CELEBRATING THE EFFORTS OF AUSTRALIA’S SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS ISSN 1442-2697 www.agcsa.com.au VOLUME 23.5 SEPT/OCT 2021 Best out West Optus Stadium at its optimum for history-making AFL Grand Final Rescuing Dunedoo Industry rallies to restore vandalised course The chosen ones FTMI Class of 2021 Proven long lasting weed and insect control SPRING SUMMER (pre-emergent weeds) (turf damaging grubs) Spring into action with long lasting weed and insect control you can rely on. BARRICADE® Herbicide and ACELEPRYN® Insecticide set the standards for season long control with ease of application along with exceptional user and environmental safety. Tank mixing ACELEPRYN® and BARRICADE® means one application can provide up to 6 months control of grubs and weeds, saving time and money. 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The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association is indebted to the support of the following premium partner companies JOURNAL Published by the Australian Sports PLATINUM Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) Editorial Brett Robinson Office: (03) 9548 8600 Mobile: 0434 144 779 Email: brett@agcsa.com.au PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM PARTNERS PARTNERS PARTNERS PREM Advertising Pam Irvine The Australian Sports Office: (03) 9548 8600 Mobile: 0402 069 489 Email: pam@agcsa.com.au PREMIUM PARTNERS The Australian The Australian Sports The support support Sports Turf Australian Turf Managers Managers Sports of the following of the following support ofpremium Association Turf Association Managers premium partner the following is indebted is indebted Association partner companies premium to the companies partner tosupport the to the is indebted companies of the Art Direction & Design The Jo Corne PREMIUM PREMIUM Australian Sports Turf Managers Association is indebted to the support of the following premium partner companies PARTNERSGOLD PARTNERS Printed By Southern Impact Pty Ltd The Australian Sports TheTurf support of the following PLATINUM Australian Managers support PLATINUM Sports premium PLATINUM Association Turf Managers of the partner is indebted followingcompanies Association to the is indebted to the premium partner companies PLATINUM PLATINUMPLATINUM SILVER GOLD GOLD GOLD Suite 1, Monash Corporate Centre 752 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168 P: (03) 9548 8600 F: (03) 9548 8622 E: admin@agcsa.com.au W: www.agcsa.com.au ABN 96 053 205 888 GOLD ASTMA Board Peter Lonergan (president), Chris Burgess (treasurer), GOLD GOLD David Thomson, Ben Tilley and Damian Hough Chief Executive Officer Mark Unwin Office: (03) 9548 8600 SILVER Mobile: 0438 320 919 E: mark@agcsa.com.au Membership SILVER SILVER BRONZE SILVER Allison Jenkins E: admin@agcsa.com.au Accounts SILVER SILVER Philip Horsburgh E: philip@agcsa.com.au Events and Education Simone Staples E: simone@agcsa.com.au Pam Irvine E: pam@agcsa.com.au AGCSATech Bruce Macphee (Senior Agronomist) E: bruce@agcsa.com.au BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Tim Fankhauser (Agronomist) E: tim@agcsa.com.au BRONZE BRONZE The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association encourages all members to support Social Media these companies who support your association Keally Nankervis E: keally@agcsa.com.au www.facebook.com/TheASTMA www.linkedin.com www.instagram.com/the_astma @TheASTMA The Australian Sports Turf M these co Copyright © 2021 The Australian Sports The ASTMA believes that material sourced and produced for Australian Turf The Managers Australian Association Sports Turf encourages TheManagers Australian SportsallTurf Association members to support encourages Managers Association all membersencourages to support all members to support Turfgrass Management is accurate, but gives no warranty in relation these thereto, and disclaims liability for all claims against the ASTMA, its The Australian The Australian companies Sports whoThe Sports Turf support your Turf Managers Australian Managers Association Sports Turf association these companies who support Association encourages Managers these companies encourages all members Association your association who support all members to support yourencourages association to support all members to support subsidiary companies, its employees, agents or any other person which may arise from any person acting on the materials contained within. No portion, in whole or part, may be reproduced without the these companies these companies who thesesupport whoyour companiessupport your association who association support your association written permission of the ASTMA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 1 CONTENTS 8 COVER STORY OPTIMAL OPTUS In 2020 it was The Gabba in Brisbane, in 2021 8 12 it was Optus Stadium in Perth. For the first time in its short history, the West’s spectacular new sporting arena played host to the AFL Grand Final after yet another Premiership season was impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic. Optus Stadium, led by head curator Tony Hemming and his team, played a pivotal role in ensuring the 2021 Premiership season not only finished as planned, but also provided a glorious stage for the Melbourne Football Club to end an agonising 57-year title drought. Cover and inset: Optus Stadium, 2021 AFL Grand Final, Melbourne v Western Bulldogs Main Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/Getty Images. Inset: Tony Hemming 22 FEATURES The chosen ones 12 Restoring Dunedoo 18 ALSO IN THIS EDITION… Miles better 22 Foreword Thinking 4 Picture perfect posts 6 Making old bunkers new again 24 Regional Profile – Magenta Shores, NSW Association Reports 64 70 Research – Ryegrass transitioning Research – Buffalo yellows 44 48 30 2 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 The other side I ’m usually not one for drinking in the mornings, but at 9am on Wednesday 3 November I was almost compelled to. With Melbourne’s sixth lockdown finally at an end, both kids were back in school uniform and off to school… freedom comes in different forms for everyone!! As we slowly start to emerge from the COVID malaise of the past 20-odd months, it is amazing to reflect on just how our lives have had to change and the liberties we once took for granted. For the professional sports turf management industry it has presented multiple challenges across all areas of operations, but true to form it has tackled these head on and shown remarkable resilience. While in the midst of Lockdown 6.0 here in the COVID capital of Australia, Kew Golf Club superintendent Cameron Hall dropped me a line proffering some thoughts on the whole saga 18 for a potential article. In it he discussed the difficulties of navigating through the pandemic and the level of worry and anxiety it created for him both at home and at work. The big thing for Hall, as the pandemic wore on, was the dawning realisation of ensuring that his staff were adequately looked after from a mental health perspective. To his and the club’s credit they instituted a number of measures to make sure the team had the support and help they needed through these COLUMNS unprecedented times. In our next edition we will look at how superintendents and turf managers have contended JOHN NEYLAN 30 with some of these demanding aspects, but here is a snippet from Hall’s article which PETER MCMAUGH AM 36 encapsulates not only some of the many considerations superintendents have had to grapple JOHN FORREST 40 KATE TORGERSEN 52 with, but also a timely reminder to take stock and reflect on what we have accomplished. Hall BEN GIBSON 58 writes… TERRY MUIR 62 “Early on in my career, I remember one of my bosses in the UK telling me that growing grass was the easy part of the job and that staff management and club politics were the difficult aspects. After nearly 20 months of this pandemic I don’t think these words have ever been truer. “Personally there were times where I struggled with different aspects of what was occurring. The thought of having to make decisions that would affect the lives and livelihoods of my staff weighed very heavily on me early on. There was also the feeling of guilt of going to work each day, leaving a wife at home who was trying to complete a university degree whilst home-schooling a nine- and seven-year-old. It was something I struggled with throughout as you could see the stress and anxiety building as each lockdown went on. “The last 20 months have been an immense drain on everyone, but hopefully as we now reach the end of it, we can look back on what we have achieved and how we have helped each other though it and got to the other side.” Speaking of help, I would like to finish up by saying a very big thank you to all those in the industry who have reached out to me in recent months while I was on extended leave. For those not aware, sadly my ex-wife Katherine lost her five-year battle with breast cancer in September. For myself and our two children Kristian (15) and Elizabeth (11), it has been a rollercoaster of emotions and will continue to be so for some time as we adjust to a new normal. However, I have been truly humbled by the outpouring of support towards us and it just shows what wonderful people the turf industry boasts among its ranks. Thank you all. 6 In addition to my colleagues at the ASTMA, who stepped in and filled the void amazingly in my absence, I also must say a very big thank you to the Australian Golf Media Association of which I am a member. As soon as I put out the call for assistance with this and the previous edition of ATM, my contemporaries were quick to rally. Special mentions in particular go to Contributors to Australian Turfgrass Management Journal Volume 23.5 (September-October 2021): Adobe Australian Golf Digest associate editor Steve Keipert who edited the last edition with aplomb, while Stock Images; Shane Baker (CSTM, GCSAWA); Tim Bayard his Digest colleague, senior writer Rohan Clarke, has been of huge assistance sub-editing and (Evergreen Turf); Martyn Black (Golf NSW); Nathan Bradbury (CSTM, NSWGCSA); James Correll (STA ACT); Elliott Dowling proofing the majority of this edition. I can’t thank you enough gentlemen – you have well and truly (USGA Green Section); John Forrest (Forrest and Forrest passed your turf apprenticeships. Enjoy the read… Horticultural Consultancy Services); Getty Images; Ben Gibson (The Toolbox Team); Shane Greenhill (VGCSA); Tony Hemming (HG Turf Group/Optus Stadium); Bruce Macphee (ASTMA); Paul McLean (CSTM, GCSAQ); Peter McMaugh AM (Turfgrass Scientific Services); Terry Muir (epar); James Newell (Magenta Shores); John Neylan (SportEng); STA Victoria; Kate Torgersen (Environmental Golf Solutions); Mark Unwin (ASTMA); Jenny Zadro (Turf Australia). Brett Robinson, Editor SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 3 FOREWORD THINKING WITH MARK UNWIN, CEO Nine million reasons for golf industry to be optimistic I t is with a sense of eagerness that much talented group of turf managers to enhance of Australia looks to re-open towards their professional development and progress the end of 2021. As lockdowns and their careers as future leaders in the sports turf restrictions ease, the opening of borders management industry. would bring an opportunity for families, friends and colleagues to reunite. For those MEMBERSHIP ON THE RISE who have lived through almost 18 months of For the team at the Association, it has been lockdowns, the weeks ahead bring a mixture of a difficult year adjusting to extended periods relief, enthusiasm and trepidation. of working remotely and adapting short-term Lockdowns have certainly brought many priorities. A pleasing result, however, has been challenges, though there have been a number the performance of the team in delivering on of silver linings along the way. The resurgence the objectives outlined in the Association’s of golf as a recreational pastime is one of future direction of golf. The findings of the long-term 2019-2023 Strategic Plan. these silver linings. The Australian Golf Industry independent report are being used in the The highest priority of the plan was for the Council (AGIC) recently released an in-depth development of Golf Australia’s forthcoming Association to deliver a sustained increase of report into research undertaken about the National Golf Strategy (to be launched in memberships for both the National Association state of golf in Australia. The report highlighted December). and State Association partners. Pleasingly, we phenomenal growth in playing activity during have seen continued growth in memberships COVID-19 and golf is well positioned to take CHOSEN ONES over the past 12-18 months. It continues the advantage of the opportunities the coming Closer to home, the Association has previous trend where the Association has year brings. announced the Future Turf Managers’ Initiative almost doubled memberships in the past four The AGIC research showed that golf is (FTMI) class of 2021. The program continues years. In particular, we have seen substantial considered fun, accessible, a game for life, to be a popular education offering for the turf growth for each of the State Associations in and good for mental and physical health – industry with a record number of applications. both memberships and trade memberships. as shown by the increase in rounds played This year, due to various travel restrictions, Meanwhile, a series of long-term over the past 18 months, primarily due to the FTMI will introduce a series of facilitated, initiatives have launched, such as the ASTMA the outdoor setting and socially distanced environment. }An estimated 1,140,000 children are interested in playing Overall, an estimated nine million Australians are ‘interested’ in golf – of which alternative forms of golf – which is second only to swimming among organised sports.~- Mark Unwin less than 5% are members. That statistic alone provides a tremendous opportunity for the future. The report also provided an insight that young people are a growth market. An online education seminars for participants over Certification Program and the environmental estimated 1,140,000 children are interested the course of five months. It will culminate with initiative in conjunction with The R&A and GEO. in playing alternative forms of golf – which is intensive two-day, in-person workshops in Other projects have continued to develop in second only to swimming among organised Melbourne during March 2022. preparation for release in the coming months, sports. Further details of the program and a such as the Golf Course 2030 Program. Available on the Association website, preview of the 2021 alumni are included in We continue to work on the development the report is a highly recommended read this issue (see page 12). We are certainly of education and employment as a priority. for those wanting to assess the current and looking forward to working with an already Feedback from the Association’s workforce benchmarking survey has provided valuable The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) insights into the challenges of attraction and recently released an in-depth report into research undertaken about the state of golf in retention within each State. Nationally, this Australia remains a significant area of focus. Further updates and announcements regarding this study and the work undertaken with State Governments are planned for release in early 2022. As we move towards the end of 2021 and continue to work our way through changing regulations and opportunities, the Association will continue to actively work with members and the industry for ways we can assist. So if there is anything you would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team or myself. 4 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 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 SOCIALS BRENTON CLARKE “Superintendents best friend. Bring on the good weather!” (Is Warrnambool GC superintendent @BrentonClarke23 referring to his canine deputy Rama – who appears in these pages for a second time – or the moisture probe? Changing holes as a spectacular sunrise breaks over Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast in October.) Picture perfect posts ATM curates some of the best images posted by Aussie turfies on social JOEL TOOGOOD “Great job by the team getting the venue media in recent times. back into operation for the first international at both CommBank Stadium and Stadium Australia… Great to have some sport back.” (CommBank Stadium looking a picture ahead of the Matildas hosting Brazil in a two-match series in late October.) IDRIS EVANS “Always a stunning time of the day.” (A glorious late October morning snapped by Western Australian Golf Club superintendent Idris Evans.) 6 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 BRETT WOODWARD (LEFT) AND DAVID THOMSON (RIGHT) “Just a reminder to get your body checked for melanoma every couple of months. Just got this 12cm cut out this week and trust me if you leave it too long the bigger they get.” (Coral Cove superintendent Brett DIVOT THE DOG Woodward posts a graphic reminder of the real “Left: This coring greens thing is a walk in the park. Not sure why @eastlakesuperintendent threat melanoma presents. Woodward’s photo stresses out so much! Right: Topdressing greens, it would be fun @eastlakesuperintendent (left), prompted ASTMA Board member David said. Not impressed!” (Eastlake Golf Club’s newest recruit, Divot the kelpie, gets his first taste of Thomson to post his own pic along with the greens renovations with boss Nathan Bradbury. Check out Divot’s weekly course escapades comment ‘Real men get staples’.) @divot.thedog.) RGC MEMBERS “We would like to send a big shout out to Dean Bailey and his team for all of the hard work they do to keep our course in great condition all year round.” (Members of Rosanna Golf Club in Melbourne get behind their crew for International Thank a Superintendent Day in September.) SAM TANKARD “Track in amazing condition, Bealey and STUART CAMPBELL RPR thriving. Pleasure to put the finishing “Thanks to some of the New Zealand All Blacks for getting photos taken with the groundstaff touches on.” (Moonee Valley track manager at Maroochy River Golf Club before they hit off. Hope you enjoy the course!” (@MRGCsuper Sam Tankard has Moonee Valley in prime nick Stuart Campbell snapped his crew with a number of the ABs who were enjoying some downtime ahead of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival in after securing the 2021 Rugby Championship in early October.) October.) SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 7 ARENAS PHOTOS: TONY HEMMING, HG TURF GROUP AND VENUES LIVE Optus Stadium, led by head curator Tony Hemming and his team, played a pivotal role in ensuring the 2021 AFL Premiership season not only finished as planned, but also provided a fitting stage for the Melbourne Football Club to end an agonising 57-year title drought 8 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Optus at its optimum In 2020 it was The Gabba in Brisbane, in 2021 it was Optus Stadium in Perth. For the first time in its short history, the West’s spectacular new sporting arena, overseen by head curator Tony Hemming, played host to the 2021 AFL Grand Final after yet another Premiership season was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 9 ARENAS Optus Stadium head curator Tony Hemming (middle) with his HG Turf team (from left) Ned Sorrell (2021 STA Sports Turf Graduate of the Year winner), assistant Brendon Large, Rhys Whitling and Vince Poller INTERSTATE AGAIN Just as the 2020 AFL Premiership season had been dramatically impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic, so to was 2021. Like The Gabba in Brisbane 12 months earlier, Optus Stadium would play a pivotal role in ensuring the regular season would not only finish as scheduled, but also provide a fitting primary venue for the Finals Series. No stranger to hosting big games, earlier in the season it was the go-to venue for the AFL’s traditional Dreamtime Round spectacular between Essendon and Richmond. More than 55,000 fans packed into the cauldron to witness one of the competition’s most iconic fixtures. After Victoria entered its sixth lockdown on 6 August and with it the prospect of finals football being played in front of reduced or no W crowds, the AFL had little choice but to send hen Tony Hemming (CSTM) the ground as one of the best playing surfaces its biggest spectacle interstate for the second was announced as head in the country. In any one year the ground time in 12 months. On 31 August AFL CEO curator of the new Optus can host up to 24 AFL games (25 as it would Gillon McLachlan confirmed that the 2021 Stadium in Perth back in turn out in 2021), international rugby and AFL Grand Final would be heading west, with early 2017, one of the key soccer games, a steady diet of cricket over the Optus Stadium winning out over Adelaide reasons for the appointment by HG Turf Group summer months – Test, One Day Internationals Oval. With COVID rates in the state negligible was not only his vast industry experience and and Big Bash League – not to mention and with a capacity crowd in excess of 60,000 knowledge in managing elite facilities – some numerous concerts (Taylor Swift, U2 and Ed guaranteed, it was fait accompli. Hemming and 30 years – but also his big event pedigree. Sheeran) and other major local events. his team would have 25 days to get the ground With a resume that included significant Optus Stadium hosted its first AFL ready for one of the pinnacle events on the tenures at the MCG, where he spent the first 12 Premiership game on 25 March 2018 between Australian sporting calendar. years of his career (five as head curator) and tenant club West Coast and visitors Sydney, At the time of the announcement, more recently a decade at the International and in the four seasons since has gone on to Hemming posted on LinkedIn: “It is very Cricket Council Academy in Dubai, Hemming host a total of 80 matches, including seven humbling to be granted the chance to present had consistently proven himself and the teams Finals Series encounters. But it was the 80th to the world what our HG Turf Perth crew can that he led on the big stage. and most recent match that Hemming and his present. This will be my 13th Grand Final Since Optus Stadium officially opened in current crew of assistant Brendon Large, Rhys preparation week, going way back to the days January 2018, Hemming has guided his crew Whitling, Vince Poller and Ned Sorrell will be of mud, Super Soppers and FountainLine with skill and expertise and quickly established storing long in the memory banks. markers at the MCG. Having served the MCC for over decade, I can’t wait for the hairs to stand up on everyone’s neck in Perth!” Less than a week later Hemming and his team literally had their first big ‘Test’ of what would become a month to remember. Hosting the Geelong v GWS semi-final on 3 September, they then had less than 48 hours to turn the ground around for the Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks. That was followed five days later with the Melbourne v Geelong preliminary final on 10 September before a two week hiatus until the big one on 25 September. Seven days after the AFL Grand Final, which also included the Under 19 National Championships curtain- raiser between WA and SA, Optus Stadium hosted the WAFL season finale between Subiaco and South Fremantle. Assistant stadium manager Brendon Large puts the finishing touches to the surface ahead of the 25 September 2021 AFL Grand Final 10 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 “We spent the first week after the end of the AFL regular season letting the surface recover,” explains Hemming. “It was a busy schedule for us and one which coincided with the highest rainfall Perth has had in 50 years. We replaced turf where needed, aerated, cored, vertimowed, repaired any divots, seeded and fertilised. We then groomed the surface to the height to accommodate the AFL extravaganza entertainment side of the event. “The field was well and truly ready the Monday before the final. The Grand Final aside, it was a very busy week. The ground had to endure six hours of team training sessions, rehearsals for the music acts and dance crews, as well as practice for the bumping in of the stage with LED screens, fireworks and lights. Then on the Friday we had the Captain’s Runs before having 13 hours in which to give the ground its final preparation A twilight start time meant Optus Stadium could make full use of its spectacular lighting and entertainment system before the curtain-raiser. not have been happier for the Max Gawn-led summer. The couchgrass is allowed to grow “I have been lucky to experience many Demons, a team he had a close affinity with to around 9-10mm by January, to allow for great events during my career – World Cup during his early years at the MCG. a faster cricket outfield and to give stronger soccer matches, International cricket Tests colour. During February and March, the length – and this year’s AFL Grand Final definitely HEROIC SURFACE increases to 15mm in preparation for the AFL ranks among those. Our hard working team Few could fault Optus Stadium as it pulled season. Grooming occurs every two weeks, of Ned, Largie, Rhys and Vinnie did an off the AFL’s first twilight Grand Final in with coring for seeding of the rye in mid-April. amazing job. They didn’t take one divot for spectacular style. The arena’s impressive “Oversowing with Pinnacle III was a natural granted, continued to strive for excellence and lighting and entertainment system put on a choice as it provides the three key elements delivered. I’m sure they will all say it’s their show, but at the end of the day it was the I’m looking for – colour, drought resistance No.1 event and a day (and week) we will all surface which shone for Hemming. and disease resistance,” says Hemming. “The remember for a long time.” Optus Stadium boasts a composition HERO hybrid surface we believe helps us in The efforts of Hemming and his team in of Wintergreen couchgrass oversown with the wet and allows for faster recovery from providing a fitting stage for the final didn’t go ryegrass and utilises HG Turf’s HERO Hybrid damaged turf by major events. The fact that unrecognised. Speaking in the days after the Turf product, one which combines natural we only replaced the centre circle for the AFL final, Chris Loftus-Hills, general manager of grass and artificial grass. The surface is Grand Final is testament to that. events and operations for Venues Live (which oversown with Barenbrug’s Pinnacle III “We aim for the highest technical operates the stadium) posted the following ryegrass to give resilience and colour across standards for each event. If it’s rugby, we want comments on LinkedIn. the ground to cope with the high levels of to be Eden Park. If it’s cricket, we want to be “It was a great honour to be entrusted with traffic while maintaining a consistent surface. Lords. If it’s soccer, we want to be Wembley. hosting responsibility in 2021… It was epic. Hemming’s maintenance plan for the We have full confidence in the product we It was spectacular. It was everything we, and stadium is an annual cycle, starting at the last produce and our team’s professional know- everyone across Perth and Western Australia, AFL game for the season to prepare for the how to get it right on the day.” had hoped it was going to be. The delivery of an event of this scale and complexity in just 25 days could not have happened successfully without true collaboration and the perfect attitude from every single person involved. “To the team at HG Turf who look after the green stuff in the middle. After a super wet and super tough year, together with the demands of Grand Final week, you produced an impeccable surface that was absolutely cherry ripe.” In what would end up being one of the most one-sided finals in the game’s history, the Melbourne Football Club pummelled the Western Bulldogs by 74 points, ending a 57-year Premiership drought in the process. An unashamed Tigers fan, Hemming could Since 2018, Optus Stadium has now hosted 80 AFL matches in four seasons. Pictured is Vince Poller giving the surface a final trim ahead of the Grand Final SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 11 F TMI The chosen ones T he Australian Sports Turf Managers ATM profiles the latest intake of 2021 and culminate in an intensive two-day, Association and gold partner in-person program to be held in Melbourne Jacobsen, in conjunction with turf managers to be accepted into during March 2022. the New Zealand Golf Course Superintendents Association, has the ASTMA Future Turf Managers’ ANDREW ANDERSON announced the successful applicants for the Assistant superintendent, The 2021 Future Turf Managers’ Initiative (FTMI). Initiative, presented in partnership Metropolitan Golf Club, Vic Always an exceptionally popular program Having grown up in Brisbane with among sports turf managers looking with Jacobsen. a great passion for the game, to advance their careers, 2021 saw an Anderson transitioned into the trade as an overwhelming response to the program. This apprentice at Sandgate Golf Club at the