2024 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference Guide

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE & TRADE EXHIBITION BRISBANE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE 17-20 June 2024

Dr Jay McCurdy Mississippi State University

Adam Spencer Keynote Speaker & Maths Geek

CONFERENCE GUIDE

Claire Madden

Social Researcher

Cameron Schwab Leadership Mentor

HUSQVARNA COMMERCIAL ROBOTICS

Ready for your golf course challenges Catch Erwan, Head Greenkeeper and Technology Specialist from WINSTONgolf, at the 2024 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference.

As a Keynote Speaker, he’ll be hosting two must-attend sessions packed with cutting-edge insights into turf care innovations.

Don’t miss out on learning from a top industry expert!

+ Wednesday 19 June | 9.50 – 10.30 am

Data collection and technologies for golf course management

+ Thursday 20 June | 9.10 – 9.50 am

ERWAN LE COCQ

The role of automation and electrification in sustainable turf care management

Sessions are proudly sponsored by Husqvarna.

VISIT US

At the 2024 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference: Stand #24

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If you would like to speak with a Husqvarna representative, scan the QR code to book a consult now.

BOOK A CONSULT

BRISBANE 2024

Welcome to

F

or the second time in six years the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition returns to the warmer climes of Brisbane, Queensland.

The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), in conjunction with Golf Management Australia (GMA), welcomes delegates to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre which will play host to the industry’s biggest gathering in 2024. This year’s conference is along similar lines to the highly successful joint venture between the two organisations in 2022 (Melbourne) and we again look forward to the collegiality and collaboration that a combined event of this magnitude generates.

Like Melbourne two years ago, this year’s education component will again include separate ASTMA and GMA content, but also provide the opportunity for both groups to come together for a number of joint sessions.

This includes the opening day’s Plenary session which includes a compelling line-up of industry experts and inspirational presenters.

Over the next 18 pages, ATM takes a look at some of the major speakers and highlights of this year’s education sessions, previews the ASTMA Golf Championships which will be played at Australian PGA Championship host venue Royal Queensland and profiles the Graduate of the Year Award finalists. From pages 38-43 we also feature some of the trade exhibition highlights along with a full list of exhibitors and floorplan so you can plan 30

PHOTO: STOCK.ADOBE.COM/MEL CAMPBELL

Brisbane

ATM previews the 2024 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference to be held in Brisbane from 17-20 June.

your visit across the two-day trade exhibition (Wednesday and Thursday).

On behalf of principal sponsors Toro and Schweppes and conference partners Syngenta and Husqvarna, the ASTMA and GMA thank you for your attendance at this year’s event and trust you get plenty out of the week.

DR JAY MCCURDY

Dr Jay McCurdy is an associate professor and extension specialist with Mississippi State University

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 26.3

The first speaker confirmed by the ASTMA for this year’s conference, Mississippi State’s Dr Jay McCurdy (pictured left) is an associate professor and extension specialist in the university’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Jay received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of TennesseeMartin, a Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a PhD from Auburn University. He has worked as a golf course superintendent, turfgrass sod producer and private consultant. His current research projects include precision assessment of turfgrass growth and development, weed ecology and management, herbicide resistance (including the USDASCRI-funded ResistPoa Project) and wildlife habitat inclusion within the built environment.

Jay teaches and advises students studying weed science and turfgrass management.

He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications as well as numerous trade journal and extension articles. He provides leadership for the Mississippi Turfgrass Association and Louisiana-Mississippi Golf Course Superintendents Association. He serves as an

editor for the Mississippi Turfgrass Magazine and was an associate editor for the Crops, Forage and Turfgrass Management Journal.

Jay will be making a number of presentations across the week in both the Golf and Sportsfield streams and will also team up with Envu’s Jyri Kaapro and AGCSATech senior agronomist Bruce Macphee for a Wednesday morning workshop exploring the development of weed management programs in warm-season grasses.

ERWAN LE COCQ Frenchman Erwan Le Cocq joins this year’s conference direct from WINSTONgolf in Germany, a 45-hole complex located just over two hours northwest of Berlin. Erwan is a seasoned greenkeeper with nearly 15 years of experience in the golf industry, holding multiple managerial roles across various European countries. For the past six-and-a-half years he has served as head greenkeeper/technology specialist at WINSTONgolf where he oversees the implementation of technologies to improve the day-to-day maintenance of one of Germany’s largest and leading golfing facilities.

WINSTONgolf comprises two 18-hole championship courses and a nine-hole par

FROM THE PRESIDENT…

I

take great pleasure in welcoming delegates to the 2024 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition in Brisbane. Once again we partner with Golf Management Australia (GMA) to combine our education sessions and trade shows to make it the biggest golf and sports turf management conference to be held in Australia this year.

ASTMA chief executive Mark Unwin and the ASTMA team have done a fantastic job in procuring highly credentialled international presenters and local experts to stimulate and challenge our thoughts on why we do what we do. The Sportsfields and Technicians streams also add to the diversity of content to cater for delegates.

The sold out trade exhibition is also testament to the strong support we receive from our industry trade partners and I am sure there will be something for all as you move through the trade show floor. I thank all our trade partners for then continued commitment and support of our association.

I am also looking forward to hosting the National Turf Industry Awards Dinner, sponsored by Syngenta, where we showcase outstanding achievements in our profession from across the country. It is a great way to start conference week and a fantastic opportunity to reunite with our peers and acquaintances to talk all things turf.

It is a significant exercise to run an event such as this and we certainly couldn’t do it without our principal sponsors Toro and Schweppes and our conference partners 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 in Brisbane 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 there.

Ben Tilley Superintendent, Headland GC President, ASTMA

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OLLY BRIDGE

three course. Erwan has been at the forefront of innovation at the club, leading the charge in the integration of robotics, drones and sensors as part of day-to-day course operations.

WINSTONgolf is one of the first courses in the world to embrace and deploy autonomous mowers on a large scale, with 123 robotic mowers included as part of their maintenance fleet. In addition to autonomous mowing, Erwan also employs a range of digital and technological tools to help with data collection and management of the course, including drones and soil moisture sensors. Erwan will be delivering presentations on both of these aspects while in Brisbane.

Dedicating his life to helping individuals and teams unleash their full potential and achieve extraordinary results, Olly Bridge has forged a career working with elite athletes. He has harnessed the power of sustainable peak performance and honed it into a dynamic methodology that extends far beyond the sports arena. Through leading high-performing teams in organisations like BMW and Medibank, driving smaller start-ups to successful exits and being COO of a joint ASX- and NASDAQ-listed health tech company, Bridge has a deep understanding of the corporate landscape and the balance between performance and wellbeing.

