CELEBRATING THE EFFORTS OF AUSTRALIA’S SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS ISSN 1442-2697 www.agcsa.com.au VOLUME 23.4 JUL/AUG 2021 Following in Old Tom’s footsteps The modern day custodians of St Andrews The grandfather of greenkeeping 200th anniversary of Old Tom Morris Champions in their field 2021 National Turf Industry Awards Hunter Valley excellence Oaks Cypress Lakes collects top ASTMA award Committed to you. Committed to the game. It’s your job to deliver the very best golfing experience. It’s ours to support you to do it. That’s why John Deere Golf has a dedicated nationwide team whose focus is to give you the technology and expertise you need to keep your course in superb playing condition. Because when you’re as passionate about the game as we are, keeping Australian courses among the world’s best is a goal we’re 100% committed to. Talk to your local John Deere Golf dealer or find out more at JohnDeere.com.au/Golf The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association is indebted to the support of the following premium partner companies JOURNAL Published by the Australian Sports PLATINUM Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) Editorial Brett Robinson Office: (03) 9548 8600 Mobile: 0434 144 779 Email: brett@agcsa.com.au PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM PARTNERS PARTNERS PARTNERS PREM Advertising Pam Irvine The Australian Sports Office: (03) 9548 8600 Mobile: 0402 069 489 Email: pam@agcsa.com.au PREMIUM PARTNERS The Australian The Australian Sports The support support Sports Turf Australian Turf Managers Managers Sports of the following of the following support ofpremium Association Turf Association Managers premium partner the following is indebted is indebted Association partner companies premium to the companies partner tosupport the to the is indebted companies of the Art Direction & Design The Jo Corne PREMIUM PREMIUM Australian Sports Turf Managers Association is indebted to the support of the following premium partner companies PARTNERSGOLD PARTNERS Printed By Southern Impact Pty Ltd The Australian Sports TheTurf support of the following PLATINUM Australian Managers support PLATINUM Sports premium PLATINUM Association Turf Managers of the partner is indebted followingcompanies Association to the is indebted to the premium partner companies PLATINUM PLATINUMPLATINUM SILVER GOLD GOLD GOLD Suite 1, Monash Corporate Centre 752 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168 P: (03) 9548 8600 F: (03) 9548 8622 E: admin@agcsa.com.au W: www.agcsa.com.au ABN 96 053 205 888 GOLD ASTMA Board Peter Lonergan (president), Chris Burgess (treasurer), GOLD GOLD David Thomson, Ben Tilley and Damian Hough Chief Executive Officer Mark Unwin Office: (03) 9548 8600 SILVER Mobile: 0438 320 919 E: mark@agcsa.com.au Membership SILVER SILVER BRONZE SILVER Allison Jenkins E: admin@agcsa.com.au Accounts SILVER SILVER Philip Horsburgh E: philip@agcsa.com.au Events and Education Simone Staples E: simone@agcsa.com.au Pam Irvine E: pam@agcsa.com.au AGCSATech Bruce Macphee (Senior Agronomist) E: bruce@agcsa.com.au BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Tim Fankhauser (Agronomist) E: tim@agcsa.com.au BRONZE BRONZE The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association encourages all members to support Social Media these companies who support your association Keally Nankervis E: keally@agcsa.com.au www.facebook.com/TheASTMA www.linkedin.com www.instagram.com/the_astma @TheASTMA The Australian Sports Turf M these co Copyright © 2021 The Australian Sports The ASTMA believes that material sourced and produced for Australian Turf The Managers Australian Association Sports Turf encourages TheManagers Australian SportsallTurf Association members to support encourages Managers Association all membersencourages to support all members to support Turfgrass Management is accurate, but gives no warranty in relation these thereto, and disclaims liability for all claims against the ASTMA, its The Australian The Australian companies Sports whoThe Sports Turf support your Turf Managers Australian Managers Association Sports Turf association these companies who support Association encourages Managers these companies encourages all members Association your association who support all members to support yourencourages association to support all members to support subsidiary companies, its employees, agents or any other person which may arise from any person acting on the materials contained within. No portion, in whole or part, may be reproduced without the these companies these companies who thesesupport whoyour companiessupport your association who association support your association written permission of the ASTMA JULY-AUGUST 2021 1 CONTENTS 8 COVER STORY OAKS CYPRESS LAKES EXCELLENCE 8 GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL/BIGGA A detailed vision that was ‘out of this world’ helped Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort superintendent Craig Molloy win the ASTMA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award. In a detailed and ambitious yet innovative plan, Molloy and his team addressed water consumption and drought management, flora and fauna, the resort’s overall health and the 40 roles of his staff. The series of operational objectives, while not revolutionary, remained essential if the popular and impressive layout was to realise its full potential in an efficient manner. A successful outcome means the golf course at Cypress Lakes is in the best health of its near-30-year existence. Cover: Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort Photo: Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort/AirSwing Media. 6 FEATURES To preserve and protect Fields of dreams 16 22 22 ALSO IN THIS EDITION… BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL A portrait of Old Tom Morris 30 Foreword Thinking 4 Picture perfect posts 6 Following in Old Tom’s footsteps 36 Around the Trade 66 Modern day custodians 40 Association Reports 68 2 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 30 A short apprenticeship S ome articles stick in the memory bank more than others, and this was one of them. A dozen years or so ago, Australian Golf Digest (where I’ve spent all but five of THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST ANDREWS the past 21 years on the editorial staff) published an article that put forward the question: Who has the most important role at a golf club? As a sidebar to the main article, we asked our editors and contributing writers for their opinion and – incredibly and completely independently of each other – all six people came back with a different response. “The general manager,” wrote one before elaborating his case. “The head professional,” opined another. Other responses covered the club captain, president and possibly even the bar manager. I’m proud to say that I was the one who voted for the course superintendent, and I stand by that choice today. Why? With no golf course there is no golf club. And, by extension, a substandard golf course leads to a substandard experience. Sure, you could quite rightly argue that each of the roles is vital (otherwise, why would they exist?) but to me, the super’s job stood out then and it still does today. I’ve long admired the dedication to the craft of our course superintendents, greenkeeping COLUMNS staff and all turf professionals. You literally get your hands dirty (more on that in a moment) for the betterment of our sport and make the arenas of our chosen recreational pastime a more enjoyable JOHN NEYLAN 46 environment in which to spend our leisure hours. PETER MCMAUGH AM 50 In the same breath I would also say: golf-course staff – along with course architects – rank JOHN FORREST 54 KATE TORGERSEN 60 among my favourite people in the industry to talk with. I am a lifelong golf ‘nut’ and, sure, every BEN GIBSON 62 facet of the game intrigues me, from instruction to equipment and through to the tournament realm. Yet there’s something special about speaking with the professionals whose work directly enriches the playing experience. Through the years I’ve sat in dusty course-maintenance vehicles and been chauffeured across all manner of terrain by dedicated turf professionals who were more than happy to go beyond their normal scope of duties to explain or demonstrate an aspect of their work. I’ve picked the brains of others to get my head around grass types and listened intently to theories about the benefits of one strain over another amid the vagaries of a volatile Australian climate. In all instances, the overriding takeaway as the listener was: there’s a universal passion here. Another far less serious course superintendent-related memory comes from a long-time super who is sadly no longer working in the industry. A group of us were on the Gold Coast for an industry event and enjoyed a night out with him one of the evenings. There were five of us, and when it came time for his shout, he returned from the bar carrying five beers. That’s no easy task, unless you carry them using five fingertips from one hand. That’s right – the five beer bottles were delivered to us with our super friend’s fingers embedded into the throat of each one as we plucked them off in the same fashion a dairy farmer might remove the milking machines from the udders of his herd. Now, in their time these hands had seen some labour and quite likely an assortment of mechanical lubricants, to say nothing of chemicals. One of my colleagues in particular, a noted germophobe, went ash white when he realised how his beverage was being delivered. But ultimately the moment was a source of a few laughs and now a story that lives on to this day. Those of us gathered there that night recognised that a super’s work stays with him 54 long after the sun sets. Which, I suppose, is my way of giving acknowledgement and saying a hearty ‘thank you’ to all of Australia’s turf professionals from someone who normally sits in a slightly different corner of Contributors to Australian Turfgrass Management Journal the golf media. Brett Robinson unfortunately had to sit out most of this issue to take care of some Volume 23.4 (July-August 2021): AirSwing Media; Shane important family matters, and I offered to step into the chair temporarily and help get this issue to Baker (CSTM, GCSAWA); Nathan Bennett (CSTM, SAGCSA); Nathan Bradbury (CSTM, NSWGCSA); Matthew Cairns the printers. He’ll be back from next issue, but in the meantime I’m sure he won’t mind me saying: (Blacktown International Sports Park); John Flaherty (NSW Enjoy the read… Bowling Greenkeepers Association); John Forrest (Forrest and Forrest Horticultural Consultancy Services); Ben Gibson (The Toolbox Team); Shane Greenhill (VGCSA); Karl Hansell (BIGGA); Paul McLean (CSTM, GCSAQ); Peter McMaugh AM (Turfgrass Scientific Services); Craig Molloy (Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort); John Neylan (SportEng); Jason Perkins (NZGCSA); Kate Torgersen (Environmental Golf Solutions); STA Victoria; STA WA; Mark Unwin (ASTMA). Steve Keipert JULY-AUGUST 2021 3 FOREWORD THINKING WITH MARK UNWIN, CEO A Conference to be proud of, with challenges still ahead A t time of going to print with and we continue to see a gap in the market this issue, we have more than in relation to availability of qualified staff to fill 11 million people in Australia positions, which places continued pressures currently under lockdown. on existing turf management teams. What remains clear is that the Nationally, irrespective of the facility or area challenges we face continue, and will continue of the industry, we see continued staff and into late 2021 – adding pressures on us all labour shortages being a significant challenge, individually and collectively as teams, and an alongside the issues of wage growth for turf industry. As it has been for the past 18 months, managers. This is a significant issue that our focus remains on advocacy efforts that requires considerable attention – for assisting have seen sports turf management continue turf managers in both the immediate term and throughout lockdowns and restrictions until we Each was greatly received, as were the variety the long-term sustainability of the industry. can return to a more normal environment. of presenters and guest speakers. As has been highlighted previously, We were fortunate to be able hold the A detailed review of the Conference and throughout the period of 2017 to 2020 some 2021 Sports Turf Management Conference and National Turf Industry Awards is included in concerning trends are evident in relation to Trade Exhibition in June, though it certainly this issue (from page eight) and I would like to qualified staff and apprenticeships. Notably, didn’t come without its challenges to make acknowledge and pass on my congratulations the reduction in qualified numbers (and overall the starting line. A quick note of thanks to to each of the award winners for 2020. All are industry percentage) at facilities has fallen from the ASTMA staff who undertook two weeks true leaders of the turf industry. 62% to 48% during the same period. of quarantine prior to the event in NSW, Looking forward to the Sports Turf Couple this with the challenges we face in allowing the ability to travel to Queensland in Management Conference in 2022, we relation to education – be it delivery options, order to set up and facilitate the Conference. recently announced our plans to hold the access to training, declining education It was a significant sacrifice and one that is event in Melbourne in conjunction with Golf enrolments and worryingly low completion greatly appreciated by the team, as it was Management Australia (GMA) to expand both rates – and the future labour prospects for the by delegates and exhibitors alike in order to the education and exhibition offering with an industry are concerning and an area that the ensure the event could be staged in 2021. additional 300-400 attendees expected. entire industry needs to address as a priority. My thanks must also go to the huge number of delegates, exhibitors and visitors }With a marked increase in usage of recreational amenities, that made their way to the event, with just fewer than 900 people through the doors over greenspaces and sporting facilities, the significance of the profession must continue to be advocated.~-Mark Unwin the four days; an outstanding turnout given the travel restrictions that were in place, and an uncertain environment. With cases increasing and localised lockdowns immediately Looking ahead to the priorities and Nationally, the average of all apprentices preceding the event, there were consistent approach for the Association moving towards completing their apprenticeship is 52.6%, adjustments to plans and requirements to host 2022, our focus remains on advocacy efforts where that figure sits at 22% for Sports Turf the Conference, though given this uncertainty it that have been pivotal in ensuring that sports Management. Of those who drop out of was welcoming to see the number of industry turf management can continue throughout Sports Turf Management Apprenticeships personnel committed to investing in their lockdowns and restrictions until we can before completion, 65% do so in the first year education and networking opportunities. return to a sense of normal in the (hopefully) compared to 35% in all other trade industries. Thanks need to go to each of the near future. These efforts, while difficult and We need to do more at both ends of the Conference delegates and our trade partners immensely time consuming, have been critical employment chain – attracting new workers and exhibitors who made their way to the Gold in promoting the efforts and importance of the into the industry, and supporting them and Coast for the event. With many stories of late industry and turf management teams. With turf managers through the first year of the adjustments, staff changes and extended travel a marked increase in usage of recreational apprenticeship, to reduce these attrition rates. requirements highlighting the efforts to attend amenities, greenspaces and sporting facilities, We need to do more in the middle – actively from so many, ensuring the event progressed the significance of the profession must working through retaining qualified staff and didn’t go unnoticed and it was most certainly continue to be advocated, and turf managers keeping the skills in the industry, and more to appreciated by the Association. supported to continue the management and ensure we are continuing to drive and promote Those who attended have provided maintenance of these critical functions. the recognition and awareness of the industry remarkably positive feedback on the education throughout the community. sessions. Delegates commented on the STAFF RETENTION BECOMES KEY More information will be made available range and variety of education presentations As was highlighted for those attending the to members and the industry on the approach available across the week on management, Conference, a priority of the Association is by the Association to support and progress resilience, research, agronomy, workshops attracting and retaining talent in the industry. education in the months ahead as we look and leadership, which offered delegates the We have seen a decrease overall in the past towards implementing a range of strategies in ability to tailor education to their requirements. 24 months of qualified staff across the country the second half of 2021 and into 2022. 4 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Your passion for turf doesn’t stop and neither do Turf Rewards Syngenta Turf Rewards program is now active all year round. The same great rewards are still available plus some exciting new options. Turf Rewards ‘always on’ additions There are more options on Register Now: how you can use your points You can earn up to 10,000 points per year Becoming a member will get you Scan the QR code or visit a welcome gift www.syngentaturf.com.au/user/register You earn points all year round – points expire on 30 June each year There will be exclusive offers for Turf Rewards members For more information, contact your Syngenta Agent or call Syngenta Customer Service on 1800 022 035 or visit syngentaturf.com.au. Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1, 2 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ABN 33 002933 717. ®Registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. ™Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are trademarks or registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. ©2021 Syngenta. AD 21-261 CONFERENCE The show did go on Despite challenging circumstances, the COVID pandemic could not stop Top left: Brett Woodward in action during the ASTMA Golf Championships, which were held at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club Above: Eric Bailey’s session on leadership had the room moving Below left: Author and fitness coach Murray Altham’s keynote speech drew attention to mental health and physical wellbeing the 2021 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference on the Gold Below: Former Olympic gold medallist Duncan Armstrong spoke about the importance of teamwork Coast from going ahead. 6 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Above: Thaxted Park superintendent Jordan Sherratt won the ASTMA Golf Championships to claim the prized Toro red jacket Below left: Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley delivered a powerful motivational speech Below: Delegates had a choice of sessions to attend Bottom: The trade exhibition provided an opportunity to network Stableford winner Matt Campbell in action during the ASTMA Golf Championships at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club JULY-AUGUST 2021 7 ASTMA AWARDS 8 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 The golf course at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort is in the best health of its 30 years Over the moon A detailed vision that was ‘out of this world’ helped Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort superintendent Craig Molloy win the ASTMA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award. JULY-AUGUST 2021 9 ASTMA AWARDS Cypress Lakes is more than just a golf course, with a large resort and accommodation precinct also a focal point I t’s a catchy term. Effective too. So “There’s no proven formula for success, our actions show the golf sector the value of effective that Craig Molloy’s concept particularly when it comes to innovating golf systems innovation.” of “moonshot goals” helped earn the course maintenance operations,” says Molloy, Molloy’s objectives included: Cypress Lakes Resort superintendent who has been the superintendent at Cypress l Developing and implementing a dynamic the ASTMA Excellence in Golf Course Lakes for the past seven years. “I set out to Drought Management Plan. Management Award for 2021. transform our operations with some significant l Ensuring the course could adapt to and Yet a profound vision alone is not enough ‘moonshot goals’. This was a bold step and I mitigate the impacts of drought conditions. to guarantee results. There was plenty of hoped to set an example and influence others l Continuing to deliver quality golf course substance behind Molloy’s catch-cry as to follow. I didn’t want to settle for incremental playing surfaces with limited water. he delivered on a series of ambitious but goals. I believe that if you want to transform l Meeting regulatory obligations to reduce important objectives that have helped improve something, set high aspirational moonshot water consumption during any drought the practices and raise the overall standard of goals. They may be uncomfortable, but after emergency. the NSW Hunter Valley course. all, if it were easy, it would have been done l Identifying areas of the course that could The Hunter region experiences its share already. be managed with limited water during a of extremes. Scorching summer days and “So, my ambitions were something I knew drought emergency. frosty winter mornings plus a largely clay the whole team and the organisation could l Commencing the journey to decarbonise base has made for a challenging existence rally around. I was right. They did, and the operations by reducing inputs of electricity for course staff at Cypress Lakes, which first results speak for themselves. We started with and transport fuel used by Hunter Water to opened for play 30 years ago next April. While a powerful vision to innovate and through treat and pump the water consumed at the Molloy sought to lessen the course’s reliance property. on water, that was just one in a series of l Conserving natural resources, improving operational aims that, while not revolutionary, water storage, collection, irrigation and remained essential if the popular and recycling to be better equipped during impressive layout was to realise its full potential drought-prone conditions in the Hunter in an efficient manner. Valley region through: golf course bunker Mission: accomplished. Molloy and his upgrade program and earth shaping, team overhauled water management practices, installation of improved irrigation systems wildlife and plant management and the and replacement of golf course turf approach to people management ways that species. have drastically improved multiple facets of the l Introducing and managing a sustainable golf course and resort. The happy byproduct vegetable garden at Elysia Wellness is: Cypress Lakes looks rejuvenated in the Retreat, which is located next door to Oaks eyes of the core constituents: golfers. It has Cypress Lakes Resort. re-entering the conversation when it comes to the leading resort courses in Australia. It also A BROADER INFLUENCE re-entered Australian Golf Digest’s biennial Top Cypress Lakes might be the direct beneficiary The ASTMA Excellence in Golf Course Management 100 Courses rankings of 2018 and 2020 after a of Molloy’s plan, but he sees the steps taken Award winner for 2021 Craig Molloy (left) with Bayer’s 12-year absence. Wayne Ryder (right) at the resort as an opportunity for other golf 10 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 It’s not just a game. It’s not just a grass. WHEN IT COMES TO GOLF, SIR GRANGE CAN DO IT ALL. Sir Grange is a fine-leaf Zoysia Matrella that DIVOT RECOVERY MOWING HEIGHTS has unique qualities. Fantastic drought- Due to a strong and vigorous root system, Sir Grange looks fantastic at a variety of tolerance, high shade and wear-tolerance, Sir Grange can withstand wear and divots mowing heights. Sir Grange can be mown combined with a very fine, deep green leaf, much better than other grass-types. This also short for when we’re talking fairways and make it the perfect short-mown surface. leads to the sheer density of the plant that green-surrounds-height, or even unmown in What separates Sir Grange from other grass- helps cover divots quicker – meaning a lot the rough – Sir Grange can handle mowing- types in the golf world? Density and leaf less time spent on divot-maintenance. maintenance at these varying levels without structure. Sir Grange is approximately twice much in the way of scalping or bruising that WEED RESISTANCE can occur on other grass-types. as dense as couch and kikuyu, meaning it Sir Grange’s superior density also makes has roughly twice as many plants in any given LOW INPUTS & REQUIREMENTS it much more difficult for weeds to invade area. Further to this, Sir Grange leaf blades which is music to the groundskeeper’s ears. Sir Grange has a very high drought-tolerance grow directly upwards from the surface, un- that significantly reduces water usage. It like couch grass which grows outwards from SHADE TOLERANCE also requires 75% less nitrogen and up to a root or runner. These traits ensure golfers The superior shade tolerance of Sir Grange 50% less mowing compared to other grass- get a better ball lie on Sir Grange and better makes it ideal for shaded greens and fair- types, saving the golf industry valuable time ball speed in play. ways that exist on most golf courses; where and money. other grasses tend to struggle. Exclusive