year’s applications were well above previous age of 18. He completed an apprenticeship years and far exceeded available places. at neighbouring Virginia Golf Club, which The FTMI is a worldwide program provided the motivation to look south to gain developed by Jacobsen, designed to with training and knowledge relating to some cool-season experience. provide practical tools and guidance to help management and leadership. They leave FTMI Anderson landed a position at Bonnie candidates pursue their career aspirations with a clear understanding of what the future Doon Golf Club in Sydney for a year before through a professional development course. holds, an understanding of the expectations heading across to New South Wales Golf Club. Together, the ASTMA and Jacobsen have that come with the role of a leader and Both were fantastic experiences and held him been offering this highly successful training practical skills to develop their career as a in good stead for ultimately moving to the opportunity to Australian and New Zealand turf future leader in the sports turf management Sandbelt. management staff since 2016. More than 150 industry. An opportunity appeared at The candidates have been selected to be a part of The 2021 FTMI will be a combined online Metropolitan Golf Club, which had just been the program to date. learning and face-to-face education model for announced to host the 2018 World Cup of Working with professional trainers, Australian and New Zealand turf managers, Golf. Anderson served as foreman leading into industry leading mentors, Jacobsen, ASTMA taking place over the course of five months. the tournament. That invaluable experience and NZGCSA staff, candidates are provided Online modules commence in late October lead to his appointment as assistant 12 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Opposite: Metropolitan Golf Club assistant superintendent Andrew Anderson is one of 20 applicants to be accepted into a new-look Future Turf Managers’ Initiative programme for 2021 Right: Hayden Williams, course manager at Pukekohe Golf Club in South Auckland, is one of two NZ-based turf managers in the latest FTMI intake superintendent at Metropolitan, a position he has held for approaching five years. PETER BELL Foreman, Glenelg Golf Club, SA Bell’s career began as an apprentice at the Coomealla Golf Club on the banks of the Murray River near Mildura. After moving to Melbourne in 2014, Bell started as a groundsman at ball roll on greens, which further elaborated his LUKE DISERENS Metropolitan Golf Club where he gained an long-standing passion for the sport. Assistant superintendent, appreciation of the famed Sandbelt courses. After relocating to Australia in 2015, Broad Roseville Golf Club, NSW Bell then spent five years at Victoria Golf Club worked at Sorrento Golf Club on Victoria’s After beginning as an apprentice as a groundsman and foreman where he Mornington Peninsula where he received an greenkeeper at Kooindah Waters was involved in the replacement of greens, introduction to warm-season turf maintenance Golf Club on the NSW Central Coast in 2008, surrounds, tees and a new irrigation system. and the technical skills required to succeed in Diserens has been privileged to work at some At the beginning of 2021 Bell relocated to these conditions. of the finest Sydney facilities over the past 14 South Australia and is currently the foreman For the past five years Broad has years. at Glenelg Golf Club. He works closely with worked at The Royal Sydney Golf Club. He The exclusive Elanora Country Club the management team to continually progress started there as a seasonal greenkeeper in on Sydney’s Northern Beaches employed a course now ranked No.36 in Australia preparation for the 2016 Australian Open, Diserens as a senior greenkeeper from 2012 and is looking forward to the club’s course gaining sponsorship soon after as well during which time he completed a Certificate III enhancement project over the next three to five as permanent residency. He completed a in Landscape Construction and a Certificate III years. Turfgrass Management Certificate via Penn and IV in Horticulture. State University in 2018. After four years Diserens made a short hop MATTHEW BROAD Having held the position of links across to Mona Vale Golf Club where he was Links foreman, The Royal Sydney foreman for the past 18 months, Broad appointed assistant superintendent. During his Golf Club, NSW is looking forward to playing a key role current stint at Roseville Golf Club, Diserens Broad completed a Bachelor in in the reconstruction of Royal Sydney’s finished a Diploma in Sports Turf Management Sport Technology from Sheffield championship layout while continuing to and completed the ASTMA’s Certification Hallam University in 2015. His final-year gain valuable knowledge from other turf Program (CSTM), gaining the designation of dissertation was based on testing the quality of professionals. Certified Sports Turf Manager. 316SS CO Series Pumps LIQUID FERTIGATION & WASH DOWN Get your liquid fertigation and wash down under control with the Lowara CO Series range of pumps. • 316 Stainless steel • Open impellor • Capable of up to 20mm semi-soft solids • Single and three phase • Varing elastomers available on requests Contact us to find the right solution for your irrigation and fertigation requirements. Ph: 1300 4 BBENG www.brownbros.com.au 09/21 DELIVERING PUMPING SOLUTIONS SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 13 F TMI MICHAEL ERVIN JOSH LACEY Assistant superintendent, Superintendent, Maryborough Kooindah Waters Golf Club, NSW Golf Club, Vic Since the age of 15, Ervin always Lacey always had an interest in worked on a golf course and working on a golf course from probably never really had another career a young age. At 15 he completed work in mind. He grew up just up the road from experience at Maryborough Golf Club in Cessnock Golf Club in the NSW Lower Hunter the Central Goldfields region northwest of Valley and that’s where Ervin started an Melbourne. apprenticeship at 17 years of age. Apart from Lacey did volunteer work at Dunolly Golf an introduction into the turf industry, the club Club – a small sand scrape course just outside also had a bowling green so he got to learn Maryborough – and also maintained the about different types of playing surfaces. local cricket pitch at Dunolly prior to starting Following his apprenticeship, Ervin moved an apprenticeship at Maryborough under to The Vintage Golf Club and received an the tutelage of Craig Mills and then Andrew eye-opener into a large-scale operation and Maggs. what it takes to maintain a course consistently While stacking supermarket shelves ranked in the nation’s top 50. Three years later at Coles, Lacey furthered his education at Ervin downsized, transferring to the nine-hole Gordon TAFE in Geelong, studying under Greg Branxton Golf Club, which he maintained Ollis, Christopher Deppeler and Paul Deller. with just one other labourer. From there he After completing his apprenticeship, Lacey got the opportunity to return as assistant remained at Maryborough to be 2IC under superintendent at Cessnock, which had been Maggs and hone his turf skills. Four years later renovated and rebranded as Stonebridge Golf when Maggs stepped aside to deal with health- Club. For the past five years Matthew Broad has worked at related issues, Lacey took over the day-to-day Then after an unsatisfying two-year stint The Royal Sydney Golf Club, starting as a seasonal running of Maryborough before eventually greenkeeper in preparation for the 2016 Australian in the mining industry, Ervin went back to The Open (pictured) before rising to the role of links taking over permanently as superintendent Vintage as the 3IC/spray tech and then 3IC/ foreman during the past year. irrigation tech. He was there for nearly five years before transferring to Kooindah Waters grounds during a challenging period that KENNY MCNAMEE Golf Club where he is now the assistant coincided with Melbourne’s water restrictions. Senior greenkeeper, The Royal superintendent. Hardeman then took on a new position Sydney Golf Club, NSW with the City of Melbourne as a sports McNamee’s journey began as PETER FOREMAN turf curator for five years. Seeking a new a seasonal greenkeeper with a Assistant turf manager, Adelaide challenge, he ventured into golf where he is small team at Cowglen Golf Club in Scotland Oval, SA now the assistant superintendent at Kooringal just minutes from the Glasgow city centre. A love of the outdoors put Foreman GC. Outside of turf, the father of two has made He followed his passion and obtained an on track for a career in turf/ the plunge into golf coaching. apprenticeship at The Carrick on Loch horticulture. He began an apprenticeship in Lomond. 1998 at the Belair Park Golf Club in Adelaide. MARLON JOHNSTON With a desire to work on the world’s best After completing this he was fortunate to be Assistant superintendent, Terrey golf courses, McNamee enrolled in The Ohio involved in The Ohio Program, taking Foreman Hills Golf and Country Club, NSW Program where he was able to experience to New York. He then secured work in Scotland Born and raised on the northwest greenkeeping at high-calibre tournaments. The and the Caribbean. coast of Tasmania, Johnston started opportunities to work at Los Angeles Country After three years overseas, Foreman in the turf industry when he relocated to Hobart Club and Merion Golf Club during its 2018 returned to Australia to work at Metropolitan to start an apprenticeship working on sports reconstruction phase were highlights. With a Golf Club in Melbourne and Glenelg Golf Club fields and cricket wickets at The Twin Ovals. thirst for travel, McNamee has continued his back in Adelaide. Changing roles into sports Johnston moved to Sydney on completion journey to Australia where he is currently on fields, he worked at AAMI stadium before of the apprenticeship and made the transition staff at The Royal Sydney Golf Club under accepting his current position as assistant turf in codes at New South Wales Golf Club. superintendent Adam Marchant. manager at Adelaide Oval. Two years later, with encouragement from superintendent Gary Dempsey, he joined The MATTHEW MANEVSKI BRETT HARDEMAN Ohio Program where he was fortunate enough 3IC, Muirfield Golf Club, NSW Assistant superintendent, to be placed at Oakmont Country Club when Growing up in Sydney with Kooringal Golf Club, Vic it staged the 2016 US Open and then Austin a distinct love for all sports Cutting turf pitches in the front Country Club, host venue for the 2017 WGC and as a low-handicap golfer, yard lawn as a kid helped inspire Matchplay event. Manevski enrolled at Richmond TAFE to Hardeman to a career in turf and horticulture. In 2017 Johnston returned to Sydney study horticulture and pursue a career in After finishing his VCE, he completed a and joined the team at The Lakes Golf greenkeeping and turf management. From Certificate IV in Horticulture (full-time) and Club under superintendent Anthony Mills in there he was hired as an apprentice at Diploma in Horticulture (part-time). preparation for the 2018 Australian Open. He Riverside Oaks Golf Resort. During the part-time studies, he started a then moved to Terrey Hills Golf and Country As part of The Ohio Program, Manevski gardening and turf/landscaping business. This Club to be assistant superintendent on Gareth spent the fourth year of his apprenticeship at led to preparing turf pitches on local cricket Hammond’s crew. Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina, annual 14 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 host of the Wells Fargo Championship, as well Golf Club on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast DAN NICHOLS as Merion Golf Club in Philadelphia, which followed by Bargara Golf Club. Team leader (sporting reserves), hosted the Walker Cup. In her most recent career progression, Latrobe City Council, Vic After an 18-month stint in America, Marxsen relocated to Pacific Harbour Golf & Originally from Bedfordshire in Manevski returned to Sydney and took a Country Club on Bribie Island where she has the UK, Nichols found himself in position at Muirfield Golf Club where he has been assistant superintendent at the Troon- regional Victoria playing cricket 10 years ago. worked for 11 years and graduated to the managed facility for the past 18 months. As befalls many an ‘import’, he met a local girl position of 3IC. Away from golf, the 34-year-old and extended his stay in Australia. has been an AFL umpire for 15 seasons in the RICHIE MAY Supergardens gave Nichols an Sydney competition and NEAFL. Assistant superintendent, opportunity on the grounds crew at Caulfield Cottesloe Golf Club, WA Racecourse. He began the Cert III of Sports KASEE MARXSEN May has always been interested in Turf Management at Holmesglen and moved to Assistant superintendent, Pacific sport from a young age. Golf was Camberwell Grammar where he worked on the Harbour Golf & Country Club, Qld no exception and he would accompany his oval, preparing cricket pitches. Having since Marxsen’s career in turf dad to par-3 courses, learning about all things completed the Diploma, he has undertaken a management began as an golf. May’s turf career began in England, Bachelor Degree at Melbourne Polytechnic. apprentice at Queensland Cricket where she working at Cooden Beach Golf Club in East Nichols is now employed by the Latrobe learnt the art of preparing cricket wickets. To Sussex from the age of 16. After finishing City Council in Victoria’s Gippsland region further her turf knowledge, Marxsen applied qualification, he was offered a permanent as team leader of sporting reserves. With a for a place in The Ohio Program during which greenkeeper role. During eight years at crew of five, the role involves supervising the she spent time at Harbour Town Golf Links. Cooden, he held the leading hand and then maintenance of the municipality’s sports fields. Her passion for turf management grew as she assistant head greenkeeper positions. experienced course management and worked Having met his future Australian wife DERMOTT O’CONNOR on US PGA Tour events at the famed South while she was travelling around England on a Foreman, 13th Beach Golf Links, Carolina facility. working holiday, May subsequently immigrated Vic On return from the US, Marxsen worked to Australia in 2010. After a brief stint at Raised on a dairy farm an hour at Royal Queensland Golf Club during Burswood Golf Club, he joined the team at from Warrnambool, O’Connor had its redevelopment, learning about course Cottesloe Golf Club in 2011. The father of two wanted to pursue a career in sports and the construction and maintenance. From there has held the position of greenkeeper, foreman outdoors since he was a schoolboy. After she took on the 2IC positions at Gladstone and most recently assistant superintendent. work experience in landscaping, he learnt the SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 15 F TMI Marlon Johnston, pictured second from left, was part of The Lakes GC crew which hosted the 2018 Australian Open before taking on the role of 2IC at Terry Hills in Sydney’s northern suburbs. Pictured second from right is 2020 FTMI delegate Simon Blagg superintendent role at Maleny Golf Club in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. With a close-knit maintenance crew, the move has vindicated Smith’s return to the turf industry. HAYDEN STUTHRIDGE Foreman, North Shore Golf Club, New Zealand Entering his eighth year in the sports turf sector, Stuthridge’s journey started in New Zealand as a groundsman for Lawn Management, a small family-owned contracting business. Mentored by owner Glen Woodward, Stuthridge spent four years learning the trade and completing fundamentals of the turf industry during a two- SAM ROSE an apprenticeship. year, school-based traineeship at Warrnambool Spray technician, Royal Canberra A passion for turf grass combined with Racing Club through South West TAFE. Golf Club, ACT love for golf led to experiencing the European After completing high school, O’Connor Born and raised in the NSW Tour in Sweden. Since 2019 Stuthridge has moved to Barwon Heads and started an Southern Highlands NSW, Rose learnt the finer details of greenkeeping at Royal apprenticeship at 13th Beach Golf Links started as an apprentice at Mount Broughton Melbourne Golf Club where he experienced (through The Gordon TAFE) where he’s Golf and Country Club. After completing the the staging of the 2019 Presidents Cup, benefitted from a great learning environment at apprenticeship, he took a greenkeeper role renovation projects on the East course and the the host venue of the Vic Open. with Atlas Golf Services, where he assisted redesign of Sandringham Golf Course. Upon completing his apprenticeship, with several course construction projects The 26-year-old is now applying this O’Connor moved to Scotland for six months across NSW. acquired knowledge in his current role where he was fortunate enough to work on Since then Rose accepted a qualified as foreman at North Shore Golf Club in The Old Course at St Andrews. He has since greenkeeper role at Royal Canberra Golf Auckland, under the expert guidance of course returned to 13th Beach where he’s undertaken Club under the guidance of superintendent superintendent Tony Jonas. the role of foreman as well as completing a Jake Gibbs. He has since been promoted to Diploma at Melbourne Polytechnic this year. spray technician. He considers working as a HAYDEN WILLIAMS volunteer at the 2019 Australian Open at The Course manager, Pukekohe Golf SHAUN REARDON Australian Golf Club as a career highlight. On Club, New Zealand Groundskeeper, Wagga Wagga the tertiary side, he completed a Certificate III, Born in Pukekohe, South Auckland, City Council, NSW IV and Diploma in Sports Turf Management at Williams accepted a job at turf Reardon grew up in the small Ryde TAFE. In 2018 Rose was named NSW construction company TIC Contracting at 17 town of Temora, one hour’s drive Agribusiness Student of the Year. years of age. He completed a Level IV Turf from Wagga Wagga, with a passion for rugby Management apprenticeship and worked at league and athletics. He got a foothold into the NIK SMITH TIC Contracting for nine years, building golf turf industry through full-time employment at Assistant superintendent, Maleny courses and sports fields as well as managing Wagga Wagga City Council as a gardener six Golf Club, Qld large-scale projects. years ago. Originally from Melbourne, Smith Williams moved to Field Turf NZ where Reardon learnt about turf management completed an apprenticeship at he specialised in building cricket blocks for by working on a variety of sporting grounds Commonwealth Golf Club in 1994. At the end domestic and international competitions as (rugby league, Aussie rules, croquet greens, of the apprenticeship, Smith managed to land well as managing the portable cricket nursery athletics tracks and touch fields). During a job at Kingston Heath Golf Club where he in Napier. He moved back to the golf industry the past three years, he has played a was fortunate to be part of the team preparing with Groundvision where he completed a significant role in council’s oversow program the course for the 1995 Australian Open. number of reconstructions of putting greens – oversowing the majority of its winter sports From 1998 Smith pursued another career and bunkers, including the new Tieke Golf fields with rye grass while contributing to path. Then in 2015 Smith’s family travelled Estate construction process. Williams returned chemical and fertiliser applications. around Australia in a caravan. While in Perth to his roots when offered the position of senior In a sign of greater responsibility, Reardon he obtained a short-term position at Lake qualified greenkeeper at Pukekohe Golf Club. now co-manages two of the Riverina’s largest Karrinyup Country Club for the 2016 Perth The father of three has since been promoted to sporting facilities, Jubilee Park and Equex International. It was at Lake Karrinyup where the role of course manager. Centre. In 2022, these facilities will host an Smith rekindled his passion for greenkeeping. NRL game and the NSW Junior State Cup Upon settling on Queensland’s Sunshine touch football carnival. Reardon is hoping the Coast, Smith found employment at Pelican FTMI will further his hunger to learn about the Waters Golf Club. 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Ltd., Environmental Science, Level 1, 8 Redfern Road, Hawthorn East, Vic. 3123 Technical Enquiries: 1800 804 479 // es.bayer.com.au Dedicate Forte Stressgard® is a Registered Trademark of the Bayer Group © 2021 GOLF COURSES PHOTOS: GOLF NSW, TURF AUSTRALIA, MARTYN BLACK Restoring Dunedoo Over three days in early June, the turf industry rallied around the country nine-hole golf course at Dunedoo, re-turfing a number of holes that had been destroyed by a senseless act of vandalism in April. I t made national and international what transpired that April day would be an town. We were the only sport in town which headlines – ‘NSW golf course torn up understatement. had kept going through the COVID pandemic.” by tractor vandal.’ In late April the small Speaking to Golf NSW at the time of the A tight knit community, it wasn’t long nine-hole golf course which services incident, Dunedoo Golf Club general manager before the club received offers from locals the central west NSW township of Ricky Bush said the damage had left the willing to help with the restoration of the Dunedoo was brazenly vandalised. Using members and the village’s community reeling. course. There were offers of machinery from a disc plough hooked up to a tractor, the “People were just staring at the mess and townsfolk who weren’t even members or had vandal, who was later arrested and charged starting to cry. They couldn’t believe it. The played a game of golf in their life, giving an with multiple offences, tore up four of club is a community asset, a vital part of the indication of just how important the club was to Dunedoo’s fairways and three sand scrape greens. Tens of thousands of square metres of grass was ploughed through, rendering the course unplayable and leaving behind what resembled more of a battleground than golf course. Dunedoo is a tiny town about 90km north east of Dubbo and home to less than 1000 people. When a town that small has a golf course with about 500 members, you know it has a special place in the fabric of the town. To say that the club, its members and the township as a whole were dumbfounded at Above and right: In late April a lone vandal took to the nine-hole course at Dunedoo Golf Club with a tractor and disc plough, tearing up four fairways and three sand scrape greens 18 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Despite coinciding with some of the coldest and wettest weather to hit Dunedoo in years, volunteers turned up in droves to assist with the course restoration the local community. A GoFundMe page was even set up to assist with the club’s rebuilding effort and would go on to raise in excess of $11,200. AN INDUSTRY RALLIES As news filtered through of the vandalism, Dunedoo’s plight struck at the heart of many Dunedoo GC president Mark Gallagher (left) and Graeme Colless (right), of Dad and Dave’s Turf, survey the works. in the golf, sports turf and turf production Colless, together with fellow turf producer Paul Saad, played a key role in mustering up industry support communities. As has been witnessed many times in the past when clubs and facilities have somewhere to come after a hard day, to communities have the green space that they fallen on hard times, the turf industry rallies interact with others doing it tough and forget need to thrive.” around and no more would that be on display about it for a while. My colleagues in the turf The restoration of the golf course means when Dunedoo put the call out for assistance. industry were absolutely chomping at the bit much more to the town of Dunedoo than some When NSW turf producers Paul Saad to help.” rolls of grass. As COVID-19 lockdowns and (Southern Cross Turf) and Graeme Colless Rustling up 40,000m2 of donated turf is uncertainty continue to plague the country, the (Dad and Dave’s Turf) heard about the by no means an easy feat, even in the boom importance of green space and its benefits destructive vandalism wrecked upon the times. Compounding the challenges for have continued to come to the fore. And course, they knew they had to do something Dunedoo was that the Hawkesbury valley, for a town like Dunedoo having wide, open and so began the mobilisation of a veritable cradle of the NSW turf production industry, stretches of turf was, quite literally, breathing army to help out a small club in desperate was dealing with the impacts of a once-in- life into their town. need of rescuing. a-generation flood event in March that had “I was listening to the radio one morning devastated crops and threatened turf supply in ROLLING OUT THE GREEN CARPET when I heard of the town’s plight,” says Saad, the state. When asked why the turf production In early June, Saad, Colless and several other whose family-owned turf farm is based in community was able to dig deep even during NSW turf growers arrived in Dunedoo to start Freemans Reach. “It was harrowing to hear their own hard times, Saad was typically the job of rolling out the 40,000m2 of turf that of the destruction to the golf course. I know philosophical. was coming from all over the state and as what recreation venues like this mean to a “The flood that hit the Hawkesbury was far away as Queensland. The turf was rolled small town, so I knew I had to do something. I devastating, but in the grand scheme of out over several days in gruelling conditions quickly called my good friend Graeme Colless things we always knew we would recover and as sub-zero temperatures, frost and even and we immediately got to work.” rebuild,” says Saad. “This year will be a difficult snow hampered the job. But that didn’t stop Between them, Saad and Colless were year for us, but we’ve had our fair share of hundreds of volunteers from the town and the willing to donate 20,000m2 of turf from good years too. You take the good with the wider turf industry showing up every day. their own production farms, but due to the bad as a turf farmer, but one thing that remains Among those to make the trip from afar magnitude of work needed to reinstate the constant is our passion for ensuring that our to assist in laying the turf were the likes of Dunedoo course, they needed at least double that amount. In a true display of the generosity and mateship that is typical in the turf industry, a quick ring around to muster up support from their fellow turf producers yielded results and over the space of a few days over 40,000m2 of turf had been committed to help restore the Dunedoo course. According to Saad, the generosity stemmed from an understanding of what it takes to get through the hard times. “Dunedoo is a town that experienced years of intense drought,” says Saad. “These people faced some tough times and had to make some horrible decisions over those years, More than 40,000m2 of turf was donated from a number of turf farms across NSW and Queensland but the golf course provided a sanctuary, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 19 GOLF COURSES THE RESCUE OF DUNEDOO A mong the throng of sports turf managers and volunteers to turn up to assist in the restoration of Dunedoo Golf Club was NSWGCSA life member and former Castle Hill Country Club course superintendent Martyn Black. The fact the project coincided with the coldest three consecutive days in 135 years made it all the more memorable for those involved and in true ‘Blacky’ style, the well-known turf industry raconteur and bush poet put pen to paper to pay tribute to those who helped rescue a vital community asset… Dunedoo was in the poo and needed a bit of a hand. So seasoned pros and amateurs alike, went to get the green stuff down They had some drama at the course that had turned the grass to sand. And the end result will always be a talking point in town. So the call went out for volunteers who came from far and wide Well, we laid the first full par five in just under three hours, And Dunedoo awoke to the fact there were good people on their side. As the hundred-strong army began to deploy its impressive collective powers. The turf producing community ran the show, with generosity beyond The forklift trucks did their best to keep up the supply. belief. But more than once “C’mon mate, keep up can’t ya?! became the playful They provided the ammunition to bring happiness from grief. cry. The turf arrived from everywhere, including interstate, As petty rivalries were put aside, ‘coz ya gotta help yer mates!’ But an army runs on its stomach, that’s true, and first up were the octogenarians. So the volunteer army assembled, well over 100 strong, Fair dinkum the spit roast lamb was that bloody good we felt sorry for As people of all persuasions were happy to join the throng. vegetarians! The camaraderie and community spirit, well it brought grown men to Then it was back out again for the arvo session, as we laughed at the tears. increasing showers, Age was certainly no barrier, as the gap between old and young was over “Stay the course, boys and girls, we will run out of turf in two hours!” 