CELEBRATING THE EFFORTS OF AUSTRALIA’S SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS Navigating a pandemic Melbourne sports turf managers reflect on enduring two COVID-enforced lockdowns A pre-emergent BAYER E Apply less. Achieve more. Specticle® is an innovative herbicide for warm-season turf, which delivers exceptional pre-emergent control of Poa annua, Crowsfoot, Summer grass and a range of broadleaf weeds for up to 8 months. II Superior turf quality and playability // Reduced number of herbicide applications II Unmatched use flexibility with a wide application window II Effective management of weed resistance A/ew weeds and use patterns - Visit es.bayer.com.au ALWAYS USE ACCORDING TO PRODUCT LABEL Bayer CropScience Pty. Ltd., Environmental Science Australia, Level 1, 8 Redfern Road, Hawthorn East, Vic. 3123 Technical Enquiries: 1800 804 479 es.bayer.com.au Specticle® is a Registered Trademark of the Bayer Group ©2020 Published by the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) Editorial Australian Brett Robinson Sports Turf Managers Office: (03) 9548 8600 Association Mobile: 0434 144 779 Email: brett@agcsa.com.au Advertising PREMIUM PARTNERS Mark Unwin Office: (03) 9548 8600 Mobile: 0438 320 919 The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association is indebted to the Email: mark@agcsa.com.au support of the following premium partner companies Art Direction & Design Jo Corne Office: (03) 9548 8600 Email: jo@agcsa.com.au Printed By PLATINUM Southern Impact golf media TORO Australian Sports Turf Managers Association Suite 1, Monash Corporate Centre ASTMA ASTMA 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 JACBBSEN syngenta ASTMA Board Peter Lonergan (president), Chris Burgess (treasurer), David Thomson, Ben Tilley and Damian Hough Chief Executive Officer Mark Unwin E: mark@agcsa.com.au SILVER Membership ASTMA ASTMA Allison Jenkins E: admin@agcsa.com.au Accounts . KUBOTA Philip Horsburgh pnonnccc E: philip@agcsa.com.au Events and Education Simone Staples E: simone@agcsa.com.au L lyl N G TURF SCIENTIFIC TURF MANAGEMENT Pam Irvine E: pam@agcsa.com.au AGCSATech Bruce Macphee (Senior Agronomist) E: bruce@agcsa.com.au Tim Fankhauser (Agronomist) BRONZE ASTMA E: tim@agcsa.com.au Social Media Brown Brothers COUNTRY CLUB Keally Nankervis fl I Engineers CCI^ INTERNATIONAL david golf E: keally@agcsa.com.au W Australia Ltd GOLF COURSE SAFETY WATER -------------------- 1 q a WrSQUlPMENT 'yW FENCING MANAGEMENT www.facebook.com/TheASTMA Olh>JT Hunter 69 www.linkedin.com Golf Solutions GREENWAY TURF SOLUTIONS Built on Innovation- www.instagram.com/the_astma Q @TheASTMA Husqvarna Where needs take us ••>««« TURF culture s Copyright © 2020 The ASTMA believes that material sourced and produced for Australian Turfgrass Management is accurate, but gives no warranty in relation thereto, and disclaims liability for all claims against the ASTMA, its The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association encourages all members to support subsidiary companies, its employees, agents or any other person which may arise from any person acting on the materials contained these companies who support your association within. No portion, in whole or part, may be reproduced without the written permission of the ASTMA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 1 CONTENTS COVER STORY LIFE IN LOCKDOWN 6 COVID-19 impacted every part of our existence in 2020, but for sports turf managers based in Melbourne it would prove particularly challenging. After the first lockdown in March, for an 11-week period between July and October the state capital was plunged into a Stage 4 lockdown which truly tested the resilience of all. ATM canvasses a range of Melbourne sports turf managers to see how they, their teams and their facilities fared during the two lockdowns, some of the lessons they learned and what challenges they foresee in the coming 12 months. Cover: Novel coronavirus COVID-19 has affected every industry in 2020, including sports turf management. Illustration: Gilang Prihardono/adobestock. com. FEATURES Public course, private pedigree 14 Hoiana’s a Shore thing 22 ALSO IN THIS EDITION... Morro’s move pays dividends 28 Foreword Thinking 4 Regional Profile - WorrigeeLinks, NSW 58 Coonamble back on track 32 Around the Trade 64 Valuable feedback 34 Association Reports 66 Rolling with it 52 Up the last... Creating a legacy 70 Critical partnership 57 2 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 \Ne got there! 020is done and dusted (collective sigh!) and no doubt all of us will be celebrating 2 long and hard once the New Year ticks over. It has been a slog, but as the saying goes ‘what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’ and I think we will all head into 2021 having learnt some valuable lessons, not only about ourselves but the manner in which we approach our jobs. If there has been one thing to come out of 2020 it has been that we can never take anything for granted. Flicking through this year’s editions of Australian Turfgrass Management Journal (ATM), it is hard to believe that this time last year Australia was gripped by a bushfire crisis of unprecedented proportions. COVID-19, however, quickly overtook the headlines by February and with it all manner of changes as the industry adapted to a completely different way of operating. For ATM and my colleagues at the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), it meant working from home, Zoom meetings (Phil, you’re on mute!) and doing everything remotely. COLUMNS My lounge room became magazine production HQ (and still is) and more than ever I have relied JOHN NEYLAN 38 on the wonderful people in this industry to graciously contribute material in order to produce each PETER MCMAUGH 44 edition. JOHN FORREST 48 In among the initial maelstrom wrought by COVID and the subsequent juggling of work and TERRY MUIR 56 home-schooling commitments (I still have nightmares over the latter), I somehow managed to notch up my 100th edition as editor. Yes, Volume 22.2 (March-April 2020 edition) which featured UTAS Stadium on the cover, was the milestone edition. Quite hard to believe really... That edition happened to carry our first coverage of the whole COVID saga and in this, our final edition of 2020, we lead with a look at how Melbourne sports turf managers navigated their way through two COVID-enforced lockdowns, the second of them an 11-week marathon which tested the resilience of all. As long-serving Medway Golf Club superintendent and VGCSA life member Col Winterton notes in the article, the pandemic will no doubt continue to provide challenges for the foreseeable future, but “as a group, turf managers are an innovative, problem­ solving, can-do type of beast, so whatever comes we will prevail.” To all ATM readers and contributors over the past year, a very big thank you for your support and feedback during what has been one of the most challenging years I have witnessed for our industry. I hope the pages of this magazine have provided some momentary respite from the daily challenges you have all faced. Also a big thank you to our loyal trade companies and advertisers without whom we wouldn’t have a publication. Initially when the pandemic hit there was some concern about how advertising would be affected, but pleasingly we have received tremendous support - actually an increase - which as an editor is very encouraging and speaks volumes of the strength and resilience of this industry. Most of all I want to thank my colleagues at the ASTMA. Working remotely since March hasn’t been without its challenges. Sure, I haven’t missed the two-hour round commute to the office every day, but that disconnect with your colleagues has been acutely felt. As City of Kingston sportsfield coordinator Luke Armstrong poignantly notes in our COVID lead, “nothing beats the Contributors to Australian Turfgrass Management Journal real life feeling of being surrounded by quality people and a dedicated team on a daily basis.” Volume 