to P | 1300 883 711 lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au ASTMA AWARDS course can be irrigated with this captured resource. Prior to its construction, Molloy and his team could only use effluent on the practice range. The entire resort acts as a water catchment site through careful earth shaping. Surface rainwater from roads and buildings is collected through subsurface drainage and stored in the dams for irrigation. A new bunkering drainage system feeds back into the irrigation dams. Any rainfall greater than three millimetres previously flooded the bunkers and in a 12-month period the course staff were pumping more than 12 million litres of stormwater from the bunkers. Where once there was a concern that the cost of Craig Molloy’s innovations were multi-faceted, covering the golf course, resort and staff maintaining the bunkers was approaching courses to examine their own practices and I encourage my team to change established the cost of maintaining the greens, that is no vision, particularly in an era when resources ways of course maintenance, enabling our longer an issue. The success of the bunker and staff are growing ever more scarce. operations to adapt and thrive. Innovation in program has seen a significant change to “The golf course maintenance sector is the golf sector can be a frustrating pursuit and water management, with the new system facing critical challenges,” Molloy says. “They frequently fails, but I have actioned a detailed now collecting more than 7.5 million litres of include the need to do more with less, to innovation success strategy that has delivered stormwater from the bunkers (outside drought meet and exceed golfer and management significant results.” periods). expectations, to keep people safe and the Water consumption, usage and redirection For wildlife and plant management, environment protected, and to adapt to, and ranks highly among the solutions and systems specialised drought-tolerant native plant mitigate, the impacts of climate change. innovations at Cypress Lakes. A signed and species have been planted wherever possible. “Golf course maintenance systems need certified drought plan is now in place. Water For areas in play on the course, drought- to change to become more resilient, more consumption has been reduced by 18%, while tolerant turf has been chosen that also equitable and future-proofed. At Cypress Molloy’s team now reuses more than 30 million provides a desirable playing surface. Nutrient Lakes, we work hard every day to find practical litres of recycled water to irrigate the property. products and practices (such as fertilisers) ways to achieve this. It involves system All wastewater (grey water) is reclaimed and are used that can reduce the potential for innovation, which I call the big shift because treated on site, producing ‘class A’ recycled contamination of ground and surface waters, it involves a set of actions that have shifted water. The onsite sewage treatment plant (STP) while soil conditions are tested and monitored our operating systems onto a pathway to produces 180,000 litres per day when the regularly. Habitats are managed to maintain excellence. hotel is at 75% capacity, which is a significant healthy populations of wildlife and aquatic “For any golf course without a target, amount of recycled water. species. plan and sustainability pathway, there will Sewage is processed on-site in the Locally native vegetation was introduced be increasing challenges, not only on designated treatment plant, located 200 metres into ‘no-play’ areas on the course and no-mow environmental grounds, but also on whether from the main resort and public areas. The zones created where natural regeneration is our economic and business model will be plant is located underground and does not likely. This has assisted in providing food and future-viable. I have committed our team to impact guests. The golf course, gardens and shelter for animals, birds and insects currently an innovation mindset to embed a culture of lawn areas around the main resort building threatened by loss of habitat, reducing best practice experimentation and creativity. are irrigated with a mix of stormwater and STP mowing, chemical applications and water Through our excellence programs we have water. A new effluent irrigation line extended created something that is new and every day from the STP to a new dam means the whole Renovation of the bunkers alleviated one of the course’s former problem areas Cypress Lakes offers up some challenging ground 12 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 use as well as promoting the opportunity to enhance biodiversity. Cypress Lakes has also been active in increasing the numbers and diversity of birds on the site. It constitutes a unique area of remnant bushland, with banksia trees and other native trees and shrubs forming a fragmented chain of vegetation traditionally home to a variety of birds, some of which are migratory. Any animals found injured on the resort or course are reported to the local animal rescue for assessment and any dangerous animals that need to be removed (such as some snakes) are collected and relocated safely. The course has engaged in the digital space with the introduction of a cloud-based environment, health and safety management Water consumption at Cypress Lakes has dropped by 18% since late 2019 system. Molloy says the most valuable resource remains the people, and they take my past assistant Stephen Blain who worked generation of turf managers. Winning this safety and the safety of the planet seriously. with me for seven years. Stephen had been prestigious award is great recognition for with Cypress Lakes from virtually day one all the years and contributing efforts by the ELATION AND ENRICHMENT (he retired after 27 years). Plus my current agronomy team. It has been a great morale Molloy was naturally full of gratitude upon course supervisor Joshua Willard, landscape booster. receiving his award. Yet more than just the supervisor Daniel Ho and Peter Young, our turf “Oaks Hotels and Resorts are extremely single accolade, Molloy likes the fact that he technician for both resorts and the golf and proud and supportive of the results we are joins an elite club who play a vital advisory role landscape team. These guys continually strive achieving. The award’s recognition is being in the profession. day after day to achieve our moonshot goals posted across all social media platforms and “Winning the ASTMA Excellence in Golf and I’m very proud of them. the feedback we have received from our hotel Course Management, as you might expect, “One of the amazing things about winning guests, Country Club members, NPS (Net is an overwhelming honour and to date a the ASTMA Award is the incredible alumni of Promoter Score) and industry partners has highlight of my turf management career,” past winners. These winners in Excellence in exceeded our expectations.” Molloy said. “To be recognised in a room filled Golf Course Management are from all over with some of the most accomplished sports Australia who have been judged by industry WATER THE CONSTANT FOCUS turf managers in the country is a memory that leaders for the excellent work they have When asked about his most satisfying I’m extremely proud of. done and are doing for their facilities. These achievement, Molloy pointed to his Drought “This accomplishment is not something alumni have helped with mentoring my career Management Plan, which like many parts of that I did alone, and there are many others and now I have been given the opportunity regional Australia is vital in the Hunter. During who deserve to share in the award, including to encourage and do the same for the next the extended drought across south-eastern JULY-AUGUST 2021 13 ASTMA AWARDS A series of stunning natural features and heavy undulations across the land are a highlight of the Cypress Lakes course Australia two years ago in particular, Molloy for operational excellence. Drone technology members to be one my greatest successes,” saw the need to step up Cypress Lakes’ efforts enables Cypress to become more sustainable he says. “I have mentored 15 apprentice when it came to water use. by applying latest technology that can ‘see’ turf greenkeepers, five of which have progressed “Droughts do not follow any pattern and issues from the air and predict turf health days to successful superintendent roles and one to can occur at any time of year, exhibiting before it is visible from the ground. This allows a stadium manager position. differing characteristics,” he says. “In order us to provide the best playing conditions for “Along this journey we wanted to do to mitigate the impacts of the drought, I all members and visitors while play continues, more than enhance our brand or improve our developed a robust plan with a range of enabling me to take the highest measures for sustainability; we want to share our story, our options available in the event of drought to responsible environmental stewardship.” pathway and progress to influence others to reduce our water consumption. The plan Molloy lists their key values as: achieve excellence in golf course maintenance provides our water reduction savings in terms l Saving water: sensors attached to a drone operations. of litres and where on the course those savings understand the ideal level of irrigation turf “I set goals to change our operations, will be realised. needs to thrive. to change our business and to influence the “Managing our water supply is of l Saving on applications: detecting turf golfing world. Looking forward, I am excited paramount importance, especially during issues days in advance allows proactive about what I can achieve next at Cypress severe drought conditions. We responded to treatment and precise issue identification, Lakes. It is possible to create a product that is the current drought conditions by developing a resulting in fewer chemical applications. of social, environmental and ecological value, plan that would secure water for the property. l Better playing conditions: a one-hour and if anyone can do it, everyone should.” Water restrictions are an effective and relatively drone flight can improve playing conditions low-cost tool for responding to the drought and turf health through an efficient and and having a drought restriction regime tailored approach for all maintenance is important to the ongoing management activities. of our business and our commitment to l Responsible sustainability practices sustainability.” and reporting: taking advantage of Molloy’s water plan was implemented the data-driven approach to reach the in November 2019 and saved 18% – or highest measure of responsibility with 13,582,999 litres – in that first summer alone. regards to saving resources, protecting Plus, there was no monetary spend required to the environment and complying with implement the plan. government regulations. Meanwhile, there’s more to come. In terms of passing on his knowledge, “Cypress Lakes continues to strive to become Molloy is poised to carry on in that capacity, industry leaders,” Molloy enthuses. “Currently something he feels strongly about. we are working with Brain Pool Tech and “I am a passionate advocate of staff epar to precisely measure our ecological training and development and I consider the sustainability goals and develop best practices progress and career achievements of my team Capturing drone imagery can reveal turf issues from In a climate of extremes, Cypress Lakes is in ‘career-best’ form the air before they’re evident at ground level 14 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 ASTMA AWARDS Eastlake Golf Club has a uniquely shaped golf course with multiple environmental challenges to cater for To preserve A commitment to protection and enhancement at Eastlake Golf Club led to superintendent Nathan Bradbury receiving the ASTMA and protect Claude Crockford Sustainability and Environment Award. E very golf course is unique, yet the ASTMA Claude Crockford Sustainability Eastlake Golf Club in Sydney’s and Environment Award for 2021 thanks to east owns physical qualities that his and the club’s focus on protection and a set it apart from almost all others. commitment to uphold a policy to preserve Split across two narrow parcels their delicate site. of land separated by a busy road, the course measures no wider than 350 metres at any A SLICE OF point and is three-and-a-half kilometres from SYDNEY’S ‘SANDBELT’ one end to the other. More pertinently, the Eastlake is nestled among three of Sydney’s layout is bordered by the Sydney Freshwater most prestigious private sandbelt golf courses: Wetlands and covered in protected Eastern The Australian, The Lakes and Bonnie Doon. Suburbs Banksia Scrub. In short, the site is a Unlike its neighbours, however, Eastlake is fragile marvel in an important location and at a publicly accessible club that is open to its a time of intense scrutiny from outside golf on members and the community alike. all things environmental. For the course and The club was established as a result of ASTMA Claude Crockford Sustainability and club to continue to operate successfully, every leasing a large area of land fronting Gardeners Environment Award winner Nathan Bradbury (centre) ecological box needs to be ticked. Road and forming part of what was known as with Nicole Tyzack (left) and Paul Jackson from Fittingly, it is Eastlake course the Sydney Water Reserve. The Metropolitan Syngenta (right) superintendent Nathan Bradbury taking out Board of Water Supply and Sewerage granted 16 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 The environmental work at Eastlake has been carried out in unison with ongoing upgrade work to the golf course the lease to The Lakes Golf Club for a period of the metropolis for most of the latter half of animal habitat and movement corridors and of 20 years, starting on September 26, 1928, the 19th century. As with its predecessors it may include animal species of conservation for the purpose of constructing a private golf relied upon aquifers to supply water, which significance. course. As a condition of the lease, the lessee became obsolete once the Upper Nepean As a result, Eastlake Golf Club and its was also required to construct an additional Scheme and later catchment dams were operations have a responsibility to preserve, 18-hole course with accommodation for implemented and is therefore representative of protect and promote its cultural heritage and changing clothes including bathrooms and the first stage of water supply technology. environmental surroundings as part of their showers for the use of the general public. This As well as its importance to the water daily and long-term operations and key values. course was constructed on the eastern side supply, the Botany Swamps area provides of the leased area and became known as the environmental significance that includes two ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES Eastlake Public Golf Course. The first nine regionally rare and distinct remnant vegetation Bradbury, on behalf of Eastlake Golf Club, holes were completed and ready for play in communities of state significance: the Sydney has facilitated, implemented and operates 1930 along with the completion of the building Freshwater Wetlands and Eastern Suburbs an Environmental and Safety Policy that is for the use of the public. The remaining nine Banksia Scrub. They are listed separately as accessible by all staff and members of the holes were completed and in play by 1932. ‘Endangered Ecological Communities’ under course. The policy drives the commitment The course is located within the Botany the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 within the business operation to protect and Wetlands, which is a series of interconnected (NSW). The Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is enhance the natural environment that the golf open freshwater ponds, former water supply protected under the Environmental Protection course manages as part of its daily operations. dams, shallow swamp areas and adjacent and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1995. Bradbury and Eastlake engaged Narla lands used for recreation purposes such as The place holds special interest as a Environmental to formulate an Environmental golf. The wetlands precinct holds considerable landmark cultural and recreational landscape Management Plan (EMP) on behalf of the club. heritage value for Sydney and NSW because for the regional community. The Botany The Eastlake EMP sits alongside the policy to it retains substantial parts of its original water Swamps are of regional environmental broaden and focus on the key values involved supply layout and infrastructure – primarily the importance as a major recharge source for with the site to not only maintain but also dam system and pumping station. As Sydney’s the Botany Sands Aquifer. The wetlands enhance the local environment as part of their third water supply, it supported the expansion have regional ecological value as native stewardship responsibilities. JULY-AUGUST 2021 17 ASTMA AWARDS ongoing improvement and sustainability of the property is great. “Eastlake Golf Club is very proud of what has been achieved in the past 10 years. The site the club is lucky enough to be on is extremely sensitive and has a very rich history. To be able to not only co-exist but also improve the area around the wetlands and Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub-protected areas as well as the playing surfaces with a budget not similar to our neighbours is a proud achievement. The sensitive areas are an integral part of the course layout and have become a feature of the property.” More than 25,000 native plantings have been added to the Eastlake landscape Ridding the course of noxious weeds, The policy is the framework for l Enhancing local habitats for fauna on the while a decade-long process, has been the establishing and reviewing the measurable site and surrounds. most satisfying for Bradbury. objectives and targets relating to Eastlakes’ “The removal of the noxious weed in and environmental and work health and safety A HUMBLE RECIPIENT around the 12 hectares of sensitive areas and operations to meet the requirements of Truth be told, Bradbury initially dismissed the the replanting of these areas has been a long Environmental Management and Occupational notion of being nominated for the Claude process that started some 10 years ago,” he Health and Management systems. As part of Crockford award, insisting that it should said. “For the first two or three years it was the policy, Eastlake Golf Club is committed to: instead be Eastlake Golf Club being nominated not evident what was happening, but with the l Implementing and maintaining an rather than he individually. removal of the noxious weeds opening up Environmental and Safety System “To say I was shocked is an the native sand dunes and the inclusion of l Protecting the environment, including its understatement,” Bradbury said. “There are more than 25,000 native plantings, the areas biodiversity and ecosystems many golf clubs in the country doing some are starting to really take shape now and be l Preventing pollution and other adverse really good things around environmental a standout of the course. The areas have also environmental issues stewardship, so for Eastlake to even be been enlarged and boundaries reshaped to l Protecting the health and safety of its staff, considered let alone win the Claude Crockford give a natural flowing look to fit in with the contractors, suppliers, visitors, players, was a big shock. The club management fairways and surrounds.” members and the general public and board of directors have been extremely In humbly accepting the award, Bradbury l Co-operating with their local community to supportive in the process and understand the was quick to pay tribute to Eastlake and his understand and meet their needs site the club sits on needs high attention to team. l Making continual improvements that the out-of-play areas so we can continue to “This achievement would be impossible enhance environmental and safety co-exist within the Sydney metropolitan area. without the support of the club’s board of performance There is a large push for greenspace area, not directors and general management. They allow l Complying with legal, regulatory and other only from developers but also councils, and the staff of Eastlake Golf Club to complete requirements golf courses are a large target, so to be able to the job to the best of our abilities and at the l Use the policy as the framework to their demonstrate the club is very committed to the same time throw immense support behind environmental and safety objectives us but giving us all the necessary resources l Making the policy available to all golf to complete it,” he said. “The club has a course staff and all interested parties very strong relationship with the landlord l Reviewing the policy annually to ensure it of the property, Sydney Water, who also remains suitable and effective assists with the planning and management The overall objective laid out in the EMP of areas adjoining the course. The staff is to guide best practice management of native have also embraced the change that the vegetation and rehabilitation works within the club has embarked on and the results grounds of Eastlake Golf Club, including: of their commitment are evident. As the l Specifying best practice native vegetation superintendent, I am very lucky. We have only rehabilitation works in accordance with eight staff but all eight of them commit to the Sydney Water’s management guidelines of job and show great pride in their work and it the Botany Wetlands shows across the entire property. l Ensuring the EMP is consistent with the “The club has a very forward-thinking aims and requirements of all current local, board. There is a very strong five-year strategic state and Commonwealth legislation plan in place that includes the completion of l Ensuring consistency and compliance with the tee renovation program (10 tees completed policy and lease conditions in 2021), a bunker rebuild program, a greens l Enhancing visitor/user satisfaction collar upgrade plus clubhouse renovations. A l Controlling priority and environmental maintenance facility upgrade is also planned weed species for the next five-year period. The sensitive area l Reducing and maintaining exotic plant program is ongoing and will develop more and species populations to low levels of growth Preserving the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is a focal more as work across the course is completed. and cover point for the club The club understands its place in the industry 18 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 and its target audience and with this have of the identified ESBS within the grounds of some really good plans in place to make it the Eastlake Golf Club. As the lessee of the land best it can be.” on which the ESBS occurs, Eastlake takes on the responsibility of managing vegetation TWIN PRIORITIES surrounding areas of the identified ESBS that There are two key sensitive areas within the is consistent with the recovery plan. Eastlake Golf Club site that require specific As part of that arrangement, Bradbury management operations to protect and works closely with Toolijoora Environmental promote those assets and their importance for Restoration (engaged by Sydney Water) to both cultural and environmental significance. facilitate the mutual goal of the companies’ 1. Botany Wetlands/Sydney Freshwater operations towards the ESBS as part of their Wetlands landholding stewardship. A complex of vegetation types largely Outside these two key sensitive areas there restricted to freshwater swamps in coastal are many other environmentally sustainable areas. These vary considerably due to practices carried out at Eastlake as part of its fluctuating water levels and seasonal daily and long-term stewardship towards the conditions. As part of the management of environment as part of its operations. Bradbury these areas, many operations need careful is the driving force for: considerations as part of the operations with l Removing non-native species and focus on: replanting endemics to the greater course l Water use and quality preservation – area Environmentally sustainable practices are at the regular water testing and monitoring forefront of everyday operations at Eastlake l Regular (every four to six weeks) feral l Control of weed, both vegetative and animal control by having a professional aquatic term viability of the ESBS in nature and the shooter on the site l Management of disturbance issues – parties who will carry these out. The overall l Stormwater and drainage works to better rubbish and erosion objective of the recovery plan is to maintain facilitate water runoff and minimise erosion l Promotion of fauna and their habitats and enhance existing ESBS remnants and, l Creek cleaning and beautifying to heighten l Appropriate and informed chemical usage. where possible, expand the ESBS into the functionality and the aesthetics of the 2. Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS) adjacent areas. Sydney Water, as the owner course and its water movement The recovery plan for the ESBS identifies of the land on which the golf course lies, has l Beautifying the aesthetics of both the actions to be taken to ensure the long- committed to undertaking the management course and the surrounding “out of play” “ Bringing together My Climate for environmental monitoring and alerts, and Rain Bird for the intelligent use of water, everything is in the palm ” of my hand with Living Turf. Ben Grylewicz, Golf Course Superintendent, Indooroopilly Golf Club, Queensland Discover your winning formula at Living Turf 1300 556 116 | livingturf.com.au MY - CLIMATE® JULY-AUGUST 2021 19 ASTMA AWARDS Sitting in a wetlands region, Eastlake occupies a unique pocket of Sydney areas for promotion of the endemic flora l In-house new tee upgrades to 10 holes and fauna that incorporate and enhance a more LONG-RANGE VISION l Regular machinery updates to keep traditional and natural landscape off the In the 10 years Bradbury has held the abreast of the latest technologies and playing areas by using a fescue blend that superintendent’s role at Eastlake Golf Club, advancements in this area. The fleet was will be left long for aesthetics, mowing there has been continual commitment towards recently updated to include new hybrid reduction and for housing native and the long-term sustainability of not only the cutting head technologies to reduce endemic species of flora and fauna golf course proper but also the environment noise and other emission pollutions to the l Continual upgrading of the irrigation in which it is situated. Understanding that he environment. The recent purchase of a system to facilitate advancements in water and the club are the custodians and caretakers GPS-guided spray unit not only increases efficiencies for the area, they are not content with just course efficiencies but also increases the l Regular moisture meter readings and maintaining but are constantly improving the accuracy of course chemical and pesticide benchmarking on turf surfaces to site and its sustainability. applications determine best practice of irrigation and Bradbury introduced, manages and water usage and conservation to maximise continually improves an Environmental efficiencies Management Plan at Eastlake that l Regular water testing to monitor the harnesses the ideals in accordance with groundwater utilised for irrigation Sydney Water’s Botany Wetland Plan of l Regular drone mapping of the course Management 2018-2028. Working under for historic data logging of moisture these guidelines is how he and the club management, vegetation percentages and are committed to the sustainability and plant stresses. improvement of the property. The Eastlake Golf Club site is long, narrow and The course remains popular for the golf-playing public Noxious weed removal opened up the site’s native environmentally sensitive and members alike sand dunes 20 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Our Long Game Is YOUR SUCCESS TTS-800 Rotors Pilot® Integrated Hub Pilot Command Center Software From best-in-class TTS-800 rotor technology developed over decades of research to highly agile and intuitive Pilot Command Center software, we’re proud to offer the most reliable and water-efficient golf irrigation solutions in the industry. Backed by the highest-quality products and unwavering partnership, you can keep irrigation in check to focus on what matters most: healthy, playable courses. That’s the power of innovation. Life is better with Hunter golf irrigation solutions. Contact us at hunterindustries.com/golf to learn why. GOLF IRRIGATION | Built on Innovation ® National Free Call: 1 800 HUNTER Tel: 1 300 856 368 Suite 7, 202 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Toll Free Fax: 1 800 651 680 Fax: 1 300 856 369 Melbourne, Victoria, 3168, Australia www.hrproducts.com.au www.nelsonirrigation.com.au Tel: 61 3 9562 9918 hrsales@hrproducts.com.au info@nelsonirrigation.com.au Fax: 61 3 9558 6983 ASTMA AWARDS Matthew Cairns has watched Blacktown International Sportspark continue to evolve ever since it played a hosting role at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Cairns’ part in the park’s ongoing improvement sees him a deserving first winner of the new ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award. I n a career that’s taken in an Olympic Games and preparation of surfaces for all manner of high-profile sporting contests, Matthew Cairns, the grounds and operations co-ordinator at Fields Blacktown International Sportspark (BISP) in western Sydney, is the inaugural winner of the ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award. It’s an accolade that caught him off guard. “My first reaction was surprise and shock that I had been nominated – and my sportsturf career was being read out in front of elite of dreams golf and sportsturf managers,” Cairns said. “My surprise then turned into pride when selected by the committee for the award for my contribution to sport turf management and, finally, very honoured that my manager, Kevin Jones, nominated me for the award.” Cairns has watched or been directly part of the development of BISP for more than two decades – prior to the Sportspark’s role as a venue at the 2000 Sydney Olympics for the baseball and softball competitions and a seven-wicket table on each oval a program to remove weeds, encouraged training facility for athletics events. During the l designated outdoor turf wicket practice growth of existing turf, top-dressed for levels Games, the park consisted of three baseball area and installed fencing and posts for users,” diamonds, three softball diamonds, an athletics l 15 additional soccer fields (two synthetic he explains. “This was all completed on a track and practice throwing fields. and 13 turf), and very tight budget. All staff can look back at Blacktown Council continued to invest in l maintenance of Joe McAleer Oval, a this project and know they contributed to the BISP after the 2000 Olympics. Since then, it satellite venue for Blacktown District development of the field. To see the team work has expanded into: Cricket Club. together, bounce ideas off each other and l three baseball diamonds However, Cairns says his most satisfying come up with a game plan to deliver the field l four softball diamonds project was a recent conversion of an old, is rewarding as a manager. We saw buy-in l an athletics track disused throwing field from those Olympics from all staff.” l a throwing field into a high-quality turf field now used for l a multi-purpose rectangular turf field multiple sports. OUT OF THE BUBBLE l caption to go here area a designated pleasefor caption to go here goalkeeper please training “This was a team project where staff Cairns also describes it as an accolade that caption to go here please caption to go here please l two shared ovals for AFL/cricket with a installed irrigation, replaced turf, created shows his team hasn’t toiled without reward, 22 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Sydney’s Blacktown International Sportspark was an Olympic venue at the 2000 Games but has taken on new life in the two decades since even when their work might at times appear to learnt from the high-quality turf experience we Soccer Football Association, Cricket NSW, be quite insular. have at the park and have always bought into Progressive Goalkeeping, Softball NSW, “For myself, the award means that the direction we want to go as a team. Since Super 6 High Performance and the Western our time, effort and passion as sportsturf accepting this award, the team has taken Sydney Wanderers all now have a point of managers is appreciated and recognised by further steps to improve their turf maintenance reference when selling the facilities within their our stakeholders but, more importantly, my and programming practices. We believe that individual sports or seeking venues to house manager who supports and believes he has there is always room for improvement and this their highest quality content. The response has the best grounds team to maintain the facilities award has gone a long way towards showing been overwhelming.” at BISP,” he says. our team what can be achieved by continual Like so many turf professionals, Cairns “This award shows that our team, our hard work, motivation and commitment. was also quick to point the spotlight towards practices and the surfaces we produce are “The award confirms the Sportspark his hard-working colleagues at BISP. elite. Life at the Sportspark can at times have is home to the highest quality facilities “My team consists of the grounds team, a bubble-like effect; shielded from the public and playing surfaces and allows our key key venues administration (which includes eye going about our business. This award stakeholders to tell this story with us. AFL a manager, operations manager, marketing, showed this is not the case. The team has NSW/ACT, Baseball NSW, Blacktown District finance, safety and client liaison), board of JULY-AUGUST 2021 23 ASTMA AWARDS developing his skills in baseball, softball and ryegrass sportsfields. It’s been a period of tremendous evolution for the Sportspark with no shortage of voices willing to share expertise, however shrewdly. Baseball guru, the late Jack Gaynor, was able to mentor Cairns on the maintenance techniques of baseball and softball preparation and continued to do so after the Olympics for several years until his passing. Cairns recalls many Claxton Shield tournaments where Gaynor would come out after every game to assess the field and point out where Cairns could improve. One night in 2003, Gaynor came out to review the field only to turn and say, “See you tomorrow.” It was at that point Cairns knew he was getting close to perfecting the fields. “Over the 20 years, I have had the privilege Matthew Cairns (front), the grounds and operations co-ordinator at Blacktown International Sportspark in western to employee a number of staff. Some still work Sydney, with his team at the Sportspark and [there are] those that have moved on to bigger (I can’t say better, directors and Blacktown City Council,” he ground the best possible chance to not only as the Sportspark is the best place to work) says. succeed, but also prove themselves as quality or green pastures. Some are within the turf “I am very fortunate to have a dedicated turf managers. A great example of this is industry and some are not. Every staff member and passionate team that takes pride in staff member Heath Taylor, who started as an that has been at the Sportspark has taught presenting the playing surfaces and associated apprentice greenkeeper for Council and has me something from previous job experiences landscape areas for all of the Sportspark and worked his way up through the ranks to be in different sports, types of turf managed or our stakeholders. We currently have 14 staff the grounds supervisor (2IC). Heath runs the simple personal qualities. These have helped that includes myself, grounds supervisor (2IC) day-to-day operation of the grounds team and me to continually improve as a turf manager Heath Taylor, team leaders Kieran Meurant sportsfields.” but also as a person.” and Lachlan Ridgewell and 12 grounds Cairns’ own career spans more than 30 staff: Matthew Hubbard, Luke Midgley, Sean years, with more than 20 of those spent at HIGH HOPES Glashoff, Adam Whitelaw, Braden Sole, Colin BISP. In March 2000, six months before the Meeting the expectations of multiple McAlister, Luke Collins, Jay Redman, Andrew Sydney Olympics, he was appointed head stakeholders and working with seven different Mallitt-Calver and Michael Daley. greenkeeper and Council’s representative with couch varieties, inevitably there is no single “Over the years, a tremendous amount the Olympic contractors – Manoeuvre Mow, led turf management program that fits all. Pest of hard work has gone into training and by Geoff Hatton Jnr – to maintain the facilities management is a key component included mentoring the staff coming through our at Blacktown Olympic Park (as it was known in all BISP’s turf management programs. ranks. This is proven by our ability to promote then) for the Games. Through this period, Protection against black beetle and its larvae is from within the team to give our staff on the Cairns used a variety of machinery as well as critical, especially through the spring/summer period when there is a lot at stake in hosting summer national tournaments and winter pre-season events. Another key component in all BISP’s turf maintenance programs is the use of stormwater harvesting that requires the water to be tested systematically with regular modifications to the soil to maintain water quality. The mission is always to meet stakeholder expectations. Meanwhile, innovations introduced at the Sportspark include: l Introduction of a GPS-controlled fairway mower and an 1100-litre spray unit, both from John Deere. The technology has provided better precision and accurate data on litres used, speed, etc. In future, Cairns hopes to be able to use this equipment autonomously, which will help increase productivity. l Introduction of a robot marker that is able to mark a soccer field without any previous markings in less than 30 minutes. With ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award winner Matthew Cairns (centre) with Toro’s Richard Walne (left) and Ben Cavanagh (right) multiple soccer fields and two AFL ovals to 24 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 mark, this not only saves time but has also reduced paint consumption by 30%. l Use of POGO to measure soil moisture content and temperature l Use of TurfKeeper software to document daily scheduled works and control inventory. TurfKeeper has been excellent in assisting with budget management and breaking down the cost of maintaining each individual field. l The biggest innovation to date: using drones to help monitor the turf for dry spots/patches and to track wear and usage. Cricket NSW has utilised BISP for full turf winter training practice pitches for the past three years. A regular season’s use of practice turf pitches is normally from September to March or April. In 2018, Cricket NSW The team achieved great results in the short transition periods between sports approached BISP to trial the possible use of turf practice wickets for July to September. included. Season 2020 was able to begin in led to a trial of different turf colourants. As expected, the first season was challenging July 2020 and continue all the way through Close communication with the sports with little to no growth due to low temperatures until April 2021. about usage and wear has helped reduce the and over-use. Learning from the first year, in In collaboration with colleagues at AFL need for large turfed areas in small, high-use 2019 Cairns and his team introduced growth and Cricket NSW, they have trialled the areas around the goalmouths and interchange blankets, shortened the width of pitches to non- introduction of ryegrass to Ovals 1 and areas. At BISP, the AFL season begins in early provide more rotation, implemented start 2 through the winter to assist with keeping February and runs until early September. and finish times to avoid early morning and the field in play longer and create a shorter Cricket takes over from September to late afternoon dew setting on the wickets and transition period for both sports. Working January. Due to the short changeover periods, used large blowers to help control the surface with a turf adviser has changed maintenance any field renovation adversely impacts either moisture. Strict usage conditions were also techniques, increased nutritional program and sport. They’re also trialling the use of synthetic JULY-AUGUST 2021 25 ASTMA AWARDS The Sportspark is a hub for AFL and cricket and landing mechanic assessments l physiology spaces for the assessment of body composition, blood profiles, lung function and cardiovascular fitness l a strength and conditioning gym l aquatics, including a recovery pool and contrast (hot and cold) pools l a sports medicine clinic l a patient-centred medical home l two rectangular pitches (turf and synthetic) l physical literacy area for children l café l auditorium l team and individual changing rooms, and l academy accommodation with accessible, twin and dormitory style rooms. “After winning the award, we will continue to build on using new technology to assist and hybrid goalmouths across some of soccer to enable our local community, along with with sportsfield maintenance,” Cairns adds. fields and monitoring the results. national and international athletes, to benefit “We currently use GPS mowers, spray units from environments and services designed to and robot markers to maintain the sportsfields VISION FOR THE FUTURE improve health and performance for individuals at BISP and would like to expand this into The major work is far from done at BISP, with a of all ages. The vision for the new centre is to tractors, use of drones to monitor and manage busy few years ahead. support life-long health in our community by surface usage and maintenance. In addition to “Council is investing $100 million in the first providing accessible services and facilities that technology, we will look at ways to continually stage of the Sportspark masterplan,” Cairns promote recovery and performance.” fine-tune and improve the nutrition program says. “A new international centre of training The development will include: across all venues, eradicate weed across the excellence is being built in the Sportspark l a biomechanics laboratory for analysing common areas and, most importantly with the and will open in the first quarter of 2023. kicking, throwing and striking actions times we are in, continue to work with staff on The centre will host facilities and expertise l a 60-metre analysis track for gait, jumping safety and health and wellbeing.” BUSY GABBA STAFF THE TEAM OF THE YEAR T he team at Brisbane’s famous Gabba stadium proved themselves to be not just excellent turf managers, but also able to change and be flexible throughout the year. As such, they are worthy winners of the ASTMA Team of the Year Award. Despite a large number of challenges, David Sandurski and his team showed the flexibility and professionalism required in managing a significant increase in games in 2020 to maintain the turf in pristine condition despite frequently changing schedules. Originally scheduled to host seven Big Bash games, a Test match and 11 AFL games, the Gabba team was swamped due to changes coming from COVID-19. Just 3 o’clock on the afternoon of the game. weekly and fixtures changed hourly – as the 2020 AFL season started, COVID Showing their composure, the Gabba turf Sandurski and his team remained in close lockdowns meant no games for a period of management team headed out and managed consultation with stadium management, nearly two months. the conditions, cleared the grounds of Cricket Australia, the AFL and clubs, and The plans for the AFL season changed excess surface water, fixed lines and logos managed the Gabba surfaces outstandingly completely with the hubs in Queensland and delivered an outstanding surface for well. The ability to change quickly, adapt meaning that the Gabba, and Sandurski the showpiece of the AFL. Before and after and present the playing surfaces they did and his team, wouldn’t be hosting 11 the AFL season, the Gabba hosted 12 Big regularly is a demonstration of the skills, games. Instead they would be hosting 33 Bash games in 2020 and an international commitment and ability of Sandurski and the games in a 13-week period, sometimes Test match where the pitch was again rated team at the Gabba. with four games a week. Added to this, the highly despite a significantly COVID-impacted Gabba played host to a number of AFL summer. finals games, including the historic first- Throughout perhaps the most ever night grand final – when 40 millimetres challenging of years – when changes were of rain fell in a 20-minute period just after made almost daily, requirements changed 26 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 The smart play Introducing Tetrino, a new insect control solution from Bayer, offering an unmatched combination of performance, ease of use and efficiency. Delivering fast control and lasting protection against a broad-spectrum of turf insect pests with a low rate of active ingredient, Tetrino is the smart play for flexible and sustainable insect control. 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REPRODUCED BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST ANDREWS OLD TOM MORRIS Old Tom Morris would have turned 200 this year A portrait of 30 Old Tom Morris AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 On 16 June 1821 in a modest house in the run‑down walled town of St Andrews, Scotland, Thomas Mitchell Morris was born, the son of a weaver. Across the following 86 years Tom would witness the genesis of golf as we know it. He played a role in redefining the sport that would never be rivalled and in doing so would almost single‑handedly invent the greenkeeping profession. On the 200th anniversary of his birth, Greenkeeper International editor Karl Hansell reflects upon his life and achievements and in the following two articles meets the greenkeepers who continue his legacy today. I n 1901, the Daily Advertiser of Dundee time,” says Joy from his artist’s studio, Hugh Lyon Playfair, the provost of St reported that Old Tom Morris, then aged overlooking the town and the Forth of Tay. Andrews, began the clean‑up and issued 80, could be seen each day “enjoying “He’d stand his ground, but in all my research 40 rules that every resident and visitor must a walk on the classic links and at the I couldn’t find a bad word said about Old Tom, adhere to. He also organised the construction same time supervising with his keen eye apart from being grumpy in later life. I would of the first railway line to St Andrews, the work of the green‑keepers, while on other often say he was like Father Christmas in paid for on subscription by the residents. occasions he can be observed wielding his tweed.” That, combined with new affordable ball club with youthful vigour.” Tom’s life was defined by golf and in }No green has… good chance of being kept in good return no one would have a greater impact on how the sport is played. Likewise, he would redefine what it meant to be a greenkeeper, order… unless they have a man like Tom Morris to organise, implementing methods that are still used today superintend and direct the work and who is ready to insist on and which help fuel the multi‑billion‑dollar industry of which today’s greenkeeper is a the necessary work being carried out, however much the best of golfers may grumble at what is being done.~ part. For a number of years one St Andrews native revived the spirit of Old Tom, achieving -Mr H. W. Hope, Luffness Club, 1895 worldwide fame in the process. David Joy starred in Titleist commercials alongside John CRADLE OF GOLF technologies and the innovative activities of Cleese, he graced magazine covers alongside In 1821 St Andrews was in a poor state. greenkeepers led by Tom Morris from 1863 Ian Poulter and he brought Tom to life for Down to a population of just 1800 people, the onwards, would see St Andrews transform into audiences all over the world. He also has a Reformation of the 16th Century had seen the the cradle of golf as we know it today. direct familial link, with his English grandfather dismantling of the cathedral and in the 300 Tom opened up the fairways, widening being found a role as an official window years since the town had not recovered from them to make the course easier for recreational cleaner for The R&A by Old Tom after the bankruptcy, lying impoverished to the extent golfers. He discovered the use of sand as decline of the merchant navy visiting the town. that an act of Parliament sought to relocate the topdressing, invented metal hole cups, used “Old Tom was the James Dean of his town’s historic university to Perth. seaweed as fertiliser, introduced lawn mowers ® Visit www.poacure.com.au Colin Campbell (Chemicals) Proudly 100% Australian owned Celebrating 80 years in 2020 Established 1940 Your NEW weapon against an old enemy • Slow acting for a smooth transition • Works on all biotypes of Poa 2021 Quarter Page Campbell July 2021- ASTMA.indd 1 of fine surfaces 21/07/2021varieties • Works on resistant 10:31:26 AM JULY-AUGUST 2021 31 • Long residual • Works in all differing climates • Safe on cool and warm season grasses • New mode of action OLD TOM MORRIS Tom’s innovations transformed the Old Course at St Andrews into the ‘cradle of golf’ we know it as today to the links and established 18 holes as the industry standard for golf courses. He was also an adept course designer, lending his hand to some of the most admired courses in the world, such as Muirfield, Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Carnoustie and Royal Dornoch. He famously charged just £1 a day plus travel expenses and would comfortably design nine‑hole courses if that was all the available land would allow. “When Allan Robertson and Tom Morris ran their grand tournament in 1857 there were son to Prestwick to take up the position of Championship. Following the 1859 death of only 10 clubs in existence,” explains Joy. ‘Keeper of the Greens’ and it is there that he Robertson – the undisputed best golfer of his “When Tom retired, there was about 1700 accidentally, as the mythology surrounding time who would die undefeated – the members around Britain. He lives through the whole the man states, invented the practice of of Prestwick issued an open challenge to find progression of the game and by the 1890s had topdressing. Joy explains: “Old Tom built the new world’s best golfer, and in 1860 The designed about 90 courses himself. He used his career around the cry of ‘mair sand’, but Open Championship was born. to walk along the beach and pick up the old he’d actually discovered its impact on turf by seagull feathers and use them as markers for accident. He was bringing a barrel of sand THE OLD COURSE where he thought should be a green or a tee. from the beach over to fix the Cardinal Bunker, AS WE KNOW IT He’d then say ‘it’s up to you gentlemen, but when he spilt some by the 10th green.” With In 1863 Tom Morris returned to St Andrews. this could possibly be the finest course ever it impossible to pick up the sand, Tom spread He was given a salary of £50 per year, conceived’.” it out and six weeks later noticed the grass in but that also constituted the entire budget Allan Robertson is known as the first ever that area growing with increased vigour. When for maintaining the links. In The Soul of St golf professional and had taken Tom under his other areas of turf struggled he repeated the Andrews: The Life of Old Tom Morris, author wing as an apprentice in his golf ball making ‘accident’ and found that the results were William Tulloch recounts: “His duties were business when Tom was just 14. The two replicated. explained to him: to keep the putting‑greens in