DR JULIETTE TOBIAS-WEBB One of Australia’s leading behavioural scientists, Juliette Tobias-Webb has a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Cambridge. She enjoyed stints as a lecturer and research officer at globally-renowned institutions including the University of British Columbia, the University of Sydney, Bond University and Kaplan University. She has also published a number of journal articles in leading psychology and neuroscience journals. She currently teaches an evidenced-based MBA leadership course that covers topics such as empowerment, motivation, resilience, wellbeing and equality through organisational design.

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.

Her Plenary session address will focus on understanding and using behavioural evidence of teams to explore complex leadership issues and assist workplaces to develop practical and innovative solutions to improve performance.

ADAM SPENCER For over two decades, Adam Spencer has been one of Australia’s best and foremost speakers, delivering cutting edge conversations with an attention to detail and passion that stands out as a hallmark of his intellect and style. As one of Australia’s most dynamic and engaging minds, Adam is informative, fun and guaranteed to impart takeaways you’ve never heard before.

Adam’s greatest strength is his versatility.

With an extensive background in mathematics, he is particularly strong in presenting on 32

Claire Madden is a leading voice on Generation Z and implications of generational change on the workplace

topics such as science, technology and digital innovation. Humour and intellect is a rare combination that Adam has in spades.

He loves curating challenging and thoughtprovoking conversations to engage his audience – skills learnt from over 25 years’ experience in television, radio and events, interviewing Prime Ministers, Hollywood stars, Fortune 500 CEOs, Nobel Prize-winning scientists and Australians of the Year. Through his own unique and entertaining style, Adam will present on how digital transformation is changing business operations and how we can adapt to and embrace emerging technologies.

CLAIRE MADDEN Fostering an engaging culture and building multigenerational teams has become a key skill for leaders as they negotiate a changing world, where creating a vibrant and dynamic workplace is key in attracting and retaining top talent. As an author, social researcher and media commentator, Claire Madden (pictured above) has become one of the world’s leading voices on Generation Z and is in high demand as an expert interpreting social trends, demographics and the implications of generational change on the workplace.

Highly regarded for her dynamic and engaging presentations, Claire can easily translate robust, research-based content into strategic applications for managers and leaders. She has been commissioned by some of Australia’s largest companies and leading brands to interpret the changing landscape and communicate the implications for business and society. From embracing a culture of collaborative innovation through to creating ownership around a shared purpose and vision, Claire will present on the keys to facilitating greater engagement across multigenerational teams, with an extensive array of takeaways that can be easily implemented in workplaces.

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CAMERON SCHWAB Those who attended the 2019 conference in Brisbane will recall the riveting presentation that Cameron Schwab gave to round out that year’s Plenary session which drew widespread praise. We are delighted to welcome Cameron back in 2024 who will bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to speak on what businesses can learn from elite sport. Cameron was appointed chief executive of Richmond Football Club at age 24, the youngest in the history of the game. He then spent the next 25 years as the chief executive of three AFL clubs, the second longest serving in the modern game.

He believes that creating an environment that enables teams and organisations to access the full range of their capabilities is an important component to a successful organisation.

MARK CARTER A conference favourite, Mark Carter has been a regular keynote at past events and will again kick off this year’s Plenary session with a presentation on effective leadership. Mark is an international keynote speaker, trainer and coach who has worked with the ASTMA over a number of years doing roving and conference workshops and more recently the Future Turf Managers’ Initiative.

He has over 25 years’ experience as a global learning and development professional and works as an inspirational international speaker.

For anyone that hasn’t experienced one of his keynotes before, they are not to be missed.

ELSEWHERE IN THE PROGRAM… l

Presentations from last year’s ASTMA Award winners – Craig Walker (Devonport CC, Excellence in Golf Course Management Award); Nick Marino and Paul Locke (City of Boroondara, Team of the Year); and Lachlan Roache (The Gabba, SF&G Graduate of the Year).

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The Lakes Golf Club superintendent Anthony Mills looks back on preparations for last year’s Australian Open tournament.

Local sports turf managers Matthew Oliver (Suncorp Stadium) and David Sandurski (The Gabba) look at the management

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of their facilities, with Oliver to reflect on hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The theme of sustainability will feature prominently, with Chris Gray and John Kemp presenting on The R&A’s Carbon Capture research project, while Monina

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Gilbey and Kate Torgersen will look at ways to reduce roadblocks on a turf facility’s journey to sustainability.

Presentations on ERI fungi and invasive pest threats such as army worm and fire ants.

2024 AUSTRALIAN SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE PROGRAM MONDAY 17 JUNE 9am: 2024 ASTMA Golf Championships (presented

by Toro Australia). Buses depart Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) 7.30am.

Royal Queensland Golf Club 12pm-4pm: Registration desk open. BCEC Foyer 6.30pm-10.30pm: Syngenta President’s Dinner and Turf Industry Awards Boulevard Room, BCEC

TUESDAY 18 JUNE

7.45am-4pm: Registration Desk open

PLENARY

Great Hall A 8.15am-8.40am: Welcome to Country and official opening Mark Unwin, Paul Vardy and MC Tim Gilbert 8.40am-9.40am: Innovation and leading teams Mark Carter 9.40am-10.30am: Behavioural change, health and wellbeing Dr Juliette Tobias-Webb 10.30am-11.15am: Morning Tea 11.15am-12.10pm: Understanding innovation and emerging technologies Adam Spencer 12.10pm-1pm: Unleashing your potential and being your best self Olly Bridge 1pm-2pm: Lunch 2pm-3pm: Understanding and engaging with multigenerational teams and members Claire Madden 3pm-4pm: Levelling up – What businesses can learn from elite sport Cameron Schwab

TECHNICIANS STREAM

Off site 8.30am-4pm: Powerup Lawncare Products/Roy Gripske warehouse and manufacturing site tour; Brisbane Golf Club maintenance facility tour and training workshop presented by John Deere.

TRADE EXHIBITION

4pm-5.30pm: VIP Trade Session BCEC Exhibition Hall (fully registered and Tuesday delegates only)

WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE

8am-5pm: Registration Desk open

GOLF STREAM

Mezzanine M1 8.30am-9.10am: Course construction – A team effort. 2023 ASTMA Team of the Year/City of Boroondara Nick Marino and Paul Locke 9.10am-9.50am: Three sites, one superintendent Craig Walker 9.50am-10.30am: Data collection technologies for golf course management Erwan Le Cocq 10.30am-11.30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition

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COMBINED GOLF/GMA SESSION 11.30am-12pm: La Trobe University Turf Industry Staff Engagment Study Dr Alex Donaldson 12pm-12.30pm: Golf Australia update James Sutherland 12.30pm-1pm: Community benefits of golf Carly Goodrich 1pm-2pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition 2pm-3pm: The R&A carbon capture research project Chris Gray and John Kemp