22.6 (November-December 2020): Adobe Stock; Luke Armstrong (City of Kingston); Shane Baker (CSTM, To end 2020 on a positive note, as this edition was being put to bed the news came through GCSAWA); Leo Barber (Paraparaumu GC, NZ); Gary Beehag; that ATM had been recognised at the annual Australian Golf Media Awards. Our story on former Nathan Bennett (CSTM, SAGCSA); Nathan Bradbury (CSTM, NSWGCSA); Corey Budden (Sandhurst Club); Stewart Townsville Golf Club superintendent Jason Foster (now curator at Townsville’s Riverway Stadium) Fenton (Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club); Mark Findlay and his remarkable recovery from a horrific workplace accident which featured in ATM Volume (Sanctuary Lakes GC); Mathew Fitzgerald (Ringwood Golf); John Forrest (Forrest and Forrest Horticultural Consultancy 21.6, collected the ‘Best long form story’ category at the awards. A very nice way to cap off what Services); Richard Forsyth (Royal Melbourne GC); Shane has otherwise been a year to forget. Greenhill (VGCSA); Cameron Hall (CSTM, Kew GC); Sam Hewett (City of Darebin); Phil Hill (TSTMA); David Johnson Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year and I look forward to doing it all again in (Patterson River GC); Scott Johnstone (HydroPlan); Gary 2021. Enjoy the read... Lisbon (golfphotos.com.au); Paul Locke (Freeway Golf); Niall Martin (Knox City Council); Peter McMaugh (Turfgrass Scientific Services); David Morrison (Clifford Park); Terry Muir (epar); John Neylan (SportEng); Jason Perkins (NZGCSA); Chris Regan (Worrigee Links); Kerrie Regan; Travis Scott (CSTM, Riversdale GC); Albert Sherry (NTEWG); Mark Unwin (ASTMA); Nick Wall (Airswing Media); Rob Weiks (CSTM, Hoiana Shores GC, Vietnam); Kyle Wilson (Moonah Links); Col Winterton (Medway GC). NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 3 0 FOREWORD TH INKING WITH UNWIN, CEO A year that challenged all, but brought out the best s an extraordinary year draws to a across other states have been delayed due to COVID-19, however, the work will pick up A close, it’s an opportunity to reflect on events and assess how much again in 2021 to continue to attract talent into has changed over the past year. the industry and improving conditions. This year has been referred to as a Through a difficult year, the ASTMA has year of chaos, where almost every element of continued to undertake and deliver some our daily lives were impacted to some degree great work and I would like to take the or another. Whether it be impacts and changes opportunity to thank the team for their stoic Australian to our personal or professional lives, it’s fair to approach to continuing to support the industry Sports Turf Managers say that 2020 will be remembered for a long through a trying 12 months. In addition to the time and many of the changes resulting from Association employment videos, the team delivered a suite restrictions and changing regulations will be The previous months have seen golf of initiatives, among them including; with us for some time yet. rounds continue to increase right across the • The launch of the 2020 Golf Course For the Australian Sports Turf Managers country. While this is a great sign for the sport Sustainability Project; Association (ASTMA), the changes to as it bounces back from COVID, it does place • Becoming a signatory to The R&A’s restrictions and regulations resulted in further pressure on already stretched teams to Women in Golf Charter; the need to significantly adjust our way of manage their playing surfaces and conditions. • Completing an affiliation agreement with operating. Despite that, I remain very pleased the US Sports Turf Managers Association; with the level of support we were able to MEMBER FEEDBACK • Delivering leadership development support provide when it was needed the most. The ASTMA recently completed a for members; 2020 also saw the induction of a new comprehensive member survey with a • Embarking on the ANTEP 5 trial and Board, with Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & fantastic response rate. Members provided couchgrass variety trial; Tweed Heads GC, NSW) taking over the reins feedback on the activities and performance • Developing essential turf maintenance as president from Brett Balloch (Anglesea of the association, as well as a great deal of statements for sports turf facilities for State GC, Vic) in August. We also welcomed Ben insight into the areas they would like to see us Governments through COVID; Tilley (Headland GC, Qld) and Damian Hough continue our focus into 2021 and beyond. (See • The development of the ASTMA (Adelaide Oval, SA) to the Board and with this page 34 for a summary of the survey results). Certification Program; change we have developed a clear approach As noted in member feedback, one of the • In conjunction with the Australian Golf to deliver on industry priorities for 2021. largest areas of concern for turf managers Industry Council, support was also One constant that changes very little at facilities right across the country in 2020 provided for bushfire relief, research into from year to year are the challenges that is staffing. Both bringing new talent into the golf participation and mental health; summer brings with it for sports turf managers. industry and the retention of qualified staff are • 2021 will also see the launch of the Golf Presenting a range of challenges already, high on the priority list to work through. Course 2030 programme which is being this year is perhaps further compounded We started working with government led by the ASTMA and Golf Australia. with long-term forecasts predicting either an departments in various states on this issue, As I have taken the opportunity to reflect, I exceptionally long dry summer or a very wet with the first programme of work a range of am constantly thankful for the support we have few months ahead, depending on which part sports turf management advocacy videos received over the past 12 months. I therefore of the country you are in. being released in Victoria. Further activities would like to take the opportunity to pass on our gratitude to each of our trade partners who continue to support us. Your assistance and collaboration are truly valued and the programmes we are able to develop and deliver to thousands of sports turf managers wouldn’t be possible without your support. Lastly, but by no means least, I would also like to thank the diligent and continually hardworking team at the association who push forward despite the challenges, collectively strive to deliver the best support possible and who all remain committed to taking the industry forward. This year, more than ever, stay safe.^ AGCSATech embarked on a number of turf trials in 2020, including a couchgrass variety trial recently planted out at Sorrento Golf Club, Vic 4 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22 6 NEW POSTERITY - the fungicide that holds strong for many moons. Introducing POSTERITY fungicide, the latest SDHI in the turf market that provides exceptional Dollar Spot control. It is a great option to supercharge your tank mix and deal with Dollar Spot, with power that lasts. POSTERITY sets a new standard, holding stronger for many moons. POSTERITY earns you 30 points with Turf Rewards SCAN FOR INFO y Posterity syngenta. Turf fungicide For more info call Syngenta Customer Service on 1800 022 035 or visit syngentaturf.com.au ® Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1,2-4 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ABN 33 002 933 717. ©Registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. ™Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2020 Syngenta. Always read the full label for directions for use. AD 20-348. COVID ATM canvasses Melbourne sports turf managers to see how they, their teams and their facilities fared during two COVID-enforced lockdowns in 2020, the lessons they learned and the challenges ahead. OVID-19 impacted every part of “Budgets have also taken a hit as some