rick Christian at both courses to hone his craft, absorbing every bit of information he could. More importantly he got his first proper taste of preparing for and delivering a major golf tournament and the level of conditioning required.
Thorne was part of the grounds team at the 2023 US Open from 15-18 June, won by American Wyndham Clark. It was the first time the LA Country Club had hosted a major tournament – its 123rd edition. He led all bunker operations months prior to the US Open, including spraying, fescue trimming, water management, roto tilling and monitoring of sand levels.
Previously he had also volunteered at the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow in North Carolina, spending a week there courtesy of his internship at Chevy Chase Club.
“Learning to prepare a major venue for a tournament like the US Open was a huge test and a great experience,” Thorne said. “Overall, it was just an amazing experience doing that. Just to see how much preparation goes into a major tournament is awesome, you find it’s all about the level of conditioning.
“I took on a lot of responsibility through the US Open and the lead-in which was great. Managing a team of 30 including volunteers was a really good experience for myself.
“It’s a lot of responsibility they put on their interns especially, there’s a lot of high expectations. Chris Wilson, who is the superintendent out there, has done three US Opens and a few PGAs, and is so great at what he does. To be able to learn tournament operations was pretty beneficial. It was the best possible place I could have been at the time.”
Thorne added it was like a “pinch-me” moment to be able to witness all that goes into major tournaments having grown up as a keen observer. “It’s a lot easier now for me because of those experiences. I got thrown in the deep end with that over there which was great,” he said.
But the “dream” as both an avid golfer and turf management professional was Thorne’s time as an intern at Pine Valley for four golden
months of his life from July to October 2023.
The private, members-only club is famous for its stunning and unique layout, challenging course and natural beauty. Its members list, which is less than 1000, is said to be a closelyguarded secret.
“It was always my dream to get onto Pine Valley one day,” Thorne said. “It’s almost impossible to play there so just to see those holes you see on Instagram, to go over there and work on those holes every day was amazing. You go out at sunrise and sunset each day to work on the course, it was phenomenal, almost hard to describe.”
Thorne had to carefully think about which hole stood out the most. “The 13th for me, it’s considered the best par four in the world and I just love the way it’s set up,” he said. “It’s a blindish tee-shot and it’s kind of going uphill and then feeds to the left. It forces you to play that draw and the green slopes from right to left so if you hit a good enough shot it’ll usually trickle down to the pin.
“It’s an unbelievable hole. To be honest it’s really hard to separate the golf holes at Pine
Valley. They’re all amazing. Seven, which has the famous Hell’s Half Acre bunker, also comes to mind.”
It was while at Pine Valley Thorne got the chance opportunity to meet legendary South African and mulitple major winner Gary Player whilst he was having a round.
“The love he has for Australia and Australian golf is admirable. We had a great chat about his record seven Australian Open titles, all things golf and the future of the game. He was a true gentleman. It was a day to remember for a long time,” said Thorne.
After Pine Valley, Thorne returned to Chevy Chase Club as an assistant for just over a year, putting into practice the teachings instilled in him through his experiences and once again working closely with Britton.
While embracing the opportunity to step foot onto the hallowed greens of some of the world’s most famous and prestigious courses, Thorne pinpointed two areas of his field which he came home to Perth with a greater understanding of.
“Water management was a big one for me and I learnt a lot from Stephen in that regard,” he said. “For Stephen, being an Australian and working at Royal Melbourne, they’re very fast conditions and how you apply your water and how you set-up your water is something I learnt in pretty great detail.
“Staff management as well. You’re exposed to a lot of different people in the US. At LA Country Club we had a crew of 70, so I flourished over there with my staff management and really communicating with my crew members. It’s helped me a lot now, communicating with the crew at Royal Perth.”
ATM previews the 2025 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference to be held in Sydney from 23-26 June.
On behalf of principal sponsor Toro Australia and conference partners Syngenta and Husqvarna, the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) welcomes you to the 2025 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition. It is set to be a momentous event as the conference returns to Sydney for the first time in 24 years and on behalf of the ASTMA Board and staff we appreciate your attendance and trust you will get plenty out of the week.
As is tradition, this edition of Australian Turfgrass Management Journal will act as your guide to the Sydney conference. Over the next 24 pages, ATM highlights the major speakers and presentations, previews the ASTMA Golf Championships which will be played at Concord Golf Club (see ASTMA reporter Nick Creely’s article with superintendent Chris
Howe on page 40) and profiles the Graduate of the Year Award finalists (page 52). From pages 44-51 we also feature some of the trade exhibition highlights along with a full list of exhibitors and floorplan so you can plan your visit across the two-day show (Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June).
Our host venue this year is Sydney Showground which is located within the Sydney Olympic Park precinct. Home of ENGIE Stadium, Sydney Showground is a 20-minute drive from the Sydney CBD and only 10 minutes from the Ryde/Parramatta city centres. The Olympic Park train station and bus stops are located right outside Sydney Showground and there is also plenty of carparking available.
This year’s conference is a little unique in that we will be conducting the education sessions and trade exhibition at different locations within the Sydney Showground
precinct. The conference program on page 38 contains an aerial map of the precinct showing the following locations which will be utilised across the week:
l Tuesday’s opening Plenary session (24 June) will be held in the Freshwater Ballroom of the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park, which is also the venue for the previous evening’s National Turf Industry Awards Dinner, presented by Syngenta. (Marked as ‘1’ on the map, page 38)
l On Wednesday and Thursday, the education sessions move across to Hall 5 of the Sydney Showground which is adjacent to Hall 6 where this year’s Trade Exhibition will also be held. (Marked as ‘2’ on the map, page 38)
l This year’s Trade Exhibition will, following feedback from past conferences, include a range of machinery demonstrations. These will take place, weather depending, on the
Hordern Lawn which is a short walk from Halls 5 and 6. (Marked as ‘3’ on the map, page 38)
l At the end of the conference, the traditional Farewell Bash, sponsored by Greenway Turf Solutions, will be held at ENGIE Stadium’s SkyDeck. (Marked as ‘4’ on the map, page 38)
This year’s conference will focus on the knowledge required to meet the future needs of golf and sports turf management, with sessions on leadership, sustainability, new practices, research and innovation. Conference topics will run concurrently with streams in leadership and management, golf courses and sportsfields, as well as combined sessions and networking events.
Showcasing the latest in golf and sports turf related products, equipment and services, the trade exhibition will cover over 4000m2, with outdoor demonstrations to be featured as part of the conference activities. See the conference program (page 38) and exhibitor listings (page 49) for the full list of machinery demonstration times.
Since the conclusion of last year’s conference in Brisbane, the ASTMA has been curating the speaker line-up for this year’s gathering. We are delighted to welcome a number of overseas agronomy and golf course management experts, while we also have an exciting line up of high profile local keynotes who will present across a range of topics. Here is a snapshot of some of the amazing presenters you will hear from in Sydney…
Itake great pride in welcoming delegates to the 2025 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition. It has been 24 years since we last held our conference in Sydney and I am looking forward to returning.
CEO Mark Unwin and the ASTMA team have worked hard this year to once again provide diversity in our content for the week. A strong contingent of international presenters with a focus on sports turf agronomy lead our education sessions and based on past member surveys we have also combined 19 practical machinery demonstration sessions to run concurrently through the week. This further enhances our conference diversity and Sydney Olympic Park affords us the opportunity to make it happen.
Once again our trade show has been oversubscribed and sold out as we continue to receive tremendous support from our industry trade partners and provide a vast array of static displays to cover all aspects of turfgrass management. I would like to thank
Plenary (Tue 24 June, 8:40am)
Every year the ASTMA endeavours to bring together a line-up of conference speakers that not only provide valuable insight and discussion around turf management challenges and practices but also food for thought regarding life in general and some of the complexities we all have to contend with, whether in a work environment or our personal lives. This year’s Plenary session on the Tuesday will be a blend of just that and the ASTMA is delighted to have Olympic boxer Harry Garside (pictured above) delivering the opening address of the conference.
A plumber by trade, Harry rose to prominence in 2021 when he secured a Bronze Medal in the lightweight division at the Tokyo Olympics. The youngest of three boys from Melbourne, Harry surprised his family with his desire to become a boxer as a nine-yearold. He would go on to become a nine-time Australian champion and at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 won a Gold Medal in the men’s 60-kilogram division.
all our trade partners for their continued commitment and support of our association.
A great start to the week will be the National Turf Industry Awards dinner, sponsored by Syngenta. This event showcases outstanding achievements in our profession from across the country and provides an opportunity to reunite with our peers and acquaintances.
It is a significant exercise to run an event such as this and we certainly couldn’t do it without our principal and conference partners Toro, Syngenta and Husqvarna. I would sincerely like to thank them for their continued support of the conference and our industry in general.
I am looking forward to an exciting week and hope that you all enjoy the educational component as well as the camaraderie that comes with an event such as this. Enjoy the week and I look forward to seeing you in Sydney.
Ben
Tilley Superintendent, Headland GC President, ASTMA
After a brief undefeated stint as a professional, he returned to the amateur ranks in order to qualify for the Olympics, gaining a spot on the Australian team for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Despite the Games being delayed until 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, Garside would go on to claim Australia’s first OIympic boxing medal in more than three decades.
In a recent Instagram post Harry noted: “Boxing has become a spiritual journey for me – something my soul has needed since I was young. It’s one of the purest expressions of courage: two people standing face to face, looking each other in the eyes and agreeing to put everything on the line. In that moment, respect is forged and honour is earned. The ring forces you to confront parts of yourself you’ve spent years running from. It’s where I go to get closer to what it truly means to be human – and what it means to be an animal. There’s no escape, no illusion. In the ring, there’s only truth.”
While his feats inside the ring have been impressive, it is arguably his endeavours outside of it which have also won Harry many admirers. He aims to actively break down barriers and imparts a crucial message – never shy away from letting your unique light shine. Indeed, as part of his regime to prepare for the Olympics, Harry turned to a range of unusual training methods, among them ballet lessons, karaoke and army drills, which he says were critical to his success. He makes headlines for challenging gender stereotypes – some will recall the Olympic-themed nail polish he wore
SYDNEY 2025
during his Tokyo campaign – calling out cancel culture and serving as a role model for young people who embrace their uniqueness.
Above all, Garside believes in the power of mindset and goalsetting and is vocal about the importance of vulnerability, authenticity and emotional intelligence in reaching true potential. In his mind resilience is not just a buzz word, it is the key to succeeding despite the odds and it will be on this very theme that he will present at the Sydney conference.
Plenary (Tue 24 June, 9.40am); Golf Stream (Wed 25 June, 12:15pm); Agronomy Stream (Thu 26 June, 8:30am)
Alan FitzGerald is one of three US agronomy experts that will be joining us Down Under for the 2025 conference. Alan has been course superintendent at Rehoboth Beach Country Club in Delaware, USA since 2023. Prior to that he was superintendent of LedgeRock Golf Club in southeast Pennsylvania for 19 years. Alan brings with him over 30 years’ experience from some of the top private clubs in the world, including Mount Juliet Country Club (Ireland), Loch Lomond Golf Club (Scotland) and Pine Valley Golf Club (US) where he was a past assistant.
Alan is one of just 35 golf course superintendents across the world to attain both the Master Greenkeeper and Certified Golf Course Superintendent designations. An industry leader, Alan served as president of the Central Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association for two terms in 2014 and 2015. He is currently on the board of the Eastern Shore GCSA, is a member of the Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents and has served on numerous national GCSAA boards and committees, including the GCSAA Competency Review Committee, the GCSAA Conference Education Task Group and Assistant Superintendent Certification Committee.
Along with writing numerous articles and research papers for golf magazines throughout the USA, Alan has presented at GCSAA and BIGGA conferences and been an exam assessor for the coveted Golf Industry Show Academic Turf Bowl. He is also a GCSAA First Green program liaison for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware states and one of his presentations during the week will be on how to successfully host a First Green session at your golf course.
Plenary (Tue 24 June, 12:10pm); Golf Stream (Wed 25 June, 9am); Agronomy Stream (Thu 26 June, 12:15pm)
Helping to substantially boost the agronomic content of this year’s conference education offering, the ASTMA is delighted to have Dr Jim Kerns joining us for the week. Jim is a Professor and Extension Specialist in Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University. After graduating from there in 2002 with a B.S. in Agronomy, Jim moved to Texas A&M University to complete his Masters of Soil and Crop Sciences, before returning to NC State in 2004 to work alongside Dr. Lane Tredway in the Department of Plant Pathology and complete his PhD. His present research focuses on understanding the biology of ultradwarf bermudagrass diseases, large patch of zoysia, plant parasitic nematodes and bentgrass diseases.
A frequent expert contributor to golf and sportsfield management news articles and podcasts, research papers and conference presentations across the United States, Jim will be presenting on a range of topics throughout the conference in Sydney with particular focus on management of diseases of both warmand cool-season grasses, soil science and nematode control.
Plenary (Tue 24 June, 11:10am)
A former professional cricketer and Ironman competitor, Kath Koschel is the 2025 NSW Australian of the Year who has overcome incredible odds and unimaginable tragedy to inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. In her 20s, Kath broke her back and was told she may never walk again. Shortly afterwards, she lost her partner to suicide. Then, while piecing her life back together, she was hit by a 4WD and had to learn to walk again for a second time.
In the midst of these harrowing experiences, Kath believes she experienced two things in large amounts – adversity and kindness. After re-learning to walk for a second time, this realisation kickstarted a two-month journey around Australia, which relied solely on the kindness of strangers. No cash, credit
card, food or water – and no help from family or friends! Driven by a passion to spread gratitude and kindness in the world, she founded ‘Kindness Factory’ to encourage one million acts of kindness. To date, Kindness Factory has recorded over eight million acts of kindness and is now a registered not-for-profit in three countries.
An internationally sought-after speaker and author of the book ‘Kindness’, Kath has worked with some of the biggest and most well-known companies and brands in the world to help them achieve perspective, resilience, good culture and, of course, kindness. Creating a psychologically safe workplace is proven to aid better mental health, as well as increasing productivity, high performance and retention. In her Plenary session address, Kath will discuss how to create an inclusive culture built on positivity, trust and belonging.
Plenary (Tue 24 June, 2pm); Sportsfield Stream (Wed 25 June, 9.10am)
Another of our US contingent, Dr Chase Straw earned his B.S. in Turfgrass Science from the University of Kentucky, where he worked with the likes of Major league Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. He went on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Georgia. After serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Minnesota, Chase joined Texas A&M University in 2020 as an Assistant Professor. Earlier this year, Chase joined the Penn State Turfgrass Program as an Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Soils and Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research.
Chase’s research focuses on integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance resource efficiency, field safety and sustainability in turfgrass systems, benefiting golf courses and sports fields at all levels. His extensive body of work is published in high-impact journals such
as Precision Agriculture, Science of the Total Environment, the European Journal of Sport Science and Sports Engineering, highlighting his multidisciplinary approach and significant contributions to turfgrass science.
Plenary (Tue 24 June, 3pm)
Providing the closing keynote address of this year’s Plenary session is former AFL premiership player and coach John Longmire.
One of the greats of Australian rules football, John played in a premiership for North Melbourne in 1999 and coached Sydney to the 2012 premiership. The 54-year-old, who was born and raised in Corowa, New South Wales, kicked 511 goals in 200 AFL games for the Kangaroos which included a Coleman Medal, Syd Barker Medal and All-Australian.
Affectionally known as ‘Horse’, John coached Sydney in 332 matches including five grand finals and the 2012 premiership win against Hawthorn. He resigned from the Sydney job at the conclusion of the 2024 season after 13 years. John will entertain delegates with topics including leadership, team building, culture, strategy and developing staff/players.
Combined Golf and Sportsfield Streams (Wed 25 June, 2.30pm)
After her engaging and highly informative Plenary session presentation at the Brisbane conference in 2024, the ASTMA is delighted to welcome back one of Australia’s leading behavioural scientists, Dr Juliette Tobias-Webb to this year’s event.