SPORTSFIELDS STREAM

Mezzanine M2 8.30am-9.10am: 2023 Sportsfield Graduate of the Year presentation Lachlan Roache 9.10am-9.50am: Sand and soil for sportsfield construction – Getting it right Gary Beehag 9.50am-10.30am: Facility communication Ben Gibson 10.30am-11.30am: Morning Tea 11.30am-12.15pm: The importance of pre-season preparation Bruce Macphee 12.15pm-1pm: Effective herbicide applications on sportsfields Dr Jay McCurdy

THURSDAY 20 JUNE

8am-2.30pm: Registration Desk open

GOLF STREAM

Mezzanine M1 8.30am-9.10am: Best management practices in warm-season turfgrass Dr Jay McCurdy 9.10am-9.50am: The role of automation and electrification in sustainable turf care management Erwan Le Cocq 9.50am-10.30am: Exploring roadblocks on your path to sustainability Monina Gilbey/Kate Torgersen 10.30am-11.30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition 11.30am-12.15pm: 2023 Australian Open tournament preparation Anthony Mills 12.15pm-1pm: ERI fungi running rings around researchers – An investigation into ERI diseases Dr Paul Melloy 1pm-2pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition

SPORTSFIELD STREAM

Mezzanine M2 8.30am-9.30am: FIFA World Cup turf management and pitch maintenance Steve Wilson 9.30am-10.30am: Ground Pearl Anthony Young

1pm-2pm: Lunch and Trade Exhibition 10.30am-11.30am: Morning Tea/Trade Exhibition 2pm-3pm: Invasive pest threats (fire ants and army worm) Peter Ambrose-Pierce & Dr Brett Morris

WORKSHOP

Mezzanine M5-M6 8.30am-10.30am: Developing management programs for weeds in warm-season grasses Dr Jay McCurdy, Jyri Kaapro and Bruce Macphee

TECHNICIANS STREAM

Mezzanine M9 8.30am-9.10am: Think safe, work safe Ben Gibson 9.10am-9.50am: Verti-drain care Nick Curtain 9.50am-10.30am: Ventrac compact tractor and attachments care and maintenance Shaun Blosser 10.30am-11.30am: Morning Tea 11.30am-12.15pm: Lithium technology Ray Grech 12.15pm-1pm: Technical presentation TBC 1pm-2pm: Lunch and Trade Exhibition 2pm-2.45pm: Men’s health Beyond Blue 2.45pm-3.30pm: Technical presentation – Future technologies Toro Australia

ASSOCIATION

Mezzanine M2 3.15pm-4pm: 2024 ASTMA Annual General Meeting

TRADE EXHIBITION

4pm-5pm: Trade Exhibition Happy Hour

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11.30am-12.05pm: 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Suncorp Stadium Matthew Oliver 12.05pm-12.45pm: The Gabba - Staff and stadium management David Sandurski 12.45pm-1pm: Panel session Matthew Oliver and David Sandurski 1pm-2pm: Lunch/Trade Exhibition

TECHNICIANS STREAM

Off site 9am-1pm: Brookwater Golf Club maintenance facility tour and training workshop presented by Toro Aust.

PLENARY

Great Hall A 2pm-3pm: Closing keynote presentation – Reaching new heights Daniel Bull

SOCIAL

6pm-8.30pm: Farewell Bash, presented by Greenway Turf Solutions Southbeach Please Note: Times, topics and speakers listed were correct at the time of this edition going to print.

Please refer to the conference app and/or the boards inside the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for any updates or changes to the program.

To get the conference app, download ‘SPRINTR Events’ from your app store and enter the code ASTMA2024

BRISBANE 2024

RQ’s championship

test

After being held at Royal Adelaide last year, it’s Royal Queensland’s turn to host the ASTMA’s premier golfing

T

he ASTMA, in conjunction with long-standing Platinum Partner Toro Australia, is excited to welcome this year’s field that will contest the ASTMA Golf Championship. Last year the tournament was held across the superb Sandbelt surfaces of Royal Adelaide Golf Club and in 2024 we head to another establishment to have been assigned the ‘Royal Charter’ – Royal Queensland Golf Club. Home to course superintendent Adam Mills for nearly seven years, Royal Queensland has a storied history and for the past three years it has been the stage for the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, where the likes of Min Woo Lee, Cameron Smith and Jed Morgan have all held aloft the coveted Joe Kirkwood Cup. 36

event to kick off conference week.

It has been 22 years since the ASTMA Golf Championship was last played at Royal Queensland (2002). The course has changed significantly in that time, including a major rerouting following the loss of six holes due to the duplication of the Gateway Bridge in the mid-2000s. The ASTMA’s premier golf event arrives at another exciting juncture for the club after it was announced it will host the golf event when the 2032 Olympic Games come to Brisbane, becoming the first Australian golf club to achieve Olympic status.

As a result of that, the club is set to embark upon some major improvement works, including the construction of a new Short Course ahead of potential works to the championship course. All things going to plan, the improvement works will kick off in

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April 2025 with the construction of the OCMdesigned Short Course on a 35-hectare parcel of land on the eastern side of the Gateway Bridge. The masterplan has been completed and includes a mix of par three and par four holes, along with a 4500m2 Himalayas-style putting green. Ahead of the Short Course works starting, later this year the club will also construct a new 18 megalitre irrigation dam.

In expectation of the course improvements on both sides of the Gateway, last October, in the lead-up to the Australian PGA, Mills and his crew reconstructed the club’s par three 19th hole which sits between the 4th green and 5th tee. The hole, which ASTMA Golf Championship players will get to see during their round, is being used to trial a number of new turf varieties as well as bunker liners.

Royal Queensland has hosted the past three Australian PGA Championships. Pictured is the 18th green

PHOTO: BRETT ROBINSON

IN CONTENTION

Just before Christmas the green was stolonised with TifEagle couchgrass (the championship course greens are currently 328), while the fairways and surrounds were stolonised half and half with Tahoma 31 (lefthand side) and Ironcutter (right-hand side) in mid-January (the championship course currently has Queensland blue couch fairways and surrounds). Two different porous bunker liners are also being trialled – Capillary Concrete and Bunker Drain.

The grow-in and establishment of the trial hole was hindered a little by the challenging weather conditions which prevailed across southeast Queensland in the first four months of 2024. While less than what other courses further inland received, Royal Queensland has notched up 700mm of rain year-to-date.

Extended periods of low light conditions also made it a challenge to obtain full coverage, with Mills waiting for the turf to be at its best before opening the hole.

“The weather since the start of the year has been pretty horrible,” says Mills. “As well as the rain, we have had a lot of overcast days with barely any sunshine which caused a bit of havoc with our 328 greens early on. But we have got them going good now and I’m pretty happy with where they are at heading into the ASTMA Golf Championship.