of our existence in 2020, but for C our other sporting facilities, such as the pools sports turf managers based in and gyms, were closed only until recently. Melbourne it proved vastly more We have had to revisit our budgets numerous challenging. After enduring the times and make as many savings as possible. first lockdown in March, for an 11-week period This has seen us need to source different between July and October the state capital products and reduce or eliminate some of our was plunged into a Stage 4 lockdown which programmes, but so far there hasn’t been a truly tested the resilience of all. negative impact to the playing surfaces. The restrictions were felt differently “On the plus side we are now seeing by clubs and facilities, with some taking numbers of golfers on the course that we advantage of the situation to fast-track haven’t seen since 1998, so that will help renovations or disruptive works/improvements, with the financial side of things. The biggest while others halted all major projects and concern of course is if we see the return of the simply concentrated on essential maintenance. virus in 2021. I guess all we can do is make Staffing structures varied from full staff and hay while the sun shines.” full-time, to others working just a few days per week and supplemented with annual leave or CAMERON HALL leave without pay. Casual staff were the first to Superintendent, Kew GC be cut, with JobKeeper instrumental in keeping “Without a doubt 2020 has been one of the staff employed in many instances. After three months of no patronage, the normally most challenging years I have dealt with as The pressure placed on sports turf heavily utilised public access Freeway Golf Club was a superintendent. The thoughts of potentially looking immaculate ahead of golf returning in October managers has been immense, not only having having to let staff go if restrictions didn’t to worry about their course/facility but also to meetings. While it’s not always practical, ease was always in the back of my mind and their families, their mental health and that of hopefully this continues into the future. I also knowing how these decisions would impact on their entire staff. If there is one thing COVID think lockdown gave us a real chance to revisit people’s lives was a hard thing to deal with. has highlighted it is that adaptability and many of our programmes and practices. It is Usually coming into summer I am refreshed resilience, the hallmarks of any good sports interesting to see and hear comments from after a break over the winter, but this year I feel turf manager, have never been more important. golfers and other people in the industry saying like I have been through a summer already. To see how they have fared through two how play is moving faster by not taking out “The second lockdown was different to COVID-enforced lockdowns, ATM canvassed flags, using pool noodles to stop the ball the first which almost seemed like a novelty. At a number of Melbourne sports turf managers dropping into the cup and even how the work some stage in our careers we have all wished to see what lessons they learned out of it, the we do raking bunkers isn’t really necessary. to work on a course with no golfers and this differences between the two lockdown periods “I think in the second lockdown we were enabled us to complete all our capital works and what they see as the key challenges for more prepared and had more of an idea of for 2020 during the first lockdown and have their facility in the coming 12 months. We also what we could and couldn’t do. We were able the course in a really good place leading into ask Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club chief to work right through and we even had some winter. The second lockdown, however, was executive and former Huntingdale Golf Club staff from other facilities redeployed to our glummer with reduced staff numbers, essential general manager Stewart Fenton to provide team. Being restricted to work teams made maintenance only for the majority of it and a some thoughts on the opportunities for clubs it tough as we were limited to working with real sense of apprehension about how long going forward as the industry heads into 2021. the same people for the whole period. We we could continue to operate like this as a normally rotate our apprentices around our business with no income coming in. MATHEW FITZGERALD golf and sportsfields teams and during this “The lockdown was of great benefit to Assistant Superintendent, Ringwood Golf/ period we had to stop that. I think the biggest our turf quality with the period of no play Maroondah City Council challenge was keeping the team motivated enabling areas that take high amounts of “I think the key lesson from 2020 was and productive while also keeping up to date traffic the chance to recover. We also took learning how we can be more efficient. We’ve with the never-ending stream of paperwork, the opportunity to be quite aggressive with restructured our hours out of necessity to split documents, log books and work permits. our Poa control. With no golfers on course, the work teams up, but are now finding we “We’ve been lucky to retain the same staff the risk of tracking was greatly reduced. are much more productive by only having the levels, however we have had a couple of staff We went early (early September) with an one break during the day and scheduling our move on and instead of recruiting permanent aggressive renovation on the couch which has second break for the end of the day, allowing staff we’ve been asked to put casuals on until produced great results, while we also verti- the team to go home earlier each day. the end of March as there is a recruitment drained greens fortnightly through the second “Some positives out of the lockdown also freeze. Given the nature of our work and this lockdown and got a number of extra dusts related to efficiency. We now run a lot of our being the busiest time of the year, we will run onto the surfaces. catch-up meetings online using Zoom instead fewer numbers from March to September 2021 “Without a doubt the financial side will be of eating up valuable time physically going to do our bit for the organisation. the biggest challenge moving forward. The NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 7 COVID the demands of winter sports playing catch up while summer sports get underway. The extra demand also places strains on our grounds.” MARK FINDLAY Superintendent, Sanctuary Lakes GC “Respecting each other more and communicating a lot more were the key lessons we learned at Sanctuary Lakes. I think the first lockdown was harder because it happened so quick, but all you can do is communicate with the staff and make sure you understand their needs. I think the second lockdown was easier because clubs had JobKeeper in place and we all knew what to expect and what the working conditions were. PHOTO: CAM HALL “Budget-wise we are doing okay and we saved a lot of money by doing renovations during lockdown ourselves. Staff levels are back to normal and we have even recently put on an apprentice and a casual. Without doubt Kew Golf Club took the opportunity to aggressively dethatch their couch fairways during the second lockdown one of the big positives of the lockdown was loss of corporate golf days, weddings and SAM HEWITT staff training. We were able to teach staff new functions has greatly affected our bottom line GM operations and capital, City of Darebin jobs and they are all now capable of operating and we need these to return to enable us to “The big lesson to come out of lockdown any machine which provides greater flexibility.” get staff numbers back to what they were plus was how important open space is to our return the cap-ex purchases.” community. The big increase in use did put COREY BUDDEN pressure on the grounds but we were thrilled Superintendent, Sandhurst Club LIAM O’KEEFFE to see our community loving their use in new “Prior to JobKeeper our courses at Sandhurst