Her 2024 presentation focused on understanding and using behavioural evidence of teams to explore complex leadership issues and assist workplaces to develop solutions to improve performance. This year Juliette will be conducting a combined session on Wednesday which looks at how to navigate difficult conversations that we all encounter in
the workplace, whether with management, staff members, suppliers and contractors.
Juliette has a PhD in Experimental Psychology from Cambridge University and has since worked for a range of leading government and corporate organisations to explore human decision-making and behaviour change, helping teams and companies leverage behavioural insight to drive positive transformation at scale. Juliette is passionate about working with companies and researchers to design and rigorously test solutions that encourage positive behavioural outcomes. She specialises in large scale behavioural change and in designing for individuals facing more complex cognitive situations (mental health, addiction, cognitive decline). She is also passionate about helping individuals be more productive, set and stick to goals, have better wellbeing and feel happier.
Plenary (Thu 26 June, 2pm)
Closing out this year’s conference is former high-profile Australian sports person, activist
and actor Ian Roberts. The 59-year-old played for New South Wales in State of Origin and won 13 caps for the Australian national team, while also plying his trade for South Sydney, Wigan, Manly Sea Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys in the 1980s and 1990s at club level.
In 1995, Ian became the first high profile Australian sports person and first rugby footballer in the world to come out publicly as gay. Outside of the sporting arena, Roberts studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, graduating in 2003. In 2006, he relocated to the US to pursue an acting career. He has since appeared in over 30 films and numerous television series.
Ian is a highly credentialed motivational speaker who will share with delegates his life story in the hope to motivate people to be their best while facing their fears. He has a specialisation in elite athlete wellbeing management and works across sectors promoting wellbeing, positive masculinity and inclusion. Now residing in Sydney, he champions the need for homelessness services, LGBTIQ rights and raises awareness of mental health issues.
l Presentations from last year’s ASTMA Award winners – Matthew Oliver (Suncorp Stadium, ASTMA Sports Turf Management Team of the Year); Paul Gumbleton (Teven Valley GC, ASTMA Claude Crockford Sustainability and Environment Award); Bryan Dunn (Tasracing, ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award, on behalf of Chris Hay); Darren Wardle (2024 ASTMA Graduate of the Year).
l Steven King, arena manager at ENGIE Stadium, will provide an insight into managing the multipurpose venue which as well as hosting BBL and AFL is also the primary venue for the Royal Agricultural Society’s annual show.
l NSW Golf Club superintendent and NSWGCSA life member Mark Parker will reflect upon his club’s recent greens and bunker restoration project under the auspices of architects Mackenzie & Ebert.
l Venues NSW grounds manager Joel Toogood will look at the management of a number of NSW venues and transitioning staff across multiple sites.
l Thursday’s Environmental stream will contain a range of presentations that will aim to enhance delegates’ understanding of environmental management best practice. Read Kate Torgersen and Monina Gilbey’s column (page 62) for more on the the specialist speakers and presentations that will feature as part of the morning sessions of this dedicated stream.
MONDAY 23 JUNE
8:45am: 2025 ASTMA Golf Championships (presented by Toro Australia). Buses depart Novotel Sydney Olympic Park 7:15am Concord Golf Club
12pm-4pm: Conference registration desk open. Novotel Sydney Olympic Park Foyer
6.30pm-10.30pm: National Turf Industry Awards Dinner (presented by Syngenta) Freshwater Ballroom, Novotel Sydney Olympic Park
TUESDAY 24 JUNE
7.30am-1.30pm: Registration desk open (Novotel Sydney Olympic Park)
2pm-4:30pm: Registration desk moves to Hall 5, Sydney Showground
Freshwater Ballroom, Novotel
8:15am-8:40am: Acknowledgement of Country and official opening Ben Tilley & Mark Unwin
8:40am-9:40am: Adopting a resilience mindset Harry Garside
9:40am-10:30am: My journey in turf Alan FitzGerald
10:30am-11:10am: Morning Tea
11:10am-12:10pm: Workplace culture and leadership Kath Koschel
12:10pm-1:10pm: Turfgrass troubleshooting Dr Jim Kerns
1:10pm-2pm: Lunch
2pm-3pm: Turfgrass technology – Current trends and future applications Dr Chase Straw 3pm-4pm: Closing keynote – Motivation and engagement John Longmire
4pm-5:30pm: VIP Trade Exhibition Opening Hall 6, Sydney Showground
WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE
8am-5pm: Registration Desk open (Hall 5) 9.30am-5pm: Trade Exhibition (Hall 6)
GOLF STREAM
Hall 5A North, Southee Pavillion, Sydney Showground
8:30am-9am: From the Murray to the Sandbelt –2024 ASTMA Graduate of the Year Darren Wardle 9am-10am: Managing soilborne diseases in warmseason grasses Dr Jim Kerns 10am-10:30am: Governance in Australian golf Damien de Bohun
10:30am-11:30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition (Hall 6, Sydney Showground)
11:30am-12:15pm: New South Wales Golf Club reconstruction project Mark Parker
12:15pm-1pm: Hosting a First Green workshop and its importance in championing turf management Alan FitzGerald
1pm-2:30pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition (Hall 6)
2:30pm-3:30pm: Navigating difficult conversations Dr Juliette Tobias-Webb
Function Room 3, Hall 5, Sydney Showground
8:30am-9:10am: Revitalising Tasmanian racetracks –2024 ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award Bryan Dunn
9:10am-10:30am: Sportsfield maintenance and surface safety Dr Chase Straw
10:30am-11:30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition (Hall 6, Sydney Showground)
11:30am-12:15pm: NSW venue management Joel Toogood
12:15pm-1pm: Suncorp Stadium – 2024 ASTMA Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award Matthew Oliver
1pm-2:30pm: Lunch and Trade Exhibition (Hall 6)
Hall 5A North, Southee Pavillion, Sydney Showground (Combined with Golf Stream)
2:30pm-3.30pm: Navigating difficult conversations Dr Juliette Tobias-Webb
MACHINERY DEMONSTRATIONS
Hordern Lawn (weather dependent)
8:40am-9:20am: Toro, Husqvarna, John Deere, SME Mowers
9:50am-10:30am: Toro, Husqvarna, John Deere, Trimax
11:30am-12:10pm: Toro, Syngenta, Kress, Robot Mowers
12:30pm-1:10pm: Toro, All Power, Stihl, Postioned 2:30pm-3:30pm: Ventrac, Fleet Line Markers, Fertec, Nano Bubble Technologies
ASSOCIATION
Function Room 3, Hall 5, Sydney Showground
3:30pm-4pm: 2025 ASTMA Annual General Meeting
TRADE EXHIBITION
Hall 6, Sydney Showground
3:30pm-5pm: Trade Exhibition Happy Hour
Conference precinct map: 1: Novotel Sydney Olympic Park (National Turf Industry Awards dinner & Tuesday Plenary); 2: Halls 5 and 6 (Wednesday & Thursday Streams plus Trade Exhibition; 3: Hordern Lawnmachinery demos; 4: ENGIE Stadium - Farewell Bash PHOTO:
THURSDAY 26 JUNE
8am-2.30pm: Registration desk open (Hall 5) 9.30am-2pm: Trade Exhibition (Hall 6)
AGRONOMY STREAM
Hall 5A North, Southee Pavillion, Sydney Showground
8:30am-9:10am: Positive working environments Alan FitzGerald
9:10am-9:50am: Understanding the biology of soils Dr Neil Wilson
9:50am-10:30am: ENGIE Stadium – From parade ground to premier surface Steven King
10:30am-11:30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition
11:30am-12:15pm: The effects of poor water quality on sports turf Bruce Macphee
12:15pm-1pm: The effects of climate change on turfgrass pests Dr Jim Kerns
1pm-2pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition
ENVIRONMENT STREAM
Function Room 3, Hall 5, Sydney Showground
8:30am-9.15am: Technical tools to promote your environmental story Matt McIntosh
9:15am-9:50am: Fairways to recovery: Urban golf courses as emerging platforms for turtle conservation Dr Ricky Spencer
9:50am-10:30am: Growing for impact Peter Cooley
10:30am-11:30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition
11:30am-12pm: Teven Valley Golf Club – 2024 ASTMA Claude Crockford Sustainability and Environment Award Paul Gumbleton 12pm-12:40pm: Water and aeration Panel session moderated by John Neylan
12:40pm-1pm: Environment considerations Q&A Monina Gilbey and Kate Torgersen
1pm-2pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition
MACHINERY DEMONSTRATIONS
Hordern Lawn (weather dependent)
8:40am-9:20am: Toro, Syngenta, Leemco
9:50am-10:30am: Toro, GTS, Forewarned, BA Pumps
11:30am-12:10pm: Toro/Ventrac, Sustainable Machinery, Fernland, John Deere
12:30pm-1:10pm: Toro/Ventrac, Arbortech, Plasson, Sweepers n Scrubbers
PLENARY
Hall 5A North, Southee Pavillion, Sydney Showground
2pm-3pm: Closing keynote presentation Ian Roberts
6pm-8pm: Farewell Bash (presented by Greenway Turf Solutions) Charley Room, ENGIE Stadium
Please Note: Times, topics and speakers listed were correct at the time of this edition going to print. Please refer to the conference app for any updates or changes to the program. To get the conference app, download ‘SPRINTR Events’ from your app store and enter the code ‘astma25’. If you have the app from last year’s conference, go to the Settings icon (top right hand corner), select ‘Change Event’ and enter the code as listed above.
After recently notching up three decades at the club, Concord Golf Club superintendent Chris Howe chats to ATM reporter Nick Creely as he gears up to host the 2025 ASTMA Golf Championship.
Concord Golf Club
superintendent Chris Howe passionately describes his pristine inner-western Sydneybased course as a “pretty good place to work” and one which promotes positivity, innovation and a family-like culture amongst its staff. It’s why Howe has been rocking up every day for the past three decades with a beaming smile on his face as he overlooks the course – one of the most prestigious and superbly presented golf clubs anywhere in Australia.
Concord is perennially ranked among the top 50 courses in Australia for its stunning views, challenging and strategic course and historical value. A lot of that comes down to the longevity of its staff and a vision that has carried the course for generations.
Howe recently ticked over 30 years at Concord, where he first joined back in early February 1995. He has endured many ups and downs, significant transformations and in recent years arduous weather and a global pandemic which has at times impacted his team’s ability to present the course exactly to
plan. But he wouldn’t have it any other way and is as passionate and enthusiastic about his craft as ever, determined to keep the historic charm of his course alive while also keeping a firm eye on its future.
“I’d like to think it’s a pretty good place to work here at Concord,” he said. “But I think it comes down to a few things being at the club for so long. I’d like to think of myself as a pretty loyal person and I think a lot is because of the changes that have happened at the club. So far there’s been two-and-a-half course renovations within that time.
“Construction is something that really fascinates me. It doesn’t matter if it is a golf course, or otherwise, I like to see things coming all together from beginning to end. There’s been enough change and enough work going on that has kept me interested in all these years. I was also lucky to have made a lot of friends really early on when I first joined the club and they’re still really good friends to this day.”
Howe has seen plenty of change since he started out at Concord as a horticulturist in early 1995 after completing a Bachelor of
Concord Golf Club (pictured is the par five 8th) plays host to the 2025 ASTMA Golf Championship, sponsored by Toro, on Monday 23 June. It has been home to Chris Howe for the past 30 years, including the past seven as superintendent
Science (Urban Horticulture) at the University of Technology in Sydney. He went on to become an assistant in 1999 alongside great mate Steve Kazurinsky, before taking the reins as the club’s superintendent in March 2018 (and officially in June of that year).
He says his memory is pretty clear of the early days and the lessons that were instilled into him early on from long-standing superintendent at the time Mark Parker who is now a NSWGCSA life member and current superintendent at New South Wales Golf Club.
Major redevelopments have been an integral part of Howe’s journey at the club. In the late 1990s, Concord undertook a major development overseen by course architect Ross Watson and Parker. Then in 2017, around 20 years on, the club embarked on an audacious renovation at the hands of renowned international architect Tom Doak (Renaissance Golf Design) which saw the complete redesign and resurfacing of all the greens and reconstruction of all bunkers.
“Making the transition from horticulturist, to assistant and then to superintendent it has always kept me interested in the club, that’s for sure,” Howe said.
Fascinatingly, Howe – who took over from Parker as superintendent after an iconic 32-year stint – oversaw the back-end of this 2017 redevelopment and was in awe of the work the club had put in to ensure the course would maintain its status as one of the finest in Australia. His rise to superintendent came off the back of hard work but as he recalls he came into the role at an interesting time for the club.
“The official start was June but unofficially it was a few months earlier. The construction part of the redevelopment was finished so it
was basically just the grow-in phase that came in and I oversaw. We transitioned pretty quickly at the time,” he said.
“More importantly, having travelled extensively with Mark I saw what the Renaissance Golf Design works were doing to the course and it was of real interest to me and it was a huge opportunity for me to then take that on into the future.”
Howe said it had been an eventful seven years as superintendent of the club so far as COVID, unpredictable weather patterns, including drought, took hold after the major redevelopment. The club has also heavily invested in sustainability, undertaking a water harvesting project in 2020.
“The construction essentially finished at the end of that growing season so we kind of had to sit and wait until spring to try and bring the course up to the standard it is expected. That was in 2018-19 so I was fairly new in the role,” he said. “Then in the 2019-20 period it was the drought so in a way that was quite arduous and difficult to work through.
“Then by 2021 we were hosting the New South Wales Open and again in 2022 which was awesome. Unfortunately both of those tournaments were rain affected so we didn’t get to present the course to the level we would have liked.”
But much like Concord itself, which prides itself on its illustrious tournament history, showcasing the course to visitors and world class golfers is what fills Howe’s cup as a sports turf manager.
Concord has hosted a number of championship events, including three Australian PGA Championships between 1991 and 1993, the ANZ Championships, Australian Women’s Open titles, Australian Senior Open and most recently the 2021 and 2022 NSW Opens. Wayne Grady, Craig Parry, Ian BakerFinch, Peter Lonard, Greg Norman and Laura Davies are just some prominent golfers to have tasted success at various tournaments at the private, 18-hole course, which was first established in 1899, making it one of the oldest in the country.
Howe said hosting and meticulously preparing for tournaments was the ultimate for a sports turf professional. But he added through decades of experience it was important to stick to your own guns and processes and not let external noise distract you from the job.
“I like the tournament experience. For me, I’ve visited all four majors so I’ve come to really like the whole process of it. To host both NSW Opens as a superintendent was awesome,” he said. “I do a lot of this work for my own satisfaction. If you’re trying to do it for other people, it’s really subjective so you’ll often be disappointed if you rely on other people and their opinions of your course.
“Having been around now at Concord for 30 years I like to think I know what is a well presented golf course, but it’s very satisfying and more so for the team. It’s really empowering for them to be able to showcase their wares.”
Howe said hosting the ASTMA Golf Championship this year was arguably the most exciting event of all for a variety of reasons, with preparations beginning in mid to late May with some minor restorations of the course as a result of years of unpredictable weather patterns.
“For us as a club it’s a true showcase event. We try to showcase our course with corporate events and interclub events but these industry-based ones, where you can showcase it to your peers, that’s a true showcase tournament for us,” he said.
“We’re just trying to restore some bunkers at the moment. Our course is now seven, eight years post the Renaissance upgrades so the weather we’ve endured in the past five years in particular, we’ve ended up with some contaminated bunkers that need some work.
“We’re trying to restore some of those and in the middle of June we won’t have too much
cutting to do, so the other stuff around that is what we’re trying to showcase about our course, so we’re very much looking forward to it.”
Howe said without his loyal staff of 20, which includes almost a dozen full-timers and a chunk of casuals, the course wouldn’t be in the pristine condition it is. Consistency dayto-day, which includes a reliable and efficient staff, makes the job a whole lot easier to manage.