“The trial hole is pretty close to opening up, but the conditions we have experienced has put it back a little. The TifEagle is ready to go but I just want to make sure that all the other couchgrass areas are at full health before we put traffic over them. That way the trial will be fair and we can see how the Tahoma 31 and Ironcutter perform side by side.

“We are also still in the process of working with a sand supplier to get the right spec for the bunker sand. We have the colour we want and now it’s just about getting the moisture release curve right, which we are hoping to have finalised shortly.”

This year’s championship is set to be hotly contested, with the marquee Stroke group featuring last year’s winner Ben Hallam (Tea Tree Gully GC) and 2021 victor and fellow South Australian Jordan Sherratt (South Lakes GC). They will be joined by 2022 Red Jacket winner Shaun Page (Southern GC) who triumphed at Huntingdale Golf Club in 2022. The trio all contested the GCSAA Golf Championships held in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year, with Sherratt finishing fourth overall.

Sherratt finished runner-up to Hallam at last year’s ASTMA event at Royal Adelaide Golf Club, with the duo combining to help SA win the state teams title.

The SA stranglehold, however, could be threatened by the return of Tony McFadyean who is now superintendent at Albany Golf Club in Western Australia. Like Hallam and Sherratt, McFadyean is a former touring pro and when he was superintendent at Nedlands Golf Club in Perth won back-to-back Red Jackets at the 2018 and 2019 conferences (Wellington and Brisbane). The 2019 victory came at The Brisbane Golf Club where McFadyean cruised to a four-shot win with a 1-under 71 which nearly included a hole-in-one.

McFadyean will tee up at Royal Queensland looking to join an elite group to have won three ASTMA Golf Championship titles. Former Sawtell Golf Club superintendent Trevor Ridge (now assistant at Sanctuary Cove) won in 2004, 2005 and 2010, while former Glenelg Golf Club superintendent Daryl Sellar (now Living Turf) won three consecutive championships between 2001 and 2003, including the last time the championship was played at Royal Queensland. McFadyean is grouped in another strong quartet of Stroke contenders that includes former Red Jacket winner Scott Harris (Narooma GC), Bradley Foster (Tura Beach CC) and Daniel Christian (Blue Lake GC).

“We are looking forward to having all the superintendents and sports turf managers out here putting their golfing skills to the test,” says Mills of the championship. “It is certainly one of my favourite parts of the annual conference and I hope that everyone will enjoy themselves. After a few challenging months with the weather, May has been really good and the course is looking good. It will certainly provide a true championship test come June.”

The ASTMA Golf Championship tees off at 9am (shotgun start), with buses departing the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at 7.30am sharp. The ASTMA wishes all competitors the best and expresses its sincere thanks to Royal Queensland and Adam Mills and his staff for hosting the day.

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Best in

show ATM looks at some of the new products and promotions set to feature during the Brisbane conference trade exhibition.

CONFERENCE SPONSOR HUSQVARNA Stand 24 Experience the cutting-edge revolution in commercial turf care with Husqvarna Commercial Robotics at the 2024 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition, showcased at Stand 24.

Discover Husqvarna’s unparalleled lineup of autonomous commercial robotic lawn mowers, setting new standards in large scale turf maintenance, efficiency and precision.

Join us for two enlightening sessions at the conference sponsored by Husqvarna, featuring guest keynote speaker Erwan Le Cocq, head greenkeeper and robot and technology specialist at WINSTONgolf, Germany. Erwan will share his knowledge on data collection and technologies, including the role of automation and electrification in sustainable turf care management and their application in golf course management. Erwan’s expertise promises insights into how data technologies and automation are reshaping traditional approaches, optimising resource utilisation

and enhancing overall turf health. Do not miss this exclusive opportunity to hear firsthand from Erwan on how he is redefining turf care through innovation and electrification.

At Husqvarna, we are committed to empowering turf care professionals with state-of-the-art solutions and knowledge, ensuring sustainable and efficient maintenance practices. To elevate your turf care strategies, stop by Stand 24 and discover the groundbreaking Husqvarna CEORA designed for high-precision cutting of large-scale areas, along with the rest of our innovative commercial Automower range.

ASTMA GOLD PARTNER JOHN DEERE Stand 42 John Deere has made a landmark expansion into fully electric golf and sports turf equipment for the Australian and New Zealand markets with its latest product launch. The 185 E-Cut and 225 E-Cut Electric Walk Behind Greens Mowers (pictured below) are the first fully electric models in John Deere’s lineup of walk-

behind greens mowers, which includes E-Cut Hybrid and PrecisionCut models. With no fuel consumption, no engine and virtually silent operation, these new mowers are making a big statement on courses around the globe and are soon to be seen on local greens.

The 185 E-Cut and 225 E-Cut models are powered by a 58-volt, 3.56 kWh (maximum) lithium ion battery pack which, combined with the electric reel and traction motors, keeps operating noise to a minimum. The included 700-watt charger recharges the battery pack from flat to 100 per cent within six hours, giving enough power to mow more than 4600 square metres of turf on a single charge.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand production systems manager Stephanie Gersekowski says the new greens mowers will make life easier both for operators and those living near golf courses. “Reducing noise to this extent opens up the operating window to include early morning and late evening mowing with zero disruption to surrounding areas.” For more information visit us at Stand 42 where the 225 E-Cut will be on display, or visit www.johndeere.com.au.

ASTMA SILVER PARTNER JACOBSEN, A TEXTRON COMPANY Stand 34 Jacobsen’s industry-leading lithium-powered SLF1 ELiTE (pictured top, opposite page) will be on display at the ASTMA trade exhibition, with the mower having a standout year of on-site testing, demonstrating its reliability and performance in the most demanding environments.

To put the SLF1 ELiTE through its paces, it was sent to Ryder Cup, French Open and 2024 Olympic Games golf tournament venue Le Golf National, where the power and traction of the machine were standout features for course superintendent Lucas Pierre. “The battery is excellent, but the big improvement on this 38

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 26.3

machine is the traction because everything is electric,” Lucas explains. “When you’re going from one fairway to another, and on this golf course there are a lot of hills, you can go everywhere and you don’t slip or get stuck. It’s a really good improvement, and together, the battery and traction are amazing.”

In soccer, the machine was put through its paces at English Championship team Ipswich Town Football Club. Here, it was put through a relentless cutting schedule, being used in excess of 200 hours, with the operator experience, quiet operation and reduction in maintenance costs impressing grounds manager Ben Connell and his team.

“I’d estimate that our maintenance costs have reduced by 40 per cent,” says Ben. “We don’t have the oil filters, so we’re saving on those and other parts, and you then don’t have the waste products you get from changing them. We’ve also received fewer fuel deliveries because our consumption is lower, so it’s a win-win for us going forward.”