Racecourse manager, Flemington and creative ways. We learnt it’s possible to were put into ‘caretaker mode’ meaning only “It was certainly a very different Spring Carnival manage our turf operations at a reasonable one person per nine holes and no more than this year. We have been crowd-free since capacity remotely, across administration, four guys on site on any given day. Once March, but despite that it didn’t really affect contractors and staff. We had good operational JobKeeper came in everyone breathed a our work that much. We have been fortunate turf programmes in place pre-COVID, which sigh of relief and all staff (except casuals) that racing has continued all the way through proved valuable when staff needed to operate were able to return. The lockdowns were which has really helped the industry and kept without the usual level of direction. We also very hard especially for the younger guys everyone employed. learnt the need to be prepared for significant who normally work hard and then need to “In the first four months of COVID we change at short notice. let their hair down on the weekend. It was a went down to a skeleton staff - about 60 per “Darebin Council didn’t stand down any mundane existence for a period. The constant cent - but by August we were back to pretty staff during lockdown. Staff were redeployed reminding of the crew to wear all the PPE was much a full crew with the exception of about in other roles and were super flexible and challenging at times. We had to be very vigilant six casuals. To cover that a bit we used some willing to have a go at a range of duties. Our as at Sandhurst there are 1300-plus houses head office staff who were stood down early on staff were allocated to online training and other watching our every move! who worked with us on race days. It was great computer-based work which has been good to “Not originally being from Victoria, the for them as they got to see a different side of expose staff to new skills and opportunities. second lockdown was devastating, especially what we do and gave us an extra set of hands “With sports clubs losing time on the pitch having to put up with my friends interstate on the track.” over the lockdown period, we need to balance constantly filling their Facebook feed with them having fun. I was that bored I mowed my lawn every week! On the course things weren’t as bad as the first lockdown as we knew what to expect. I had a long list of course improvement works and the club was great and very supportive of all these projects. “Post-lockdowns we have seen over 300 new members join the club. We were very fortunate that our subs were due on 1 March so we had that money for projects. The club will be offering discounts to members for 2021 to compensate for lost golf in 2020.” In the first four months of C0VID, the track crew at Flemington went down to a skeleton staff-about 60 per cent - but by August we were back with racing continuing throughout the year 8 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 John Deere GOLF f?3| And trusted by one of the world's most beautiful OFFICIAL GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT From what was once coastal pine forest, Tara Iti Golf Club has quickly established SUPPLIER itself as something unique. The links-style course is located on the Te Arai coast, just south of Mangawhai on the North Island of New Zealand. Opening in 2015, Tara Iti immediately rocketed up the list of the world’s best courses. Tara Iti is maintained using a fleet of innovative John Deere equipment, including hybrid technology, customised to the course's unique requirements. Contact your John Deere Golf dealer today to discuss the unique requirements of your course and for a demonstration. JohnDeere.com.au/Golf PHOTO: Tara Iti Golf Club, New Zealand r RACIA JNDGA63488. AU. ASTMA COVID NIALL MARTIN Coordinator - sportfields, reserves and capital works, Knox City Council The second lockdown was more difficult due to tighter restrictions and staff felt it more. Our connectivity was much improved the second time around, but the face-to-face disconnect from the field staff was extremely difficult. Working from home while the team were in the field was difficult, as was having school- aged children around if a report was due or a meeting was in progress! PHOTO: LUKE ARMSTRONG “Lessons learned? Expect the unexpected and prepare surfaces that can withstand two weeks’ neglect. It would appear that the virus will be around for a while, so pandemic response now becomes a normal part of business. Working remotely and connectivity From a turf management perspective, a major challenge over the next 12 months will be managing increased also become critical components of the thatch levels on sportsgrounds due to no usage over the winter months operation. We are using Surface Pros to TRAVIS SCOTT conference in the hope that something will ensure staff connectivity is easier and team Superintendent, Riversdale GC change. Presenting a positive outlook each meetings will continue in this format. Irrigation “I think we all as staff have been very grateful day to the staff went a long way to keeping systems across 67 fields are being converted to the club for being able to come to work them engaged and motivated. The staff to cloud-based operation. This would be vital if when so many have been out of work or had were offered to participate in a mindfulness/ a lockdown occurred in warmer months.” to work from home. It was actually great for the wellness programme which a few participated staff’s mental wellbeing to be able to have that in. Personally, it certainly was difficult at times, DAVID JOHNSON normality of coming to work when the world juggling home-schooling and a partner that Superintendent, Patterson River GC was changing nearly weekly. works in the health industry. Mindfulness “I’m not too sure if there have been any “The second lockdown was a little harder assisted myself through this along with being lessons except that you can’t be complacent to navigate; staff were getting frustrated. able to come to work. and take your jobs for granted. The future isn’t Splitting the crew into teams and balancing “The course has certainly benefited from always rosy and things can change at any time start and finish times was certainly challenging. the lockdown. We are a busy club and we in a flash as we have all found out. Planning for We brought in a temporary lunch room to have seen development in turf and out of play events and staffing levels certainly got thrown ensure we were social distancing. The club areas that we haven’t seen before. I think out the window and placed us all under a bit of reduced the staff’s hours for a few weeks golfers are generally appreciating the course a uncertainty. It was the first time I have ever felt initially and it was then decided to complete little more and we have seen improvements in this way about my future and my career. course renovations prior to the return of golf to pitch mark and divot repair. “For us the first lockdown was completely ensure no restrictions on play and from then “Managing our staffing levels will be the different to the second lockdown. In the first we have worked right through. big challenge going forward. We are still lockdown we took advantage of having no “The biggest lesson for me was to only seeing good staff leave the industry to move golfers on course and we started our Course worry about what you can control. There’s into other fields. It’s quite worrying and the Master Plan, so in a sense we were more no joy in watching the Premier’s daily press bottom line is it’s about wages.” productive. All staff were working normal hours with the golf club supplementing our wages, so there was little effect to our hip pocket. The second lockdown was completely different. We were working at JobKeeper pay rates and shortened hours with no wage supplement from the club. Minimal work was done just to keep the golf course ticking over with two split shift teams