CELEBRATING THE EFFORTS OF AUSTRALIA’S SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS ISSN 1442-2697 www.agcsa.com.au VOLUME 23.2 MAR-APR 2021 Barnbougle’s triple threat Bougle Run short course rises from the ashes Fortress goes hybrid Resilience and recovery Hallowed turf of Eden Park Flood-impacted turf farms, has a new-look HERO facilities fight their way back A Classic fortnight Moonah Links goes back-to-back 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 JOURNAL Published by the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) Editorial Brett Robinson Office: (03) 9548 8600 Mobile: 0434 144 779 Email: brett@agcsa.com.au Advertising PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM PARTNERS PARTNERS PARTNERS PARTNERS PARTNERS Pam Irvine Office: (03) 9548 8600 Mobile: 0402 069 489 TheAustralian The Australian Sports The Australian Sports The The Australian Turf Sports Turf Australian Managers Sports Turf Managers Managers Sports TurfAssociation Association Association Turf Managers Managers Association isisindebted indebted totothe is indebted Association isthe is the to indebted indebted to theto t Email: pam@agcsa.com.au support support ofofthe support thefollowing of support following the support offollowing premium following ofpremium the the following partner premium partner premium companies partner companies premium partner companies partner companiescompanies Art Direction & Design Jo Corne PREMIUM PREMIUM PARTNERS PARTNERS PLATINUM PLATINUM Printed By Southern Colour Pty Ltd The Australian TheSports PLATINUM Australian support of thesupport following PLATINUM Turf Managers Sports Turf of the premium PLATINUM Association ManagersisAssociation followingpartner premium indebted toisthe companies indebted to the partner companies PLATINUM PLATINUM GOLD GOLD 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 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 SILVER SILVER Mobile: 0438 320 919 E: mark@agcsa.com.au Membership SILVER SILVER Allison Jenkins E: admin@agcsa.com.au Accounts SILVERSILVER 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 BRONZE Tim Fankhauser (Agronomist) E: tim@agcsa.com.au BRONZE BRONZE Social Media Keally Nankervis E: keally@agcsa.com.au www.facebook.com/TheASTMA www.linkedin.com www.instagram.com/the_astma @TheASTMA Copyright © 2021 The ASTMA believes that material sourced and produced for Australian The Australian Sports The The Australian TurfAustralian Managers SportsSports Association Turf Managers Turfencourages Association Managers allAssociation members encourages to encourages support all members to support Turfgrass Management is accurate, but gives no warranty in relation thereto, and disclaims liability for all claims against the ASTMA, its TheAustralian The Australian Sports The Australian Sports The TurfTurf Managers Sports Turf Managers Australian these companies Association Managers Association Sports Turf these who encourages Association encourages Managers companies support your who allallmembers encourages Association association support members totosupport all members yourencourages association supportto all all members members support to sup to support subsidiary companies, its employees, agents or any other person which may arise from any person acting on the materials contained these companies who these companies these companies who these support companies whoyour thesesupport companies your support who association your association who support support association your association your association within. No portion, in whole or part, may be reproduced without the written permission of the ASTMA MARCH-APRIL 2021 1 CONTENTS 16 COVER STORY TRIPLE THREAT: BOUGLE RUN JOINS THE FAMILY 16 8 Good things often come about by accident and so it was the case for Barnbougle’s latest impressive golf offering – the 14-hole Bougle Run short course. Barnbougle course superintendent Phil Hill tracks the development of the newest member of the Barnbougle stable, from the initial vegetation burn-off that got out of control which exposed the spectacular new site, its construction during a global pandemic and the challenges that created, through to its much-anticipated opening this past March. 26 Cover: The 79m par three 12th hole at Bougle Run, Barnbougle, Tasmania. Photo: William Watt, Caddie Productions. FEATURES ALSO IN THIS EDITION… Eden Park’s new HERO 8 Foreword Thinking 4 Picture perfect posts 6 AAMI Park’s extreme reno 22 Regional Profile – Atherton GC, Qld 56 Moonah Links goes back-to-back 26 Around the Trade 62 Resilience and persistence – 38 Association Reports 66 Up the last… It’s not weak to speak 70 2021 March floods 32 Book reviews 72 2 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 Fond memories of the ‘Fortress’ I must apologise, but this edition’s lead story is a tad indulgent. Eden Park, in my home town of Auckland, NZ is my hallowed turf. Sorry MCG. It is where I came to develop a love for the games of rugby union and cricket and just as it has provided a bank of incredible memories for New Zealand’s collective sporting psyche, so too was it the scene of many of my fondest childhood memories (think 1987 Rugby World Cup) as well as later being an integral part of my working career. I was a week shy of turning 13 when I made the trek to Eden Park to watch my very first rugby Test. It was New Zealand v Wales on 11 June 1988 and I went with my mate Michael who lived next door and his dad Greg. We sat up the top of the old West Stand exactly behind the left-hand 32 upright. The arena was heaving, with a sell-out crowd of 45,000 jammed in to watch an All Blacks side that boasted my childhood heroes, among them New Zealand rugby royalty Sean Fitzpatrick, Wayne Shelford, John Kirwan, Michael Jones, Smokin’ Joe Stanley and super boot Grant Fox. Led by Shelford, the ABs had humiliated the Welsh the previous fortnight in Christchurch and there wasn’t much hope of that being reversed come the second Test. Sure enough, come the COLUMNS end of the match the ABs had crossed the tryline eight times on the way to a 54-9 win, Fox nailing a perfect 10 from 10 with the boot. However, it wasn’t the final scoreline or one of those eight tries JOHN NEYLAN 38 & 42 that elicited the biggest cheer of the day. PETER MCMAUGH AM 44 Rugby is as much a religion to the Welsh as it is to New Zealanders and even with four JOHN FORREST 48 minutes left in the game and trailing 48-3, they weren’t about to give up. I remember the moment BEN GIBSON 52 TERRY MUIR 54 vividly. The All Blacks coughed up the ball inside the Welsh 22 and, with nothing to lose, the tourists chanced their arm. The Welsh were captained that day by one of their greats, masterful fly-half Jonathan Davies, and it was his one bit of brilliance that made me fall in love with the game of rugby union. Taking the ball for the second time just outside his own 22, Davies evaded a diving tackle from Stanley on the 10-metre line and then it was on – a foot race to the line with lanky All Black speedster Terry Wright who was closing in quickly from his right. Davies jetted over the half way line, pinned the ears back and we all started rising to our feet cheering. It was almost like slow motion. About five metres from the line, Wright, with a despairing dive, managed to knock Davies off balance, but his momentum was enough to enable him to reach out with one arm and plant the brown and black Adidas over the line, right next to the left-hand upright I was sitting behind. Maybe it was my young ears, but I have never heard a crowd roar like that in my life and, what is more, it came from a 99 per cent parochial Kiwi crowd. It’s a moment etched into my memory and in later years Eden Park would throw up many more, some of which I was fortunate enough to witness from the media box in my capacity as a sports journalist. Even though I departed NZ shores many moons ago now, still to this day I get very excited when I watch a game at Eden Park and fondly recall that visceral moment when Davies had the crowd on their feet. Over the next few years Eden Park is set to be front and centre as it plays host to some major 22 events – the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, the 2021 Women’s Cricket World Cup (both to be played in 2022 due to COVID) and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. To prepare for the arrival of these events and to maintain its status as New Zealand’s pre-eminent sporting arena, Eden Park underwent a major resurfacing for the first time in nearly 20 years this past summer. A new Contributors to Australian Turfgrass Management Journal Volume 23.2 (March-April 2021): Shane Baker hybrid pitch was installed and in our lead story HG Turf Group’s Erik Kinlon and Eden Park turf (CSTM, GCSAWA); Nathan Ball (Lynwood CC); Leo Barber manager Blair Christiansen look at the project and some of the challenges to bring it to fruition. (Paraparaumu Beach GC, NZ); Nathan Bennett (CSTM, SAGCSA); Brendan Clark (Atherton GC); Cricket ACT; Blair Elsewhere in this edition we also look at AAMI Park’s extreme renovation undertaken last Christiansen (Eden Park, NZ); John Forrest (Forrest and spring, chart the development of the incredible new Bougle Run short course at Barnbougle Forrest Horticultural Consultancy Services); Ben Gibson (The Toolbox Team); Shane Greenhill (VGCSA); Luke Helm and recap the impact that the devastating floods along the Eastern Seaboard has had on many (CSTM, Meadowbrook GC); Phil Hill (Barnbougle/TSTMA); sectors of the turf industry. Enjoy the read… Greg Jager (Nambucca Heads Island GC); Erik Kinlon (HG Turf Group); Justin Lang (AAMI Park); Paul McLean (CSTM, GCSAQ); Jeff McManus (Windsor CC); Peter McMaugh AM (Turfgrass Scientific Services); Terry Muir (epar); John Neylan (SportEng); Matthew Plunkett (Turf NSW); Anthony Toogood (Bougle Run); Mark Unwin (ASTMA); William Watt (Caddie Productions); Kyle Wilson (Moonah Links); Jenny Zadro (Turf Australia). Brett Robinson, Editor MARCH-APRIL 2021 3 FOREWORD THINKING WITH MARK UNWIN, CEO Strong support as industry looks forward to Gold Coast return I t seems as though each Foreword education sessions and programme, industry Thinking note that I’ve written in recently awards and networking events are available on memory has commenced with a sombre the association website at www.agcsa.com.au. tone, reflecting on subjects that have Elsewhere, we are preparing to move into impacted our industry – droughts, the second phase of the Environment and bushfires, COVID-19 and now, in recent weeks, Sustainability Program in conjunction with the the devastating floods that have ravaged large GEO and The R&A, which will deliver a series areas of southeast Queensland and New of in-depth case studies of the sustainability South Wales. Images just seem not to do programmes employed on various golf justice to the impacts these floods have had on courses right across the country. As was golf courses, sports fields, turf farms and many mentioned in the last edition of ATM, a steering other facilities, some having only recently insights into leading teams from experts in committee formed from representatives of the recovered from flooding 12 months ago. both business and sporting worlds, in addition ASTMA and each state association has met The AGCSATech team of senior to industry updates from NSOs and governing to start the development of a sustainability agronomist Bruce Macphee and Tim bodies. framework and development of Golf Course Fankhauser have been working through In recent weeks we have been thrilled to 2030 in conjunction with Golf Australia and The assistance calls and advice for members announce the following presenters who will R&A. Further information on this will be made and also published information to assist join us on the Gold Coast; available at the conference in June. flood-affected facilities and turf managers get l Former Australian cricket coach John Also, over the coming month members their surfaces back into play. As an industry, Buchanan; will also see more information circulated our thoughts are with each of the teams l Ex-pro basketballer turned motivational relating to an employment initiative we are undertaking the recovery efforts and I continue speaker Eric Bailey; undertaking in conjunction with State and to encourage clubs or sports turf managers l Business and marketing professional Territory governments on addressing one of in need of assistance or advice relating to Carmen Sederino; the most important short- and long-term issues available support measures to contact us. l Resilience and well-being doyen Murray for the industry – attracting future talent into On a more positive note, the 2021 Altham; sports turf management and programmes to Australian Sports Turf Management l Agronomy expert Dr Brett Morris. train, develop and keep staff in the industry. Conference and Trade Exhibition will be held As is customary, the programme for Members will receive further communications in Broadbeach, Queensland for the first time Wednesday and Thursday will see more on this throughout May, along with details since 2014. The Gold Coast Convention and detailed sessions across different streams related to a participation and engagement Exhibition Centre will play host again from – agronomy, sports fields, golf, workshops survey which will form an initial component of 21-24 June with registration currently open as well as hands-on programmes for turf the initiative. through the ASTMA website. Sentiment from equipment technicians. Throughout these With a lot happening over the coming industry has been overwhelmingly positive, tailored two-day sessions, a host of local months, the ASTMA continues to actively work with record registrations received for the event industry experts, researchers, turf practitioners towards supporting and strengthening the through February and March. and keynote speakers will present the latest industry. If there is anything you would like to The strong registration activity to date research, information and practices related discuss, please do not hesitate to get in touch is reflective of the feedback we’ve received to sports turf management. Details of the with the team at the association. from many turf managers in wanting to take advantage of the opportunity to get together in June after last year’s absence. It will be great for delegates to catch up with peers, network and continue their education and discuss the latest product and service developments for the industry at the trade exhibition. Such a response is shared by our wonderful trade partners, with exhibition space now over 90 per cent sold and a host of new exhibitors looking to join the event. Looking at a little more detail for the conference programme, Tuesday’s Plenary sessions will focus largely on the areas of leadership, management and communication, Business and marketing being the top three items requested by professional Carmen attendees from previous conference surveys. Sederino is among a great group of speakers who will We have developed a great line-up of speakers present at the Gold Coast across the day, which will provide valuable conference 4 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 SOCIAL MEDIA RAGC GREENS Perfect conditions for golf this morning @ Royal Adelaide GC. @markusmader rolling greens before the start of today’s play (Photo taken by Dave Meadows @davemeadows84) Picture perfect posts ATM features some of the best social media photos recently snapped by our many talented turf managers and industry professionals. MATTHEW OLIVER @IDRIS_EVANS (WAGC) Ryegrass oversow at QSAC has come up well. All ready for the Queensland Thoughts? Not a fan. (Lakelands Country Club in Maroons women’s Origin team for the WA takes a novel approach to placing their rakes) next seven weeks (12 sessions). 6 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 CAMERON SMITH (BONNIE DOON GC) What a week! Hats off to you boys! (Bonnie Doon hosted the second event in The Players Series in the first week of March) GRAEME HIBBERD Above left: First month at Tamborine Mt GC was certainly a test. 700ml of rain in the first three days, no sprayer. Starting to take shape now. CRICKET ACT Above: The end of an era today (24 April) as Brad van Dam brings to a close his 30-year career in the turf industry and 13 years as head curator of Manuka Oval. All the best for the future Brad. (Photo: Getty Images) NAMBUCCA HEADS ISLAND GC Left: Thank you to Coffs Harbour Golf Club super Justin and team for coming down to help with the flood clean up! Great to have local industry/business support and volunteers helping. MARCH-APRIL 2021 7 ARENAS Fortress welcomes a new HERO Eden Park is tightly bound to New Zealand’s sport psyche and has been the scene for many of the country’s most memorable sporting moments. HG Turf Group’s Erik Kinlon, together with Eden Park turf manager Blair Christiansen, look back at last summer’s project to reinvigorate the playing surface for what is set to be a massive few years of major international sporting events for the venue. 8 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 S port in New Zealand is currently encounters between the titans of rugby and riding the crest of a very exciting cricket, Eden Park needs no introduction. wave and Auckland’s Eden In order to remain at the forefront of the Park, as the country’s national international stadia scene and in preparation stadium, will be front and centre for the world’s focus to be on Eden Park of all that is to come. Having previously over the coming years, the decision was secured the 2021 Women’s Cricket World Cup made to upgrade the entire playing surface and the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup and surrounds. Planning for the resurfacing (both of which have been shifted to 2022), the stretches back over two years, when it was recent announcement of Auckland as a host first decided to replace the old Motz stabilised city and Eden Park as a host venue for the turf system installed by HG Turf Group back 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup brings about in 2003. Having researched extensively, it was an incredible three-peat of global events for the decided that a replacement hybrid carpet type nation. system would best suit the multi-functional Steeped in history, Eden Park is globally usage requirement that Eden Park now has. recognised as one of the most iconic This selection has been franked even further multifunctional stadia venues in the world. It is with the announcement in January that Eden a formidable fortress, not only for the All Blacks Park had been granted resource consent to who have a consecutive winning streak of over host up to six concerts per year. 40 Test matches at the venue, but for every As part of the selection process for the Eden Park turf manager Blair Christiansen (right) with team that calls it home. The scene of epic Black Caps captain Kane Williamson hybrid technology to be used, two carpet type PHOTOS: HG TURF GROUP AND EDEN PARK With a heavy international events schedule in the coming years, during January and February Auckland’s Eden Park switched to a new hybrid surface, installing HG Turf’s HERO Hybrid Grass system MARCH-APRIL 2021 9 ARENAS Prior to the resurfacing, 4000m2 of the existing Eden Park surface was stripped and sold off to the public, with a roll of the hallowed turf going for $NZ49 per square metre hybrid products were installed on the ground “In 2018, we went to Europe and the UK underlying grid via a knitting process. The at Eden Park. Following a period of evaluation to view the latest sports turf technology and open foundation promotes enhanced drainage and testing, HG’s HERO Hybrid Grass Eden check out products we knew we needed to and root development, with the artificial grass Park Edition turf was chosen. Further to consider. We were really impressed with some protecting the natural grass and increasing upgrading the turf surface, it was also an of them, which led to an in-situ trial of two the durability of the turf. The artificial grass opportunity to carry out some upgrades on shortlisted products at Eden Park. In the end, provides vertical stability and the open grid irrigation and the inclusion of a synthetic grass we chose HG’s HERO ‘Eden Park Edition’ turf provides horizontal stability. perimeter as part of the works. because of its year-round performance in our “The decision to retire the previous environment, longevity and durability. DOWN AT THE FARM surface was proactive,” explains Eden Park “With the frequency and variety of content Any resurfacing of such a magnitude starts turf manager Blair Christiansen. “We knew Eden Park experiences, we needed the extra down at the turf farm. Unlike other stadium the old surface wouldn’t be able to handle assurance and stability the HERO hybrid venues, Eden Park is in the unique position our aspirations for Eden Park as a truly variety offers to meet our hirers’ requirements of having its own turf farm based at Karaka, multipurpose venue due to an aged profile, and users’ expectations. The fibres in the about an hour south of Auckland. Having that when combined with weather would hybrid product increase stability in ways a non- chosen to go with the HERO system in mid- heighten the risk of a less desirable surface. stabilised profile simply can’t.” 2019 and with some redevelopment works to The new hybrid surface can cope with a The HERO system uses artificial grass, be completed at the turf farm, it was envisaged packed schedule of varied content, from Super which comprises around five per cent of the to have the works completed ready for planting Rugby and international cricket to concerts. playing surface, which is anchored to an in late 2019/early 2020. HG Turf Group engaged a number of NZ-based contractors to assist in delivering the Eden Park resurfacing project. Among them was Wellington-based Mexted Sports Turf which had the principal responsibility for civil and earthworks as well as turf installation 10 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 ARENAS 14,000m2 of HERO turf was harvested in 10m long x 1m wide rolls from Eden Park’s dedicated Karaka-based turf farm and transported the one-hour journey to the stadium the rehabilitation works to prepare the field of play for resurfacing. A crew of 14 staff from HG, supplemented with local support, would generally be responsible for the earthworks and civil works followed by the harvesting and installation works. As the possibility of this became further and further away due to the restrictions on travel and the need to quarantine on both sides of the ‘Ditch’, it was decided to instigate the primary contingency plan which involved bringing together of a number of NZ-based contractor partners that HG had worked with in the past . It may have been ‘Plan B’ but it did involve an ‘A-Team’ of local contractors. Wellington-based firm Mexted Sports Turf were engaged to lead on the final design HG Turf Group set about manufacturing before works were due to start on the stadium. development, along with having the principal and mobilising the 14,175m2 of hybrid Together, HG and Eden Park turf managers set responsibility for civil and earthworks and turf carpet along with sending two containers of the programmes for the successful production installation. Christchurch-based ReadyLawn specialised equipment for the installation. With of the turf including nutrition, chemical NZ were engaged to assist with the harvesting, the pad extension and irrigation upgrades at treatments, irrigation and specific maintenance transport and installation of the new surface, the turf farm completed, the HG team arrived regimes pertaining to the hybrid system. while Polytan would take care of the synthetic in New Zealand from Australia and set about perimeter works, with their Liga Turf product laying, stitching and infilling the new HERO turf PLANNING, PLANNING meeting all the required FIFA and World Rugby in March 2020. AND MORE PLANNING specifications. The final contractor involved With COVID-19 rapidly taking a In the months following the planting at the was Auckland-based FDS which provided local stranglehold around the world, the HG farm, HG worked closely with Christiansen, labour and machinery support both for works crew managed to get the works 90 per cent Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner at the turf farm during production and also as completed in order to catch the last flight out and project consultants NZSTI, led by Alex part of the main project works. of Auckland back to Australia before borders Glasgow, to finalise the project design, As the end of 2020 neared and with all the were closed. Having their own turf farm meant scope and methodology. With a great deal planning and coordination in place, the final that the seeding process and grow-in could of uncertainty gripping the world due to piece in the puzzle was to lock in the exact be completed by the Eden Park team and the rapidly escalating COVID-19 situation, project dates. The sporting landscape for all dedicated turf farm manager Aaron O’Connell. a number of different contingency plans in codes was up in the air at this time with fixtures The turf variety chosen was a blend of relation to the delivery of the project had to be and schedules changing day to day. Eden Spartacus and Colosseum ryegrasses from considered and developed in the expectancy Park and the project team understood the PGG Wrightson Turf. that they would be required. need to have a fluid approach regarding the The new turf would have around 12 In a normal situation HG would send a project timeline to also meet the needs of the months to establish and mature at the turf farm complete project team that would include sporting tenants that call Eden Park home. Although Australia and New Zealand had a good handle on managing the suppression of COVID-19 locally, challenges still remained, but come the start of 2021 it was all systems go. GROUND ZERO With the project dates locked in and the team to deliver the project mobilised to Auckland, ground works started in early January 2021. Following detailed consideration, it was agreed that the best methodology to remove the 17-year-old Motz surface was by stripping it off using excavators and low ground pressure Due to COVID restrictions limiting travel, it fell to HG Turf Group managing director Hamish Sutherland and project manager Luke Allen to head over from Australia to manage the harvesting at the farm and installation at the stadium respectively 12 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 dumpers. The depth of removal varied across harvesting at the farm and installation at the the ground and on average allowed for stadium respectively. This was not before both removal to a depth of 120mm. The arising spoil had to undertake quarantine for two weeks material was carted to the outside carpark and in a local Auckland hotel due to COVID-19 removed off site back to the Eden Park farm restrictions. where it could be processed and repurposed. “Under these restrictions we were limited “We needed to remove all of the old Motz to having one harvest manager and one turf but also minimise removing clean sand installation manager from Australia,” explains beneath the cut depth,” says Cameron Mexted, Sutherland. “Never before have we resurfaced managing director of Mexted Sports Turf. a stadium with only two HG staff. However, we “This was a massive consideration throughout were so well supported and after completing the planning and execution of the works with managed isolation we had some time to upskill precise cut/fill modelling of the field of play the local crews to operate our specialised conducted.” equipment and transfer our know-how via With the existing surface removed, the on-the-job training.” underlying sand was 3D-levelled to mimic the With the local crews trained up, the final finished surface design levels. A further 14,000m2 of HERO turf was harvested in 800 tonnes of Perrys sand was imported, 10m long x 1m wide rolls and transported spread, incorporated and consolidated to the one-hour journey to Eden Park. HG built complete the profile construction works. As contingency into the programme knowing part of the project team’s quality assurance that the resurface would be with a relatively processes, the sand was tested every 100 inexperienced team, allowing for a quantity Around 2000m2 of HERO turf was installed each day tonnes to ensure it met the NZSTI spec and of 2000m2 per day to be harvested and with the resurfacing completed in seven days was compatible with the original construction installed over a seven-day period. Following sand. Amendments and pre-plant nutrition and unforeseen circumstances, but thankfully the completion of each day’s installation the were also added to the sand prior to turfing for the earthworks and civil portion all works new turf was consolidated and watered until and this was also based on requirements were completed on time and on track with the completion and handed over to Christiansen following testing. project programme,” comments Mexted. and his team. Concurrent with the works on the main “COVID-related border measures were field of play, Polytan got to work installing a ROLLING OUT perhaps our biggest challenges during new synthetic ring road around the perimeter. With the civil and earthworks complete, the the works,” reflects Christiansen. “Several These works also meant that irrigation changes final piece of the resurfacing puzzle was the members of HG Turf’s workforce couldn’t get would be required including some upgrades installation of the new surface. In normal into the country, but we were fortunate to have on fittings, sprinkler heads and a new ring circumstances HG would manage all aspects Hamish and Luke here to harvest and install main on one side of the field. To ensure of these critical works, however, COVID-19 the new turf in early February 2021. Having a everything was