ASTMA BRONZE PARTNERS ADAMA Stand 43 Adama is an agricultural chemical manufacturer and solutions provider with a global presence in the professional turf and amenity horticulture markets. Quali-Pro is the core turf-specific brand that Adama markets globally – it is the brand best known for our range of innovative products such as Quali-Pro Enclave fungicide and Quali-Pro Twister insecticide in the Australian market. However, we are equally well known for our extensive range of off-patent

fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, plant growth regulators and other specialty products for the turf and amenity markets.

Label extensions and new products feature heavily at the Adama stand this year. We have had some important upgrades to products this past year, including our high-load QualiPro Evolution Advance Fungicide (which also gains some useful extensions for ERI and pythium) and ERI diseases, moss and algae extensions to Quali-Pro Enclave Fungicide to name a couple. Additionally, we are launching a new high-load trinexapac formulation at the conference (registration pending). Be sure to drop in and discuss this new, exciting product with the Adama team.

Being a Bronze Partner of the ASTMA, Adama is pleased to have a stand at this year’s trade exhibition. 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 43 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.

CENTAUR ASIA PACIFIC Stand 2 Visit the Centaur Asia Pacific stand to find out more about the Loksand Rootzone System which has revolutionised grass and sand stabilisation for architects, contractors and turf managers in the landscape, sports field and golf course sectors. In golf and landscape shaping, Loksand is proven to make the moulding of golf course profiles easier during

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construction, simplifying grow-in management and holding designers’ shapes permanently for many years after completion. During the mixing process, the crimped fibres are entwined with the sand, increasing the sand’s overall strength and resistance and improving its structure.

Sports surfaces benefit from this very latest step forward in turf technology. The ‘crimped’ fibre is mixed with sand to provide stabilisation of the rootzone, as well as introducing a shock-absorbing effect which rapidly restores surface uniformity after load distortion. Turf nurseries are also benefiting from a reduced grow-in and establishment period. Allowing a better growing environment through improved porosity, drainage and airflow gives a stronger and healthier turf that also makes it easier to transport and transfer.

Loksand gives the ability to maintain a natural grass access road as it dramatically improves the load bearing capacity. It greatly reduces rutting, furrows and grooves and wear in high traffic areas like golf course cart paths, tee-boxes and walkways. It is a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing solution for emergency and service vehicle access routes around buildings, airports, racetracks and golf courses.

scheduling in February. Methar Tri-Kombi and Sportsground gives turf managers reliable cost effective broad leaf herbicides.” Methar Tri-Kombi will initially be available in a 25L container, with a new 20L pack size to come along with the reliable 5L. Sportsground will be available in 10L containers.

DAVID GOLF Stand 39 David Golf is delighted to release the most advanced broadcast spreader to Australia!

Designed in Sweden by KSAB Golf, the DUO Spreader (pictred below) is unique in that it is equipped with patented dual spreading plates, which provide a wider and more uniform dispersal pattern than any other spreader – eliminating the need to go over the same areas twice. Unlike other broadcast spreaders with plastic components, the 100 per cent stainless steel metal components make it the ideal solution for spreading sand, seed and fertilisers. Visit Stand 39 to check out the new industry standard in broadcast spreaders – the DUO Spreader, only available from David Golf.

COLIN CAMPBELL (CHEMICALS) Stand 40 Colin Campbell (Chemicals) is proud to announce our stalwart herbicides Methar Tri-Kombi and Sportsground are available again! Marketing manager Nadeem Zreikat is delighted to have these products back.

“After supply of mecoprop ceased, we never thought we would ever see Tri-Kombi and Sportsground back. We have been continuously looking for mecoprop and have been able to source material from a reputable supplier we work with. This is great news for the industry especially with the fate of bromoxynil-based products changing poison 40

AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 26.3

NUTURF Stand 28 Precision, efficiency and seamless organisation are critical to a well-run facility. Nuturf is proud to announce its exclusive partnership with TaskTracker, bringing a cutting-edge software solution to Australian turf managers.

TaskTracker represents a shift in how turf managers can coordinate their teams and operations. Tailored specifically for the unique demands of superintendents, TaskTracker (pictured opposite page) empowers turf professionals with a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline tasks, optimise resource allocation and elevate course maintenance standards. From scheduling routine activities to managing inventory and equipment, every aspect is seamlessly integrated into a single platform.

With TaskTracker, superintendents and general managers gain valuable insights into how time and resources are used to improve their operations. Nuturf’s partnership with TaskTracker heralds a new era of efficiency in turf management, reaffirming its commitment to providing turf managers with the solutions they need to thrive in an evolving landscape.

In addition to highlighting its new partnership with TaskTracker, Nuturf will also be launching its complete all-in-one Financial Solutions offer tailored to turf management facilities to make buying equipment, fertilisers, chemistries and more completely seamless.

Enjoy the convenience of packaging all your machinery and chem-fert supplies into one easy repayment. With Nuturf Financial Solutions, facilities can gain control over cashflow and budgets to simplify their finances. Whether you’re upgrading your fleet or stocking up on supplies, Nuturf can finance the lot! Say goodbye to financial barriers and hello to streamlined operations. Contact your Nuturf territory manager or visit www.nuturf. com.au for more information today.

ALSO EXHIBITING… BROWN BROTHERS ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA

SUNDEW SOLUTIONS Stand 46 Join Sundew Solutions at Stand 46 during this year’s Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition to discover our cutting-edge solutions for protecting your investment in sports turf from red imported fire ants (RIFA).

As leaders in pest management, we are proud to showcase our latest products tailored specifically for turf situations. Our comprehensive range of products offers effective treatment solutions for a broad spectrum of insect pests, including the

notorious RIFA. With years of research and development behind them, our solutions have been rigorously tested and proven to deliver outstanding results in the field.

At our stand you’ll have the opportunity to engage with our knowledgeable team who will provide insights into the unique challenges posed by fire ants in sports turf and demonstrate how our products can effectively mitigate these risks. From rapid response treatments to long-term prevention strategies, Sundew Solutions has you covered.

Don’t miss this chance to learn more about protecting your turf from fire ants and other insect pests. Visit Stand 46 and discover why Sundew Solutions is the trusted choice for turf managers across Australia.

Stand 1 Introducing Brown Brothers Engineers’ innovative trailer-mounted pump set (pictured above). Engineered with precision and tailored to your unique needs, it offers an alternative to the way you manage irrigation on the move and provides a cost-effective solution to flood mitigation management.

A custom solution was recently installed at a flood-prone golf course in southeast Queensland. After enduring recurring flooding events that damaged the course and more recently, washed away it’s pumping infrastructure, our team engineered a mobile pumping system fitted onto a trailer. Despite further flooding, the course immediately reaped the benefits. With just two people, the pumps could be relocated in 15 minutes by towing it to higher ground.

Typically, a custom-mounted booster set features a Lowara e-SV Series pump renowned

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BRISBANE 2024 for its hydraulics and IE2 high-efficiency motor.