70 years. By the end of the day 26,000 square meters were laid, and the Blues Old Mother Nature then stepped in, to remind us that she rules crushed the Cane Toads that night. And she sent us a three day ‘Arctic blast’ that was as cold as a frog in an But those charged with keepin’ the beer up to us, got a bit of a fright. ice-bound pool. But the midnight curfew saved any drama, absolutely no doubt about it, It was as cold as the end of a Laplanders tool. It was as cold as an Cos a club without beer is quite lonesome they say and some blokes Eskimo blue and glum. can’t live without it. It was as cold as the hairs on a polar bear’s bum! Anyway, what more can I say, but to cut a long story short, Despite the cold she couldn’t dampen our growing enthusiasm 10,000 to lay over the next two days was just a bit of sport. As president Mark stood on the veranda to welcome the congregation. But the celebration on Thursday night had to be seen to be believed. He spoke with pride of his assembled tribe, as being part of the fabric of The fact we didn’t destroy the joint, left management quite relieved. our great nation, Some blokes were shearing bar stools. Others were galloping chairs. But emotion got the better of him, as the tears rolled down his face, The stage was open to anyone prepared to ‘take the dare’. They quickly turned to icicles and he had to be replaced. President Gallagher and Graham Colless were one such notable pair. They both received standing ovations once they’d had their turn. So ‘not very’ Reverend Colless came off the bench, with some hi-tech As did the ‘old bloke’ who hit the dance floor, then dropped and did ‘the safety advice. worm’! I suppose you could slip over, if you weren’t real careful, due to the mud and ice. At the end of the day, I would just like to say, it was an experience to But really, all he had to say, to reduce the chance of bad luck, savour. Was “Lay the turf the green side up and don’t get hit by the trucks!” So tourists and golfers don’t miss the chance and do yourselves a favour. Get out to the golf course at Dunedoo and taste the fruits of our labour. - Martyn “Blacky” Black, July 2021 20 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 legendary former Sydney Cricket Ground curator Tom Parker, Sydney-based golf course superintendents Mark Parker (NSW Golf Club) and Mark O’Sullivan (Roseville Golf Club), Golf NSW regional agronomist Martyn Black and former Gloucester Golf Club superintendent of 41 years Brian ‘Hairy’ Osborne. “The sheer volume of volunteers we had join us showed how important this green space was to the town,” says Saad. “The people of Dunedoo pulled out all the stops for us and made us feel incredibly welcome, as if we were visiting our own hometown. Whether it be the dozens of Dunedoo Swans players stopping by to help, or the older statesmen of the town sharing a few stories over a beer at Enjoying a well-earned beverage (not to mention a NSW State of Origin win) were (from left) volunteers Mark the end of the day, we really got to see the true O’Sullivan, Martyn Black, Mark Parker, Graeme Colless, Tom Parker and Brian ‘Hairy’ Osborne beauty of the Dunedoo community during our time there.” way they were welcomed into the Dunedoo by Paul Saad and Graeme Colless: Southern Rob Whackett, director of Dunedoo Golf community that made the biggest impact. Cross Turf; Dad and Dave’s Turf; Evergreen Club, was deeply thankful for the generosity, “We’d like to thank the community of Turf; Hi Quality Turf; Dubbo’s Turf the Lot; effort and overall spirit shown by the growers Dunedoo,” says Saad. “I’ve truly never met any QualTurf; Jimboomba Turf; Australian Lawn and volunteers. “For these growers to kind of people like them and had never seen Concepts; Signature Haulage; Dubbo Turf dedicate their time and their turf to us in the such a display of true Aussie spirit. The town Supplies; Elite Sand and Soil; MC Haulage; middle of one of their own toughest periods really turned up and seeing the passion they A View Turf; Metro Turf Supplies; Empire Turf was humbling,” says Whackett. “For those had for the golf course was truly invigorating. Supplies; and All Seasons Turf. guys who have been through what they’ve I’d never been prouder to be a turf farmer.” ATM thanks Turf Australia for allowing the been through and keep giving is absolutely reprinting this article. It has been adapted remarkable. To be honest, it’s hard to fathom.” ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS from an article titled ‘Dunedoo Golf Course For Saad, Colless and the rest of the turf Turf Australia wishes to thank the following restoration tees off’ in the Winter 2021 edition of community that showed up to help, it was the growers for their support of this project, led Turf Australia Magazine. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 21 SPORTSGROUNDS The RF Miles Reserve has been transformed into one of the premier sporting facilities in Frankston City Council PHOTOS: STEVE BROWN Miles better Evergreen Turf project manager Tim Bayard (CSTM) looks back at the recent transformation of RF Miles Reserve in Melbourne’s south. R F Miles Reserve is the home As part of the works, the facility would be operating in tandem with Lloyd Group’s ground of the Seaford Football reconstructed with new clubrooms, parking, building program. Once Lloyd Group Netball Club and Seaford Cricket sportsfield lighting, netball courts and cricket commenced the cut for the new building site, Club. It’s located in the southern nets. the oval zones were left looking like “a natural suburbs of Melbourne, 40km Evergreen Turf was engaged by Lloyd sand quarry in Gippsland”. from the CBD, along the eastern edge of Port Group to reconstruct the field. (ETP Turf There was a need to utilise some of the Phillip Bay in Frankston City Council. designed the field). Originally planned for sand on-site to back fill retaining walls and The suburban train line runs next to 2019, delays meant construction didn’t batters. However, the local sand was not RF Miles Reserve, which was originally eventually start until May 2020. conducive to being used as a turf profile as it surrounded by large native banksia and The site is surrounded in a triangle was extremely coarse. radiata pines. The ground was utilised as a site formation by the new rail line, Seaford Road The first works consisted of cutting the compound during the Victorian Government’s and Kananook Creek, which is tidal with Port subgrade for the perimeter spoon drain, centre Level Crossing Removal Project. The local Phillip Bay. The site had only one entrance off concrete wicket and exposed aggregate path crossings and railway line were lifted to Seaford Road. Due to limited space next to area on the southern end of the site. All this become an elevated rail line. the new building, the soon-to-be cut oval was needed to be completed prior to any subgrade This necessitated the ground be closed being used as a car park for the trades. field cutting because the sand subgrade and used as a site office for nearly three years Due to limitations for access and space, couldn’t handle being disturbed and would while the construction works took place. Evergreen Turf devised a way to continue lead to vehicles getting bogged. 22 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 PHOTO: NEARMAP RF Miles Reserve as it was in April 2016 (left), during the time of nearby level crossing removal works in September 2018 (second from left), surface construction in January 2021 (second from right) and the eventual finished oval in September 2021 (right) Then COVID-19 hit … Restrictions … The irrigation installation commenced, work on the north end to install infrastructure, Limited staff … Limited work … A trying time and again due to site access, Evergreen Turf although it did install a concrete path, swale for all Victorians. could only complete two thirds of the ground drain, perimeter fence, net poles and post By the time Evergreen Turf completed as it still needed to get sand-profile volumes footings. its work, Lloyd Group had also finished with (6800 tonnes) from the only access point While field works were undertaken, using its 50-tonne crane for the building that in the northern forward pocket. While the Evergreen Turf Landscaping completed was also parked on the field area. As soon irrigation was being installed at the south end, the new landscape zones at the south and as Evergreen Turf had a clear run to work at a separate Frankston City Council contractor north ends. These zones comprised of the south end, the crew was able to cut the was constructing the new netball courts and approximately 1800m2 of turf, retaining walls, subgrade and place excess sand onto the enclosed cricket nets on the northern end, exposed aggregate paths and about 6,000 existing sand stockpile from Lloyd’s building which required access from that part of the native plants/shrubs and trees. works. field. However, COVID-19 restrictions hit once Evergreen Turf was then in a position to With the south-end irrigation completed, again on the last day of sand trimming for the remove approximately 1500m3 of native sand Evergreen Turf gave the subgrade a final trim final surface layer. These restrictions delayed from site using truck and trailer by driving over for the ‘as built’ sign off. Then it commenced a completing the Santa Ana turf installation by trak mats on the field. (Yes, trucks were driving lay-flat drainage installation on the south end. a week. After the five-day snap lockdown, off the trak mats and getting bogged.) The team changed from subsurface drainage the turf was laid within four days thanks to a As soon as Evergreen Turf cleared to lay-flat system due to the restricted falls great effort by the Evergreen Turf laying team the excess material from site, it was able on-site as well as the high-water table and led by Steven Bolt (on-site) and assistance to continue the swale drain and exposed sandy subgrade. from Australian Seed & Turf Farm for continual aggregate path on the eastern side as well as Sand installation commenced in mid- supply without delays. pour the goal and net post footings, plus the January and after six days the team had the perimeter boundary fence. required volume of sand for the entire job. SUMMARY Upon commencing with the 2.8m net Approximately 1800 tonnes had to be pushed The project presented many challenges, footings, the team came across the water table over the north end as soon as irrigation, ranging from limited site access, a shallow just 700mm deep. So it had to change the subgrade trim, lay-flat drainage and all ‘as water table, sandy conditions and working design to larger box footings as recommended builts’ had been completed. Due to access alongside the pavilion and netball court/cricket by the engineer. issues, Evergreen Turf hadn’t been able to net contractors. Construction methodology became the key factor in ensuring the successful outcome of the project. Another key was the flexible attitude by all parties to make design/ construction changes in a timely manner. The key learnings from the project were to be creative, adaptable and work collaboratively with all parties to ensure the project delivery was in accordance with the specification and contract timeframes. The project has been an enormous learning curve for all parties with the outcome being a fantastic community facility. The Seaford Football Netball Club and Seaford Cricket Club now have wonderful new facilities. Prior to the redevelopment, the ground was a site compound for the nearby level crossing removal The new sportsfield lighting at RF Miles Reserve SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 23 BUNKERS If your bunkers have issues, an effective solution may be less expensive than you think Making old bunkers new again B unkers are often a source of EVALUATING BUNKERS golfer frustration but, whether Bunkers are often a target of golfer There are several criteria that can be used to you like them or not, bunkers evaluate the functionality of bunkers. Before are an integral part of golf and complaints and superintendent undertaking a renovation of any sort, it is a feature that is not likely to go important to have a clear understanding of away any time soon. While bunkers can add disdain. But that doesn’t need to what the problems are in order to guide the strategic and aesthetic value to a golf hole, path toward improvement. In some cases, they can also be a source of dissatisfaction be the case long term as USGA expensive renovations have been avoided due to their placement, appearance or by properly evaluating bunkers and only condition. agronomist Elliott Dowling explains. correcting what is needed to solve the issue. Bunkers are arguably the most dissected To properly evaluate your bunkers, answer the and disagreed upon feature of a golf course. following questions: The way a bunker should look and play is l Do the bunkers drain after a moderate or seemingly always up for debate. Simply put, heavy rain? there is no perfect or ideal bunker. There are l Is the sand contaminated with soil and opinions aplenty about sand colour, sand course, they have probably asked how the debris? firmness, the best type of sand, and how the bunkers can be improved. The answer to this l Does formerly white sand have a tan or off- bunkers play at the course down the street question is not always simple, and certainly colour appearance? – which always seems to be better than your varies from course to course. Before you l How does the landform around each course. Because so many factors vary from consider an expensive renovation project, bunker look? Does it funnel water into or course to course, there will always be great evaluate your bunkers and decide what ails away from the bunker? debate over how they should look and play. them. This evaluation process may reveal l Can your current bunkers be maintained If golfers are becoming restless with that bunker condition and playability can be for a reasonable amount of money and the current condition of the bunkers at your improved without expensive renovation efforts. time? 24 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Clogged bunker drains cause serious issues. Companies can find and clear drains for you, or you can locate the clog and address the issue yourself l Are exposed edges leading to increased soil contamination? l Is it too costly and time consuming to maintain a crisp edge around the bunkers? l Do the bunkers have steep sand or grass faces that are difficult to maintain? l What is the main source of golfer complaints about the bunkers? l Do golfers say that the bunkers play too firm or too soft? These are questions that must be answered before deciding on the best way to improve what you currently have. the key issues. Once the main problems are determined that it still functions properly by determined, choosing the best path forward is flushing water through the pipes, changing SOLUTIONS FOR COMMON easier. The following sections discuss several sand could be all that is necessary. Simply BUNKER PROBLEMS of the most common issues with bunkers and remove the contaminated sand and replace Most golf courses will look to the easiest and some options for addressing the problem. it with new sand that has desirable physical most cost-effective way to repair or improve characteristics. anything on the course, bunkers included, SAND CONTAMINATED BUT Selecting the appropriate sand is strictly and rightfully so. Spending too much money DRAINAGE SYSTEM FINE up to the facility. For example, some facilities on things that aren’t necessary could put the When bunker sand is contaminated with soil want bright white sand and are willing to pay facility in a poor financial position. or organic material, the bunkers often drain a premium price to have that sand shipped To determine the least-expensive or slowly or hold water, playability can be poor across the country to their location. While this most-efficient way to improve the bunkers, or the appearance could be better. If your is a fine solution if you have the money and are use the list of questions above to identify bunkers have a drainage system and you have willing to spend it on sand, many facilities try to U S E R I N T E R FA C E FREE CONSULTATION CALL NOW! WORLD LE ADERS IN HIGH SAFE T Y SCREEN DESIGN & INSTALL ATION → Constructed more high safety screens in Australia than any other company. → Designed and constructed the highest safety screens in Australia – 36m – with current designs up to 52m high! → Fully engineered & certified designs setting new world standards → Using only the world’s highest grade and fully wind tunnel tested netting. → Latest independent “Launch Trajectory” analytical reports available. → 30 - year’s experience. i nf o@c o u n tr yc l u b.c o m . au | 1300 138 804 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 25 BUNKERS If you are maintaining bunkers without drainage, you are basically holding a ticking timebomb. If they are not failing yet, it is only a matter of time. If the golfers at your course truly have lofty expectations for the look and playability of your bunkers, and they are without drainage, it is time to install drainage. At a minimum, it is important that an adequately sized drain pipe is placed through the floor of each bunker in the lowest point possible. This pipe should be sloped to carry water out of the bunker and can be connected with the primary golf course drainage system In the absence of functioning drainage, bunkers remain wet and will play firmer than desired. With heavy rain or or directed to daylight in an out-of-play area in irrigation, water may pond in bunker floors and require significant labour costs to restore normal playability accordance with any regulations. If you want to increase the likelihood that water reaches choose sand that can be found closer to home drainage system or with the use of a camera the drainage tile quickly and encourage drier for a more reasonable price. and pipe snake. If the pipe is clogged, sand throughout the bunker, a more extensive Depending on your location, white sand there are companies that use high-pressure system of pipes will work better. could be available for a reasonable price. water to blast through blockages and clean In most instances, without internal However, a local source for sand could be the perimeter of drain tiles, flushing away drainage, bunkers will perform poorly tan or brown, which is completely acceptable debris and returning the pipe to its original regardless of sand quality. On the other hand, as long as the sand performs and plays as performance. This is the easiest method, albeit bunkers with a functioning drainage system desired. Colour is just for looks and has no potentially expensive, to clean existing drains will still perform poorly if the sand does not impact on the actual quality of a sand. Like without digging. meet minimum guidelines with its infiltration most things in golf course management, there If a blockage can’t be cleared by flushing rate, which should be no less than 30 inches are specific criteria for determining a good water through the pipes, you must determine (76.2cm) per hour. bunker sand. Understanding these criteria will where the blockage is and excavate the area, An important feature of bunker drainage help you decide on a sand, which could be exposing the pipe. Great care must be taken design is including a cleanout port on the high tan, which is a significant upgrade from what to protect the existing sand, assuming you side of the bunker. Exposing a pipe to the you currently have at a price you’d rather pay. don’t plan to replace all of it. Laying a tarp or surface and covering it with a drain cap will similarly impermeable material on either side allow a hose to be placed into the drainage tile BUNKER DRAINAGE SYSTEM of the drain pipe allows for the excavated sand to flush sediments or other obstructions from NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY to be placed on that surface and subsequently the pipe to improve functionality. A cleanout One of the most common bunker issues is replaced with little risk of contamination. port also allows you to test whether your improperly functioning drainage. Drains can bunker drainage system is functioning properly become clogged or crushed and lose their NO DRAINAGE SYSTEM if the bunker begins holding water. functionality. In the absence of functioning Adequate drainage is a cornerstone of properly drainage, bunkers will remain wet and likely functioning bunkers. Without drainage, DESIGN CHANGES NEEDED TO play firmer than desired. With heavy rain or bunkers can hold water for extended periods, PRESERVE EXISTING BUNKERS irrigation, water may pond in bunker floors and which reduces aesthetics, playability and the Some courses are in the fortunate position require major labour costs to restore. life expectancy of the sand. In some instances, to have both functioning drainage and clean Superintendents can confirm if a drain the underlying soil drains well and bunkers sand, with no glaring issues yet. In this pipe is blocked by slowing water movement function properly without a drainage system, instance, sand contamination from sediment and by flushing water through the bunker but this is the exception. or organic debris is most likely what will initiate future bunker issues. Although it is impossible to keep all contaminants out of bunkers – like grass clippings and tree debris – looking at the architecture of the bunkers can help extend their life expectancy. A specific area to consider is the edge or lip of the bunker. Many courses maintain a crisp vertical edge that requires several labour hours per bunker every month to maintain. Labour concerns notwithstanding, an exposed soil lip is an obvious source of contamination. Exposed bunker edges can easily deposit soil into the sand through rain, foot traffic or maintenance practices – like the edging required to maintain that sharp edge. Slight architectural changes can reduce the amount of contamination that falls into the Sand colour is not a good indicator of quality. There are tan sands that deliver comparable performance to white, sand from the bunker edge. Rather than an engineered sands for a much better price 26 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 exposed soil edge, wrap sod over the edge to cover the soil. This will reduce the amount of soil and rocks that fall into the sand. You can also rake the sand to cover the exposed edge, which will limit the amount of soil or debris that can enter the bunker. In some instances, water moving into the bunkers from the surrounding topography is the source of contamination, not the bunker edge. Adjusting surface grades and drainage can deflect water around the bunkers, rather than through them, and reduce the number and severity of washouts that accelerate contamination and failure. Adjusting the shaping around bunkers does not need to be very invasive or expensive. In fact, very Bunkers are arguably the most dissected and disagreed upon feature of a golf course. The way a bunker should minor and seemingly simple modifications are look and play is seemingly always up for debate all that are necessary to make a significant improvement in many cases. One of the more popular methods to clean consuming, adding a layer of new sand on existing bunker sand is using a sand sifter. top of the current sand can provide some BUNKERS ARE FAILING There are several effective options available relief – although very short-term relief and with BUT NO RESOURCES to perform this process, ranging from more mixed results. This method always appears to Many courses recognise that their bunkers expensive machines to less expensive hand be the easiest and most cost-effective method are failing, leading to playability concerns tools. The mechanical option is more efficient to temporarily “fix” poorly performing bunkers. and dissatisfied golfers. However, because of but certainly comes at a premium price when However, it is important to understand that limited resources they aren’t able to replace compared to hand tools. adding a new layer of sand simply buries the sand, install drainage or make architectural If cleaning sand is not an option, either the problem deeper. Yes, this could buy you changes. There are still things that can be because the sand is too contaminated time, but how much and to what level of done to improve bunker performance. or because the process will be too time improvement is difficult to say. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 27 BUNKERS In my opinion, sand selection is less of a concern than a reliable liner. A sand that is manufactured and white or a tan colour will play equally well if it meets the same performance standards. On the other hand, keeping as much soil and organic debris out of the sand as possible will extend bunker life expectancy. Moreover, liners can reduce the severity and frequency of washouts following heavy rains, saving labour hours and maintaining cleaner sand. Ultimately, installing a durable liner to reduce sand contamination from the subsoil and keep sand on bunker faces will extend the life expectancy of your investment. There is no doubt that liners, drainage and new sand will improve bunker performance The difference between lined (left bunker) and unlined bunkers is tremendous. Investing in liners yields more reliability and a longer life expectancy for the sand and reliability, but they come at a premium price. Some courses feel that a total bunker There is rarely enough sand added on A somewhat more expensive option renovation is their best choice and they might top to make a big difference and a very light is using a venting machine like the Air2G2 be right. Other courses, however, feel that layer of sand is hardly enough to correct any to loosen sand particles. Other options to correcting one factor outlined above – like problem. Money is often wasted by taking consider are applying wetting agents to drainage, sand or architecture – will fix their this approach because your investment in the sand – to break surface tension and bunker problem without investing the same new bunker sand is almost immediately improve infiltration – or applying materials to resources required for a total rebuild. contaminated by the old sand, reducing its break down surface algae that is negatively usefulness very quickly. If you continue adding impacting performance. In theory, this will help CONCLUSION new sand for several years you might realise return a white colour to the sand – if applicable Bunkers are often a target of golfer complaints you spent a lot of money achieving very little – and improve water infiltration, but the results and superintendent disdain, but that doesn’t when that same money could have been spent have been inconsistent in many cases. need to be the case long term. There are ways on a more long-term solution. to address many common bunker issues – If your bunker sand is so contaminated THE BUNKERS NEED TO BE some more costly or time consuming than that it has started to look and play more COMPLETELY REBUILT others – without necessarily performing a full- like soil than sand, replacing the sand is The principal purpose of this article is to help scale renovation. There are also many ways inevitable. Until total replacement is possible, diagnose and remedy bunker issues with the to improve bunkers with in-house labour and superintendents have found success using most cost-effective measures possible for your equipment. Don’t be so quick to dismiss poorly long tines on a mechanical rake to loosen the facility. That said, if you want to fix bunkers performing bunkers and assume that the only existing sand. in a way that has the longest life expectancy fix is wholesale renovation. Use a checklist This approach is best if performed on and highest chance of success then a total to determine the exact issue, or issues, and a routine schedule because mechanically rebuild could be exactly what you need. Based work through those issues to produce better loosening sand will not be very effective as on current technology and field experience playability and easier maintenance. A qualified a one-time procedure. Plan on loosening regarding bunker construction, installing a agronomist can also help evaluate bunker the sand at least once per week, if not liner – either a durable liner or a sod liner – is issues and work closely with you to develop a more frequently, depending on the level of a good idea to keep native soil and rocks from customised plan for the course. contamination. migrating into the sand. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Australian Turfgrass Management Journal wishes to thank the USGA Green Section for allowing publication of this article. The original article, authored by USGA Northeast regional agronomist Elliott Dowling, appeared in the 4 September 2020 edition of the Green Section Record. Soil is likely to break away from an exposed soil Based on current technology and field experience regarding bunker construction, installing a liner – either a bunker edge, especially during rain. Soil that falls from durable liner or a sod liner – is a good idea to keep native soil and rocks from migrating into the sand the edge contaminates the sand 28 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 JOHN NEYL AN The basics of good construction have not changed. Once you have decided on what you want, stick to it and do not let price compromise the job Best practice, best result As expert ATM columnist John Neylan writes, when it comes to a construction project it is vital to adopt best practice methods across the planning, design and construction phases to ensure an optimal outcome. H aving worked in the turf industry Over the time that I have worked in the with the response of “that’s not what we really for over 35 years, it is definitely turf industry there have been many lessons want”. one of continually learning about learned with the most poignant fact being that The client brief can also include some what works and what doesn’t the attention to small details will make for a personal preferences including profile depth, and this particularly applies to successful and a relatively painless project. soil type (“we don’t want a sand profile”), construction projects. I have been involved in Since working with SPORTENG I have come to grass selection and drainage layout. Many of numerous construction projects over this time better appreciate the importance of experience, the requests can be worked into the design, as the turfgrass agronomist, working with a good design, detailed specifications and a but some we know just won’t work. The ability range of disciplines including civil engineers, methodical approach to understanding each to discuss these aspects in a technical and contractors, turf managers, sand suppliers and site and each project. What follows are some methodical manner without embarrassing turf growers. of the key areas that need particular attention anyone is most important. If there are aspects Over the past couple of years I have and some take home messages for any facility of the brief and design that don’t quite meet been working as a turfgrass agronomist with looking at undertaking a construction project. best practice, the client must be made aware SPORTENG, a civil engineering company of the possible ramifications. headquartered in Melbourne that specialises THE CLIENT BRIEF TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Take the time to truly in providing technical advice for all forms Understanding the client’s brief can often be understand the client brief. of ‘field of play’. Pivotal to the company’s the most challenging part of any project. If approach is not only understanding the the requirements of the project aren’t clearly UPGRADE OR NEW specific design requirements for the field of defined it is very difficult to design to the brief. Not all projects will be on a green field play but appreciating how the facility will be Many an hour can be wasted on a design that site and it will involve either an upgrade or constructed, operated and maintained. when it is presented to the client comes back reconstruction of an existing field. In this 30 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 scenario the options can be many as to how the field can be improved. In this situation there are two key questions: l What are the current concerns? l What is the desired outcome? While these are relatively simple questions, it can take a bit of effort to tease out the answers and to gain a clear understanding of why the field is not performing and what is the standard of playing surface required. This links in strongly to understanding the client’s brief. With an existing field, a detailed site assessment is required and should include: l Undertake a level survey. l Assessing the existing soil conditions including the depth of the rootzone soil. This must include sampling and testing the soils to determine whether they can be reused. Understanding the client’s brief can often be the most challenging part of any project. If the requirements of the l Measuring the depth of thatch/organic project aren’t clearly defined it is very difficult to design to the brief matter as this will affect the depth/volume of material that needs to be removed. refuse dump sites and land that was too poor changes in volume when it absorbs and l Evaluating the irrigation system to to put buildings on. It is only when the new releases moisture. This absorption and release determine whether it may be upgraded or profile is being constructed that contaminated occurs as seasons change throughout the a new system is required. This includes soil, unconsolidated fill and localised water year. When it’s warm and dry, reactive clay pumps, tanks, sprinklers and pipework. tables can be discovered. soil releases moisture and contracts. In cooler, l Identifying the turf species/variety and Depending on the knowledge of the wetter periods, reactive clay soil takes on weeds. site, a geotechnical investigation is often moisture and expands. l Identifying any key wear areas and warranted to determine the subsoil conditions. On sports fields in particular, the expansion localised depressions. At the very least it may be required to dig of the clays appears to be the main problem l If it is an old fill site, a geotechnical out soft areas and replace with select fill. where there will be localised mounding in the investigation will often be necessary Where contaminated soils are detected and playing surface as the soil expands. Installing to determine whether there is any soil depending on the class of contamination, it a capping layer consisting of a non-reactive contamination. may be required to lay an orange geofabric as material is often required so that a stable l Where possible gather the available an indicator that there are contaminated soils platform can be formed on which to construct information on the hours of use and the below. the turf profile. numbers of users. On green field sites that have native clay The only viable solution in many situations Based on this information, it is then soils, these soils can often be highly reactive. is to install a capping layer and then building a possible to decide whether the existing profile Reactive clay soil is a dense material that perched water table profile using flat drainage can be upgraded or whether a total rebuild is panel technology so there are no intrusions the best option. into the capping layer. There are obviously TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Understand what cost implications where reactive soils occur you are dealing with! including the cost of the capping layer and the necessity of installing a gravel drainage layer. SUBGRADE CONDITION The other problem associated with The subgrade is the base on which the turf reactive soils is where drains are trenched profile is constructed and whether it is a sports through the reactive soil which then results field, golf green or racetrack the integrity of that in compromising of the drains as well as the base is fundamental in achieving a successful localised expansion of the soil and localised outcome. Unstable, poorly compacted irregularities in the playing surface. or reactive subgrades will often result in TAKE HOME MESSAGES: Research the local subsidence and localised mounding which will geological conditions and the history of the impact the integrity of the playing surface. site (e.g. was it a tip). Undertake geotechnical In the time that I have worked with investigations and be sure to communicate with SPORTENG there have been numerous the client. projects undertaken on both green field sites and existing fields that have inbuilt problems PLANNING which affect the formation of the subgrade Committing time to planning is the key to including reactive clays, contaminated soils, success for any project or program. As uncompacted soils, saturated soils/high water obvious as it sounds, there are many examples table, uncontrolled fill and rock. of where projects are rushed and there is It goes without saying that it’s important Understand what you are dealing with. With an existing insufficient time committed to sitting, thinking, site, a detailed assessment of soil conditions, including to know what you are building on. There have sampling and testing, is critical to determine whether discussing (arguing), producing a draft of the been many older sports fields built on old they can be reused plan and specifications, reviewing and then SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 31 JOHN NEYL AN parameters within which the project must operate. The more detailed the specification in terms of materials and process, the less opportunity there is for shortcuts to be taken. It is also important to note that in times of dispute the specification will be the primary reference point when determining responsibility. The specification must have a set of hold points at which the quality of work and materials are checked before works can proceed. These may be: l Completion of base works; l Installation of drainage (including trenching, gravel and pipework); l Irrigation system installation; l Gravel and rootzone installation (including properties); and l Turf establishment. The great weakness of any specification is how the project is then managed and adhering to the specification and the hold points. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: The specifications It goes without saying that it’s important to know what you are building on. Where contaminated soils are detected, must clearly detail the process, the testing it may be required to lay an orange geofabric as an indicator that there are contaminated soils below requirements and the hold points. finalising. Being time poor is an often quoted going to help if the field has to be ready for problem for turf managers, however, when it the start of the cricket season. If an earlier CONSTRAINTS comes to a new project time must be set aside start date is required it may mean that the user Every project will be subject to some type of to plan thoroughly, exploring all the things that groups will have to vacate before the end of constraint whether it is known at the time of could go wrong and the possible constraints their season. Communication is key in working planning or occurs unexpectedly once the on the project. the client through the likely outcomes and the project commences. The constraints that have Many projects have an ‘impossible’ restraints. appeared in recent projects that I have been timeframe and an unrealistic expectation of the TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Review the involved with include reduced supplies of the end product within the constraints of the due ‘completion date’ and then work backwards. Is correct gravels and sands, environmental by date. This seems to be the way of modern the timeframe achievable? impacts, rock and/or contaminated soils, poor life and can only be dealt with through detailed water supplies, turf quality and conflicting planning. SPECIFICATIONS advice from regulatory authorities. It is always advisable to look at the The specifications and documentation for These types of constraints are not new, preferred date of completion and work any project are crucial to the outcome of that however, taking the required time to assess the backwards, firstly to see what time of year the project. The specification is a detailed set of site of the project and thoroughly investigating turf is likely to be laid and the earliest date the requirements to be satisfied by the materials, each of the important elements means that you project can feasibly start. For example, having design, product or service. A specification will be forewarned and then better able to plan. to plant warm-season grasses in winter is not is a type of technical standard that sets the TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Be prepared for contingencies. Stop, review and advise. SANDS AND GRAVELS In several areas of Australia the ability to source the appropriate sands and gravels is becoming more difficult. As pits become depleted or there are demands for materials by other industries, the specific needs for a turf project can be difficult to achieve. It is not only sourcing the appropriate materials that meet the specification, but also ensuring that the volume of material of consistent quality can be provided. If you are responsible for sourcing the gravel and sand, the process involves; l Specifying the physical and chemical parameters of the sand and gravel; On reactive soil sites, installing a capping layer consisting of a non-reactive material is often required so that a stable platform can be formed on which to construct the turf profile 32 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 l Collecting typical samples; l Testing the prospective materials in an accredited laboratory and then deciding on the best source. Once the materials are selected, the preferred samples become the benchmark for the project. These benchmark samples are then the reference point for all future samples taken as part of the quality control process. Testing throughout the project can be a challenge if the materials begin to drift outside of the agreed envelope. A problem that I have noted is that some material suppliers either do not understand the precise nature of the specification for turf projects or underestimate their ability to deliver materials of consistent quality throughout the project. In deciding on the supplier of materials it must include discussions with the supplier in terms of their understanding of the specification and whether they can deliver the tonnage required. The more detailed a specification is in terms of materials and process, the less opportunity there is for shortcuts to Many sands that the turf industry deals be taken which can create problems further down the line with are processed sands that may involve particle size manipulation through washing, WATER SUPPLY TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Securing a sieving and blending. Blending materials can Water is the limiting factor for many new sustainable water supply must be at the top of often be problematic, particularly where the projects. For example, a new golf course is the list. characteristics of the raw materials are not likely to be remote from a secure water supply clearly understood. Small movements in the and will eventually be relying on stormwater CONTRACTORS AND silt and clay content in particular can have collection, recycled and bore water and rivers. SUBCONTRACTORS a dramatic effect on drainage and moisture The key questions are: is the water readily Selecting a contractor can be a stressful retention. Consistency is the key. available, what infrastructure needs to be put in process, particularly if they are unknown and If a principle contractor is employed to place to get the water to the site, what permits do not necessarily have a proven track record. undertake the works it is not always possible are needed and are there any environmental A few points to consider and questions to ask to control the source of the materials. However, constraints? include: it should be requested that the contractor Almost invariably the water supply is left l What projects have they undertaken and nominates the source of the materials and to last and the volumes required are grossly the size of the projects? to provide a capability statement from the underestimated, particularly during the l What is the expertise of the staff supplier in terms of experience and processes construction and establishment process. When employed? employed (including internal testing). multiple areas on a site are being worked on l What equipment do they have? TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Do not compromise and juvenile turf being established, there can l What subcontractors do they use (e.g. on quality. be a substantial strain on the water source. irrigation, grow-in)? INNOVATION YOU CAN APPLY Visit Introducing Quali-Pro Nutmeg ADAMA.COM ® TM to learn more The new way to control Nutgrass and Mullumbimby Couch (plus numerous broadleaf weeds) in ALL commonly grown warm and cool season grasses. Follow us ®Registered trademarks of an ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Company. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 33 JOHN NEYL AN l Check out each company’s work. be watered and watering by hand is strongly l Interview prospective contractors and quiz advised. During the first week or so the turf them on the processes they employ. and underlying sand must be kept moist at all From recent experiences, contractors times and it is imperative the irrigation system tendering for work will often come up with is capable of providing the required amounts alternatives for the construction of the of water. profile, drainage layout, grassing options Washed turf certainly avoids any and irrigation. An experienced and well- problems with contaminating the rootzone credentialed contractor can value add to the with incompatible soils, however, turf with project and well-considered alternatives should a compatible soil backing does assist the be considered. However, if you have planned establishment process. Even a thin layer of the project thoroughly and there are particular a compatible soil type will assist in retaining elements that are important to you, don’t moisture which reduces the problems of compromise. Washed turf certainly avoids any problems with transplant shock. Tender review is an interesting process contaminating the rootzone with incompatible soils, Whether grassing involves solid turf, sprigs and on large projects an experienced project however, can provide a challenge especially when or seed, a high level of fertility is essential. being laid and established during hot weather manager can be useful in working through From recent experiences the fertility can drop all of the elements and deciding if the costs In my experience the quality and off very quickly, particularly on sand profiles. quoted for each component are realistic. consistency of the turf can vary, particularly if Regular fertilising with nitrogen, phosphorus Prices that are at odds with what you may it comes from different farms. The most likely and potassium is required to ensure recovery expect them to be or are dramatically different variables are that the turf is not necessarily the from transplant shock and the generation of to other tenders could be due to: variety specified and the condition of the turf root systems, stolons and rhizomes and to l A genuine mistake; is poor (i.e. variations in turf density, health, promote strong shoot growth. On most sand l Misinterpretation of the specification; thatch, weeds, purity etc…). The end product profiles, a base of a controlled release nitrogen l Reflects poor quality materials; can be a patchwork effect with some areas source will provide a buffer against leaching l Complexity of the work; or establishing more quickly than others and then losses, however, the quick-release fertilisers l The profit margins are too high. there is the variation in the appearance of the are considered to be more effective during the Again the specification is very important in surface. establishment process. creating tight parameters that the contractors The delivery of turf during hot weather TAKE HOME MESSAGE: It is essential to must work within when pricing the project. If can be a major challenge and must be on inspect the turf farms supplying the turf and there are discrepancies ask for clarification. the truck for the minimum amount of time, the sprigs. Reject poor quality turf as it will TAKE HOME MESSAGE: The cheapest price delivered over night or early morning and laid set the project back and closely monitor the may not provide the intended outcome. immediately (and watered). Turf during hot establishment process. weather can increase in temperature quite GRASSING dramatically and will invariably result in scald HANDOVER The quality of the turf and its establishment marks and turf loss. When to take over the completed works is a is both the most exciting part of the project Washed turf is used extensively on sand vexed question. Do you take it over as soon and the most exasperating. The specification profiles and during hot weather it can provide as possible or allow the contractor to maintain must describe the quality requirements of considerable challenges. While it seems the turf until it is ready for play? There is no the turf, sprigs and seed, how they are to be incredibly obvious, water is the absolute key straight answer, however, in my experience established and maintained. to success. As soon as the turf is laid it must the sooner the greenkeeping staff take over the turf management the quicker a playable surface is developed. Once the turf is planted/ laid/seeded there can at times be a relaxation in the intensity of work, particularly if the contractor does not have a dedicated and experienced turf management team. Allowing the turf management team to take over the works early often provides the opportunity for more of the ‘fine-tuning’ processes to be employed such as reducing cutting heights, increasing mowing frequency, dethatching and dusting that may not be reflected in the specifications for the grow-in period. CONCLUSION The basics of good construction have not changed. A detailed specification, thorough planning, selecting the correct materials and attention to detail are some of the key elements to a successful outcome. Once you Whether grassing involves solid turf, sprigs or seed, a high level of fertility is essential. Regular fertilising with have decided on what you want, stick to it and N, P and K is required to ensure recovery from transplant shock and the generation of root systems, stolons and do not let price compromise the job. rhizomes and to promote strong shoot growth 34 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Our Long Game Is YOUR SUCCESS TTS-800 Rotors Pilot® Integrated Hub Pilot Command Center Software From best-in-class TTS-800 rotor technology developed over decades of research to highly agile and intuitive Pilot Command Center software, we’re proud to offer the most reliable and water-efficient golf irrigation solutions in the industry. Backed by the highest-quality products and unwavering partnership, you can keep irrigation in check to focus on what matters most: healthy, playable courses. That’s the power of innovation. Life is better with Hunter golf irrigation solutions. Contact us at hunterindustries.com/golf to learn why. GOLF IRRIGATION | Built on Innovation ® National Free Call: 1 800 HUNTER Tel: 1 300 856 368 Suite 7, 202 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Toll Free Fax: 1 800 651 680 Fax: 1 300 856 369 Melbourne, Victoria, 3168, Australia www.hrproducts.com.au www.nelsonirrigation.com.au Tel: 61 3 9562 9918 hrsales@hrproducts.com.au info@nelsonirrigation.com.au Fax: 61 3 9558 6983 PETER McMAUGH AM Natural vs synthetic ATM expert columnist Peter McMaugh delves into the natural turf vs synthetic turf debate and some of the concerns surrounding the rise in synthetic field installations. PHOTO: EM_VA/STOCK.ADOBE.COM 36 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 I n early May the Public Spaces Division of them. This assumption is quite wrong. The This too is mythical if the attention to proper of the NSW Department of Planning, data produced by the purveyors of synthetic detail is applied. There are certainly instances, Industry and Development facilitated turf about natural turf fields was not only well recorded, where annual costs have been a series of open space and synthetic completely wrong, but also highly misleading suggested as being as low as $60,000 per surfaces workshops. The department in the way it was presented. field per year when the reality comes in at employed Ethos Urban to run three workshops The claims that 10-15 hours per week is $250,000/year. Even a high quality turf facility (two face-to-face and one Zoom) with the total a natural grass field can cope with is in the community area comes in at about advocates for synthetic turf and scientists a total fabrication, when we have factual data $280,000/year/field. These costs will also active in the turfgrass industry present at the which shows natural fields being used without be quite variable because no two natural meetings, including yours truly. excessive deterioration for 49 hours per week. fields have anywhere near the same input The meetings were restricted to 25 people And even more is possible! requirements unless they are side by side on and most of the invitees were from local There is a real problem with how data is the same site. councils and sports user bodies. The two-hour collected in this area because what is used The only reliable costing of the full life meetings comprised a roundtable discussion currently is booked hours by user groups. costs of a synthetic field compared with a focussing on a number of areas; Not only do these vary in size, but they do natural field has been done by Dr Paul Lamble l How local fields were used (e.g.: formal or not reflect the casual use often by young who besides being a very well credentialed informal recreation) and the positives and children kicking a ball around. There is a huge scientist also has a commerce degree. These negatives of such usage; difference in wear rates from sprigged shoes of have been done in two ways: l The impact of increased adoption of an 80kg man (and bigger) compared with flat l Comparing construction costs and synthetic sports surfaces within the shoes of 30kg children. maintenance costs in $m/ha for full life; community; What is really needed to check use rates l The maintenance costs in $K/unit of l What factors inform councils in their is either human clipboard surveys and/or carrying capacity. decision-making processes when it comes surveillance camera recording use over a What is very interesting about this data is to upgrading and or selecting a surface defined period. As soon as you raise this, a that in both cases there is about a 400 per cent type; council, knowing it costs money, will not be difference in the higher cost of synthetic turf l What practices are currently in place to willing to pay for it. over well-maintained natural turf. manage fields within local council areas Without having accurate data you cannot Excessive cost is not their only problem. and whether they could be improved; and effectively argue any case. These surveys The real unsolved elephant in the room is l Alternative technology solutions and/ also need to be done several times a year so disposal at end of life. This point was made or management techniques available to that seasonal influences can be factored into again and again by those using the synthetics. increase grounds usage. the equation. All of this makes the case for The purveyors of synthetics say with While there were inevitable late starts, natural fields easy prey for the synthetic cause. confidence ‘We are working on this and we there was no overrun time and the effective Once they get the ear of the fields manager for are near a solution’. This has been their manta discussion time was a bit less than 90 minutes. councils and the councillors themselves, then forever. It is always ‘The next generation is far Senior public servants from the department the case for natural turf becomes much more superior and will solve those problems’. There were at the meetings but deliberately did not difficult to present. have been at least five generations and the take part in the discussions. The day after the problems stay the same. sessions were run, a survey was sent out to INSIDIOUS PROBLEMS Now there are even more insidious the attendees. Apart from the mythical case for long use problems, some from the crumb rubber In the week prior to the 4 May meeting, hours, the other very big selling point to (mainly recycled tyres) infill, but more so the one of the Greens MPs David Shoebridge council is much lower maintenance costs. microplastic particles from the wear on the organised a webinar at which Drs Mick Battam and Scott Wilson spoke about natural turf and some of the problems with synthetic turf. This was an important webinar because it highlighted how research into problems arising from synthetics is strangled for funds, while the NSW Government has been handing out grants worth millions of dollars to councils to install synthetic turf fields. Natural turf has never received any funding from the NSW Government for upgrades to fields or for research into how to build and better maintain natural turf fields. While it does support stadium constructions, community fields have an empty begging bowl. The impetus for most of these grants is the assumption that natural turf fields are PHOTO: NEARMAP incapable of the workload that is being asked Synthetic turf has become increasingly popular for use on council sporting fields in recent years, but there are significant concerns within communities about its use In recent years the NSW Government has handed out grants worth millions of dollars to councils to install synthetic and some