“I can’t do my job without the work of my team. I’m not someone who is egotistical, I like to deflect a lot of the glory onto them,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of longevity in the team which helps. I’m obviously now at 30 years at the club, I’ve got a 21-year veteran on staff, three that are 15 years or thereabouts as well. Those three actually started out as apprentices here and so I guess that’s indicative of the club.”
The ASTMA is excited to welcome this year’s field for the ASTMA Golf Championships, presented in conjunction with Platinum Partner Toro, with the race for the Red Jacket officially kicking off conference week activities. This year’s field is impressive with some top-notch golfers on the list and it looks like it will again go down to the wire.
With two-time winner and defending champion Jordan Sherratt not contesting this year, his South Australian counterpart, Tea Tree Gully Golf Club superintendent Ben Hallam, is looming large among the contenders. Hallam is no stranger to winning a Red Jacket either. At the 2023 conference at Royal Adelaide, the former five-year touring pro on the PGA Tour of Australasia defeated Sherratt by a shot and finished runner-up at RQ last year.
Another contender will be Southern Golf Club superintendent Shaun Page who took home the Red Jacket in 2022, but he may have some hot competition from none other than his assistant Jack Besley. Besley is a multiple club champion at Southern and a multiple winner of the Australian Deaf Golf Championships. His mother Carol also happens to be a 14-time women’s club champion at Southern between
1988 and 2003 so golfing talent, and an ability to rise to the occasion at tournament level, runs in the genes.
There are plenty of former Red Jacket winners who will also be contending, with Chris Burgess (Yarrawonga Mulwala GC, 2015), Brent Hull (Moruya GC, 2011 and 2016), Scott Harris (Narooma GC, 2007 and 2008) and Anthony Toogood (7 Mile Beach GC, 1998, 2004 and 2009) all confirmed as starters.
Other smokies for the stroke event include Doug Loton (Kooringal GC) who recently took out the VGCSA Powell Trophy at Kingston Heath, Brad Foster (Tura Beach CC) who plays off scratch and defending Nett champion Matt Campbell (Numurkah GC). The ASTMA Golf Championship tees off at 8.45am on Monday 23 June, with buses departing Novotel Sydney Olympic Park at 7.15am.
ATM looks at some of the new products and promotions set to feature during the Sydney trade exhibition.
TORO Stand 30
ASTMA Platinum Partner Toro Australia, a leader in sports turf equipment and irrigation solutions, is proud to announce its exclusive partnership with TerraRad to distribute TurfRad, an innovative turf management system that revolutionises precision turf care. This collaboration combines Toro’s decades of expertise in irrigation and turf maintenance with TerraRad’s advanced sensor technology, offering groundskeepers and turf professionals an unparalleled solution for optimising playing surfaces.
“At Toro, we are dedicated to delivering the most advanced turf management solutions,” says Hamish Lloyd, Irrigation Product Marketing Manager at Toro Australia. “Through our exclusive distribution of TurfRad, we are integrating cutting-edge technology with our industry-leading equipment and irrigation systems, ensuring turf professionals have the best tools at their disposal.”
Toro Australia is proud to showcase and demonstrate TurfRad in use at the ASTMA Sports Turf Management Conference & Trade Exhibition. The TurfRad software relies on smart sensors installed on Toro equipment to map soil moisture levels while you mow or
traverse the grounds. The sensors are able to measure subsurface moisture up to 10cm deep, even through thick vegetation, and provide continuous readings for complete mapping of the grounds.
The sensors will send the data to the software in real-time, providing colour-coded maps that indicate soil moisture variations across the entire course, whilst also providing moisture uniformity and average moisture around each individual sprinkler head. TurfRad allows complete visualisation of the grounds soil moisture to help improve playing conditions, save water and optimise application of wetting agents.
ASTMA Platinum Partner Syngenta is excited to be showcasing our new TREFINTI turf nematicide which was recently introduced to the Australian market. TREFINTI continues the introduction of new innovative product solutions required by turfgrass managers globally. Developed exclusively for nematode management, TREFINTI introduces a new active ingredient with strong activity and low use rates as an
TurfRad is an innovative turf management system that revolutionises precision turf care
unscheduled product. With an extensive list of plant parasitic nematodes managed, TREFINTI offers flexibility and rotation ability in an integrated nematode management program. A complete turf nematode program has TREFINTI as the cornerstone supported by AGADOR turf nematicide and miticide and HICURE biostimulant for root growth and recovery.
TREFINTI introduces TYMIRIUM technology and the active constituent cyclobutrifluram to the market, which is classified as an N3 nematicide mode of action. TREFINTI exhibits contact activity to both ectoparasitic and endoparasitic nematodes and once in the plant, moves acropetally (upwardly mobile). TREFINTI provides excellent flexibility in nematode management with its UV profile, meaning it can be applied during the day and watered in later in the evening.
The introduction of TREFINTI maintains Syngenta’s commitment to sustainable turf management with low rates of application from as low as 275mL per hectare and the top rate at 550mL per hectare, offering broad spectrum control of turf parasitic nematodes. TREFINTI is available from Syngenta agents across Australia in a 1L bottle. Visit Stand 67 to discuss how TREFINTI can play a major role in your nematode management program.
Stand 2
Get ready to move your game forward with John Deere’s expanding lineup of fully electric golf equipment! Imagine mowing your golf course or turf in near silence, thanks to electric mowers that eliminate fuel consumption and engines. This means you can mow anytime with minimal disruption to your surroundings.
The pioneering 185 E-Cut and 225 E-Cut Electric Walk Behind Greens Mowers were John Deere’s first fully electric models. This year, John Deere will showcase these innovations live at the ASTMA trade exhibition.
Powered by a 58-volt, 3.56kWh lithium-ion battery, the 185 E-Cut and 225 E-Cut models feature electric reel and traction motors that keep noise levels low. The 700-watt charger fully recharges the battery in just six hours, allowing you to mow 4600m2 of turf on a single charge.
Building on this success, John Deere is set to launch the new 2775 E-Cut Electric Triplex Mower (pictured above right) in Australia and New Zealand later this year. Designed for greens, tees, fairways, approaches and surrounds, the 2775 E-Cut boasts a four-battery, 58-volt, 14.24kWh pack that powers the traction, steering, lift/lower and mow circuits. The 1200-watt offboard charger recharges the batteries in under 12 hours, enabling you to mow over 22 greens on a single charge.
John Deere’s electric range not only eliminates hydraulic leaks and reduces maintenance but also ensures ultra-quiet operation and zero emissions, benefiting both the environment and the operator. Move your game forward with John Deere. Come see us at Stand 2 to find out more.
Stand 29
Following the successful launch of Quali-Pro Marvel-ous turf growth regulator, Adama is pleased to launch Quali-Pro Triumph Advance fungicide at the 2025 ASTMA conference. Quali-Pro Triumph Advance is a high-load metalaxyl-m pythium specialist fungicide, which will complement the already strong Adama pythium fungicide suite of Quali-Pro Evolution Advance, Quali-Pro Compass and Magellan. Be sure to drop in and discuss this new, exciting product with the Adama team.
At Adama, we are all about innovative, quality products that you can use to produce
a quality turf surface. In line with that thought, come and see Cameron, Ben and Matt at Stand 29 and enter our promo to win some great additions to your maintenance shed. No-one will go home empty handed either –every entry receives a handy drum spanner! www.adama.com | 1800 423 262.
Stand 61
Welcome everyone to the ASTMA Conference in our backyard – Sydney. This year we are showcasing:
l Our new pythium fungicide Chino – a strong pythium product which controls all types of pythium which adds to our pythium fighting range along with Proplant and Emerald;
l Our popular broadleaf herbicides are back – Methar Tri-kombi and Sportsground;
l We will also have an update on PoaCure and use with GPS sprayers; and
l Lastly don’t forget our podcast ‘Behind The Turf’.
If you are not attending please follow us on socials to see livestreaming events and posts throughout the week.
Stand 34
Dint Golf Solutions is thrilled to be attending the 2025 ASTMA trade exhibition in our backyard. This year we will be showcasing our magnificent range of bespoke bronze
and timber course furnishings. We will also be showcasing our new premium hole cutter, Extracut brush, long-life coring tines, bedknives and turf maintenance tools.
If there is anything outside the box that you’re dreaming about for your course or turf facility, come and have a chat with Adam, Jonathan and Nathan at Stand 34.
Stand 73
At this year’s Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition, Greenway Turf Solutions invites you to visit our trade booth and discover a showcase of industry-leading technologies, products and equipment from our exclusive partners.
We’re proud to feature cutting-edge solutions from Simplot Turf & Horticulture, PGG Wrightson Turf, Terralift Performance Fertilisers, Maredo and Fleet Line Marking – names synonymous with quality and innovation in turf management. Whether you’re looking for advanced nutritional programs, precision equipment for turf renovation or market-leading seed technologies, we’ll have something to help you get more from your surfaces.
Our expert team will be on hand to discuss how these exclusive offerings can be integrated into your turf management program to deliver real-world results. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, compare products and explore tailored solutions that suit your specific needs. And, yes, we’ll have some cool merchandise on the booth too, so make sure you swing by, say hello and grab something to take home!
Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and walk away with insights that can make a real difference. We look forward to seeing you at the Greenway Turf Solutions booth and also the end of conference Farewell Bash which we are again proud to be sponsoring.
Kress is set to blow the landscaping industry away with the impending release of the ‘Cut N Go’ – a fully autonomous, batterypowered commercial-grade robotic mower (pictured below). With a 40-inch and 60-inch cutting deck option, they can mow up to 20,000m²/120,000m² per charge respectively. They autonomously load and unload from trailers and, after initial ride-on mapping, mow independently, freeing staff for more detailed tasks, improving efficiency, cutting labour costs and supporting sustainable turf management.
Come visit the Kress stand at the ASTMA exhibition to view this latest technology as well as our range of commercial-grade, batterypowered outdoor power equipment (OPE) and advanced robotic mowers. Our OPE range rivals the performance of traditional petrolpowered tools while significantly reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Kress raises the bar for innovation, sustainability, productivity and profitability. A groundbreaking battery technology is at the heart of the 8-minute CyberPack innovation, which leverages proprietary chemistry to deliver high-current flow, without the typical heat build-up that accelerates battery degradation. This innovative breakthrough allows for unprecedented power and a full battery charge in just eight minutes.
In the world of parks, sports turf, and facilities maintenance, the demand for smarter, greener solutions is paramount. One such solution is the Kress RTKn robotic mowers. These advanced mowers deliver centimetrelevel precision without the need for boundary wires, beacons, or on-site antennas, thanks to the exclusive RTKn antenna network. For more information, visit Kress.com.
At this year’s ASTMA show, visit Sustainable Machinery at Stand 31 to see the newly released Foley 642 QuickSpin (pictured right), the world’s first floor-access pedestrian precision spin grinder capable of handling reels up to 42 inches. We’ll also be showcasing the updated Imants ShockWave and other industry-leading innovations.
Sustainable Machinery supplies turf machinery across Australia and New Zealand, supporting golf courses, sports fields, local
councils and turf professionals. We proudly represent leading global brands including Foley Company, Imants, Vredo, AIR2G2, TruTurf and Hatsuta offering machinery solutions that enhance turf health, reduce manual labour and promote long-term sustainability.
Our product range includes Foley reel and bedknife grinders, engineered to extend equipment life and maintain cutting precision. The AIR2G2-336 uses air-injection technology to relieve compaction and improve root health without surface disruption. For deep aeration, the Imants ShockWave delivers effective soil decompaction while preserving turf quality. The Koro FTM and Recycling Dresser provide proven solutions for renovation and topdressing. We also offer Vredo overseeders, delivering accurate seed placement and high germination rates, and the Hatsuta HS806U sweeper for both synthetic and natural turf surfaces. Tru-Turf rollers, exclusive to NSW, produce smooth and consistent greens.
In addition to machinery sales, we provide product, parts supply and technical support, working closely with turf professionals to tailor solutions to their specific needs. Sustainable Machinery is committed to innovation, service and sustainable turf management across Australasia.
Ventrac Australia will be showcasing the DC520 Soil Cultivator attachment at the 2025 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference Trade Exhibition. The DC520 Soil Cultivator prepares bare soil by cultivating a soft and uniform seedbed for the best possible direct-seeding results. This attachment works well to recondition hard, compacted soil into a better surface for more successful and consistent germination rates.
The DC520 Soil Cultivator consists of four main components that work simultaneously to process high volumes of soil and provide the ultimate seedbed. Cultivator tines start by pulverising the soil and separating the debris. Next, the separator tines sift and bury rock and other large debris below the prep surface. Next, the distribution blade carries the sifted soil and distributes it evenly across the working surface. And, finally, the perforated roller creates a pocketed surface for seed and presses small debris below grade.
Come by the Brown Brothers Engineers stand to view the newly launched Hydrovar X which helps to extend the lifecycle of your pumps. Hydrovar X is an advanced solution featuring an integrated IE5 PM assisted reluctance synchronous motor and variable speed drive. It’s the right combination of motors, variable speed drives and pumps ensuring the best energy efficiency performance and rapid return on investment. Key features include:
l Flexibility: Available in 3 phase power from 2.2kW to 22kW;
l Sustainable: Delivers superior performance with best-in-class energy efficiency;
l Easy to use: Built-in set up Genie and application software simplifies commissioning, programming, operation;
l Comprehensive protection: Integrated safety functions safeguard pump, motor;
l Multi-pump capability: Supports up to 8 pumps with no single failure point, ensuring uninterrupted operation;
l Advanced control: IE5 motor for highest efficiency and extended motor life;
l Quick installation: Wiring chamber allows fast access to terminals;
l Accessible monitoring: Backlit graphic colour display along with Modbus, BACnet and Bluetooth connectivity using a mobile app which allows for remote management;
l Enhanced version: Hydrovar X+ offers a graphic colour display and extended I/Os for more control options.
Stand 59
DKSH Agrisolutions will be featuring our wide range of crop protection, turf adjuvant and specialty products at the Sydney show. DKSH Agrisolutions is a leading agricultural and turf adjuvant supplier for Australia and New Zealand. With over 30 years’ experience, we combine the expertise of two innovative Australian manufacturers SST and SACOA (acquired by DKSH Group in 2021) to deliver an unparalleled range of tank and soil adjuvants. We offer innovative solutions and an exceptional customer experience. Choose DKSH Agrisolutions for a superior service and tailored solutions to meet your agricultural and turf needs.
Stand 54
Come by the Fernland stand and take advantage of our special ASTMA show offer –save $1000 on any Campey UniRake ordered during the event! The Campey UniRake is a highly effective solution for turf professionals maintaining natural, synthetic and hybrid grass surfaces. Developed in collaboration with leading groundsmen, it delivers high-intensity grooming with adjustable severity, allowing operators to tailor to specific turf conditions.
Fitted with 136 durable tines, each 337mm long, the UniRake is designed to remove thatch and surface debris efficiently, encouraging healthier and more vigorous grass growth. With a working width of 2m and overall length of 1.8m, it’s well-suited for a wide range of sports turf applications, from stadium
pitches to golf courses. Weighing in at 265kg, the UniRake is compatible with most compact tractors, requiring a minimum of 25hp for effective operation.
Designed for ease of use and longevity, the UniRake features adjustable casters to provide precise depth control across different surface types. Optional brush attachments can be added for increased flexibility, making it a truly versatile piece of equipment. In summary, the Campey UniRake combines precision, versatility and reliability, making it a valuable investment for any grounds team focused on delivering superior turf performance and presentation across all surface types.
Fertec is proud to launch a suite of new turfspecific innovations at this year’s conference, designed to give turf managers greater control, efficiency and performance from their soil amendment programs. We’re excited to introduce a 4-metre spray boom for the Tow and Fert Multi 500, engineered to enhance the precision and uniformity of applying micronised gypsum and lime. This new boom
provides improved coverage and control compared to the standard single nozzle, ideal for sports fields and high-performance turf surfaces where consistency is critical.