Complemented by an INCA control panel, our solution offers optimal system control and flexibility. Designed for practicality and ease of use, installation is seamless while the quickrelease electrical connection to the control panel enables fast and safe shutdowns as well as quick transportation, allowing sports turf managers to relocate the entire pump unit to higher ground within minutes.

Brown Brothers Engineers Australia is committed to delivering high-quality pumps and custom engineered pumping solutions to meet the diverse requirements of the turf and golf course markets. Visit us on Stand 1 to find out more about our custom trailer mounted solutions.

CAMPEY TURF CARE SYSTEMS Stand 15 Campey Turf Care Systems is one of world’s largest independent sports turf and ground care machinery suppliers, distributing innovative sports turf maintenance equipment and has earned a reputation for offering practical advice and superb aftercare service.

In 2022 Campey Turf Care Systems launched Campey Australia. This expansion has led to an established presence in Australia delivering the leading machinery and customer service which Campey is known for across the globe, through local dealers.

The Australian arm is overseen by Campey export sales manager Nick Brown who is responsible for building relationships with customers and allowing the company to get valuable insights and solve problems with new practical and mechanical products. Working with dealers and customers on an individual basis, through export development, Campey has earned the trust of greenkeepers and groundsmen worldwide delivering natural approaches to rejuvenating the soil.

Campey’s ideology is to provide the widest range of sports turf renovation equipment designed to revive worn pitches quickly. By understanding the science behind turf care Campey supplies machinery that works on the principle of sustainability, such as scarifiers, brushes, rakes, drag mats and sprayers, including Campey Uni-Scratch (pictured below), UniRake, Campey Speedresser and the ML Sprayer.

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GEORIPPER (ADE TURF) Stand 58 Introducing MiniTrencher’s all-new GeoRipper e/B. Recognising the market shift towards electric battery outdoor power equipment, MiniTrencher now gives users the option of having a GeoRipper minitrencher that utilises the GreenWorks Commercial 82V or the Makita 40V MAX XGT battery powered motor. GeoRipper is the trusted name for handheld trenching since 2016 and is perfect for irrigation, electrical, root barriers, plumbing, fencing, erosion control and more.

Lightweight for easy manoeuvrability and control, GeoRipper’s self-sharpening digging chains cut through tree roots up to 3” thick. It can dig up to 16” and 20” deep and 2” wide depending on the model.

GREEN WORKZ Stand 21 Head toward the Green Works stand to experience GKB and SISIS! As leaders in sports turf machinery, we’re excited to showcase our reliable and robust machinery designed specifically for the demands of the sports turf industry. From pristine fields to top quality greens, our equipment is engineered to elevate every aspect of sports turf management and renovations.

At GKB, where “The Worker is King”, the machines are from The Netherlands. On our stand we will be showcasing the robust Sand Spreader and Deep Tine Aerator (pictured above) as well as showing the full range of machinery which ensure only the best quality renovations. Meanwhile, SISIS equipment sets the benchmark for world-class design and manufacturing direct from Derbyshire, England. From the Veemo scarifier to the Multitiner Aerator which will be on stand, our

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machinery tackles maintenance challenges with unrivalled efficiency and precision.

But it’s not just about performance – it’s about passion. With both brands still being owned and operated family business, they and we understand the dedication that goes into sports turf management, which is why the machinery is crafted with the expertise and insight of industry professionals and made to deal with the tough Australian conditions. Visit our stand to experience firsthand how GKB and SISIS are setting the standard in sports turf maintenance machinery.

YG SOFTWARE (HYDROSIGHT) Stand 65 The Hydrosight wireless soil monitor 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, Hydrosight can help significantly reduce water consumption. This not only saves resources but also reduces the cost associated with over-watering and labourintensive soil management.

With Hydrosight, 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. Integration capabilities allow Hydrosight to connect with existing irrigation systems, further streamlining operations and cutting down on manual labour. All data is accessible through the Hydrosight mobile app, providing managers with the information they need to make decisions quickly and efficiently.

2024 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference Trade Exhibition - Brisbane (19-20 June)

ASTMA PLATINUM PARTNERS 25 Toro Australia 26 Syngenta Australia

ASTMA GOLD PARTNERS 37 Envu 42 John Deere

ASTMA SILVER PARTNERS

20 Kubota Australia 34 Jacobsen, A Textron Company 35 Rain Bird Australia 36 Living Turf

ASTMA BRONZE PARTNERS

1 Brown Brothers Engineers Australia 2 Centaur Asia Pacific 22 Greenworks Commercial (JAK Max) 23 Ventrac Australia 24 Husqvarna Group 27 ICL Specialty Fertilizers 27 K&B Adams Turf 28 Nuturf Australia 29 Sustainable Machinery 30 Dint Golf Solutions

31 Country Club International 32 Hunter Industries 33+44 Greenway Turf Solutions 38 Lawn Solutions Australia 39 David Golf & Engineering 40 Colin Campbell (Chemicals) 41 Fieldquip 43 Adama 46 Sundew Solutions 47 Advanced Seed 53 Repco Australia

ALSO EXHIBITING

3 Helix Hydro 4 Trench It - Terraway Attachments 4a Floratine 5 Leemco Piping Solutions 6 Powerup Lawncare Products 7 Tru-Turf 8 The Toolbox Team 9 Land Watch Aust (Blind Shot) 10 BA Group Australia 11 Turfcare Australia 12 GreenPro (Quick Corp) 13 E-Z-GO/Cushman 14 Mentay Steel Fab Constructions 15 Campey Australasia 16 Nano Bubble Technology 16a Bardee

17 Positioned 17a MowMaster 18 Kress 19 Fernland 21 Green Workz/Dennis/SISIS 21a Green Ward Soil Solutions (Green Turf) 21b SME Mowers 45 Bernhard and Company 48 Indigo Specialty Products 49 Olelon Energy USA/Shenzhen Green Energy 50 DKSH Agrisolutions 51 Evergreen Turf Group 52 Trimax 54 Turf Breed 55 The Spray Shop 56 Environmental Golf Solutions 57 CoolTops 58 Georipper (ADE Turf) 60 Wessex Int’l Machinery 62 Fertec 63 Plasson Australia 65 YG Software (Hydrosight) 66 Mineral Magic 67 Blue Pacific Minerals 68 Colbrook Industries 69 Global Turf 70 Agsafe/drumMuster/ ChemClear

GMA AREA

101 Golf Management Aust 102 Scent Australia 103 The Golf Travel Agency 105 Avenue Press 106 59Club 107+123 MiClub 108 Senpos 109 NHP 110 My Golf Challenge 111 North Star 113 Pariter 115 Golf Australia 116 Debortoli 117 Bidfood 118 Host Plus 119+121 Foley & Harper 120 Schweppes 122 Transform Golf 124 Parklink 126 Astrowave 127 Callaway 128 First Choice Services 129 Vittoria 130 Club Car Note: Floorplan/stand numbers correct at the time of printing. For any updates, download the conference app – ‘SPRINTR Events’ from your app store and put in code ASTMA2024.