working roughly five hours per day. “I think the key challenges heading into 2021 will be around budgets. Cash flow was next to zero during lockdown so I’m not too sure how this will affect my budget yet. There has been one massive positive side to all this - we have had a huge influx of new members and have reached membership numbers we PHOTO: LUKE ARMSTRONG Despite an altered maintenance schedule and the reguirement to only deliver essential works, the Kingston City Council sportsground team had a very busy period getting their grounds in top condition ahead of restrictions being eased 10 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 haven’t seen in years. But this now presents “The challenges for us going forward will its own challenges with traffic on the golf definitely be staffing, budgeting and replacing course being at incredible daily numbers. It machinery. We are going to have to be even does make it a bit more difficult to get things more resourceful than we already are. As an done, but I’d rather take that than the past few aside, I think more clubs should be working months of uncertainty.” in with each other, with possibly regional meetings with other course mangers to share KYLE WILSON staff for respective projects. It would be a great Superintendent, Moonah Links learning experience for the staff members “As we had casuals replace full-time staff in the involved, improve morale and complete latter half of last year, when COVID hit we had projects that might not otherwise get done.” four staff that did not qualify for JobKeeper, so unfortunately that put a dent in numbers. When LUKE ARMSTRONG the subsequent restrictions took full effect Sportsground coordinator, City of Kingston and due to the split shifts, we only had 4-6 “Having a flexible, adaptive approach with staff present at the same time over 36 holes. a situation as uncontrollable as COIVD has We also changed to a rolling six-day roster been important. Always make the most out of and had to focus more than ever before on a negative situation and utilise maintenance prioritising jobs. downtime to focus on capital projects and “With our business also reliant on hotel other tasks that often get forgotten. Focussing accommodation, we have taken a financial on staff welfare and team morale has also hit on both sides. As a result our budget has been important. become almost non-existent as all departments “During the Stage 4 lockdown we had to have had to be mindful of COVID’s economic “It was great for the staff’s mental wellbeing to have identify and make a call on ‘essential’ tasks, impact, with spending only on an ‘as need’ that normality of coming to work when the world was ensuring council led from the front while also basis. We may require a good summer for changing nearly weekly. ” - Travis Scott, Riversdale GC delivering adequate maintenance so our open business before we are getting close to the spaces continued to meet high community staff numbers we feel is acceptable. lockdown. Even simple things like not being expectations. This was certainly a challenge “With a reduction in staff numbers and able to share the lunchroom and the banter and open to interpretation depending on split shifts, keeping staff motivated and that goes on and having to forego the Friday who you spoke to. Mowing was reduced to a engaged was certainly the hardest facet of the frothies created a disconnect. monthly cycle, ground change-over tasks were GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT ORDER YOUR NEW TDR35D AND START MEASURING YOUR VMC EC & TEMPERATURES TODAY! Take up the introductory offer of $225O+gst and receive a set Order of 1.5 Or 3" tines FREE now!! Offer Must End January 15th 2021 NEED TO LOG YOUR DATA? Ask us about Spec Connect the newest platform in collating your Facilities data! COUNTRY CLUB info@countryclub.com.au | 1300 138 804 INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 11 COVID delayed and the team worked in isolation for in disease activity which has already come “During the first lockdown we sought to a two-month period, minimising the sharing to realisation on some grounds. One major maintain the course as normal, albeit with of vehicles and equipment. Spring renovation concern is managing stakeholder expectations less frequency and with limited staff. It was maintenance tasks were delayed until after moving forward. Hopefully summer tenant challenging but achievable. The second lockdown restrictions had eased. The focus clubs don’t expect the immaculate fields they lockdown was much more difficult, as there turned to reactive/emergency works with safety were handed over in November this year all seemed to be no end in sight. Staff morale and auditing of assets a priority. the time!” during the first lockdown remained high, but “Operations had to become more fluid with with the second all issues in and out of the greater flexibility shown as the landscape was COL WINTERTON workplace seemed to compound and a few changing daily. The most challenging aspect Superintendent, Medway GC heads were down. As government financial was working from home and losing that face- “2020 has taught us to be flexible at a assistance arrived we found that we could to-face connection with staff and community moment’s notice. We held key meetings with have more staff on site and as our membership stakeholders. Online meetings don’t have the management to outline non-negotiable course backed the club by fee paying even while not same connection and nothing beats the real management issues (greens programmes and golfing, we found ourselves in a position to life feeling of being surrounded by quality maintaining staff numbers) and then forsake commit to some course works which gave our people and a dedicated team on a daily basis all other issues as the club assessed its likely members a lift when they returned. and feeding off that. impact. As a group we worked alone, ran “Going forward, if this thing hangs around “From a turf management perspective, separate meal breaks, sanitised everything that there may well be some sort of limitations a major challenge over the next 12 months moved or looked like it had moved and stuck placed on us all, hopefully minus the severity. will be managing increased thatch levels on to our COVID-safe plan. Upon reflection we As a group, turf managers are an innovative, our sportsgrounds due to no usage over the were pretty safe - 50 hectares, six staff and no problem-solving, can-do type of beast, so winter months. With this comes an increase golfers. whatever comes we will prevail.”^ A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR CLUBS TO RESET hat a challenging year 2020 has been, not just W for our clubs but for all working in the industry. It has certainly created around the sustainability of our clubs and COVID’s impact on jobs. As has been well reported, golf during and post COVID has Revenue driven results some mental challenges with the uncertainty Retention/ Sustained value proposition for members Reduced value proposition for members Reduced expenditure attraction of Reduced experienced a boom in membership and members investment increased rounds which is great news. When I spoke at the Jacobsen Future Turf Asset Neglect enhancement/ assets/course Managers’ Initiative facilitated by the ASTMA course improvements improvements back in March, I made the comment that I felt the industry was going to get a once-in-a- Sustained Value (left) vs Reduced Value (right) proposition models lifetime opportunity to reset. Clubs can either grab this opportunity with both hands and ‘value proposition models’ - the Sustained have learnt throughout this pandemic and the create a business model that is sustainable Value Proposition model (left) seen generally vision for the way forward. The improvements for the future, or fall back into the trap of just in successful clubs and the Reduced Value in the quality of the golf course has not doing what it has been doing and continue Proposition