of the problems they inherently create turf fields, but little in the way of resources to help natural turf surfaces perform better SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 37 PETER McMAUGH AM PHOTO: TURF AUSTRALIA Thermal imaging clearly shows up the extreme differences between a synthetic field and natural turf surface temperatures fibres themselves which wash into the drains something the proponents want to sweep was fascinated to hear from councils that in and then the ocean. This is in addition to the under the carpet. In any other industry practice every high use venue whether natural already very serious insidious problem of WorkCover would make it illegal to use the or synthetic has lights. These lights create the shedding of microplastics from clothing field. Yes, it does happen, say the synthetic their own problems, because they are mostly and many other sources. Dr Scott Wilson’s proponents, but we can cool them with water. designed to illuminate the central playing research programme at Macquarie University So that makes them slippery and increases strip rather than the whole venue (especially on this is strapped for money. danger of injury from that side. on dual use venues). This means that areas The councils answer to this is, ‘Now On a 380C day, natural turf will have other than the main strip which could be used that we are aware of the problem we have a temperature around 360C. By contrast, for training and lesser community use, remain improved the filters in our drains to nullify the synthetic turf at shoe height will be as much untouched, increasing the load on the main problem’. All I can say is that you need very as 680C and at shoulder height 540C. By way strip. On natural fields they also attract insect special filters to deal with microparticles and of comparison, a bitumen road would be pests to the fields. the cost of these is huge if you are going to be 660C! There are many recorded examples During the discussion most of the councils really effective. Sanitising the fields, especially of children with blistered feet walking on it vigorously denied the research that shows the if they are open to dog walkers, is also another in shoes and where the synthetic soles on increase in injuries that occur on synthetics. serious and costly problem. playing boots have melted on synthetics. At I found this very interesting because all the Bad as all these aspects are, by far the the NSW Football Centre in Blacktown, there is elite players I have heard speak about their worst problem is that they become heat sinks a synthetic field which the elite players refuse preference for natural turf over synthetics that are inherently extremely dangerous to to train on in the heat. quote injuries and fatigued legs because the the point of being life-threatening. The fact To get the use levels that the purveyors surface is hard. that they are inherently so dangerous that say is possible with synthetics, you have they could cause heatstroke and death is to use them at night with the lights on. I RESOURCES, RESEARCH NEEDED During the summing up process there was certainly general evidence of areas where natural turf could not survive, such as heavy shade areas under trees which persists all day through winter. The consensus was that synthetics do have a place but that it is limited. It was also interesting to hear that community use of synthetic fields increased greatly when organised sport ceased because of COVID- 19 control bans. This was especially true for dog walking but not for mothers with prams meeting on synthetics. I felt very strongly that the way the PHOTO: MIKKEL BIGANDT/STOCK.ADOBE.COM discussion was channelled that one of the main purposes of the meetings was to justify the historical decision of the government encouraging the use of synthetics through financial grants, and big ones at that. There Elite players regularly speak about their preference for natural turf over synthetics because of injuries and fatigued legs due to a hard and abrasive surface 38 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 was little time to discuss how to get natural turf frequent student exercise on my Qualturf why they have high staff turnover and that is to perform better than it does at present. farm at Richmond looking at root depth in another factor which makes it hard to keep There is, however, an increasing drive the silty loam soils of the lowlands area of high quality maintenance programmes active. by water authorities, mostly so far in regional the Hawkesbury River. At depths of 3m white I know of one council north of Sydney where areas, to see how they can get the best value active couch roots could still be found. their budget is $900/ha/year. out of their water use on community fields. This How efficiently a plant uses water is Fortunately there are currently a number of is not a recent problem; it has in my 56 years extremely important because it is the driver of trials of grasses in progress at venues covering in turf been a perennial problem. plant extension. The natural vigour of a plant different climatic experiences. These will be When City Parks in Canberra introduced automation and soil moisture sensor control into their playing fields, they cut water use }By far the worst problem with synthetics is that they become immediately by 50 per cent. Water is such a precious commodity and it will become more heat sinks that are inherently extremely dangerous to the point so in the future that all water authorities are very serious about using it in best practice of being life-threatening~- Peter McMaugh AM ways. One of the first and most important and the extent of its vertical growth compared invaluable in showing the potential of new decisions that any council can make is to get with its lateral growth is supremely important in grasses to change things for the better. rid of kikuyu out of their parks because it can recovery from heavy use. It is very obvious from the way the councils use as much as 10 per cent more water than In the experimental work I have been spoke that the current government grants couchgrasses. While we look at the evidence doing over the last three or four years, I have scheme for improving community participation for this, we are also uncovering the fact that overwhelming evidence that in general the is not working and requires a major overhaul. couchgrasses can present well at as little as hybrid C.dactylon x C.transvaalensis have What the industry also needs is further 40 per cent of ET if their growing medium is at very poor rhizome production both in number education opportunities for their senior staff as optimum levels for oxygen/water ratios. and length. Moreover, their growth habit well as the lower echelons. All of this requires We already know that some couchgrasses is predominately vertical. This is why they resources such as long-term grass plots which perform better than others under water stress develop excessive thatch. again costs money. If the money tree can’t and wear and that the major reason for this is Back to the councils, and one of the grow to accommodate this then we are going the presence of a high rhizome volume. There outstanding things was their general ignorance to stay for a long time in an unhappy place. is also the question of root volume. The closer of current research findings and their The government grant to Willoughby the internodes are in stolons and rhizomes the reluctance to change their practices. Their Council of $10 million for one large field at St greater the root volume to explore larger and comfort zone seems to be quite small. Their Leonards would be sufficient to set up a chair deeper voids of soil. overall budgets are, by any standard, pitiful at a university to give the education stimulus When Dr Peter Martin started teaching and this in turn means that their pay levels to the industry needs. When will the ‘natural turf turf courses at Sydney University he did a staff are very low. This is part of the reason fairy godmother’ arrive? FIRST SYNTHETIC TURF GUIDELINES FOR NSW O n 10 October 2021 the NSW I have asked the NSW Chief Scientist and Department of Planning, Industry Engineer to further investigate the impacts, and Environment announced that and any alternatives that can be used in the use of synthetic surfaces for sporting our parks and public spaces to support fields and public open space is being development of the state’s first set of investigated by the NSW Chief Scientist guidelines.” and Engineer, to help inform the state’s first The initial report recommends: guidelines on the use of the product. l Providing consistent state-wide guidance The announcement came as the NSW to councils and industry in the planning, Government released the Synthetic Turf design and management of synthetic Study in Public Open Space (pictured), surfaces in public spaces; an initial report that outlines the potential l Reviewing the planning process to social, environmental and economic impacts, ensure the views of the community inform benefits, and limitations of using synthetic turf decisions regarding the use of synthetic as a replacement for natural grass in public versus natural turf surfaces; and open spaces. Minister for Planning and Public l Further research on the human health Spaces Rob Stokes commissioned the study and natural environmental impacts, such in response to community concerns about as urban heat island effect, microplastics, urban heat, and environmental and social use in bushfire-prone areas, social impacts of synthetic surfaces. implications and surface alternatives. “Synthetic turf has become increasingly To view the Synthetic Turf Study in Public popular for use on sporting fields in recent Open Space visit planning.nsw.gov.au/policy- years,” says Mr Stokes. “But there are about its use and councils need consistent and-legislation/open-space-and-parklands/ significant concerns within the community guidelines that address the pros and cons. synthetic-turf-study. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 39 JOHN FORREST Students at Kalgoorlie’s Goldfield Baptist College now have one of the best turf ovals in town thanks to a recent upgrade Turf oval gold ATM columnist John Forrest looks at the recent project undertaken by Goldfields Baptist College in Kalgoorlie to transform its once poor-performing sports oval into a new green oasis. R egional centres in Australia of town, the college grew steadily until its facilities in Kalgoorlie is challenging due to the thrive on sport and one of the current site was purchased from the City of hot summers and recycled water supply which challenges is the cost of building Kalgoorlie-Boulder near the local airport. has high levels of sodium and chloride. and maintaining suitable facilities. For a number of years the college had a The existing irrigation system was tested It can be difficult determining how sports oval that struggled for turf coverage. for uniformity and application requirements to move forward, with the important ingredient This was a result of poor irrigation uniformity, reviewed. The watering window was found to being long-term sustainability. lack of maintenance programming, poor soil be a major problem and was far too long to be Kalgoorlie is located in the Goldfields characteristics and elevated salts from the sustainable. Results of the testing ultimately in Western Australia, 595 kilometres east- recycled water supplied by the local sewage showed a system that was not capable of northeast of Perth with a population slightly treatment plant. supplying the water to maintain the proposed over 29,000. The climate is more often than not After years of dissatisfaction, the school playing field. hot and dry from late spring through to mid- board decided to audit the irrigation system as Water quality assessments also showed up autumn (see Table 1 for Kalgoorlie’s long-term well as cost an oval upgrade. Mark Stillwell, the some concerns. The recycled water supply has temperature and rainfall averages). Water has college board’s deputy chair, put his hand up an adjusted sodium adsorption ratio (adj SAR) been in short supply in recent years as a result to project manage the development, one which of 9.7, a pH of 7.9, sodium at 254ppm and of very little rainfall, with the long-term average would give students a badly needed area chloride at 370ppm. Throw in high evaporation rainfall of 264mm per year. where they could play sport and keep active. rates and going forward water management This year got off to a good start with During hot summer days, having a natural will play a defining role in the ongoing 96.4mm falling in February (78mm of that in turf oval would also help cool the immediate condition of the new oval. One bonus was one dump), filling up the water storage dam environment, a big plus in a location such as the three 60,000-litre fibreglass water storage which was virtually dry. Winter was consistent Kalgoorlie. tanks that had already been installed on site with about 97mm falling from June through to to supply the existing irrigation system. These August, while October has been a good month ASSESSMENTS were connected to the recycled water source as well with 26mm. A number of important initial assessments were that is organised and controlled by the City of Servicing the township are a number of undertaken prior to the upgrade beginning. Kalgoorlie-Boulder. primary and secondary schools. Goldfields These included measuring the size of the Baptist College is a private school for prep to proposed site, investigating the suitability of IRRIGATION SYSTEM Year 12 students and has been a part of the the soil on site, irrigation system performance, The new irrigation system for the college local community since 2000. Originally housed water quality testing and the likely impacts of was designed by Elliotts Irrigation. Stations in temporary accommodation on the grounds high evaporation rates through the warmer ran across the ground parallel to the school of the Kalgoorlie Baptist Church in the centre months. Designing and constructing turf to allow for runtime adjustments depending 40 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 on wear from the students. Immediately next to the school buildings, where students are most likely to play during lunch and recess, turf will be subjected to more wear and have a higher water demand. Areas furthest from the buildings, such as those near the practice cricket wickets, will not require the same recovery and water application can be reduced. Annual water budgets were calculated on a Crop Factor of 60 per cent to enable forecasts to be made for future water costs. The recent installation was Stage 1 of the project, with a second stage being considered in the future if demand for a larger playing surface is needed. As such, the mainline was run to the perimeter of the Stage 1 work area along with 2-wire control for future expansion. Like so many areas in Australia, temperatures in late spring can fluctuate. Kalgoorlie can experience several days in the low 20s before jumping up into the mid Prior to the upgrade the sports oval had continually struggled with turf coverage, a result of poor irrigation uniformity, lack of maintenance programming, poor soil characteristics and elevated salts from the recycled water to high 30s. As such, establishment irrigation supply programmes needed flexibility to meet turf requirements while not over or under watering. management factor going forward for the new close to 0mm/hr drainage. A local soil supplier, To assist the college’s gardener Brian Quick, oval, the school is to purchase a hand-held Kalgoorlie Soil & Gravel Supplies, had a supply catch cups were used to determine actual moisture meter to enable Quick to quickly and of sand that was a big improvement on the outputs per minute in order to provide a effectively determine moisture levels and adjust existing profile and 1425m3 of topsoil sand starting point in the calculation of runtimes. irrigation application rates accordingly. (to a depth of 150mm) was used to finish the The area nearest the school has I20 Hunter surface. Due to the slower infiltration rate of the sprinklers and on the playing field itself there SOIL PROFILE subsoil and the finer particle size, there may are I25s. Results enable data to inform how Soil samples were taken from 10 locations be some perching at the interface of the two many millimetres per hour is being delivered across the ground where it was indicated that soils and on the rare occasion when there is to the ground. From there the system could be turf could be planted for both Stage 1 and enough rainfall creating a zone that does not set up to meet 60 per cent evapotranspiration 2 works. The areas that the samples were dry out too quickly. rate as a starting point. The SDS Signal taken were also filled with water as an in-situ Concerns about the seed bank were controller is ideal to make adjustments quickly trial to see if the water drained. Kalgoorlie’s addressed by taking the top 50mm of soil off and efficiently as required. low rainfall and a soil that contains a higher the surface which also removed the existing As with many school gardeners, their than ideal percentage of fines makes for an patchy turf coverage and the old irrigation role includes turf maintenance as well, so interesting contrast. system. The surface was then deep-ripped to a being proficient in managing the school oval The existing soil under compaction had a depth of approximately 200mm and five tonnes is important. With water being the major hydraulic conductivity at 32 drops providing of gypsum incorporated. Thorough assessments of the irrigation system, water quality and site soil characteristics were a critical part of the planning process for the new ground SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 41 JOHN FORREST PHOTO: NEARMAP Above: Aerial photo showing the oval upgrade area Left: Regular aeration, maintaining calcium levels, regular surface flushing and the use of penetrants will assist in the management of the new surface going forward GREAT ASSET TABLE 1: KALGOORLIE LONG-TERM AVERAGES Stillwell and his team at the college have done Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec a great job in managing the oval upgrade Mean Max 33.6 32.1 29.5 25.3 20.7 17.6 16.8 18.7 22.4 26.0 29.1 32.1 project. Kalgoorlie is like many mining Temp (°C) locations in WA where getting local contractors Mean Min 18.3 17.9 16.1 12.8 8.7 6.3 5.1 5.8 8.1 11.3 14.2 16.7 can be difficult. The earthmoving and sand Temp (°C) supply companies were both local and worked Mean Rain 27.2 32.4 25.5 20.0 25.1 27.1 23.9 21.3 13.3 15.7 18.8 16.3 well together. The irrigation and turf companies (mm) were both from Perth and programming them Source: Farmonlineweather.com.au all to meet the completion timeframe was critical to ensure the ground was down before Once surface levels were obtained by The original area that had irrigation the hot weather arrived. local earth moving contractor Ground Masters, installed was big enough to fit a single soccer Moving forward and maintaining the new- the irrigation system was installed. After the pitch which can be a minimum of 90 metres look oval in its first year will be very important. excavation of the trenches there were too long and 45 metres wide. In this case a High sodium and chloride irrigation water will many rocks in the soil, so trenches were pitch 90m x 50m (4500m2) was identified for create challenges with a soil that has slightly backfilled with the topsoil sand. After the grassing with kikuyu. more fines than ideal. Aeration, maintaining irrigation had been installed, the topsoil was Greenacres Group supplied the turf and calcium levels, having regular flushing brought in and levels were finished close to contractors travelled up to Kalgoorlie to lay irrigation events and using penetrants will play concrete path height, meaning the turf would it. The total amount of solid turf required, a key role in ensuring an optimum surface is finish 10-20mm above the paths to ensure the including the area closest to the school maintained. mowers would not hit the concrete. buildings, was just under a hectare (9600m2). Now that the oval has been completed, it has totally changed the school micro- environment. It is another example of the benefits that natural turf surfaces provide, helping to not only improve an environment but keeping students fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. Left: Deputy school board chair Mark Stillwell (left) project managed the oval upgrade, with school gardener Brian Quick now managing the new surface Above: Healthy root system one week after laying 42 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 RESEARCH STA Victoria recently funded a trial to assess the efficacy of various herbicides for the removal of perennial ryegrass from an established couch grass sward. Pictured are the plots 11 days after the September treatment In transition Throughout 2020, the Sports Turf Association of Victoria engaged AGCSATech to conduct a trial to assess various chemical options for the removal of perennial ryegrass oversown into a couchgrass surface. Senior agronomist Bruce Macphee provides a summary of the key findings. T hroughout the southern and provides an actively growing surface which can The Sports Turf Association (STA) of temperate regions of Australia, protect the couchgrass throughout the cooler Victoria funded a trial to assess the efficacy of perennial ryegrass (Lolium months. This improves both turf recovery and various herbicides for the removal of perennial perenne) continues to be one of visual aesthetics. Overseeded playing surfaces ryegrass from an established couchgrass the most popular turfgrass species also present well for television and spectators. sward. The objective was to provide utilised for winter sports turf surfaces. As temperatures increase during spring, information on the most effective options for Within these regions, the summer periods the ryegrass is then chemically removed or ryegrass removal and the ideal timing for the are often hot and dry, more suited to growing allowed to transition out naturally as warm transition back to a warm-season surface for warm-season grasses such as couchgrass weather and soil temperatures increase the summer sports. There are several herbicides (Cynodon dactylon) and kikuyu (Pennisetum stress on the ryegrass. The natural decline in registered for the selective removal of perennial clandestinum). However, the cooler months the ryegrass and the improved couchgrass ryegrass (C3) from couchgrass (C4) surfaces. see warm-season grasses go into varying growth results in a transition back to couch. The trial was established at Evergreen degrees of dormancy due to reduced ambient Turf, Pakenham (southeast of Melbourne) GRAPHIC: COURTESY OF SYNGENTA and soil temperatures. During winter, this in January 2020 with Santa Ana hybrid loss of colour, reduced growth rate and couchgrass installed using solid turf which lack of recovery potential can result in the was allowed to fully establish prior to being deterioration of warm-season grasses. This oversown with the ryegrass. is most obvious in high traffic areas such as goal mouths, ground access points and centre TREATMENTS corridors. The treatments consisted of seven herbicides On many premier and tier one municipal and an untreated control with three replicates Figure 1. Temperature, rainfall and soil temperature sporting facilities, ryegrass is utilised to of each treatment. The treatments were divided data for the duration of the trial. Treatment applications overseed warm-season grasses which (September and October) highlighted in red into an early application (September) and a 44 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 TABLE 1. TREATMENTS AND RATES l Turf quality: This was assessed as a visual Product Group Label rate Comments estimate integrating uniformity, density, T1 Destiny B 150g/ha Addition of surfactant health, texture, colour, growth habit and (Idosulfuron-methyl) presentation as a sporting surface. Turf T2 Coliseum B 120g/ha Addition of surfactant quality scores were based on a 0-9 rating, (Rimsulfuron) with 0 being of poor uniformity, vigour and T3 Monument B 225ml/ha Addition of surfactant health, 5 being a good quality acceptable (Trifloxysulfuron sodium) surface and 9 being excellent quality, T4 Tribute B 1.5L/ha Addition of surfactant highly uniform in vigour and growth habit. (Foramsulfuron) l Percentage of couchgrass present: This T5 Tribute/Destiny B As above Addition of surfactant was a visual estimate of green, actively (Tank mix) growing couchgrass. Ratings were on T6 Kerb D 2.3L/ha Watered in after application a 0-9 scale with 0 being no couchgrass (Propyzamide) 12mm of irrigation visible and 9 being 100 per cent T7 Crowbar A 2.5L/ha Addition of surfactant couchgrass coverage. These were also (Dichlofop-methyl) compared to the control plots which were T8 Untreated Control - - Couchgrass not oversown left as 100 per cent couchgrass. later application (October) to gauge if there l Significant periods of rain and cool RESULTS was an optimum timing for treatment. temperatures in early October 2020 kept CONTROL - SEPT TREATMENT Ordinarily, applications may be applied soil temperatures low well into October, The following are observations made at various several weeks earlier in Melbourne, however, slowing the emergence of couchgrass intervals following the first treatment made soil temperatures were still below 13°C well from dormancy. on 29 September 2020 (see Table 2). At 11 into October. Half of each plot received wear l Rainfall totals for October were above days after treatment (DAT), the effects of most to replicate regular use and determine if this average in all areas of Melbourne. treatments were clearly visible, with Crowbar influenced the performance of any treatments. l Temperatures throughout spring were the slowest to show signs of ryegrass control. Treatments used in the trial, along with rates, generally cooler than average. Treatments with wear tended to show greater are in Table 1 above. All products were applied effects when compared to unworn treatments. according to label rates and directions. ASSESSMENTS No long-term benefit was shown. At 21 DAT, The trial plots were oversown in April 2020 The following assessments were undertaken there was no significant difference between with a blend of perennial ryegrass varieties at a as part of the project: treatments, however, all treatments were rate of 300kg/ha. The ryegrass was allowed to l Control efficacy: The effect on ryegrass showing significant effect. fully establish and was maintained according was assessed based on damage to the At 30 DAT, there was still no significant to industry standard practices. plant, loss of colour, loss of leaf and difference between treatments, but there had reduction in density. A 0-9 rating system been some slowing of herbicide effects due WEATHER was used, with 9 being severe injury, to the cool conditions. At 60 DAT there was Temperature, rainfall and soil temperature no green colour and complete kill of all no significant difference between treatments data is shown in Figure 1. Key points to note ryegrass, 5 being minimum effective result and ryegrass had been effectively controlled in regarding weather conditions throughout the for control of ryegrass and 0 being no most treatments. duration of the trial include: visible damage or loss of turf. CONTROL - OCTOBER TREATMENT TABLE 2: RYEGRASS CONTROL - SEPTEMBER (DAT) The following are observations made at Treatment 11 DAT 21 DAT 30 DAT 60 DAT various intervals following the second Monument 5.0 7.7 8.0 8.7 herbicide treatment made on 23 October Destiny 3.3 6.7 6.0 8.0 2020 (see Table 3). At 21 DAT there was no Tribute/Destiny 5.0 7.3 7.7 8.0 significant difference in treatments, although Coliseum 4.0 7.3 5.7 6.7 Kerb, Crowbar and Tribute were initially Tribute 2.7 5.3 6.0 6.7 slower to react with ryegrass. AT 30 DAT, all Kerb 3.0 7.3 7.3 6.3 plots appeared to have gradual transition to Crowbar 0.7 4.0 4.7 5.0 couchgrass as soil temperatures increased. LSD (<0.05) 1.9 NS NS NS Herbicide effects were less noticeable with Key: DAT – days after treatment. 0 = no control, 5 = minimum acceptable control, 9 = total control increased couch activity, with a more gradual TABLE 3: RYEGRASS CONTROL - OCTOBER (DAT) Treatment 21 DAT 30 DAT 60 DAT Monument 4.3 8.3 8.3 Tribute/Destiny 5.3 8.0 8.3 Destiny 5.3 8.0 7.7 Tribute 5.7 7.0 7.7 Coliseum 5.0 7.7 7.3 Kerb 3.3 5.3 6.3 Crowbar 3.3 6.3 6.3 LSD (<0.05) NS 1.1 NS Key: DAT – days after treatment. 0 = no control, 5 = minimum acceptable control, 9 = total control Plots at 21 days after the September treatment SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 45 RESEARCH TABLE 4: TURF QUALITY (SEPTEMBER) Treatment PRE-TREAT 11 DAT 21 DAT 30 DAT 60 DAT 70 DAT 80 DAT Coliseum 4.7 5.0 3.3 4.3 5.7 7.0 7.3 Crowbar 4.3 5.0 3.7 5.3 5.3 6.3 7.3 Tribute/Destiny 5.0 5.7 4.3 5.0 6.0 6.3 7.3 Destiny 5.0 5.0 3.7 4.7 6.0 6.3 7.0 Tribute 4.3 4.7 3.3 5.3 6.0 6.0 7.0 Control 2.3 2.0 2.0 5.0 6.7 7.0 7.0 Monument 4.3 4.7 3.7 4.7 6.0 6.7 6.7 Kerb 5.0 5.3 3.3 5.0 6.0 6.3 6.7 LSD (<0.05) 1.2 0.9 NS NS NS NS NS Plots at 21 days after the October treatment Key: DAT – days after treatment. 