ASTMA CONFERENCE 2021

ASTMA Conference

GOLD COAST CONVENTION CENTRE, JUNE 21 - 24, 2021

The Turfgrass Conference & Trade Exhibition is the largest sports turf event in the Southern Hemisphere. Each year the conference encompasses over 120 hours of education and over 60 exhibitors showcasing the latest in turf management machinery, equipment, research, technology and products.

The importance of the trade show is to connect with the industry, discuss new innovations, listen to the needs of sports turf managers, offer solutions and advice and most important of all collaborate, listen and learn. Each year, turf industry professionals attend the varied education seminars to hear from experienced industry representatives and professional presenters. The trade show offers unique access to a range of sports turf management brands all under one roof making it a must-see event.

The opening on Tuesday afternoon was a great experience for all involved. The registered attendees joined the exhibitors for two hours of networking, food and drinks; one of the best features of the conference, with industry professionals all coming together at one of the few opportunities to do so each year. The education sessions continued on Wednesday and was led by Paul Gumbleton with a presentation on the redevelopment project at Teven Valley Golf Course. The room was full and enthusiastic to hear from Paul about this unique project and the reasons behind the turf selection for the course. Paul has described Sir Grange Zoysia as one of the most exciting turfgrass developments in the redevelopment and said it’s providing a massive upside for him and his team and of course the golfers visiting the course.

Matt Oliver from QSAC Stadium delivered an excellent presentation discussing the current couch grass trials he is conducting

for the main oval resurfacing. This trial is highlighting a number of key components – wear, recovery, oversowing and transitioning. Some excellent data has been developed from this trial in attempts to further the sports turf industry.

At the ASTMA trade show this year – Lawn Solutions Australia featured some exciting new turfgrasses that will offer the sports turf industry some real factual advantages over the current varieties being used.

The main point of discussion was around shade and wear, and how current turf varieties are up to par (excuse the pun) when looking for a year-round option and how this can be improved. However, new varieties of zoysia such as Sir Grange and Trinity, are displaying how they are the perfect grass to eliminate these issues.

The other main problems are wearing on sports fields with a predominant focus on goals mouths and centre squares – again there is a new option that is proving to be outstanding with wear and recovery – TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, a turfgrass already showing promise on a professional sporting level.

One of the most exciting turfgrasses in 50 years to come to Australia is Primo Zoysia, perfectly suited as a greens grade grass. Not only for golf greens but bowling greens as well. This super fine leaf zoysia offers many benefits to the superintendent, greenkeeper and ground manager. Low inputs, hard wearing, shade tolerant with excellent year round colour.

The ASTMA conference offers the Australian turf industry a great opportunity to meet new people, rekindle long-term friendships, share knowledge and talk to like-minded people. This was highlighted on Monday night at the ASTMA awards dinner, with many awards being presented from Environmental Stewardship, Golf Course Management, Graduates to one of the most prestigious awards - the ASTMA Distinguished Service Award awarded to former Avondale GC superintendent David Warwick.

Congratulations goes to ASTMA President Peter Lonergan and the ASTMA team for putting on an excellent conference in difficult circumstances.

Now onto Melbourne for the ASTMA 2022 conference.