model (right) seen generally in happened by chance; they have happened the rollercoaster ride (peaks and troughs in struggling clubs. off the back of being proactive. financial performance) that many clubs have COVID has provided clubs with a simple The challenge for boards is to take experienced in recent years. choice to make. They can follow the route this opportunity with both hands - to reset, For most clubs the increase in generally followed by successful clubs time establish a clear vision and strategy for membership income has been much stronger and time again, or they can revert back to the club, to listen and actively engage with than the associated but significant falls in what I have been seeing far too often in golf their leaders (the general managers and visitor, corporate and food and beverage clubs in more recent years, which leads to superintendents) in developing realistic goals revenue. Together with significant government a downward spiral of struggle for so many and then providing financial (budgets) and financial support (e.g.: JobKeeper) and it clubs across the country. other resources (staffing, access etc) that is fair to say that the large majority of clubs Believe me, the difference between will allow the management team to deliver are in a stronger financial position right now following the Sustained Value model as revenue-driven rather than cost-driven results. than they would have expected to be back in opposed to the Reduced Value model has a This is the time for bold decisions, March. Against this backdrop, golf courses, major impact on member retention, member strong leadership, ongoing investment in the generally speaking, are in great condition and satisfaction and continuous improvement in future sustainability of the club and a clear this has been common across the industry. your club’s offering out in what is a highly understanding that boards are the custodians So when I say reset the bar, what do I competitive marketplace. of the club for future generations. mean? To answer this question, I would refer I would encourage all to speak openly to - Stewart Fenton, CEO, Royal South to the accompanying diagrams which I call your managers and boards about what you Yarra Lawn Tennis Club 12 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 control, back in 1995. It, and our 25 year old Rain Bird rotors are still going strong. What’s great is that all parts are still available through Living Turf and Rain Bird, jj Rob Bradley, Superintendent Curiewis Golf Club L 1V1 N G T U R F RAIN^BIRD SCIENTIFIC TURF MANAGEMENT -w Discover your winning formula at Living Turf 1300 556 116 | livingturf.com.au I UUIIU UUUI UUj private pedigree Opening in November, the new-look Sandringham Golf Links is the centre of attention in more ways than one. Royal Melbourne director of courses Richard Forsyth looks at the redevelopment of the public access course which forms part of the soon-to-be completed new home of Australian golf in the heart of Melbourne’s Sandbelt. z o co co —I, cE o o REDEVELOPMENTS he opening of the new 18-hole Ogilvy, Cocking and Mead (OCM) Sandringham Golf Links on 24 provided design and construction services, T November 2020 was a significant milestone in the Victorian Government-backed Australian Golf Centre development. The reconstruction existing Sandringham public course, which sits adjacent to Royal Melbourne Golf Club, started back in May 2019. It is part of an overall $18.8 of the but RMGC were contracted to complete tree removal, final preparation works, grassing and grow-in. Initially a price was given to provide labour, equipment and grassing services to complete the 18-hole development. This was in the form of a fixed price contract, with provisional amounts for irrigation water and million redevelopment of the site which will drainage, charged to the project monthly upon see it transform into the new home for golf in percentage completion. Australia, with both Golf Australia and the PGA Early in 2018 and with the project start of Australia to be headquartered there once imminent, Nicholas Staff was appointed finished. from the RMGC links team as construction Reconstruction of the golf course was superintendent and all staff were appointed completed in two stages over the past 18 under the RMGC banner. Labour was charged months, with Stage 1 encompassing the most back to the Sandringham operation, or in the work. That stage consisted of nine holes, a case of construction work charged back to the new irrigation system, increased irrigation project. This created a need to accurately track water storage, a 350-metre driving range labour allocations across all three courses with target greens and Golf Australia’s high- and the development project. The taskTracker performance tee, short game and target green system has proved very helpful in allocating zones. Stage 1 ’s nine holes opened for play Sandringham construction superintendent Nic Staff and tracking resources and charging to the in January 2020 with the second nine-hole relevant cost centre. reconstruction (Stage 2) then beginning. for the Sandringham property from Bayside To achieve a modern driving range length The construction of the building Council and been responsible for maintenance and width requires a significant area of land component is due to be completed by June of the course. The operation was initially run which basically encompassed the footprint 2021. This will include office and administration separately, with some hiring of maintenance of the 1st and 9th holes of the original space for both golfing bodies, a cafe/golf equipment from the RMGC fleet. Following Sandringham layout. Mike Cocking was the operations facility, gymnasium, putting lab and completion of the new RMGC maintenance lead architect from OCM and developed a new three teaching labs, physio treatment rooms, facility in 2016 and the need to upgrade layout to achieve the desired 18-hole format lecture theatre and a 30-bay undercover compliance of the facility at Sandringham, it on the remainder of the site. The end result is driving range with public access. Once was decided to integrate the operation into the a par 65 layout measuring 4875m off the back building works are closer to completion, a RMGC facility. tees and 4290m off the front. 3500m2 ‘Himalayas style’ putting green will As part of the Australian Golf Centre also be finalised. Located at the entry to the project, RMGC has had the unusual SANDBELT CHARACTERISTICS Australian Golf Centre, it will provide a unique circumstance of being both a client and a Stage 1 works involved the holes where most setting as people come into the facility. contractor to the project. As the operator of significant change was needed to achieve the the course and facilities, the club was a client design. This included orientating holes 1,2 UNIQUE PROJECT, DESIGN of the project, but as a provider of services for and 3 in a different direction, while sections of Since 2010, Royal Melbourne Golf Club the construction of the golf course it was also 15 and 16 were moved into land previously not (RMGC) has held the head lease agreement a contractor. part of the playing area of the original holes. Stage 1 works saw Sandringham’s existing irrigation dam expanded from 15ML to 30ML PHOTO: GARY LISBON The opportunity to redevelop the Sandringham public golf course as part of the Australian Golf Centre project has provided a chance to embrace its location in the heart of Melbourne’s famed Sa ndbelt region. Pictured is the new par three 12th green complex OCM’s Nick Henry mines sand from the 11th hole 16 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 Our Long Game Is YOUR SUCCESS 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* Hunter National Free Call: 1 800 HUNTER Suite 7,202 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, NELSONTel: 1300 856 368 Toll Free Fax: 1 800 651680 www.hrproducts.com.au hrsales@hrproducts.com.au ® AUSTRALIA ^x: 1 300 856 369 ----------www.nelsonirrigation.com.au