to spec, Alex Glasgow (NZSTI) meant a ‘new normal’ that the team had to fully functioning No.2 ground, with televised was available to sign off on all witness and adapt to. domestic cricket matches throughout the hold points and final as-built surveys as they With a number of other major projects on project, added further complexity in managing were completed. at the same time in Australia, it fell to HG Turf access, deliveries and other logistical “As with any project of this size, scale and Group’s managing director Hamish Sutherland considerations around the event days and nature there is always going to be challenges and project manager Luke Allen to manage the broadcasts.” Quali-Pro Negate ® NAIL YOUR EARLY POA! and other troublesome autumn/winter weeds such as clover, oxalis, dandelions and daisies • First turf registered metsulfuron-methyl/ rimsulfuron mixture • Low odour and low active ingredient loading/ha Visit • Synergistic active ingredients provide true shoot ADAMA.COM and root absorption for complete knockdown to learn more Follow us ®Registered trademarks of an ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Company. MARCH-APRIL 2021 13 ARENAS The new HERO Hybrid Grass ‘Eden Park Edition’ turf surface had a four-week consolidation period before hosting its first Super Rugby clash on 14 March HERO OF THE SHOW Eden Park for the past 18 years. “We’ve had With the new surface surviving its initial The new-look Eden Park surface was due to nothing but positive feedback from users months well, the next step for Christiansen get its maiden outing on 5 March with a Black across our Super Rugby and international and his crew will be getting a handle on and Caps v Australia T20 match, however, with cricket matches held to date. fine-tuning a new maintenance regime which Auckland going into Covid-19 Alert Level 3 “The Six60 concert brought new learnings comes with managing a new hybrid surface. restrictions a few days beforehand, the match for us. A lot of advanced planning went “The new hybrid turf product means had to be moved. Eden Park would soon into getting the field ready for the concert our previous renovation practices are now return to the spotlight, hosting two Super and, equally, remediating it afterwards. We redundant,” adds Christiansen. “We’ve Rugby matches on 14 and 21 March, with ordered 13,500m2 square metres of special adapted the majority of machinery and the Blues entertaining the Highlanders and turf protection flooring which arrived just days our management techniques to ensure the Crusaders respectively. before the show. Prior to installing this, our longevity and continued quality that these On 1 April New Zealand’s national stadium team undertook a rigorous programme of fibre-based products offer. As an example, hosted a Black Caps T20 International against preventative fungicides, growth regulators and we’re now using hybrid-specific equipment, Bangladesh and White Ferns v Australia strategic seeding in certain areas to ensure such as the Koro universal reel, large-volume double-header, before Christiansen and his once the floor was lifted the field would be drop spreaders and the Campey UniRake. team quickly turned the ground around for the improving in turf density rather than declining. “With the new and improved clean profile 3 April Super Rugby match-up between the “With just six days between the concert and combination of ryegrass cultivars, the use Blues and Hurricanes. Further Super Rugby and a Super Rugby double-header, the flooring of wetting agents throughout summer is more fixtures are to come in May and June. and 70-metre-wide stage were removed and prevalent and fertility programmes are more The first real test for the new surface, while some turf replacement was required in closely monitored. This is just the beginning. however, came on 24 April when Eden Park the stage area most of it was out of play for The exact system and methodology of how hosted its first ever concert. Popular Kiwi band Super Rugby. we manage the new surface will be developed Six60 had the honour of making history that “Now that we are a truly multipurpose and refined over the next 12 months. night, with more than 50,000 fans packing the venue, Eden Park can host up to six concerts “We’re committed to working with HG stadium for the occasion. Despite Auckland’s a summer around our usual sporting fixtures. to further develop the product for use here fickle weather trying to put a dampener on the We’ll continue adapting and innovating our and overseas – it’s an opportunity to diversify event, it was a huge success and the ground turf structures and systems to meet the needs revenue streams for Eden Park and utilise passed the test with flying colours. of a very demanding event schedule. We’re idle capacity. As New Zealand’s national “The field has performed extremely well fortunate to have our own turf farm off-site stadium, and the leader in turf innovation and with minimal damage throughout the first two with a full-time turf manager, whose focus is technology, we regularly work with industry months since resurfacing,” says Christiansen, on developing contingency turf to meet the partners here and in Australia to share a 30-year industry veteran who has been at stadium’s needs.” developments, best practice and advice.” Left: Around 13,500m2 of protective flooring was laid on the Eden Park surface ahead of its inaugural concert Below: On 24 April Eden Park hosted the first concert in its history, with local band Six60 playing to a sold- out crowd of more than 50,000 14 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 ECLIPSE 360 OUR NEW LITHIUM GREEN MOWER The Eclipse 360 ELiTE Lithium Ride-on Reel Mower cuts more CUT CUT CUTTING WIDTH HEIGHT CAPACITY than grass. Battery use, noise and maintenance downtime are all reduced by a mower with precision technology that gives you Jacobsen's greatest cutting and run range. 63” (1.6M) 0.062” - 0.438” (1.6MM - 11.1MM) 143K SQ. FT. (13,285 SQ. M.) 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 COURSES PHOTOS: ANTHONY TOOGOOD The Bill Coore-designed Bougle Run, opened on 31 March, comprises 12 par threes and two par fours. Pictured is the stretch of holes 5-8 with the 6th green to the left and 7th top right 16 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 Welcome to the family Good things often come about by accident and so it was the case for Barnbougle’s impressive new offering – the 14-hole Bougle Run short course. Superintendent Phil Hill tracks the development of the latest addition to the famed Barnbougle family, from the initial out-of-control burn-off which exposed the spectacular site, its construction during a global pandemic, through to its much-anticipated opening this March. MARCH-APRIL 2021 17 COURSES Ten of Bougle Run’s holes are perched on top of a large sand dune that runs between holes 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Lost Farm layout (green bottom left is Lost Farm 11) T he Sattler family name, and the property. It may only be subtle improvements Managing the extensive out of play areas game of golf in Tasmania, will go to the golf courses or even the restaurant and on both courses is a significant part of our down in sporting history with what accommodation, but rest assured there is operations and one of the techniques used has been created just outside always something going on at Barnbougle. is controlled burn-offs. These have been a of the sleepy little seaside town And so it proved the case in 2020, even during regular part of our maintenance regime since of Bridport on the state’s north east coast. the height of a global pandemic. Barnbougle Dunes was first constructed and Barnbougle Dunes hit the world golfing market we undertake on average around 12 a year with great fanfare in 2004 and was followed FROM THE ASHES in isolated pockets across both courses. six years later by Barnbougle Lost Farm, both The Barnbougle property is a sprawling Obviously these are meticulously planned and courses quickly becoming firmly entrenched one. Barnbougle Dunes, designed by Tom managed, with particular consideration given in Golf Digest’s World Top 100 Golf Courses Doak and Mike Clayton, resides closer to to the conditions, such as wind and moisture (Barnbougle Dunes currently resides 11th and the township of Bridport, while Lost Farm is of the surrounding vegetation, and always Lost Farm 23rd). further along the coastline, separated from its done at a time when no fire restrictions are in Barnbougle owner Richard Sattler is older sibling by the Great Forester River which place. As we all know, however, accidents can never one to sit on his hands and call the job flows into the adjacent Bass Strait. The Coore- and do happen… complete and is always looking for continual Crenshaw designed Lost Farm resides on an On a cool spring morning in early improvement and a more exciting experience area of land that is around 10 hectares larger September 2019, course staff were that will keep people coming back to the than Barnbougle Dunes. undertaking a controlled burn-off on the right All up the shaping, irrigation installation and Greens were hydroseeded with a 50/50 mix of Chewings and slender creeping red fescues. No bentgrass was hydroseeding took 16 weeks from start to finish included in the mix this time. Pictured is the 12th green with 3rd green in the distance 18 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 hand side of Lost Farm’s 543m par five 10th. For those that know the Lost Farm layout, the area is up and around holes 8, 9, 10 and 11. With a light breeze and some very dry surrounding marram grass, the burn-off suddenly became out of control and raced up and over a large sand dune looking very angry. Course staff called for the water tanker and firefighter pumps to assist in getting it under control, but by the time they arrived it had fizzled out due to the moisture levels in the surrounding vegetation. The fire lasted just 20 minutes, but managed to rip through three hectares. Richard was made aware of the situation and was quickly on site to assess the damage. In his eyes all he could see was more great golfing landscape. “What a great site for a All Bougle Run holes were routed using the natural contours of the land where possible, with minimal disruption to short course” were his exact words as he the dunescape a principal philosophy of Coore’s design. Pictured are the 7th (bottom) and 5th (top) greens climbed higher onto the dunescape to survey Not being one to wait, Richard had two staff were preparing and installing mainline the situation. The area where the fire took hold staff from his farming operations start clearing irrigation and control wire to complement is the highest point across both the properties some golf hole lines for Bill with some of the the Toro Lynx control system and Infinity and affords magnificent 360-degree views over earthmoving equipment which is already part sprinklers. The new course has a separate the courses and to the coastline beyond. The of the Barnbougle machinery fleet. Upon his standalone pump set and pipe network for 10 land had been available for Bill Coore to utilise arrival on site, Bill could not believe the amount of the 14 holes on the top section of the dune. when he was designing Lost Farm, however, of preliminary works that had already been The bottom four holes are plumbed into Lost it did not fit into the much acclaimed 20-hole carried out. Farm’s hydraulics and control system because routing that he would go on to create. of their closer proximity and ease of installation A short course had always been in SOMETHING SPECIAL without having to cross existing infrastructure. Richard’s thoughts long before the fire. Back With the design finalised, the Coore-Crenshaw We were very fortunate to have enough spare in 2012 he and I were fortunate to visit Bandon construction team had a small window of stations and hydraulic capacity for this to Dunes where we played Bandon Preserve, opportunity to construct the course prior to happen, which saved a lot of money without the complex’s 13-hole par three course. their next major project which was across the compromising quality. The flexibility of the Lynx Returning with a vision for something similar at Tasman at Tara Iti. Heading up the construction system and allowing those four Bougle Run Barnbougle, the only issue that had prevented team were shapers Riley Johns and John holes to be managed separately was also a Richard from making it a reality was where Hawker, with Bill planning to visit twice during win for the budget. exactly to put it. That was until now. the project before completion. Just a few weeks into the project we were Without wasting any time, Richard was on Riley arrived in late February and John thrown a massive curveball. Major uncertainty the phone to Bill in the US to engage him into a couple of days later and they quickly went as to whether the project could continue was looking at the site via Google Earth. Bill could to work on the dunescape and transforming thrust upon us due to the rapidly escalating see some real merit in constructing a short it into a modern masterpiece. The brief from COVID-19 pandemic. It threw our plans course on the elevated dune overlooking Lost Richard was quite clear… “Build me something into disarray as Riley had to quickly depart, Farm and had little hesitation in arranging a special and don’t stuff it up!” Having just making a 2am dash for the airport in order site visit in mid-December to start the process completed the Sheep Ranch layout, the sixth to get on a plane back to his wife and young of routing. course at Bandon Dunes, Riley and John child in Canada before Australia’s borders Bill would end up drafting a neat and continued their creativity and very quickly the were slammed shut. That left John as the sole challenging, but at the same time fair, 14-hole new course started to take shape. shaper for the project. short course comprising 12 par threes and two While they started to work their magic on With Australia heading into a four-week par fours. It would cater for all golfing abilities the machinery, behind the scenes Barnbougle lockdown, Richard contacted Bill to discuss and be as easy or as testing as the golfer The 1179m par 44 Bougle Run is the perfect accompaniment to Barnbougle’s would like, with four teeing options on each existing world-class championship courses. Pictured is the 84m 9th hole hole. In fact, the forward tees were positioned as such to allow golfers to putt their way around should they feel the urge to. The longest of the par fours (hole 8) is 303 metres long, while the par three 3rd measures in as the shortest at just 72m. All up the course has a par of 44 and measures 1179m. Why 14 holes? Well, the area on which 10 of the holes were constructed was that which was impacted by the fire. The other four holes were constructed on part of the Lost Farm practice area which served the purpose of connecting the Lost Farm clubhouse to the outer holes. MARCH-APRIL 2021 19 COURSES At 303m long, Bougle Run’s 8th is the longest hole. The fairways are a 50/25/25 mix of Chewings, creeping red and slender creeping red fescues head of steam up, with the irrigation crew well advanced and always keeping a couple of holes ahead of construction with mainline installation. The construction phase didn’t throw up too many challenges, with the only slight concern we had being the wind due to the site’s elevation and exposure. Thankfully we managed to finish construction well and truly before early spring which is when we tend to get our strongest winds. A fescue blend was once again chosen as the turf species of choice because of the options. Richard was eager for the project prior to hydroseeding and also during the climate and their tried and tested performance to continue and asked Bill if he was happy hydroseeding process, while the housekeeping in this part of the world. A 50/50 mix of to have John pull it together on his own, staff did an amazing job planting marram and Chewings and slender creeping red fescues with Bill and Riley assisting remotely. John quickly became known as ‘Charlie’s Angels’. were used for the greens and a 50/25/25 mix of originally hails from Victoria and completed his The majority of the earthmoving and shaping Chewings, creeping red and slender creeping greenkeeping qualifications at Barwon Heads equipment used – a Cat skid steer, Case skid red used across all other surfaces. Seeding Golf Club before deciding to travel the world steer, Cat 311 and 315 excavators, Cat D5 rates were 25g/m2 across all the surfaces. and branch into golf course construction. dozer, Moxy dump truck and modified Toro While the seed varieties are almost Being an Australian citizen, and with his wife SandPro for finishing off – were already part of identical to those used on Barnbougle Dunes and child already residing in Bridport at the the Barnbougle fleet of machinery. and Lost Farm, this time we did not include time (they were staying in my house), it was Minimal disruption to the existing any bentgrass in the Bougle Run blend. That a no-brainer for John to stay on and see the dunescape was a principal component of was one of the learnings from our previous project through. Coore’s design philosophy. All holes were experiences with the other two courses. The It was a huge challenge but John was routed using the natural contours of the fescue simply outcompetes the bentgrass and more than up for it with everyone’s support. land where possible, with little impact on the it is also much easier to control Poa with no With the use of drone photographs, Facetime environment. All surfaces utilised the existing bentgrass to contend with. video calls, Zoom meetings and many dune sand with the greens being straight push- All up the shaping, irrigation installation other forms of digital and social media ups. All playing surfaces had a light application and hydroseeding took just 16 weeks from correspondence, the now ‘global’ project of a seaweed extract pellet and Rapid Raiser start to finish, which was a real credit to John, continued to run seamlessly. As the project poultry pellets lightly raked into the surface his skills and work ethic to pull this project off progressed everyone could see the great prior to hydroseeding, a minimalistic approach in such uncertain times. The course staff did work that John was doing, with his design and which had been used successfully during the an exceptional job also in getting the project shaping skills that he has honed over the past construction of both Barnbougle Dunes and done over the winter months and in sometimes six years with the Coore-Crenshaw team really Lost Farm. very trying conditions. Anthony was very coming to the fore. Communication was a critical component instrumental in the day-to-day operations and throughout the construction phase, especially seamless transition from start to finish and also ALL HANDS ON DECK given we had Bill and Riley advising remotely. the growing-in process. After being in the midst of the pandemic for a There was continual daily feedback between As we all know fescue is notoriously slow couple of weeks and with Tasmania effectively John, Bill and Riley in relation to shaping, to germinate and establish and even more shut off from the rest of the world, in late greens contouring, angles and mowing lines. so over the winter months with temperatures March it was decided to cease golf on the The lines of communication were open and governing germination time. There is no Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm courses so transparent between all parties including hurrying it up either, especially in winter, and we could direct all of our energy and resources Richard, myself and Bougle Run assistant it is very much an exercise in patience and into Bougle Run. The two championship Anthony Toogood. Not once did anything get ensuring nutrition and moisture levels are courses were kept ticking over with minimal completed before everyone was happy with up. As soon as spring and early summer maintenance which wasn’t a concern given we what the end result would look like. Looking arrived and we got some warmth, the surfaces were heading into the cooler months. (They back now it is quite amazing how it all worked tightened up dramatically and started coming would re-open in late June.) out and while there are a couple of little things into their own. While we did have to stand down three that we will tweak over time – mainly relating to Nutrient and irrigation requirements casual staff members, the rest of the crew were golfer traffic and machinery movement around compared to Lost Farm are obviously still quite not impacted in any way and together with the the course – it was incredible how smoothly different at this stage. As the fescue continues assistance of 10 staff from other departments, and efficiently everything ran. to mature and the surfaces harden up a bit including the pro shop, bar and housekeeping, and develop a little bit of organic matter, they we had a veritable small army working on SOWING THE SEEDS will soon be on the same minimalistic, low bringing the new course to life. The pro Hydroseeding of the new course started on input approach to turfgrass management that shop guys assisted with surface preparation 21 April 2020. By this stage we had a full prevails across all our courses. 20 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 Bougle Run’s 4th hole, one of just two par fours, photographed from the forward tee. Four tees on each hole offer varying levels of challenge PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT We did have an opening date set for mid- January 2021 but unfortunately some seed supply quality control issues with the last four greens hydroseeded put that back to a late March opening. We are still dealing with four of the contaminated greens that are not up to our standard, but in due course they will come to match the quality expected here at Barnbougle. The new course was christened Bougle Run and opened officially on 31 March. The name ‘Bougle Run’ is derived from a large agricultural area within the Barnbougle Farm which is also a recognisable area of the farm itself. With the course now open we do have a Since opening we have been thrilled The course has now been open for just separate crew on Bougle Run based out of with the response and coverage that the new over a month and mowing practices are really the Lost Farm maintenance facility headed by course has received. Bougle Run adds another starting to come into line with the other two Anthony and comprising three others. We have really fun and enjoyable experience here at courses. The surfaces are still very fragile, also had to bolster our machinery inventory to Barnbougle. It takes just 90 minutes for a being so young and with the dune sand cater for the extra mowing that is now required round and is the perfect accompaniment to being slightly unstable at this stage, so we are on a daily basis. We managed to get away with the existing championship courses and their managing golfer numbers so as not to cause sharing resources at first, but now that we are traditional golf offerings. The big question now too much wear and tear. At the time of writing open we are needing a separate fleet to keep is what Richard Sattler has planned next… we have had about 600 golfers through the Bougle Run in the same top condition as its perhaps another 18 or 20 holes? Only he course with numbers limited to 30 per day. bigger siblings. knows... MARCH-APRIL 2021 21 ARENAS AAMI Park stripped bare While COVID-19 decimated the events and sporting calendar for Melbourne’s major arenas, for AAMI Park it afforded head curator Justin Lang and his team a unique opportunity to undertake the most intensive renovation of the surface in its 11-year history. S ince opening in May 2010, AAMI are built into our general maintenance UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Park has entrenched itself as programme. Turf replacement is our biggest Heading into 2020, we again had another busy Melbourne’s premier rectangular undertaking in relation to the pitch and this schedule ahead of us. A-League fixtures had stadium. It is home base for is generally done after a non-sporting event, dominated most of our spring and summer four tenant clubs across NRL, like a concert, with a short turnaround time of schedule, with the 2019/2020 season having A-League, W-League and Super Rugby, while about 5-6 days before our next sporting event. started back in late October. We had hosted its multipurpose nature also sees it host Since its opening we have conducted a 15 A-League games by the time Super Rugby numerous rock concerts and once-a-year couple of major surface renovations over the started up in mid-February, with NRL due to events such as Monster Jam. For the surface years. In late 2014 we stripped the top off kick off in late March. to meet the demands of these events, AAMI and re-laid a brand new pitch and sprinkler Our last A-League match for the season Park boasts a dual-product stabilising system system in time for the 2015 Asian Cup. In (and last with a crowd for the year) would which incorporates a strong, healthy cool- February 2017 we removed the top 100mm end up being the Round 23 clash between season perennial ryegrass sward. of the surface, brought in 60mm of fresh sand Melbourne City and Western Sydney The fact we have events 12 months of the and laid a new product, Eclipse stabilised turf. Wanderers on 14 March. Shortly after, the year does not leave us with any renovation In both instances ready-to-play turf was used, A-League suspended the season as Australia period and therefore any works of this nature thus reducing establishment time. went into a four-week COVID-19 lockdown, 22 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 Above: A Koro field topmaker was used to initially strip back the AAMI Park surface to expose the artificial fibres Left: With COVID-19 wiping out its events schedule in 2020, last spring AAMI Park undertook a major renovation of its surface, stripping it back to sand, rejuvenating the artificial fibres and reseeding PHOTOS: JUSTIN LANG/AAMI PARK coming up and the A-League postponing the and training facilities, have the process down start of its new season until late December to a fine art. We were certainly not going 2020, the idea was born to give the AAMI Park into the process blind and with our contacts surface a genuine renovation. in Europe and knowledge of the process, It would essentially involve stripping our venue and management had a good the surface right back to sand, removing all understanding of what was required. The organic material and rejuvenating the artificial process for us would start in late September fibres, something that we never had the luxury and we had a 13-week window until our first with all major sporting competitions and events of being able to do before. To undertake such game back which was an A-League match on consequently also impacted. a renovation, ideally you need 7-9 weeks’ 2 January 2021. Initially, there was much uncertainty establishment time, or longer if it is done about what events would still go ahead and during the cooler months. Now that we had no STRIPPED BACK what events would be either cancelled or games or events for an extended period, it was Stitched or reinforced pitches with erect postponed. Like most industries we were the perfect opportunity to carry out such an synthetic fibres are used to help with surface literally operating on a day-to-day basis for intensive renovation. stability and quality of performance. With four those first couple of months of the pandemic. Although it would be something of a tenant clubs playing out of AAMI Park, mostly Despite that, our facility, department and the first for us, such a renovation is conducted at the same time of the year, going hybrid was pitch were constantly in a ready state to host on a yearly basis with stitched or vertical the obvious choice. Although a hybrid pitch any re-fixtured games or relocated events from fibre pitches overseas. European venues, in brings stability and good playability, they are other states if required. particular the English Premier League pitches also high maintenance. During this time we scaled back maintenance practices on AAMI Park and rotated staff as per COVID-19 restrictions. As we waited for confirmation of games and events, it gave us the perfect opportunity to upskill all our staff while working from home, doing both sports turf industry and Melbourne Park internal courses online. Staff also participated in online forums with some of our suppliers and stadium peers both locally and internationally. As it transpired the only games we would host were two Melbourne Storm games in late May and early June. Those games were played behind closed doors and held under strict government protocols. Although the Storm relocated to the Sunshine Coast in early June, there was still a chance they could finish off their 2020 campaign in Melbourne. But as the season went on interstate, it was finally decided they would finish their season away from AAMI Maredo verti-cutting heads were used to expose and raise any fibres that the Koro topmaker had missed Park. With no concerts or Monster truck events MARCH-APRIL 2021 23 ARENAS Soprano perennial ryegrass was seeded at 500kg The AAMI Park surface received two topdressing applications of 4mm each prior to and after seeding If not maintained correctly, hybrid pitches The key was to topmake the pitch first and fibres that the first three steps had not. A build up an organic layer quickly. This can clean out as much thatch as possible. The rotating power broom attached to a small create a black layer on the surface, in turn idea was to expose as many of the fibres as tractor was used for this process. The more making it greasy and slippery. This can also possible without getting hold of the product erect you can get the fibres and the more you turn the surface anaerobic and potentially and ripping it out. With the different aged can get them protruding above the surface, create a shear plane. In a worst-case scenario, product we had dual issues of there being the better the product performs. After several the pitch becomes unstable and the fibres different levels of thatch and some areas being passes, we had removed all debris and were ineffective if they are buried too deep. more degraded than others. happy with fibre placement and surface levels. The renovation of the AAMI Park surface Once the topmaking had taken place, we We then topdressed with 4mm of sand comprised a number of different stages. To introduced a Maredo verticutter to expose and using a drop spreader. Once the first round make the initial process cleaner and reduce help raise any fibres that the topmaker had of topdressing had been completed, we then the amount of material taken off site, the missed. The Maredo is a more delicate tool went back over with the dethatching rake to existing ryegrass surface was first sprayed than a scarifier, teases the fibres up better, incorporate the sand into the product and out then cut at a low height prior to removal. contours to the landscape more and does less stand up all the fibres before seeding. Surface moisture was then maintained at a damage. Venues that usually do this sort of When seeding into sand and fibres with certain level to enable a Koro field topmaker to renovation on an annual basis do not have to no existing ryegrass, it is crucial to get your strip the surface cleanly. use a topmaker. With less thatch, the Maredo rates and spacings correct. Using a Blec Multi- To make things a little more interesting, we is usually the first step. seeder we went out with 500kg of Soprano had different aged Eclipse product in the pitch After putting the verticutting units across ryegrass from PGG Wrightson Turf which was due to past turf replacements having been the surface, the next step was to then use a carried out in four different directions to make done at different times and in different areas. solid tine spring-loaded dethatching rake. This sure we had an even coverage, minimise any With testing, observation and an independent was to get right into the fibres almost to the gaps and help disguise any seeding lines. We score play evaluation, it was decided that most backing, shake up any stubborn thatch and went out with the higher rate knowing that if it of the pitch would have about 20mm taken loosen any fibres still buried. was too thick we could thin it out at any time. off, although it was a bit of a trial-and-error The next phase was to remove any fine The last stage in the rejuvenation process process. thatch particles and broom up the remaining was to give it a final topdress with another Right: All mowing and fertilising was done by hand for the first month after germination Below: The first seed cracked after four days with the first hand mow coming 21-days post-seeding. 