Also launching is EntraFlow – a liquid formulation of our proven Entra micronised gypsum, designed for ease of handling and fast plant uptake. EntraFlow will be available in four formulations – standard, with added nitrogen, with added boron and a combined nitrogen + boron option. This allows for targeted calcium delivery alongside key nutrients in a single, efficient application.
Finally, we’re introducing EntraGran-Mini – a new granular version of Entra micronised gypsum with a small granule size suited to broadcast or blended applications on turf. EntraGran-Mini will be available with Pyrocal’s Terix Biochar at 10% or 20% inclusion rates, combining soil structure benefits with the soil health, biological and moisture-retaining advantages of biochar.
These new products reflect Fertec’s commitment to excellence and practical solutions. Stop by Stand 18 and discover how Fertec’s innovations can help you grow stronger, healthier and more resilient turf.
Stand 36
Forewarned is proud to officially launch its groundbreaking safety solutions for golf courses – these systems are designed to protect players from preventable risks and give course managers peace of mind. Focused on two of the most common but dangerous golf course hazards – blind shots and lightning — Forewarned uses real-time alerts to ensure players can enjoy their round with greater confidence and fewer risks. Whether it’s warning a golfer that someone is still in range on a hidden fairway, or sounding an alert when lightning is detected nearby, our system responds instantly to keep everyone safe.
Forewarned’s cutting-edge technology (pictured) is custom designed for golf courses and discreetly integrates into the landscape without disrupting play or aesthetics. It enhances safety while maintaining the integrity
of the course’s design – something traditional warning systems often fail to achieve.
In addition to safety, Forewarned improves the pace of play by removing uncertainty. Players no longer need to second-guess whether it’s safe to tee off or continue down the fairway, creating a smoother, faster and more enjoyable experience.
For golf course operators, it’s more than just a safety tool – it’s a risk mitigation asset that adds professionalism, reassurance and value to your facility. With Forewarned now officially launched, protecting your players and your reputation has never been easier.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 50
60 Trimax
62 SGL System
66 Sundew Solutions
65 Rain Bird Australia ASTMA BRONZE PARTNERS
1 Greenworks Commercial (JAK Max)
Colin Campbell (Chemicals)
Ventrac
David Golf & Engineering
Greenway Turf Solutions
Station Sponsor: PGG Wrightson Turf
Mentay
TerraCottem (StrataGreen)
Toknav
Euroturf
Turf Breed
Arbortech
Brown Brothers Engineers
Droneland
Klingstone/M+D Golf
Fertec 20 BA Group Australia
CoolTops 22 Plasson Australia 24 Global Turf
25 HR Products
27a GreenPRO
28 Mineral Magic
35 YG Software (Hydrosight)
36 Forewarned (Blind Shot)
37 Leemco Piping Solutions
38 Franklin Electric
39 Positioned
40 SPIN Turf Machinery & Graden
41a Sammut Agricultural Machinery
41b Trench It - Terraway Attachments
43 Indigo Specialty Products
49 Sweepers n Scrubbers
49a ASTMA
50 Stihl
52a Sun Kwan
52b Grepo
52c NUZEN
52d Fei Hu Technology
52e Chongqing Baifu
54 Fernland
55 Campey Australasia
58 Robot Mowers Australia
59 DKSH Agrisolutions
68 Turfcare Australia
70 Grundfos
71 SME Mowers
72 Bernhard
74 Fleet Line Markers
75a Yinghe
75b Marvy
75c Langhui Tools
Notepad & Pen Sponsor: Fieldquip
WEDNESDAY (25 JUNE)
8:40am-9:20am: Toro, Husqvarna, John Deere, SME Mowers.
9:50am-10:30am: Toro, Husqvarna, John Deere, Trimax.
11:30am-12:10pm: Toro, Syngenta, Kress, Robot Mowers.
12:30pm-1:10pm: Toro, All Power, Stihl, Postioned.
2:30pm-3:30pm: Ventrac, Fleet Line Markers, Fertec, Nano Bubble Technologies.
THURSDAY (26 JUNE)
8:40am-9:20am: Toro, Syngenta, Leemco. 9:50am-10:30am: Toro, GTS, Forewarned, BA Pumps.
11:30am-12:10pm: Toro/Ventrac, Sustainable Machinery, Fernland, John Deere. 12:30pm-1:10pm: Toro/Ventrac, Arbortech, Plasson, Sweepers n Scrubbers.
Note: Floorplan/stand numbers/demonstration timetable correct at time of publication. For any updates/changes please see conference app.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48
Stand 27a
GreenPRO is a leader in designing and manufacturing premium ATV towable implements (pictured above), meticulously crafted to empower small farm owners and land managers in pursuing sustainable and low-till farming practices. Our equipment is engineered to withstand Australia’s most challenging conditions, delivering unmatched durability, functionality and effectiveness across a diverse array of applications in sports turf and open spaces.
With more than 30 years of invaluable experience in the agricultural and land care sectors, the GreenPRO team offers deep expertise directly applicable to the turf industry. Our machinery is engineered explicitly for low-compaction, low-till operations, which are critical for preserving turf integrity, fostering robust root systems and enhancing surface quality without resorting to heavy equipment. Whether you are overseeing ovals, racetracks, golf fairways or multi-use sports fields, GreenPRO equips you to achieve your objectives with unparalleled efficiency and sustainability.
We are excited to showcase the newly redesigned GPI Platinum Edition, a remarkable evolution of our highly regarded GPI range. This edition features a sophisticated new design and a high-quality stainless steel reel, seamlessly combining the reliability our customers have come to trust with enhanced efficiency and resilience.
As the demand for sustainable, low-impact turf care solutions surges, GreenPRO stands at the forefront of innovation, performance and proven results. We encourage you to explore our extensive product range at the ASTMA trade show or visit www.greenpro.com.au and discover how we can better transform your turf management practices.
In sports turf management, water is essential for playability, aesthetics and sustainability. However, pump failures and inefficiencies often disrupt irrigation, leading to dry patches, overwatering and costly repairs. Addressing
these challenges requires proactive management. Grundfos Connect, which we will be featuring on the Grundfos stand at the Sydney trade exhibition, transforms water system management by providing realtime asset monitoring and full visibility into system performance, detecting anomalies, and optimising water distribution. Accessible via mobile or desktop, the platform offers centralised control, allowing remote start/stop, parameter adjustments and monitoring of both Grundfos and third-party equipment. This flexibility ensures quick responses, whether on-site or off.
Grundfos Connect goes beyond visibility by offering predictive maintenance tools and customised reporting, transforming data into actionable insights. Instead of waiting for breakdowns, turf professionals can anticipate failures, adjust schedules and extend equipment lifespan. Automated alarms notify teams instantly via SMS or email, ensuring irrigation schedules stay on track.
Significantly, Grundfos Connect doesn’t require costly infrastructure upgrades. Its cloud-based, plug-and-play setup integrates seamlessly into existing systems, eliminating complex installations. This allows turf professionals to focus on sustainability and performance rather than emergency fixes.
In an industry where reliability is critical, smart water management is the new standard. Grundfos Connect makes it easier than ever to stay proactive and keep turf in peak condition. Find out more at Stand 70 or visit https://grundfos.to/gc-turfgrass.
Stand 35
Visit the YG Software stand (No.35) to inspect the new Hydrosight Soil Monitor which is revolutionising water use management for sports fields, optimising labour costs and enhancing aesthetic appeal.
This innovative device provides real-time, underground soil moisture data, enabling precise irrigation control. By ensuring that water is applied only when and where needed, the Hydrosight monitor can help significantly reduce water consumption. This not only saves resources but also reduces the cost associated with over-watering and labour-intensive soil management.
With the Hydrosight monitor, sports field managers can maintain perfectly hydrated turf, which is crucial for both the playability and visual quality of sports surfaces. Healthy, wellwatered grass displays a vibrant green that enhances the aesthetic appeal of any sports venue, contributing to a better overall spectator and player experience. Integration capabilities allow Hydrosight to seamlessly connect with existing irrigation systems, further streamlining operations and cutting down on manual labour. All data is accessible through the easy-to-use Hydrosight mobile app, providing managers with the information they need to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.
Stand 43
Visit Indigo Specialty Products at Stand 43 and learn more about our product range. We will be showcasing two products –ProForce Scarlet Trio Advanced Insecticide and ProForce Clean Sweep Trio Fungicide (pictured below). Indigo’s Winter Promotion is running from June 1st to August 31st, so customers visiting our stand will be able to enter and have a chance of winning a 3-way fridge, freezer and ice-maker from EcoFlow. To enter, customers will need to purchase a pack of ProForce Scarlet Trio Advanced Insecticide.
ProForce Scarlet Trio Advanced is a unique insecticide formulation containing 116g/L clothianidin, 83g/L clofentezine and 13g/L abamectin offering 3-way control technology. Scarlet Trio Advanced Insecticide is registered for the broad-spectrum control of billbug, African back beetle, Argentinian scarab, Argentine stem weevil, couch fly, couch mite, ground pearl and mole cricket in all recreational turf management situations.
ProForce Clean Sweep Trio Fungicide is a unique fungicide formulation containing 119g/L thiophanate-methyl, 37.5g/L fluazinam
and 36g/L tebuconazole. Clean Sweep Trio Fungicide is registered for the broad-spectrum, curative and preventative control of ERI, fairy ring, anthracnose, brown patch, dollar spot and helminthosporium in all recreational turf management situations. Clean Sweep Trio Fungicide is a suspension concentrate and is formulated in Australia. So come and visit the Indigo team at Stand 43! We’d love to see you!
Stand 62
Unlock next-level pitch management with TurfPod – now up to 80% off! Managing a topquality pitch starts with knowing exactly what’s happening below and above the surface. With TurfPod, you can keep a close eye on the conditions that matter most. And right now, we’re making it easier than ever – order before 1 July 2025 and get up to 80 per cent off for three months. Take advantage of this offer and turn reliable data into winning decisions for your pitch.
The TurfPod (pictured below) is our all-inone data monitoring tool, tracking six essential growth factors of your playing surface, both soil and surface conditions, to give you detailed insight into the microclimate. This enables you to make objective decisions about your maintenance to get your playing surface in top quality before every game.
Our TurfPods are connected to TurfBase, our new data management dashboard which enables grounds professionals to achieve the highest possible grass quality while efficiently using resources. Every TurfPod subscription comes with the Live data module, enabling 24/7 detailed insights into the microclimate of your playing surface via your TurfBase account. Ready to step up your pitch management? Make the most of this limitedtime offer and take control of your pitch with TurfPod.
Stand 49
Sweepers n Scrubbers will be showcasing our smart turf solutions for schools, resorts, sportsgrounds and golf courses at the Sydney show. When it comes to maintaining immaculate grounds across private schools, universities, resorts, sportsfields and golf courses, having the right equipment is
essential. At Sweepers n Scrubbers, we specialise in providing compact, highperformance sweepers designed to keep your outdoor spaces clean, safe and presentable all year round.
Our extensive range includes easy-tomanoeuvre push sweepers, versatile ride-on models and ultra-compact units perfect for tight-access areas. Whether you’re managing synthetic turf, paved walkways or hardcourt areas, our sweepers are built to deliver reliable results with minimal effort.
Available for both sale and hire, our sweepers suit seasonal needs and budgetconscious organisations looking to streamline their maintenance operations without compromising on quality. From daily cleaning to post-event recovery, our equipment helps reduce manual labour, improve efficiency, and enhance overall presentation of your facility.
Trusted by groundskeepers Australia-wide, our machines are known for their durability, ease of use and exceptional sweeping performance across a wide range of surfaces and site conditions. Our expert team is here to help you find the right machine for your facility and offer demonstrations to ensure the perfect fit. To learn more, visit our stand, view our website www.sweepersnscrubbers.com.au or call us on 1800 505 791.
On the Trimax stand this year we will be highlighting the Trimax OptiAdjust system which is an innovative variation of the everpopular Pegasus S5. This new technology enables the operator to change mowing heights between 10-80mm from the comfort of the tractor cab, saving time and improving results. The system is controlled by Trimax Connect, which is an app for both Android and iOS devices.
Advantages of the OptiAdjust system include:
l Optimise mowing heights – with OptiAdjust, changing heights takes seconds rather than minutes, allowing operators to prepare playing surfaces at specific heights to suit sports and turf varieties.
l Increased productivity – operators can efficiently change cutting heights without stopping and manually adjusting the mower. This reduces downtime and allows for efficient coverage of large areas.
l Enhanced safety – the ability to perform height adjustments from the cab reduces human interaction with the mower.
l Quality control – reduce the risk of inconsistent cuts due to operator mistakes. This ensures a uniform and high-quality finish, eliminating the need for rework.
l Reduce risk of disease – OptiAdjust allows users to complete incremental height changes during times of high growth, reducing the size of clippings and risk of disease.
To find out more, visit the Trimax team at Stand 60 or check out our demonstration Wednesday 9:50am on the Hordern Lawn to see the Trimax OptiAdjust system in action.
The OptiAdjust system which is innovative variation of the ever-popular Trimax Pegasus S5
ACTSTMA graduate representative Zac
at
ATM profiles the contenders for this year’s Graduate of the Year Awards, sponsored by Toro.
ourteen of the country’s leading sports turf management graduates will line up in Sydney as the industry gets set to recognise its outstanding achievers at the 2025 National Turf Industry Awards. The respective golf and sportsfields and grounds Graduate of the Year Awards, presented in partnership with ASTMA Platinum Partner Toro Australia, are two of the most highly anticipated of the awards evening and is the culmination of an intense 48 hours for the finalists.
Judging for the awards takes place the day before the dinner, with all 14 graduates – seven in each category – presenting to a panel of industry experts before being asked a series of questions to test their turf management knowledge. The ASTMA, together with the respective state associations, wish all the finalists the best for the judging and for the awards night itself. This year’s finalists are…
Zac’s career in sports turf management was developed from a deep love of both the outdoors and golf. His fascination with the science behind maintaining
optimal playing surfaces drew him into beginning a career in the industry where he started out at Port Fairy Golf Links in 2021.
Zac’s career highlight so far is being awarded the VGCSA Apprentice of the Year, which has provided him with a huge boost of confidence and invaluable experiences, including a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to undertake a one-week work experience residency at Tara Iti Golf Club and Tieke Golf Estate in New Zealand.
Zac is currently assistant superintendent at Port Fairy, where he participates in and oversees course operations alongside superintendent Troy Richardson. “What I enjoy most about course management is the constant challenge of maintaining high standards across various compilations and conditions,” Zac says. “The satisfaction of seeing the course in its best shape for players is incredibly fulfilling, and I thrive on the continuous learning and evolution this field has to offer.”
Windaroo Lakes GC | GCSAQ
Dylan’s blossoming career in sport turf management was born the day he left high school down at his local golf club Windaroo Lakes. Unsure of what he wanted to do in
his career, Dylan was told of an apprenticeship available at the club and hasn’t looked back since. Upon completing his apprenticeship at Windaroo Lakes, Dylan took a seasonal positional at Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand. During his time there, Dylan was provided the opportunity to manage different turf varieties and experience working at a world-renowned golfing facility.
When his time in New Zealand concluded, Dylan returned home to Queensland and help Windaroo Lakes recover from Cyclone Alfred and help prepare for the Queensland Associates Championships and is excited to see what opportunities arise next. “Since day one I’ve loved the challenge of presenting a golf course and learning what it takes to manage sports turf,” Dylan says.