formed a successful business and unbeaten Despite achieving everlasting fame as good order, to repair when necessary, and to playing partnership until falling out over the a son of St Andrews, during the 1850s he make the holes. For heavy work, carting, etc., advent of the new gutta ball, which was was actually known as ‘Prestwick Tom’ on he was allowed assistance at the rate of one cheaper and more durable than Allan’s feather account of his representing the club in many man’s labour for two days of the week, and creations. matches, particularly against Willie Park Jr. it was understood that he was to work under In 1851 Tom moved his wife and infant of Musselburgh, winner of the first Open the Green Committee. Emblems of office were 32 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 REPRODUCED BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST ANDREWS then handed over to him, to wit, a barrow, a narrow, the bunkers were yawning traps for spade and a shovel.” topped balls, the whins were deadly snares Tom’s return to St Andrews marked the for screwed or heeled gutties; now, one can beginning of the Old Course as we know it slip along the side [of bunkers] without risking today. One of the first projects he completed anything… The putting‑greens, too, are quite was the construction of an access road to the changed. Then, there was a variety of surface sea for the lifeboat, known today as Granny which brought out the greater skill; now, all are Clark’s Wynd, while in 1865 the Swilcan Burn nicely turfed over and artificially dressed like was banked and controlled, although the billiard‑tables.” famous bridge had been present since at least But Tom didn’t have it all his own way, the 1700s. whether due to the environment of the West Tom also oversaw radical improvements Sands or the input of greens committees, who in the maintenance of the course. Originally, made their voice heard then as much as they players had putted and then were required to do today. In 1891 Tom was instructed that play their next tee shot from within a club’s his greenkeepers should dig up the bunkers length of the hole. Tom built separate teeing properly and see that no grass is allowed to areas, allowing the improvement of greens grow in them. That year he was also told to roll surfaces. Originally the course had been the greens more frequently than twice a year, cropped short by cattle, but Tom encouraged as had been standard. the use of sheep as they were lighter Despite his reputation as the grandfather of underfoot. Greens were mown using hand greenkeeping and his standing as a four‑time scythes, “like a barber shaving a chin” explains One of the first projects Tom completed on the Old Open champion, Tom wasn’t free from the Course was the construction of Granny Clark’s Wynd Joy, but having seen the use of horse‑drawn interference of layman committees. Mr H. W. lawn mowers in cricket and tennis, Tom impenetrable bushes that enabled weaker Hope of the Luffness Club is quoted as saying introduced them to his golf course. This caught players a different approach to the green that in 1895: “Old Tom Morris has often told me on and suddenly quicker and more efficient didn’t require hitting over bunkers, while he of the immense difficulty he has always had, mowing practices made parkland golf on more also widened fairways. and still has, at St Andrews, to get the greens fertile soil possible. J Gordon McPherson, in Golf and Golfers committee to consent to the necessary work Tom catered to the poorer golfer, (1891), compared the Old Course of 1890 to and regulations for keeping the course in removing a large number of ‘whins’, the thorny what it was like in the 1860s: “The course was order. I refer especially to the seeding, and the AT LAST. A NEMATICIDE SAFE TO USE ALMOST ANY TIME & ALMOST ANYWHERE. Microscopic view of a nematode taken from an infected root system. ® Introducing eco-nemguard organic nematicide for vegetables. 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Despite personal tragedy, he acted selflessly in refusing to charge more than a nominal fee for his course design work and took great pains to ensure the game remained accessible to all. He also implemented countless techniques that greenkeepers continue to utilise today. Speaking in character as Old Tom Morris at the conclusion of his documentary film Keeper of the Greens, David Joy recalls Tom’s attitude to the game, with a spirit that endures to this day: “Folk are far more interested in their own game these days, instead of appreciating Tom helped move golf from an aristocratic pursuit to one accessible to all the comradeship, the courses and what’s all around them. It may look as if my early days shifting of the play from one part of the ground Tom is quoted as saying he wasn’t particularly were a wee bit subservient but no, there was a to another… No green has… good chance of fond. The High Hole is the Old Course’s 11th mutual respect, a common ground, a sharing being kept in good order… unless they have a and despite being a par three, it’s among the of this great game which has been my life.” man like Tom Morris to organise, superintend trickiest in golf. In Tom’s day that wasn’t helped and direct the work and who is ready to insist by the shifting sands of the Eden Estuary. Tom ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on the necessary work being carried out, is quoted as saying: “[High Hole has] given This feature was made possible due to the however much the best of golfers may grumble me mair bother than a’ the rest o’ them put assistance of Andy Campbell of Campbell at what is being done.” together. The hole was a great deal nearer the Golf Associates and The R&A. Research With an unrivalled knowledge of the links Eden in oor young day than it is noo; an’ the was conducted with the assistance of and his role as designer of the New Course neighbourhood o’ the hole was aye changin’ Peter Crabtree’s Tom Morris of St Andrews: in 1895, Tom was able to appease the greens an’ the hole itsel’ sometimes filled up after a The Colossus of Golf 1821-1908 and The committee who were left in no doubt that his heavy storm at sea.” Golf Courses of Old Tom Morris by Robert actions had directly led to the town thriving as The green would shift and change and Kroeger. This article, and the two that follow, a golfing destination, whether visitors played so Tom constructed a bank and planted turf were printed in the June 2021 edition of or simply watched Tom play alongside Allan behind the green to hold it in place and reduce Greenkeeper International (GI) magazine, Robertson or his ill‑fated son Tommy, himself drifting. In a world first, that would serve as a the official publication of the British and a four‑time Open champion but who would die daily reminder to every golfer about the legacy International Golf Greenkeepers Association in tragic circumstances on Christmas Day in of Tom Morris, he utilised a treacle tin on the (BIGGA). Australian Turfgrass Management 1875. High Hole as the original metal hole cup. Tom Journal wishes to thank BIGGA and GI editor Yet even Tom’s love for the links wasn’t again: “I fell on that plan after a gude deal o’ Karl Hansell for allowing these articles to be universal, and there’s actually a hole of which study, an’ it suited to a tee. Then, when ither republished. holes got raggit round the edges I had them dune up I’ the same way, an’ that was the beginnin’ o’ the modern style o’ the hole tin.” HUMBLE GIANT Although the death of his son hit Tom hard, he was a robust character, as evidenced by the fact he bathed each morning in the sea (three strokes out, four back). He kept himself hugely fit by walking the links each day and kept a window open in his house all through winter to ensure good air circulation. In recognition of his service, he was made an honorary member of The R&A, but would rarely enter the clubhouse. “He was accessible to everybody,” explains Joy. “But when golf magazines and books started to be published from the 1890s onwards, he became a sporting legend in his time, the first one really, and was known as the grand old man of golf. But he knew his place and had Tom was not enamoured with every hole of the Old The final resting place of Old and Young Tom Morris in Course an old‑fashioned respect for the gentlemen.” St Andrews 34 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 TURF BRUSH GROOMING c ountr yclub.c om.au 1300 138 804 OLD TOM MORRIS Following in Old Tom’s footsteps Sandy Reid is director of greenkeeping at St Andrews. He was previously links superintendent across the Tay at Carnoustie in a unique Scottish double. O ld Tom became director of ATM: One of the things Old Tom Morris SR: I wanted to be a gamekeeper but I’d greenkeeping through iron will, did was be a public figure in and around worked at Pitlochry as a schoolkid from an incredible dedication to golf the town of St Andrews – are you? You’re 14 during the holidays and I just enjoyed and an innovative spirit that not just a greenkeeper responsible for the the outdoors. How I got to where I’ve got saw him shape the game as club, you’re director of greenkeeping for is perhaps by working hard and a love of we know it today. the region’s biggest asset. Are you a very the game of golf. Those are the two things We wanted to find out what it takes to get public figure in St Andrews? I would put it down to. I’ve not got loads of to the highest position in golf today. qualifications and Level 4 is as high as I got SR: I’m probably more well‑known than I may qualification‑wise. I can’t speak for those who ATM: How are you settling into your role? think I am. I view my role as responsible for interviewed me for this position, but I came Sandy Reid: I’ve been here 2.5 years and the courses and the guys that run them. I’m a with experience of looking after another large this is very similar to Carnoustie. It’s the one custodian looking after it for a short period in venue that’s very similar. role you could compare to St Andrews in the grand scheme of things and just hope to Not that I was resting on my laurels but I that you’ve multiple courses with a similar leave it slightly better than I found it, and it was thought, when I got the Carnoustie job eight or demographic of customers, with thousands of pretty good when I found it! This place is way nine years ago, as a 35‑year‑old, that it may be members, who get the golf relatively cheap, bigger than any individual. my last job. This was the only place that would and visitors that pay a lot of money and for Golfers quite enjoy those interactions with turn my head, but I hadn’t thought about it. a once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip. The governance their greenkeepers. It doesn’t have to come structure is also very similar. from the top and in my experience, golfers ATM: What was the application process for I’m not involved in the day‑to‑day running enjoy speaking with the greenstaff and having the St Andrews director of greenkeeping of the courses per‑se. I’ll speak to the course a bit of banter and a laugh. I would suggest role? managers individually fairly regularly and we that greenkeepers shouldn’t be afraid to say currently catch up on Microsoft Teams once a ‘hello, how are you doing?’ Anything that SR: You had to submit your application by fortnight as we’re all spread over different sites. creates less of a ‘them and us’ situation so post, you weren’t allowed to do so by email. Before COVID we would gather in the Jubilee they view you less as a grass cutter is positive. When the job came up at the end of June sheds along with the workshop manager I’ll speak to people, ask them how their day’s 2018 I was busy preparing for The Open at and irrigation engineer and I see my role as going, where they come from, that sort of thing Carnoustie, so there was a million other things supporting them. When I was at Carnoustie is going to help you build a rapport, so don’t going on in my mind. The closing date was I worked under John Philp, a legendary be afraid of that. the Friday after The Open finished and I still greenkeeper, but I didn’t necessarily want him hadn’t made up my mind whether I wanted to telling me what to do when I was head of the ATM: Have you achieved your career apply for the job. I drove over to St Andrews Championship course. I let the guys running ambitions? at 8 o’clock Thursday night and handed in my the courses have the ability to do so and they application to the reception desk in the Eden have the accountability to manage their course SR: In greenkeeping I guess it doesn’t get any clubhouse. It was a single‑sided covering letter and staff accordingly. bigger than here, but for me it is just about with my two‑page CV included with it. It was One of my jobs is to make sure no one personal satisfaction and hoping I can play my supposed to have been posted to the chief is doing something completely different, part to improve St Andrews. It comes with the executive, Euan Loudon, so I wasn’t sure who especially when it comes to man management. territory that you’re slightly higher profile within to give it to. I’d been unsure because I didn’t I see myself as a diplomat at times with greenkeeping circles and people may look up want to apply for it if I didn’t want the job and the rest of the organisation. One of the main to you, but I’m just a greenkeeper. I became a I loved Carnoustie, my job, the courses and differences between here and Carnoustie is greenkeeper when I was 16 and I’ve worked everything we had as a family there. I always the size of the organisation here and there’s my way up. I’m no better than anyone else and felt that if I was fortunate enough to get the job way more that goes on away from the courses there’s way better greenkeepers than me out we would be moving house. Carnoustie’s only KARL HANSELL, BIGGA that I’m involved with. For example, I look after there. 45 minutes away, but I’ve always been one to health and safety for the whole organisation, live close to work. not just greenkeeping, and so I have to have ATM: If that’s the case, what was it about my eyes and ears open elsewhere. you that made you rise to this level? ATM: You said you don’t have loads of 36 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 JULY-AUGUST 2021 37 OLD TOM MORRIS Modern technological advances do have and will continue to have a place at St Andrews – even down to the seemingly unlikely sight of drones and robot mowers someday qualifications, so what’s the most important greens convener at Carnoustie when I was everything becomes more electric or robotic, thing that’s on your CV? head greenkeeper of the Championship. But we want to be a part of that story, but always over time, especially when I became links with an eye on the heritage and history of the SR: Proven experience of looking after a superintendent, I would have viewed him as an game of golf and St Andrews. similar venue and the tournaments we hosted. ally rather than an enemy. As you mature you Just before I left, I counted it up and the final understand that there are relationships you ATM: Could we one day see a robot mower Dunhill Links was my 31st professional or elite need to have, there are battles worth having doing the Old Course’s 18th green? amateur golf tournament in 21 years there. and sometimes there are others worth letting I’ve been fortunate in my career that I go. You know the important fights and where SR: Absolutely, yes. didn’t have to move courses and I could move you can have compromises with others. up the ladder. Positions became available ATM: Is that a worrying thing for the and what I always said to myself was make ATM: What is Tom Morris’ legacy for you, industry? it straightforward for those who are making the greenkeeping team and the course? the decisions. I remember when I was 22, the SR: I can see why people would be fearful of foreman’s job came up on the Buddon Course SR: He was an innovator and he made a lot that and when it comes to having an eye on and I didn’t get that position and was gutted. of changes, whether it be physically to the the past, golfers would love to come along I was disappointed because I thought I was course, building or rerouting the layout of and see people cutting the 18th green, I get the man. I worked hard and it reinforced my the Old, the old story of finding out about that, but time moves on. I would expect to view that I just had to make sure I was the right topdressing by spilling a barrow of sand be using robotic equipment here in the next man next time. I didn’t do anything extra, I just and using treacle tins as the first metal hole 10 years, probably sooner if you’re talking understood that these opportunities would cups. He didn’t invent the lawn mower, but he semi‑robotic. I wouldn’t see it necessarily as come up again and, whether it was John introduced it to St Andrews during his time as a threat to jobs as there are other things we Philp’s choice or the committee’s choice, I like keeper of the green, so he was always looking can do, albeit availability of labour is an issue to think I made it very easy for them to decide. at new ways to present the course. I would say in the greenkeeping industry. We utilise a lot he understood the game, he was one of the of seasonal fixed‑term contract staff and that’s ATM: Have you been so diplomatic your best players of his time and understood the becoming more difficult to get, so technology entire life? golfer experience. He was an innovator and I may replace seasonal rather than permanent want to make sure we continue innovating to staff. SR: No, and I had a difficult time with a help the greenkeeping industry progress. As ATM: For the younger, PlayStation generation, is technology the way we attract people to the profession? SR: Those sorts of things can attract people, but I don’t know whether it will necessarily make them good greenkeepers because you will always need your eyes and feet on the turf. Golfers won’t be playing virtually, they will still come to play the golf course, so their eyes and feet are on the golf course and therefore a greenkeeper will always need that. As we embrace technology, drones may help you identify turf health issues or other bits and pieces, but in my opinion, they won’t be able Some things don’t change with the passage of time, including water use and managing foot traffic 38 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 to dictate everything you do out there. We as managers of the turf have to appreciate what the golfer experiences. ATM: Do you see it as a responsibility of your role to speak up for greenkeeping? SR: With my position comes a responsibility to do the right thing for golf and greenkeeping. I want to ensure we do the right thing. My way is not shouting from the rooftops as I don’t think it’s my responsibility to seek that attention, but if I’m asked then I’ll give my opinion or some advice. There are better greenkeepers than me and I love nothing more than going to another course for a game or a chat in the sheds with the greenkeeper and seeing things they do differently that we can improve upon. It’s not like we do everything better here than anywhere else. I love going to the sheds and seeing things like how someone hangs up the flagpoles and thinking ‘why don’t we do that?’ Sandy Reid remains mindful of the way Old Tom Morris looked after the cherished links ATM: What do you think would go through traffic. The game was played differently back to ask him how he managed them. I’d like to Tom’s mind if he could see the links now? then. The course was there before him and he think he would have appreciated what irrigation What questions would you ask him – what altered it, but I’d ask how he adjusted things, gives you from a turf health perspective, height of cut are those sheep getting you, such as lines for play. given the demands. We use water sparingly perhaps? I’d like to think that he’d have appreciated but irrigation was a big part of allowing links our mowing and irrigation technology. At that greenkeepers to maintain courses as the SR: I’d be asking him about routing and foot point he only had native grasses and I’d love volume of golf increased. JULY-AUGUST 2021 39 OLD TOM MORRIS “In a way we’ve come full circle, back to Old Tom’s methods,” says Gordon McKie, the current head greenkeeper of the Old Course KARL HANSELL, BIGGA St Andrews’ modern custodians day G ordon McKie is course Gordon McKie: The first thing I’d probably ask person. The links have been here for 600 years manager on the Old Course, him is what do you think of the place? and will hopefully be here another 600 years, while Graeme Taylor looks His advice to us would probably be to just depending on what the sea wants to do. after the New and the Jubilee. keep putting the sand on. He developed the The 11th green [High Hole, which caused They’re directly responsible for philosophy of topdressing and the benefits of Tom so many problems] sloped from front to managing the courses that Tom cared for. promoting the finer grasses. back in the most exposed area of the site. The I’m only the ninth head greenkeeper since wind blows the back side of the green and ATM: Old Tom Morris, the founder of Old Tom so we’re looking after history and if it’s 40 miles an hour on a smooth green, modern greenkeeping, is sat in this room, we’re only here to nurture it and try to improve there’s nothing to hold on to the ball, so we’ve what do you ask him? it a wee bit before passing it on to the next redone that to see if we can help ourselves 40 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 out, but to date we’ve struggled. We’ve got to the point where the 11th pin may be on the 7th green and we’d push the 7th pin as far to the side as we could. There’s no separation between the greens so there’s nothing to say you couldn’t. Things have got too good and we’re losing the fun element. It’s not about having fast greens, so long as they’re all the same. If the greens are running at 6ft then that’s up to you as a golfer to use your skill to adapt to that. ATM: Old Tom was certainly a figurehead in the industry. Do you see yourself as fulfilling that same role for today’s greenkeepers? Graeme Taylor: Do we want to drive sustainability? Yes. Do we want to be seen as using fewer inputs? I would certainly want people to know about that. Gordon McKie and Graeme Taylor look to the past in maintaining the St Andrews courses for the future GM: I changed the fleet of machines last year to include two fully electric machines. We also power our machines. I realise that I’m just a to allow us to do that and it’s a completely went to another six hybrid petrol machines and custodian, trying to continue on the way Old different ball game now. moved away from diesel. The technology that’s Tom’s done it. Some of the philosophies that coming on to the market, we want that. he’s done, we continue to do, such as sanding ATM: Tom also took a daily dip in the North We took two electric machines as a trial and producing finer grasses. Yes, the whole Sea on a morning. If you’re filling his shoes, and they’re working well. We’re working with scope has changed and it’s nothing like what is that part of the role? Toro to see how much energy we are using he would have had to deal with, but part of the GM: You’ll be asking us next if we drink a glass and they are working with another company role is maintaining the course in much the way of milk every day like Tom did! At the back of to look at the potential for solar energy to as he did; we just have different technologies the 4th green there’s a bunker called Ginger JULY-AUGUST 2021 41 OLD TOM MORRIS Sustainable operations are an ongoing focus in the course maintenance of St Andrews Beer and that’s where old Daw Anderson Instead of having 25 people cutting greens, but I don’t know how bad our situation is. would have his drinks cart, where you could eight people will be able to do them. We do tolerate a certain level of damage get milk and ginger beer. So that’s another People watch an Open and they see before we act, the same with disease. We let thing St Andrews invented, halfway houses. these things and it makes an impact. I’ve it run a little bit, reach a threshold and then experienced going to a US Open and there’s we’ll consider doing something. Don’t make ATM: Tom was always innovative and is 100 staff preparing the course each day and the mistake of thinking they’re perfect out reportedly the first to use walk‑behind it looks absolutely fantastic, but most people there. Leatherjackets haven’t been a major mowers on a golf course. Do you continue are never going to be able to achieve that problem yet but clubs down south are getting that ethos and what’s the next evolution, is standard, so how sustainable is it? decimated, so it’s heart‑breaking what they’re it the use of robotic mowers at St Andrews? In a way we’ve come full circle, back to going through. GM: That will happen in our lifetime. After the Old Tom’s methods. We’ve built up and built year we’ve had, because we had to reduce up and I think we’re going to get to a stage GM: We have to be sustainable in all we do. our staffing numbers down to four, including where we’re going to drop back down, where In the past we’ve had to spray chemicals, myself, for most of last year, it changes your staff numbers may drop and begin to even out. but there’s a way to do it. It’s very rare we’ll outlook on how you do things. It takes you We definitely need to get more sustainable in spray and last year I took advantage of it back to how Tom would have done things and our operations and not get hung up with how being a pandemic and sprayed one green the standards he was achieving. we’ve done things in the past. twice because we had issues with pearlwort Over the years the standards on golf Triple mowing our greens could be a in the grass. The only way to get rid of it is courses have become very excessive in terms big message because clubs may ask, if St to chemically treat it. It’s all impacted by the of presentation. Last year that was taken away Andrews are going to mow their greens for pressure on presentation and