24 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 4mm of sand. This helped protect the seed, keep it in place and retain moisture. Removing 20-25mm of thatch and returning only 8mm of sand, the fibres were more prevalent and effective than ever. Soprano has been used at AAMI Park for the past five years and has produced what we have required for a high profile, high usage and highly shaded stadium surface. We have only used cool-season grasses with this particular turf stabilising product as well. We have found ryegrass by itself far outperforms in a hybrid than with a couchgrass base. Melbourne’s climate and reducing establishing times on the farm is another factor why we only use cool-season grasses. The first event for AAMI Park post-renovation was a 2 January A-League clash 12 weeks post-germination BALANCING ACT was mature enough to take vehicle traffic we One of our key indicators for how well the By renovating AAMI Park and taking it back applied our first fungicide. pitch is performing is the amount of divots to pure sand, the big consideration for us Everything that goes with having a we have, or lack thereof. With four tenant was always going to be managing nutrient reduced or no organic layer affected our clubs including two rugby teams – Melbourne retention. Knowing that hybrids can build up previous maintenance programme. Hybrids Storm and Melbourne Rebels – playing at the a black layer quite quickly, we had to find a tend to dry quicker than normal sand profiles moment, this has certainly been a good test. good balance of amendments and nutrition for and in combination with no organic layer At the start of April we had a four-day event the young ryegrass. To get the seed out of the and juvenile ryegrass our irrigating increased weekend – Thursday night A-League, Friday ground and established relatively quickly, we dramatically. With high amounts of irrigation night NRL, Saturday night Super Rugby and needed good nutrient levels as sand is very and little nutrient holding capacity, our fertiliser Sunday night A-League – and the wear and hungry. To overcome this we applied nutrients applications, both liquid and granular, also recovery of the pitch was very pleasing. The both pre- and post-seeding. increased. Being a fresh new profile, our verti- feedback and performance of the pitch has The first step after seeding was maintaining draining and coring has been reduced, but will been very positive and the evenness, ball roll adequate moisture levels as well as trying to still be needed to open the surface up and let and stability has certainly been to standard. stop some pesky pigeons eating large areas of it breath, such is the tight compact nature of With early postponement of fixtures seed. Apart from the usual bird deterrents, we hybrids. because of COVID 19 and our naturally also had someone on pigeon duty 10 hours compact event schedule this time of year, a day for the first seven days. The first seed BACK IN THE GAME we are set to have a very busy April, May cracked after four days with our first hand mow Our first event post-renovation was the 2 and June. With back-dated fixtures, cooler of the pitch coming 17 days later. All mowing January (12 weeks post-germination) A-League temperatures and extra shade, the AAMI Park and fertilising was done by hand for the first match between Melbourne Victory and surface will certainly get the ultimate test over month after germination. Once the ryegrass Brisbane Roar. the coming months. PUPIL BECOMES MASTER AS FAHEY TAKES REINS AT MANUKA OVAL T om Fahey has replaced Brad van Dam give me advice. I plan to ensure we continue as the new head curator of Manuka to keep these world class standards in place Oval and EPC Solar Park. Cricket ACT and look forward to putting my own spin on made the announcement the week prior to things alongside the amazing foundation he van Dam’s final day on 24 April, with Fahey gave me.” starting his new role on Tuesday 27 April. Van Dam says he is extremely proud and After 13 years at Manuka and nearly honoured to see his former 2IC take the next three decades in the industry, van Dam has step in his career and is confident Fahey will provided guidance and leadership to some more than rise to the challenge. “Tom was of the best emerging curators in the country. here for two years and during that time he One of the notable standouts was Fahey, Brad van Dam (left) and Tom Fahey really developed his skills as a curator and who worked alongside van Dam for two years manager, which led to him moving on to the between 2016-2018 as Manuka Oval’s second where he was a groundsman during the 2013 SCG,” says van Dam. in charge before moving to take on a similar Wimbledon tournament. “Since leaving Cricket ACT and moving to role at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “Everything I have done in my career to the SCG, his development as a turf manager With more than 11 years’ experience in date has been in preparation to hopefully has flourished and he has gained valuable the turf management industry, Fahey beat a become a head curator,” says Fahey, on his experience. As assistant curator Tom has strong field of applicants to replace van Dam. return to Manuka Oval. “I’m looking forward been exposed to many different sports and Fahey began his career as an apprenticeship to leading a young team and showcasing the associated pressures when leading a at Melbourne’s Green Acres Golf Club in our skills to produce great playing surfaces. team of 10 to deliver the SCG surface week in 2009 and over the journey has worked at Brad has taught me so much over the years week out, and this will no doubt give him the likes of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and is always just a phone call away ready to confidence in taking over the reins here.” MARCH-APRIL 2021 25 TOURNAMENTS Moonah Links hosted the Victorian PGA and reprised Moonah Links PGA Classic in consecutive weeks in early February. Pictured is the 6th hole of the Open course which hosted the final two rounds of the PGA and all four rounds of the Classic Moonah Links goes back-to-back Tournament golf returned to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula in early PHOTOS: MOONAH LINKS CREW February with Moonah Links hosting the Victorian PGA Championship and PGA Classic back-to-back as part of a three-event swing. Superintendent Kyle Wilson looks back on a hectic fortnight for his crew. A fter a 2020 which was marked by unavailable. With the new Players Series superintendent, assistant Rick Lee, Legends long-term course closures due event being hosted at Rosebud Country Club foreman Craig Christie, Open foreman Nathon to COVID-19, the start to 2021 (superintendent Ian Todd) in late January, the Brown and full-time mechanic Stephan couldn’t be farther removed for PGA of Australia was hoping to secure another Schmitter), plus two casuals and two estate the 36-hole Moonah Links on peninsula venue to offer Tour players a few staff were trying to achieve both in the lead Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. It has been events close by. Following a year of limited to up and during the tournaments. The Legends a whirlwind start for the crew after the club no local tournament golf due to COVID-19 for is the easier of the two courses, with a par of offered up its two championship layouts – the Tour players, Moonah Links was asked if we 72 and measuring 6315 metres from the back Legends and Open courses – in early February would also host and revamp the old Moonah tees, while the acclaimed Open course, which to host both the Victorian PGA Championship Classic that was formerly part of the USPGA. hosted the 2003 and 2005 Australian Opens, and the Moonah Links PGA Classic in Com Tour. Moonah Links had previously measures in at a whopping 6829m. consecutive weeks. hosted the Classic over a three-year period These tournaments were held over The Victorian PGA Championship was between 2008 and 2010. consecutive weeks – the Victorian PGA from looking for a new home late last year after The following is a snapshot of what Thursday 4-7 February and Classic from 9-11 nearby RACV Cape Schanck became our 10 full-time staff (including myself as February – across both courses, with minimal to no break in between. The opening two rounds of the Victorian PGA were held on the Legends course before switching to the Open course for the final two rounds. The PGA Classic would be played solely on the Open course. The Victorian PGA Championship also comprises an amateur/pro pairing as a separate event within the main tournament. A field of roughly 72 amateurs is cut down to 25 for the third round and then to eight for the The par five 9th on the Legends Course. The Legends hosted the first two rounds of the Victorian PGA Championship, with players enjoying the difference in design to the Open course and the scoring opportunities it presented 26 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 final round. As such, this required additional Victorian PGA Championship. The Legends while undertaking our tournament prep work mowing of the ladies and spare men’s tees course was then prepped up for the start of the for the opening two rounds of the Victorian that during normal tournament preparations tournament over the following two days, with PGA on the Legends course, with a two-tee may be missed or reduced. In addition to all staff working around the players during their start adding a little complexity to how we this, the course not being used for tournament practice rounds. On the Tuesday (5 February) managed things. golf for the week was still open for play to we also had to prep the Open course for final The 10th hole of the Legends course (a members and the public, meaning we were qualifying for the PGA Classic. As you can par three) is located right in the furthest corner required to have greens on both courses ready imagine staff were kept on their toes working of the property, so it was decided to use the for play each day. both sides of Peter Thomson Drive which 495m par five 9th for the two-tee starts. Even From a staffing perspective we gained one separates the two courses. still, the 9th tee is located a five-minute drive staff member from Rosebud Country Club for From that Wednesday to Friday (3-5 by club bus to the drop off point. As you each week of the tournaments as we had sent February) we had the Open course available can imagine the logistics to not only have two staff down to assist Ian and his crew for for members competition days and public play, the players ferried out there but also with the The Players Series event the week prior. Cory while work was still required to be performed course crew to ensure we were well on top Budden (Sandhurst Resort) also kindly offered preparing for the closing rounds of the PGA of our preparations before play started at this two staff members, however, I felt as the events on the Saturday and Sunday and the following point was challenging. As we all know within were not televised the bulk of the work could week’s PGA Classic. All of this was performed our industry, we always seem to find a way to be achieved with the personnel on hand; best to save the offer for additional staff to assist for bigger events. TEEING OFF The fortnight of tournament golf kicked off with an early start on the Legends course on Monday 4 February with the final qualifying round for players needing to gain a start in the With the Victorian PGA Championship also comprising an amateur/pro pairing, additional mowing of the ladies and spare men’s tees was required that would otherwise be missed or reduced during normal tournament preparations. Pictured is the Legends 3rd MARCH-APRIL 2021 27 TOURNAMENTS Above: Greens weren’t cut in between the third and fourth rounds on the final day of the Classic. Staff followed behind the final groups in the third round filling divots, raking bunkers and changing holes Left: Weather hampered preparations and play on the second day of the Victorian PGA, with a couple of rain delays meaning the last groups didn’t start their second round until 4.30pm get things done and reach, in most cases, the tee start on the Tuesday. This was a snack we were going about our afternoon finishing deadlines placed before us. compared to the previous week’s work and all touches after the completion of the second Just when we thought all was going well, went according to plan for the first two rounds round, things took another turn. the weather turned on us for the second day of with everyone in good spirits and the course in Earlier on the Wednesday, the Victorian the PGA with a couple of rain delays meaning great condition. That was also reflected in the Government confirmed that eight COVID-19 the last group weren’t able to start their second scoring, with Sydney’s John Lyras posting a 66 cases had been linked to a growing outbreak round until 4.30pm. They did well to complete and 67 for his opening two rounds to be three at Melbourne Airport’s Holiday Inn, with two 12 holes, but it meant we were back out on the shots clear at 11-under after 36-holes. new infections identified that afternoon. With Legends course early on Saturday morning From a course set-up perspective, the only talk of border closures (South Australia and mowing for not only the players to complete hiccup we had were some pesky birds (three NSW) escalating, the PGA of Australia had no their final round, but also our club members galahs to be precise) that had taken residence choice but to organise to play the final two who were hitting off the 1st tee at 7.20am! The in the pine trees beside the 18th green only a rounds of the Classic on Thursday. With the crew also needed to prep the Open course week prior. I say hiccup as they felt the green next leg of PGA events heading into NSW (The for the third and fourth rounds once the final and area immediately around the hole was an Players Series at Bonnie Doon), it became a halfway cut was completed. ideal location to peck away, either looking for scramble for players and the Tour to organise Fortunately the last two rounds went well food or sharpening their beaks on the cup. travel arrangements and get out of Melbourne with the usual later start time. Eventual winner They were so brazen that for the second which at midnight on the Friday was heading Chris Wood from Queensland closed out round I deliberately changed the hole last and into a five-day lockdown. the back nine with a birdie blitz, finishing at left the green when the first group were on the Needless to say it was an extremely busy 20-under to take the title by a single shot. tee. The 18th is a 582m par five behemoth, but Thursday for all and a major rush as everyone by the time I went up to the clubhouse and the pitched in to make sure that the tournament CLASSIC FINISH players were hitting their third shots into the could be completed in time. Full credit must be The fortunate part of having the final two green, I was called back by officials to repair given to everyone involved in how the situation rounds of the previous week’s tournament on more damage and relocate the hole as close was handled and organised. the Open course, which was the venue for all as possible to the original location. For the final day, players were grouped four rounds of the Moonah Classic, was that With two rounds of the Classic completed, in pairs and used carts to expedite play due most of the hard work had been done. Or so everything was looking in good shape and we to the rolling expanse of the Open course. we thought… were thinking we were in a pretty good spot The third round teed off at 7.15am and the Monday was practice day with the for the later starts associated with the reduced final round at 11.45am, with no draw made tournament kicking off with a 7.30am two- fields for the final two rounds. However, as following the completion of the third round. Players only had 30 minutes to get a bite to eat before teeing it up for the final round. From a course maintenance perspective we were able to perform and complete all tournament duties as normal prior to the third round, even with the 15-minute earlier start time and the use of carts. The difficult part was the work prior to the fourth round. The PGA was pleased with both the condition and speed of the greens, so there was no mowing or cutting between rounds The final two rounds of the Classic had to be played in one day after a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne and threats of border closures threw the end of the tournament into chaos 28 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 three and four. Instead, we had a team of staff on each nine following the last group of the morning field who filled divots on tees and fairways, emptied rubbish bins and raked bunkers that had been played out of. Myself and assistant Rick Lee changed nine holes each with one of the tournament directors accompanying us. As soon as the last group walked off each tee, an official would move the markers for the last round and likewise when players had putted out and walked off the green Rick and I were there ready to change the holes. By the To perform all the work across both courses for the two tournaments, Moonah Links had a crew of just 10 full-time staff, two casuals and two estate staff, with nearby Rosebud CC also sending a staff member each week time we reached the 8th and 17th holes the first groups that had started their final rounds with most of them and their communication were close to catching the group completing TEAM EFFORT and understanding of our course maintenance their third rounds, but the timing worked out by Feedback regarding the courses for both work is second to none, working together to the PGA ended up being perfect, almost down events was extremely pleasing, especially be adaptable and achieving the end results. to the minute. with comments from professionals who had My course team also deserves special Again, the scoring was excellent and never played the Legends course before. They mention. Consecutive professional events are the tournament finished in dramatic style. enjoyed the difference in course design and very uncommon at the same venue, especially Bryden Macpherson, the 2011 British Amateur the scoring opportunities the shorter, but still with two golf courses in use at the same champion who originally hails from the challenging, course had to offer. time. They all had to be flexible, which comes Mornington Peninsula, fired an eagle and four It was a huge team effort all around and with tournament golf and our industry in birdies over his final six holes to rocket him to everyone played their part to ensure both general, especially when dealing with weather 18-under and the clubhouse lead. Sydney’s events were a success – from the hotel team, conditions. As much as nobody wanted a Justin Warren headed to the last needing an golf operations, all players (who were very lockdown for five days, it did offer the staff, eagle to force a playoff, but after his flop shot respectful of our requirements performing including yours truly, a well-deserved break over a greenside bunker finished four feet from our work during practice rounds) and to the after notching up 130 hours over the previous the hole, Macpherson had his maiden ISPS entire PGA of Australia team on site for the two fortnight. The golf courses also enjoyed some HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia title. weeks. We have worked through many events much-needed recovery time. MARCH-APRIL 2021 29 IS YOUR WASH BAY The GSMS Series is the latest in wash water recycling technology. The GSMS Series is COMPLIANT? designed for treating Turf Care maintenance facility equipment with up to 4-hose stations. The ESD Waste2Water system is a patented The addition of the Grass Clipping Separator, fixed film biological treatment system the integrated Inclined Plate Clarifier combined that utilizes specially engineered microbial with the Biological Treatment System creates a blends for the breakdown of hydrocarbon water quality with a low Turbidity. The GSMS based organic contaminants including oil, provides the versatility to seperate the grass grease, petrol, diesel, herbicides, insecticides, clippings, suspended solids and hydrocarbons fungicides, etc; into carbon dioxide and all in one compact system to produce a high water. Odour is controlled through an oxygen quality recycled wash water. Contact Country rich water that does not allow the water to Club International to discuss a Turf Care Facility go septic - producing a clear, odourless water design today and learn more about the for re-use. GSMS Advantage. 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The wash water slurry is directed into the Inclined Plate Clarifier allowing the suspended solids to drop to the bottom, while skimming the water and hydrocarbons off to travel into the Biological Treatment Chamber. inf o@countr yclub.com.au | 1300 138 804 FLOODS Recovery and resilience PHOTO: LUKE HELM Twenty of Meadowbrook’s 27 holes were completely submerged after Slacks Creek, a tributary of the Logan River, flooded. Pictured is Meadowbrook’s new 9th green receiving its first cut after being cleaned off The floods along Australia’s Eastern Seaboard in March devastated many communities and had a widespread impact on sports turf facilities and the turf production industry. ATM looks at how the industry has again demonstrated its resilience and comradeship in challenging times. N ambucca Heads Island Golf Just prior to last Christmas, 500mm of rain members of the local community, they set Club superintendent Greg fell in a six day period which, combined with about the arduous task of cleaning off the Jager could never have a king tide, resulted in widespread flooding of playing surfaces, prioritising the greens first. predicted that after taking over the course. It was the first time in six years that Despite their best efforts a number of as superintendent in the latter a flood event of that nature had impacted the greens simply couldn’t survive the level of half of 2020 that he would be impacted by two course, but sadly it was just a warm-up for the inundation and silt and ultimately had to be severe floods just four months apart. Arriving main event to come in March. Over an eight- reseeded. Remarkably, the front nine holes from RACV Royal Pines Resort where he had day period, Nambucca recorded a staggering were reopened for play within a couple of been assistant for the previous eight years, 1080mm of rain, 350mm of that coming in one weeks of the flood, however, the back nine Jager was looking forward to the challenge day. The course was quickly inundated again took a lot longer. of taking on his first superintendent role at and it would take almost a week before waters At the time of this edition going to print, a what rates as one the most idyllic golf course receded enough to allow Jager and his team full 18 was opened in the last weekend in April settings in the country. access back across the causeway to inspect (two temporary greens were in play), while the As the name suggests, Nambucca literally the damage. bunkers were still out of play and waiting on resides on its own island. Accessed by a What they found was heartbreaking. the arrival of fresh sand. causeway from the main Nambucca township, While the December flood had been clean “It has been quite an initiation,” reflects the 18-hole course takes up the entirety of and the clean-up quick, March’s flood was Jager on the two major flood events he has Stuart Island and is surrounded on all sides by anything but. Widespread areas of the course, had to endure. “I’ve dealt with floods before, the Nambucca River. The reality is, however, in particular the back nine, were covered in but they were clean. This is the first time where that the course sits just one metre above sea thick silt, with deposits six inches or more I have had to contend with major silt deposits. level and as Jager would soon discover such deep in places (see photo of Jager on the 10th After we finally got access back onto the an idyllic location can have a few pitfalls. hole opposite). Rallying the troops, including course, it was all about pushing mud off and 32 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 getting the surfaces cleaned off as quickly as l In southeast Queensland, daily totals possible. We lost three greens – 12, 15 and exceeding 200mm occurred on 22 and 23 16 – which simply couldn’t handle being under March. Brisbane’s 125mm on 22 March water and silt for the best part of seven days. was its wettest March day in 20 years. “We had some great support from the l Flooding reached record heights on local community as well as local clubs. We the Hastings and Manning Rivers. The had Justin (Sheehan) and his guys from Coffs Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment in Sydney Harbour down helping to remove silt out of experienced its most significant flooding the bunkers and clean up a few fairways. One for more than 30 years, with peaks at of the local guys who owns a civil firm did a Windsor (12.7m) and Sackville Ferry great job on the fairways. He brought in a skid (9.8m) the highest since 1990 and North steer to help move the silt off and ended up Richmond (14m) the highest since 1998. bringing in a different implement, almost like a snowplough which had a 3m wide bucket and PRODUCERS PULL TOGETHER 1m wings on it (see photo top of p34). It made While many individual facilities were left reeling the process of clearing the fairways so much in the wake of the floods, from a broader PHOTO: GREG JAGER quicker and was a tremendous help. Everyone industry perspective the biggest impact came pitched in and the club have been really in the turf production sector. The Windsor/ supportive too with all our efforts.” Richmond area out west of Sydney has been Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club was prime turf growing country for the past three just one of many turf facilities stretching from decades, with numerous farms on the banks The depth of some of the silt deposits at Nambucca southeast Queensland to the south coast of Heads Island Golf Club of the Hawkesbury River. Many had only just NSW that were impacted by severe weather got their facilities back into full production after between 17 and 26 March 2021. Record l Highest daily totals of the event were flooding 12 months earlier, but that event was high rainfall and flooding was the result of a on the NSW Mid North Coast on 19 and minimal compared to what transpired in March. blocking high-pressure system in the Tasman 20 March when numerous BOM sites In the weeks following the 2021 floods, Sea and a low-pressure system off north-west exceeded 200mm one or both days. The Turf Australia and Turf NSW conservatively Australia feeding a large volume of moist most