Lake Karrinyup CC | GCSAWA
James’ journey in sports turf management started when he moved up to Perth from Dunsborough to complete Year 12 at SEDA Cricket College. During his studies, James was lucky enough to get the opportunity to complete his work placement at the WACA in the turf facilities department, where James, as a self-described “cricket nuffy”, enjoyed every part of working
on the practice wickets and working around cricket stars at the historic venue. After his schooling was complete, James stayed on as a casual for the summer and got the chance to roll the wicket at Optus Stadium prior to the first ever Test at the ground against India.
After a couple of years living in Dunsborough, James moved back up to Perth to play cricket and pursue a career in the sports turf industry, starting an apprenticeship at the Royal Perth Golf Club in February 2021 before moving to Lake Karrinyup Country Club in January 2024 as a qualified greenkeeper. “My favourite part about course management is that there is more than one way to do everything,” James says.
Royal Adelaide GC | TMSA
Oliver made the move to Adelaide as an 18-year-old from Tasmania four years ago to pursue his dream of playing in the AFL, where along the way he developed a strong interest in sports turf management. Oliver began working at Royal Adelaide Golf Club at the end of 2021 and continues to work there full-time as a greenkeeper. His love for golf and playing in his spare time initially drew him to the sports turf industry, but it was through hands-on experience that he discovered a real passion for turf management.
A personal highlight in Oliver’s promising career so far was volunteering at the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, which provided him with valuable insight into tournament preparation and what’s required to maintain a course for elite level play. Now 22, Oliver has completed a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management through the ASTMA.
“In my current role I enjoy the challenge and variety each day brings, from course presentation to problem-solving and course redevelopments,” Oliver says. “There’s a real sense of pride in being part of a team to present the course at a high standard for members and guests to enjoy.”
Monash CC | NSWGCSA
Brad’s passion for golf developed after finishing high school, and an apprenticeship in sports turf management followed where he is currently developing his craft at Monash Country Club in the Northern Beaches. Brad has always been curious about what goes on behind the scenes of golf course maintenance so a career in sports turf management made sense. He has thoroughly enjoyed his apprenticeship and soaking up as much information as possible from experienced greenkeepers.
Brad was afforded a great deal of early insight into the processes of a rebuild after assisting in the reconstruction of the 17th green and adjacent 18th tee complex and has since developed a strong interest in construction. He is interested in being part of another rebuild with the knowledge he has obtained post TAFE. He is now a part of the supervising crew on weekends, working in a one-in-four rotating roster which includes hand watering in the summer. “I’ve definitely found a career I’m passionate about and am eager to soak up as much information from others around me,” Brad says.
Launceston GC | TSTMA
Dylan is an avid golfer who turned his passion for the sport into a career in sports turf management, having recently completed his apprenticeship as a greenkeeper at Launceston Golf Club where he has been a member for more than a decade. Dylan started working at club in late 2021, where he has been part of the team which has hosted three Tasmanian Opens, the Australian Senior Amateur and numerous state events.
Dylan loves all facets of the game and having worked in the field has grown an even greater appreciation for how a course is prepared and the amount of time and dedication it takes. “To me there is nothing better than working hard all week to present the course in immaculate condition and then going out on a Saturday and being able to enjoy the benefits of the work our team put in week in and week out,” Dylan says. “I am very excited to continue my sports turf management journey and to continue to learn and enjoy all this industry has to offer.”
Tura Beach CC | ACTSTMA
Zac’s passion and love for sports was the inspiration to kick start a promising career in sports turf management. After completing his Year 12 studies in 2019 and finishing his Certificate III in Sport and Recreational Studies, Zac was presented with the opportunity to start an apprenticeship as a greenkeeper within the maintenance staff at Tura Beach Country Club in 2021. Throughout his apprenticeship Zac has been lucky to take part in major works at Tura Beach, which includes such things as the installation of a brand-new irrigation system, shaping and grass establishment of a fairway as well as bunker restoration.
He has been given multiple opportunities to develop his craft in assisting in tournament preparation on other courses, including the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club, The Sapphire Coast Week of Golf at Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club and various tournaments held at Tura Beach such as the NSW/ACT PGA Associate Championship and PGA Legends Tour event.
Zac was awarded the ACTSTMA Graduate of the Year Award in November 2024 and is looking forward to continuing his journey in the sports turf industry.
Garangula Polo | ACTSTMA
Dylan’s interest in turf began in 2019 when he purchased his first home and wanted his lawn to be the best in the street. From there, a career change in 2022 saw Dylan become a mature-aged apprentice at Garangula where his passion for sports turf has blossomed. After completing his training, he took on the role of 2IC of Polo Fields, where he is currently filling in as head greenkeeper and leads a team of three.
At Polo Fields, Dylan looks after 33 hectares of warm- and cool-season grasses which involves spraying of paddocks, mowing the property and three full size polo fields that are each about five hectares. Polo Fields receives a renovation for each tournament which includes solid and hollow tine aeration, a light scarify, topdress, granular and liquid fertilisers, which Dylan puts down to a lot of preparation and hard work.
Dylan received the 2024 ACTSTMA Graduate of the Year award in the sportsfields and grounds category which he is incredibly proud of. “I owe it to the help of my colleagues and TAFE teachers and I highly recommend
sports turf management to anyone who has an interest in turf who wants to love what they do for work,” he says.
Scotch College | STA WA
Nathan’s passion for sports turf management began at Fremantle Mosman Park Cricket Club at Gil Fraser Reserve in August 2019. Even though he was only 17 at the time, a dream of curating wickets became a reality. After spending two seasons of work experience at his premier cricket club and a week at the WACA ground in Year 10, Nathan was fortunate to meet Pepi Conponovo at Fremantle Cricket Club who set him up with the job at Gil Fraser.
With two summers at the club, Nathan’s motivation to become qualified in sports turf management peaked, with a desire to learn more fundamentals of the trade and expand his knowledge in turf maintenance. This was all powered by his dream to gain the skills to perform his art on the national or even international stage.
Nathan’s career highlight so far is hosting his first ever professional cricket match in the previous summer at Scotch College Perth with the Toyota Second XI where he saw up close the likes of Jhye Richardson and Darcy Short amongst some other talented cricketers. “My biggest enjoyment of sports turf management has to be battling all the diverse challenges that we overcome to produce a high quality surface every day at the college,” Nathan says.
Newcastle Council | STA NSW Jorjia loves playing golf most weekends and has played soccer since she was five years old so a career in sports turf management has been a natural evolution. She started working at Belmont Golf & Bowls in early 2022 as an apprentice greenkeeper, completing her studies late last year before recently taking on a greenkeeping position at Newcastle Council based at their No.1 and No.2 Sportsground.
Jorjia has enjoyed the opportunities the industry has provided her, including volunteering at LIV Golf in Adelaide, and has gained invaluable experience working with superintendents and assistant superintendents across the industry to improve her craft.
She has a strong desire to become a key leader in the industry. “I want to continue my push to become a superintendent or be in charge of a major multi-purpose sportsfield. I also hope to gain my Diploma,” Jorjia says. “I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the course come together to look its best, whether for a members competition or a large tournament.”
Victoria Racing Club | STA Victoria
The opportunity to combine his enjoyment of sport and a career that caters to a desire to work outdoors and be hands on saw Sean successfully gain an apprenticeship in sports turf management at Flemington Racecourse in 2022. Throughout the past three years, Sean’s experiences have been filled with exciting opportunities to learn from experienced turf managers including Flemington track manager Liam O’Keeffe, Flemington assistant track manager Brendan Jackson and Melbourne Polytechnic senior co-ordinator Mark Burchell.
Sean has been involved in the presentation and running of three successful Melbourne Cup carnivals and shadowed Warrnambool Racing Club track manager Dermott O’Connor for the three-day Warrnambool racing carnival. “Seeing and learning the planning, preparation and organisation that goes into presenting turf surfaces for major sporting events was a massive motivation to commit to my apprenticeship and my career moving forward,” Sean says. “The recognition from STA Victoria as the apprentice of the year was a huge personal highlight. What I love most about turf management is the challenge of balancing all aspects and considerations and how these make no two days the same.”
D&D Curators | TMSA
Tom was hooked into the world of sports turf management when he began as a bowler at Port Noarlunga and wanted to create the best possible surfaces for players to enjoy. He has gone on to become the greenkeeper of four greens at the Hawthorn Bowls Club, which was awarded the 2024 Bowls Australia Club of the Year. Tom also manages two greens at the Clarence Gardens Bowls Club and is the curator of two main cricket squares for the Unley Jets at Kingswood Oval and the Sturt District Juniors at A.A Bailey Reserve.
Tom has had many exciting experiences in his career so far including working with Simon Sczesny at Hindmarsh Stadium during the FIFA Women’s World Cup where he cut the ground to precise measurements for the professional players and millions of viewers watching on TV.
“One thing that really sticks with me, especially when it comes to bowling greens, is the challenge of making 1500m2 as smooth, flat and even as a billiard table. It’s a challenge I strive to achieve every day,” Tom says. “It’s been an amazing journey so far and I’m so grateful to be a part of the sports turf industry. I look forward to what the future brings.”
People First Stadium | STA Queensland Jonathan has worked closely in a range of different sports since 2019 and worked at Carrara Stadium in the horticulture team installing goal posts, drop-in wickets and transitioning from sports to concert mode in the multi-use stadium. In 2021, Jonathan was part of the grounds crew at Carrara that played host to the AFL, concerts and cricket including Women’s Test cricket and hosting the Australian and England men’s teams in a quarantine training hub. Some of his duties included running wicket covers, as well as mowing the outfield and stadium surrounds.
Jonathan completed his apprenticeship in sports turf management in 2024 and was selected as the STA Queensland Graduate of the Year. In 2025, he joined the team as horticulture and logistics assistant with the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium.
“I love the variety of work that sports turf offers. There are always opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge. For me nothing beats working with a team and seeing the results of your efforts on game day,” Jonathan says. “Getting a close-up look at what goes in to preparing and maintaining elite playing surfaces and the transition between events really captured my interest and inspired me to get into sports turf.”
Waratah-Wynyard Council | TSTMA Latisha began her career in 2019 as a trainee at Waratah-Wynyard Council in north west Tasmania where she completed a Certificate III and IV in Horticulture. This led to nominations in 2021 for Trainee of the Year at the Tasmanian Training Awards, where she made the top eight and won the Work and Training’s Trainee of the Year. In July 2023, Latisha applied successfully for the leading hand/sports grounds role with WaratahWynyard Council, which gained ownership of the cricket wicket based at the Wynyard Showgrounds and moved to the multi-use recreation ground.
During her time employed at the WaratahWynyard Council, Latisha’s responsibilities included preparing the cricket pitch and outfield for the Cricket North West competition, as well as preparing for the North West Football League and Darwin competitions. “My desire to broaden my skill set and challenge myself motivated me to study Certificate III in Sports Turf Management,” says Latisha. “I am extremely proud to be improving the playing surfaces at our multi-use grounds for clubs and community. I love researching and honing my skills and doing an honest day’s work.”
Fine textured with a medium-dark green colour
• Superior resistance to Dollar Spot, Brown Patch and Pink Snow Mold
• Excellent resistance to Anthracnose and Pythium Root Rot
• High resistance to poa annua invasion
Early spring green up
• High density
• Excellent turf quality for close mown putting greens TURFGRASS GREEN QUALITY
GREENS BROWN PATCH 2023
Superintendents, agronomists and university researchers have been using the GS3 to measure green speed, firmness, smoothness and trueness for more than a year now. They have learned a lot about these metrics and continue learning more
After more than a year using the USGA’s new GS3 ball, Wesley Stewart and Jordan Booth look at some of the lessons that have been learned from the data it is generating.
Putting greens are the most important playing surfaces on a golf course and their condition and playing quality are understandably the focus of considerable attention from golfers and superintendents.
In the 1970s, the USGA released the Stimpmeter to help golf courses objectively measure putting green speed. This tool was designed to help superintendents maintain appropriate and consistent green speeds across their course. However, green speed alone provides an incomplete picture of putting green quality and faster has often been misconstrued as meaning better.
In an effort to broaden our understanding of putting green playing characteristics, the USGA developed a tool in the 2000s to measure putting green firmness. This tool has been used by agronomists at USGA championships for almost two decades and similar devices are used around the world.
To help superintendents measure and communicate a more complete picture of putting green quality, in 2023 the USGA announced the launch of the GS3 ball to objectively measure putting green speed,
firmness, smoothness and trueness in a single device. A rechargeable smart ball that is the same size and weight as a standard golf ball, the GS3 ball has sensors that collect over 15,000 data points, empowering analyticsdriven decisions. It fully integrates with, and operates on, the USGA’s DEACON course management platform via Bluetooth.
The GS3 provides green speed measurements based on the rate of deceleration of the device. This data is translated into a green speed number in feet and inches that is comparable to a traditional Stimpmeter reading. We will not spend time in this article exploring green speed ranges because this metric is very familiar to most superintendents. However, most golf courses have never measured firmness, smoothness or trueness in an objective way.
Now that the GS3 has been in use for more than a year at golf courses across the budget spectrum and at USGA championships – including the US Open – we have learned a lot more about what different readings for these metrics mean. The GS3 is starting to be used at golf courses outside the US, with a number of Australian superintendents and organisations incorporating its use as well.
The ranges provided below are meant to help GS3 users understand the measurements they collect. Superintendents using the ball should spend time developing their own benchmarks for each metric because there can be considerable variability in what constitutes desirable and undesirable readings based on turfgrass species, weather, putting green age, soil characteristics and golfer expectations.
We encourage courses to view these metrics in the context of a target range rather than a specific number, and to recognise that your target ranges will likely change throughout the year. To get the most benefits from data collection, it should be a consistent process over time. There may be opportunities to improve and learn more no matter how well your greens are performing.
The reference ranges in the sections below are all based on collecting data shortly after morning maintenance ends, but before play begins. Values for these metrics have the potential to change throughout the day depending on precipitation, grass growth, foot traffic and cultural practices. These ranges apply to all grass types, though the averages within these ranges can be expected to vary based on turf type.
You measure firmness with the GS3 by placing the device in a special drop fixture that allows you to drop it from a consistent height. Sensors inside the tool measure how far the drop fixture penetrates into the putting green surface in inches to provide the measurement, with lower numbers indicating firmer conditions. Multiple firmness readings should be taken across each green to develop a complete picture because individual measurements can vary significantly by location – even within the same green. Typical range of values is between 0.300” and 0.500”: l 0.300”-0.350”: Extremely firm.
l 0.350”-0.400”: Firm.
l 0.400”-0.500”: Likely suitable for most facilities.
l >0.500”: Receptive.
The GS3 takes smoothness measurements during a normal roll from the Stimpmeter. This metric refers to the magnitude and quantity of vertical deviations while the GS3 rolls across a putting green surface. Put simply, it measures vertical bouncing and higher numbers indicate less smoothness.
The following ranges describe how to interpret the average smoothness result of three rolls in opposite directions, for a total of six rolls. This is the recommended procedure for performing a roll test with the GS3 for speed, smoothness and trueness – all of which are collected simultaneously by the tool. Typical range of values is between 0.0-16.0:
l 0.0-5.0: High-quality ball roll with minimal vertical deviations.
l 5.0-8.0: These values fall outside the normal range.
l >8.0: Averages consistently above 8 are typically only seen after disruptive cultural practices and should improve with growth and recovery.
The GS3 takes trueness measurements during a normal roll from the Stimpmeter. This metric refers to the magnitude and quantity of horizontal deviations during the roll. Golfers would call this type of deviation “wiggle” or something similar. Higher numbers indicate a less-true ball roll. The following ranges describe how to interpret the average trueness result of three rolls in opposite directions, for a total of six rolls. Typical range of values is between 0.0-7.0.
l 0.0-1.0: High-quality ball roll with minimal horizontal deviations.
l 1.0-1.5: These values fall outside the normal range.
l >1.5: Averages consistently above 1.5 are typically only seen after disruptive cultural practices.