heights of cut. In and we had to say ‘we can’t do this’. I’m now a Major tournament using only triples, why Old Tom’s day your height of cut was nowhere thinking, well we’ve not done it for a year, are we spending money on pedestrians near as he had sheep chewing away at it. do we now have to do that particular task as or needing to find resources to put a body Are we now cutting too low and that’s putting frequently as we used to? behind it? pressure on the grass, which is getting weaker We’ve had this debate at Open and causing the weed to come through? You Championship level among the managers at ATM: With an increased drive towards go a foot into the semi rough and you barely the various venues. You’re going out every day sustainability, are you seeing increased pest get any weed problems because the grass is and you’re mowing fairways, but what are we damage? longer and stronger. mowing? You’re mowing nothing, so is there a GT: We do have worm casts in some areas The pressures we put the grass under need to do it and is it sustainable? and the Home end of the Old used to be pretty because of the expectation levels create One of the things we’re looking at ahead of bad so we’ve been sanding a lot on there. another problem that you have to effectively next year is no pedestrian mowing and instead Leatherjackets are becoming more of a manage. we’ll use triples to become more sustainable. problem and I saw my first couple this week, I’ve seen the greens in the 1960s, when 42 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 the height of cut was so high and the greens stimp it? That’s a problem for so many of the quickly. I’ve only one double green on each were so slow; they were using cylinder mowers greens out there, that there are not enough of the New and the Jubilee and you have to and I imagine they never had any of the issues spots where you can actually measure speed. make sure you get them cut early because if we have now. We’re able to set our own heights of cut and we try in the afternoon when there’s two sets it will be between 4mm and 6mm depending of golf coming into the green, there’s no break ATM: When your greens are as undulating on the time of year. Our target speeds are and you can’t get work finished. as they are, how do you ensure the grass is between 8.5 and 9.5ft. mown uniformly? GM: There aren’t many positives. One of the GM: The floating heads achieve that today. We GM: We’re always questioning why we’re biggest headaches is the size and how you look after the Himalayas [St Andrews Ladies’ doing things. I know there’s a question of manage them. It takes a lot of resources to Putting Club] and even going back a couple standard, presentation and visual image, but treat them, for example I’ve got 2.5 hectares of of models ago, the 3250 just wouldn’t flow and how sustainable is it? The last couple of days greens compared to Graeme’s 1 hectare. It’s it caused issues. This season we’re using our we’ve been discussing our own tournaments a huge budgetary drain. The greens are huge new machines and what a difference the new and whether we cut everything or go for a but there aren’t many pinnable areas, hence technology has made. But grass species and really relaxed set up? Do we only cut the why we’ve been around this morning looking height of cut also comes into that. There were greens, rake the bunkers and move the holes, to extend the size of the greens, to try and some guys visiting us from a putting green in instead of having the whole team in, cutting create more pin positions. the area and they said they were struggling to fairways? That’s all come out the back of the For The Open next year, our main keep grass on their green. I asked them what pandemic, having to change the way we do philosophy is going to be to make the rough height they were cutting at and they said 2mm. things. I don’t think we’d get away with that as thick as we can. We’ve spoken to [R&A That was why they had problems, there’s for an Open Championship, but perhaps on Chief Executive] Martin Slumbers and on the no way high spots can sustain that length of a lesser scale. We’ve reduced the number of first we’re considering where the grandstand cut. We cut the Himalayas at 6.5mm all the staff we have doing bits and pieces and we behind the green will be because he thinks way across and you couldn’t go much lower don’t full rake bunkers any more at weekends. somebody is going to go for it. DeChambeau because that would stress out the tops. Having is probably going to stand on the first and the correct species of grass – the fescues and ATM: St Andrews’ double greens are a think, ‘let’s have a go’. So how do we toughen bents – helps you with that as well. feature instituted by Old Tom. What are the that hole up? positives and negatives of these unusual But then again, you can flip things and GT: We have so many undulations that if you features? people want to see an exciting game. The tried to put the green at 10ft, how would you GT: You have to do whatever you need to game’s at a point where it has a very ageing JULY-AUGUST 2021 43 OLD TOM MORRIS Adapting to a changing game is one of the challenges for all greenkeepers, at the Home of Golf and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the greens on the Old Course are flourishing ahead of the 150th Open next July demographic, so how do you make it exciting your least favourite hole and why? have been quite special with all the links rolling to get kids into it? You want to see birdies and GM: For me that’s a very difficult question into each other. At the moment each course is eagles, which make it exciting. You don’t want because I look after Old Tom’s jewel and it’s defined by the maintenance road and to see to see someone winning with 18 pars, that’s the home of golf, where everyone around the it as just one big golfing land would be quite boring. world wants to come and play. special. ATM: Old Tom said the High Hole (11th on GT: I would love to have seen the links with no GM: But you’d have no vehicles then. the Old) was his least favourite – which is maintenance roads through them as it would GT: Yeah, you’d have to walk everywhere and be fit! GM: One of the unique challenges we have is managing the grass and over the years we’ve had to change our philosophy. That’s probably one of the things, when Old Tom’s looking down, wondering how you do things now, thinking ‘I wouldnay be doing that’, but the games changed, the number of players, the wear patterns, the machinery used, technology has changed in terms of grass species and we’ve potentially come away from using finer grasses close to greens and are using more ryegrasses just so we can keep grass cover. A lot of things have changed. Over the last year if you asked me what the biggest thing I’ve noticed is, it’s that our greens have got better agronomically. Out there we’ve got some of the best grasses I’ve seen on links greens and they’ve just flourished in the last 18 months because we don’t have the same foot traffic. 44 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 NEW POSTERITY® Fungicide holds strong for many moons Ideally suited for sporting fields, golf course fairways and fine turf Spring Dead Spot Microdochium Patch Dollar Spot For more information ask your Syngenta Agent or go to syngentaturf.com.au Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1, 2-4 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ABN 33 002 933 717. ®Registered trademark of ® Syngenta Group Company. ™Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks FLAME_6361 6/21 of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2021 Syngenta. AD 21-263. JOHN NEYL AN Individual Poa annua plants were collected from seven fairways on two golf courses. The individual plants were grown in pots and then several characteristics were measured to better understand the variability in the plant population Seed bank of knowledge ATM columnist John Neylan looks at a number of ongoing trials which add to the industry’s knowledge base surrounding Poa annua and its ubiquitous nature. I n Victoria during 2020, there was a lot population as the herbicide-susceptible plants in pots and then several characteristics were of time to fill in during the periods of are killed off. measured to better understand the variability in lock down brought about by COVID-19. The project involved collecting plants the plant population. Getting out and about was limited and it from several golf course fairways where there In addition to the collection of plants provided me with yet another opportunity had been herbicide tolerance or confirmed from the golf courses, annual plants were to explore and test some theories that I had herbicide resistance. The plants were selected from a home lawn to determine regarding my favourite weed – Poa annua. collected, established in pots and then various what variation may exist in a population that The area of interest that I had was whether plant characteristics measured. has had little or no herbicide pressure. This the Poa annua types that had exhibited provided a basic morphological map of the herbicide tolerance/resistance in specific TRIAL METHOD Poa annua population where the observable locations were similar in there morphological Plant morphology: Individual Poa annua characteristics, such as plant height, plant characteristics. This is based on Poa annua plants were collected from seven fairways diameter, tiller number and flower numbers exhibiting a high level of self-fertility and a rapid on two golf courses. The number of plants were measured. The plants were not cut down life-cycle that ensures a single plant is enough collected was limited to 30 or less depending at any stage and were allowed to grow to their to build up a large population of potentially on the number of surviving plants. The plants full size. herbicide-tolerant plants within a year or two. were collected as a 50mm diameter plug Seed bank: In addition to growing the plants Based on this theory it could be expected that and then the plant carefully dissected from collected, the thatch layer they were growing there will be less diversity in the Poa annua the plug. The individual plants were grown in was broken up and then planted in pots 46 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 to determine the underlying seed bank. As seeds appears to be mainly related to natural a second phase of the project, the plants variation and in-built survival mechanism. that were established from the seeds were TAKE HOME MESSAGE 1: The seed bank is also grown on as individual plants and the large and careful attention to the application of morphological characteristics also described. pre-emergent herbicides is essential. This was to gauge how close to type the TAKE HOME MESSAGE 2: With the variation progeny were to the parents and what variation in the pattern of germination, it is essential may exist. that there is sufficient pre-emergent herbicide Herbicide trial: The final trial was to take the available across the entire period of likely seedling plants that were grown to maturity These trials looked at whether Poa annua types germination. and then a herbicide was applied to determine that had exhibited herbicide tolerance/resistance in QUESTION: On a golf course with a diligent what level of tolerance there was across the specific locations were similar in there morphological pre-emergent herbicide programme, would we characteristics populations. The plants used in the herbicide expect the seed bank to gradually reduce? trial were regularly trimmed to maintain a l The pattern of germination varied between compact plant. each location. At three locations (S6, S9 POA ANNUA COLLECTION AND Other observations: During the trials other and S11) the majority of the seedlings MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION IN observations were made such as rooting from appeared around 15 days after planting. COLLECTED PLANTS the node and the rapid germination of new At locations S10 and S14 there was small At each of the seven sites there was variation seeds. amount of early germination with the peak in the plant characteristics including plant at about 33-42 days after planting. At S5 height, tiller number, plant diameter and POA ANNUA SEED BANK it was more of a staggered germination flower number with an example of the AND GERMINATION across 33 days. data provided in Figures 2, 3 and 4. It was Once the individual plants were removed Wu et.al. (1987) noted the same postulated that the plant population would from the plug, the thatch layer was dissected germination patterns in different Poa annua have less variation due to the selection and spread onto a prepared seedling tray to populations when germinated at 25oC. The lag pressures from regular herbicide applications. observe the rate of germination and seedling in the germination of seeds or inbuilt dormancy However, the population distribution is similar numbers (Figure 1). There were several reflected the source of the seed. That is, the to that noted by Neylan and Peart (2009) interesting observations between the different seed from roughs where there was limited where there is a concentration of plants with locations on the same golf course: water had a greater percentage of dormant similar characteristics but a small proportion l Seedling numbers varied between each seeds. In this current research, all locations representing the extremes. location and ranged from 833 – 5000 received the same level of water and nutrition This variation in the population seedlings per square metre. and the possible variation in the germination of demonstrates that while there are significant JULY-AUGUST 2021 47 JOHN NEYL AN TABLE 1: AVERAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF COLLECTED POA PLANTS Location Height (cm) Diameter (cm) Flowers (No.) S5 14.3 23.3 8.2 S6 11.5 23.3 7.5 Annual 11.5 24.0 12.0 S11 10.7 17.7 9.5 S9 10.7 16.5 3.5 S10 6.0 10.7 2.8 S14 6.8 13.8 5.3 LSD (P>0.05) 1.5 2.6 3.2 During the trials other observations were made such as rooting from the node and the rapid germination of selection pressures by herbicide applications plant diameter and plant height. new seeds there continues to be enough variation in the l There wasn’t any apparent similarity plant population to aid in the survival of this between the two populations with the to the five populations of plants collected persistent weed. This variability provides a plants collected from the fairway having from golf course fairways and the results survival mechanism for the plant population a narrower spread in the population were similar in that there was variation in where there may be a change in the growing characteristics. the susceptibility to the herbicide. Some of conditions such as climate or the use of a new The difference between the two the data for one Poa annua population is herbicide. populations may well be related to the detailed in Figures 7 and 8 and the following Across the plants collected from the same number of plants collected (i.e. too few observations were made: golf course but different fairways there were plants). However, given that the seedlings l There is some variation in the susceptibility significant differences in plant height, plant were from immediately below the individual to propyzamide. diameter and the number of flowers produced plants the expectation would be that there l None of the plants were killed completely (Table 1). The annual plants produced the would be some similarity. There is still a lot to with a single application. highest number of flower heads (except for the understand. l The single application of herbicide affected plants from S11) and were typically in the taller TAKE HOME MESSAGE 4: With the potentially 100 per cent of the population to some group of plants and those with the greatest broader range of plants from the progeny degree. diameter. of established plants, there is increased l The single application caused moderate TAKE HOME MESSAGE 3: There will always opportunity for survival of the Poa annua damage to 50 per cent of the population be variation in the Poa annua population and population. with the second application resulting in 17 the potential for ‘survivors’. Wherever there are QUESTION: With the seedling population, is per cent of the population suffering severe surviving Poa annua plants following herbicide there a certain proportion of natural seedling damage or death. applications, manually remove them. death that results in a narrower population l Interestingly, after the second application variation? there was 13 per cent of the population POA ANNUA COLLECTION AND Question: Are some of these seedlings killed exhibiting complete recovery and no MORPHOLOGY VARIATION IN with a herbicide application that narrows the observable damage. SEEDLINGS mature population? l A population of annual plants was The seedlings that were grown from the collected from a couch lawn that had seed bank were established into separate HERBICIDE TOLERANCE no history of herbicide applications and pots and grown on to maturity and then the A collection of plants from the same population included as a control population. There characteristics determined as above. The were treated with propyzamide at 1.2L/ was a 100 per cent kill on the annual purpose was to measure the variation in the ha (a.i. 500g/L propyzamide) to determine plants. population and to determine the relationship what variation there may be in herbicide TAKE HOME MESSAGE 5: There was some with the parent population. Figures 5 and 6 susceptibility. There were two applications of observable variation in the reaction to the provide an example of the data and there are herbicide on 19/9/20 and 18/10/20 with 12mm herbicide applications. two observations; of irrigation applied after application and 24 TAKE HOME MESSAGE 6: These results l The seedling population still represented hours after application. The weather was warm highlight the importance of follow up herbicide a broad spread of plants with variation and mild across the 48 days of the trial. applications if reasonable control is to be in tiller number, number of flower heads, The herbicide treatments were applied obtained. 48 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 OTHER OBSERVATIONS the turf sward, particularly if there is adequate l The seed bank is large and the use and Over the past 12 to 18 months of observing soil moisture. Having an adequate pre- timing of pre-emergent herbicides is critical Poa annua and growing them, there are always emergent programme is critical. in the control of new plants developing. some interesting observations to be made. l In well-watered fairways and during mild Two occurrences are worth noting: CONCLUSIONS weather, year-round germination can be l With some of the plants, there were These ongoing trials continue to add to our expected. Pre-emergents are critical. individual tillers that began to initiate roots knowledge base and again highlight the Because of the variation in the Poa annua at the node. It only occurred in about 10 peculiarities of individual sites. So, what have population there is the potential for survival per cent of the populations studied and I learnt? through several mechanisms. It is therefore only on 1-2 of the tillers on a multi-tillered l There is variation in the Poa annua important that every turf manager that is (>10) plant. population within fairways and between undertaking a Poa annua control programme l Many of the flower heads that matured fairways on an individual golf course. thoroughly reviews the successes and failures (and presumably produced seed) l While there may be a concentration of and the survivors are removed. collapsed and fell to the soil surface. plants with similar characteristics there will Once this occurred germination and be some variation to ensure plant survival. REFERENCES new seedlings emerged within about 14 l The differences in plant characteristics may Neylan J. and Peart, A. 2009. A Life-cycle days. The key seemed to be bare soil affect the efficacy of herbicide applications. approach to the control of Poa annua in and sufficiently exposed to light to initiate For example, multi-tillered plants may bentgrass putting greens. Horticulture Australia germination. This capacity to flower, set protect some tillers from herbicide Project Number: TU06003 seed and germinate was observed from applications and therefore reduce the Wu et.al. 1987. Genetic differentiation in May through to November. control of Poa annua. temperature-enforced seed dormancy among TAKE HOME MESSAGE 7: Once plants flower l Surviving plants need to be removed golf course populations of Poa annua L. New and set seed they can rapidly establish within manually. Phytol 107:623-631. Quali-Pro Negate ® DONE WITH YOUR OVERSOWN RYEGRASS AREAS? Safely remove ryegrass from couch sports turf in one shot, while also taking out other key grass weeds such as poa and various broadleaf weeds including clover and oxalis. Visit ADAMA.COM to learn more Follow us ®Registered trademarks of an ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Company. JULY-AUGUST 2021 49 PETER McMAUGH AM The importance of adequate oxygen is something that hasn’t been explicitly discussed in the many years of turf research. It has been implicit when looking at the emphasis on renovation techniques, but it needs to be added to the NPK mantra as an essential element for plant growth The importance of PHOTO: PETRROUDNY/ADOBESTOCK.COM O2 Stress can come in many forms, writes ATM expert columnist Peter McMaugh AM, but the most common and most important stress in turf comes from a lack of oxygen in the soil. I have often described a golf green as a on the use of well composted sawdust as super large pot plant. That is essentially an alternative to peat. This was of particular how you have to think about it if you want interest to me because research at UC Davis to have long-term success in managing it. in the USA was also interested in sawdust When I began my career in turf with mixtures in putting greens mixes. the Australian Turf Research Institute (ATRI), I The benefits of peat in potting mixes for was located at the Ryde School of Horticulture long-term use were because it is the major in Sydney and I shared the staffroom facilities component providing the long-term air porosity with all the members of the school staff, in potting mixes. It is the special structure of including the many part-time staff recruited as the sphagnum moss, with its balloon like cells, specialist teachers. They were a diverse and which has always made sphagnum peat the interesting group. number one component of high grade potting One very interesting topic of conversation mixes. Other peats may offer more cation was potting mixes. At that time there were exchange sites but they are inferior in the air/ big changes occurring around the world in water balance of growing medium mixes. the type of potting mixes used for growing Like all natural resources, peats of this quality container plants and quite large ones at are limited in the environment and the role that. Work in California was concentrating they play in many eco systems makes them 50 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Much of the turf information in their book The grass that suffered the most was ‘Growing Media for Ornamentals and Turf’ was zoysia. This was borne out in other floods derived from many conversations with me. that John Neylan has written very well about Neil later became Head of School at Ryde. in his article for this journal (ATM Volume 23.2 – March-April 2021). Here he has raised SELECTION KEY TO SUCCESS a very interesting difference between the more There are two major differences between detrimental effects of deeper flood water on horticultural pots and putting greens. The first grasses over the effects of shallower water. one is that the expectant life of a potting mix is John gives three levels – 100mm-150mm about two years, while greens are supposed to from the work of Jack Fry and the differences last 30. The second is the big one – pot plants between 300mm and 500mm. are not trafficked while greens are. This is the I have just one observation to make about defining difference to the way they are made the water itself and that is that the deeper the and the way they need to be managed. water, not only is there not going to be much So we have a very large pot where the light (even though most floods are not clear potting mix is not predominantly organic but water), but there will be notably less oxygen sand. It is the selection of this sand that is the at 500mm than at 300mm. At 100-150mm key to success. The overarching principle that there would still be some oxygen, so it is not is guiding the whole process is how much air very surprising that in Fry’s experiments there is in the mix and how much air there will be would be less damage. over time. When I have just said air, I should So much for the water matter, let’s look at have said oxygen. the grass itself. I think that the major reason Listening to the medical experts discussing that zoysia takes such a hit is that it has hollow the shortage of oxygen in India earlier this internodes. With no available carbohydrate environmentally valuable. This makes mining year and the effect it was having on the reserves and no active photosynthesis going of them for horticulture an environmentally treatment of Covid-19 infections, you are on, the grass will very quickly die. It is the dangerous exercise. reminded very vividly that every biological same for bentgrass on greens. Couch, Most of the sphagnum moss in the market organism is affected in some way by the especially the C.dactylons with robust place today is not peat. That is it hasn’t been presence or absence of oxygen. Covid-19 rhizomes, have by far the most carbohydrate composted. It is a specially grown crop and is a haemorrhagic pathogen that stops lung reserves. The hybrids, which notably lack harvested when mature before it senesces and function and damages the lungs so that strong rhizome development, have much less starts to compost. It is still a valuable source oxygen exchange into the blood is impeded. of a survival chance because they will run out of structural material for keeping a potting mix Without oxygen we die. It is that simple and it of energy very quickly. open but it doesn’t have the cation exchange is the same with plants. Without oxygen the The length of time that grass is under factor that the composted material has. roots die and as they decline in health the ERI water is also a major contributing factor to their Australia has no significant peat land that fungi storm in and finish them off. survival. Greens grasses, by the fact that they could produce anywhere near the market It has been very interesting looking at the are cut very short, have restricted reserves of demand and it is located mainly in delicate damage levels to various grasses after the carbohydrate which means their survival time ecological places from which it cannot now recent floods in NSW and Queensland. The under water is going to be in the low number be mined. Any imported peat moss is also very expensive. There has therefore been a huge effort put into finding suitable substitutes }Without oxygen we die. It is that simple and it is the same for moss peat. The major market player is ‘Cocopeat’ coming mainly from Malaysia and with plants. Without oxygen the roots die and as they decline in India. Various treatments of the fibre husks from a coconut make an acceptable but not health the ERI fungi storm in and finish them off.