extreme sub-daily totals were on 19 estimated that with over 2800 hectares of turf tropical air into eastern Australia. March, including 125mm in one hour at production flood impacted, the damage bill In a Special Climate Statement Bowraville (inland from Nambucca). (farm gate value) was upwards of $170 million. summarising the extreme weather, the Bureau l One of the most significant aspects of the Once damage to equipment and machinery is of Meteorology highlighted some pretty event, for coastal NSW in particular, was eventually factored in, that figure is expected sobering statistics from that period, including; its persistence. Many locations received to increase significantly. Such damage is likely l Coastal NSW, including Sydney, several days of heavy rain, particularly on to have wide-ranging implications, with major experienced multiple days of heavy rainfall, the Mid North Coast where many locations shortages of turf forecast over the coming 12 with the week ending 24 March 2021 the had four consecutive days with 100mm or months. wettest week for the region since records more from 19 to 22 March. “The storms and floods have been began in 1900. l Numerous Mid North Coast locations devastating for our industry after a very difficult l NSW had its second-wettest day, third- had four-day totals exceeding 600mm. couple of years recovering from bushfires, wettest week and second-wettest March Comboyne, in the hills south-west of Port drought and the COVID-19 pandemic,” says on record since 1900. Macquarie, had a four-day total of 853mm. Turf NSW industry development officer Matt MARCH-APRIL 2021 33 FLOODS PHOTO: GREG JAGER Superintendent Greg Jager (left) and volunteers (right) begin the arduous task of clearing silt off the Nambucca playing surfaces Plunkett. “It will be some months before the full “We were overwhelmed by the Cross Turf and Green Life Turf. David extent of the damage is known. Some grower attendance,” says Zadro. “It was clear that the Littleproud MP, Minister of Environment, members in the Hawkesbury Valley have not growers were stressed, emotional and deeply Drought and Emergency Management recovered from the February 2020 flooding worried about the fragility of their businesses, attended, as well as Susan Templeman, and require a lot of assistance to get back on their staff, their families and their fellow industry Federal Member for Macquarie (Hawkesbury their feet. Despite that, it has been amazing to workers. They were also very frustrated as area). They saw first-hand the devastation see our industry pull together in a crisis and the impact of this flood is not just due to to farms, river embankments and roads and support one another in times of need.” heavy rain but infrastructure issues and poor spoke with growers to try to understand the On 27 March, Turf Australia market management and maintenance of drains and challenges they are facing and what support development manager Jenny Zadro met with creek systems that did not let the water drain they needed to recover. local State Member for Hawkesbury Robyn off the farms quickly. In the subsequent briefing letter sent to the Preston in Richmond, which turned into a “The growers were fantastic in providing Prime Minister, Turf Australia outlined a number meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. information on resources and support needed of areas where urgent action was required. This provided an opportunity to explain the now, in the short-term and in the long-term. Among those included; impact of the floods on the turf industry and We have collated this information and with Turf l Financial support due to loss of income; from that the Prime Minister requested further NSW will develop a plan to work closely with l Assistance with staff retention; information be provided on the industry’s growers and authorities to ensure this isn’t just l Issues pertaining to riverbank erosion, plight. Two days later, on 29 March, a meeting a short-term fix, but a crisis that then sees a drain and creek management; was convened for growers impacted by the change for the industry in the years to come.” l Access to water; floods, with around 80 attending the Pitt Town Further to the meeting with the Prime l Road and infrastructure repairs; and Sports Club to provide Turf Australia and Minister, an entourage of Federal Government l Reducing the amount of red tape Turf NSW with a better understanding of the representatives visited some farms in the preventing growers from repairing and support they needed. Freeman’s Reach area including Southern protecting their properties. PHOTOS: NEARMAP Aerial images of the Windsor and Pitt Town Bottoms area and Hawkesbury River before (24 January 2021) and during (25 March 2021) the March floods. The area is one of the major turf production regions in NSW. Lynwood Country Club can be seen to the right of the photo on the left 34 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 After cleaning off and renovating, 12 of Windsor’s bentgrass greens would need to be reseeded “The briefing letter contained a number of things that growers need now to keep their businesses operating, to keep staff employed and to get their farms back up and running,” says Zadro. “From an industry perspective, we are continuing to work with the NSW government to undertake the necessary work to prevent future floods, such as repairs to the riverbank and clearing of drains and floodgates. There are concerns with a predicted wet winter and what that might mean for an already full Warragamba dam and riverbank system that is significantly damaged. PHOTO: JEFF MCMANUS “Another main focus now is ensuring that golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, landscapers etc continue to work with their regular turf supplier and support the NSW growers during this tough time. Many of the growers are back up and running and utilising the stock that they do have available. Lynwood Country Club (superintendent Nathan At Windsor, which had only just recovered Others are still working to recover their farms Ball), Windsor Country Club (superintendent from flooding the previous February, all but ready for planting of new turf crops.” Jeff McManus) and the nine-hole Rum Corps five greens went under, with water very slow to Barracks Golf Course (superintendent Tyler recede. Six of the worst greens were under for LONG ROAD BACK Willoughby) all suffered massive inundation 11 days, a couple were under for 10, while the For three golf clubs near to the many turf and as this edition was going to print all three least amount of time spent under was seven production farms in the Hawkesbury district, were still in varying stages of getting their days. All surfaces had 3-4 inches of silt across the floods were equally as devastating. playing surfaces repaired and back into play. them and a damaged pump set hampered /toroaus /toroaus /toroaus /toroaustralia MARCH-APRIL 2021 35 FLOODS FROM FLIGHTS TO FLOODS I t has certainly been a 12 months to remember for Meadowbrook Golf Club superintendent Luke Helm. Last March he found himself making a mad dash back from Florida to Australia following the calling off of The Players Championship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, this past March, he and his crew had to contend with devastating floods which inundated 20 holes of the 27-hole layout just south of PHOTOS: NATHAN BALL Brisbane. Helm was one of four ASTMA and NZGCSA members that were part of the inaugural John Deere-sponsored TPC Volunteer Program for last March’s tournament at TPC Sawgrass. Arriving in the Recovery timeline of Lynwood’s 4th green. Pictured top left is the green immediately after flood waters receded (2 April). Top right, 8 April green cleaned up and ready for seeding on 12 April. Bottom left (20 April) and bottom right USA a week before the tournament, they (26 April) showing excellent strike were involved in preparations during lead-in week, but after just one round the USPGA clean-up efforts for the first few weeks. Despite did pretty much the entire course, up to 8m in Tour announced the tournament was being the seemingly insurmountable task ahead of parts. The clubhouse and maintenance facility called off due to the pandemic. Within 24 them, in the weeks following McManus and became a staging ground for nearby turf hours John Deere had organised flights his team, like his counterparts at Lynwood and producers, including Dad and Dave’s Turf and and Helm was winging his way back Down Rum Corps, have gotten through an incredible Evergreen Turf, who hastily transported their Under just before the Australian borders amount of back-breaking work to get their machinery and equipment to higher ground as were slammed shut. course back up, knocking off little milestones their farms were quickly submerged. Fast forward 12 months and Helm has each day along the way. As this edition was going to print, a had to endure what he describes as the “We are finally getting there,” says welcome tinge of green was replacing the worst flooding he has seen in his three- McManus, five weeks after the floods. “We brown that had prevailed for much of the and-a-half years at the club. With Slacks managed to salvage one green but we needed previous month at Lynwood. In the second Creek, a tributary of the nearby Logan River, to re-seed 12. We used a mix of Mackenzie week of April greens were reseeded and three snaking its way along much of the club’s and Tyee 007 bentgrass at 600g/100m2 and weeks on the course is slowly coming back. eastern boundary, Helm could do little we got a good strike on all of them and they “My staff have been amazing,” explains but watch on helplessly as 20 holes and continue to improve every day. We have Ball. “They’ve put in some long hours and their 18 greens were completely submerged. re-turfed about 1200m2 of Santa Ana couch attitude towards this disaster has been really Meadowbrook was one of a number of on tees and have around 5000m2 left to lay top notch. The course has really improved over courses affected in southeast Queensland, around greens. the last four weeks and we have had great with the likes of The Glades (superintendent “At the start I wondered how we were weather conditions which has enabled the Glenn Gibson-Smith) and Palmer Colonial going to get through this, but the boys have course to respond very well. (superintendent Mark Hauff) also suffering been huge in the way they have gone about “We finished re-seeding 16 of our greens badly. their work. They busted a gut each day and on 13 April. On day 10 after seeding we “The course took a huge hit which was have done an incredible job to get to where applied a granular fertiliser at half rate to our really heartbreaking to see,” says Helm. we are. The support from others in the industry greens and we have seen a great response. “We managed to get 18 holes open by has been superb as well. Daniel Studders and We will go out on day 17 at half rates again 1 April which was a mega effort from the Marc Goldsbrough from Ground Solutions and then hopefully look at giving them a first guys. We got some heavy rain the following Australia come out to assist with renovating cut around day 21/22 after seeding. We have week which put us back under; we seemed our greens prior to reseeding them. We also also applied a liquid fertiliser to our fairways to keep going from one extreme to the Daryl Davidson, head curator at Sydney Uni, and a granular fertiliser to our tees to try and next. The playing surfaces are recovering donate a full day helping out laying all new turf get the best recovery on all playing surfaces now which is great, but there are still a lot on one of our tees. It was a wonderful gesture before we head into winter.” of areas we will need to resurface in front especially considering he was on holidays.” Editor’s Note: To view more photos and read of greens. We have oversown our couch Also in great admiration of the way his the ASTMA’s rolling coverage of the floods and greens with Poa trivialis this year which is crew have rallied over the past month has subsequent recovery efforts, view past editions just starting to strike and we are looking to been Lynwood’s Nathan Ball. At Lynwood, the of The Cut e-newsletter (19 March to 30 April) oversow the tees as well which will put us in clubhouse, pro shop and maintenance facility through the ASTMA website www.agcsa.com. good stead for winter.” were spared, but the cart shed went under as au/publications/the-cut. 36 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 JOHN NEYL AN Surviving inundation John Neylan takes an agronomic look at the impact of the recent floods in NSW and southeast Queensland and the short- and long- term implications for turf health. T he recent floods on the Australian appeared to be adversely affecting both cool- including hollow coring, scarifying and sanding Eastern Seaboard brought back and warm-season grasses. to break up this layer. memories of the floods in Brisbane On fairways, the successful removal of the in 2011 and in particular the TURF AND FLOODING silt depends on the amount of silt deposited agronomic impacts. During that The effects of flooding are multifaceted with and the level of resources available to remove time I was with the AGCSA and along with several factors contributing to turf damage and it. Where the silt layers remain on fairways, then Board member Pat Pauli we visited many recovery. These include: this continues to impede water infiltration and golf courses that had been affected by the l Silt deposits; it takes only a small rainfall event to make floods both in Brisbane and further afield. It l Depth of water; the surface muddy and soft. Some form was an interesting time to observe the effects l Time the turf is inundated; of ongoing cultivation (e.g. slicing, coring of inundation and silt deposits on turfgrasses l Turfgrass species; or vertidraining) is required to improve soil as well as the human element of persistence l The age of the turf; and permeability. In situations where the silt cannot and resilience of getting turf surfaces playable l Surface topography. be cleaned off quickly, it tends to bake in the again. Floods are either ‘dirty’ or ‘clean’. ‘Dirty’ sun, forming a hard layer that increases the Later that same year I also inspected floods are associated with silt deposits and amount of turf loss. several golf courses in the Bangkok region considered to be the most damaging. In In the Thailand experience, damage was that had been flooded between October and Australia, silt deposits appear to have had the mainly as a result of the depth of water and the December. The purpose was to share the greatest effects on turf condition, particularly if length of time the turf was under water rather Australian experience and, in particular, how to circumstances restricted the ability to remove than extensive silt deposits. The Thailand get the playing surfaces back into play. it from the turf layer. Wherever there was a floods provided a good insight into the Given the recent experiences in NSW and lack of clean water or power to pressure clean tolerance of turfgrasses to prolonged flooding, southeast Queensland, it was timely to review the silt from the thatch/turf layer of putting irrespective of the other factors associated not only the impacts of inundation on turf but surfaces, a silt layer can persist within the with floods. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia sp.) was the also the effects of the associated weather profile. This layer of silt has an ongoing effect worst affected and the Bermudagrass hybrids conditions on turfgrass health and surface on restricting water infiltration and root growth. (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis) preparation. High rainfall, low light conditions All flooded greens or sand-based profiles the least affected. Seashore paspalum and high humidity are all conditions that usually require renovation following flooding (Paspalum vaginatum) is another prominent 38 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 PHOTO: JEFF MCMANUS (WINDSOR CC) Depending on the type of flood and how much silt is deposited on the turf surface, there can be ongoing issues with reduced infiltration rates and increased surface moisture due to layers of silt within the profile. Pictured is a fairway at Windsor CC shortly after flood waters had receded seawater), however, prolonged flooding is of the time the turf was under water, the detrimental. turf in many cases (other than zoysia) was PHOTO: LUKE HELM (MEADOWBROOK GC) Other references quoted by Duncan relatively unaffected. As the depth of the and Carrow (1999) suggest that seashore water increased, the greater the turf damage, paspalum is most tolerant of waterlogged irrespective of the turf type. There was one conditions on poorly drained sites. There golf course that was under water for about four Floods obviously create short-term problems, has been a misconception that while weeks though the depth of water was less than however, after the recovery there is the long-term health and management of the turf to consider. seashore paspalum can withstand short 0.5m and consequently there was very little Pictured is Meadowbrook Golf Club in southeast periods of inundation it cannot tolerate long- damage on the Bermudagrass anywhere on Queensland in March term flooding. On the flooded golf courses, the golf course. seashore paspalum was severely damaged It was noticeable on most golf courses that species used in Thailand and depending on depending on the depth of the water. On the lower sections of greens and fairways were the depth of the flood waters was also severely one particular tee that was under water for the worst areas affected. Most of these lower damaged. eight weeks, but where the water depth was areas were typically points for surface drainage Zoysiagrass is a strong, resilient grass about 300mm, the damage was minimal and were therefore subjected to longer that has excellent drought tolerance, it is hard- and complete turf recovery was expected. periods of saturated soils. It is also likely that wearing and can be a challenge to mow. The It is assumed that where there is some light there was some scorching due to increasing research of Fry (1991) indicated that zoysia penetration the plant has some improved water temperatures as the water became very had intermediate tolerance to submersion and ability to survive. shallow. would survive 55 days of submersion with Tifdwarf on greens and Tifton 419 on The final factor that killed grass on greens, minimal damage. In the field, however, zoysia fairways were the least affected by flooding tees and fairways was moisture stress. While proved to have little resistance to flooding and in Thailand and close to complete recovery there were areas of turf that survived, the root most of the zoysia observed in Thailand was was achieved. Fry (1991) ranked native systems were compromised with very few live, dead with no signs of recovery. The possible Bermudagrass as one of the most submersion- healthy roots. Consequently with the return of key aspect affecting the grass compared to tolerant species and this is consistent with warm and dry weather the turfgrasses would the research data is the depth of the flooding. Beard’s (1973) observation that it has excellent quickly go under moisture stress. In the work of Fry (1991), the turf species were submersion tolerance. The field assessments The research on cool-season grasses is subjected to about 130mm submersion depth in Australia and Thailand are consistent with very limited and there are no hard numbers compared to at least 1000mm on the flooded these observations and given the damage to describing how many days cool-season golf courses. the other turfgrass species it is substantially grasses can survive under water. Instead, Seashore paspalum is a popular grass on superior in this respect. Wherever there was species have been assigned relative golf courses in Thailand because of its striking severe turf damage and no recovery, the roots, submersion tolerance ratings; appearance and the ability to stripe it up like rhizomes and stolons were rotten and there l Creeping bentgrass – excellent; cool-season grass fairways. The references on was no living tissue. l Kentucky bluegrass – medium; the tolerance of this species to inundation are The other interesting aspect of the floods l Poa annua and perennial ryegrass – fair. a little contradictory and confusing. Seashore was the effects of the depth of the water and As with the warm-season grasses, when paspalum prefers moist to saturated sites and the time the course remained flooded. Where the submergence depth increases, the can withstand brief inundations (including by the water was less than 0.5m, irrespective potential for injury increases. If the leaf tissue MARCH-APRIL 2021 39 JOHN NEYL AN Where flooding is relatively short-lived and water and silt is removed quickly, bentgrass will survive relatively well. However, with the most recent floods, it appears that bentgrass will not survive more than 4-5 days under water The ERI fungi are very difficult to control once an outbreak occurs, however, when it does the following strategy has provided some success; l Immediately: Apply a tank mix of propiconazole and chlorothalonil. Other PHOTO: JEFF MCMANUS (WINDSOR CC) fungicides that appear to be effective include strobilurins (e.g. azoxystrobin) and the sterol inhibitors (e.g. propiconazole and iprodione). l In 2-3 days: Apply a contact fungicide such as mancozeb and leave it on the leaf to clean up any leaf disease if present. l In 1-2 weeks: Apply a high potassium is above the water line the turf will probably for several weeks. While the recovery may be fertiliser at 1.5kg/100m2 and manganese at survive. The other factors affecting turf survival very good, the turf on greens in particular will label rates. are water temperature and light intensity. Beard exhibit shortening of the root system and an l Cease use of growth regulators until (1973) also noted that as the temperature of increased incidence of root diseases. disease is under control. the water increased the greater the damage to Oxygen depletion, rotting of roots, lack l Make sure that the thatch is kept under creeping bentgrass. of light and the depletion of carbohydrate control. In my experience, where the flooding is reserves are all factors contributing to the l Apply a fungicide such as azoxystrobin as relatively short-lived and the water and silt is deterioration of the root system. Because of a preventative treatment about six weeks removed quickly, the bentgrass will survive the stress that the turf has suffered, it is likely before the disease is likely to appear. Also, relatively well. However, in discussions around that there will be an increased incidence of apply in late summer/early autumn while the most recent floods, it would appear that disease and reduced wear tolerance during there is good growth. bentgrass will not survive more than 4-5 the cooler months. Wherever turf has been flooded there will days under water, the thought being that the The root diseases of most concern include be ongoing concerns with weed seeds and damage is primarily due to the lack of oxygen pythium and rhizoctonia in creeping bentgrass their germination. It has been noted previously in the rootzone. and ERI fungi in warm-season grasses. All that on some golf courses there was an influx these diseases are most prevalent under wet of weeds very quickly after flood waters had ONGOING ISSUES POST-FLOOD and humid conditions and where the root receded. This is due to the turf being thin and Floods obviously create short-term problems, system has been damaged. With the warm- less vigorous and weeds being opportunistic however, after the recovery there is the long- season grasses beginning to move into slow plants quickly germinate and invade the term health and management of the turf growth and dormancy, it is important that they spaces. to consider. From previous observations, are protected as they go into dormancy and It would also be expected that over the bermudagrass in greens, tees and fairways most importantly during the period of spring next 12 months there will be a progression will recover even where the turf is under water green up. of germinations depending on the weed type and time of year. Most affected golf courses will need to maintain a regular programme of applying pre-emergent herbicides (to kill the germinating seed) or post-emergent herbicide to kill the established plant. Depending on the type of flood and how much silt is deposited on the turf surface, there can be ongoing issues with reduced infiltration rates and increased surface moisture due to the layers of silt. Any layers of silt that form need to be broken up and removed to allow water to infiltrate and drain through the profile. Breaking up these layers will improve soil aeration and stimulate the growth of new roots. SUCCESSFUL FLOOD RECOVERY The key to a complete and successful recovery is patience. The turf is going to be weak and Root diseases, such as pythium, rhizoctonia forcing growth with nitrogen and lowering (cool-season grasses) and ERI fungi (warm-season grasses) are major concerns post-flooding especially cutting heights too early will further weaken under wet and humid conditions and where the root the turf and slow the recovery rate. Some system has been damaged maintenance factors to consider are: 40 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 On fairways, the successful removal of silt depends on the amount deposited and the level of resources that can be deployed to remove it l Coring, verticutting and sanding to stimulate growth and to break up layers; l Lifting cutting heights; l Light applications of fertiliser – moderate nitrogen, high potassium and phosphorus (slow release fertiliser); l Use liquid organics (e.g. seaweed extract) for root health; PHOTO: JEFF MCMANUS (WINDSOR CC) l Disease and weed management; l Check what is in the soil and the condition of the rhizomes/stolons; l Manage root health and keep checking roots; l Do not lower cutting heights too soon – during recovery keep cutting heights greater than 6mm; l Overplanting and plugging bare areas; l Coring or spiking fairways – keep spiking obvious need to invest in ongoing research REFERENCES whenever infiltration rate drops. into the short- and long-term effects of Beard, J. 1973. Turfgrass Science and Culture, l Soil testing – salinity, nutrients and organic inundation and silt deposits. Golf in particular pp 297 – 300. Prentice Hall matter. needs to invest in monitoring the initial damage Fry, J. D. 1991. Submersion tolerance of warm- to turf, the recovery potential and how long the season turfgrasses. Hortscience 26(7):927. RESEARCH damage will impact on surface preparation. 1991. If we accept that we are subjected to a I hope that the sport, rather than those that Carrow, R.N. and R.R. Duncan. 1998. Salt- changing climate with more extreme rainfall manage it, can put its hand in its pocket and Affected Turfgrass Sites: Assessment and and damaging flooding events, there is an invest in the future. Management. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, MI. MARCH-APRIL 2021 41 JOHN NEYL AN No light relief The recent wet weather has seen increased cloud cover which has added to the challenging management conditions for sports turf managers writes John Neylan. Bureau of Meteorology data for the months of January through to March/early April 2021 has highlighted the effects of cloudy weather on photosynthetic irradiance and what this may mean for healthy turf growth 42 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 T he wet start to 2021 has undoubtedly minimum of five hours a day is required for l March 2021 had the most days where had a dramatic effect throughout creeping bentgrass. Research at Avondale there was less than the preferred minimum NSW and southeast Queensland Golf Club (presented in ATM Volume 20.2) of eight hours of sunlight per day. It is through the direct effects of flooding noted that under these conditions turf stated in Stier and Gardner (2008) that and silt deposits. The other effect of thinning and the presence of algae was a TifEagle can tolerate as little as eight the wet weather has been more widespread likely occurrence. hours of sunlight per day and still provide through the increase in soil moisture, l About half of the days were subject to turf of acceptable quality. Bermudagrass increased humidity and low light due to the heavy cloud cover. grown with four hours of sunlight could heavy cloud cover. During recent visits to NSW l About half of the days had some rainfall only maintain acceptable turf quality at a it was noticeable that there were turf surfaces which maintained elevated moisture levels height of cut of 4.7mm and treated with affected by the lack of sunlight, resulting in turf in the turf canopy leading to algae, turf trinexapac-ethyl. thinning. thinning (under traffic) and the presence of l The DLI was reduced substantially for A review of the Bureau of Meteorology pythium. March and early April 2021 and less (BOM) data for the months of January through l The DLI was reduced for all months and than the minimum required for hybrid to March/early April 2021 has highlighted the substantially less than the minimum bermudagrass. effects of cloudy weather on photosynthetic required for creeping bentgrass. Again, the conclusions that can be drawn irradiance and what this may mean for The conclusions that can be drawn are are that the weather conditions in March healthy turf growth. Turfgrass does best that the weather conditions over the first three and early April would be deleterious to the when it receives ample sunlight and each months of the year would be deleterious to health and growth of hybrid bermudagrass. day it rains the turf is unlikely to receive the the health and growth of creeping bentgrass. As a result some turf thinning and a greater necessary quantity of sunlight for sufficient As a result, some turf thinning and a greater incidence of disease would be expected. photosynthesis. Even cloudy days can severely incidence of disease would be expected. restrict turfgrass growth (Daniels, 2019). REFERENCES Daniels (2019) suggests that one or two IN SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND… Daniels, John (2019). “Numerous rainy and consecutive days of cloud is of no concern, l Over half of the days had some rainfall cloudy days have hindered turf quality...”