USGA staff have worked intensively with researchers and superintendents to better understand how to use the GS3 and what the numbers mean in terms of real-world playing conditions. We have learned many lessons from that work, including the following:
l Collecting objective data about a range of putting green characteristics is a great way to guide management programs and communicate with stakeholders. When golfers and decision-makers can see how speed, firmness, smoothness and trueness vary throughout the year, and from year to year, they develop a better understanding of how the course is performing against expectations and the impact various maintenance practices have on playing conditions.
l The most difficult hurdle to overcome in using the GS3 to guide management programs is consistent data collection. The more consistent your data collection program is, the more useful the data will be for making decisions. You don’t need to take measurements on every green every day, but you want to establish a consistent data collection program as part of your maintenance routine.
l Collect GS3 data for multiple months before establishing target ranges for your putting greens. Seasonality, weather, maintenance budget, architecture and golfer ability are all factors to consider.
l During USGA championships or professional tournament golf, the golf course is being optimised for a very short time with resources that are simply not available for routine maintenance. Surface performance values for championship play are typically inappropriate for daily play. For daily play, golf courses need to balance surface performance with available resources and turfgrass health.
l Your performance metrics only apply to your golf course. These values should be used to track putting green performance over time at your course, not to compare your course to others. There are far too many variables involved for fair comparison of these metrics among courses.
l Incorporate multiple metrics beyond GS3 measurements to evaluate progress including golfer feedback, organic matter content and clipping volume. Record your inputs and understand what was required to deliver the measured playing qualities. Evaluate your program critically to see if there are ways to reduce inputs and still maintain your desired surface performance.
l Focus on consistency. Do not push for dramatic alterations in surface performance for short periods of time. Consistency is key to providing a quality golf experience while maintaining sustainable, healthy turfgrass.
The USGA is very proud of the GS3 but there is still much to learn with a tool that is relatively new. We have partnered with multiple universities to continue evaluating putting green performance with the GS3 and to see how the tool performs over time, under rigorous scientific testing. Our internal research and university partnerships have produced many improvements in the two years we have been using the tool, including an overhaul of our firmness algorithm that now delivers morereliable results.
Editor’s Note: ATM wishes to thank the USGA Green Section for allowing publication of this article. The original article appeared in the Green Section Record Vol. 62, Issue 22 (7 December 2024). Wesley Stewart is a data scientist with the USGA Green Section and Jordan Booth, Ph.D., is senior director, Course Consulting.
Columnist Peter McMaugh AM provides his thoughts on some past ATM articles which have discussed the use of organic amendments in rootzone mixes and soil testing methodology.
With the rebuilding of many golf courses and greens around the country in recent times, especially in high profile situations like Royal Sydney and New South Wales golf clubs, there has been a lot of attention given to getting the growing medium mixes right.
In Australian Turfgrass Management Journal Volume 25.6 (November-December 2023 – ‘Assessing organic amendments’, p4448), John Neylan discusses various greens sand additives of an organic nature – compost, coir fibre, processed poultry manure and biochar – with emphasis on their effects on the porosity of the mixes and their subsequent drainage rates. How much do we really know about the practicality of these and the numerous other offerings in the market place?
When you look at the Australian standards for compost you don’t see a lot of clarity about what is suitable for turf versus what is suitable for gardens. The quality of composts depends almost entirely on the quality of the input stream of materials. If there is a lot of wood chip in the mix it will not be suitable for topdressing turf, a point made by John Forrest in ATM Volume 26.1 (January-February 2024 –‘Compost considerations’, p46-49).
John Forrest also very wisely cautions on checking the salt content of the final product. I very much appreciated this caution because recently I bought a bag of compost from a highly respected label that killed every plant type I used it on! Despite a warning letter to the manufacturer, I have never had a reply! This is not surprising because the margin of profit in composts is very, very small.
The mix in the input stream of commercial composts may contain various animal manures, as well as sewage sludge and other partially degraded organic matter. The mix determines the C/N ratios of the final product which is an important measure of its quality.
It is very rare that you get consistency from one batch to another. Commercial composts are produced in long rows which use specialised machines to turn the materials and aerate the process. This increases the heat build-up in the compost which is supposed to kill any serious plant pathogens in the pile. All this processing adds a lot of cost to the production. If the manufacturer gets the moisture conditions of the rows wrong then you can get the same acid sulphate reactions you get with black layer.
You can simplify the process immensely if you introduce nano bubble oxygenated water
into the process. This cuts out the need for turning machinery and if you want to be extra careful about weeds, seeds and diseases you can use nano bubble ozonated water to sterilise the compost.
If you decide to use composts as part of your construction mix or topdressing mix with sand, they are difficult to mix unless quite damp and you need to mix them in a trommel device.
Currently composts are very expensive and are not generally the first cab off the rank in mixes. If you really want to get a good compost, do it yourself using grass clippings as the base. That is what the old time greenkeepers used when golf was invented. You can improve the compost quality of clippings by adding fresh components such as seaweed, stale bread or comfrey. You can even take this process a step further if you want to introduce worms and use the castings.
There are two common problems with composts – most people over-wet them and the odours can be very unpleasant. The first can be cured by adding generous amounts of shredded paper or cardboard to the mix and the second by using oxygenated nano bubble water. If you want to know a lot more about composts, find a copy of ‘Growing Media for
Ornamentals and Turf’ by Kevin Handrek and Neil Black (UNSW Press). It is a wonderfully useful publication and includes a dedicated chapter on composting (p110-121).
While compost might be relatively difficult to add to a sand, both coco peat and sphagnum moss peat are notoriously difficult to mix evenly. For convenience of handling, coco peat is generally supplied in compressed blocks which expand with wetting, but even when damp it is difficult to mix evenly.
Sphagnum moss peat has the highest moisture holding capacity and nutrient holding capability of the organics, as well as having a measurable CEC. It is also very difficult to mix. Many years ago Tel Aviv University overcame this problem by mixing a low strength PVA glue to the mix which turned their mixes into a slow release fertiliser. While this is not very practical in turf maintenance, an Australian company CAZNA has come up with a very easy to handle small pelleted organic matter using a sterilised, weed-free, stable organic matter component. It can be used as topdressing or used in a growing media mix. It increases both the porosity and the moisture retention in a very convenient to use product.
I have never been a big fan of using coco peat on a long-term basis, because all you are doing is providing the main food source for basidiomycete (lignin) which will bring you dry patch problems long-term. However, shortterm gain may be preferable to long-term pain, especially as we now have a better control mechanism in oxygenated nano bubble water as an alternative to wetting agents. If you want to play safe and still use wetters then nano bubble water will enhance their performance.
Organic amendments of this type (coco peat, sphagnum moss) are very expensive, as is compost, unless you make it in-house. By using the CAZNA processed product you can start out using a lower amount and then include it as a continuous renovation product and spread your costs out over time.
When I spoke with John Neylan recently he confirmed that his position regarding additives to greens sands was still very much that less if better. From both a scientific and a practical perspective, within 12 months of application 80 per cent of any organic amendment will have disappeared from the profile. The leftovers of the compost are mainly the lignin, loved by basidiomycetes.
There are very well known health issues related to handling compost and you must have a strict compliance with the safety equipment (e.g. masks/respirators/gloves/ overalls) appropriate for handling this type of material.
If we move onto the next material to be considered – poultry manure – John’s experience over many years of working with granulated poultry manure leads him to a heavily qualified ‘yes’ statement regarding its use. I heartily endorse that statement about granules. This is really just the leftovers from the pelleting process and will readily reduce the drainage rate of mixes. While this is true for any similar fine material including humectants, it is not true for pelleted poultry manure which I enthusiastically encourage.
Pellets break down much more slowly and don’t travel in the soil water. They also very quickly become surrounded by a cage of feeder roots. This is because of a physiological stimulus between the roots and lumps of organic matter, or what Dr Vic Stewart at Aberystwyth University called the ‘spotted dog’ mix as I mentioned last edition. The conclusion from this is that not all forms of poultry manure are the same. Don’t use the wrong ones!
The final organic amendment John considers is biochar (charcoal). Biochar has a very high CEC comparable with high grade zeolite. It also has a high moisture retention capacity for water, which is not held tightly and is readily available to the plant. You will hear the proponents of using biochar talk about micro-crystalline sites of action that do all sorts of magical things. What’s more it is very expensive to produce.
Are there alternatives to it readily available? Yes, and the easy one is soft brown coal, which is looking for new markets. It has a good CEC, is easy to handle and doesn’t break down readily. Why go to biochar when nature has done it for you?
John Forrest’s article in ATM Vol 26.1 was very well balanced. He makes a very important comment regarding the phosphorus content of composts. In general, commercial composts have superphosphate added to them to try to protect the drawdown of nitrogen by microbes becoming too high. This is a very good argument for making your own composts.
Excess phosphate in composts is normally very water soluble and easily leached. This, as John notes, is a very sensitive ecological issue in WA. It is rather important to realise that many golf course sites in Australia other than in WA also have a lot of sand. Most new greens and tees are also sand based constructions. Because grasses only use minimal amounts of P, over application is just a waste of valuable resources.
Let’s now change topics to particle size distribution (PSD) soil testing using dry or wet sieving. John Neylan’s comment in his article on sand testing in ATM Volume 26.1 (JanuaryFebruary 2024, p40-41) that “the bottom line is that dry sieving is not acceptable”, is not something I can readily agree with.
When I started my life in the turf world I inherited a primitive laboratory setup that was not amenable to washed sieving and I had to make the unavoidable decision to use dry sieving. As I had no laboratory staff at that time I had to do all the analyses myself. I certainly quickly came across the problem of clay adhering to sand.
When you are dry sieving, you should lightly grind your sample in a mortar and pestle to dislodge the worst of this. When you start to weigh each sieve fraction you should be very conscious that there may be clay still sticking to sand. If you find this you have to tip the affected fraction into the mortar and lightly regrind it with the pestle. This will work a lot better with uniform particle sizes than it does with the initial grind.
Return it to the sieve tray while it is on the stack and the dislodged clay will begin to drop through the sieve openings. You then need to re-shake it. There is an alternative that you can use if there is only a small amount of clay on the sand fraction. Take a small stiff brush and work the sand across the sieve mesh. This will dislodge the clay easily.
When you look at methods of analysis you have to have a really basic look at how ‘fit for purpose’ they are. Looking at Table 1 on p41 of John’s article (which shows a dry sieve versus washed sieve analysis), I would reject that sand for greens construction because the sum of its lowest three components exceeds my ideal level. This is based on my 60 years of analysing sands.
To this I add the remark that no one is going to get a quarry to wash the sand to match the laboratory derived spec. Some quarries produce washed sand products. If you are writing very specific scientific articles for publication then by all means take the special precaution for scientific accuracy of washing the sand. I still, however, ask the
question – ‘Is that process essential for the real world of quarried sand supply?’
It is because of the repeated failure of laboratory analyses to provide a good correlation between its findings and field performance that I started to look for better alternatives. The end result of that is to look at the performance of an as-built profile using the method I outlined in my column in ATM Volume 22.2 (March-April 2020 – ‘Alternative analysis’ p62-63).
Perhaps this is why the USGA-accredited labs never say a sand is ‘fit for use or purpose’, but rather that it fits within the USGA’s guideline envelope. Is this a subtle way of saying we do the analysis but we won’t guarantee its field performance? As someone who has got his hands very dirty across the whole spectrum of turf related constructions, I’ve stopped worrying about the laboratory. I prefer to use my science training to find practical, easy-to-do testing which is also very cheap and much quicker to provide a result.
When I submitted my analytical method for publication in a referred journal, the paper was rejected on the grounds that the compaction method was not standardised by using the Proctor hammer device. This is just another way of saying that you are not respecting our laboratory standards of 16 drops and 32 drops. I haven’t gone to the trouble of comparing my method with theirs but I am very confident it works well in practice. Dr Bent Jakobsen used to drop the sample six times when wet through 150mm to do his consolidation.
When you use my method, it has one very big advantage because you very quickly find out if the clay fractions of your mixes are flocculated and stable in the mix. If they are not then a dirty stream of drainage effluent will very soon appear and alert you to a big problem.
Flocculation of clays is a very important consideration when you are dealing with turf outside of greens mixes. It does not receive the attention it deserves especially in the construction of community playing fields where USGA-type specifications basically have no relevance and no place. Have a good think about John’s take home messages after you have read this and see how they might work with some new thinking.
I hope that after reading this article you don’t think I am criticising John in a pejorative way. I am not. John’s choice of using the USGA’s procedures, which have a proven success rate over time, is for him the wisest way to proceed. His take home message of ‘test, test, test’ is great advice. On the other hand, I am not convinced that the engineering based approach is the correct way to go. I think my methods, which have a higher percentage of margin of error than the laboratory, are scientifically sound and are fit for purpose. I prefer simplicity to complexity. If
Environmental experts Kate Torgersen and Monina Gilbey preview some of the unique Environment Stream sessions that will feature as part of this year’s conference in Sydney.
This year marks a significant step forward for environmental initiatives within the sports turf management industry with a dedicated ‘Environment Stream’ set to feature at the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference & Trade Exhibition in Sydney. We have teamed up with the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) to deliver a stream designed to educate, inspire and equip turf managers with practical knowledge to spark new ideas and make a real difference at their facilities.
The Environment Stream sessions will be conducted on Thursday 26 June in Function Room 3 of Hall 5 at the Sydney Showground, adjacent to where the Trade Exhibition will be. The morning session, which will run from 8:30am-10:30am, will explore topics such as using emerging technologies for environmental mapping and impactful storytelling; showcasing how golf courses can contribute to turtle and biodiversity restoration; and
sustaining people, land and culture through the propagation and growing of native plants.
This stream is essential for any golf course superintendent or turf manager looking to enhance their course’s or facility’s ecological footprint and communicate their environmental journey. What follows is a snapshot of the presentations that will form part of the Environmental Stream morning sessions.
The first presentation from Matt McIntosh is titled ‘Technology tools for your environmental story’. Matt is the strategy and project manager at Environmental Golf Solutions. He is an innovative and strategic leader with 20-plus years of marketing, commercial partnerships, digital strategy and communications experience across sport, government, entertainment, events and the hospitality industry. He is passionate about golf, biodiversity and positively impacting the environment.
As expectations around environmental performance and accountability grow, Australia’s golf facilities are under pressure. Turf managers are now expected to not only deliver sustainable outcomes on the ground but to also demonstrate and communicate those efforts to members, committees, local communities, government and industry bodies.
This session will explore how emerging technologies can assist golf course staff to operate smarter, track progress and share their story. Mapping natural assets and biodiversity, tracking to producing reports and engaging members through citizen science apps form part of the session.
This will also be an opportunity for turf professionals to talk about what is important to their operations and communication with stakeholders. During this presentation, we will facilitate an interactive discussion where participants can share their experiences with technology and suggest features for future tools, ensuring they are practical and relevant
to real-world needs. The session will also include case studies, such as a citizen science project at 13th Beach Golf Links.
Whether you’re already implementing sustainable practices, or looking to better capture your course’s environmental impact, your insights will help shape upcoming technology, ensuring that future tools are practical, relevant and grounded in the needs of turf managers.
Did you know your facility could become a vital sanctuary for some of Australia’s slowest residents? Professor Ricky Spencer is from Western Sydney University and has over 20 years’ experience in the conservation industry. He is the co-program lead for the ‘1 Million Turtles’ program. Professor Spencer strives for active engagement with communities and management agencies to ensure best practice research is integrated to its full potential.
Professor Spencer has been actively collaborating with golf clubs across NSW and is enthusiastic about sharing his work at this year’s conference. His presentation ‘Fairways
There is a range of technology now available to assist golf course staff to operate smarter, track progress and share their environmental story
to recovery: Urban golf courses as emerging platforms for turtle conservation and biodiversity restoration’, is one not to be missed.