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BRISBANE 2024

First

steps

ATM profiles this year’s crop of recently qualified sports turf managers who will vie for the respective

T

Graduate of the Year awards, sponsored by Toro Australia.

he Australian turf industry’s rising talent will be celebrated at the National Turf Industry Awards on the opening night of this year’s conference, with the respective Graduate of the Year Awards to be announced in partnership with ASTMA Platinum Partner Toro. The ASTMA Graduate of the Year Award, which recognises the top graduating golf apprentice, is now in its 29th year, while the sportsfields and grounds graduate award has been bestowed since 2011.

On the back of the ASTMA’s Women in Turf Strategy initiative, pleasingly this year’s finalist cohort includes three female sports turf managers – Sophie Warren (Glenelg GC, SA) and Annabelle Southall (Royal Canberra GC, ACT) in the golf award and Kelsey Lovell (Museum of Old and New Art, Tas) in the sportsfields and grounds award. All up there are 11 finalists (five golf and six sportsfields) with the ASTMA congratulating the following state winners and wishing them all the best for the national award judging which will take place on the eve of the Brisbane conference.

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ASTMA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR BESCHEN POU Rockingham GC/The Links, Kennedy Bay | GCSAWA Pou has spent most of his life on golf courses, with greenkeeping father Jason and extended whanau (family) involved in the construction and maintenance of Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers in their native New Zealand. After the family moved to Perth, Pou began an apprenticeship under his dad who had gained the superintendent role at Rockingham Golf Club, an Australian parkland-style, warm-season course with Saltene (Paspalum vaginatum) greens and kikuyu fairways. Working in a small team, Pou began to build his skillset in all areas of course management and developed a deep appreciation for sports turf management.

In 2023, Pou joined The Links, Kennedy Bay as a foreman under superintendent Mark Bilsborough as part of NewGround Facilities Management. The course is currently

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undergoing a major redevelopment, with Pou gaining hands-on experience growing in the new 007 bentgrass greens, stolonised Wintergreen couch fairways and working with both Toro and Rain Bird irrigation systems.

During his apprenticeship, Pou started a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in sustainability through the University of Tasmania. “I feel I’ve ultimately found my passion in sports turf,” says Pou. “My focus is on holistic, sustainable solutions to address environmental, social and economic challenges in sports turf management, while also being committed to cultivating top-tier playing surfaces.”

ANNABELLE SOUTHALL Royal Canberra GC | ACTSTMA Southall created a slice of history when she became the first female to win the ACTSTMA Apprentice of the Year Award. Southall started working as a casual at Royal Canberra at the end of 2020 and after enjoying that role transitioned into an apprenticeship.

Opposite: Royal Canberra Golf Club’s Annabelle Southall, pictured volunteering at the 2023 Australian Open at The Lakes, became the first female to win the ACTSTMA Apprentice of the Year Award

Southall’s entry into turf management came after working casually with a landscaper where she gained an appreciation for working outdoors and physical labour. She then spied the role at Royal Canberra which not only offered her the chance to continue doing similar work that she enjoyed but also gave her a qualification.

“What I enjoy most about greenkeeping is that every day is different and the range of tasks is vast,” says Southall, who volunteered at the 2023 Australian Open at The Lakes alongside 2023 ACT Graduate of the Year Riley Willcox. “I also like the attention to detail that goes into every task. From raking bunkers to changing holes, there is always a little extra you can do to make the end product better.”

BRANDON VELLA Campbelltown GC | NSWGCSA Vella has been working as an apprentice at Campbelltown Golf Club in Sydney for the past threeand-a-half years. As a kid, Vella always enjoyed playing golf and would spend hours practicing after school. He would go on to win multiple junior events and was a representative in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges golf team in 2018 and 2019.

Once he turned 19, Campbelltown was looking for an apprentice and Vella gave it a go.

“In the last couple of years my passion for sports turf has grown significantly,” says Vella, who was named the NSWGCSA Vince Church Graduate of the Year recipient earlier this year.

“I regularly spend time trying to learn more about turf through videos, information from my TAFE teacher, online articles and university studies online. I love working on the golf course. All the time and effort by the team that goes into the course is shown by the fantastic turf playing surfaces. Late last year I had the privilege of being part of the volunteer crew at

the 2023 Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club. This was a real eye-opening experience seeing how tournament preparations are conducted and a great way to meet a lot of new people in the industry.”

DARREN WARDLE Murray Downs/Royal Melbourne | VGCSA Wardle began his career at the back end of 2020 after finishing a Bachelor of Design in architecture.

It was during that course he realised it wasn’t quite what he had in mind for a career, instead preferring a job working outdoors. An apprenticeship became available at Murray Downs Golf and Country Club in Swan Hill, where he is originally from, and he jumped at the opportunity and hasn’t looked back.

“I love having an input to how golf courses play and look aesthetically,” says Wardle, who in September 2023 took on a role at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. “Working out there in the Swan Hill summer never felt like a chore. The job always keeps you on your toes with all the different aspects of managing turf. A standout moment of my career to date was working the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship last October and walking around Royal Melbourne watching the world’s best amateur players playing on the course that we had worked on for months to prepare for the tournament.”

SOPHIE WARREN Glenelg GC | TMSA The 2024 TMSA Graduate of the Year recipient, Warren has made remarkable strides in turf management since leaving Sacred Heart College after Year 11. During her school holidays, she worked as a casual at the Glenelg Golf Club where she discovered her passion for turf management. Inspired by her dad Tim, who is the current Glenelg course superintendent, the young Warren decided to follow in his esteemed footsteps and in 2021 successfully obtained an apprenticeship with

the club. Her motivation stemmed from a love for working outdoors, collaborating with a team and witnessing the tangible results of her efforts on the golf course.

Career highlights to date include volunteering at the 2022 Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club under the stewardship of Steven Newell. The tournament experience there led to her working at the 2024 Webex Players Series Murray River tournament at Cobram Barooga Golf Club as a part of John Deere’s Women in Turf initiative. Warren’s dedication, skill and passion for turf have not only earned her the TMSA Graduate of the Year award but also set a solid foundation for a promising career in the industry.

Editor’s Note: Ethan Vickery (Rowes Bay GC) and Sam Omahoney (Devonport CC) won the respective Queensland and Tasmanian state graduate awards but due to prior commitments have elected not to vie for the national award.

SPORTSFIELDS & GROUNDS GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARD MASON HANNEYSEE Turfcare Solutions | STA Victoria After leaving school in search of a hands-on career, an apprenticeship opportunity arose for Hanneysee with Geelongbased Turfcare Solutions in 2020.