. but a week or more of cloudy conditions is which maintained elevated moisture levels Northern Ohio Turfgrass News. June. 61(4): p. likely to cause a decline in turf health and in the turf canopy leading to algae, turf 17-18. density. This is especially true for warm- thinning (under traffic) and the presence of Stier, J. C. and Gardner, D. S. (2008). Shade season turf species that have high sunlight disease. stress and management pp. 452 - 453. In: requirements. It is useful to count the number l About 30-50 per cent of the days were Turfgrass Management and Physiology. Edited of rainy days, the amount of precipitation and subject to heavy cloud cover. by M. Pessarakli. CRC Press. the number of sunny days to see whether these conditions are impacting turf health. A TABLE 1: WEATHER CONDITIONS - SYDNEY lack of sunlight may explain why some areas Month Rain days Rainfall (mm) Hours of sunlight Days of heavy of the golf course have struggled as of late. Coast* Inland** cloud cover The weather data for the first part of the year Jan 2021 14 98 140 - 180 13 days <4 hrs 15 for Sydney and southeast Queensland are Several days with summarised in Tables 1-3. 0 sunlight BOM data for the daily global solar Feb 2021 17 121 82 - 120 9 days <4 hrs 14 exposure was also reviewed to determine Mar 2021 21 417 442 - 464 13 days <4 hrs 19 the impact of cloudy weather on the solar 8 consecutive days radiation and the impact on photosynthetic with <1hr of sunlight active radiation (PAR). The Daily Light Integral *BOM station 066214 **BOM site 66059 (DLI) is the total light load for the day and is an important criteria for comparing against the TABLE 2: WEATHER CONDITIONS – SEQ* minimum requirements for particular turfgrass Month Rain days Rainfall (mm)* Sunlight hours** Sunlight hours Days heavy species. In reviewing the data the following (≤ 4hrs/day) (≤ 8hrs/day) cloud cover notes are made: Jan 2021 22 116 4 days 9 days 13 Feb 2021 15 193 4 days 7 days 12 IN SYDNEY… Mar 2021 25 547 13 days 13 days 15 l For 35 days out of 90 days there was less (nine consecutive than four hours of sunlight/day. It is noted days of low by Woods (pers. Comm. 2016) that a sunlight hours) Apr 2021 8 195 5 (of 12 days) 7 days 8 (of 12 days) *BOM station 040717 and **BOM station 040842 TABLE 3: DAYS LESS THAN MINIMUM DLI REQUIREMENTS Sydney - Bentgrass SE Queensland – Hybrid couch Days less than min. DLI % of minimum DLI Days less than min. DLI % of minimum DLI Jan 2021 12 39 2 6 Feb 2021 8 29 1 4 Mar 2021 14 45 8 26 Apr 2021 3 (14 days) 21 4 (14 days) 29 MARCH-APRIL 2021 43 PETER McMAUGH AM Seeing the bigger pictureFunding for turfgrass research in Australia has long been on the decline. While research can be a costly business, as Peter McMaugh AM writes the industry needs to look beyond the dollar signs and realise the price it is paying by not having a robust research culture. Real research can be a costly business, but without it how can an industry progress, improve and innovate? 44 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 F orty-odd years ago I asked In many ways such freakish output is only the founding chief executive of the American eminent plant breeder Dr Reed possible in the university systems, where the Sod Producers Association which in turn Funk, of Rutgers University, a apprentices are the many students hooking became Turf Producers International. TPI has question about the need for better their future careers to the coattails of the studentships it sponsors in Henry’s name, transitional qualities in ryegrasses master. I’ve never had the privilege of that honour and memory. used for oversowing. The reply to this question system being part of my working life. I had to was quite illuminating in its great clarity of eat and live and the pittances that graduate VISION NEEDED thought. “I breed grasses to live, not die. If you students live on are in many ways disgraceful. Why, you might be wondering, have I spent so use them for oversowing and they persist too Not only is this benighted system still alive, much space talking about the achievements long, that is not my problem. I am employed but the universities are being more and more of Dr Reed Funk? It is because Reed saw the to breed grasses for New Jersey and that is forced back to relying on it to survive. picture with the big horizons. He saw things what I do. An annual rye is not a need in New As I have said earlier the seed that were achievable that other people did Jersey.” production industry in the USA and in not see and when he left Rutgers he went on At this time Reed was not thinking about Europe is consistently being more and to turn the walnut industry on its head with retirement. His legendary status in the industry more consolidated to the point where big his breeding programmes. You don’t come is reflected that in one year royalties from his conglomerates now have considerable across many men like Reed in your life. If you varieties brought in US$1.5million to Rutgers, power over the smaller plant breeder. This do, value them greatly. Today Dr Bill Meyer is $500,000 of it from one firm alone, Lofts, which is something about which any aspiring plant carrying Reed’s mantle and doing it extremely no longer exists. breeder needs to keep fully informed. While I well. Reed was not a big man nor was he in have always believed superior varieties exert As well as recently re-reading an article any way boastful. He was a quiet, gentle man themselves in the long run, unfortunately it can I wrote 30 years ago about the future of with a self-deprecating sense of humour. When be after their patents have run out that their breeding grasses which referenced the work of standing in a luncheon queue, one smartarse best years happen. Reed, I also re-read the Presidential Address asked him what cocktail he was going to have with his lunch. His immediate reply was ‘I’ll have a Manhattan’ (the name of his original top }When I watched Sam Snead take on Jack Nicklaus at Pebble ryegrass release). Reed was in fact a Mormon and a teetotaller. Beach in the late 1960s, it was, by today’s standards, a cow Reed stayed on at Rutgers for some years after he reached retirement age and paddock. The standards of today have largely been achieved by told me that he would not retire until he got the USGA and The R&A putting their hands in their pockets for the successor of his choice to take his place. The man designated was Dr Bill Meyer. Bill research.~- Peter McMaugh AM had a top job in Oregon and he also loved the lifestyle there and it took Reed a lot of persuasion to get Bill to head cross country. Good varieties will always be good that I gave in the Great Hall of the University Bill said to me about Reed, ‘No matter how varieties even when their peak is past. When of Sydney in 1997 at the 8th International hard you work to try to catch up with him, the you look at the variety ‘Tifway’ (Tifton 419), Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC). This old devil has a way of keeping one step in you will see that it is used as a benchmark was 24 years after my first contact with the front’. Indeed, the large number of varieties of variety in the NTEP trials in the USA. That is International Turfgrass Society (ITS) at the whatever species of cool-season turf that he great for the USA, but it’s when a USA reviewer second ITRC in Blacksburg, Virginia in 1973. It worked on was a tribute to his industry as well of papers claims it as the world standard for is also now 24 years since I gave that address as his ingenuity. Bermudagrass that you realise how totally the and it’s interesting to note that I am still So dominant did Reed become in Americans have lost the plot. That is exactly repeating a lot of the same messages now as I producing germplasm lines for his grasses what Reed Funk never did. He kept his eye on was saying then. that many of the big players, such as Scott’s, the prize and it was firmly for him grounded in Why haven’t things changed for the better? shut down their programmes and bought New Jersey. Why have they rather much stood still for 24 their germplasm lines from Rutgers. When the When I was employed by the Australian years? It comes down to two things mostly; various seed companies from Oregon came to Turf Research Institute (ATRI) I was employed l The vision of a big picture is sadly lacking Reed to seek his germplasm lines to put into to look after NSW – not Victoria, not not just in the Australian turfgrass industry their production fields, he would send them Queensland, South or Western Australia. It but worldwide; and down to his plots to select what they liked. was NSW alone and that is reflected in my l Greed. By and large the sports turf industry They would then come back to Reed who early track record. In many ways that made life is prepared to pay ridiculous prize money would work out a commercial agreement with very much easier and it wasn’t until I left ATRI for ‘events’ and ridiculous salaries for the university before they were allowed to take in 1978 and turned my main interests to the players, but want to take the venues for their choices home. production side of turf that I had to take into granted and not invest a miserable cent on If you asked Reed how many truly distinct account other states and countries. research to ensure that the players have genetic lines of Kentucky bluegrass there I had shaken up the industry in Australia the best of surfaces on which to safely were, he would say probably three or maybe by introducing a succession of the best minds explore and display their skills. six. Ryes? Two. Fescues? Two. His genius in turf from the USA to stimulate the industry To say that this is a disgrace is to put was his ability to shake out great diversity from here. Unfortunately Reed Funk was not one it mildly. To call it a scandal would not be very narrow gene pools and not only were the of those. The only person I ever brought inappropriate. So is there any answer? numbers high but the consistency of flow was from Rutgers was Dr Henry Indyk who was If you look at the size of the Racecourse incredible. their extension specialist. Henry was also Managers Association compared with MARCH-APRIL 2021 45 PETER McMAUGH AM The Australian turf industry could be a world powerhouse of knowledge if it adequately invested in and made turf research a priority other sports turf managers in Australia, it is institutes, the dispute and disruption comes average sale price of a roll of turf. It would miniscule. Yet its concerns about improving down to dollars. need a tenfold rise to reach two per cent its knowledge base and solving some of its Real research is a costly business. which is generally regarded by economists key problems has seen it invest more money Whether it is geared to problem-solving or as a minimum reinvestment in R&D by any in research than any other similar group in whether it is geared to longer term projects company to ensure its long-term viability. Australia. Does its industry higher up the such as breeding new grasses, it gives no Despite these funds being too little, there chain do anything similar? No way. The grab guarantees at the start-up of notable future is also a major problem with the way they are from gambling doesn’t extend its largesse to successes. handled for the benefit of industry. Unless research on tracks. But oh the weeping and When the mindset of the bean-counters there is a glaring crisis, the funds are all too gnashing of teeth when a track failure stops is that research must be self-sustaining often misspent. It is very easy for anyone with the gambling grab in its tracks or a horse financially, then oil has been poured on open eyes to see a huge number of ways by breaks down. slippery slopes. Once the staff has to spend which research funding could be easily and Does Cricket Australia even recognise that more than 15 per cent of their time looking at painlessly improved. The very biggest hurdle is the wickets that are underperforming might finding funding, then the death knell bell has finding anyone who has the will to try to make need some money spent on research to solve been rung. It might take a few years to grind to it happen. the problem? The IPL pays players squillions a halt, but that inevitably happens. The rather gutless ‘It’s all too hard’ attitude to play on terrible substandard pitches as if the When overseas interests see vacuums doesn’t cut the mustard. Whenever you try to conditions of play don’t matter. in Australia they quickly move in to take bring the subject to the attention of the bodies This isn’t new. When I watched Sam advantage of the gaps left behind by research involved the answer almost always is quiet (in Snead in a match play with Jack Nicklaus closures. “We have all the answers that you fact, super quiet) and total indifference. This at Pebble Beach back in the late 1960s, it need…” Well, I am still waiting. is not just from any one individual player, it is was, by today’s standards, a cow paddock. So it comes back eventually to each right across the board. I have tried to engage The standards of today have largely been industry sector being left like a shag on a many times with several of these organisations achieved by the USGA and the Royal and rock. The once all powerful bowls sector is a and never receive the courtesy of a reply. Ancient putting their hands in their pockets for shadow of its former self and is concentrating There is another side to the coin. For a real research. on whether it can even survive as a meaningful demand pressure for research to build up, you Looking in overview at the history of sport in Australia. Golf screams that it has no have to recognise that you have a problem. In turfgrass research in Australia, the eventual money. Racing and cricket can’t spell research my experience unless you have a fully blown demise of every research institution has been let alone understand the need for it. crisis then you get nowhere. Recognising that all about money. When the backbone of Looking seriously at research funding for there are real problems in the turf industry is financial stability is lacking, either from poor turf in Australia the only industry sector that not one of its strengths. Maybe we can still initial understanding of what a commitment puts in is the turf production industry. However, hope for someone charismatic to see the light to research dollars means, or whether it is the downside of that is that is only a token and turn us around into a world powerhouse of reluctance to keep funding poorly performing amount. It represents just 0.2 per cent of the knowledge. 46 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 JOHN FORREST A vibrant, positive delivery environment within TAFE is critical to ensuring those undertaking education get the learning outcomes they need to succeed in their careers Succession and support After many years of cutbacks, in 2020 most state and territory governments announced much-needed increases in TAFE funding. As John Forrest writes, while that increased investment is welcome, it must be channelled into greater support for those at the coalface delivering the education. G overnments are pushing for a for many years why one state delivering A STRESSED SYSTEM resurgence in Technical and a ‘national’ training package has had less Some years ago, I attended my first National Further Education (TAFE) and hours for the same units of competency. Turf Education Working Group meeting at after years of funding cutbacks it For example, one of those units – AHCTRF Richmond TAFE, NSW where I was pleasantly was pleasing to see many state Establish Turf – was previously 30 hours (it is surprised with the number of trade people governments announce funding increases now 55), whereas in Victoria it was 60. teaching turf management throughout as part of their budgets last year. Reinvesting Getting into a discussion with those Australia. They were a dedicated, passionate in TAFE is very important for the sports who allocate the hours is very taxing and group of lecturers trying to put the students turf management industry and coming unrewarding. It is not the hours of delivery but first. from an industry background (golf course the supervised hours for course accreditation. Sadly, funding cuts – to the tune of $6 greenkeeping apprenticeship), 24 years as What the student is charged is based on billion across the whole TAFE system since a sports turf management lecturer and more the nominal hours as the registered training 2013 – took their toll over the coming years. It recently as a Board member of a golf club organisation (RTO) will be paid on those hours. was difficult to watch a group of loyal people which employs greenkeeping staff, including It is interesting to look at the nominal hours slowly lose enthusiasm simply by being put apprentices, I have a real interest in the and then look at hours of delivery, especially in a situation where management was saving outcome of that investment. for a student or employer. If the full allocation money through reducing staff levels, thus It is also positive that the latest Sports Turf of hours are not delivered and the student making it very difficult for turf management Management Training Package release has fails, a legitimate question would be ‘Did the departments to meet industry expectations seen an increase in nominal hours here in student receive enough training?’ A more and needs. Staying focused on the standard Western Australia, making it more comparable transparent look at how this equation is made of delivery was a credit to many who were to the rest of Australia. It has been baffling is a reasonable request. starting to feel like their jobs were not safe. 48 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 From a Western Australian point of view, Attending training days on training packages, getting to the national meetings was getting the emphasis is centred around assessment difficult, with the local industry bodies (STA and validation which is fine if the students WA and GCSAWA) stepping in to cover the have been taught that important underpinning airfares. In later years accommodation was knowledge that makes an assessment valuable coming out of the lecturer’s pocket. Making in the overall learning process. the case to travel was getting more and It was suggested to us at a training day more difficult even though the TAFE had that TAFE students had to be 100 per cent a requirement to work with industry and competent, while at university they only had keep up to date with the development of the to be 50 per cent competent. The reality is if training packages. Minimum standards were TAFE is an excellent environment for student learning a mechanic who has been adjusting mowers developed by industry, but when audited the and development, with sports turf management for 20 years sets up a mower, it is likely that auditors were not interested in viewing them. students often involved in assisting with trials he or she is 100 per cent competent. If a Competency based training (CBT) had knowledge and currency. When planning is student who has had two opportunities in his been around for a while and all lecturers had done on short-term financial outcomes, poor or her class to adjust a mower and has little to have their Certificate IV in Training and decisions are made. opportunity in the workplace to complete the Assessment. CBT put the focus on assessment Erica Smith’s paper ‘A review of twenty task, then what is the likelihood of them being of practical skills, thus introducing a huge years of competency-based training in the 100 per cent competent? Does the standard of amount of paper work for lecturers to deal Australian vocational education and training the outcome have to be reduced for the learner with and often with limited support. Terms system’ in the International Journal of Training to be deemed competent? Most likely. such as pre- and post-assessment validation and Development in 2010 gave an overview of It may be better to give the student the were introduced, as well as checklists and where CBT training was after 20 years. In her underpinning knowledge on how to determine numerous forms for lecturers and students to paper she stated… the mower is adjusted correctly rather than sign. No additional hours were allocated to “Training packages are constantly evolving judging them at their skill level when only it – it all had to be done within the 37.5 hours and assessment has been the focus of much limited opportunity is given to practice. per week. Lecturers had to show currency and national attention throughout the two decades Focusing on practical assessment may do be involved with industry and demonstrate this of CBT. Assessment practices in the early what was suggested by Smith (2010), the tick by producing more paperwork to confirm they days were often fragmented and based on and flick assessment. had the qualifications to teach the new units of observation of work performance (often known A submission (73) by the Australian competency. as ‘tick and flick’ assessment), but there has Education Union (AEU) in May 2013 to the With these extra requirements and been an effort to encourage practitioners Federal Government’s ‘Inquiry into the role continual updating, experienced industry to assess more holistically and to ensure of Technical and Further Education system people were driven away from part-time that underpinning knowledge is adequately and its operation’ outlined “Whilst there is an lecturing, discouraging the investment of one’s addressed. However, it is generally agreed that emerging consensus amongst policy makers time imparting their accumulated knowledge there remains room for improvement.” in Australia of the critical significance of a high from many years of working in the industry. While she makes a valid point, the truth quality and well-resourced vocational education The biggest losers were the students. of the matter is that today’s TAFE lecturers sector to the future prosperity of equitable A good business model always involves struggle to keep up with their workload, so Australian society, the TAFE system is under succession planning, improving staff skills, assessing more holistically is very difficult. sustained attack”. MARCH-APRIL 2021 49 JOHN FORREST The industry is fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate group of sports turf management lecturers that put the students’ development first needs of the industry, the following areas need to be focussed on; l Managers need to meet the same strict qualification requirements that have been put in place for lecturers and have industry experience and qualifications in management. l Develop further education pathways, hire required staff. l Where resource fees are set for each unit, that is where the money should be spent. If the money is not used in resources then it should be returned. l Reduce compliance paperwork for lecturers. Develop minimum requirements. l Support lecturers allowing time to go into industry and develop connections. l Support new lecturers, inductions and Funding had been directed away from survey which revealed its members had major support on systems. TAFE giving opportunity for private RTOs, issues concerning workload, resourcing and l Team teaching – allow new lecturers to many of which are untested in their capabilities lack of staff support. The survey found: get a feel for the job. It is unreasonable to and capacity to deliver training packages. l Seventy-six per cent of respondents said expect a person to complete a Certificate One of the major impacts that is not often that they had considered leaving the sector IV in Training and Assessment without considered is staff morale and any good in the last three years. Ninety-four per cent experiencing being in front of a class. business owner will tell you that to get good of those were currently working in the job l Introduce mentoring systems. results you need an empowered workforce. that they had considered leaving. l Improve communication with industry on People are key – treat them well, show respect l Less than a third expected to spend their training enquiries. Ensure that those likely and assist in their professional and personal entire career working in TAFE. to answer the phone or emails are fully development and well-being and maybe, l Workload and excessive hours, versed on what training is available. something outrageous, listen to them! management approach to, and lack of l Recognised prior learning avenues The TAFE inquiry found that while there support for, staff and arduous compliance available if needed. were high levels of public support, there was requirements were the most commonly l Enough technicians to order resources. also a strong sense that TAFE was poised at a cited reasons for wanting to leave. l Use lecturers who have the required skills tipping point due to a number of reasons; l Ninety-six per cent said administration and knowledge to teach the units. l No systems or support for lecturers to had increased as a proportion of total l Improve the morale within TAFE. work with industry. work time in the last three years and of TAFE needs to empower employees, l Lecturers are facing greater complexity these 84 per cent said it had increased not overwork and stress them out. Managers in their work, including counselling and ‘significantly’. need empathy while having forward-thinking welfare, liaising across TAFE and industry, skills to enable staff to improve the learning developing relationships with partner INVESTING IN PEOPLE outcomes. In Western Australia there was a organisations, marketing, recruiting and As mentioned at the start of this article, a push for centres of excellence, but what has overseeing student tracking. number of state governments have committed been achieved in sports turf management is l Lecturers investing their own time and to increasing TAFE funding as part of their an actual reduction in training options. There is money in maintaining current industry 2020 budgets. For example, NSW announced currently no Diploma in WA, therefore once a knowledge and experience, often with little funding to the tune of $2.9 billion and Victoria student has completed Certificate III they have support from their institutions. $1 billion. When looking through the various to go interstate or change fields. l More and more lecturers shouldering the capital expenditure investments to be made it RTOs should be able to recognise and responsibility for frontline employment makes for impressive reading, but equipment understand the industries that are their clients. and human resources tasks, including and technology are only part of the equation It will not fall in their lap. It takes forward employing and mentoring casual staff. when it comes to improving the delivery of thinking management run by those with the Increased compliance is not properly education through the TAFE system. The skills and know how to supply technical and funded with lecturers asked to do extra when largest investment required is in the people at further education to the vocational sector. they already have a full work load. Curriculum the coalface. To teach students the valuable While it is important to have vocational development requires money for support and knowledge they require, new buildings and education and training (VET) quality framework not to be loaded onto an already stressed technology are not the most important part – to ensure standards for RTOs, VET regulators work force. Continual changes in training the lecturers and experienced industry people such as ASQA and TAC in Western Australia packages and changes in performance criteria are. need to work with RTOs and industry in requires alteration and updates. Having been a part of the TAFE system for developing standards that allow for a vibrant, As if to back everything up, in July 2020 a number of years and talking with numerous positive delivery environment with minimum the AEU conducted a ‘State of the TAFEs’ counterparts, in addition to listening to the requirements to meet those standards. 