~-Peter McMaugh AM perfect alternative for moss peat. These changes in potting mixes were three grasses that I have had the most to do of days rather than weeks, which some happening just at the time I was at Ryde and with have been buffalo, couch and zoysia. couchgrasses can achieve. The longer grasses the Australian Institute of Horticulture held a With buffalo under a shallow and quick flood, are water logged the greater the damage they major seminar on potting mixes at the Manly the majority of varieties haven’t had a lot of are going to see from root infecting fungi (ERI). Pacific Hotel. One of the students at that time damage, but those that are susceptible to grey This again is highlighted in John Neylan’s was the once publicly popular TV host Don leaf spot, such as Palmetto, fared very badly. article. ERI fungi are not normally aggressive Burke AM. At that time the Australian potting With the couchgrasses, the hybrid crosses root pathogens but they will readily attack mixes had a high sand component and that of C.dactylon x C.transvaalensis suffered much grasses that are under stress. Stress comes in balance has now swung to a dominant organic more than the C.dactylons as a general rule. many forms, but the most common and most component. The longer they were under water the worse important stress in turf comes from lack of The potting mix guru of that time, and the affect, especially in the more thatchy ones. oxygen in the soil. is still, was a scientist with CSIRO Soils in TifTuf was much worse affected than Santa Adelaide by the name of Kevin Handreck. Ana. Among the C.dactylons the more dwarf GETTING THE RECIPE CORRECT He later teamed up with Neil Black, another varieties such as Grand Prix suffered the worst, For healthy grass you need to have healthy scientist who was on the staff at the Ryde while the vigorous varieties with huge rhizome soil. Here we are right back to the question of School. Neil came on staff just as I was leaving volume shrugged off the inundation as if it was how long can we keep our big pot growing Ryde for our new premises at Concord West. a sun shower. medium healthy? Over many years we have JULY-AUGUST 2021 51 PETER McMAUGH AM developed numerous renovation techniques to proper procedures of mixing and testing size, will quickly fail. You must have sharp try and make this happen. are not thoroughly adhered to, then you are irregular sands which once they bridge will not It is very interesting to listen to Dr Frank looking for trouble. move further. Sure the green will be very firm Rossi (Cornell University) talking with John Now we get to testing. There is one to start with, but that is where your skill comes Neylan earlier this year, when he questioned laboratory test of which I am highly suspicious in as a master of turf, to produce a softer shot John on the success of the technique and it is the moisture release curve. When accepting surface which you can maintain. developed by Claude Crockford at Royal a USGA accredited laboratory provides you There is one new factor which was Melbourne Golf Club (continued to this day) with a test result they simply say that it either not around when the USGA developed its of lifting the turf periodically and removing the conforms to the USGA guidelines or it doesn’t. recommendations and that is the super dwarf next thatch layer and renovating the growing They don’t make any other comments. bentgrasses. Their density of surface is equally medium. This is really the ultimate renovation My problem with the moisture release reflected in the density of roots. No matter how technique short of a total rebuild. Claude was curve is that when I use the guidelines good you make the air porosity volume, they only doing what the Scots have done forever. appropriate to interpreting and choosing the will quickly fill those large pores with roots if The real question that we have to ask depth of the growing medium, when I build it it you let them. ourselves is, how do we get it right the first is always lower in moisture retention than the If handled properly, without the excessive time so that we make the need to do a process predicted result, especially in the top 100mm. nutrient load that has been the hallmark of the like this at longer and less frequent intervals? I am not the only scientist to see this problem; North American turf scene for many years, It is very clear from historical experience Brendan Hannan at STRI sees the same they can be the new wonder grass. If you don’t that the USGA greens construction method, problem. keep them adequately lean they will bury you. by and large, has been very successful. But The transfer of soil physics tests to the field But they don’t and can’t live on nitrogen alone. ultimately its success comes down to two interpretation has been, in my experience, the They still need oxygen and in a balanced, things – the quality of the ingredients used weak point in the USGA system. In practical sustainable way. to build the profile and the success of the terms what this means is that there is a bias I began this article with statements about laboratory methods used to assess them. towards air porosity over water porosity. Is this the importance of air to water balance, but Now I have opened a can of worms, because a bad thing? it is really oxygen to water balance. The unless the recipe is put together properly, the I am a great fan of the need for good air supreme importance of adequate oxygen is cake will fail. porosity right from the start of any greens something that we haven’t explicitly discussed If there is a lack of quality control in the construction, but there is a hidden factor in the in the many years of turf research we have execution of the blending of the ingredients, long-term success of this. It is compaction. If seen. It has been implicit when looking at the then no matter how good the initial ingredients the mix is to stay open over a long time period emphasis on renovation techniques, but it may be the project can easily run off the rails then it needs to be compaction-resistant, needs to be added to the NPK mantra as an and end up failing to achieve the expected especially when wet. The magic of the mix lies essential element for plant growth. result. Uniformity, uniformity and more in the particle shape of the sand used in the I hope that in future articles we can uniformity is the key to achieving the perfect construction. If you use a rounded dune sand systematically take apart the oxygen cycle result. There are far too many traps that you which fits the USGA spec envelope, you are and how we can manipulate it to achieve our can fall into for me to discuss in detail in this guaranteeing a quick failure. Round sands, goals of providing healthy turf for a healthy article, but let me say very clearly that if the even with high uniformity indexes for particle community. 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The latest ELiTE Lithium-Ion battery and a hydraulic-free RUN BATTERY BLADES design makes the Eclipse 360 electric reel mower the greenest, TIME PACK PER REEL quietest and highest quality Jacobsen cut available for your golf course or fine sports turf. +22 GOLF GREENS +1.1 (HECTARES) 250 LITHIUM AH 7, 9, 11 OR 15 For information and support: www.jacobsen.com JOHN FORREST A life in full T Delving deep into the remarkable he 2020 winner of the prestigious WA between the Indian Ocean and the Peel Inlet. Golf Industry Recognition Award held The more Geoff told his story, the more it life and career of Geoff Osborne, in March 2021 was Geoff Osborne, was clear his achievements were many and his a very worthy recipient and a man skills in the turf industry and life unparalleled. recipient of the prestigious WA Golf known as a gentleman of the golf In his early days, Geoff did not enjoy school course industry. and a teacher suggested he go to James Industry Recognition Award. To sit and listen to his story was a Ruse Agricultural High School in north-western wonderful experience. He came to Western Sydney. It was a school that gave him passion, Australia to build the Sun City golf course at as he was interested in what was taught. He Yanchep. From there it was onto constructing confessed he enjoyed being at an all-boys Joondalup Country Club, then Araluen Country school, as he was shy and very self-conscious Club and his last course was The Cut at Port in front of girls. Bouvard, south of Mandurah, which is located His first job was working on a poultry farm, 54 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Left: Geoff Osborne with his restored Ferguson TEA tractor on his property at Denmark in southern WA before an opportunity at Pennant Hills Golf Club came up. His superintendent was Vince Church, a man Geoff says had an immense impact on his skills and approach to turf management and life. Jack Jones, the Pennant Hills mechanic and a close friend of Church, combined to teach Geoff greenkeeping, mechanical and engineering skills that he further developed throughout his career. Church insisted that Geoff attend a Ryde greenkeeping course. He successfully passed in 1965, with Doug Corbett as his lecturer. Pennant Hills trialled many chemicals in those days, looking at Poa control with Endothall and DSMA control for Paspalum and LV 57 (2-4-D ester) for broadleaf weed control. Arsenic applications were also used, as it was thought they could bind phosphorus and limit Geoff’s expertise was instrumental in building Perth’s unique 27-hole Joondalup course its availability to subpress Poa annua growth, however the results did not support the theory. home. The next thing he knew was waking up adventure, encouraged by being able to afford It was a learning environment well suited to a in hospital recovering from concussion. a spec house near the course. Geoff had budding future turf manager, learning from two started his path as a superintendent at the ripe of the industry’s best in Church and Jones, A SHINING RUBY old age of 23, yet that first job was not without and Geoff became known as ideas man. A life-changing event occurred when one of challenges. Greens were watered by sprinklers Flying was another passion, but it was Geoff’s co-workers told him about an attractive on hoses and the fairways by pipes in what he difficult for a young man managing his money blonde girl who lived next to the course and described as the C&D System: carry and drag. carefully on a wage of seven pound, 10 after a while he plucked up the courage to ask The Tamworth course had its challenges shillings, as flying lessons were five pounds an her out. He took her flying and he realised they with solid swards of Cape weed during the hour. He learnt to fly a Tiger Moth at Camden were a match when she enjoyed flying upside winter replaced by Paspalum during the Aero Club in half-hour and hour increments, down. Ruby became the love of Geoff’s life summer. The LV 57 (2-4 D Ester) trial work depending on the budget, and the outcome and he will tell you that if it weren’t for Ruby, with his mentor at Pennant Hills came in was an exhilarating experience. By the age he would have never been able to achieve all handy. Under the weed infestations, couch of 21, he reached a huge milestone by the things he did and described his marriage encroachment had become a serious problem completing his commercial pilot licence. as fantastic. and five greens were sprayed with Tupersan Yet his next opportunity came upon Ruby and Geoff were married in 1970. (Siduron). The bent in the greens was an completion of his greenkeeping course, Land was too expensive in Sydney and the old cultivar called Flossmor bent, one that working for Connellan Airways in Alice Springs. superintendent’s job came up at Tamworth had a puffy growth habit not ideal for a good He flew as a co-pilot on the mail runs and Golf Club. The young couple set off on a new putting surface. Results from the spraying spent six months as a traffic officer, booking in and loading planes. Geoff then returned to Pennant Hills Golf Club for three years and tells a couple of humorous stories. Mistletoe had spread among the trees and Geoff and a fellow worker had the task of thinning out the branches to bring the problem under control. Using an extendable ladder, which allowed them to reach heights of six metres, handsaws were used. On one occasion a branch had not quite been severed when Geoff thought that if he jumped out and grabbed the branch, the other branches would break his fall. It was a theory that worked but bodyweight delivered him to the ground before the branch, which duly landed on his head. He felt a little unsteady as he went to ride his motorbike Geoff spent nine years building and establishing the Sun City course at Yanchep JULY-AUGUST 2021 55 JOHN FORREST window down to a manageable 10 hours. Tees were shaped up with a back blade on a two-wheel Ferguson tractor, tee tops were peg- and-railed to achieve final levels and greens were hydro seeded with Penncross. A flight to Sydney was undertaken to obtain an aerial application rating to be able to spray crops by air. Geoff could see it was an opportunity to earn extra money to purchase a house. His instructor told him that when flying in between trees, instinct would stop you from clipping a tree. The theory sounded good but in practice he found it to be not absolutely true, a story he tells with a cheeky grin. While spraying the fourth fairway, he smashed the wing tip off, showing that maybe more than instinct is required. An airstrip was built at the end of the golf course and he bought shares in a plane that was used for joy flights to the Pinnacles, a well- known rock formation 160 kilometres to the north. The name of the charter was Tombstone Tours, relating to the shape of the Pinnacles, Geoff has an impressive collection of restored Howard rotary hoes but a name that was probably not ideal to certainly bought forward the plan to change Geoff packed up the ute and headed across give customers confidence. In addition, he the cultivar on the greens as the five that were the Nullarbor to WA. became radio station 6PR’s ‘eye in the sky’, sprayed died. Greens were gassed with methyl Upon arrival, he found the irrigation design undertaking beach patrols and reports while bromide – another skill taught by Vince Church was all sown up: Southern Cross sprinklers at pulling advertising banners up and down the – and all 20 greens were replaced with hybrid 60 percent spacings on the fairways and class coast over Perth. Penncross. 6 mains 50Hp pump for 18 holes. Fairways After nine years building and establishing While at Tamworth, an opportunity were a Brunings seed mix consisting of Sun City, the next project presented another arose when the principal of the local Kentucky Blue, Couch and Chewings Fescue. challenge: building Joondalup Country Club, technical college asked Geoff to teach Turf An irrigation system that had a 22-hour a 27-hole Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed Management, mainly to bowling-green watering window was not ideal for a hot, dry, course on an old limestone quarry and sand keepers, for two years. It was an experience he windy location, especially growing cool-season dune site with limestone caprock adding to enjoyed, while it improved his knowledge and grass. The pump cut out on a thermal overload the challenge. The natural vegetation and skills in botany and soils. on a regular basis. topography enabled three nines, Quarry, A 2IC was employed from South Australia Dune and Lake, each with very different GOING WEST and as he arrived with his caravan, a winter characteristics. One of the highlights was He eventually became restless and started squall rolled the caravan over. So he packed working with George Munn, Trent Jones Jnr’s looking at what employment opportunities his furniture on the train and headed back shaper. were about and, as he often commented, home. Greens were planted with Penncross he found committees difficult. A course A plan was devised to upgrade the Bentgrass and Santa Ana fairways. A cool- construction job in Western Australia came irrigation system that was split in two with season fescue rye mix created definition in the available in Yanchep, north of Perth. Ruby and another irrigation lake, reducing the watering primary rough. The course is defined by the Before and after… the par-4 second hole on Joondalup’s remarkable Quarry nine takes shape 56 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 develop turf management programmes and supervise their implementation in conjunction with Casimaty. The relationship expanded. A trip to Hong Kong to check trials on washed turf (Tifway) surfaced but Geoff did not have a passport, which normally took six weeks. Yet by that night he had one. Happy Valley Racecourse was a trial location and then he assisted in planting four hectares of turf at Sha Tin Racecourse. The turf-washing system was showing good success and Geoff travelled to the USA to The primitive spray unit that was used at Pennant Hills promote the system to turf farms, which The ‘before’ shot of Geoff’s now restored Ferguson TEA Golf Club involved 22 flights in 28 days. One of the jobs tractor he was involved in included the planting of use of the natural terrain and holes such as the Foxboro Stadium in Boston, a venue that held interesting for golfers, it was challenging from third on the Dune nine, which is surround by games for the FIFA World Cup in 1994. an irrigation perspective. shear limestone cliffs. Araluen Country Club was next after a From the pumping station it was 100 Ashley Watson is the superintendent at consulting engineer contacted Geoff about metres down and 70 metres up. At the top the course today and he keeps the course in building the course. Sun City was constructed of the course, sprinklers did not pop up and excellent condition, which Geoff is proud of, as on deep coastal sand, Joondalup was sand a booster pump had to be installed halfway when he built the course, Ashley was one of and limestone cap rock, while Araluen is in up. Peter Buck assisted in the design of the the young greenkeepers who he trained and the Darling Range to the west of Perth on booster station. A 70-metre rise equated to worked with. undulating laterite country, so water was 700kpa loss from the pump to the highest limited compared to the Swan Coastal Plain. sprinkler. On the way down, 100 metres GEOFF GOES GLOBAL Michael Coates and Roger McKay equated to a 1000kpa increase, which meant Bill Casimaty from Strathayr approached Geoff designed the course. The topography made for reducing valves were required. while he was superintendent at Joondalup several dramatic elevation changes, such as Araluen opened in 1994. It’s a course and asked him to assist in the development the par-3 16th, which has a 30-metre descent with spectacular views and is known as the of Carabooda Turf Farm. His role was to from tee to green. While this sharp drop is ‘Enchanted Valley’ due to the vegetation and JULY-AUGUST 2021 57 JOHN FORREST TIME FOR A SEA CHANGE A quiet life was sought by moving south to Denmark, a beautiful town next to the coast and home to tall karri trees. He started up Rainbow Water Carting and Little Acres Mowing and Maintenance. Geoff was making ends. Trevor Strachan rang him to see if he was interested in building another coastal golf course: The Cut Port Bouvard, designed by James Wilcher and located on the coast only metres from the beach. Geoff stayed there for 18 months clearing bush lines and shaping the course. Once nine holes were constructed, Geoff handed over the reins to a very capable young man in Daryl Outhwaite. It was Trevor Delroy who enticed Geoff away from the golf course with an offer to assist in setting up a horse property at Wilyabrup, near Margaret River. Managing the farm and overseeing fencing and irrigation installation was a very enjoyable job and His fully restored 1942 WLA Harley Davidson with side chair he and Ruby were looked after well. After a stint of a little more than six years, Ruby had undulations. The vegetation and landscaping sports ground. It was not something he had become unwell and it was time to move back were a large part of the construction and to a lot of time for or planned to do. The Watson to Denmark, although Geoff still did some visit the course in autumn is eye-catching. brothers, Stuart and Ashley, who worked at consulting to the farm. During construction, any tree with tape around Joondalup with Geoff, created Gro Turf. After After a while Geoff got a little bored at it was marked to let the contractors know that the initial planting and grow-in, Stuart took over Denmark and, at the age of 63, he went and if it were knocked over, a $5,000 fine would the maintenance contract and he is still the saw Denmark Haulage who gave him a job result. director of Gro Turf today. driving refrigerated B Doubles and Road Trains One of his tricks for weed control was Trevor Delroy was the Araluen project once per week to Perth, a job he did until he to spray the couch fairways with a light manager and offered Geoff the opportunity retired at the age of 70. application of paraquat/diquat mix to set the to work with his company Eclipse Resources, It is hard to believe a man that had couch into dormancy then follow up with a fixing and improving the irrigation system at achieved so much in his life was retiring and to heavier rate, which controlled any weeds Abercrombie Rd in Postans, near Kwinana, some that may have meant slowing down. The present, including Poa. The fairway went south of Perth. The landfill site was for day I travelled to talk to Geoff for this article, I brown but always recovered weed-free. non-putrescible rubbish that is not readily was amazed at his place nestled into the base During his time at Araluen, Geoff was decomposed by micro-organisms. Geoff of karri trees with irrigated gardens left and engaged to do the specifications for grassing worked on the irrigation system to mitigate any right as I drove up to the house. We spent a and maintenance at the new Joondalup Arena dust on site and irrigate the trees. couple of mornings getting together and he showed me what he did in his spare time. He drove up to the back of his house on a Ferguson TEA 1951 grey tractor, fully restored, towing a set of 1960s Scott Bonnar ground-driven gang mowers in excellent condition. Walking into his shed to see a fully restored 1942 WLA Harley Davidson with side chair, 1926 Douglas motorbike and 11 mainly Howard rotary hoes ranging from the 1940s to the 1950s was a sight. The workbench certainly summed it all up: everything was neat and tidy and in its place. The story set out to find out about the WA Golf Industry Recognition Award winner for 2020 but the story that was told is an exceptional one about a man who has numerous skills not untypical of many of his generation. An article is not long enough; a book would be more fitting. Geoff would say that his best friend was responsible for him being able to do all that he has, and sadly Ruby passed away just days Flowers in full bloom in the early days of Araluen Country Club before this interview. 