As part of the Turfcare operations team that travels around Geelong and Melbourne, Hanneysee helps take care of a range of turf surfaces and undertaking various types of maintenance. At Turfcare, Hanneysee’s days are filled with all sorts of tasks, from spreading fertiliser to aerating and spraying. There is always something different which keeps things interesting and why he loves the job.

“One of the best moments in my career so far was winning the STA Victoria Apprentice of the Year Award,” says Hanneysee. “It was a huge honour and I’m looking forward to representing my state in Brisbane. The

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BRISBANE 2024 highlight of TAFE was learning the science behind growing turf and delving into the complexities of turf management. Looking ahead, I’m hoping to move into project management within Turfcare as well as doing the Diploma of Sports Turf Management.”

KELSEY LOVELL Museum of Old and New Art | TSTMA Lovell started her turf management career in 2019 as an apprentice at Blundstone Arena in Hobart after seeking a career change from being a paramedic. Having always loved sport, especially cricket, the position which arose at Tasmania’s premier cricket venue provided a perfect opportunity for Lovell to blend work with a passion. Her career highlight was being part of the team which prepared Blundstone for the historic 5th Ashes Test in January 2022. Lovell says the intensity of the work was palpable and it was thoroughly enjoyable to be part of an event that had such an impact on the Tasmanian community.

Lovell is currently a turf specialist at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) in Hobart where she has been since early 2023. In conjunction with a colleague, Lovell oversees the turf management at Mona where the surfaces are either integrated within art spaces or used to complement art around the site.

“I believe I have a fine attention to detail and the visual aspect of turf management is highly rewarding to me,” says Lovell. “I take a lot of pride in the high-level surfaces I produce and have great satisfaction watching a surface I have prepared be enjoyed by many for its intended use.”

LUKE MIKULA Sapphire Coast Turf Club | STA NSW After leaving school, Mikula had a few different jobs including being a rural firefighter, farm hand, forestry worker and building labourer.

Over a four-year period he also worked weekends casually at Moruya Jockey Club alongside Zac White and it was during this time that Mikula decided to undertake a sports turf management course through Yallah TAFE. After White was offered the position of turf manager at Sapphire Coast Turf Club, situated between Bega and Merimbula on the NSW South Coast, he encouraged Mikula to join him. Having worked together there for two years now, White will shortly relocate to Newcastle with Mikula set to take over as track manager.

“Working at Moruya I had to do a lot of self-learning, but going to TAFE was so beneficial as I took the knowledge I was learning from class and put it into practice at work,” says Mikula. “David Little was an awesome teacher. Being in an agricultural 46

area, the course focused more on agriculture, but David would adapt it to be sports turf specific to ensure we knew what we needed to know for our work.

“I’m proud of the improvements we’ve made on the track at Sapphire and excited to be stepping into the head role. I love being outdoors and the satisfaction that comes with presenting a good quality track, parade ring, gardens and healthy turf. There are eight hectares of turf plus the surrounds that we look after. The feedback from managers and trainers is very positive. Seeing the results of what I put in is paying off and knowing I’m heading in the right direction. I want to continue improving the consistency of the track so we can grow the number of trainers here and bring more funding into the club.”

JACOB MOODIE Green Options/Royal Canberra GC | ACTSTMA Moodie’s turf journey began in 2021 when he relocated to Canberra from Cowra, NSW to pursue a greenkeeping career, initially joining the Green Options team at the Australian National University.

Halfway through his third year of studies Moodie was appointed 2IC with Green Options before seizing an opportunity at the start of 2024 at Royal Canberra Golf Club under superintendent Ryan Stores. His tenure with Green Options afforded invaluable opportunities, including stints at GIO Stadium during the NRL and Super Rugby seasons which provided Moodie with some great learning experiences in turf management.

“My motivation to pursue this career is not just a love for the game of golf but a familial connection that is involved within the turf management industry,” says Moodie.

“Witnessing a relative thrive within this industry fuelled my ambition and solidified my decision to get into turf management. The appeal of outdoor work, coupled with providing perfection, is what beckons me to the course each day where I genuinely enjoy my work.”

MASON O’SULLIVAN The Gabba | STA Queensland O’Sullivan will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Gabba crewmate Lachlan Roache who won this award last year. O’Sullivan’s first taste of turf management came in Year 10 when he did work experience at Chermside Bowling Club in Brisbane. He then undertook a school-based traineeship in years 11 and 12 with the Warehouse Cricket Association of Queensland based at Marchant Park. After leaving school O’Sullivan was able to continue at Marchant Park and undertake his sports

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turf management apprenticeship. During that time he also picked up regular casual work at The Gabba. This included the 2023 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and reconfiguring the ground for a Brisbane Broncos NRL match during the FIFA Women’s World Cup when Suncorp Stadium was unavailable. O’Sullivan has also volunteered at his local AFL club, the Sandgate Hawks, where he played most of his junior football.

“I enjoy working outdoors and I find it rewarding to create an oval or field in the best possible condition,” says O’Sullivan, who has played AFL to state league level. “It is satisfying when others comment on the great condition of the ovals I have worked on and presented. Problem-solving on the run is a big part of sports turf management which I also enjoy. For instance, during the Brisbane floods of 2022, we had two weeks to get the grounds back up. This was a huge task given the state of not only the wicket blocks but the debris all over the outfields. In the near future I would love to be a head groundsman or superintendent and would also love to work interstate or even overseas.”

HARRY QUIGLEY Pinjarra Park | STA WA Growing up in the small WA township of Hyden, about four hours east of Perth, sport was a huge part of Quigley’s formative years. He tried many sports from golf to tennis to cricket and AFL, but landed on soccer which changed his life. The family moved closer to Perth for Quigley’s schooling and sport, which led to state team opportunities, playing for Perth Glory youth teams and travelling to England, America, Malaysia and Singapore all for soccer.

At the suggestion his uncle who was working there at the time, Quigley started as a casual at Pinjarra Race Club in 2017.

After heading to the US to pursue his soccer, Quigley returned to the racing club in 2020 and it wasn’t long before he was offered an apprenticeship. Quigley is currently the track 2IC and has aspirations of taking over in the near future. A memorable day was being track manager during the Pinjarra Cup, the club’s biggest race of the year.

“My love of turf I think connects to my love of sport and how I can be around it when I’m not playing myself,” says Quigley, who earned the Hambleton Clements Memorial Shield for best block apprentice at this year’s WA TAFE Awards night. “The satisfaction from creating a safe, reliable, consistent and aestheticallypleasing surface that you can be proud of and athletes will enjoy is something that I cannot get enough of. Finding a love and joy from the turf industry gave me the drive to take it further and to find my potential in the field.”