50 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 Trib te It’s not complete without u. You strive for the best turf. Tribute is your ultimate partner. // Tribute delivers unparalleled effectiveness against tough grass weed problems in couch: Crowsfoot and Goose grass, Winter grass and Ryegrass, Kikuyu and Paspalum // Tribute has excellent turf safety on common and hybrid couch and zoysia. // Tribute has proven results and unsurpassed success. No other product can offer more. // Tribute is the smart tool that offers the flexibility to tank mix with Destiny® and Spearhead®, where tailored solutions for broad spectrum weed control are required. ALWAYS USE ACCORDING TO PRODUCT LABEL Bayer CropScience Pty. Ltd., Environmental Science, Technical Enquiries: 1800 804 479 es.bayer.com.au Destiny®, Spearhead® & Tribute® are Registered Trademarks of the Bayer Group © 2021 MANAGEMENT The leadership team at Moore Park Golf Course in Sydney (from left) Brendan Williams, Mal Durkin and Cameron Butt Making work a safe space Want a happy and productive team? Looking for confident staff with new ideas that show initiative? As Ben Gibson writes, building a culture of psychological safety at your workplace will work wonders. B rad came into work on Monday A psychologically safe environment How your team ‘shows up’ at work: In to the usual barrage of criticism. provides a platform for innovation, confidence, psychologically safe teams, people feel He had been dreading it all trust and connection. A psychologically safe comfortable to be themselves and try new weekend. Nothing that he or the environment is also a physically safe one due tasks. Individuals do not feel they have to other staff came up with was to the strong communication, respect and pretend to be perfect and know everything. ever good enough – the idea had to come from feeling of belonging and ownership among the Instead, they can show up at work without the boss or otherwise it wasn’t happening. “It is team. feeling that they have to hide their challenges too risky to try something new here – why stick Google spent over two years studying or struggles. They are comfortable reaching my neck out?” thought Brad. “But if we keep more than 180 teams across its operations out to their team for help. just doing the same thing over and over again, on a mission to find out what makes a great Near-misses, incidents, mistakes, everyday how are we ever going to improve?” team. They found all the highest-performing problems and fails: These are reported Does this sound familiar? The notion of teams had one thing in common – they felt and recorded honestly and openly. They psychological safety was first introduced in the psychologically safe. When staff feel mentally are reviewed thoroughly for opportunity for early 1960s and 1970s but gained international and emotionally safe to be themselves in the improvement, additional training if required prominence with the work of US organisational workplace, they take more risks (considered, and implementation of controls to prevent behavioural scientist Amy Edmondson. She of course), pursue opportunities and make recurrence. No one is afraid to raise an issue defined psychological safety as “A shared quicker decisions. From the study, Google or of the potential repercussions of mistakes. belief held by members of a team that the developed their five key dynamics that make Over the last decade I have had the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. teams successful – psychological safety, privilege of spending time with the leadership Psychological safety is a belief that one will dependability, structure and clarity, meaning team at Moore Park Golf Course in Sydney, not be punished or humiliated for speaking up and impact. made up of course superintendent Mal Durkin, with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes. assistant superintendent Cameron Butt and It describes a team climate characterised by COMMON CHARACTERISTICS senior greenkeeper Brendan Williams. They interpersonal trust and mutual respect in which Psychologically safe workplaces and teams have shown the development of a culture that people are comfortable being themselves.” have a number of common characteristics: supports, develops and empowers all within 52 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 the team. The Moore Park leadership team and responsibilities are not well defined. Staff l Welcome curiosity: Be open to new has a clear investment in the physical and are reluctant to voice their opinion for fear of ideas and suggestions and publicly psychological well-being of everyone that sets reprisal and criticism and leadership can be acknowledge and thank those who foot in their facility and on the course. direct and authoritative. contribute. Show that people are not “To help stability within our team, I try and ‘Yes men’ flourish in a psychologically punished for failure or for suggesting give feedback to all staff on their performance unsafe work environment and staff are ideas (even if they are unsuccessful). and offer praise when deserved and expected to simply tow the line. Leaders are Every suggestion from your team is a step encouragement when they make mistakes,” often threatened by proposed new methods toward innovation and improvement. says Butt. “I regularly make them aware that and take these suggestions as personal l Promote respectful discussion and they are a valued member of our team.” criticism or a judgement of their capability. healthy conflict: Within a trusted and Adds Williams: “Honesty is the number- A work environment with psychological supportive environment, healthy conflict one thing when dealing with staff and danger can have a significant impact on can be productive and often lead to an reassuring them that nothing is off limits not only our productivity and willingness to improved result. Different opinions, ideas regarding expressing an opinion on a work- contribute, but also our mental and physical and experience can be a valuable asset to related matter or even a personal issue. The health. Work-related anxiety and stress a turf maintenance team. old saying ‘the office door is always open’ can increase, often leading to detachment, l Give staff a voice: Always provide is something our superintendent Mal Durkin withdrawal, reduced communication and a opportunity for the team to contribute always follows and is the reason he is so negative impact on our personal relationships, and provide their thoughts. Effective highly respected among the staff. Not just at diet, sleep and exercise patterns. consultation is one of the most the golf course but across NSW Centennial powerful (and cheapest) leadership Parklands.” DEVELOPING A SAFE SPACE skills in developing a high-performing, What your staff say about each other: In The following are some simple steps you can psychologically safe team and culture. psychologically safe teams, staff express take to develop psychological safety in your Effective consultation leads to solid staff mutual respect, trust and interest in each other team: ownership and accountability for results. as people. There is no finger-pointing, short- l Break the ‘Golden Rule’: We have often l Earn and extend trust: Consistency, sighted blaming, judgment or stereotyping. been told, ‘Treat people the way you leadership, discipline and effective Debate and argument are separated from would like to be treated’. When it comes communication build trust among your personalities and individuals, but rather had for to psychological safety, the opposite is team. Extend that trust to your team and the purpose of improving the team. true. Treat people as they would like to be give them the confidence to try new tasks, What your staff say about the team/culture: treated. succeed and occasionally fail. Do the team speak proudly of working at l Always offer the benefit of the doubt: your club? In psychologically safe teams, When you trust someone, you are offering people speak openly and passionately about the benefit of the doubt to them. When you the culture in the group. They promote the are in a psychologically safe environment, team and others within it and will defend its you are receiving the benefit of the doubt reputation and standing. from the entire team. “Leadership is a journey and something l Promote effectiveness, not just that isn’t easy – it needs to be worked on,” efficiency: Promote a culture of notes Simon Harrison, manager of open space doing things properly, not just quickly. maintenance for Blacktown City Council, NSW. Satisfaction, impact and ownership stem “The success of a leader is determined by from being given the opportunity to work ensuring your team members feel safe in a to the best of your ability. Let your team be positive space and have balance in their work/ the best they can be and complete tasks personal lives. to a high standard. This will provide them “Work is just a part of their lives and a with the opportunity to flourish. This has a leader needs to provide direction, support significant impact on safety and quality in and a positive and inclusive environment that your work environment. team members feel welcomed, have a sense So let’s be the leader who creates a of belonging and a place where they can freely happy, healthy, supportive and psychologically discuss matters and implement new ideas. safe place to work! We have the opportunity to “Good leaders encourage individuals reduce stress, frustration and anxiety across to challenge themselves and learn from our team. This is the type of leadership your their mistakes. They also recognise they do team will talk about for years to come. not know everything and believe that each “Leadership can make or break a team,” individual has something to contribute. With a sums up Travis Scott, course superintendent combination of all of these factors, great things of Melbourne-based Riversdale Golf Club. can be achieved.” “I believe leadership is built on trust, firstly showing the team that you are willing to PSYCHOLOGICAL DANGER support, assist and listen and then by further A work environment with psychological danger developing relationships with individuals to is one filled with blame, uncertainty and a ensure that there is trust in one another to strong fear of making mistakes (see Figure Figure 1. The key differences between psychologically achieve the common goal which will ultimately 1). Often communication and clarity is poor safe and unsafe workplaces bring that success to the team.” MARCH-APRIL 2021 53 COMPLIANCE Many sports turf managers have risen to the challenge of an ever-changing compliance environment and embarked on a journey to improve their EHS credentials Importantly, these superintendents track the PHOTO: RNL/ADOBESTOCK.COM EHS documents that their team is required to understand, acknowledge and follow. The exchange of hazards information with staff provides evidence of best practice EHS information exchange. A number of course maintenance teams have amassed over 2000 best practice communications. Making the Each is automatically logged and instantly journey reportable. In total, this superintendent group is responsible for over 780,000 EHS tips being communicated across the sector. This approach to sustainability participation is an important component of EHS and helps protect staff and the environment and reduce losses. Such an approach is more preventive and cost effective rather than reactive. With more awareness and understanding of hazards, risk and incidents, the approach Superintendents who proactively manage their EHS responsibilities are the of these superintendents is not just about reducing incidents. It is also about improving ones winning the sustainability race writes compliance expert Terry Muir. productivity, enhancing EHS performance and W business reputation. e all know the environment, and leveraged a digital solution to help make These superintendents are realists. health and safety challenges these processes more efficient and deliver They have all set ambitious moonshot EHS facing golf course operational EHS success. There are many goals. Perfection is not the goal of their EHS superintendents and sports standouts in golf’s sustainability pack applying programme, but striving for excellence is. They turf managers are growing equal weighting for economic, ecological and set out on their sustainability journeys trying to year by year. The new General Environment social stability. They have much more than a do less bad and as the turf world has pivoted Duty in Victoria and the push for national collection of EHS paperwork and policies kept towards expecting more from them, they have industrial manslaughter laws are recent in a binder. Each has their own playbook for used digital technology to help them further examples of that. how, when, where and why their people work. transform and innovate their operations. It is now well accepted that Having a set of essential rules and Digitisation of sustainability information superintendents and sports turf managers guidelines for environmental protection, has transformed the EHS processes at many are required to satisfy the legislation, prevent staying safe and protecting everyone, including clubs with one superintendent commenting, environment, health and safety incidents and the business, is a lot easier said than done of “EHS management is not expensive, it’s detect and deal with risks so that harm to their course. It takes money and time to develop priceless.” Reassuringly, many superintendents people and the planet does not eventuate. a successful EHS programme, implement it, and sports turf managers share this view Many have risen to the challenge of an ever- train your employees on it and ensure people and understand sustainability is a necessary changing compliance environment and have are buying into it. But it could cost a lot more megatrend that simply isn’t going away. made significant changes to the way their not to. It is an investment every superintendent Their ‘innovate to win’ strategy has facilities operate. must make. disrupted the status quo. Remember, in Superintendents across the country firmly In addition to sustainability participation 10 years’ time there are only going to be believe the environment should not be harmed activities, they are engaging in continuous sustainable businesses. The African proverb, and that no one should be hurt, become sick monitoring activities. As risks are identified, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you or die at work. These innovators are changing they are logged and risk controls are entered want to go far, go together” is very applicable. the way they do things for the better. Rather and communicated. Many superintendents are The industry has to go far – and quickly. And than just crossing their fingers and hoping for also digitally setting and communicating EHS that means together we have to find a way the best, they have invested in risk averse EHS tasks to their course maintenance team. At any to raise the sector’s consciousness about sustainability as their focus. time, the superintendent knows the number sustainability. The group of superintendents I They have considered their people, their of tasks set, those that have been completed mention above is doing their bit. The question current workplace structures and processes and those still in progress or overdue. is, are you? 54 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 REGIONAL PROFILE An aerial view of Atherton Golf Club which is located in the Tablelands region inland from Cairns Atherton GC, QLD At the 2020 Queensland Golf Industry Awards, Atherton Golf Club won the Club of the Year Award (less than 400 members). Playing a major role in helping to raise the bar at the Far North Queensland club for the past three years has been course superintendent Brendan Clark. Superintendent: Brendan Clark (43). Conservation Management, Diploma moderate climate (cooler and less humid Nickname: Several – Moose, BJ, GK. Turf Management, Certificate IV in Turf than the tropical coast) and its booming Family: Wife Kylie, four children – Ryan (22) Management, Certificate IV WHS, Certificate IV agricultural industries, Atherton has a busy and Kobe (17), Jackson (14) and Hannah (12). Training and Assessment. prosperous community and a vibrant social Social media: On LinkedIn, Facebook. Major hobbies/past-times: Brisbane Broncos’ and cultural life. Atherton is very attractive to Years as a superintendent: 15. No.1 fan! I am not happy when things go pear- retirees and ‘tree changers’ due to the cooler Association involvement: ASTMA, GCSAQ. shaped. Love a hit of golf and a few beers with climate, fertile garden soils, housing prices Career: Narromine Bowling Club (apprentice, mates. Known in Atherton as the ‘super coach’ significantly lower than Cairns and a vibrant five years), The Lakes Golf Club (senior – have coached three junior rugby league cultural life. greenkeeper, five years), Port Macquarie premierships in a row! Golf Club (18 months), Cairns Golf Club Tell us a bit about your background in the (superintendent, four years), epar (area Where in Australia is Atherton GC and turf industry. I started at Narromine Bowling manager, four years) and Atherton Golf Club what is the club/township famous/known Club in the central west of NSW under the (superintendent, three years to present day). for? Atherton is about 80km southwest of great Stephen Buttsworth who, as I write this, Qualifications: Certificate III in Land and Cairns in the Tablelands region. Due to its is still on the tools there after 47 years. Just 56 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 Who were some of your early mentors and what did they teach you? The best advice I received and still use today was from Steve Buttsworth who introduced me to the ‘KISS’ theory. As well, Peter Brown at The Lakes, was a person who could manage people and I greatly enjoyed working under him. Your first superintendent posting came at Cairns Golf Club. How did you go taking that step up into that role and adapting to the subtropical climate? My real challenge was to put in place a structure to manage the three ‘M’s (manpower, machinery, materials) within the constraints of a fourth ‘M’ (money). Operational management included health and safety, environmental management, power, water and irrigation to present a golf course Atherton Golf Club superintendent Brendan Clark (right) and apprentice Paul Nasser that provides customer satisfaction. That’s a lot of balls to hold in the air, but I found I wife’s parents have moved to Port Douglas. had the management skills to put in place My passion for presenting a golf course was the structures, systems and controls that starting to eat away at me I guess. When we allowed me to make full use of my agronomic moved here, my wife Kylie also took on the knowledge. role as the club’s general manager. It was a real easy dynamic to be honest. She knew Between Cairns and prior to your current nothing about grass so I could tell her anything role at Atherton you spent a period ‘off the and she would believe me! Kylie is a really tools’ working with epar. Why the change good business manager and the working and how did you find such a role? Working relationship was quite smooth. She had full for epar was great. I really enjoyed meeting a control of the clubhouse and I had full control lot of industry people, getting to know a lot of of the course which was a set-up that worked general managers and superintendents that I really well. I think we set a tone for the club might not have met. The role was flexible and that is still working today even though she left rewarding and Terry Muir virtually let you run two years ago. We had regular meetings with your own ship in Queensland. our president at the time (Mark Johnson) so any problems arising were dealt with quickly How did the Atherton job come up and why and with the right process. the decision to go back on the tools? I was remarkable! He was an outstanding mentor talking to Dave Morrison (Board member) at Give us an overview of Atherton GC. Is when it came to agronomy and why plants use Atherton Golf Club who indicated that the role it an easy/hard facility to manage? The different minerals. Still to this day, I use some as course superintendent was available and I course is a great facility to manage. We have of his techniques. was very keen to relocate back to FNQ as my a great volunteer group that I’m more than Being a golf nut when I was young, I always aspired to get back to golf and to one day become a golf course superintendent. After finishing my apprenticeship at Narrowmine, a greenkeeper role became available at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. I still remember the interview with Peter Brown – it was on a Saturday morning at his place on the northern beaches of Sydney. Working at The Lakes was the best five years of my greenkeeping life. I had the pleasure of setting up the course for two Greg Norman Internationals and an ANZ Championship. To this day I still have some great industry mates who were at The Lakes during my time there, among them Dean Hardman and Marty Formosa whom I still keep in close contact. Water management is one of Clark’s biggest challenges at Atherton MARCH-APRIL 2021 57 REGIONAL PROFILE and identifies a few big-ticket items the club needs to address. A new shed/workshop is in the pipeline at present. We have also just employed a new apprentice which is the first in the club’s 95-year history. Over the next 10 years we plan to convert all greens to TifEagle, starting with a couple of greens in October. We also have a very active Juniors programme which helps keep our focus forward-looking. Did COVID-19 impact your operations at Atherton GC? To begin with it was the ‘unknown’ that had everyone in our club a little worried, but like most golf facilities, in hindsight, ours was not greatly affected with good numbers still playing. For staff, however, our wages were cut to the Jobkeeper payment, but as a superintendent you generally you go above and beyond to make sure your course still presents well to the members and visitors. The board at Atherton were very approachable Clark has incorporated a monthly application of wetting agent on greens and runs a preventative fungicide and flexible during this time. programme which have improved turf quality. The Atherton greens are mostly Novatek couch with two greens 328 happy to say are the best in Australia. All have quite cold winter and our grass does have a You won the 2019 GCSAQ Environment their own individual jobs such as mowing dormant period which, as a superintendent, and Safety Award. What environmental tees, mowing fairways etc which takes huge gives us a few months to catch our breath. considerations do you incorporate into pressure off myself. We have a relatively new This is when we look at completing projects the management of the course? Every irrigation system (only 10 years old) so this before the drier months (September to environment and safety action at Atherton helps us to keep our course in good condition. December) really ramp up. Water management Golf Club considers the ‘people and planet’ When I started, our repairs and maintenance is the biggest challenge for me here in the side of things – we invest in environment budget was through the roof, so I sat down tropics. At Atherton GC we have incorporated a and safety so workers and the environment with Dave Morrison and the board of directors monthly application of wetting agent and have are not harmed. From this we receive instant and proposed that we go down the leasing found this to be very beneficial to our green’s return on investment – increased productivity, machinery path. We did it and in our first year maintenance. We now run a preventative improved reputation, money savings from saved the club $30K. fungicide programme as well which has fewer injuries and improved water, energy and improved our turf quality. waste management. Our policies in place here Obviously working in FNQ and its tropical at Atherton Golf Club support environmental climate requires a very different skill set You have now been at Atherton for just over and safety best practice. We have energy, and approach. Talk through some of the three years. What changes have you made water and waste management initiatives, with unique challenges you face, from a turf during that time and what are you hoping to environmental and safety committees and management perspective. Unlike the guys implement in the future? We have developed working groups within the club. on the coast, here in Atherton we have a a strategic plan which gives us a clear direction Much of the work involved in creating an environment and safety culture in our club is linked to everyday behaviours. As the superintendent, I set the tone and have the power and responsibility to establish behaviours, set expectations and promote EHS accountability. What are some of the major challenges facing Atherton GC from a turf management and general club management perspective? We had a serious issue with an aging membership which we have been able to turn around by presenting a first-rate course and a welcoming environment. Attention to this is ongoing as this job is never done. Presently Renovation of the Atherton greens occurs in late September and consists of a heavy scarify in two our course has only limited intersection different directions, hollow core with 8mm tines, amendments and topdressing with the urban environment, but adjacent 58 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 development could see major housing development along some boundaries. This will inevitably present difficulties in course management as mowing and other noise- generating operations will need to start later in the day. Along with most clubs, our members and visitors are increasingly using motorised carts on the course. This increases wear on specific parts of the course which means increased costs for path maintenance and other areas where carts converge. Outline any major course improvement works recently completed or in the pipeline. We have a plan for a major renovation on our 13th hole. It involves crossing water for your second shot to the par four green and Toro 835 sprinklers are being installed around all Atherton’s greens is currently index 3 on our card. This $50k located on unconsolidated clay which in turn and have a chat to. The trade reps in FNQ are project would see us lift the front of the green was derived from runoff from nearby ranges. fantastic, always on the phone and generally after rebuilding the rock retaining wall and Drainage is a difficult issue to manage as come around every 4-6 weeks which is great expanding the green. This has the potential to springs during the wet season can erupt from for new products and information. become the signature hole on the course. unpredictable places on the course. Are expectations of course presentation and Water is obviously a critical issue for any The one product I couldn’t manage my conditioning any less than that placed on golf course. How is Atherton GC faring in course without is... Wetting agents. They are your metropolitan counterparts? Not at all. the water management stakes? We are in a must in the tropics. Also, I have had some We have lifted the standard at Atherton Golf a good position with the club able to access great talks with Tim Hoskinson from Cairns Club and myself and the members expect the treated water on request from the council. This Golf Club about how good Heritage fungicide course kept in that condition now. I like to think water is fed into a 15ML storage dam on the is as a preventative. we have lifted the regional profile of our course course from which we can pump to our greens and people from all over FNQ are coming to or fairways. We have a further two containment What are some pros and cons of being a experience it. dams to prevent contaminated water from regional superintendent? Some of the cons leaving our leases. are not being able to attend information and Do you use volunteers to assist with trade seminars, but for me it is the flexibility the management of the course and how The weather and climate are always a great with my role in a regional town being able important are they in your operations? If leveller for a course superintendent. How to drive two minutes to pick the kids up after we didn’t have volunteers we wouldn’t have has Mother Nature treated the course in school. Going down the street you always a course. They are so passionate about their recent times? Two thirds of our course is bump into someone from the club to stop course and love seeing it move forward which Borehole/Submersible Pumps IRRIGATION, WATER TRANSFER Have complete control of your borehole water with the Lowara e-GS Series and Z Series range of pumps. • Stainless steel • Robust design and hard wearing • Corrosion / abrasion resistant • Longer lifetime and reduced lifecycle costs Contact us to find the right solution for your irrigation and water transfer requirements. Ph: 1300 4 BBENG www.brownbros.com.au 07/20 DELIVERING PUMPING SOLUTIONS MARCH-APRIL 2021 59 REGIONAL PROFILE How important are the relationships you have with other course supers/trade reps as well as the local community? All the guys up here have a fantastic relationship. We are all on WhatsApp and talk almost daily about course management. We also catch up 3-4 times a year which I think is a must in all areas. What have you got in your shed? Mostly Toro – two 3400 greens mowers, 5610 fairway “We have lifted the standard at Atherton Golf Club and myself and the members expect the course kept in that unit, 4300 rough mower, ProCore 648, 1750 condition now.” – Brendan Clark, superintendent Multi Pro, MDX Workman, John Deere Gator, John Deere 997 zero turn, two Kubota tractors, of directors is something that I have really Turfco topdresser and a Tru-Turf roller. The worked in in recent times. I have a Facebook Multi Pro 1750 is a great machine for the page – Atherton Turf Management – which has ability to apply product quickly and efficiently. become a tool for me to educate what we are Our next major investment and priority in trying to achieve on the course. the coming 12 months will be a new shed/ workshop. Best advice you have received about turf Looking back up the 2nd fairway at Atherton management and who gave it to you? Don’t has happened in the last three years that’s for Do you think regional/country expect your staff to do a job you wouldn’t. I sure. Each has their own specific role and they superintendents have a better work-life once had a beer with John Odell at the Cairns take the utmost care of their machine as well. balance? Maybe. Certainly accessing spare conference and he said to me being a golf I have one guy, Ross Milevsky, who mows our parts and picking up kids are only minutes course superintendent is an emotional game of fairways twice a week and has done so for away. However, we have high expectations snakes and ladders… how true is that is! three years – he never misses a day which is and attention to detail is imperative. If we had remarkable. another 200 members we would not be able What gives you the most job satisfaction? to get away with the small workforce and Working at a club that backs your decisions If you could change one thing about your volunteers to maintain the condition of our and helps you achieve these goals. job as a regional superintendent what would course. it be and why? I love my role at Atherton Golf Most pleasing/rewarding moment during Club but the one thing I wanted to change was What do you think is the most challenging your time at Atherton to date? Two things getting the club to employ an apprentice. This aspect of a superintendent’s role today? – winning the 2020 Club of the Year Award has happened this year – the first in the club’s How you communicate to a board or (under 400 members) at the Queensland 95-year history – and since Paul’s arrival it has committee. If, as a superintendent, you can Golf Industry Awards and the GCSAQ’s been a breath of fresh air for myself and the get these right, things run a lot smoother. Environment and Safety Excellence Award. club. Communication to my members and board Both great achievements for the club. AT A GLANCE – ATHERTON GC, QLD Course specs: Par 70, 5567m (men’s) Terrain/soil types: Gently undulating. Not a scarification in two different directions and par 72, 5103m (ladies). 