58 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 ENVIRONMENT Turning used tyres into rubber crumb has the twin benefits of giving old tyres a second use and providing drainage solutions M uch like COVID, sustainability is at the forefront of many minds these days. Through Melbourne’s lockdown Environmental Golf Solutions had a chance to investigate innovations that could potentially benefit the sports turf industry. Being invited into waste management networking circles, we were introduced to a product, Flexisport, which was being used on many sports surfaces, including netball courts, equine centres and athletics tracks. Instantly we thought this could be a great product for cart paths on golf courses. Through Tyre Stewardship Australia, we were introduced to the managing director of Flexiroc Australia, Gary Bullock. Gary was ‘Tredding’ enthusiastic about a product they had been using for some time and felt that with some modification could easily be adapted onto golf courses. Converting used tyres into hard- wearing, durable, flexible and porous rubber- crumb pavement was right up our alley. Gary was more than confident we could convert used tyres into cart paths and help limit the 60 million used tyres that go into landfill every year in Australia. We had noted that rubber crumb had been used extensively throughout Europe on cart paths, bunker liners and a new path outdoor areas, but it had not been taken up ATM environmental expert Kate Torgersen explains how used tyres can here. Reducing landfill is a huge challenge at all become new cart paths. levels of government in Australia and hence the race to find alternative uses for our waste. club set about preparation works and setting lockdown. The silver lining of the lockdown We believe the golf industry can be a conduit up for the rubber crumb to be installed. was golf not being able to be played, which in reducing landfill and linking with the circular At least a dozen helpers came to assist allowed the bunkers and cart path sufficient economy. and were amazed at how light the rubber time to cure. As increasing numbers of players choose crumb was and the ease of installation. A The cart path is between the 13th to use golf carts, it is quite evident the damage benefit of Golflex is that grounds staff and green and 14th tee. The grounds staff at that is caused. Many clubs are feeling the volunteers can install it, which keeps costs Ballarat prepared it and TurfOne handled the squeeze with turf quality and access around down. installation with their specialised screeding greens and tees being compromised. Most After a fleeting conversation with Ballarat machine. clubs have cart paths that are manageable but Golf Club superintendent Jeff Powell about “We have a lot of issues with our bunkers often need consistent maintenance, topping up some bunker draining issues, EGS Victorian not draining, sand washing off the faces in rain and cause surrounding erosion issues. operations manager David Flood suggested events and being contaminated with the clay Knowing a rubber-crumb product had using Flexiroc’s rubber crumb product. Upon preventing drainage,” Jeff says. been used successfully in Europe, we knew a site meeting at Ballarat Golf Club with “Our experience with Golflex was our next step was to bring it to Australian management and committee, it was agreed surprisingly simple once we cleaned out the courses. And that led to the arrival of Golflex. to lay 40 metres of cart path and re-line two of bunker and installed new drainage. Golflex While we were searching for funding the club’s worst draining bunkers with Golflex. was delivered in concrete trucks and shipped opportunities for the cart path and bunker This project was funded by Tyre Stewardship on course to the bunker with our Workmans. trials, Environmental Golf Solutions helped Australia. “It was easy to install in the bunker, fund an outdoor seating area with Nhill Golf Jeff and his team prepared the bunkers covering the whole bunker at a depth of 40 Club. The club in western Victoria has an and cart path ready for Golflex to be laid. millimetres and taking about three hours for outdoor undercover area that is very popular Gary flew into Melbourne to oversee the a bunker. Once the Golflex had set, I was and was looking for a floor that was durable, preparation and laying. Fortunately we were impressed with the porosity of the product and multipurpose and easy to clean. With the help lucky to complete both bunkers and the cart how quickly it drained. of local tradies, farmers and volunteers, the path before Melbourne was again thrown into “We are also trialling a 40-metre section 60 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Above: Golflex is particularly beneficial for improving bunker drainage Right: Ballarat Golf Club is trailing one section of Golflex path, which is performing well so far of path with the Golflex to see how it stands up to the wear and tear of golf traffic as well as maintenance machinery traffic. To date, it is holding up very well.” Golflex has great potential in the golf/ sporting industry – for golf cart paths, walking tracks, wash-down areas, bunker Infiltration rates in field tests on pavement on the ecosystem and wider global climate liner, drainage lines and car parks. The list of laid by road paver have shown the material concerns. possibilities is exciting. The golf world needs to to be very effective as a drainage medium. As Golflex is a sustainable product, we look for opportunities to be part of the solution Laboratory testing to ASTM C1701 Infiltration believe there are potential opportunities out rather than the problem. Rate of In Place Porous Concrete has provided there for facilities to apply for funding to use Golflex is a construction product that infiltration results as high as 45 metres per the product, reducing your costs while creating can be tailored to meet the demands and hour. a waste management solution for millions of specifications of the client. Through its innate Golflex is a sustainable product made used tyres. properties, it is able to flex under force and with a large proportion of recycled, non- Golflex is the answer for golf clubs across dissipate the energy through the system, biodegradable material, helping to minimise Australia, thanks to the collaborative work of instead of shattering under load without the greenhouse gas emission. Traditionally, Environmental Golf Solutions, Nhill Golf Club, cracking, and returns to its original shape most of this recycled material is disposed Ballarat Golf Club, Tyre Stewardship Australia, when the load is removed. It is also a fantastic by being burned, which releases toxic Flexiroc Australia, TurfOne, Eureka Concrete option around tree roots. It is highly porous gases and greenhouse emissions and and Westmix Concrete. These partnerships and provides an effective infiltration system contributing to global warming. Golflex’s use for the betterment of the game can help make to allow surface water to quickly drain and of recycled material also helps to reduce non- a difference and help golf become the most prevent localised flooding and erosion. biodegradable landfill, thereby reducing impact sustainable sport in the country. AGCSATech Independent, Analytical, Diagnostic and Consultancy Services l GOLF COURSE, SPORTSFIELD AND l DRONE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES l COST EFFECTIVE NUTRITION AND RACETRACK ASSESSMENTS AND AERIAL IMAGERY MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS l EXPERT AGRONOMIC ADVICE l SOIL, PLANT AND WATER ANALYSIS l WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS l CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS l DISEASE AND NEMATODE DIAGNOSIS l PROJECT MANAGEMENT AGCSATech The Australian turf industry’s leading provider of independent agronomic services CONTACT I n d e p e n dTHEe n t , AGCSATECH Senior agronomist - Bruce Macphee - bruce@agcsa.com.au 0409 183 710 A n a l y t i c a l , DTEAM i a g n o s(03) t i c a 9548 n d C o8600 nsultancy Services Agronomist - Tim Fankhauser - tim@agcsa.com.au 0422 418 038 www.agcsa.com.au/agcsatech JULY-AUGUST 2021 61 MANAGEMENT Culture club What is workplace culture and how can we measure it? As Ben Gibson explains, the secret lies in discretionary effort. W orkplace culture is Golf Club. “Life is too short for the workplace directly influence the safety culture of the team described as the qualities not to be enjoyable, and I take this as my and organisation, and the differentiator is and dynamics that make responsibility to instill this in our culture. discretionary effort. up a team and influence Maintaining good communication channels how motivated people and having strong trust among the team is DISCRETIONARY EFFORT within it are thinking, acting, and working the only way we can manage such a diverse Discretionary effort is the level of effort your together towards common goals. Culture is operation.” team members contribute above the minimum an incredibly important part of an individual’s What I love about the turf industry is that requirement; the energy, ideas and enthusiasm success at work. It is also essential to the it wears its heart on its sleeve. Turf managers they provide because they want to, not have success of the team and the leader. A great are some of the most resourceful, resilient to. workplace culture provides everyone with the individuals I have ever met and I think it is l Discretionary effort is simple to observe opportunity to initiate change and to grow on a these shared experiences and challenges and quick to assess. professional and personal level. A great culture that build relationships beyond your average l Did the team drop tools at 2.25pm and promotes openness, and encourages your workplace. leave a job unfinished – even though it team to contribute without judgement or fear of Things as simple as the volume of laughter could have been finished in a few minutes retribution. It creates satisfied team members or chat coming from the lunchroom, the and will take far longer to come back the and increases productivity. amount of banter in the WhatsApp group and next day and start again? “Leading a team of 45 spread across two the way team members speak to each other l Have senior staff members walked past maintenance facilities, our culture has to be and to their leader are all effective, practical a standard or level of quality that was at the top of my list,” says Adam Marchant, and simple barometers of culture. questionable and accepted average? the course superintendent at Royal Sydney The strength of these relationships can l Has your apprentice not only cleaned their 62 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 Left: A strong culture helps unite co-workers for big leaders have a way of supporting others and moments, including a long Australian Open week making them more productive and effective. It is about putting the right people in the right place at the right time. It’s tough, but when you help someone find their ‘groove’ and you let own tools but also all the other tools in the them stay there, they excel.” rack without being asked, simply because they knew it was the right thing to do? CULTURE AND SAFETY IN SPORTS TURF I have been fortunate in the past few years to volunteer at the 2016, 2018 and 2019 Emirates Australian Opens at Royal Sydney, The Lakes and The Australian Golf Clubs, respectively. I absolutely loved the opportunity to get involved (plenty of bunker time!) and am grateful to course superintendents Steve Marsden, Anthony Mills and Phil Beal for helping make it happen. Working with so many talented turf Discretionary effort stems from an managers from across Australia and overseas individual’s connection to their team, leader, presented a unique insight into the different workplace and purpose. If we convey our styles of leadership in the industry. vision as leaders, build a positive and Steve: very calm, soft-spoken, powerful supportive culture and support our team, we presence and a strong plan. Well-executed The Lakes Golf Club course superintendent Anthony will see discretionary effort rise among the with two talented assistant superintendents in Mills with Simon Blagg and Ben Gibson during the 2018 Australian Open at The Lakes group. Adam Marchant (current Royal Sydney Golf To be clear, this is not saying you must be Club superintendent) and Jake Gibbs (current to all the work teams on the course every ‘best mates’ with everybody, but by having a Royal Canberra Golf Club superintendent). morning, which was a brilliant way to establish strong professional relationship built on trust Anthony: great communicator, happy relationships and strengthen connections. He and mutual respect, you can earn discretionary and positive relationships with all the staff saw and had a chat with every team member effort from your team and enjoy the benefits and volunteers. I really respected Anthony for a few minutes every day. that come from an engaged, proactive team. for his choice of two very different assistant All three achieved a fantastic result and led Culture is the way a team talks about their superintendents in Simon Blagg (current effectively with their distinctly different styles. workplace and leader when they are away assistant at The Lakes Golf Club) and Aaron I love seeing tournament preparation from work, plus an individual’s willingness to Taylor (current superintendent at Cronulla Golf firsthand and particularly the arrival of the contribute for the benefit of the wider team Club). volunteers from across the country. For me, rather than just their own (covering shifts, Phil: clear and confident, almost had an a little like speed dating, this is the ultimate offering to help without being asked, etc.). aura around him, but I noticed him pull nearly “speed culture-building”. The leadership “To me, leadership and developing culture every single staff member and volunteer team has such a short period of time to means you bring others around you up,” says aside throughout the tournament to have a build engagement, ensure the volunteers Brendan Clark, the course superintendent quiet conversation or chat about their week. buy into the vision they have established for at Atherton Golf Club in Queensland. “Great Phil personally delivered the morning tea the tournament, integrate into the team of Open communication lines across all roles in the golf-course landscape are essential – especially during an Australian Open JULY-AUGUST 2021 63 MANAGEMENT permanent staff, get kitted out, trained and me for including this example in the article! understand their roles for the week ahead. Awesome stuff. An example that really struck me from the Importantly, across all three events, Open in 2018 at The Lakes was the impact of leadership styles and teams, worker safety the leadership team at the (very) early morning was paramount. It was discussed at the meetings. With a brief overview and welcome first induction on day one and highlighted from Anthony, the morning meeting was run throughout the event. Risk and safety by Aaron and Simon together. Aaron factually controls were emphasised at every morning outlined the day’s activities and was clear on meeting. Volunteers were not allowed to the outcomes required for the day. Simon operate equipment until trained and deemed finished with logistics and how the team was competent by paid team members – even going to work together. They made a great qualified, career superintendents. Personal team and I can see why Anthony had them sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in their respective roles. Simon finished his were distributed, meaning no one would ever section of the meeting each morning with a be caught without it and “just do it”, and daily motivational or inspirational quote from a well- debriefs would be held regarding any incidents known authority to fire up the team and build or near misses. team culture. With great leadership, systems and What was really interesting to watch was consultation, the safety and compliance the change in the group’s reaction to these management was seamless and there was quotes each morning as the week progressed complete involvement from all staff and and the group got closer, knew each other a volunteers. It was widely communicated, “That little better, got more comfortable and became is just how we do things here.” a team. For me, an outsider, this was a great The mutual respect, trust and engaged barometer of culture among the group – Phil Beal, at the time the course superintendent at The culture of the teams meant that tasks were Australian Golf Club, went out of his way to deliver fruit far more powerful than any report from a to staff during the 2019 Australian Open completed with no raised eyebrows, while consultant. procedures were followed and PPE worn. Initially, the quotes generated a little The tail end of the week saw lots of No cut corners, no quick fixes or shortcuts; awkward silence, quiet whispers and one or laughter, discussion and banter as a result everyone was all in due to the respect for two uncomfortable laughs as many did not of his efforts. He reached a pinnacle on the team and outcome they were all trying to know how to react. For Simon, in front of 50 to the final day of the tournament when the achieve. 100 of his turf-industry peers, this would have leadership team had the group in such a This carries into teams right across the taken guts! fever of excitement and engagement that they industry. When leadership, systems and I watched avidly as Simon persevered as stood and sang the national anthem at the consultation are on point, our observations the week progressed and he gradually got top of their lungs at 4 o’clock on the Sunday show that 99 percent of the time the team is more and more engagement from each quote morning. engaged, enthusiastic and ready to support or phrase. During the course of the week there This is putting yourself out there to lead any initiative or idea their leaders throw at them were such gems as, “Alone, we can do so little, and inspire the team; a great example of because of the mutual respect and trust. Invest together we can do so much,” and, “Find a developing culture among a work group. in your culture, watch the discretionary effort group of people who challenge and inspire Simon should be commended for his initiative across your team rise and enjoy the benefits you. Spend a lot of time with them and it will and demonstrating leadership far beyond his of a happy, healthy and productive work change your life!” experience at the time. He will no doubt chip environment. Beal thanks a staff member during the 2017 Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club 64 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 AROUND THE TRADE A SOLUTION FOR CUP DAMAGE can be carried out during any refurbishment or renovation on sports fields, golf greens, bowling greens and turf farms. To find out more about Draslovka, visit www.draslovka-services.com. FORREST JOINS LIVING TURF WA ASTMA Silver Partner Living Turf has announced the appointment of John Forrest as turf agronomist for its WA operations. Forrest brings a wealth of qualifications and experience to the turf market coming from his early days as a turf practitioner, then 24 years as a turf and horticultural lecturer, along with 16 years as a horticultural consultant. T John is a trusted adviser and mentor to oday’s Golf Cup inserts are the existing NSW team, while Brock Agnew many people in WA, is highly regarded now available through ASTMA and Jake Bushell will be positioned in and respected and has strong long-term Silver Partner Country Club Queensland. While Smith comes from outside relationships in the turf industry nationally. International. Produced in the US, the industry, both Agnew and Bushell have Living Turf managing director Rob Cooper Today’s Golf Cup is an insert that sound experience working in different sectors said: “We are thrilled to welcome John and we suits any regulation or practice green golf cup of the market. The team will be focusing are looking forward to the value he will bring, and is designed for golfers to retrieve their ball their efforts in golf and range hardware, in helping us service turf managers in WA’s from the cup with minimal contact. It ensures safety fencing and water treatment sales quality focused and sophisticated Turf Market.” patrons remain COVID-safe and to protect and service. Lance Coventry, also based in Joining Danny Hambleton, Jeff Lane, the cup edges when the flagstick remains in Queensland, will be assuming a new role in Tyson Riley and the WA business admin when putting. Today’s Golf Cup is easy to use, project management for the group with the team, John’s appointment furthers the rollout durable, inexpensive and prevents the ball delivery of more capital-style obligations being of Living Turf’s unique offer – which blends from bouncing out of the cup. undertaken by the company. technology, product, irrigation and agronomy Today’s Golf Cup was designed to help For sales and service the team can be expertise, for professional turf managers. golfers and golf courses adjust to the new contacted on; NSW: Mark Smith (m) 0422 Forrest can be contacted by email at jforrest@ R&A and USGA rule beginning in 2019 where 680 640 (e) msmith@countryclub.com.au. livingturf.com or by phone on 0457 766 552. the flagstick can remain in the hole while QLD: Brock Agnew (m) 0447 309 721 (e) In addition to Forrest’s appointment, Living putting a ball that’s on the green. With this rule bagnew@countryclub.com.au. QLD: Jake Turf has also secured the services of a number change, the majority of golfers today putt with Bushell (m) 0410 780 430 (e) jbushell@ of former Globe Growing Solutions employees. the flagstick in. Consequently, when the ball countryclub.com.au Jeff Bowtell, National Sales & Operations is retrieved, golfers’ hands reach between the Manager of Globe Australia, and long-serving flagstick and the hole and end up damaging DRASLOVKA SIGNS ON AS Newcastle Technical representative, joined the edges of the cup. Today’s Golf Cup is not ASTMA BRONZE PARTNER Living Turf from July 1 and was joined by only an added benefit to the golf courses, prominent territory managers Craig Jones cups don’t need to be changed daily, there (Newcastle & Hunter), Kevin Booth (Sydney & is less wear and tear on the greens and less West), and Luke Clohesy (South Australia). maintenance work required. The benefit for “Globe Australia served the Australian turf golfers is that it gives them the same option industry for 49 years, and they leave behind T to putt with the flagstick in or out and makes it he Australian Sports Turf Managers a legacy of prominent sales reps, suppliers, easier to retrieve the ball from the hole. Association is delighted to welcome its and support staff,” Cooper says. “We feel Several US courses already use Today’s newest Turf Industry Bronze Partner, privileged to be in the position to offer many Golf Cup inserts, among them Cypress Point, Draslovka Services. Established in 2015, of these highly respected people roles in our Olympic Club, TPC Harding Park, La Quinta, Draslovka have an innovative range of 21st growing enterprise. They bring industry and TPC Sawgrass, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Hawk’s century fumigant products for a new age in Turf product expertise and, through their new Landing Golf Club and Palmetto Dunes. Management, including EDN™ broad-spectrum partnership with Living Turf, will continue their CCI sells a pack of 20 Today’s Golf fumigant services. service to the industry.” Cup inserts from CCI costs $385. For more EDN™, Draslovka Services proprietary National Sales Manager for Living Turf, information, visit www.countryclub.com.au product, is a broad-spectrum fumigant that Ashley Neuendorf added: “It is unprecedented, In other CCI news, the company recently is highly effective on a range of weeds, soil- that such a seismic reshaping of the announced three new additions to its sales borne pathogens, nematodes and insect commercial turf sector occurs. We at Living Turf team. Mark Smith has started working within pests. Draslovka fumigation treatment services are humbled and pleased to welcome top-class 66 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 operators like Jeff, Craig, Kevin and Luke.” focus to the large and significant territory of turf community and over the past decade can “I am just happy to get back to doing what NSW/ACT.” Ryder can be contacted on 0456 be credited with helping shape Living Turf’s I love most, calling on turf managers in the 612 490 or email wayne.ryder@bayer.com. friendly, open and professional culture. Newcastle and Hunter region,” Bowtell said. “Through his extensive journey, Mike has “I am also relieved to continue my association EDDY JOINS TOOLBOX TEAM seen many changes in the way we manage with colleagues like Craig, Kevin and Luke, The Toolbox Team has announced turf,” said Living Turf’s Rob Cooper. “He has who I have worked so productively with for so Stephen Eddy (pictured) has a firm understanding of where the industry many years.” joined their team as a full-time has come from, what’s worked, what hasn’t client manager in Victoria. Eddy and why certain directions are more likely to BAYER APPOINTS RYDER TO arrives with a career in the sports turf and golf yield results. We will miss regularly drawing TERRITORY BDM ROLE industry and has an intimate understanding of upon Mike’s immense bank of knowledge, ASTMA Silver Partner Bayer the challenges faced by golf clubs and sports his willingness to share his wisdom and has appointed Wayne Ryder turf facilities across Victoria. experience with colleagues and customers (pictured) to the role of Territory “We are stoked that Steve has taken up alike which made him an asset whose value is Business Development Manager the opportunity to represent us in Victoria,” difficult to measure. He will be sorely missed.” (Turf & Ornamentals) QLD/SA/NT with the says Ben Gibson, The Toolbox Team managing environmental science business unit based director. “He is such a great fit for our team HG TURF GROUP APPOINTS in Brisbane. Ryder comes to Bayer with and family of clients. I think it is really important HUMPHREYS AS NSW MANAGER a well-established background, including to have industry expertise combined with HG Turf Group is pleased to turf management roles across a number of compliance knowledge as the golf and sports announce the appointment of high profile SEQ sporting facilities as well turf industry is so unique.” Nathan Humphreys as State as territory sales rep roles with a number of Adds Eddy: “I have watched the work Manager, NSW. Nathan will be companies, most recently with Nuturf. being done by Ben and The Toolbox Team for responsible for growing HG Turf Group’s “I am extremely happy to join the Turf and a number of years and believe their positive, business in NSW. In 2000 HG Turf Group Ornamental team at Bayer and look forward practical and engaging approach to OHS and began operations in NSW, as the turf supplier to starting this new and exciting role, as well environmental compliance sets them apart in to the Olympic Stadium, and it currently as supporting agent representatives and turf the industry. I am excited at the opportunity supplies its hybrid-grass systems to stadiums, managers across QLD, SA and NT,” Ryder said. and the support I can provide The Toolbox sports fields and parks throughout the state. Adds James Royal, National Sales and Team clients here in Victoria.” “We are all excited to have Nathan back in Marketing Manager (Turf & Ornamentals): Eddy will be based in Melbourne. He can the team,” said Hamish