info@nelsonirrigation.com.au Melbourne, Victoria, 3168, Australia Tel: 613 9562 9918 Fax: 613 9558 6983 REDEVELOPMENTS PHOTO: GARY LISBON In order to provide consistency between Royal Melbourne’s two courses, the new Sandringham course boasts Suttons Mix greens and fine fescue surrounds Other holes were split to create two holes Discussions about utilising parts of the influenced the grass selection process. The where there was previously one. Stage 1 also existing irrigation system and renewing only previous course was very low maintenance required the construction of Golf Australia’s on the holes that changed completely were with predominantly bentgrass greens and high-performance programme training zones. short lived and fortunately funding of a full kikuyu/couchgrass fairways and tees. There This all meant that Stage 1 would have the replacement system was forthcoming. Superior was no budget or appetite to convert to most work involved, whereas Stage 2 primarily Green won the contract to install a new Toro couchgrass fairways, so any reinstatement of orientated holes through the existing corridors hub system which has back-to-back heads on fairway areas was a combination of seeded with new greens, tees and bunkering. the greens and full circle valve-in-heads on the couch and coring of existing areas spread into The opportunity to redevelop the course fairways. The central control is wired back to the cultivated ground. was a chance to embrace its location in the the RMGC irrigation room. The greens grassing decision came down heart of the Melbourne Sandbelt region. To A shortage of irrigation water is a perennial to either one of the latest creeping bentgrasses have a public access course nestled between summer issue at Sandringham so the Stage or RMGC’s famed Suttons Mix. We decided on Royal Melbourne and Victoria golf clubs was 1 extension and improvements to the existing the latter for consistency with the maintenance a unique opportunity and this desire certainly dam were important in taking capacity from 15 at RMGC to keep similar practices and influenced Mike’s design and style of course. megalitres to 30ML. The existing stormwater versatility with mowing and rolling equipment. Although the location of the property harvesting system produced higher volumes The potential options for Poa annua control suggested deep dune sand conditions, than could be stored so the extended capacity was a factor along with lower inputs, in terms the reality was only 50 per cent of the will prove beneficial although likely to still fall of topdressing and cultivation requirements, site presented the sand profile ideal for short during extended dry summer periods. favouring the Suttons Mix selection. There constructing greens and bunkering. The were some concerns about its resilience to budget was arranged on the basis there KEEPING CONSISTENT withstand the level of traffic, but at this early would be no importing of sand required, but Both the Sandbelt nature of the new design stage all indications are positive. sand mining and relocation within the site and the integration of the operation with RMGC Several of the greens were treated with was required to provide the necessary sand Basamid prior to seeding, particularly those volumes for construction. As can be seen in that were being established where previous the photo at the bottom of the previous page, green profile material was used which had the grey sand mined from the surface was potential Poa annua and couch contamination. used for greens and bunkers, with some of the The greens were hydroseeded at a rate brown sand deeper down used on tees. of 750 grams per 100 square metres by In addition to mining sand, the subgrade veteran hydroseeder and part-time comedian for four greens on the course and the practice Michael Riordan. We were delighted with the putting green required drainage. In general, establishment of the greens, even those sown the central higher areas of the course have the in June and July. They have quickly produced deepest sand, while the flatter ground to the Hydroseeding the fescue surround on 18 after first a quality putting surface and display all the seeding directly into the soil. A barrier was installed east and west consists of heavier soil with clay firmness and trueness of their more mature to achieve a hard line between seeding the bentgrass at the surface. green and fescue surround siblings on the south side of Cheltenham Rd. 18 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 The fine fescue surrounds were considered necessary to keep a clean buffer between the greens and kikuyu surrounding. The issue of wear in the high traffic areas was a concern with the fescue as well, but hopefully this is offset by the opportunity to selectively remove both Poa and kikuyu. One of the important learnings of establishing the fine fescue was to maximise soil contact. We seeded at 4kg/100m2 split in two. The first 2kg was broadcast via a spinner PHOTO: GARY LISBON and drop spreader and dimple rolled into the sand. The second 2kg was hydroseeded over the top. Again, we were very happy with the results from this method and it assisted in getting the normally slow-to-establish fescue The construction of the building component of the Australian Golf Centre project, including a 30-bay undercover up to maturity in a short space of time for driving range with public access, is due to be completed by June 2021 opening. Stage 1 tees were sprigged with Santa Ana the site up to parking 5000 cars, the main 19 lockdowns. Other than the financial couchgrass in October 2019 for the January tournament village areas and entry for up to impact, the lockdowns worked in our favour 2020 opening. The options were limited 30,000 spectators a day was a significant risk, with getting heavy topdressing onto the new for Stage 2 tees with establishment during but one the team managed to achieve with greens and surrounds without the pressure September for a November opening. We great success. of play. It also allowed better interface of the therefore decided to seed with a ryegrass/fine Following the pack up of the tournament construction site holes and the holes in play, fescue mixture, using the Barolympic variety infrastructure, we had four weeks to allowing machinery and finishing works to of rye. Although not ideal having two different concentrate on getting the Stage 1 holes move more freely between the two areas. grass varieties for tees, it is giving us a chance ready to go for their January opening. Controlling the interaction of the public with the to assess the value of one over the other in the Fortunately, the dry conditions in the lead up construction site during both stages required high intensity public golf tee space. At some and during the Presidents Cup kept damage significant temporary fencing which then stage in the future we will either overseed the to a minimum. If we had experienced wet had to be relocated every time irrigation or couch tees with the rye or overplant the couch weather it could have been a very different earthmoving needed to connect from one to into the rye. story. The construction of the range target the other. greens and bunkering was delayed to give the Waypoint are the project consultants CUP THEN COVID maximum area of level ground for the PGA and project managers. Barb Gaiotto is the Hosting the Presidents Cup in December 2019 Tour to establish the spectator village and project manager for Waypoint and has done was a significant challenge we needed to entertainment area. an amazing job from planning applications, consider in our planning with the Sandringham In the time since the start of construction consultation with community groups, assisting project. Establishing new fairway areas, in May 2019 we have worked through the us with our contractual requirements and greens, tees and surrounds and then opening Presidents Cup impacts and then two COVID- coordination of all of the various contractors Right Advice Right Support Right Products Right around Australia. T I A GREENWAY TURF SOLUTIONS greenwayturFsolutions.com NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 19 REDEVELOPMENTS and sub-contractors. 