31 hectares of long course but with some challenges across followed by a blow off, then a hollow core maintained turf consisting of mostly blue water, sharp doglegs and narrow corridors to with 8mm tines and another blow off. After couch, narrow leaf carpet grass and some contemplate. Soil types red basaltic and acid that we give the greens a clean-up cut before Bahia grass. Greens are mostly Novatek volcanic clay. adding sand and amendments which usually couch variety with two greens 328. Water sources: Potable water spaced around consist of a greens grade dolomite and TX10. Members/rounds: 200/15,000 with 27 per course for drinking and occasionally watering This combination has worked well for us in cent social non-members. gardens. The club receives 60ML of tertiary the last three years. Major tournaments/events: Atherton treated council water annually for greens and Major disease pressures: Usually dollar spot Open, home of the King/Queen of the fairway irrigation. in the autumn/winter and pythium/curvularia North Matchplay final. Hosted the FNQ Irrigation system: Toro GDC 200 decoder in the hot humid months. Championship in 2019. system greens, tees and single row irrigation Nutrition: We run a very basic four-week plan Annual course budget: $170,000. to all fairways. at Atherton GC; Staff: Brendan Clark (superintendent) and Cutting heights/regimes: Greens 4mm l Week 1: Wetting agent/root spray; Paul Nasser (apprentice). all year round (4-5 times a week), tees and l Week 2: Foliar application; Climate/rainfall: Subtropical (750m collars 10mm (twice weekly), fairways 12mm l Week 3: Preventative fungicide; elevation), occasional light frost. 1400mm (twice weekly) and roughs 50mm. l Week 4: Foliar application. with 1200mm received between November Renovations: Major renovations happen in We also add 400kg of dolomite/gypsum and April. late September which consists of a heavy depending on soil tests 2-3 times a year. 60 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 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 Peter Fraser Hervey Bay G&CC, Qld Braydan Millar Rowes Bay GC, Qld Dean Bailey Rosanna GC, Vic Adam Fry Kooyonga GC, SA Ben Mills Hawks Nest GC, NSW Shane Baker Mosman Park GC, WA Ryan Fury Killara GC, NSW Craig Molloy Cypress Lakes Resort, NSW Brett Balloch Anglesea GC, Vic Jake Gibbs Royal Canberra GC, ACT Colin Morrison Flinders GC, Vic Ed Barraclough Cardinia Beaconhills GC, Vic Danny Hack Wellington Shire, Vic Damien Murrell Easts Leisure & GC, NSW Mark Bateman Kooringal GC, Vic Cameron Hall Kew GC, Vic John Nelson Grafton District GC, NSW Tim Bayard Evergreen Turf, Vic Gareth Hammond Terrey Hills GC, NSW Kelvin Nicholson Palmer Coolum Resort, Qld Duncan Begley Horizons Golf Resort, NSW Brendan Hansard Kew CC, NSW Matthew Oliver QSAC, Qld Nathan Bennett The Royal Adelaide GC, SA Mitch Hayes Brisbane GC, Qld Shaun Page Southern GC, Vic Paul Bevan GTS, Qld Luke Helm Meadowbrook GC, Qld Luke Partridge Manly GC, NSW Shane Bisseker Whitsunday Council, Qld Tony Hemming Optus Stadium, WA Mick Pascoe Sports Turf Solutions, Vietnam Andrew Boyle GTS, Vic Kirsty Herring Katherine CC, NT Ben Payne Peninsula-Kingswood CGC, Vic Justin Bradbury Camden GC, NSW Tim Hoskinson Cairns GC, Qld Michael Pearce RACV Torquay GC, Vic Nathan Bradbury Eastlake GC, NSW Ian Howell, Bonnie Doon GC, NSW Keegan Powell The Sands Torquay, Vic Harry Brennan Dubbo City Council, NSW Jay Infanti Eastern GC, Vic Shaun Pritchard PEGS, Vic Mark Brooks Riversdale GC, Vic Nick Jeffrey Racing Queensland, Qld Justin Rankin Kooindah Waters GC, NSW Fraser Brown Lake Karrinyup CC, WA Steven Johnson Al Mouj Golf, Oman Marc Raymond Patterson River GC, Vic Ben Bruzgulis Cronulla GC, NSW Jason Kelly Royal Fremantle GC, WA Scott Reid Launceston GC, Tas Chris Burgess Yarrawonga Mulwala GC, Vic Nick Kinley Hartfield CC, WA Brett Saggus BRG Legend Hill, Vietnam Greg Burgess Northern GC, Vic Dylan Knight Axedale GC, Vic Wesley Saunders Dunblane New GC, UK Jacob Burridge Victoria GC, Vic Blaine Knox Beenleigh RSL & GC, Qld Robert Savedra Wesley College, Vic Jason Bushell Rowes Bay GC, Qld Lance Knox Busselton GC, WA Travis Scott Riversdale GC, Vic Aaron Cachia Bayer, NSW Steve Lalor Natadola Bay GC, Fiji Bill Shuck Evergreen Turf, Vic Patrick Casey Kalgoorlie GC, WA Kane Latham Elanora CC, NSW Cameron Smith Bonnie Doon GC, NSW David Cassidy The Cut, WA Nick Launer Metropolitan GC, Vic Gary Smith Commercial Albury GC, NSW Brian Cattell Wagga Wagga CC, NSW Ben Lavender Newington College, NSW Thomas Smith Waterford Valley GC, Vic Peter Cawsey Eastwood GC, Vic Jason Lavender Riverlakes GC, Qld Mathew Soles The Australian GC, NSW Paul Chalmers St Aloysius College, NSW Dean Lenertz St Michael’s GC, NSW Clinton Southorn Abu Dhabi GC, UAE Brenton Clarke Kooyonga GC, SA Dean Lewis Thurgoona CC, NSW John Spraggs Royal Wellington GC, NZ Dan Cook Elanora CC, NSW Josh Leyland Box Hill GC, Vic Daniel Stack Windaroo Lakes GC, Qld Lincoln Coombes RACV Royal Pines, Qld Nathan Lindsay Hamilton Island GC, Qld Lee Strutt Les Bordes International, France Phillip Cooper GTS, NSW Peter Lonergan Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Lee Sutherland St Michael’s GC, NSW Dion Cope Redland Bay GC, Qld GC, NSW Shay Tasker Carnarvon GC, NSW Joshua Cunningham All Outside, NSW Ben Lucas Tocumwal GC, NSW Aaron Taylor The Lakes GC, NSW Bruce Davies CIT, ACT Toby Lumsden ICC Academy, UAE Nigel Taylor Sports Turf Solutions, Malaysia Kevin Davis St Margaret’s-Berwick GS, Vic Bruce Macphee ASTMA, Vic Shaun Taylor Southern GC, Vic Nicholas Douglas Spring Valley GC, Vic Dave Mason Metropolitan GC, Vic David Thomson Bermagui CC, NSW Cameron Dunn Woolooware GC, NSW Garry McClymont Twin Waters GC, Qld Ben Tilley Headland GC, Qld Peter Dunn Federal GC, ACT Tony McFadyean Nedlands GC, WA Steve Tuckett ASTMA, Vic Ben Evans Ryde TAFE, NSW Paul McLean Sanctuary Cove G&CC, Qld Lee Veal Mt Derrimut G&CC, Vic Tim Fankhauser ASTMA, Vic Michael McMahon GTS, Qld Earl Warmington Newcastle GC, NSW Peter Fitzgerald Toronto CC, NSW Peter McNamara Brisbane GC, Ql Rob Weiks Hoiana Shores GC, Vietnam Aaron Fluke NSWGC, NSW Ryan McNamara Rosanna GC, Vic Shannon White Baileys Fertilisers, WA Jason Foster Riverway Stadium, Qld Keith McPhee Maitland City Council, NSW George Widdowson Geelong GC, Vic Jason Foulis StrathAyr Group, Vic Brett Merrell Ras Al Hamra GC, Oman Darren Wilson Wembley GC, WA Patrick Fraser Landscape Solutions, NSW Jack Micans Manly GC, NSW Tim Wright K&B Adams, Vic “Earning and retaining the CSTM designation proves to my employer and the rest of the industry a high level of commitment to our profession. I am honoured to share this designation with my fellow colleagues.” – Luke Partridge, CSTM (Manly Golf Club, NSW) For more information on the ASTMA Certification Program visit www.agcsa.com.au AROUND THE TRADE TORO ADDS SPARK TO ITS ELECTRIC WALK-BEHIND GREENSMASTER FLEET Above: Toro’s new TransPro 200 trailer Left: The new additions to Toro’s Greensmaster walk- behind range – the e1021 (left) and eFLEX1021 (right) A STMA Platinum Partner Toro Another new release is the Greensmaster The hitch height is adjustable, allowing Australia has recently added two eFLEX 1021. The cutting heads on the 2.5” (6.4cm) of adjustment for level trailering new Greensmaster walk-behind Greensmaster eFLEX1021 follow contours regardless of the tow vehicle. A hitch pin mowers to its lithium-ion electric on the greens, even those with extreme release is incorporated into the lift handle, range – the Greensmaster undulations. All of the Greensmaster FLEX making it quick and easy to hitch and unhitch e1021 and Greensmaster eFLEX 1021. models deliver plenty of power and control, the trailer. Another big timesaver is the rail Designed for minimal maintenance and with the eFLEX1021 utilising a Samsung ramp module. It takes away the need to use a long service life, the all-electric fixed-head battery for quiet, long-term operation on a mower transport wheels, reducing loading Greensmaster e1021 helps courses get the single charge. The bail design combines safety and unloading time by up to 50 per cent. The after-cut appearance they want while saving and operational control. Along with reducing trailer can be configured for 18” (45.7cm) and labour and operational costs. Brian Goodridge, the distance between the cutting unit and 21” (53.3cm) mowers without the need for Toro’s equipment product marketing manager, the traction drum, control and balance of the additional kits. says the mower will take electrical efficiency to mower have been improved for significantly For further information on the above a new level. more precise handling, especially in turns. additions to the Toro range, visit www. “Operators are able to mow 3000m2 of turf From a modular design for easy repair toro.com.au or contact your local Toro on a single charge,” says Goodridge. “As the and replacement of key components, to representative. e1021 is so quiet, it is just right for mowing the elimination of all grease points, the near homes, resorts and anywhere where entire maintenance process is streamlined BAYER SET TO DIVEST ITS noise restrictions or regulations are in place. All to maximise uptime without sacrificing ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ARM I electric Greensmaster mowers are also ideal performance. For example, the quick-release n an announcement made in late for mowing in environmentally sensitive areas cutting units make removal a snap for February, Bayer flagged that it will be or locations with fuel storage limitations. With maintenance or to swap between cutting units divesting its Environmental Science no engine exhaust emissions it will help golf and the greased-for-life gear-drive transmission Professional business in order to focus on courses meet environmental and sustainability also reduces maintenance needs. its Crop Science division. A global leader in goals.” In addition to the release of the new offering environmental solutions to control The Greensmaster e1021 comes equipped Greensmaster mowers, Toro has also unveiled pests, disease and weeds in non-agricultural with Toro’s proven DPA cutting units and a its new TransPro 200 trailer. The TransPro 200 areas such turf and ornamentals, Bayer’s 21-inch (53.34 cm) cutting width. A convenient safely and securely transports up to two walk- Environmental Science Professional business LCD screen gives the operator an instant view behind greens mowers at once, giving them had sales of 600 million Euros in 2019. of the ongoing battery charge status and can a secure ride so that precision settings don’t “The planned divestment of the also indicate diagnostics, machine hours, change during transport. Environmental Science business will open overall battery health and initiate backlapping. The TransPro 200 secures mowers by new avenues for growth, innovation, new Like all Greensmaster walk mowers, the combining a front roller pocket, rubber mats product development, knowledge sharing e1021 is built for operator comfort and ease and wheel/donut retainers. Once the ramp or and stewardship,” says Martin Ball, general of use. The telescopic handle adjusts easily to rails are raised, the mowers are locked in place manager of Environmental Science at Bayer. any operator, while the rubber isolated handle so they retain their height-of-cut adjustments “At present, it’s business as usual and assembly reduces motion from walking. during transport. Adjustable roller pockets our turf team are looking forward to this Controls are easy to access and use and the make it easy to configure the TransPro 200 to year’s Australian Sports Turf Management machine is compact and well balanced for ensure a perfect fit for fixed units and flex units, Conference and Trade Exhibition where we will excellent tracking and manoeuvrability. with or without groomers. be launching two new products.” 62 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 NUTURF, PGG INK PARTNERSHIP agreement marks a milestone not only in the Evans Turf in 2018, further consolidating it as form of a commercial arrangement between an asset to the NZ turf industry. In 2019 TGS our two organisations, but by extension licensed Living Turf’s My-Results analytical as a commitment to continue our product platform and also won the NZ agency for development efforts across both companies”. MATCHplay products. Part of the 2019 deal With Nuturf having recently received included a license for local manufacture of approval for several product registrations Superior Turf Liquids. through the New Zealand regulator, the ACVM “We have a long-standing relationship and the New Zealand EPA, collaboration with TGS and its principal Peter Garvey, who A STMA Silver Partner Nuturf Australia between Dr Mark Walker (Nuturf technical has built a great team,” says Living Turf chief and ASTMA Bronze Partner PGG manager) and Guilherme Barcellos (PGG executive Rob Cooper. “We see an exciting Wrightson Turf (NZ) have formalised product development manager) is expected to opportunity to grow their contribution to the their long-term partnership with the signing yield a number of novel product innovations NZ market and are pleased to announce that of an exclusive distribution and product and solutions specifically designed for the New Tony Evans will lead the new entity, as general innovation agreement in March. Having Zealand market over the coming 18 months. manager of Living Turf NZ.” enjoyed a highly productive strategic Nuturf and PGG Wrightson Turf will also Other TGS operatives that will transfer partnership over the past two years, the continue to work together on a number to Living Turf include Joe Butler (senior agreement sees PGG Wrightson Turf continue of trans-Tasman initiatives that aim to territory manager – North Island), Oliver Tong to distribute a selection of Australian made collaboratively address key issues in the (consulting agronomist), Troy Harold (territory Nuturf brands in the New Zealand market. professional turf sector effecting both regions, manager – Auckland), Joe Hollier (territory PGG Wrightson Turf is New Zealand’s including the challenge of talent attraction and manager – Waikato/Bay of Plenty), Trevor market leader in turfgrass breeding and turf retention and personnel development within Jackson (territory manager – Wellington/ research and evaluation. They are distributors the industry. lower North Island) and Mike Logan (customer of products and agronomic solutions to service). the professional turf sector and have been LIVING TURF LANDS For more information on the NZ venture visit marketing and distributing FoliMAX liquid IN NEW ZEALAND www.livingturf.com.au or www.turfgrass.nz. fertilisers and biostimulants, Stamina soil surfactants and AmendMAX soil amendments ICL RESEARCH INCLUDED for the past two years. IN ETS PROCEEDINGS T “We are excited to solidify our partnership he proceedings of the 2020 European with Nuturf,” says PGG Wrightson Turf’s Turfgrass Society Conference national sales and marketing manager Jason were recently published, with three Weller. “With many parallels in the culture and collaborative research projects between agronomic philosophy of both organisations, ASTMA Bronze Partner ICL Specialty Fertilizers this is a great opportunity to continue and their partners selected for inclusion. A delivering real outcomes and solutions for turf STMA Silver Partner Living Turf has Among the papers selected included managers, which remains our top priority.” acquired New Zealand-based Turfgrass was ‘Seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) Adds Nuturf’s national sales manager Specialists (TGS) effective from 1 April extraction method produces chemically Andrew Melville: “The signing of this 2021. Based in Auckland, TGS purchased CONTINUED PAGE 65 INDUSTRY APPOINTMENTS NANOBUBBLES NABS WARWICK the turf management industry,” says Nano NEW OASIS FOR LEWIS Sydney-based Nano Bubble Bubble Technologies chief executive officer Melbourne-based Oasis Turf Technologies has appointed Andrew Pride. has appointed former Royal former Avondale Golf Club “He joins us as we pioneer our patented Hobart Golf Club superintendent David Warwick technology which has completed over 200 superintendent Stephen Lewis to a business development successful trials and verified results from as permanent part-time role, with a primary focus on major universities and laboratories. warehouse manager for its sports turf, agriculture and horticulture. “Developed initially for the meat industry, Tasmanian branch. Lewis, who retired after a Warwick joins the company after over a 14-year period our patented nano remarkable 42 years at the club on 5 April, spending the past 25 years as superintendent bubble technology has evolved and recently including the past 35 as superintendent, will at Avondale, during which time he won both moved into other industries. Nano bubble be supporting branch manager Daniel the ASTMA’s Excellence in Golf Course storage of oxygen and its benefits for sports Marriott with operation of the warehouse and Management Award and Claude Crockford turf is not widely understood, however, deliveries, as well as providing advice to Environmental Award. Prior to that Warwick with David’s assistance we hope to make customers if they have turf-related issues. The was course superintendent at Arundel Hills it more common knowledge.” Warwick role sees a well-respected practitioner Golf Club in southeast Queensland for six- started his new role in early April and can be continue to be involved in the industry in and-a-half years. “David brings a wealth of contacted on 0419 429 229 or email david@ Tasmania. Lewis started his role on 19 April experience in a broad range of areas across nanobubble.com.au. and can be contacted on 0457 006 199. MARCH-APRIL 2021 63 AROUND THE TRADE ADVERTORIAL COLIN CAMPBELL (CHEMICALS) NOTCHES MAJOR MILESTONE I n 2020 ASTMA Trade Partner Colin Together, Geoff and Nabih also recognised Campbell (Chemicals) (CCC) celebrated that with technology changes there was an its 80th anniversary. Still a wholly-owned increasing demand from turf managers and and run Australian company, CCC is a stakeholders for more sustainable products leading supplier of innovative, reliable, with reduced toxicity. One of the earliest high-quality and ‘niche’ crop protection examples of these was the introduction of products for the pre- and post-harvest microencapsulation technology. agricultural sector, specialising in horticulture Microencapsulation in the form of and recreational turf. Pennside, developed in the USA during the CCC was founded in 1940 by Colin early 1980s, was first brought to Australia by Campbell Snr after he recognised a market CCC. Microencapsulation formulations reduce opportunity for manufacturing chemicals. the toxicity of products by encasing them in a He established the company in Alexandria, microscopic polymer coating and, as a result, Sydney and two decades later passed the products that were classified as Schedule 7 company down to his sons, Colin and Neil. It poisons were able to be classified to a lower was during the 1960s that the brothers began schedule due to the reduced user toxicity. increasing their presence in agricultural and Other innovative brands as part of the CCC turf chemicals. range include Blazon, Flowable TMTD, Methar CCC’s growth and product range has Tri kombi, Terrazole, Monstar, Proplant and Colin Campbell (Chemicals) has been supplying to the been made possible by long-term supplier Australian turf industry since the 1960s Protak. The most recent innovation has been relationships and by active and ongoing the introduction of PoaCure in 2020 which has research and development. The end result is current day owner and director Geoffrey revolutionised the way Poa is controlled in the supply of innovative, speciality products Derrick was hired as a technical agronomist. turfgrass. which fulfil various needs in agriculture, Geoff and Nabih held a shared vision for CCC, including pre- and post-harvest horticulture extending it to an innovative product range and PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN and turf, as well as the introduction of novel introducing a number of new technologies. The CCC legacy continues today with products such as chlorothalonil, apple wax and In 1971, CCC was one of two companies Nabih’s sons Ramsay and Nadeem joining microencapsulation formulations. given exclusive Australian rights to the business in 1996 and 1999 respectively. chlorothalonil. CCC marketed chlorothalonil Together with their father (up until his passing) INNOVATION AND EXPANSION under the trade name Daconil for use on turf and Geoff, they have overseen significant Contributing to the high product quality is and ornamentals. In 2003, the product name growth in sales and product range over the last CCC’s progressive and rigorous R&D, either changed to Campbell Dacogreen. However, 20 years. They share a vision of continuing to inhouse or via reputable organisations. the high-quality formulation has remained the innovate and provide service to Australian turf CCC’s business plan was always to work same and continues to be sourced from its managers for another 80 plus years. with overseas companies that had viable and original supplier in Japan. Today this molecule “CCC has always been proud to be 100 unique products, but did not want to set up is highly popular in Australia and the CCC per cent Australian,” says Nadeem Zreikat, their own office in Australia. Were it not for brand Dacogreen WeatherShield in the turf CCC’s marketing development manager. CCC, these solutions may not have been market is recognised as the highest-quality “We source the highest quality and most developed and reached Australian shores. brand in the market. effective products due to our long-standing Products are always stringently evaluated and nothing is introduced without the necessary efficient field and lab testing conducted under Australian conditions. In 1971, Nabih Zreikat joined CCC and played a pivotal role in growing the company’s product range. He also recognised the importance of building strong relationships with suppliers to achieve this and would later become one the company’s directors, a position he held until his passing in 2018 at the age of 82. In 1976, when more technical knowledge and R&D support were required, CCC’s Nadeem Zreikat (far right) with (from left) Chris Hand (K&B Adams) ASTMA CEO Mark Unwin, superintendents Ben Grylewicz and Richard Forsyth and John Kaminski (Penn State University) during the latter’s 2019 Australian visit 64 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 relationships with reputable and trusted CONTINUED FROM PAGE 63 Advanced Seed has also gained exclusive suppliers both locally and globally. different formulations with contrasting effects distribution rights to leading suppliers including “Turf and horticulture have become a on turfgrass rooting’, submitted by Dr Andy Seed Research of Oregon, DLF, Earthway and CCC speciality. Customers remain with CCC Owen, ICL’s international technical manager. Evergreen Turf Covers. for decades because they know the products The research illustrates how various seaweed “We are thrilled to reach such a major work well and will be delivered quickly extraction methods have different effects on milestone in our business,” says Mick Ahern, and they trust the staff’s expertise. We are turfgrass rooting. Other research projects who took over as Advanced Seed managing known for our reliability and flexibility. We selected for publication included ‘Ascophyllum director from Hinman upon his retirement late can handle anything; we are small enough nodosum extract use in plant parasitic last year. “We are thankful to our past and to be nimble and responsive, yet big enough nematode abundance and diversity on a golf present customers, plus our other valued to manage any size client. Having our own green’ and a third titled ‘Applying surfactants industry partners as we take time to celebrate office and warehouse in Sydney, as well decrease turf water use under high evaporative the success we have had as a team over 20 as stock locations in southern Sydney and demands in glasshouse conditions’. years. We look forward to many more years Brisbane, ensures we are able to respond “We are serious about research at ICL and ahead serving this wonderful industry.” efficiently to any customer request.” to publish with the ETS is a great outcome for For more information on Advanced Seed Among those long-term customers these projects,” says Dr Owen. “The research and its product range visit www.adseed. have been Melbourne-based company projects have some really exciting data to com.au. K&B Adams and former NSW Golf Club share with the industry and we look forward to superintendent Gary Dempsey. Comments publishing that to help inform and support best K&B Adams owner Mark Eardley: practice for turf managers.” “Throughout our 52 years of trading, K&B For more information on this research, visit Adams has been a distributor of Colin https://icl-sf.com/global-en/news/. Campbell Chemicals. Our close working relationship continues strongly to this day ADVANCED SEED and is one of which we are very proud. WELL ESTABLISHED A Campbell’s quality product range, excellent STMA Bronze Partner Advanced follow-up service and relationships with our Seed notched up its 20th anniversary staff and end users is second-to-none.” last December. Founded by Brian Adds Dempsey: “I was first introduced Hinman at Newlands Rd in the Melbourne to Campbells Chemicals when I was an suburb of Reservoir, Advanced Seed set apprentice greenkeeper in 1974. I continued up as a wholesale supplier to the retail and to use them as a major source of my professional seed market in December 2000. turf care products throughout my entire The company has had successful long- career. Good people, good products and standing customer relationships with the likes good service with a dedication to the turf of Brunnings, Globe, GTS, Anco and many industry. Congratulations to all at Campbells others over the 20-year journey. While forming Advanced Seed managing director Mick Ahearn (left) Chemicals for reaching this milestone.” important partnerships with industry leaders, with company founder Brian Hinman 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 dTHE e n t , AGCSATECH A n a l y t i c a l , DTEAM Senior agronomist - Bruce Macphee - bruce@agcsa.com.au 0409 183 710 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 MARCH-APRIL 2021 65 AS SOCIATION REPORTS GCSAWA GCSAWA life I t has been a busy past month and coming members and up association-wise for the GCSAWA – the now both Industry Recognition Award WA Golf Industry Awards, visiting 1st and recipients Geoff 2nd year apprentices at TAFE, a fertiliser Osborne (left) and training day, our annual Trade Challenge Golf Trevor Strachan (right) at the 2021 (set for 11 May) and a lot of planning for this WA Golf Industry year’s Margaret River Conference in August. Awards On 26 March almost 500 guests from across the GCSAWA, PGA, GMA and Golf WA attended the WA Golf Industry Awards night. The main highlight from our perspective was GCSAWA life member Geoff Osborne receiving the Recognition Award for his PHOTOS: GOLFWA services to golf in WA. Responsible for the construction of a number of world-class golf courses including Sun City, Joondalup, Araluen and The Cut, Geoff’s work as an innovator, creator and inventor has left an Robertson (Golf Oracle) to win the award and O’Hern, have focused on the protection and indelible mark on our industry. He joins former will now go on to represent the GCSAWA in reintroduction of native wildlife at the course, Lake Karrinyup superintendent and fellow the national final of the ASTMA Graduate of including bandicoots and numerous bird GCSAWA life member Trevor Strachan who the Year Award which will be announced at the species. To help with this, volunteers have built was anointed the same award in 2014. Gold Coast conference. hatches and started fox and pest control. The Mandurah Country Club’s Neil Graham D’Evelynes began working at Wanneroo as club has also planted 4200 tubestock, with won the Superintendent of the Year a 17-year-old and in the four years since has another 3000 planned for this year. Mt Lawley (sponsored by Afgri), beating home a quality been heavily involved in some key projects at also recently installed solar panels which field of finalists that included 2020 winner Ash the club, including the lake redevelopment, has significantly reduced the club’s energy Watson (Joondalup), Rod Tatt (Mt Lawley construction of tees and greens, new pump expenses, as well as starting an upgrade to GC), Jason Kelly (Royal Fremantle GC), installation and finish of the clubhouse LED lights. A new fleet of machinery includes Oliver Bell (Dunsborough Lakes), Craig extension and landscape surrounds. He hybrid mowers and electric utility vehicles Hamilton (Hamersley GC), David Cassidy gained tournament experience when which were purchased during the last year. (The Cut GC) and Peter Fleming (Kwinana Wanneroo hosted both the Australian and Des Russell, who was only officially GC). Neil is one of the most respected and Western Australian Amateur Championships appointed superintendent at Cottesloe Golf selfless superintendents in WA and has been in the last few years. He has recently taken on Club a fortnight before the awards after a superintendent at Mandurah for just over five the role of irrigation technician and is looking long interim role, guided the club to the years now. During that time he has trained two forward to the next couple of years when the Metropolitan Golf Course of the Year Award Apprentice of the Year winners and been an irrigation masterplan is completed. after the replacement of greens and an integral reason the club has had huge success Mt Lawley Golf Club, home to irrigation system. It was a close fought contest on and off the course. superintendent Rod Tatt, collected the WA with fellow clubs finalists Lake Karrinyup CC In a tough year impacted by COVID-19, Environmental Award. Rod, together with and Western Australian GC. Oliver Bell, who Neil stepped up his already strong work ethic his crew and club general manager Troy has been a finalist for the Superintendent to prepare the course for the 1600 weekly of the Year for the last couple of years, led rounds, almost single-handedly at times. He Dunsborough Lakes to the Regional Course of has reduced Poa in Mandurah’s greens by the Year Award. Other regional course finalists 95 per cent using a strict, consistent and very included Bunbury, Capel and Kalgoorlie. hands-on management programme. Over The GCSAWA congratulates all winners and the past 12 months Neil has overseen the finalists. construction of the 4th green and approach, Elsewhere, we had a brief tease of an projects on the 6th and 12th greens, the early end to summer in early March with some construction of the 7th tee and bunker work on showers and cooler weather. High humidity the 4th fairway. quickly followed, however, which kept supers After picking up the same award as Neil on their toes with extra growth and disease at the previous year’s awards, Wanneroo Golf susceptibility. From mid-May to late June is a Club superintendent Jon Carter was on hand busy time for courses in WA with many hosting to witness Adam D’Evelynes win the Afgri Pro-Ams. Players travel the length of the state Apprentice of the Year Award. D’Evelynes with courses across Perth, the South West, edged out Jaxon Thorne (Secret Harbour Golf GCSAWA Superintendent of the Year Neil Graham Geraldton, Karratha, Port Hedland and Broome Links), Fraser Healey (Collie GC) and Tyler (right) with Afgri’s Matt Utley all hosting tournaments. 