Sutherland, Managing “Wayne’s appointment represents the next be contacted on 0458 480 430 or steve@ Director, HG Turf Group. “With over 20 years of step in Bayer’s expansion and commitment to thetoolboxteam.com.au. experience, Nathan is an expert when it comes field-based personnel, supporting the turf and to hybrid grass and sports field constructions. ornamentals markets in Australia. As a result FINAL END FOR DARLINGTON He will play a pivotal role in making hybrid of this appointment, Craig Burleigh, currently ASTMA Silver Partner Living Turf grass understood and available.” Territory Business Development Manager (Turf has farewelled Mike Darlington Nathan began his turf management & Ornamentals) VIC/SA/WA/TAS/NT, will be (pictured) after 10 years with the career in 1998 in Canberra with Stadium Turf able to provide greater focus on Bayer’s turf company. Darlington, who boasts Management. In the 23 years since, he has agents and end user customers across VIC, more than 40 years in the turf industry, spent worked around the globe in the elite sports TAS and WA, and Aaron Cachia, currently the past 10 years with Living Turf and officially field management industry, gaining extensive Territory Business Development Manager (Turf retired at the start of August. Darlington is well experience in design, construction, renovation & Ornamentals) NSW/ACT/QLD will refine his known in the bowling green industry and wider and maintenance of turf facilities. JULY-AUGUST 2021 67 AS SOCIATION REPORTS NZGCSA G reetings from New Zealand in the pledged to host an event this year. With a bit middle of a wild winter. We have of luck (and some determined organisers), experienced the whole gamut of the event went ahead at the Vodafone Events winter this year with a dry start, to severe Centre in Auckland. Close to 300 golf course flooding, tornadoes and carnage in many superintendents, golf club managers and trade areas during the past couple of months. Those representatives attended this first-time event. championing global warming were nowhere Topics such as mental health and well-being, to be seen on my golf course when we shared wealth creation to achieve common experienced the heaviest frost in Tauranga for NZGCSA Graduate of the Year Alex Neely (centre) with goals, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, George Flynn (NZGCSA Board Member, left) and Terry many years. I certainly subscribe to the theory Sullivan (Powerturf, right) leadership and team dynamics – manager/ that our weather is experiencing extremes that superintendent relationships, golf course seem to keep coming. How many times in the definitely provided him with the knowledge to design and construction and pest trapping past few years have we heard weather experts apply for and attain the superintendent role and conservation were all presented. With all talking about “One in a Hundred Year” events? at Te Puke after four years at Grange. The sessions in the same venue, delegates had Perhaps this is the new normal – do we even PGA Championship was Matt’s first televised the freedom to choose to attend a GMANZ- know what normal is anymore? I note with golf tournament that he’d prepared a course targeted lecture or an NZGCSA one. The interest that our NZ National Institute of Water for, but he has volunteered at the World Cup cross collaboration worked very well with the and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is currently of Golf at Kingston Heath in Australia. Matt’s feedback from the event well received. researching all of its data taken from the past tournament preparation was surprisingly lighter One of the highlights was the NZGCSA 30 years to try to find what actually is the new than expected. He had written a maintenance Distinguished Service Award being presented normal. We might be surprised by the results. plan for the event prior to consultation with to Allan Turvey of Miramar Golf Club. Allan the PGA but upon speaking with them, Matt received his award from John Spraggs of MANY HANDS HELP AT TE PUKE said things became easier. The PGA wanted Royal Wellington Golf Club. John and the In late April it was a pleasure to see Phil long rough for the event so he didn’t mow any Wellington Golf Course Superintendents Tataurangi interviewing Matt Ellis, course rough or green surrounds on the course for the Association nominated Allan, who has served superintendent at Te Puke Golf Club, on Sky two weeks before the tournament, meaning he at a number of courses in a career spanning TV. Te Puke was asked to host the NZ PGA could focus on the greens, tees and fairways more than 40 years. He has been an active Championship with only three months’ notice in particular. Extra fungicide and fertiliser was member of the Wellington association, serving of possibly hosting the event and the date applied outside of his normal maintenance on countless boards and committees as well confirmed with only eight weeks’ preparation regime and the result was there for all to see. as organising and running several conferences time. I spoke to Matt to get an insight into The course played exceptionally well and Matt and seminars. Allan continues to be involved how the event went for him and his team. Te and his team should be proud of their efforts. today and is hugely respected by his peers in Puke normally has only three full-time staff and Wellington and across the country. A lot of you some volunteer help from their members. Matt COMBINING FORCES from ‘over the ditch’ will know Allan personally received many offers of help and greenstaff In mid-June the NZGCSA and GMANZ (Golf through meeting him at various conferences from Riverside, Royal Auckland, Remuera and Managers Association of NZ) joined forces to over the years and recognise him as one of Mount Maunganui golf clubs were all involved host the first ever Combined Summit and Fine life’s good guys. Congratulations Allan! in the preparation before and during the event. Turf Seminar. The theme of the two-day event One of the most pleasing aspects of 2021 In the week before the tournament, Te was ‘Prospering in an Unreal World’. With so far is the re-emergence of our awards Puke received 100 millimetres of rain that COVID ever-present, we thought the theme program. Following on from Alan’s award, washed out paths and bunkers. The extra was very apt. The event was first mooted in we recently presented the 2021 Graduate of help Matt received certainly saved a lot of the middle of COVID-stricken 2020 when the the Year Award. The Powerturf-sponsored time getting them back into play. Matt is a Whole of Golf Conference had to be cancelled finals day was held at Pakuranga Golf Club second-generation greenkeeper – his father because of ongoing lockdowns. Not to be put with Titirangi’s Alex Neely winning the award Andrew has been greenkeeping for more than off, the boards of the respective associations from runner-up Tyler O’Leary of Westown 40 years at courses such as Taupo, Waihi and Golf Club. Many thanks to Terry Sullivan and Kinloch. He started Matt in his career with his Powerturf for their continued sponsorship of friend and NZGCSA life member Nigel Lloyd. this award and NZGCSA life member Peter Matt served his apprenticeship at Wairakei Boyd for hosting the day at his facility. Well Golf Club under Nigel’s tutelage before done, Alex! moving to Auckland to work as assistant The last award we are running for 2021, superintendent at the Grange Golf Club after the NZGCSA Parkland Excellence Award, nine years at Wairakei. Matt continued to is in its second judging phase and will be hone his craft and learnt a lot from Garth announced in October. Williams, Grange superintendent. Matt says Garth was particularly good at teaching him Allan Turvey (left), winner of the 2021 Distinguished JASON PERKINS man management and budgeting skills, which Service Award, with John Spraggs (right) PRESIDENT, NZGCSA 68 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 NSWGCSA GCSAWA C F urrently NSW (mainly Greater DESERVED ACCOLADES irstly, I want to thank Mark and the Sydney LGAs) is in another COVID A big congratulations to Craig Molloy, ASTMA team for a great conference on lockdown. This our worst so far with the golf course superintendent at Cypress the Gold Coast. To put that together all clubhouses closed and golf down to two Lakes Resort, for taking out the ASTMA with so much uncertainty was great. And to the people per group only. With that said, tee- Superintendent of the Year Award at the recent sponsors, trades and delegates who travelled times are booked out at most golf clubs and conference held on the Gold Coast. This is there, it was good to see so many people. the pressure on staff to complete their job very well deserved for the work Craig has put It was a very wet July here in Perth. If the safely is high. in since starting at Cypress Lakes. Credit must forecast proved correct, for the last few days On behalf of the NSWGCSA Board of go to the staff and board at the ASTMA for of July we will have had rain on 27 days, Directors and its members, I would like successfully hosting the conference in very including 18 in a row, plus some very windy to thank the ASTMA and especially Mark trying times. days and pushing towards 300mm for July. Unwin for his correspondence and updates Also, a big congratulations to David That means some very clean sheds, plenty of surrounding the lockdown and work authority. Warwick, former Avondale Golf Club debris to tidy up and the winter weeds taking A lot of time has been put in by Mark to assist superintendent and NSWGCSA board over the rough and bunkers with there being NSW to continue to stay open to golf and there member, for being awarded the Distinguished no dry and calm days to spray. has been many a late night or weekend phone Service Award. It’s a very big honour for David Unfortunately the Margaret River call or message that he always accepts. and NSW. Conference has had to be postponed. With the The NSWGCSA had planned to host A decision has been made to cancel the travel restrictions in place and the amount of the Assistant Superintendent Education and Annual Golf Industry Awards night that was movement of supers and trades happening at Golf Trophy Event at Long Reef Golf Club in to be held in conjunction with GolfNSW for the moment, it really affected our speaker list. August. This will now be postponed and at this this year. This is disappointing but with the The new dates have already been booked in stage moved to October. current situation around COVID, the right for April 3-6, 2022. Hopefully by then we can The Rube Walkerden Golf Trophy and decision was made. welcome back all the eastern state guests. AGM are still scheduled for November 25 at Killara Golf Club, but once again will be a NATHAN BRADBURY SHANE BAKER week-by-week/month-by-month situation. PRESIDENT, NSWGCSA PRESIDENT, GCSAWA > The new Gold Standard in bunker construction > Significantly reduce washouts, contamination, and edge trimming > Substantial saving in maintenance and labor costs > Maintain original shape, size and depth of your bunkers forever Exclusive Distributor in Queensland and Melanesia For more info contact Danny Potter Email: dpotter@centaur-asiapacific.com l Mobile: 0450 791003 JULY-AUGUST 2021 69 AS SOCIATION REPORTS VGCSA I t was a great start to the year, with the If all goes according to plan, the VGCSA restrictions on density limits would not permit successful dual course education meeting July training days are now scheduled for for the meeting to be held in early August. at Portarlington Golf Club and Lonsdale mid to late August; the June VGCSA course Let’s hope the year ahead offers a more Links followed by our Annual General staff education meeting is to take place on positive scenario. In saying that, the VGCSA Meeting at Woodlands Golf Club. Come late September 20 at Cranbourne Golf Club and is looking ahead to 2022 and is currently May, though, we went back on the COVID the VGCSA country meeting will be pushed in the final stages of planning the annual rollercoaster of lockdowns and restrictions, back to a date yet to be determined. Upon event calendar with all host clubs soon to be causing a series of events to be postponed. initial news of the Victoria/NSW border secured. We look forward to launching the All credit to CEO Mary Napier, whose restrictions, it was necessary to find a program to members later this year. head must be spinning after all the organising, Victorian-based regional club to host the We also hope everyone across the country then in the blink of an eye re-organising of meeting. We wish to thank Ballarat Golf Club has been staying safe during this period events. With COVID flowing through society so for their prompt response and assistance. and hasn’t been too harshly affected by quickly, all we can do as an Association is to This allowed us to notify members as soon as the lockdowns. continue to plan for events and do our best to possible, along with relaunching the meeting reschedule. It is our aim to continue to try to program within a short timeframe. In the end, SHANE GREENHILL make the best out of a very difficult situation. however, the state lockdown followed by PRESIDENT, VGCSA GCSAQ H ow fantastic was it to see more than ahead on Tuesday, May 11. This event was our website for full details about the event. 50 members gather for a drink at thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees. Thank Later in the year, we plan to hold Walk and the Envy Hotel during the ASTMA you to Nuturf for putting on lunch. Talk events at Royal Queensland and Eagle conference on the Gold Coast? Farm as well as a General Manager and Golf It was great to see so many familiar and PADDOCK TO PITCH Course Superintendent Day. new faces. Congratulations to the ATSMA for We are looking forward to the Paddock to While several events have been postponed putting on such a great event. We always Pitch Field Day, which will be hosted by Turf or cancelled due to COVID-19, it is great to feel spoilt when the conference makes its Queensland on August 24. The Paddock see that members continue to support the way to Queensland. to Pitch event is the first event where Turf association when possible. Royal Queensland Golf Club is proud Queensland (TQ), Sports Turf Association Although plans and events may be to be hosting the 2021 Australian PGA Queensland (STAQ) and the Golf Course interrupted by the virus for many months to Championship, from December 2-5. The Superintendents Association of Queensland come, we will secure dates and venues and GCSAQ has had an overwhelming response (GCSAQ) will come together to provide a day proceed with events when the COVID-19 rules to a shout-out for volunteers to assist with the that covers all things sports turf. and restrictions allow. preparation of the course for this event. Thank The overwhelming support of the Stay safe everyone. you to everyone who has responded; we are associations, members and exhibitors so far looking forward to a great event. has proven to each board how an event like PAUL McLEAN The Teven Valley Walk and Talk went this has been missed. Visit the home page of PRESIDENT, GCSAQ ON THE MOVE… LEON BLACKER: From foreman Elanora of November 22 to 28. move to Cockburn ARC (the Fremantle CC, NSW, to assistant superintendent Manly CHAD GILMOUR: From superintendent Dockers’ training ground). GC, NSW. Chalambar GC, Vic, to superintendent Harden DAVID PHILLIPS: Resigned as BRENDAN BROWN: From superintendent CC, NSW. superintendent Spring Valley GC, Vic, in July. Neangar Park GC, Vic, to assistant ALEX GORRIE: Promoted to superintendent LUKE SLIGAR: Resigned as superintendent superintendent The Sands Torquay, Vic. Neangar Park Golf Club, Vic, replacing Dunheved GC, NSW. DAN COOK: After spending 14 years as Brendan Brown. MATHEW SOLES: From assistant director of grounds and property at Elanora JACKSON JOSEPH: From assistant superintendent The Australian GC, NSW, to CC on Sydney’s northern beaches, Cook is superintendent Chatswood GC, NSW, to superintendent Royal Perth GC, WA. heading south of the Harbour Bridge to second assistant superintendent Manly LIAM SPOONER: From superintendent take over from the outgoing Phil Beal as GC, NSW. Secret Harbour Golf Links, WA, to course superintendent of The Australian DYLAN KNIGHT: From superintendent superintendent Nedlands GC, WA. Golf Club. Cook will start his new role on Axedale GC, Vic, to superintendent Gisborne LACHLAN VASSALLO: Elevated to assistant October 1, less than eight weeks before the GC, Vic. superintendent Kew GC, Vic, replacing former course is scheduled to host the Australian TONY McFADYEAN: Resigned as assistant Tim Madder, who has left to pursue Open for the 22nd occasion during the week superintendent at Nedlands Golf Club to a career in the Police Force. 70 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 ASTMA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Formally recognising the professionalism of sports turf managers and encouraging their investment in continual education and professional development The ASTMA congratulates the following sports turf managers who have achieved certification and can proudly use the ‘Certified Sports Turf Manager’ (CSTM) designation after their names… Tim Allen The National Golf, Belgium Adam Fry Kooyonga GC, SA Colin Morrison Flinders GC, Vic Dean Bailey Rosanna GC, Vic Ryan Fury Killara GC, NSW Damien Murrell Easts Leisure & GC, NSW Shane Baker Mosman Park GC, WA Jake Gibbs Royal Canberra GC, ACT John Nelson Grafton District GC, NSW Brett Balloch Anglesea GC, Vic Danny Hack Wellington Shire, Vic James Newell Magenta Shores G&CC, NSW Ed Barraclough Cardinia Beaconhills GC, Vic Cameron Hall Kew GC, Vic Kelvin Nicholson Palmer Coolum Resort, Qld Mark Bateman Kooringal GC, Vic Gareth Hammond Terrey Hills GC, NSW Matthew Oliver QSAC, Qld Tim Bayard Evergreen Turf, Vic Brendan Hansard Kew CC, NSW Shaun Page Southern GC, Vic Duncan Begley Horizons Golf Resort, NSW Mitch Hayes Brisbane GC, Qld Luke Partridge Manly GC, NSW Nathan Bennett The Royal Adelaide GC, SA Luke Helm Meadowbrook GC, Qld Mick Pascoe Sports Turf Solutions, Vietnam John Berthon St Georges Basin CC, NSW Tony Hemming Optus Stadium, WA Ben Payne Peninsula-Kingswood CGC, Vic Paul Bevan GTS, Qld Kirsty Herring Katherine CC, NT Michael Pearce RACV Torquay GC, Vic Shane Bisseker Whitsunday Council, Qld Tim Hoskinson Cairns GC, Qld Keegan Powell The Sands Torquay, Vic Andrew Boyle GTS, Vic Ian Howell, Bonnie Doon GC, NSW Luke Primus Deakin University, Vic Justin Bradbury Camden GC, NSW Rhys Hunichen Atlas Golf Services Vic Scott Prince Evergreen Turf Vic Nathan Bradbury Eastlake GC, NSW Jay Infanti Eastern GC, Vic Shaun Pritchard PEGS, Vic Harry Brennan Dubbo City Council, NSW Nick Jeffrey Racing Queensland, Qld Justin Rankin Kooindah Waters GC, NSW Mark Brooks Riversdale GC, Vic Mark Jennings Racing Victoria, Vic Marc Raymond Patterson River GC, Vic Fraser Brown Lake Karrinyup CC, WA Steven Johnson Al Mouj Golf, Oman Scott Reid Launceston GC, Tas Ben Bruzgulis Cronulla GC, NSW Jason Kelly Royal Fremantle GC, WA Lachlan Ridgwell Blacktown ISP, NSW Hamish Buckingham Commonwealth GC, Nick Kinley Hartfield CC, WA Brett Saggus BRG Legend Hill, Vietnam Vic Dylan Knight Axedale GC, Vic Wesley Saunders Dunblane New GC, UK Chris Burgess Yarrawonga Mulwala GC, Vic Blaine Knox Beenleigh RSL & GC, Qld Robert Savedra Wesley College, Vic Greg Burgess Northern GC, Vic Lance Knox Busselton GC, WA Travis Scott Riversdale GC, Vic Jacob Burridge Victoria GC, Vic Steve Lalor Natadola Bay GC, Fiji Bill Shuck Evergreen Turf, Vic Jason Bushell Rowes Bay GC, Qld Kane Latham Elanora CC, NSW Cameron Smith Bonnie Doon GC, NSW Aaron Cachia Bayer, NSW Nick Launer Metropolitan GC, Vic Gary Smith Commercial Albury GC, NSW Patrick Casey Kalgoorlie GC, WA Ben Lavender Newington College, NSW Thomas Smith Waterford Valley GC, Vic David Cassidy The Cut, WA Jason Lavender Riverlakes GC, Qld Mathew Soles The Australian GC, NSW Brian Cattell Wagga Wagga CC, NSW Dean Lenertz St Michael’s GC, NSW Clinton Southorn Abu Dhabi GC, UAE Peter Cawsey Eastwood GC, Vic Dean Lewis Thurgoona CC, NSW John Spraggs Royal Wellington GC, NZ Paul Chalmers St Aloysius College, NSW Josh Leyland Box Hill GC, Vic Daniel Stack Windaroo Lakes GC, Qld Brenton Clarke Kooyonga GC, SA Nathan Lindsay Hamilton Island GC, Qld Lee Strutt Les Bordes International, France Dan Cook Elanora CC, NSW Peter Lonergan Coolangatta-Tweed Heads David Sutherland The Ridge GC, NSW Lincoln Coombes RACV Royal Pines, Qld GC, NSW Lee Sutherland St Michael’s GC, NSW Phillip Cooper GTS, NSW Ben Lucas Tocumwal GC, NSW Shay Tasker Carnarvon GC, NSW Dion Cope Redland Bay GC, Qld Toby Lumsden ICC Academy, UAE Aaron Taylor The Lakes GC, NSW Shaun Cross Byron Bay GC, NSW Bruce Macphee ASTMA, Vic Heath Taylor Blacktown ISP, NSW Joshua Cunningham All Outside, NSW Dave Mason Metropolitan GC, Vic Nigel Taylor Sports Turf Solutions, Malaysia Bruce Davies CIT, ACT Garry McClymont Twin Waters GC, Qld Shaun Taylor Southern GC, Vic Kevin Davis St Margaret’s-Berwick GS, Vic Tony McFadyean Nedlands GC, WA David Thomson Bermagui CC, NSW Nicholas Douglas Spring Valley GC, Vic Paul McLean Sanctuary Cove G&CC, Qld Ben Tilley Headland GC, Qld Cameron Dunn Woolooware GC, NSW Michael McMahon GTS, Qld Steve Tuckett ASTMA, Vic Peter Dunn Federal GC, ACT Peter McNamara Brisbane GC, Ql Lee Veal Mt Derrimut G&CC, Vic Ben Evans Ryde TAFE, NSW Ryan McNamara Rosanna GC, Vic Michael Vozzo Maroondah CC, Vic Tim Fankhauser ASTMA, Vic Keith McPhee Maitland City Council, NSW Earl Warmington Newcastle GC, NSW Peter Fitzgerald Toronto CC, NSW Brett Merrell Ras Al Hamra GC, Oman Tim Warren Glenelg GC, SA Aaron Fluke NSWGC, NSW Daniel Metcalfe Beverley Park GC, NSW Rob Weiks Hoiana Shores GC, Vietnam Jason Foster Riverway Stadium, Qld Jack Micans Manly GC, NSW Shannon White Baileys Fertilisers, WA Jason Foulis StrathAyr Group, Vic Braydan Millar Rowes Bay GC, Qld George Widdowson Geelong GC, Vic Patrick Fraser Landscape Solutions, NSW Ben Mills Hawks Nest GC, NSW Darren Wilson Wembley GC, WA Peter Fraser Hervey Bay G&CC, Qld Craig Molloy Cypress Lakes Resort, NSW Tim Wright K&B Adams, Vic For more information on the ASTMA Certification Program visit www.agcsa.com.au AS SOCIATION REPORTS NSWBGA Fifty greenkeepers from NSW and Queensland converged on Tamworth in Mayy T he NSWBGA State Championship week also due to be the venue for the presentation Pairs winners: Brent Norman & Shannon was hosted by South Tamworth Bowling of the 2021 Living Turf Greenkeeper of the White Club in late May with 50 greenkeepers Year Award. With some nominees still awaiting Runners-up: Mitch McDonnell & Hemi Palmer from across NSW and Queensland in inspections, this will award will be finalised at a Plate Pairs winners: Adam Moffit & Adam attendance. The high numbers were great later date after inspections are completed. Webb considering there was some trepidation about The 2021 State conference set down for Runners-up: Dave Hukins & Col McPherson moving the event of the coast to an inland early August was also cancelled and we will Two raffles were run across the event with the area. To those who could attend, a great time look at organising a smaller education and following results: was had as always with friendships refreshed trade day later in the year. Final 8 singles raffle: Adam Webb $500 and new ones made. The NSWBGA would like to say a big Anthony Minihan $250 The talk across the four days of the event thank you to one of our longest serving General raffle: was how the standard of bowls was some of and favourite sales representatives, Mike 1st Bowls Taylor GTRs: Dave Hukins the highest quality seen in recent memory, Darlington. Mike wound up the “Technical 2nd Taylor bowls bag: Luke Wade with many preliminary games and just about Talks” and a fantastic career in the turf industry 3rd $50 gift voucher: Luke Wade all semi-finals and finals games decided in the at the end of July. Mike has serviced bowling 4th $25 gift voucher: Matt Keough final one or two ends. clubs up and down the east coast for the past 5th $25 gift voucher: Smokey Dawson Unfortunately, much of NSW is in lockdown 40 years, starting off with Maxwell & Kemp Lucky door prize: Ditch Scrape donated by again. Unlike many golf courses, bowling clubs and, for the past 10 years, Living Turf. Our Lawford Engineering: Lee Johnson across the Sydney Metro area closed and are association wishes Mike all the best for his not open for essential exercise, forcing most retirement. He’s looking forward to spending MEMBERSHIPS staff into reduced hours or taking leave. time with his family and I’m sure he’ll still be Memberships are now due, Rod Crean is Club play schedules were jam-packed as calling on a few greenkeepers across the state encouraging as many members as possible do clubs and Bowls NSW attempted to catch up on his travels for a coffee and a chat. their renewals through the Team App that can on missed/deferred events from 2020 along Remember to check in on your fellow be downloaded onto most smartphones. There with completing all 2021 events. This will once greenkeepers during these difficult times and several benefits to this, with the app doubling again cause a delay and loss of revenue for let’s hope we get back on the greens soon. as a communication platform and store where all clubs. association apparel can be purchased. One of those events to be cancelled once RESULTS again is the NSWBGA Peter Mobbs Shield. Singles winner: Ben Morthorpe MICK WOODS The event set down for Halekulani BC was Runner-up: Shannon White PRESIDENT, NSWBGA 72 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.4 The DMI you deserve Giving you time to actually enjoy the view Introducing Dedicate FORTE Stressgard, a powerful and proven DMI fungicide with advanced formulation that delivers class-leading disease control. From tough root and soil-borne diseases, to persistent foliar pathogens, Dedicate FORTE Stressgard does it all. And don’t forget about the enhanced turf quality and plant health benefits you can expect from Stressgard Formulation Technology. 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