0 = poor uniformity, vigour and health, 5 = good acceptable surface, 9 = excellent quality melting out of the ryegrass. By 60 DAT, l No chemical treatment had a significant all herbicides had effectively removed the effect in reducing overall turf quality. ryegrass with no significant difference between l Ryegrass was shown to improve overall treatments. turf quality and protect couchgrass from wear damage. TURF QUALITY Turf quality measurements are presented PERCENTAGE OF COUCH PRESENT in Table 4. Some of the key observations Tables 5 and 6 show the results for percentage regarding turf quality were; of couchgrass present for the September l While there was a noticeable drop in turf and October wear treatments. Recovery of quality 11-21 days after the first treatment couchgrass coverage was slow in some Plots at 30 days after the October treatment (29 September), turf quality quickly treatments, particularly plots which were l Timing of applications had no significant improved as soil temperatures increased subjected to wear. Slow recovery was difference on the efficacy of treatments. and couchgrass developed. attributed to low temperatures during spring l Monument or the Tribute and Destiny l There was some variation in turf quality rather than the effect of any treatments, with combination gave the quickest ryegrass due to the time various chemicals took soil temperatures still below 20°C until January control results with effective control being to take effect based on cold weather and 2021. achieved 30 days after treatment. slowing of effects. l Both Kerb and Crowbar are not registered l There was no significant difference in turf CONCLUSIONS for removal of perennial ryegrass in quality once soil temperatures increased From all the data gathered during the trial, the couchgrass turf. Non-turf registered and couchgrass commenced growth. following points can be concluded; herbicides were included in the trial to l Turf quality in couchgrass control plots l All Group B herbicides were effective assess suitability for removing ryegrass. under moderate wear was poor but quickly with no significant difference between The use of these herbicides does not infer recovered once growth commenced. treatments. that they should be used in this manner. l Some recovery of ryegrass was observed TABLE 5: PERCENTAGE OF COUCH (SEPT WEAR) with Kerb. Treatment 11 DAT 21 DAT 30 DAT 60 DAT 70 DAT 80 DAT l Resistance issues should not arise with Control 6.0 7.7 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0a ryegrass control due to the oversown Monument 3.3 6.3 7.3 8.3 9.0 8.7ab ryegrass being a new crop each year. Tribute/Destiny 3.0 6.7 7.7 8.0 8.3 7.7bc l Wear appeared to hasten the initial effects Destiny 2.7 5.7 6.3 7.0 7.0 7.3cd of several of the herbicides. Kerb 3.0 6.0 7.0 6.3 7.0 7.3cd l No herbicide significantly reduced overall Tribute 3.3 5.7 5.0 6.0 6.3 7.0cd turf quality. Coliseum 3.0 6.0 5.7 5.0 5.7 6.7d l Transition was less noticeable with later Crowbar 2.0 3.3 4.0 5.0 4.7 6.3d treatment as couch was coming out of LSD (<0.05) 1.2 NS 1.8 2 1.4 1.2 dormancy. Key: DAT – days after treatment. 0 = no couchgrass visible, 9 = 100 per cent couchgrass coverage. Values in 80DAT column l It should be noted that oversowing creates with same letters are not significantly different detrimental competition for couchgrass and areas of poor couchgrass coverage TABLE 6: PERCENTAGE OF COUCH (OCT WEAR) prior to overseeding are likely to result Treatment PRE-TREAT 11 DAT 21 DAT 30 DAT 60 DAT 70 DAT in poor transition in spring and the Control 6.0 7.7 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0a requirement for turf replacement. Monument 1.7 2.0 3.7 6.0 7.7 8.7ab Destiny 1.7 3.0 3.7 6.3 7.7 8.7ab ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tribute/Destiny 1.3 2.3 3.7 6.0 7.3 8.3ab This trial was funded by the Sports Turf Tribute 2.0 2.0 3.3 6.3 7.7 8.0bc Association of Victoria, with Evergreen Turf Coliseum 2.0 3.3 3.3 6.7 7.3 7.3c providing space at its Pakenham farm. Kerb 1.3 3.0 3.0 5.7 7.7 7.3c Syngenta, Bayer and Turf Culture are thanked Crowbar 1.3 2.0 3.0 5.0 6.3 7.3c for the supply of product for the trial. ATM LSD (<0.05) 0.9 1.5 1.3 1.0 0.9 0.7 wishes to thank STA Victoria for allowing Key: DAT – days after treatment. 0 = no couchgrass visible, 9 = 100 per cent couchgrass coverage. Values in 70DAT column publication of this research. with same letters are not significantly different 46 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 VEGETATIVE COUCHGRASS TRIAL UPDATE A GCSATech’s vegetative couchgrass trial being conducted at Sorrento Golf Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has come through winter well and plots are starting to move as the weather and soil temperatures increase. Several frosts during autumn and soil temperatures down below 10°C saw turf lose colour for much of the winter, however, it has been promising to see many varieties continue with strong rhizome development throughout the cooler months. The trial has been monitored for early growth and green up in the past months as the weather improves. All varieties were All varieties were established from sprigs. With a cooler than expected summer last year, all varieties have yet established from sprigs and with the cooler to achieve full coverage but are starting to move now temperatures are warming up again than expected summer last year, all varieties have yet to achieve full coverage. It is may be suited to a range of sporting period and are starting to move. These expected there will be significant growth once surfaces. The results, as they come through, grasses will also be observed over the soil temperatures increase. should provide turf managers with some vital summer period for suitability in the Melbourne Once fully established, wear will be information on how each of these varieties climate. Look for regular updates as the trial applied to a section of each plot to assess perform within Melbourne’s climate and which continues to develop this summer. wear tolerance and recovery. Towards the variety may be most suited to their particular end of summer, irrigation will be turned off to application. – Bruce Macphee, AGCSATech assess drought tolerance and recovery. There are also a range of zoysia There are a wide range of couchgrasses observation plots within the trial site which within the trial with varying textures, which have also persisted throughout the winter SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 47 RESEARCH Palmetto buffalo turf infected with panicum mosaic virus (PMV) Buffalo’s blight Recent research undertaken by the University of Queensland has helped the turf production industry to better understand the distribution and frequency of mosaic viruses in buffalo grass paddocks across the country. 48 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Y ellowing in buffalo grass has been impacting turf farmers across Australia, particularly in the eastern states, for several years. A strategic turf industry levy-funded project, titled ‘Identification and management of mosaic viruses and secondary pathogens in buffalo turf (TU19000)’, exploring the causes of the disease has recently concluded. Leading the research project was Dr Andrew Geering from The University of Queensland who says that buffalo grass yellowing is no simple beast. “Buffalo grass yellowing is enigmatic to say the least,” says Dr Geering. “Farmers across the country have tested many different control methods to stop the yellowing with varying levels of success. The focus for us Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) was was to identify exactly what was causing the the most damaging and widespread yellowing, so we set off on a tour of 27 turf of the viral pathogens detected farms across New South Wales, Queensland (pictured is Sir Walter) and Western Australia. Surveys in Victoria were unfortunately curtailed by the COVID pandemic east Queensland. This is the first time BGLV as symptoms were not always apparent. due to state border closures.” has been recorded outside of the USA and Interestingly, a related virus causes the disease Dr Geering and the project team demonstrates that the two agents responsible ‘barley yellows’ in Europe and symptoms of hypothesised that buffalo yellowing was for lethal necrosis are present here in Australia this disease are only sporadically expressed. caused by different types of virus, mainly and pose a threat to the buffalo industry. Virtually all farmers were unaware of the panicum mosaic virus (PMV) and sugarcane PMV had a much more restricted presence of plant viruses in their turf and mosaic virus (SCMV), but also sought to distribution than SCMV, as it was only found in had not implemented any control actions. identify any previously unrecognised viruses. one buffalo grass cultivar in the Hawkesbury Although some farmers implemented crop The most damaging and widespread of the Valley, but in affected paddocks was at a very hygiene practices, mainly to prevent cross- viral pathogens that was detected across the high incidence. Unlike SCMV, the analysis contamination of turf varieties, none of these farms surveyed was SCMV, which was present suggested just the single introduction of were adequate to prevent spread of the in all three states visited but most prominent PMV into Australia and localised dispersal viruses. in New South Wales. SCMV was found on within the Hawkesbury Valley. “PMV is the Dr Geering says that the curious case of all seven farms that were surveyed in the cause of St Augustine Decline in the USA and buffalo grass yellowing was compounded even Hawkesbury Valley, one of the state’s primary therefore priority should be given to preventing further because many cases of ‘buffalo grass turf production areas, and on two out of three further spread of this virus beyond its current yellows’ could not be attributed to PMV, SCMV farms in the Hunter Valley. restricted distribution,” says Dr Geering. or any other of the aforementioned viruses. In some paddocks, the incidence of SCMV A new virus called Stenotaphrum “Poor root health was a second cause infection approached 100 per cent and all nepovirus was also discovered and found to of yellowing in Queensland and New South major buffalo grass varieties were affected. be very common in all three states, but the Wales and a new species of curvularia was Symptoms of SCMV infection in buffalo economic significance of this virus was unclear frequently isolated from the rotting roots,” grass were obvious, with strong leaf mosaic patterns, narrower leaf blades and shortened internodes. “Our observations also suggested that plants weakened by SCMV were also more susceptible to fungal leaf spots and root rots,” says Dr Geering. The same strain of SCMV was also found in blue couch (Digitaria didactyla), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), Sabi grass (Urochloa mosambicensis) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana). Genetic analyses suggested multiple introductions of SCMV into buffalo grass from these alternative hosts rather than a single introduction and then dispersal through the trade of turf. Diagnostic tests were also done for Bermuda grass latent virus (BGLV), which causes viral lethal necrosis of buffalo grass in the USA when present as a mixed infection with SCMV. While BGLV was not detected in buffalo grass, it was found in a green couch Poor root health was a second cause of yellowing in Queensland and New South Wales and a new species of plant collected from a turf farm in south curvularia was frequently isolated from the rotting roots SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 49 RESEARCH same time have other benefits for soil health. Growers should avoid poultry manures and minimise nitrogen applications to reduce the build-up of fungal pathogens.” Soil, plant and irrigation water tests will also help prevent yellowing caused by non- disease related factors. For example, buffalo grass yellowing in Western Australia often is related to nutrition and can be resolved by applying soluble iron and manganese fertilisers. Yellowing associated with grass clippings could be prevented by sweeping or vacuuming of the paddock after mowing. BIOSECURITY MEASURES Yellowing associated with Both PMV and SCMV, the two viruses which root rot and leaf spot most commonly cause buffalo yellowing, can be easily spread from one turf farm to another. explains Dr Geering. “Some of the older is difficult without completely destroying the Therefore growers should be vigilant when literature suggests that overuse of nitrogen crop, containment practices are the most importing turf, particularly from other states fertilisers, and the build-up of thatch, favour effective tools for farmers to use. including New South Wales, the only state epidemics of this type of fungus.” Mower blades should be decontaminated where PMV has been found and where SCMV It was observed that this type of yellowing using high pressure hoses to dilute inoculum is most common. Inspections of turf moving often began from the turf ribbons remaining to below levels that cause infection. However, between states should be carried out at both from the previous crop, giving a ‘train-track’ the virus is only completely inactivated through the point of departure and arrival. pattern of yellowing. use of 1% commercial bleach. Additionally, turf “In a perfect world yellowing would be should be mowed only when dry to minimise NEXT STEPS attributed to one cause but the reality is much sap-contamination of the mower blades. There is no panacea for the yellowing of more complex,” notes Dr Geering. “Not only For yellowing caused by fungi, Dr Geering buffalo grasses seen throughout the country. is yellowing caused by a range of pathogens recommends a series of management Rather than a disease in and of itself, it’s a it can also be caused by several other factors practices to help reduce yellowing. symptom of several discrete diseases caused like nutrition, crop hygiene and water stress.” “Growers should consider cultivating by viruses, fungi or simply poor management the paddock after harvest, green manuring practices. Nevertheless, the impact of diseases MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO (e.g.: with Caliente mustard) and replanting like PMV and SCMV can devastate individual PREVENT BUFFALO YELLOWING from shredded stolons, rather than allowing turf farms and has the potential to further Accurate diagnosis of the cause of each regrowth from old turf ribbons, as methods impact the broader industry. Growers who case of buffalo grass yellowing is the key to to prevent yellowing,” says Dr Geering. notice yellowing should seek to have their turf successful management. There is no cure for “Increasing carbon-nitrogen ratios in the soil tested immediately to identify if the issues are plant viruses, so containment and eradication will also likely reduce buffalo grass yellowing caused by a virus. If this is the case, urgent are the only options. And because eradication caused by fungal pathogens and at the measures should be taken to contain the virus. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project was funded through the Hort Innovation Turf Fund using the turf R&D levy and contributions from the Australian Government. ATM thanks Turf Australia for allowing publication of this research. KEY POINTS l Buffalo grass yellowing is caused by several different factors including viruses, fungi and turf management practices. l Each cause of buffalo grass yellowing has different risk factors and management practices. l Infection by viruses was a major cause of yellowing in New South Wales. l Root health issues were a secondary cause of yellowing in all states. l More research and resources are required to continue to fight buffalo grass yellowing. A fact sheet has been produced for turf growers detailing the best approaches to combatting buffalo yellowing 50 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 No matter what, play on. Stressgard isn’t just one product, but a whole portfolio that gives you flexibility and versatility; helping you deliver consistent, high quality playing surfaces under any conditions. Proven in independent research to enhance plant processes such as photosynthesis and chlorophyll production, the Bayer Stressgard range of fungicides works on the inside and outside of the plant to protect turf from fungal attack, heat, drought, traffic, shade and excess solar White radiation, so you can play on, no matter what. // Signature Xtra Stressgard // Exteris Stressgard // Interface Stressgard // Reserve Stressgard // Dedicate FORTE Stressgard ENVIRONMENT Woodend Golf Club northwest of Melbourne has received local council funding to undertake a re- wilding project to enhance the course surrounds. Pictured is Woodend’s signature par three 11th Re-wilding Woodend Kate Torgersen looks at the project to re-wild Woodend Golf Club northwest of Melbourne and the positive impact it will have on flora and fauna as well as the local community. A nnabel Sides is a resident in the for Sides to establish the company. Her aim Adapting now to the challenges that Macedon Ranges north west of is for sport to be involved in tackling climate courses and clubs will face ensures a future Melbourne who has a passion change and to build a better future for sport, where they can continue to deliver play and for future-proofing sport. During children and the planet. manage the disruptions with less impact on one of Victoria’s many COVID- We have all witnessed the impact of the financial security of the club, jobs, nature and enforced lockdowns, Sides approached me to ongoing global pandemic on community the health and wellbeing of club members and say the local council had a grant opportunity sport. Throughout long lockdowns, the effects the wider community. that would be perfect for golf courses within on the physical and mental health of golf This article aims to focus in on one action that shire. I knew straight away this could be club members and the wider community, in – re-wilding – that brings health to and fosters a fantastic opportunity to showcase the key particular young people, has been significant. resilience in the land, waterways, wildlife and environmental benefits of golf. It is hard to believe that as sport meets the people that call their golf course home. If the Sides is founder of Green Planet Sport, a challenge to ‘build back better’ post pandemic, world’s golf courses focus some time on land regenerative sport consultancy business that that it is not the pandemic that will be the use, then that’s a positive for the planet. offers advice to create a clear path to climate biggest challenge sport will face this decade. action through the development of bespoke The biggest challenge will be climate change THE STORY SO FAR purpose projects, grant finding and grant- and the associated complexity of disruptions Woodend Golf Club in the Macedon Ranges application writing. A childhood spent farming within our natural, social and economic is taking up the challenge to future proof and a lifetime in sport has been the foundation ecosystems. its course by embarking on a series of 52 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 activities to become more sustainable. In 2020 the Macedon Ranges Shire Council and consultants created the Woodend Region Climate Change Action Plan - Cool Changes 3442. When the shire’s community funding scheme was announced for 2020, Sides saw an opportunity for sports clubs to apply within the environment stream to pilot the region’s first Green Sport Action plan. As a member of Woodend Golf Club, Sides contacted secretary Barney Hearnden, which led to the creation of a collaborative grant application titled, Future Proofing Woodend Golf Club: A Green Sports Action. The application was successful. The club subsequently engaged Environmental Golf Solutions to create an environment master plan (EMP). Sides provided in-kind support for action planning, member surveys, partnership development and future proofing sport planning. On paper this sounds formal, complex and somewhat overwhelming. In reality, the consultants take the complex elements away. While the Woodend re-wilding project is still in its infancy, it has captured the imagination of golf club members as They create the maps, the plans, the plant well as receiving buy-in from local community groups lists and the activity ideas for greatest impact. This leaves the golf community to focus on the Plots for Year 1 include the raised and Davies has a keen eye for species project’s bones that make long-term success tufted grassland to protect an out-of-play zone identification and his love of the golf course, possible: the partnership, collaboration and from ball entry, a pollinator plot, a weed-control the game and the environment will continue community building, the ideas sharing and region abutting grassland due for regeneration to see the project thrive under his leadership, learning, and the connections. Re-wilding is all in Year 2 and several remnant grassland supported by an army of passionate Woodend about people looking after their place and all protection and enhancement sites. volunteers. creatures great and small that call it home. Woodend course superintendent Grant “Our revegetation project gives the club a The project is now at the point where Davies is one of the key players in the project chance to give back to the course that we play the course play zones (out-of-play, recovery to re-wild the course and its surrounds. Davies and love,” Davies says. “With Kate’s guidance and play) have been identified. Regeneration says the approach is to keep a balance of and the engagement of local community and and protection zones have been earmarked native vegetation and exotics. The course has environmental groups, we will over time see and first-year pilot sites allocated and plants a fairly even split between the two through significant cost and time savings with less time ordered. A mow and no-mow map is in design the front of the course and to the back where spent mowing rough and out-of-play areas. while nesting box type, number and locations most of the remnant vegetation and re-wilding The environment will benefit from the native are nearly finalised. opportunities lie. plantings and the increase in biodiversity. And SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 53 ENVIRONMENT community-funding scheme and together we are identifying walking paths to connect the spaces and collaborating on plant identification and revegetation management techniques. “In years to come the golf course’s re-wilded areas will be a great resource for Woodend Landcare to be able to show what is possible and upskill our members together with the club volunteers to identify local wildlife species and learn about revegetation management techniques.” William Terry from the Macedon Ranges Shire Council believes such a project as the one being undertaken at Woodend could be done on golf courses across Australia and has been impressed with the level of community engagement it has generated. “I am blown away by the opportunity for enhancing habitat at Woodend Golf Course,” says Terry. “The course re-wilding will support such a variety of wildlife. As nesting boxes are introduced, remnant vegetation is enhanced, The project is at the point where regeneration and protection zones around the course have been earmarked and first year pilot sites allocated and plants ordered weeds are controlled and plots of revegetation are put in place, we should see a resurgence the course will become an even more beautiful possibility in future years. Club members and in native species. It is exciting to think that the place to be.” staff joined with community representatives club may be home now and in the future to Club secretary Hearnden adds: “During from Landcare, Council, Woodend Bee near threatened or threatened species.” pandemic restrictions, over 80 per cent of Friendly Society and consultants to identify Ross Brierty from Woodend Bee Friendly our members surveyed missed the social plants and share information and new ideas. Society has applauded the club for the interaction that being part of the club provides. When asked about what the re-wilding creation of a bespoke pollinator plot on course This project offers another way for members project means to Woodend, representatives and says Australian golf courses should and the wider community to be involved at the were in agreement the project would provide consider investing in such work. club. significant benefits for local flora and fauna as “Woodend’s approach is almost an well as the Woodend community. extension of our community work to support COMMUNITY SUPPORT “This project is a great opportunity for two bees in the local environment,” says Brierty. While club members are getting behind community organisations to collaborate on “Offering support on location, plantings and the project, so too is the local community. connecting the natural environment unique to pitfalls of chemical use that can impact both To date there have been many ‘walks’ of our township,” says Peter Yates of Woodend native and introduced bees, along with hive the golf course to get the re-wilding project Landcare. “We are working on an environment type and location, helps everyone in the to its present point. The latest community master plan for the Five Mile Creek precinct community appreciate the importance of bees gathering showed what the maps and plans that adjoins the golf club. We supported and how to protect them as an integral part of mean, allowing a joint vision for the scope of each other’s application to the MRSC our food web.” Just some of the endemic species present at Woodend GC. Left is Wurmbea dioica (early Nancy), middle is Diuris chryseopsis (Golden moths) and right Pimelea humilis (common rice-flower) 54 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Kate Torgersen talks to members and community group Woodend has a fairly even split between native and exotic species, with the back nine where most of the remnant representatives during a recent course walk vegetation resides and re-wilding opportunities lie. Pictured is the par three 14th This aspect of the project also received transform a greenfield site into a pollinator stewardship. These types of changes are a tick of approval from Dr Mark Hall, a haven,” Dr Hall says. “It will also feed into critical to support healthy local pollinators.” postdoctoral research Fellow in the area the hive of pollinator activity and research of pollination, community and landscape being undertaken by the Upper Campaspe JUST THE BEGINNING ecology from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Landcare Network. The initiative of this sports While the Woodend re-wilding project is Environment (Western Sydney University). club to be part of supporting wildlife shows still in its infancy, so far it has captured the “The planned Woodend Golf Club their connection to their community and an imagination of golf club members as well as pollinator plot will be a great opportunity to understanding of new methods of course receiving buy-in from the local community. U S E R I N T E R FA C E SPECIAL OFFER Order your new TDR350 and start measuring your VMC, EC & Temperature today. Take up the introductory offer of $2195+gst and receive a set ORDER of 1.5 Or 3” tines FREE. NOW! M enti o n thi s a d to o bt ain of fer p r i ce. M us t en d D e cemb er 20 th 2021. NEED TO LOG YOUR DATA? Ask us about Spec Connect. The newest platform in collating your facilities data! i nf o@c o u n tr yc l u b.c o m . au | 1300 138 804 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 55 ENVIRONMENT Nature enthusiast and Woodend member Erica Fredriksen sums up what such a project means. “I am new to Woodend and the game of golf,” explains Fredriksen. “I have loved seeing the wildlife on course, in particular the birdlife, and the recent course walks have opened my eyes to so many plants I had never seen before. Golf is such a great way to connect to our natural world.” Editor’s Note: Woodend Golf Club will provide project updates through its social media channels as it evolves. Interested observers can connect with the club on Twitter @ GolfWoodend. The re-wilding project at Woodend offers another way for members and the wider community to be involved at the club RE-WILDING 101 – GETTING THE PROCESS STARTED A nnabel Sides and Kate Torgersen l Talk to a local Landcare to support seed provide some useful tips and advice banking for future regeneration projects. for golf clubs looking at re-wilding l Use the club platform to write about your their golf course. efforts to support wildlife. l Allocate time, money and resources l Contact local schools to see if they’re to re-wilding your club. This could be interested in a nature and junior golfer through applying for a grant, having a program. fundraiser or setting up a ‘green golfer’ l Offer local community engagement at the membership. club through walking tracks, outside of l Explore skills with your club to create tee times. an environment master plan (EMP) or l Leave what falls on country on country seek expert advice from a specialist and resist the temptation to clean up out- environmental consultant. l Talk to the local water-catchment authority of-play areas. l Find out who are the traditional owners of and see if there are ways to collaborate l Allow spaces to green, such as car park the land on which your club sits and seek with them to manage water quality and areas, rooftops and those out-of-bounds to engage with them. Welcome them revegetate and manage riparian zones. areas that can all contribute to habitat. on course and into your club to be part l See if you can work with local tree project l Promote re-wilding practices through of the planning process to share local volunteers to propagate or provide seed social media and broader media channels wildlife knowledge, land and waterway (especially if your course is located in an to connect people to your project. management techniques, as well as to urban area). l Utilise signage to showcase the identify local significance of the region. regeneration areas. l Ensure your EMP encompasses plant l Join a community of practice such as identification and pilot areas, longer- Environmental Golf Solutions, which term plans, water, fertiliser and chemical hosts Zoom chat sessions where people management, seed banking and weed can ask questions and listen to case control, seasonal-mow schedules, plus study examples. zone identification (riparian, grassland, l Know that when seeking funds, there are forest, remnant, revegetation or buffering). opportunities outside of normal sports l Identify out-of-play, recovery and play grants. A conversation with Annabel zones and what these mean and why Sides from Green Planet Sport can help the club has chosen them as part of the generate ideas around what might be environment master plan. available. l Investigate being part of a university l Take drone footage and pictures to study for habitat. compare your course in future years. l Provide club members and visitors with l Commence re-wilding in small out-of-play a bird guide and map as part of their zones or areas that already have native cart hire. Get them involved in local bird vegetation. count blitzes by encouraging them to l Look to include threatened or near- download an app and be part of the threatened endemic species in your annual Australian bird count and frog ID plantings. program. l Start today. 