Urban environments are often overlooked as opportunities for meaningful biodiversity conservation. However, innovative partnerships between conservation initiatives and recreational landscapes are demonstrating the potential for urban spaces to become critical conservation hubs. As part of the ‘1 Million Turtles’ program in Australia, golf courses are being mobilised to deliver tangible conservation outcomes for freshwater turtles.
We will explore several different projects where golf course members were trained to monitor nesting turtles and report sightings through the TurtleSAT citizen science platform and how vulnerable nests were protected through collaboration with the ‘Turtles in Schools’ program. In this program, eggs were incubated by students before hatchlings were released back into golf course water bodies. This integration of citizen science, school engagement and habitat stewardship closes the loop between conservation action and community education.
Due to their size, permanent water resources and community access, urban golf courses are ideally positioned to become active contributors to emerging environmental markets such as Australia’s Nature Repair Market.
Through the ‘1 Million Turtles’ framework, golf courses can shift from passive green spaces to dynamic conservation landscapes, providing measurable biodiversity outcomes and reconnecting urban communities with local ecosystems. This model demonstrates how unconventional urban environments can be scaled into platforms for species recovery, citizen engagement and nature-positive transformation.
Closing the morning’s Environment Stream is Peter Cooley, chief executive of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation. This charitable organisation aims to find hands-on solutions to issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The corporation runs a variety of programs aimed at ‘leaping the gap’ for Aboriginal people specifically aimed at increasing life skills and resilience by connecting to culture.
IndigiGrow is one of these projects – it is a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and operated
social enterprise based in Sydney centred on sustaining people, land and culture through the propagation and growing of native plants, including bush foods and critically endangered species.
Peter will be presenting a talk titled ‘Growing for impact’. More than just a nursery, IndigiGrow is a powerful Aboriginal social enterprise. Employing 10 local Aboriginal staff, including seven apprentices, IndigiGrow connects people with plants and culture. Their work is deeply rooted in culture, connection to Country and caring for Country, using native plants as a vehicle to empower young apprentices.
IndigiGrow’s mission is to:
l Educate the wider community about the benefits of native plants and bushfoods, and how individuals can contribute to restoring biodiversity;
Highly respected chef Andrew Fielke is a proud member of Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide and is a pioneer when it comes to using Australian native foods. Five years ago, Fielke proposed harvesting ingredients directly from the golf course to create a special degustation dinner with paired local wines.
Called ‘Grazing the Course’, this innovative ‘course-to-plate’ event was considered a world-first, earning the club the honour of Sustainable Golf’s International Community Highlight of the Year in 2020. Using the course as a larder is a rarity, with the club confident it is just one of only a select few around the world to create such a unique native ingredient menu.
The benefits of using ingredients from the course are numerous and extend far beyond the plate – reduced food miles, less water consumption and increased awareness of indigenous plants. Fielke views native plant ingredients as a form of edible reconciliation – it increases our understanding of indigenous peoples’ relationships with plants and Country. Furthermore, it is also incredibly delicious!
Building from that initial event, on Saturday 24 May, the club was proud to host its second ‘Grazing the Course’ dinner. The
dinner featured speeches from both Fielke and Glenelg course superintendent Tim Warren who spoke about the importance of such events as part of the club’s overall environmental remit.
“It’s a unique way to highlight sustainability and the role our course plays in supporting local biodiversity,” Warren said. “It was a fantastic night with brilliant food showcasing our biodiversity value in a way
l Pass down traditional knowledge and stories from Elders to young Aboriginal apprentices, instilling a strong cultural foundation and connection to Country, helping young people to understand and care for the land in traditional ways;
l Provide meaningful employment and training opportunities for young Aboriginal people in horticulture; and
l Reinvest funds back into their programs, including training and employment for Indigenous people, demonstrating how economic activity can align with cultural preservation and environmental care.
We are excited to host this inaugural Environment Stream at the conference. Whether you can make it in person or catch a glimpse in this article, our goal is to introduce the industry to leading environmental products and voices with valuable knowledge, education and innovation. Next year, we hope to have an even bigger Environment Stream and we hope that your horticulturists, vegetation managers or greenkeepers can attend.
If you have any suggestions, please contact ASTMA (admin@astma.com.au) or email hello@torgersengilbey.com.au.
Editor’s Note: See the full Sydney conference education program, including other sessions in the Environment Stream, on page 38.
that some may have some scepticism of, however, once experienced can’t wait for the next event. While we strive to be known for our quality playing surfaces, we’re equally committed to what happens beyond the fairways.
“Our course design concept in its design philosophy has us aiming to blend our course seamlessly into its natural surroundings. From protecting rare plant species like our remnant lomandra, to providing habitat for native fish, microbats and invertebrates, our 48-hectare site is a thriving ecological asset. A night such as ‘Grazing the Course’ gives us an opportunity to sell the message of this both to our members and their guests.”
Get in touch with us today for more information or a free quote! EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM
Lawn Solutions Sports Turf through it’s partnerships with leading turf scientists and turf breeding programs, has exclusive access to the best new turfgrass varieties available.
ATM columnist Ben Gibson takes a close look at why observation, reflection and goal setting go hand-in-hand when it comes to great leadership.
The great turf managers I know are emotionally intelligent, considerate, deliberate and very self-aware of their personal and team performance. They understand the dynamic forces that influence their success and through reflection and observation make conscious and proactive, rather than knee jerk reactive, decisions.
Many years ago, when chatting to Glenn Stuart, the director of courses at Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club in Melbourne, he emphasised the importance of observation and reflection in great leadership.
“Throughout my career, the power of observation has continued to intrigue, educate, challenge and has me deeply connected to the evolving dynamic nature that comes with golf course maintenance and the environment, (and) this drives my unwavering passion for our industry,” Glenn said. “Just like exhibiting
genuine care and interest for that connection to each individual in your team and properly listening to the feedback and input of others, taking time to properly observe your surroundings and team dynamics can have a substantial impact on your leadership and team success.”
This leadership style creates a strong culture of trust, respect and psychological safety and sets a platform for optimum performance and team achievement. It also creates a strong culture of physical safety.
In a world fixated on progress and constant forward motion, it’s easy to become consumed with what’s next – chasing the next milestone, setting the next goal or achieving the next success.
While ambition is essential, it’s equally important to take the time – not saying this is easy to find – to pause, look backward and reflect. The ability to self-assess, reflect
and understand past experiences forms the foundation of meaningful and sustainable goal setting. Without this process, goals can become arbitrary, misaligned or uninspiring as it is common to see individuals adopt others’ goals in lieu of creating their own.
This article explores how thoughtful reflection and self-assessment improves our goal setting, increases motivation and provides a realistic benchmark for personal and professional growth.
Goal setting is more than a productivity hack or a motivational tool; it’s a psychological framework that helps direct attention, increase effort and foster persistence. Psychologists Edwin Locke and Gary Latham’s goal-setting theory suggests that “specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance than vague or easy ones.”
Opposite: Goal setting and planning for major events, such as tournaments, requires a lot of coordination and foresight. Clear communication and teamwork enable teams, like the Royal Queensland GC PGA crew pictured, to deliver the high-quality playing conditions expected on those big days
Goals provide clarity, define success and give us a sense of direction in an often-chaotic world. Adam Mills, course superintendent at Royal Queensland Golf Club, is adamant that it’s the team planning, goal setting and strategy that provides certainty amongst the challenging, frequent and unscheduled hurdles that are a part of turf management.
“While our daily operations may sometimes feel like organised chaos, it’s actually our commitment to planning and communication that keeps everything running smoothly,” he said. “Whether it’s routine mowing, irrigation schedules or managing bunker maintenance, day-to-day planning ensures that every task is covered and completed efficiently.
“Equally important is our planning for major events, tournaments, corporate outings or seasonal transitions, which require even greater coordination and foresight. These events involve detailed timelines, heightened standards and often last-minute adjustments. It’s through clear communication and
teamwork that we’re able to deliver the highquality playing conditions expected on those big days.
“Every member of the team plays a vital role and staying informed and adaptable is what makes our work successful. It’s structured planning and open lines of communication that truly keep us on course.”
Looking backward isn’t about dwelling on past mistakes or romanticising past success. It’s about asking: What worked? What didn’t? Why? Self-assessment involves reviewing accomplishments, challenges, behaviours and decisions with honesty and curiosity. This process creates a feedback loop that enables us to learn and adjust. Some benefits of selfassessment include:
l Self-awareness: By understanding your past behaviours and their outcomes, you become more aware of your strengths, weaknesses and habits.
l Clarity: Reflection can help clarify what truly matters to you, helping distinguish between goals driven by personal motivation and those imposed by others.
l Growth mindset: It reinforces the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, which is vital for long-term progress.
There are a number of methods for selfassessment, including:
l Writing it down: Writing about past experiences is a powerful way to explore emotions, identify patterns and track progress – or regress – over time. Simple notes in your diary or daybook can give amazing insights.
l Milestone reviews: Periodic reviews – seasonal (look back and reflect on a chaotic summer), monthly, quarterly or yearly – can offer structured opportunities to evaluate progress and recalibrate.
l Feedback seeking: Asking for feedback from peers, colleagues, mentors or managers offers external perspectives that may reveal blind spots.
l SWOT analysis: Identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in personal and team development can guide targeted goal setting.
Once you’ve taken the time to think, the next step is to channel that insight into future planning. Here’s how this reflection directly enhances goal setting:
l Alignment with values and purpose: When you reflect on past goals and
“Taking
accomplishments, you can ask yourself: Did these goals align with what I care about most? With my core values? If not, why not? This type of questioning helps ensure that future goals are not just achievable but meaningful. Setting goals that align with your values leads to greater fulfillment and resilience, especially when challenges arise.
l Realistic benchmarking: This process provides a concrete starting point. Understanding your previous performance sets realistic expectations for future goals. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon but you haven’t really jogged in a year, your new goal might focus on establishing a running habit first. This makes success more likely.
l Identifying strengths and weaknesses: Reflection helps identify areas where you excel and where you need improvement. You can leverage strengths in your goal planning and build systems to support/ develop weaknesses. For example, if procrastination was a recurring theme in your reflection, you might adopt new systems or accountability partners to support your new goals.
l Measuring progress more accurately: One of the biggest pitfalls in goal setting is vague or immeasurable outcomes. Looking back helps define what progress looks like. By understanding your baseline and historical performance, you can set goals that are specific, measurable and trackable.
Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound – SMART. Clearly defined goals provide
structure and reduce ambiguity. Instead of setting a goal like ‘improve the greens’, a SMART version might be ‘reducing our Poa coverage from 10% to 2.5% over the next three months’.
While reflection and self-assessment is powerful, it can also become a trap if not approached constructively. Here are a few things to watch out for:
l Over-criticism: We are our own harshest critic, right? Being overly harsh can lead to shame and inaction. Aim for compassionate honesty rather than judgement. A friend once gave me some great advice to consider – ‘Would you ever speak to your best friend the way you speak to yourself?’ I hold far higher expectations of myself than of friends or my team, however, on reflection I was way too harsh a judge of my performance when in reality I was doing a great job, but the language I used was not conducive to creating positive behavioural feedback.
l Over-reliance on success: Focusing only on what went well can blind you to areas of improvement. Balance celebration with critical thinking.
l Paralysis by analysis: Too much reflection can lead to inaction. Use insight as a springboard for movement.
The key to harnessing the power of reflection and goal setting is consistency. Here are a few tips to make it part of your regular management routine:
l Schedule time to reflect: Set aside time weekly or monthly to review progress and assess your emotional and mental state.
l Create a reflection template: Use a consistent set of questions to guide your reflections. Examples: What am I proud of this week? What challenges did I face? What would I do differently? If you have a mentor of any description, it is great to use a standard set of benchmarks to drive those conversations also.
l Set short- and long-term goals: Shortterm goals keep you focused on your mission, while long-term goals provide strategic direction on your vision.
l Celebrate progress: Recognise even small personal and team wins to build motivation and reinforce positive habits.
This can be an interesting and valuable process to go through in other areas of your life – not just turf or your career. Sahill Bloom, author and creator of the ‘5 Types of Wealth’ framework, suggests that true wealth encompasses more than just financial assets. It expands the concept to include time, social, mental, physical as well as financial wealth. By focusing on all five, individuals can create a more holistic and fulfilling life. Here is a breakdown of each type:
l Time wealth: This refers to the freedom and flexibility in how you spend your time, prioritising activities that bring you joy and meaning.
l Social wealth: This involves building and nurturing strong, meaningful relationships that provide support and connection.
l Mental wealth: This encompasses intellectual growth, a positive mindset and resilience, enabling you to navigate challenges and pursue your goals.
l Physical wealth: This focuses on your physical health and wellbeing, including regular exercise, proper nutrition and sufficient rest.
l Financial wealth: This refers to the accumulation of assets and the ability to live comfortably and securely, ensuring financial freedom.
By consciously working towards all five types of wealth, individuals can create a life that is not only financially sound but also rich in relationships, personal growth, physical health and meaningful time.
Goal setting is often thought of as a forwardlooking activity, but its true power lies in the interplay between past and future. Reflection and self-assessment are essential to meaningful progress.
By understanding where you’ve been, you can better define where you want to go. You set goals not just for achievement, but for growth, alignment and purpose. Looking backward isn’t regression. It’s wisdom.
MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve in the outer Melbourne suburb of Melton has become the first in Australia to install new Hydrovar X variable speed drive (VSD) pumps. The reserve, which serves at least 16 local sporting clubs, needed a new irrigation system as part of its recent expansion and redevelopment.
Following collaboration between the principal consultant, local council and Brown Brothers Engineers Australia, the Hydrovar X VSD was nominated and written into the project’s tender documents, marking Australia’s first installation of the product. This reduced the required pump and motor size, lowering upfront investment and ongoing operational expenses without compromising performance. David Gardiner, irrigation manager at ULS Group, led the installation of the pumps and supporting infrastructure, with pump specification assistance from Brown Brothers Engineers business development manager Michael Garas.
The irrigation system was designed to deliver 6.32L/sec at 650kPa, meeting both performance requirements and energy efficiency targets. To achieve this, two Lowara e-SV 10SVX06 pumps, each fitted with a Hydrovar X VSD, were installed in parallel. This allowed load sharing between pumps, improved efficiency and ensured increased operational redundancy due to the wider performance envelopes of each pump. The VSDs also enabled the pumps to adjust output in real time to meet fluctuating demand, ensuring energy efficiency while maintaining the required pressure.
An important benefit of the system is its ability to maintain performance with a smaller pump size compared to the original design. “By including Hydrovar X, we made the switch from dual 10-stage pumps with 4.0kW motors to dual 6-stage pumps with 3.0kW motors. This reduced upfront supply costs and long-term energy consumption,” explains Garas.
The oval is equipped with 84 sprinklers, with the pumps drawing water from a rainwater-fed tank equipped with a rainwater sensor. The sensor ensures that watering is only done when necessary, shutting off the system if excessive rainfall occurs.
Other design decisions prioritised practicality and durability. The pumps were installed in a brick structure rather than a tin shed to provide better protection in an area where theft is a concern, while the valve banks were positioned beneath bench seating off the playing field (see photo above). This ensured they were easily accessible for maintenance while remaining out of sight for visual appeal.
To enhance system reliability, an INCA surge protection panel was also installed to safeguard key electrical components.
The VSD system also introduced new features that improved both commissioning and ongoing operation. A built-in Setup Genie streamlined initial configuration, while Bluetooth connectivity enables irrigation managers to monitor and adjust settings via a smartphone app. “One of the biggest advantages was being able to step away from the pump shed and fine-tune the system in real time while observing rotor performance on the oval,” adds Garas.
The advanced pipefill mode, gradually fills pipes at a lower speed, preventing low pressure nuisance tripping and protecting pump internals. Once fully pressurised, the controller transitions smoothly to full operating speed. This ensures a quicker and smoother commission when pressurising the entire network of piping.