66 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 We hope to beat last year’s Trade Just recently Port Kennedy closed nine guest speakers giving two presentations each. Challenge numbers of 19 teams when we holes to make way for housing. A new nine Fingers crossed the borders remain open play this year’s event at Araluen Golf Resort. holes will be built by Graham Marsh on land and all interstate guests have no concerns The event is consistently well supported by at the northern end of the existing course. In travelling to WA. We have 16 presentations the trades and there are always some sneaky total 14 holes will be redone over the next few over a day and a half covering many subjects. recruitment of players. years. A new clubhouse is almost complete, The rest of the conference includes the It has been a rare time for courses in Perth the first permanent clubhouse they have had Living Turf/Rain Bird Golf Championships with two clubs doing a full redevelopment at since the course first opened more than 20 and a Sunday afternoon welcome drinks and the same time. Fremantle Public Course is years ago. brewery visit. We charge a one-off fee that close to reopening after the widening of High And finally, the Margaret River Conference includes three nights’ accommodation, all St forced its closure and reduced the course’s (8-11 August) itinerary is locked away after meals, drinks, golf and bus trip to the brewery. total area, but architect Richard Chamberlain a last minute hurdle when our usual hotel Everyone is welcome. still had the task of lengthening it. A new was recently sold and closed down. Leigh irrigation system, cart paths, clubhouse and all Yanner (The National GC) and Leo Barber SHANE BAKER new greens and tees are part of the project. (Paraparaumu Beach GC, NZ) will be our main PRESIDENT, GCSAWA TURF NSW T he storm and floods experienced on the Eastern Seaboard in March have been devastating for our industry after a very difficult couple of years recovering from bushfires, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic. The hardest hit areas have been in the Hawkesbury Valley of north western Sydney and on the Mid-North Coast region. Other areas such as the Central Coast, Far North Coast and the Hunter Valley have also been affected, but not as severely. PHOTO: TURF AUSTRALIA In the Hawkesbury Valley, it is estimated that there is 2800 hectares of turf with an estimated value of $168 million per year, 90 per cent of which has been affected by this major flood event. It will be some months before the The Hon. David Littleproud MP, Federal Minister of Environment, Drought and Emergency Management, and Susan full extent of the damage is known. Fortunately, Templeman, Federal Member for Macquarie, meet with Hawkesbury turf farmers to survey flood damage the South Coast, Central Tablelands and the with growers able to talk with a range of Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or email western regions were not heavily impacted, service providers who could help, such as the info@turfnsw.com.au. with some areas receiving further welcome rain network of rural financial counsellors, the NSW One of the major issues that needs into major storages going into winter. Rural Assistance Authority and Service NSW. resolving is the management of the floodgates Turf NSW is working closely with Turf It is a very difficult time for many of our in the Hawkesbury Valley and ensuring that Australia to determine the impact of the members and their employees, but at the the water can drain off the floodplain quicker floods and report the extent of the loss and same time it is amazing to see our industry pull in future flood events. Turf NSW will also be damage to all levels of government. Turf NSW together in a crisis and support one another in advocating for better grower representation on encourages all NSW growers to check the times of need. Some grower members in the these committees and work with Turf Australia, assistance available on their local government Hawkesbury Valley have not recovered from local government and Water NSW to ensure website and keep up to date with email and the February 2020 flooding and require a lot of this issue is addressed. text messages from Turf Australia. assistance to get back on their feet. If you have been affected by this crisis or Turf Australia has been managing the crisis The Australian and NSW governments know someone who has, please reach out to with our support and on behalf of the Turf NSW have announced a range of assistance them and ask if they are okay. If not, please Board, I would like to thank Bec Sellick and the measures. A summary of these measures can take advantage of the mental health support TA Board, Jenny Zadro and Nadene Conasch be found on the NSW DPI website www.dpi. services or speak with your local GP to seek for their leadership and ongoing support. The nsw.gov.au. Of particular interest is likely to be assistance. For further information from Turf Turf Crisis Forum organised by Turf Australia at the Special Disaster Primary Industries Grants NSW, please contact Matt Plunkett on 0434 Pitt Town on 29 March was very timely to give of up to $75K per farm business. Please note 147 988 or info@turfnsw.com.au. the growers a voice and hear how government there is eligibility criteria for these grants, so and the industry can assist with a range of please read the guidelines carefully. For further MATT PLUNKETT issues. A second meeting was also convened information, please contact the NSW Rural IDO, TURF NSW MARCH-APRIL 2021 67 AS SOCIATION REPORTS SAGCSA E PHOTO: GOLF AUSTRALIA arly February saw Kooyonga Golf l Walk ‘n’ Talk – March 2022 (Flagstaff Hill Club host the Australian Amateur GC); Championships to great acclaim. The date for the SA Golf Industry Awards Superintendent Richard James and his team will be confirmed soon. set the course up beautifully, with the weather As mentioned in the previous edition’s Kooyonga GC hosted the 2021 Australian Amateur enabling them to present a traditional hard and report, Ivan Swinstead has been a stalwart of Championship in early February fast Kooyonga. Louis Dobbelaar and Grace the SA turf industry for many years. For those Kim were the victors, with many accolades director Trevor Herden commenting ahead of of us who have been lucky enough to know being heaped onto the condition of the course. the tournament that “the quality of presentation or work with Ivan, he will be sorely missed as Kooyonga was supposed to be hosting of the golf course is among the best I’ve ever he steps down as superintendent at Tea Tree the 2021 Women’s Australian Open that seen.” The SA Classic was also held in March Gully Golf Club. It would be difficult to find a same week, but thanks to COVID it was at Royal Adelaide. Again the weather was more honest, approachable and giving person, cancelled like many of Australia’s premier golf perfect for the event which was well attended let alone course superintendent. tournaments last summer. Last November, by players from all over the country. To acknowledge Ivan’s retirement and however, Golf Australia announced that in The 2021-2022 SAGCSA events his 44-year contribution to the turf industry, its place Kooyonga would play host to the programme has now been finalised and a farewell event was held on 30 April at the Australian Amateur in that week, moving the we look forward to seeing members at the Strathmore Hotel. It was a fantastic send off tournament across from Melbourne. following events over the coming 12 months; to a very much-respected and admired figure Regardless of which tournament they l South East Country Trip – 24-26 May; who has served his club with the utmost of were hosting, it didn’t change the manner l SAGCSA AGM – 20 July (Kooyonga GC); integrity. in which Richard and his team went about l Education Day – 17 August (Grange GC); their preparations. All involved were in awe l Superintendents’ Forum – 12 October (The NATHAN BENNETT of Kooyonga’s conditioning with tournament Vines of Reynella GC); PRESIDENT, SAGCSA ON THE MOVE… CHRIS ALLEN: From superintendent TSTMA T Keysborough GC, Vic to assistant he turf industry in Tasmania has seen l Jason Kerr (Caulfield racetrack); and superintendent Yarra Yarra GC, Vic. the end of an era with Steve ‘Lewie’ l Peter Anderson (turfgrass consultant). CHRIS GILLIES: Appointed assistant Lewis, one of the state’s finest turf We also have a full complement of superintendent Lakelands CC, WA. practitioners, deciding to hang up his old sponsors who will give short, informative CRAIG HAMILTON: From superintendent boots after 42 years at Royal Hobart Golf Club. presentations. A tradeshow on both days and Hamersley GC, WA to superintendent Sun Lewie has been inspirational in the industry, conference dinner on the Tuesday evening City GC, WA. sharing his wisdom among his peers over will allow everyone to network and enjoy the ROB KERR: Resigned as superintendent many years. festivities of the annual event. at Mt Coolum GC, Qld. During his time at Royal Hobart, Lewie Congratulations to UTAS Stadium head KARL KRAUSS: From Cairns GC, Qld to has prepared the course for many Tasmanian curator Adam Spargo and his team for the assistant superintendent Mirage CC, Qld. Open and Amateur events, always keeping the way in which the stadium was presented for BRYCE PICKERSGILL: Appointed bar at the highest level. Lewie has had many a the return of A-League soccer to the state superintendent Margaret River GC, WA stint on the TGCSA board and committee over for the first time in eight years. Melbourne’s replacing Mark Lewis. the years and more recently on the Board of newest A-League franchise Western United MARC RAYMOND: From assistant the ASTMA. For those who do not know Lewie played two games in a week in April as part superintendent Patterson River GC, Vic to personally, I am sure you would have seen him of a new partnership with the Tasmanian assistant superintendent Heidelberg GC, at industry functions as he is always getting Government and Football Tasmania. The pitch Vic. into the spirit of the evening and loves a good received great reviews from both teams and NIALL ROGAN: From The Cut, WA to time! We wish Lewie many more good times in officials. assistant superintendent Kalgoorlie GC, his retirement with his wife Tina and wish him It was a busy week for Adam and his team WA. all the best. as they only had a day-and-a-half to turn the DES RUSSELL: From assistant to The TSTMA Annual Conference has been ground around for their ANZAC Day AFL game superintendent Cottesloe GC, WA. organised for 25-26 May at Elwick Racecourse between Hawthorn and Adelaide. ROB SORENSEN: From assistant in Hobart. With the support of the racing In closing, I would also like to congratulate to superintendent Lakelands CC, WA industry, now that we have incorporated all Shaun Bowden on his appointment at Royal replacing Eric Dennis. areas of turfgrass management, we have taken Hobart as incoming course superintendent. DAVID WARWICK: Resigned as the conference south and look forward to an Please let yourselves be known to Shaun as superintendent of Avondale Golf Club, NSW entertaining couple of days. We have a great we welcome him here to the Apple Isle. after nearly 25 years in the role (see Around line up of keynote speakers including; the Trade p63 for more on Warwick’s new l Dave Mason (Metropolitan Golf Club); PHIL HILL appointment). l Dave Sandurski (The Gabba); PRESIDENT, TSTMA 68 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 VGCSA I t has been a long time coming for the implemented to ensure compliance to all VGCSA to be able to bring members government regulations. At the time of writing together face to face. Finally on Tuesday the VGCSA Annual Report was in the process 2 March, we got that chance at our first of being finalised and was to be sent out to education meeting for 2021 at Portarlington A-Class members in mid-April in preparation Golf Club and Lonsdale Links on Victoria’s for the AGM to be held at Woodlands Golf VGCSA members inspect the unique greens at Bellarine Peninsula. the recently redeveloped Lonsdale Links at the Club on 11th May. Our special guest speaker Once again the first meeting of the year association’s March education meeting for the AGM is professional golfer Nick O’Hern was very well attended, with over 80 delegates further course works. He also discussed his who in 2016 authored the book ‘Tour Mentality enjoying a tour of both courses which were greens management practices. At Lonsdale, – Inside the Mind of a Tour Pro’. in superb condition. Special thanks must go Heath took the group around the recently The VGCSA Superintendent/2IC Country to the host clubs for their great hospitality, in redeveloped links which has been dramatically Meeting will be held at the Murray Downs Golf particular superintendents Steve Burchett transformed by course architects Ogilvy & Country Club from 2-4 August. For the first and Heath D’Altera for passing on valuable Cocking Mead (OCM). Using the works of time in the event’s history, a turf technicians knowledge and insights into their operations. classic US architects C.B. Macdonald and Seth education stream will be offered in parallel A big thanks also to trade sponsors Glenmac Raynor as inspiration for their green, bunker with the superintendents’ education stream. Sales & Service (John Deere) and The Toolbox and hole designs, OCM have created a very The details are still being finalised, but we Team (Ben Gibson) for their informative unique course that differs from all others on encourage all superintendents to bring their presentations. the peninsula. mechanic along for what will be a great couple Steve outlined some of the recent works Planning is well underway for VGCSA of days. to the Portarlington clubhouse which required meetings this year, with all returning to ‘COVID adjustments to the adjacent 1st hole, as normal’. Where required, meeting numbers will SHANE GREENHILL well as some of the plans the club has for be capped and social distancing measures PRESIDENT, VGCSA GCSAQ T PHOTOS: MARK HAUFF he weather has certainly not been great Visit our website https://gcsaq.com.au for full in Queensland over the past few months details. with courses receiving up to 900mm We are also pleased to welcome several of rain. Many courses had just completed new committee members: flood recovery following the high rainfall two l Colin Caulfield (Caboolture GC) The 18th hole at Gold Coast’s Palmer Colonial before weeks earlier only to receive a further 10-day (inset) and during flood inundation in March following l Keith Johnstone (Keperra CGC) drenching and flooding again. 335mm of rain across a few days l Lincoln Coombes (RACV Royal Pines) It was with huge disappointment that Turf Management Conference and Trade Brendan Clark, our Far North Queensland the association had to cancel our first post- exhibition on the Gold Coast in June. During representative, will be organising an event for COVID-19 event at Teven Valley Golf Course this event, all GCSAQ members will be the area during winter. If this is something that due to the rain and flooding. Member interest invited to a social catch-up with the GCSAQ is of interest to you, please contact Brendan and bookings for this ‘walk ‘n’ talk’ were committee (details TBC). via email brendanclark1978@outlook.com. extremely high and we will be holding the The Queensland Golf Industry Awards event in coming months. We are also looking are just around the corner and the GCSAQ PAUL MCLEAN forward to the return of the Australian Sports is calling for nominations in all categories. PRESIDENT, GCSAQ MARCH-APRIL 2021 69 UP THE L AST Murray Cockroft was head greenkeeper at Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland up until his sudden death in February 70 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 It’s not weak to speak Losing a loved one in any instance is hard to comprehend. But as Leo Barber writes, when that loss is as a result of suicide it leaves you asking many questions… R ecently I had a friend take I’m a fixer. I love solving things and finding One moment that still resonates from his own life. Murray Cockroft solutions for problems. But this appears to Murray’s funeral were the words of one of was assistant during my time be a silent killer, a taboo subject, a complex his young work colleagues at Roma Street as superintendent at Mount problem and most times others simply don’t Parkland who delivered the simple yet powerful Maunganui Golf Club in New get the chance to help let alone fix. I wish I’d message – “It’s not weak to speak”. For me, Zealand in the mid-2000s, and while even had that chance, as I’m sure so many others it has been the speaking that has been the up to his death he still called me ‘boss’ I was did that knew Murray as well. But that’s the most therapeutic as I am sure it has been for lucky to have him first and foremost as a mate. sadness and helplessness of the situation I others grappling with trying to understand We shared so many amazing memories both guess and none more so than for my mate all the complex aspects surrounding his on course and off and right up until a few ‘Muzz’ as he no doubt grappled with his departure. Maybe we will never understand, weeks before his death we were messaging situation unbeknown to most of us. which is difficult, but through talking we can and laughing about those good times. He was I am not educated enough to talk about remember Murray and perhaps lighten our a real character – a fun guy, loyal, hardworking, the why’s or to offer advice to those that might grief and provide comfort for those who honest, interesting and memorable to all who be going through similar, apart from strongly were closest to him. We can also break the had the pleasure of meeting him. encouraging seeking good professional help. silence surrounding this killer and create vital His career straddled both sides of the Looking at the statistics, it’s pretty sobering awareness of an alternative pathway. Tasman, shifting to Australia for family reasons to read just how prevalent suicide is in our Murray was a unique and fun character. where he first took up a position on the society. According to Lifeline, nine Australians He made us all smile, he made our days more groundstaff at Brisbane’s Carbrook Golf Club die every day by suicide, which is more than enjoyable and with a passion for greenkeeping before a shift to the fairways and greens of double the road toll. Suicide is the leading he improved the turf he tended to and the Royal Queensland Golf Club. cause of death for Australians between the people he worked alongside. I have no doubt Following four years’ service there he ages of 15 and 44 and of those who take their that even as we mourn his sudden departure, accepted the role as head greenkeeper at own life, 75 per cent are male. In 2019, a total he would have found a smoko room up in Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland (see photo of 3318 Australians took their own life, while the sky and is currently holding court, making opposite page) where, just like all the positions Lifeline estimates that over 65,000 Australians everyone laugh. As we say this side of the Murray had held, his workmates encountered make a suicide attempt each year. ‘Ditch’ – ‘Kia kaha’… be strong. the same affable guy, the life and soul of any smoko room he frequented. As someone whose experience of death GETTING HELP L has largely been in the context of celebrating a ifeline (13 11 14) is a national charity The Australian Sports Turf Managers long life well lived and having very little direct providing all Australians experiencing Association also has a range of mental experience with suicide, I have felt such a emotional distress with access to 24 health resources available including contact mixture of emotions since Murray’s untimely hour crisis support and suicide prevention details for a number of organisations such passing. I write this article not out of seeking services. Lifeline provides short-term support as Lifeline, Black Dog Institute, Beyond sympathy for myself, rather to further share for people who are feeling overwhelmed or Blue, Headspace, Men’s Line Australia, awareness of this often unspoken about abrupt having difficulty coping or staying safe. The Sane Australia and Carers Australia. You end to life and it is with hope that as a society Lifeline website www.lifeline.org.au also has a can access these at www.agcsa.com.au/ and indeed an industry, we can continue to library of resources for those in distress and services/mental-health/ along with various wrap the necessary help around those most those who are concerned about someone in templates on self-care planning, wellbeing vulnerable. Sometimes, however, even this is their life. and developing resilience. not enough. MARCH-APRIL 2021 71 BOOK REVIEWS THE GOLF COURSES OF VERN MORCOM Author: Toby Cumming (2020) The book (345 pages) begins by tracking Publisher: Ryan Publishing Vern’s early life, the influence of his famous RRP: $44.95 father Mick and that of Dr Alister MacKenzie ‘The golf courses of Vern Morcom’, released whom he got the opportunity to watch first- in late 2020, sheds considerable new insight hand during his famous visit to Melbourne into one of Australia’s early greenkeeping in the spring of 1926. The book traces the and course architect pioneers, Vern Morcom. development of Vern’s philosophies before Published by Ryan Publishing, written by embarking on a tour around the country Toby Cumming and available in both soft and looking at the hand he played in the design hard back versions, the book documents the and/or redesign of many courses. significant influence he had on the Australian Cumming starts off in Vern’s back yard golf landscape and the incredible legacy that of the famed Melbourne ‘Sandbelt’ and his the Morcom family left behind. influence at the likes of Sandringham, Brighton, The son of former Royal Melbourne Golf Kingswood, Spring Valley, Metropolitan, Yarra Club head greenkeeper Mick Morcom (1905- Yarra and Woodlands. He then ventures 1937), Vern was in his mid-twenties when Dr to other courses around Melbourne, the Alister MacKenzie, the world’s most celebrated Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas, up to golf course architect, came to Black Rock to the Murray River, Gippsland and Western lay out Royal Melbourne West. What followed Districts regions, before looking further afield was a remarkable life in golf with Vern going to the likes of Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, NSW on to be head greenkeeper at Kingston Heath and Queensland. Many of the courses that Golf Club between 1928 and 1967. Vern began Cumming discusses include fantastic original his four decades at Kingston Heath by building photos and layout schematics, as well as some its spectacular bunkers and famous 15th hole. of Vern’s original hole and green sketches (like In his spare time, Vern roamed the country that of Traralgon Golf Club, pictured left). designing and remodelling golf courses and The Golf Courses of Vern Morcom spreading Golden Age course architecture provides another wonderful historical expose philosophies. By the time he had finished in on one of the Australian golf industry’s the 1960s, no fewer than 90 courses across pioneering forebears. For anyone with an Australia had his unique imprint and this book appreciation for the history of the game in this documents, for the first time, the story of these country and how some of our much-lauded courses and the legacy of one of Australia’s courses came about, then this book is a must- most influential golf course architects. add to the collection. A SEASON LIKE NO OTHER: AFL 2020 Author: Ashley Browne (2021) By July, as COVID-19 ravaged the country Publisher: Hardie Grant Books and economy, teams were quarantined, under RRP: $29.99 strict protocols, in NSW and Queensland. By The 2020 AFL Premiership season was the end of July, the WA teams and SA teams indeed a season like no other. Football has were back in their home states playing before experienced disruptions and delays before, reduced crowds, but all Victorian teams had with world wars, storms and the Spanish Flu relocated to NSW, Queensland and WA. There pandemic of 1918-19 causing interruptions would be no more games at the ‘home of to clubs and the game, but nothing quite like footy’, the MCG, for the rest of the season, the sudden interference and commotion that including the Grand Final which for the first COVID-19 brought last year. time would be played interstate. ‘A Season Like No Other: AFL 2020’, In ‘A Season Like No Other: AFL 2020’, written by acclaimed Melbourne sports Browne takes us through a fascinating behind- journalist Ashley Browne, explores how the the-scenes look at this whole story, step by AFL navigated a season that changed day-by- step – how the AFL, clubs, players, coaches, day for fans, for the clubs and for the players administrations, venues and the fans coped and coaches, not to mention the sports with history in the making. One of the chapters management teams at the various grounds ‘Life at the G’ features comments from MCG who also had their seasons turned upside executive manager of turf Michael Salvatore, as down. well as kudos for the crew at Metricon Stadium As coronavirus struck down Australia on the Gold Coast which ended up having the during round one in March 2020, the AFL was lion’s share of the revised fixtures. forced to take unprecedented steps to keep In the end the AFL found a way through to its season alive. The season was postponed at whether the season could proceed and where. the other side of an existential crisis, just as it the end of round one, a round without crowds, ‘Hubs’ became the key word and the fixture had through two world wars, floods and other and resumed on 11 June, a hiatus of 84 days. was rebuilt to allow for 17 matches, with clubs disruptors, both real and perceived. And now During that period speculation was rife as to playing each other once. they have made it through two pandemics! 72 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.2 Banish Winter Fusarium from your course Cool temperatures, constant high moisture and low light are ideal conditions for Winter Fusarium (or Microdochium Patch) to develop. Symptoms are evident from May to September in the southern states of Australia or in cooler climates. It’s important to keep your turf protected through autumn and winter, as scarring will only start to recover in spring when active growth resumes. Your complete Winter Fusarium program: For more information ask your Syngenta Agent or go to syngentaturf.com.au FLAME_SYN6096_3/21 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. 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