56 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Teven Valley. The Zoysia Golf Course of dreams. Teven Valley Golf course is the first wall to wall Sir Grange versatility to be used across the course when mown at different heights. Zoysia Golf Course in Australia. The nine-hole boutique The Zoysia exceeded the team’s expectations of a sustainable grass, course offers visitors a truly unique and tranquil experience. due to the low inputs of fertiliser, water and chemicals required, less mowing and high drought and wear tolerance. Designed by Craig Parry, Sir Grange Zoysia was chosen to not only look great but because it requires less maintenance for an environmentally The completed course has become a hit with both locals and visitors, friendly option. Sir Grange was also perfect for this project due to its resulting in the number of memberships growing dramatically. Exclusive to P | 1300 883 711 lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au MANAGEMENT Traits of a true leader Ben Gibson explains that leadership can be defined simply as ‘positive influence’ I love such a short, powerful description the development of a safety culture. According here at Scotch College. Develop, empower, of a life changing responsibility and to SafeWork Australia’s definition: mentor, trust. I live by this. I like to reinforce opportunity. Our role as leaders is to leave “Leaders are people who influence the that I’m doing this regularly. individuals, teams and organisations in attitudes and behaviours of others. Sometimes “As a coach, I draw a lot of pleasure from better shape than when we found them. they do this through their formal role and watching my players mature, improve as We do that by motivating and inspiring them sometimes by their personal influence. players and as people, and I feel privileged to beyond giving orders and exercising authority “A positive leadership and management play a part in this. Ultimately, I see my job is to gained through title. style can improve an organisation’s safety make them better players, better teammates, Real leadership exists only if people performance. There is strong evidence that better people, how to be competitive, how to follow when they would otherwise have the performance is improved when organisations be compassionate, show empathy, how to be opportunity to not follow. Many managers address safety risks along with other important a good winner and how to be a good loser, misconstrue leadership with simply exercising business risks.” and to always remain humble and hungry. power and giving orders. Whether in our personal or professional “I believe these are all important life skills. Global life and business strategist Tony lives, leadership and the opportunity to lead If you haven’t got their hearts, you haven’t got Robbins defines leadership as: are all around us and deeply ingrained in their minds.” “The ability to inspire a team to achieve the actions we take. Every decision we make a certain goal. It’s usually discussed in the provides the opportunity to lead and operate EFFECTIVE LEADERS context of business, but leadership is also how above or below the line – with our thoughts Let’s look at some behaviour of great leaders you, as an individual, choose to lead your life. and behaviours derived from our intent, values, we have observed across the turf industry. The true leadership definition is to influence, passion and commitment. Not necessarily in any particular order inspire and help others become their best AFL junior coach, father and grounds (although lead by example is a favourite), but selves, building their skills and achieving goals manager at Scotch College in Melbourne, the following is a summary of key leadership along the way. You don’t have to be a CEO, Michael Smith, keeps his leadership pretty attributes we have seen having the biggest manager or even a team lead to be a leader. simple: impact. Leadership is a set of skills – and a certain “I have learnt a lot from coaching kids psychology – that anyone can master.” through the various age groups. I like to apply Lead by example: A leader lets their actions, Effective leadership plays a pivotal role in the same principles when managing my team communication, punctuality, quality of work, 58 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Left: Our ability to connect, build relationships and establish trust with others is fundamental in our ability to inspire, engage and lead attitude, enthusiasm, professionalism, respect and empathy for others show how they want their team or colleagues to behave. Instead of “Do as I say not as I do”, a better maxim would be “Do as I say and do”. “I have always felt that leadership is about showing the team the behaviours, standards and culture you expect from them through your own actions and decisions,” says Richard James, superintendent at Adelaide’s Kooyonga Golf Club. “Leading by example doesn’t mean you have to always be on the tools with the “I have always felt that leadership is about showing the team the behaviours, standards and culture you expect team or in the bunkers. But rather showing from them through your own actions and decisions.” – Richard James, Kooyonga Golf Club them with your work ethic, commitment and communication that you are dedicated, and Understand that leadership is about people: what they do. A leader who doesn’t limits their also maintaining the standards you set for the Leadership is primarily about the why, some ability to inspire and engage others. team.” of the how, and less to do with the what. Our ability to connect, build relationships and Do what is right, even if it is tough: Strong Lead with integrity: Decisions and actions establish trust with others is fundamental in our leadership requires difficult decisions and even must come from a place of integrity that align ability to inspire, engage and lead. tougher action. Leaders have the commitment with the leader’s personal values and the goals to the vision, their teams and to ethical of the team. Anything less and the damage to Have solid values that they openly behaviour to perform difficult actions on behalf culture, level of trust and communication will communicate: Leaders let people know what of the organisation. Reluctance in this area is be immense. they stand for, who they are, and why they do one of the biggest failings in leadership. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 59 MANAGEMENT Listen (actively): Let’s not check our phones Use technology and are open to innovation: during a conversation or meeting. Ask relevant A great leader is open to change and doesn’t questions that show you are actually listening let ego or past behaviours get in the way of to your team. Use responsive body language the team’s improvement or success. Leaders to show you are interested in their opinion are constantly looking for new ideas and and input. Active listening is a compelling and opportunities to help the team improve. powerful leadership tool, but one which is The range of technology and software often not practiced. Think of the people in your available to the turf industry provides huge life who actually listen properly to you. How do opportunities to improve all aspects of turf Michael Smith (left) and Jim Porter you feel about them? management. No need to live on your device, Have the courage to have the difficult but there is ready access to bucket loads of conversations: I have often heard the Are always composed: A quote attributed to industry knowledge, data and information. maxim, “Those without the courage to lead French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte shouldn’t.” At times, leadership requires is: “The first qualification of a general is a Work inclusively and provide opportunity to difficult conversations, meetings, performance cool head.” Remaining level-headed in times achieve more: Leaders don’t play favourites, management, staff termination, conflict, of adversity is one of the most important give anyone the cold shoulder, nor exclude criticism … the list can go on. An effective attributes of leadership. Often, the worst that others from opportunity. Good leaders give leader has the courage to have these can happen is not the event itself, but the event everyone a shot at being their best and conversations on behalf of the team and the and you losing your cool. operating above their pay grade. For the shared vision and goals. handful of mistakes or failures, you will be Are inspiring, with an infectious attitude: blown away by the other 95 per cent that Are consistent and use systems: Every People are engaged when they listen to a exceed your expectations by a mile. effective leader we have worked with in the leader speak. They can hear the passion in sports turf industry has a plan and a system the voice and the commitment to the vision LEAVING A LEGACY to implement it. An important pillar of trust and goals. It is hard not to buy in to that Most importantly, effective leaders create more building in leadership is embodied in the momentum and be inspired to contribute. leaders. If our role in leadership is to positively idea of consistency. Effective leaders are Anyone who has had the privilege of spending influence and inspire others to achieve and consistent in their behaviours, communications time with Pat Wilson of Pambula Merimbula be the best version of themselves, then a and values. Providing teams with systems Golf Club on the NSW South Coast will know significant part of leadership focus should be and consistency gives them faith in your his energy and enthusiasm are second to on development, mentoring and success of competence and influence as a leader. none. those in our team. A conversation with Wilson leaves people “I always thought that golf course Are human, admit mistakes and are motivated, energised and feeling positive. superintendents and probably most turf willing to show vulnerability: A great leader Consider how your actions could have this managers usually find themselves being shows their team they are human. They impact on others and how you can support accidental leaders,” says former Royal share experiences (successes and failures) them. Melbourne Golf Club superintendent Jim to benefit the development of the team and Porter, now senior turf agronomist with ETP. each individual’s future success. This is “We end up in these roles because of not an overload of personal information or our expertise, knowledge, education and inappropriate sharing. Rather it’s a conscious experience in preparing turf surfaces. But choice to help others in their journey and for most facilities, this requires staff. In my empathise with them, explaining that you have situation almost 31 years ago – at age 29 also been there, had some falls, and share with a staff of 19 that grew to 40 or more for how you turned things around. tournaments – this was a significant challenge. “My education and previous employment Are strong communicators: How and did not properly prepare me for this most when we communicate with our team can important part of the job: staff management. be the difference between OK and great. It’s In many ways, I believe this still to be the case important to find the right medium for each today. Leadership education and training is team member. Communication frequency is critical for the managers and is now being paramount to ensuring effective consultation incorporated into current-day education. And and an ability to bring them into the vision. current turf managers need to help develop the industry’s future leaders. For example, Have the confidence to give and ask for introduce 2IC’s and 3IC’s to all facets of staff feedback: Effective leaders go beyond the management.” “my way or the highway” approach. Good leaders have the courage to offer their team GOT A QUESTION FOR BEN? constructive feedback – based on fact, not If there are any management or leadership opinion. Importantly, they regularly ask for topics/issues/questions that you would like feedback on team goals and individual ATM columnist Ben Gibson to write about or A leader isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty and instil a performances. Strong relationships within the address in Australian Turfgrass Management work ethic for their team to follow. Pictured is The team can lead to powerful feedback that will Lakes superintendent Anthony Mills cleaning out Journal, please send to editor Brett both help you and the team improve. debris from a spillway during the 2018 Australian Open Robinson via email brett@agcsa.com.au. 60 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Knock Stem Weevils Over Argentine Stem Weevils can be very difficult to control as there can be multiple lifecycle stages present at the same time. So, the key to ASW control is to target both adults and larvae and you can achieve this using PROVAUNT® Turf Insecticide and SPINNER® Turf Insecticide. When partnered with each other, PROVAUNT® and SPINNER® offer highly effective control by managing adults and all larvae stages, while also providing excellent management opportunities with overlapping life cycle stages. For more information call Syngenta Customer Service on 1800 022 035, contact your FLAME_SYN6454_8/21 Syngenta Agent or visit www.syngentaturf.com.au Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1, 2 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ABN 33 002 933 717. ®Registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. ™Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. ©Syngenta 2021. AD 21-382. COMPLIANCE Regenerative thrivability PHOTO: ANDREAS BERHEIDE/STOCK.ADOBE.COM ATM columnist Terry Muir introduces a new concept to reframe the discussion around the sports turf industry’s drive for improved sustainability. H istorically, businesses have increasingly threatened. It is time to either step that ‘thrivability’ best reframes the term operated in service solely to up – or get out of the way.” sustainability. Throw in the term ‘regenerative’, improve their financial bottom Now, despite its increasing popularity, which is very apt in agronomy, and the next line. Some businesses did Elkington ‘recalled’ his triple bottom line in stage in the evolution of the term sustainability begin to realise the connection what he called a ‘concept recall’. On its 25th – ‘regenerative thrivability’ – is born. among environmental health, social wellbeing anniversary the three P’s needed tweaking. Regenerative thrivability represents a and the organisation’s financial success. To truly shift the needle, and respond to necessary paradigm shift for sustainability in Then in 1994, author and entrepreneur John the climate crisis, the three P’s and the term our sector. If you are preparing your strategy Elkington built upon the concept of the triple sustainability were in need of change. Why? to protect and enhance the environment, and bottom line in hopes to transform what was the Well, on 29 July this year we busted Earth’s increase health and wellbeing, take a step into current financial-focused business system to budget! They call it Earth Overshoot Day and it a new way of thinking. take on a more comprehensive approach. marks the date when humanity has exhausted And, as you prepare for the climate crisis, Rather than just reflect on their profit and nature’s budget for the year. For the rest of the don’t overlook the three P’s. I support the loss statements, he wanted businesses to year, we are maintaining our ecological deficit three P’s that Elkington has amended to now also account for their relationships with the by drawing down local resource stocks and read as ‘people, planet and prosperity’. But I environment, their people, and the community. accumulating CO2 in the atmosphere. suggest some minor dimensional changes. I He then transformed the triple bottom line In Australia’s case, it was way back on 22 call it the three P’s for sports turf management to ‘people, planet and profit’, proposing March 2021 that we exhausted nature’s budget that; that business success metrics must include for the year. For the remaining nine months of l Prevents harm to people and the contributions to environmental health, social 2021, we are operating in ecological deficit and environment; wellbeing and a just economy. Australia is one of the worst performers. l Prepares for the climate crisis; and As Elkington reported in his Harvard l Positions the business to thrive in a highly Business Review article, “The triple bottom A NEW APPROACH regulated and low carbon future. line wasn’t designed to be just an accounting It is thanks to the introduction of the concept This decade is golf’s moment to think tool. It was supposed to provoke deeper of sustainability and the three P’s that all big, embrace the new three P’s, to go beyond thinking about capitalism and its future.” He now understand the need for solutions. The sustainability and embrace regenerative went on further to state that “while there have climate crisis requires that we build on their thrivability. Acting on climate change and been successes, our climate, water resources, strengths and look at bold new approaches embracing the new concepts of sustainability oceans, forests, soils and biodiversity are all to the challenges we face today. I believe is golf’s next greatest opportunity to thrive. 62 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 ADVERTORIAL AGCSATech Independent, Analytical, Diagnostic and Consultancy Services l EXPERT AGRONOMIC ADVICE l GOLF COURSE, SPORTSFIELD AND AGCSATech RACETRACK ASSESSMENTS Independent, Analytical, Diagnostic and Consultancy Services l DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS l PROJECT MANAGEMENT l SOIL, PLANT AND WATER ANALYSIS l DISEASE AND NEMATODE ANALYSIS l COST EFFECTIVE NUTRITION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS l WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS l DRONE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES AND AERIAL IMAGERY The Australian turf industry’s leading provider of independent agronomic services. CONTACT THE AGCSATECH TEAM (03) 9548 8600 Senior agronomist - Bruce Macphee Agronomist - Tim Fankhauser bruce@agcsa.com.au 0409 183 710 tim@agcsa.com.au 0422 418 038 www.agcsa.com.au/agcsatech REGIONAL PROFILE Magenta Shores G&CC, From growing up on a third generation family-run sheep farm in the rural backblocks of New Zealand, to plying his trade as a greenkeeper on Melbourne’s famed Sandbelt, James Newell has certainly had an interesting journey en route to his current role as superintendent at Magenta Shores on the NSW Central Coast. Superintendent: James Newell (39). Where is Magenta Shores G&CC and for Tell us a bit about your background and Family: Married with three boys (12-year-old what is the course renowned? Rated in how you started in the turf industry. You are twins and an 8-year-old). the top 30 in Australia and top 10 in NSW by originally from across the Ditch. I grew up Social media: Twitter @Jlnewell10H. Australian Golf Digest, Magenta Shores is on a third-generation family sheep and beef Period as a superintendent: Two years, two set amongst some of the most inspiring and farm in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. months. unspoilt surroundings on a pristine peninsular As a Kiwi kid we always played rugby but I Turf management career: Apprenticeship between Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific Ocean, wasn’t really built for rugby and played hockey Karori GC, NZ (2005-2008); Senior just a 90-minute drive from Sydney on the instead. I remember one summer saving all greenkeeper Cape Kidnappers GC, NZ (2008); Central Coast of NSW. The construction of the my money to buy a set of second-hand golf Assistant superintendent Paraparaumu Beach Ross Watson-designed layout is the perfect clubs that cost $200. My younger brother and GC, NZ (2008-2011); Assistant superintendent testament to how a golf course can not only I used to play on the farm all the time and Woodlands GC, Vic (2011-2015); Assistant improve the environment but also provide would create holes. At first the greens were the superintendent Yarra Yarra GC, Vic (2015- great pleasure to the senses. water troughs. Then we started to get more 2019); Superintendent Magenta Shores G&CC, When Watson first laid eyes on the site at creative and used the tractors to mow out NSW (2019-present). the back of Magenta Shores beach, part of playing lines. For tees and greens we used the Qualifications: Certificate IV and Diploma in it was merely used as a rubbish tip. During ride-on mower. At one point we even got on an Sports Turf Management. his inspection in the early 2000s, Watson excavator and created hazards. Major hobbies/past-times/claims to fame: recognised the site’s wonderful undulating Hockey took me to the Otago Institute Coaching hockey (assistant and head coach). profile and how the majority of the site covers of Sport where I studied for two years before Won four titles at men’s and women’s Premier all sand, which offered a blank canvas to get finding myself in Wellington as a hockey level as well as one title at Colts level. State really creative with the bunkering and green coach. At the same time there was a sports coach in both NZ and Australia. sites. turf apprenticeship going at Wellington City 64 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 Rated consistently in the top 30 in Australia, Magenta into the native couch. That experience helped Shores is set amongst the unspoilt surroundings on with getting the role at Magenta due to the a pristine peninsular between Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific Ocean on the NSW Central Coast fact this was the key project for Magenta. At Woodlands we had some vandalism to two of But then superintendent Ian Todd offered to the greens where motorbikes tore them up. share my CV with nearby clubs. The next day I This started the program of a green complex was in contact with Rod Tatt at Woodlands Golf replacement program. Before that we had Club and was offered a role. engaged an architect – lead associate Brian Four weeks later I moved to Melbourne. Slawnick from Renaissance Golf Design (RGD) My wife and the two-year-old twins stayed – to design and shape the 19th hole. in NZ for two months while I got set up. It all At Yarra Yarra the main highlight was the happened very fast. I thoroughly enjoyed my start of the course restoration project. We time at PBGC. It is a special place and it was went through the architect selection process really the start of my career – especially when and RGD was also appointed. Following site it came to leading a team and managing turf. visits from Brian, tree removal began and we One day I may end up back in NZ, but at the started on improving mowing lines and linking moment life is in Australia. fairways together along with bunker works. During my time at Woodlands and Yarra Yarra You worked for a number of years on the we held four Australian amateur events and Melbourne Sandbelt before moving north. also helped out at Victoria and Kingston Heath Talk about your roles, experiences and for various tournaments. highlights. When I first arrived at Woodlands I was being shown around and saw a sand How did the Magenta Shores role come bucket near the base of a tree near the 12th about? When the Magenta Shores role was NSW green. I picked it up and suddenly this big advertised, I hadn’t really heard of it. I had hairy huntsman spider came out of it. It scared visited a few of the Sydney premier courses the hell out of me and wasn’t a great first over the years. I had also had a couple of impression of Australia! interviews for assistant roles in Sydney only to I started as a qualified greenkeeper at just miss out. I looked at Magenta’s website Woodlands and each year an opportunity and did some more research about the course. Council. There was a golf course where we would become available. The first time I It was exciting to see a ‘modern links course’ would get to spend three months and then was offered the role as an assistant it was that I knew I’d be passionate about. progress to different sports fields for another a dual role. I was totally blown away that I During my time at Yarra I applied for three three months. Once I got to the golf course, was considered. The following year the other other superintendent roles only to miss out. I didn’t want to leave. An apprenticeship assistant moved on and I was offered the sole After each interview I would self-analyse my came up at Karori Golf Club and I finished my assistant role. Over those years I was attending performance and work on fine-tuning my training there. evening classes at Melbourne Polytechnic to application and interview process. I’m not just In 2008 I took a sabbatical, borrowed complete my Diploma. applying for a superintendent’s role just for the a work colleague’s caravan and lived At both Woodlands and Yarra I was sake of a title. I had worked hard and have a in it for eight weeks while working at involved with the overplanting of Santa Ana deep passion for this role. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club for the NZ State Championship. It was an amazing experience and I got a taste for working on an elite golf course and haven’t looked back. I had a small stint at Cape Kidnappers, during which time it hosted the Kiwi Challenge, before ending up back at PBGC as assistant superintendent under Leo Barber. Following the NZ turf conference held in Queenstown in 2011, a group of Melbourne superintendents were visiting PBGC. As I was showing them around, I was asking lots of questions. Four weeks later I applied for a role at Victoria Golf Club, which I missed out on. Course superintendent James Newell (left) and his Magenta Shores crew. Newell moved to the course in 2019 after stints as assistant superintendent at Paraparaumu Beach (NZ), Woodlands and Yarra Yarra SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 65 REGIONAL PROFILE It has been a very busy past two years at Magenta Shores with one of the major projects completed being the overplanting/converting of the Legend couchgrass fairways to Santa Ana As a family we’ve had to sacrifice being as well. These guys helped my development What advice would you give an assistant close to friends and family. Earlier in my career hugely and put a lot of trust in me, giving looking to take the step into a super’s role? in NZ I was offered a role as superintendent. me the roles from managing operations to All of a sudden, all eyes are going to be on I decided to turn it down because I wasn’t planning projects. Both general managers at you. You need to be able to take them on attracted to the course. My wife would remind Woodlands and Yarra Yarra (John Stamp and that journey/direction you’re wanting to take. me every time I missed out on a job that I Peter Vlahandreas) helped along the way as You need to make big decisions and inspire should have taken the role. well. Both clubs offered a lot of training and people. You’re not going to please everyone When I was offered the superintendent’s education to challenge me and help prepare and don’t try to, otherwise you won’t make role at Magenta, I was very excited about the for that next role. good decisions. Be confident in any decision opportunity it presented me. Again we were Any time that you take on more you make. Having flexibility and trust from packing up the house and moving away responsibilities there are going to be people around you is essential. It’s important from friends and family. We did a PowerPoint challenges or adjustments that you’ll have to remember it goes both ways. Have a strong presentation for the children, which went down to make. I had worked hard and back my relationship with key staff so they can make well and explained the reason for the move. experience and education, which contribute to decisions on your behalf. making strong and confident decisions. This Magenta Shores is your first superintendent definitely helped make a smooth transition into Outline any major course improvement posting. Looking back, how big a step up the role at Magenta. Since being at Magenta, works recently completed or coming up. It has it been? I’ve had excellent role models general manager Rob Hurley has been has been a very busy two years at Magenta over my career: a special thanks to Leo fantastic in giving me the tools that we need Shores. Three major projects have been Barber at PBGC, Rod Tatt at Woodlands and to get the job done and make good business completed. The first was the overplanting/ Yarra Yarra, and Clint Raven at Yarra Yarra decisions to help elevate the club/course. converting Santa Ana into the Legend couch in the fairways. The best and most successful way was to get the contractor in with the right equipment. We brought a contractor up from Victoria and set up a plan of attack. There was a lot of thatch accumulation in the fairways so we thought the best approach was to aggressively scarify the fairways. We first went over them three times and then line-planted into the scarified fairways. We completed the front-nine fairways in February 2020 and the back-nine fairways in February 2021. We had the nine holes closed for 12 days and contractors took three days to complete the scarifying and line- planting. There were a couple of areas on the fairways that we were able to harvest Santa Applications of methiozolin have aided tremendously in reducing the Poa annua percentage in Magenta Shores’ Penn G2 bentgrass greens Ana to keep the cost down and utilise the 66 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 good Santa Ana that we had on site. We chose to do it in February due to the fact how hot and dry the start of summer was in 2019/2020. We would have struggled to keep adequate moisture levels up for the stolons to survive. In the week we were meant to start we had 330mm of rain so we pushed it back a week. The transition has been excellent. The climate up on the Central Coast works well for the Santa Ana. Most fairways on the front nine would have greater than 75 per cent Santa Ana conversion. I expect by the end of this summer to have nearly full conversion of Santa Ana. The next major project was to appoint a course architect to make sure we showcase Magenta in the way that Ross Watson intended it to be with some flexibility to account for updated trends. I put forward a list of suitable With a lot of thatch in the existing Legend fairways, they were aggressively scarified three times before Santa Ana architects to the course committee and board, couch was line-planted into them which included Ross Watson. It was an easy decision to contact Ross and see if he was the 7th and 12th holes (again bunkers) and We have also just installed a Nano interested, which he was. re-levelling the 7th tee. Bubble Technologies unit, which is a major The course has evolved over time so we The last major project has been the development for Magenta. It creates a highly wanted to look at the style and placement eradication of Poa annua from the putting saturated nanoscopic bubble infused with of bunkers. Do they need to be in that surfaces. We used PoaCure (methiozolin) with oxygen and ozone. We have Class B recycled location? Or could we reduce the size but a great result on the eradication. We did four water that contains a lot of fungal and bacteria also access into them? The dam had some applications at four weeks apart with the first spores. The nanobubbles will eliminate the work completed to it, so a tee shot had been application at the start of June. spores and provide oxygen to the plant while affected from its original position. What about We had greens with a Poa annua also providing favourable conditions for the option for a spare hole? And was there any infestation of varying percentages, ranging beneficial soil microflora. way to extend the warm-up range? from 20-60 per cent. As of the start of Once Ross had provided an overview, November we are just waiting on a few last everyone was happy with the report and we areas of bentgrass to fully cover over on the went about planning some works. We decided greens that contained the highest percentage a three-week period in April worked well for of Poa annua infestation. I’ve been impressed everyone. During that time we installed the new with PoaCure and knew it was going to make 19th hole and worked on bunkers on holes a difference. I just didn’t realise it was going to 2 through 5. We had planned to complete improve it that much! It has made it a lot easier another chunk of works in September and to see the shape and swales in the greens, December. But as the pandemic affected this, which is fantastic. No doubt there will be a lot we will do another lot of work in April again. of other benefits, such as environmentally and Part of the course is constructed on an old tip and a perfect testament to how a golf course can not only This will include works on the 11th hole (which playability, to having pure bentgrass putting improve the environment, but also provide great is a tee reposition and bunkers), works on surfaces. pleasure to the senses SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 67 REGIONAL PROFILE The transition to Santa Ana has been excellent with the climate on the Central Most pleasing/rewarding moment during Coast providing favourable conditions for the process. Newell expects by end of this summer to have near full conversion your time at Magenta Shores? Seeing the way the course played during the NSW Amateur. We had all extremes of weather during those five days – from two 35°C days with strong winds for the qualification to 80mm of rain for the next three days during match play. The course was playable every day to a high standard and represented Magenta Shores extremely well. The most pleasing moment though has been the refurbishment works completed so far. Firstly, it was speaking to Ross Watson who was blown away to receive the phone call to be invited back to Magenta and provide advice What have you got in the shed? We have a to solve an issue, seeing the team roll up on key features. The introduction of the new mixture of Toro and John Deere equipment: their sleeves and get stuck in and perform at 19th hole has been very well received from the MP5800 spray rig; 5010H fairway mowers (x2); a high level, day-in day-out, regardless of the membership. All the staff worked long hours 4500-D rough mower; 3100 Sidewinder Tees; circumstances. Secondly, it’s hearing that hard for those three weeks, maintaining the course 3250-D mowers (x3); 648 Procore; 220-E Walk thud as you see the ball bouncing down the to a good level of expectation while installing mowers (x4); HPX615E Gators (x5); Tru Turf fairway or the sound of the approach shot into irrigation and laying all the turf. Those were Rollers RE50 (x2); tractors with loader (x2). the green. Seeing the golf ball sitting up on some of the many tasks that we completed top of the putting surface and rolling smoothly during Stage 1 of the refurbishments. Again, What gives you the most job satisfaction? across the green puts a smile on the face of a the staff rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in When you have a plan in place, or you need golfer. without any hesitation. AT A GLANCE – MAGENTA SHORES G&CC, NSW Course specs: Men par 72, Black course Mondays for four hours, although none or small hollow tines five times a year. 6319m; Women par 73, Red course 5074m during the pandemic. Hollow tine once or twice a growing season Greens: 1.75ha Penn G2 bentgrass; new Annual rainfall: 1055mm. based on greens performance (generally 19th hole A1/A4 mix Terrain/soil types: Manmade undulations – September/March). Greens dusted frequently Fairways: 22ha overplanted Santa Ana more than one million cubic metres of sand based on growth. Our couchgrass surfaces Tees: 1.5ha mixture of Santa Ana and Legend was moved to shape the course. Dune sand have been aggressively scarified twice Surrounds: 1.5ha overplanted Santa Ana soils, which are very hydrophobic, have a now. We also verticut with fairway mowers Roughs: 7ha mixture of couch and fescues rounded particle size. two or three times during growing season Bunkers: 129 (1.4ha) Water sources/irrigation: Recycled Class (September, December and March). Members/rounds: 800/52,000 – has B. (We have just installed a Nano Bubble Major disease pressures: Dollar spot is the increased 12,000 rounds per annum since Technologies unit as well as a new bore most common leaf disease. When conditions opening. capable of producing 8L/s.) Toro satellite are favourable (normally late September Major tournaments: 2019 Australian Mid- system with valve-in-head sprinklers. Pumps to early November), we apply preventive Amateur and 2020 NSW Amateur. capable of operating at 4600L/min. About fungicides. Potentially, we may again apply a Annual course budget: $1.5 million. 3.5mm across the playing surfaces is about preventative fungicide in early autumn. Other Staff structure: James Newell 1.4ML and we use about 150ML in a calendar than the preventative fungicide, we adopt a (superintendent), Hayden Gilmore (assistant), year. Dosing unit for soil penetrant/surfactant curative approach when we have an outbreak Trent Gilmore (foreman/irrigation), Trent weekly to help with hydrophobic sands from just to certain greens. Magnaporthe poa has Deaves (equipment manager), Mitch Marsh October-March. been the major disease that we have focused – just moving to Shortland Waters GC – Cutting heights/regimes: Greens range on over the prior two seasons. It affected the and Graham Bettesworth (both qualified between 2.5mm-3mm, mown between two- greens that had a very high percentage of greenkeepers), Daniel Jones, Guy Ballard five times a week depending on growth and Poa annua in them. We preventatively spray and Connor McLellan (all turf tradesmen), season. Rolled twice a week. Collars/fringe every three weeks from early October through Daniel Watson, Adam Danckert and Lewis areas just off the putting surface and between to March. We also spray preventatively Cavender (apprentices) and Peter Wahanui bunkers 5mm twice a week. Fairways and for pythium. We have had only two major (labourer). The landscape team that looks surrounds range between 8mm-10mm, one- outbreaks of pythium, these being when after the residential areas comprises Adam two times a week (requires two mowers for temperatures and humidity have been high, Jepson (landscape manager), Mick Rowsell two days to cut all large areas). Tees 7mm and we have irrigated the profile too much. and Shane Turton (horticulturists) and twice a week. Rough cut about six-eight times Also, the recycled water can cause issues Megan Harper (apprentice). With regard a year – is kept in a dormant look. due to high fungal and bacteria spores to volunteers, we have between 5-10 most Renovations: On the greens we use bayonet contained in it. 68 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 ASTMA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM The ASTMA congratulates the following sports turf managers who have achieved certification and can proudly use the ‘Certified Sports Turf Manager’ (CSTM) designation after their names… Tim Allen The National Golf, Belgium Adam Fry Kooyonga GC, SA Craig Molloy Cypress Lakes Resort, NSW Dean Bailey Rosanna GC, Vic Ryan Fury Killara GC, NSW Colin Morrison Flinders GC, Vic Shane Baker Mosman Park GC, WA Jake Gibbs Elanora GC, ACT Damien Murrell Easts Leisure & GC, NSW Brett Balloch Anglesea GC, Vic Danny Hack Wellington Shire, Vic John Nelson Grafton District GC, NSW Ed Barraclough Cardinia Beaconhills GC, Vic Cameron Hall Kew GC, Vic James Newell Magenta Shores G&CC, NSW Mark Bateman Kooringal GC, Vic Gareth Hammond Terrey Hills GC, NSW Kelvin Nicholson Palmer Coolum Resort, Qld Tim Bayard Evergreen Turf, Vic Brendan Hansard Kew CC, NSW Matthew Oliver QSAC, Qld Duncan Begley Horizons Golf Resort, NSW Nick Harris Wentworth Club, UK Shaun Page Southern GC, Vic Nathan Bennett The Royal Adelaide GC, SA Marcus Hartup Vattanac Golf, Cambodia Luke Partridge Manly GC, NSW John Berthon St Georges Basin CC, NSW Mitch Hayes Brisbane GC, Qld Mick Pascoe Noosa GC, Qld Paul Bevan GTS, Qld Matthew Heeps Evergreen Turf, Vic Ben Payne Peninsula-Kingswood CGC, Vic Shane Bisseker Whitsunday Council, Qld Luke Helm Meadowbrook GC, Qld Michael Pearce RACV Torquay GC, Vic Andrew Boyle GTS, Vic Tony Hemming Optus Stadium, WA Keegan Powell The Sands Torquay, Vic Justin Bradbury Camden GC, NSW Kirsty Herring Katherine CC, NT Luke Primus Deakin University, Vic Nathan Bradbury Eastlake GC, NSW Tim Hoskinson Cairns GC, Qld Scott Prince Evergreen Turf Vic Harry Brennan Dubbo City Council, NSW Ian Howell, Bonnie Doon GC, NSW Shaun Pritchard PEGS, Vic Mark Brooks Jupiter Hills GC, USA Rhys Hunichen Atlas Golf Services Vic Justin Rankin Kooindah Waters GC, NSW Brendan Brown The Sands Torquay, Vic Jay Infanti Eastern GC, Vic Marc Raymond Heidelberg GC, Vic Fraser Brown Lake Karrinyup CC, WA Nick Jeffrey St Joseph’s College, Qld Scott Reid Launceston GC, Tas Ben Bruzgulis Cronulla GC, NSW Mark Jennings Racing Victoria, Vic Lachlan Ridgewell Blacktown ISP, NSW Hamish Buckingham Commonwealth GC, Steven Johnson Al Mouj Golf, Oman Brett Saggus BRG Legend Hill, Vietnam Vic Tony Jonas North Shore GC, NZ Wesley Saunders Dunblane New GC, UK Chris Burgess Yarrawonga Mulwala GC, Vic Jason Kelly Royal Fremantle GC, WA Robert Savedra Wesley College, Vic Greg Burgess Northern GC, Vic Nick Kinley Hartfield CC, WA Travis Scott Riversdale GC, Vic Jacob Burridge Victoria GC, Vic Dylan Knight Gisborne GC, Vic Bill Shuck Evergreen Turf, Vic Jason Bushell Rowes Bay GC, Qld Blaine Knox Burleigh GC, Qld Cameron Smith Bonnie Doon GC, NSW Aaron Cachia Bayer, NSW Lance Knox Busselton GC, WA Gary Smith Commercial Albury GC, NSW Patrick Casey Kalgoorlie GC, WA Steve Lalor Townsville GC, Qld Thomas Smith Waterford Valley GC, Vic David Cassidy The Cut, WA Kane Latham Elanora CC, NSW Mathew Soles The Australian GC, NSW Brian Cattell Wagga Wagga CC, NSW Nick Launer Metropolitan GC, Vic Clinton Southorn Abu Dhabi GC, UAE Peter Cawsey Eastwood GC, Vic Ben Lavender Newington College, NSW John Spraggs Royal Wellington GC, NZ Paul Chalmers St Aloysius College, NSW Jason Lavender Beenleigh RSL & GC, Qld Daniel Stack Windaroo Lakes GC, Qld Brenton Clarke Warrnambool GC, Vic Dean Lenertz St Michael’s GC, NSW Kenji Steele Riverway Stadium, Qld Dan Cook The Australian GC, NSW Dean Lewis Thurgoona CC, NSW Lee Strutt Les Bordes International, France Lincoln Coombes RACV Royal Pines, Qld Josh Leyland Box Hill GC, Vic David Sutherland The Ridge GC, NSW Phillip Cooper GTS, NSW Nathan Lindsay Hamilton Island GC, Qld Lee Sutherland St Michael’s GC, NSW Dion Cope Redland Bay GC, Qld Peter Lonergan Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Shay Tasker Carnarvon GC, NSW Mick Cornish Cazaly’s Stadium, Qld GC, NSW Aaron Taylor Cronulla GC, NSW Shaun Cross Byron Bay GC, NSW Ben Lucas Tocumwal GC, NSW Heath Taylor Blacktown ISP, NSW Joshua Cunningham All Outside, NSW Toby Lumsden ICC Academy, UAE Nigel Taylor Sports Turf Solutions, Malaysia Bruce Davies CIT, ACT Bruce Macphee ASTMA, Vic Shaun Taylor Southern GC, Vic Kevin Davis St Margaret’s-Berwick GS, Vic Stephen Mallyon Renworx, NSW David Thomson Bermagui CC, NSW Luke Diserens Roseville GC, NSW Dave Mason Metropolitan GC, Vic Colin Thorsborne Parkwood Village, Qld Nicholas Douglas Spring Valley GC, Vic Garry McClymont Twin Waters GC, Qld Ben Tilley Headland GC, Qld Mark Doyle Hume City Council, Vic Tony McFadyean Programmed, WA Steve Tuckett Melbourne Polytech, Vic Cameron Dunn Woolooware GC, NSW Paul McLean Sanctuary Cove G&CC, Qld Lee Veal Mt Derrimut G&CC, Vic Peter Dunn Federal GC, ACT Michael McMahon GTS, Qld Michael Vozzo Fertool, Vic Ben Evans Ryde TAFE, NSW Peter McNamara Brisbane GC, Ql Earl Warmington Newcastle GC, NSW Tim Fankhauser ASTMA, Vic Ryan McNamara Rosanna GC, Vic Tim Warren Glenelg GC, SA Timothy Fewster Doncaster BC, Vic Mick McCombe Maleny GC, Qld Rob Weiks Hoiana Shores GC, Vietnam Peter Fitzgerald Belmont GC, NSW Keith McPhee Maitland City Council, NSW Shannon White Baileys Fertilisers, WA Aaron Fluke NSWGC, NSW Brett Merrell Ras Al Hamra GC, Oman George Widdowson Geelong GC, Vic Jason Foster Riverway Stadium, Qld Daniel Metcalfe Beverley Park GC, NSW Darren Wilson Wembley GC, WA Jason Foulis HG Turf, Vic Jack Micans Elanora GC, NSW Issac Wojewodka Camden GC, NSW Patrick Fraser Landscape Solutions, NSW Braydan Millar Rowes Bay GC, Qld Tim Wright K&B Adams, Vic Peter Fraser Hervey Bay G&CC, Qld Ben Mills Hawks Nest GC, NSW Matthew Young Moonee Valley CC, Vic For more information on the ASTMA Certification Program visit www.agcsa.com.au AS SOCIATION REPORTS STA VIC STA Victoria and Lilydale Instant Lawn combined to offer 450 square metres of washed Tif Tuf for the re-turfing of wickets at Traralgon Recreation Reserve I n June 2021 the Traralgon Creek burst will also be the issue of the quantity of weed STA Victoria, along with its sponsor its banks, flooding adjacent properties, seedbank, which was bought onto the oval member Lilydale Instant Lawn (which has farmland and parts of Traralgon in Victoria’s from neighbouring farmland. farms in Bairnsdale, Yarra Glen and Pakenham) Latrobe Valley. Among the facilities impacted With the couch being dormant, the range combined to offer 450 square metres of was Traralgon Recreation Reserve. At its peak of practices that could be carried out were washed Tif Tuf Bermuda grass for the re-turfing the water was 1.5m deep. But as quick as it next to zero. But after some hunting around, a of wickets at Traralgon Recreation Reserve. rose it subsided, leaving behind a thick layer Verti-Rake was sourced from Leongatha Golf This will provide a huge boost to the cricket of clay and silt, which smothered the oval in its Course, which was used to flick up the material club during this difficult period and enable it to entirety. to encourage drying and then removing with a focus on the upcoming season. The Traralgon Rec Reserve is one of Harper-Vac. This enabled the local football club Latrobe City was pleased to have been Latrobe City’s major ovals. It has a sand access to train on the oval. able to assist in bringing together STA Victoria profile, full-drainage system and Santa Ana The flood had immediate impact across and Ex Students Cricket Club in the Traralgon couch surface. Even after clean-up efforts all user groups at the reserve. But one to be & District Cricket Association. It has passed on there was still a significant amount of clay and affected severely was the Ex Students Cricket thanks to the Association and Lilydale Instant silt present on the oval. This had a massive Club. The sediment left behind by floodwaters Lawn for this generous donation to one of impact on the ability of the oval to drain as meant the wickets were going to be unusable Traralgon’s most significant venues. it had previously. The priority was to ensure in their current state. So a significant no further contamination of the root zone or investment was going to be required to restore significant drainage issues in the future. There them to their previous high standard. COMMITTEE, STA VICTORIA VGCSA NSWGCSA P N retty much nothing has gone according ew South Wales has just come out of Ambrose Event will be held at Club Catalina to plan since our last report with what the government says is our “last on May 2, 2022. The NSWGCSA is excited to VGCSA Training Days and meetings lockdown” in mid October. In saying welcome both sponsors on board. being rescheduled, then only to be eventually that, the golf industry hasn’t been affected The NSWGCSA is currently looking for cancelled. Our final event of the year, the like it was in other states. Golf could be three superintendents to join the board. Vice VGCSA Open Golf Day, hopefully will take played in groups of two as it was classed as President David Somerville (Bankstown GC) place at Barwon Heads Golf Club in mid exercise. But there were a lot of different rules announced he would be stepping down. David November but with limited attendance to in different regions depending on your Local has been an integral part of the board over the comply with COVID Safe practice. We can Government Area status, which caused a lot of past four years as well as an immense support only cross our fingers the Victorian Roadmap confusion. Golf is now back to groups of four, to myself as President. Mark Schroder remains on track with venues opening up in while clubhouses have re-opened with some (Liverpool GC) will be stepping down after early November. restrictions. But the end is in sight – until the nine years on the board (and 44 years in the Optimistically, looking ahead to a brighter government changes its mind. industry). Mark has done a great job with the 2022, the VGCSA has now finalised next The NSWGCSA made the decision to Education portfolio after Mal Harris handed year’s meeting calendar along with confirmed postpone all remaining events for 2021 as the over the reins. Both these guys will be sorely sponsors. We look forward to launching the rules surrounding lockdowns and vaccinations missed. Personally, I have made the decision annual program to members in November. was too murky. However, the new dates that it’s time to step back after six years on We will also be rescheduling the 2021 training have been announced. The AGM will be held the Board and four as President. It has been a days to early 2022 due to popular demand. via Zoom on November 25. The Assistant whirlwind six years with droughts, fires, floods, The VGCSA wishes to thank all contributing Superintendent Education and Golf Day to COVID and a few “other” early issues. But host clubs and trade sponsors for their be held at Long Reef Golf Club will now be I’ve enjoyed it and will be happy to assist the valuable support. on March 29, 2022. The 2021 Elite Sand and Board until a replacement is found. Soil Rube Walkerden Event at Killara Golf SHANE GREENHILL Club will now be held on April 21, 2022. For NATHAN BRADBURY PRESIDENT, VGCSA the first time, the John Deere Land HQ Annual PRESIDENT, NSWGCSA 70 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.5 STA ACT A lot has been happening within the ACT However we connected with some of them back Scott Fogg from Living Turf while Simon and its surrounding region since we online. Thanks to Scott Fogg from Living Turf Snedden from Gold Creek Country Club and last reported. The past few months and Gavin Quinlan from Canberra Kubota Ryan Stores from Royal Canberra Golf Club have included our annual education seminar, who were able to attend. are fresh faces. Bruce Davies (CIT Canberra), the election of some returning and new We have a new-look committee that Andy Middleton (Canturf), Brandon committee members, and another lockdown. was elected during our AGM after the 2021 Williams (Yowani Country Club) and Jimmy We are now out the other side of the lockdown Education Seminar. Former President Brad Correll (Queanbeyan Golf Club) remain on and golf and recreational sport are making a Van Dam stepped down earlier in the year Committee. return to facilities. after his resignation from the industry. This new-look Committee already has Back in July we made a decision to go Secretary Jon Tait took on the Acting plans for more social events for members and ahead with our annual education seminar. After President role and did a fantastic job. sponsors. Currently in the works is a social cancelling last year, the committee was eager The newly elected President is Peter bowls afternoon on December 10, which would to get members and sponsors back together Dunn from Federal Golf Club. Peter has been tie in with the Association Christmas drinks. – not only for the educational purposes but Treasurer and a past Committee member. Jon Stay tuned to our Facebook (Sports Turf also the social aspect. We had more than 100 Tait from Green Option remains as Secretary Association ACT) and Instagram (ACT Sports attendees, including our regular South Coast while David Mann from ACT Government Turf) pages with full details being released in and surrounding region associates. It was remains as Assistant Secretary. Chris Bale the coming month. great to see the turnout of apprentices as it from Yowani Country Club has done a fantastic helps integrate new faces into the industry. job as Treasurer and will remain in the role. Due to border restrictions, it was a little Our general Committee members are a JIMMY CORRELL difficult for sponsors to be a part of the day. mix of returning and new faces. We welcome COMMITTEE, STA ACT GCSAWA P erth’s long wet winter seems to be Busselton Golf Club hosted an afternoon Our Christmas party is booked for continuing with strong storms hitting in BBQ and drinks to celebrate the opening of November 26 at Collier Park Mini Golf. All mid October, affecting a few courses its new shed in late August. About 40 industry members, partners and children are invited. that were undergoing spring renovations. The people from Perth and all around the South- Meanwhile, the GCSAWA teamed up with wettest day of the year has been October West attended the get-together. It was great to Golf Management Australia (GMA) to host the 1 when 44mm fell. Approaching the end of catch up with the lads from the South as they Management Challenge at Lakelands Country October, a total of 900mm had fallen in the city find it tough to attend the Perth events as often Club. Supers joined their GMs, presidents and with more than 1,200mm in Perth’s eastern as they would like. captains for the team event won by Kwinana suburbs. The GCSAWA has hosted a few chemical GC. It was great to have 16 teams competing While the Margaret River conference was classes for members. Ten guys completed the given that five clubs were in-between supers postponed until April 3-6, 2022, the Association two-day course in mid September with another while three clubs were in-between GMs. still held its AGM and Living Turf/Rainbird 20 scheduled for the next classes in mid It’s been quite a busy period for movement Golf Championship on August 9 at Hartfield November. While we don’t need a chemical in WA. We’re continuing to build a relationship Country Club. Steve Abbott from Araluen Golf licence like most other states, it was good to with managers with a forthcoming workshop Resort took out the stroke event with Lance complete the course and align us with industry titled, ‘Working Under Pressure’, which will be Knox (Busselton GC) winning the Stableford standards. Many of us hadn’t done a refresher followed by a casual get-together. competition. Tom Tristam joined the course since finishing TAFE as part of our committee with Nick Kinley, Dave Cassidy, apprenticeship. Thanks to Northam TAFE for SHANE BAKER Tony McFadyean and Shane Baker. helping. PRESIDENT, GCSAWA GCSAQ I t was fantastic to get such a large number Award: Stuart Campbell, Maroochy River With Christmas approaching, the of golf industry people together for the Golf Club. Association is pleased to announce it will Queensland Golf Industry Awards at Star l OCM & Greenway Turf Solutions Assistant be hosting four Christmas parties. The Casino on October 28. Superintendent Recognition Award: Brisbane/Gold Coast event will be a tour of Congratulations to all the winners and Michael Todd, Royal Queensland GC. Suncorp Stadium followed by lunch at XXXX nominees on the evening. Winners of the The 2021 AGM will be held on November Brewery. Other events will be held for North GCSAQ sponsored awards were as follows: 15 via Zoom. As all committee positions will Queensland, Sunshine Coast and Northern l Toro Golf Course Turf Apprentice of the become vacant, we invite interested parties Rivers. Year Award: Nick McClymont, formally to email info@gcsaq.com.au to express their Headland Golf Club, now Twin Waters GC. interest in being a Committee member. All PAUL MCLEAN l Living Turf Superintendents Achievement members will receive an invitation to attend. 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