With turf laid in late 2024 and the system now fully operational, feedback from stakeholders has been positive. Gardiner notes the benefits of remote access for monitoring and system adjustments, which has simplified day-to-day management. He also highlighted the system’s low-noise operation, especially compared to other irrigation setups at the reserve. “The difference in noise level was
immediately noticeable. The pumps ramp up smoothly and run much quieter, which has made a real difference.”
For more information about the Hydrovar X VSD, visit https://brownbros.com.au/ or call 1300 4 BBENG
ASTMA Bronze Partner Tru-Turf Golf & Sports Turf Rollers recently announced a new partnership that will see Brandt Tractor become the exclusive dealer for the company in Victoria, Australia. Tru-Turf was established on Australia’s Gold Coast in 1989 with a vision to create a roller unlike any other. Now, more than 30 years later, Tru-Turf Golf & Sports Turf Rollers are used across the world helping golf courses and sporting stadiums to deliver rolling perfection.
Following a review of its dealer operations, Tru-Turf says it was an easy decision to engage
with the team at Brandt. Brandt Tractor is a global John Deere dealer and is now servicing the Victorian golf market across three branch outlets – Knoxfield, Sunshine and Hastings. Brandt has a team of sales and technical support professionals that will offer superior sales and support across the state.
“We are very excited to bring the team at Brandt Tractor on as our dealers in Victoria,” says Tru-Turf general manager Nick Thornton. “Victoria is a superb golfing state in Australia and is home to some of the world’s best courses across the Melbourne Sandbelt.
“We are extremely humbled by the number of golf clubs that have a Tru-Turf roller as part of their maintenance equipment in this territory and we know that this new partnership will provide them with great sales and service expertise. At Tru-Turf we’re all about delivering rolling perfection and we’re looking forward to doing just that as part of this partnership with the team at Brandt Tractor.”
Brandt Tractor’s vice president of operations Australia, James Laidlaw, welcomed the opportunity to represent Tru-Turf in Victoria: “Brandt is all about working with trusted suppliers, and is extremely excited to represent Tru-Turf. With its premium line of product, we believe it will be a fantastic fit within our portfolio as we seek to offer the complete solution to our golf and turf customers.”
Brandt Tractor has commenced operations as an authorised dealer for TruTurf immediately. Tru-Turf is thankful for the representation that has been provided by ADE Turf for many years.
Country Club International (CCI) is taking driving range automation to the next level by becoming the exclusive Australian distributor of the Relox Robotics Golf Ball Picker – a fully autonomous, next-generation solution
designed for high-demand golf facilities ready to embrace smarter, greener technology.
Now available in Australia through CCI, the Relox Robotics Golf Ball Picker redefines driving range efficiency. It can collect up to 35,000 balls per day per unit, boasts six hours of battery life and requires no human intervention. It also weighs only 120 kilograms meaning it causes less wear and tear on turf surfaces.
Relox Robotics is a pioneer in autonomous solutions for sports facilities, with its Golf Ball Picker automating golf ball collection and delivering precision, efficiency and sustainability. Powered by cutting-edge AI and GPS navigation, the Relox Golf Ball Picker operates seamlessly across varied terrains, collecting balls swiftly and safely without disrupting players. Its all-electric design ensures quiet, eco-friendly performance, reducing operational costs and minimising environmental impact.
“The Relox Golf Ball Picker represents a significant leap forward for driving range management,” says Marcus Olsson, founder at Relox Robotics. “By automating a traditionally manual, time-consuming task, we’re helping
facilities optimise resources, improve customer experience and contribute to a greener future.”
Key features include autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, real-time monitoring and easy integration with existing range setups. The robot’s durable build and low-maintenance requirements make it an ideal solution for ranges of all sizes. For more information, visit www. reloxrobotics.com. Exclusively distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Country Club International www.countryclub.com.au.
ASTMA Bronze Partner David Golf has appointed Kurt Carlson (pictured) to the role of sales executive Queensland, northern NSW and NT, replacing Alister Etheridge. Carlson brings a wealth of experience to David Golf, with a decade working in similar roles. Carlson is a former professional golfer and member of the PGA Tour of Australasia. He regained his amateur status and is a member at Brisbane Golf Club. Carlson can be contacted on 0448 444 300 or by email kurtc@davidgolf.com.au.
It has been a busy period since our last report with interviews held for our Graduate of the Year Awards in both the golf and sports turf categories, our annual industry golf day, finalisation of the program for our annual Turf Seminar and a catch up visit with ASTMA and other state association presidents.
The high standard of graduate award presentations made our job as judges particularly challenging! After much deliberation, the panel selected Tom Jolly (D&D Curators) as the Sports Turf Graduate of the Year and Oliver Davis (Royal Adelaide Golf Club) as the Golf Graduate of the Year. We’re confident they will do South Australia proud in the national finals to be judged and announced at the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference coming up in Sydney (see profiles on Tom and Oliver, page 52 of this edition –Ed).
The third TMSA Golf Day has been run and won in what was another well-supported event. The West Lakes Golf Club turned on the weather, which perfectly complemented the condition of the course presented by superintendent Stuart Gillespie and his team. Congratulations to all the winners. It was great to see some fantastic golf played, especially as the wind picked up later in the day and made scoring more difficult.
Taking the honours on the day was the Greenway Turf Solutions team comprising Andrew Manthorpe, David Egan (both GTS), Steven Pellatt (Blackwood GC) and Ben Hallam (Tea Tree Gully GC). They beat home the North Adelaide GC team of Ben Whyatt, Bradley Rayson, Simon Work and Ryan Smooker, with the Mount Osmond GC team of Mitchell Angel, Jack Haberfield, Declan Bayly and Gary Reynolds coming in third. Nearest the pins went to Paul Leeden (ARO College) and Simon Gunn (Belair Turf), while Jordan Cranwell (City of Adelaide team) and Chad Norsworthy (Metropolitan Machinery) collected the longest and straightest drive prizes.
A big thank you to everyone at West Lakes Golf Club, our sponsors and all participants for supporting one of the most popular events on the TMSA calendar.
As a committee, we’re now in the final stages of planning our Annual Turf Seminar which will be held at Morphettville Racetrack on 6 August. We already have a strong lineup of speakers from across the turf industry and with great support from our sponsors it’s shaping up to be a fantastic day of networking and education.
Confirmed speakers include Adam Lamb (Commonwealth Golf Club), Professor Jim Brosnan (University of Tennessee), Mellissa Bradley (SA Water), Marty Synan (Racing
Queensland) and Mark Burchell, Mitch Wallace and Cody Tucker (Droneland). Jarrod Walsh will again be our MC for the day. Registrations for the seminar can be made through the TMSA website www. turfmanagementsa.com.au.
A few weeks prior to the seminar, on the morning of Wednesday 16 July, we will be hosting a ‘walk n’ talk’ event at Unley Oval. Hosted by the City of Unley, the team will take us behind the scenes of the newly redeveloped oval and upgraded facilities. It will provide a great insight into the challenges of managing a multi-purpose sporting ground.
The session will take place from 7:30am-9:30am and feature appearances and presentations from:
l Steve Shepherdson (Team Leader –Open Space, Sports & Recreation, City of Unley) who will provide an overview of the redevelopment, highlighting key design features and the challenges faced throughout the project.
l Guest appearance by Marty Mattner (Sturt Football Club League coach and former AFL/SANFL player) who will speak about the importance of strong partnerships between sporting clubs and ground managers in delivering successful community sports facilities.
l Matt Sampson (Senior Team Member –Open Space, Sports & Recreation, City of Unley) who will conduct a tour of the oval, offering insights into the intricacies of maintaining a high-performance surface. During the AFL’s Gather Round back in April, Unley Oval hosted five clubs that used the ground for training sessions, Captain’s Runs and junior coaching clinics throughout the week. Thanks to the efforts of Matt, Greg and Steve, the playing surface was maintained to AFL standards, ensuring optimal conditions for the teams. Their hard work didn’t go unnoticed, with the clubs providing excellent feedback on the quality of the grounds.
We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming TMSA events.
TIM WARREN PRESIDENT, TMSA
BRENDAN BROWN: From assistant superintendent The Sands, Torquay, to superintendent Clifton Springs GC, Vic. STUART CAMPBELL: Departed as superintendent Maroochy River GC, Qld.
The Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions (AOTS) team has been named as a finalist in TheStadiumBusiness Awards for 2025, with the innovative work done by head curator Damian Hough and his crew for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in New York recognised in the ‘Venue Technology’ category.
TheStadiumBusiness Awards are a global industry celebration for the stadium sector, with this year’s awards to take place in June at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The Venue Technology awards aim to recognise sporting venues that have delivered innovative and integrated technology to transform and improve operations.
A consulting arm of the grounds team, AOTS works with other venues across the state, Australia and globally and has developed a formidable reputation in the industry. Hough and his team first constructed drop-in cricket trays and six wickets specifically designed for the World Cup which was held in the West Indies and United States across an ambitious period from October 2023 until the tournament last June.
The drop-in trays were first manufactured in Adelaide and were carefully shipped to Florida for assembly in collaboration with LandTek Group. Once constructed they were then were filled with local soil and laid with Tahoma 31 couchgrass before being rolled, watered, monitored and manicured across five months before being transported nearly 2000km to New York in time for the World Cup.
Hough said he was proud of his team’s ability to build the business and deliver some outstanding results, including the ambitious World Cup project. “We’ve been chipping away at this business for a number of years, it’s taken a lot behind the scenes to get to this stage,” he said. “It’s happened a lot quicker than what we probably expected, and we have had some great opportunities, and it all comes down to the support from the team to the board and everyone involved.
“I could not be prouder. The work we undertook for the World Cup was challenging, the timelines were extremely tight and upon reflection I am proud of the work everyone did to get the pitches playable.”
The award nomination announcement came as two of the drop-in wickets they prepared for the World Cup arrived at the Oakland Coliseum in California to be used for the upcoming 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. The pitches took five days on the road to be moved across the other side of
the US, with AOTS staff again heavily involved in the process and managing them in the leadup to the MLC starting on 12 June.
The drop-in pitches were stationed at a pop-up nursery in the carpark of the Oakland Coliseum before being installed in the field in time for the 2025 tournament. Hough and his crew have been carefully managing the pitches, flying back-and-forth as well as consulting with the local teams on the ground to ensure they are match ready.
Working with Adelaide expat Dave Agnew, who is head curator of MLC, and LandTek, a location was found to construct a pad for the trays to be housed. Since being placed it has been all about careful management of the pitches in the lead-in to the tournament.
“We bedded them down and spent the following couple of weeks growing them back in, getting them used to the environment and consolidating them,” said Hough. “After four-
and-a-half days and the vibrations of driving from east to the west of the country, it was a long drive but they handled the trip well.”
Hough returned to Adelaide after overseeing the transportation process and headed back to California on 29 May to begin the final intense lead-in work ahead of the tournament starting. In that interim period, AOTS team member Caleb Hearn was based in the US working with the local team to help manage the pitches.
“We went over there for 18 days initially and we’ve been working with Dave, LandTek and [Oakland Coliseum curator] Clay Wood and his team to manage this project,” Hough said. “They’ve got a soccer game four days before the tournament and we will bring them in a couple days out, excavate out a bit where they’re going and get the base right, pop the trays in and get it all ready.”
– Nick Creely
Five-time major champion and career grand slam winner Rory Mcllroy will be the headline act of the men’s Australian Open for the next two years when it returns to the Melbourne Sandbelt in 2025 and 2026. Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club, two of Australia’s most iconic courses, were announced in early May as the next two hosts of the prestigious tournament, with a joint commitment from the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria.
Mcllroy’s return to Australia comes off the back of his win at the 2025 Masters Tournament, with the world number two reaffirming his love for the Australian Open by committing to the next two years. The 35-yearold last appeared at the Australian Open in 2014 when he defended the Stonehaven Cup the year after he went head-to-head with Adam Scott in 2013 to be crowned champion.
For Royal Melbourne director of courses Richard Forsyth, news of the Open’s return after a 34-year absence is extremely exciting not only for the club but his crew as well. Royal Melbourne last hosted a men’s Open in 1991, early on in the tenure of Forsyth’s predecessor Jim Porter. Australian Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley triumphed on that occasion in dramatic circumstances, sinking a 40-foot putt on the last hole to win by a shot over then amateur Robert Allenby.
Despite having hosted Presidents Cups (2011 and 2019), the Talisker Australian Masters and World Cup of Golf back-to-back in 2013 and Women’s Australian Opens (2012 and 2015) during his time at Royal Melbourne, the last time Forsyth prepared a course for a men’s Open was in 1997 at Metropolitan Golf Club. That tournament also ended in a thrilling manner with Lee Westwood defeating Greg Norman in a four-hole playoff.
“It’s really exciting to have the men’s Open back at Royal Melbourne,” says Forsyth, who will prepare the Composite Course for what will be the club’s 17th men’s Open. “It was in need of a bit of reinvigoration, so it’s good to have someone of the calibre of Rory to bring that back to the table. It will be fantastic for the event and great for the club and our team to have him play the Composite Course. You want to see the best players play on your turf and who better than to see at Royal Melbourne than the reigning Masters champion.
“I think it’s really important to host the national Open on the Composite Course on at least a semi-regular basis. It has been too long since that’s happened so the club is excited about hosting it. We have a lot of staff that haven’t done much in the way of tournaments at Royal Melbourne – it has been six years since we had the Presidents Cup – so that will
be a new experience for them and with Rory confirmed, and hopefully some other players as well, there will be a real level of excitement.”
Having been in discussions with Golf Australia for a number of months about holding the tournament, the 2025 date works well for Royal Melbourne given that it is about to embark on a major infrastructure project in the coming years. A big focus for Forsyth in recent times has been the planning for a new irrigation system which aligns with the club tapping into South East Water’s Dingley Recycled Water Scheme.
Due to start construction this year and coming online in 2027/2028, the scheme will deliver recycled water to around 40 sites in the Bayside, Kingston, Greater Dandenong and Monash Local Government Areas. Royal Melbourne will be one of a number of Sandbelt golf clubs to benefit from the scheme which will also supply water to local parks, sporting ovals, market gardens and nurseries. The project is expected to cost around $72 million of which the Victorian Government has committed $24 million. The remainder is being funded by South East Water and customers of the scheme which among them includes the new Hawthorn Football Club facility in Dingley.
Tenders for Royal Melbourne’s irrigation installation went out recently, with the project to be carried out across two separate seasons in 2026 and 2027 (likely April-October). The new system will be installed across both the West and East courses, with the plan to do the holes
on the extremities of the property first and work inwards, with the Composite Course holes to be completed in the second year.
“It’s a big project,” says Forsyth. “It ties in with us getting recycled water from the Dingley scheme which will help to drought-proof the club. It’s a big deal given the issues we have had historically with water. There will be separate pipelines for the greens and fairways, new storage tanks to hold the recycled water and the latest irrigation system to deliver the water to the playing surfaces.”
The immediate focus, however, for Forsyth and his senior team of Paul Thomas (West Course), Nic Staff (East Course) and Geraldine O’Callaghan (Sandy Links), will be getting the turf surfaces through the approaching winter after what has been a particularly dry summer and autumn. Discussions will also progress as to which Composite Course layout and what tees on certain holes will be used for the tournament.
“There’s not a big lead in and there’s not much that you can do over the winter months anyway,” says Forsyth. “It’s just really about protecting the turf as much as we can and then come out in spring with a bit of growth and topdressing and those sorts of things and get the surfaces finetuned for early December.
“We won’t be doing a lot of mechanical intervention. Recent conditions have been dry, but if we get an extended wet period we may have to punch some holes through to keep things breathing, otherwise there’ll be minimal disturbance. We may look to do just a fine aeration early in spring depending on how the weather is. We renovated the East Course fairways in January and they’ve bounced back well. The greens (Suttons Mix) have got a pretty good cover at the moment and are performing okay, so we don’t have too much to change or alter.”