2construct were our Craig Anthony (East Course superintendent) contractors for the civil works on the water have taken more responsibility for managing storage enhancement and subsequently the their own courses during my shared focus with successful bidder on the building construction. the project and I thank them both for dealing There remains much to be done by with the various issues when I was not so our team including the landscape planting accessible. surrounding the building, the Himalayas Overall, our staff have overachieved in the putting green establishment, additional past 18 months. To take on the reconstruction tees for the high performance area and the of a golf course in the middle of preparing lawns surrounding the building. However, in for a Presidents Cup was an ambitious plan, comparison to what has been achieved to date but in the end the team have delivered both this will be relatively straight forward. an excellent tournament presentation and a There is much to be done in the vegetation project on time and on budget, an outstanding space with the current situation very degraded effort from all. I am very proud and very much and in many places engulfed by invasive appreciate the efforts from all. The club and all weed species. We have a multi-year plan to of the interested parties are very appreciative progressively remove the undesirable species, of the effort from all contractors and staff to cut back laterally growing tea tree and replant deliver this exciting combined public access with indigenous plants, using some of the and elite player facility. heathlands at RMGC as inspiration. As we move into the maintenance phase, Part of the planning approval was for 600 the new Sandringham Golf Links will continue trees to be planted back into the site which The Suttons Mix on the 3rd green after six months to evolve. Although up weighted from the has been done. Most of this planting was previous budget, the resources specific to done in newly-created spaces between holes assisted initially through Stage 1 and much of Sandringham remain tight. We expect as the and around the boundary, but the future will Stage 2 construction by foreman Darcy Jones 18-hole income returns and the public driving focus on the existing areas and develop small who has now rotated to the East Course with range comes online, we will be able to reinvest pockets each year. RMGC horticulture foreman Geraldine O’Callaghan now in the 2IC role at more resources into the course. Stuart Moodie has already started some work Sandringham. Gerri has returned to that role At present we operate the course with six with immediate impact. This is the area of the after being in the same position on the East full-time staff rotated from the RMGC team. course which will have the biggest upside Course for several years. The consumables are taken from RMGC stock going forward and will really enhance the golf All RMGC staff have rotated through the and charged back to Sandringham. The same course features expertly constructed by Mike tree removal and construction phases, doing applies to the equipment fleet which is RMGC Cocking and shaper Nick Henry. an excellent job through at times difficult equipment charged back as a hire charge to circumstances and aggressive timelines. Our Sandringham. Our management now refers to PEOPLE POWER arborist Tom Walsh handled the daunting the ‘East’, ‘West’ and ‘North’ courses with staff Construction superintendent Nic Staff task of tree removal without incident. Mark on a fortnightly rotation. has directed the project for our team with Stravato, our skilled equipment manager, has There is much improvement to be made outstanding results. Relatively inexperienced dealt with the changing requirements and on the ‘North’ course, but our philosophy is as a supervisor prior to this project, he harsh environment for the equipment through to continue to develop the whole facility and has adapted and learnt on the job dealing construction with his usual adaptable and apply similar standards of maintenance to all with all of the complications of contractors, professional manner. three courses, subject to available inputs. The management, project managers, staff, There have been many hours of planning, goal is to provide a public access facility at changing conditions, timelines and budgets budgeting and managing of the project. Paul least equal to the best comparable facilities in in a calm and controlled manner. He was Thomas (West Course superintendent) and the country, ak PHOTO: GARY LISBON RMGC’s philosophy is to continue to develop the whole Sandringham facility and apply similar standards of maintenance to that of its renowned East and West courses 20 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 Applies 40 grams of Registered for Micro Emulsion actual abamectin use on all Turf (ME) Formulation per ha species (2 L per ha rate) Turf Fully dissolved 2 L @ 20 g/L = 40 (all turf species) ri Fully dissolved in the bottle Fully dissolved in the tank Fully dissolved out of the nozzle Fully dissolved on the leaf For the Control of Couch Mite in Turf Thumper Insecticide TURF culture 20 g/L Abamectin ver the past 10 years Vietnam has is one of the stellar features of the beachside SPECIAL PLACE, SPECIAL DESIGN become a burgeoning golf market resort which also boasts four luxurious hotels Vietnam holds a special place in my heart as it O in the Asia region, with many new courses being constructed and the Vietnamese people embracing the region has been a real focal point for golf course and resort development in recent times, with one of the biggest being Hoiana Shores and cutting-edge entertainment and gaming facilities. Constructed between July 2017 and October 2019 and opening in March 2020, game wholeheartedly. The country’s central Hoiana Shores was recently named Best New Course for 2020 at the World Golf Awards, one of a number of accolades it has already was here that I took on my first superintendent role having served my formative years in Brisbane before heading to the Middle East. At Van Tri Golf Club in Hanoi, I worked under GM Rick Blackie who allowed me complete autonomy to make any improvements. From there I took on roles in construction Golf Club. achieved in its short history. and grow-in at Chi Linh/Dai Lai and Saigon Located on the shores of the East In winning the award it bested the likes golf clubs, before spending a short time in Vietnam Sea, about eight kilometres south of Old Toccoa Farm and the Tiger Woods- China and then settling into a role with Atlas of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed city of designed Payne’s Valley GC at Big Cedar Turf International based in Malaysia. I then Hoi An, known as ‘The City of Lanterns’, the Lodge, Dumbarnie Links (Scotland), PGA went back into golf course maintenance at the golf club is part of the US$4 billion Hoiana National (Czech Republic), Education City GC 27-hole Twin Doves facility just north of Saigon Integrated Resort which harbours the ambition (Qatar) and Dubai Hills GC (UAE). It was very and then moved to Azerbaijan for another cool­ of becoming one of the most compelling humbling to receive the accolade and a real season grow-in and pre-opening role before golf experiences in Asia. Designed by the credit to those who have brought what is a heading back to Australia and undertaking the Robert Trent Jones II company, the golf club very unique course for Vietnam to life. reconstruction of Brookwater. 22 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT At the recent World Golf Awards, Hoiana Shores Golf Club in Vietnam beat a star- studded field to be named Best New Course for 2020. Helping bring this unique Robert Trent Jones II design to life has been Australian ex-pat superintendent PHOTO: GARY LISBON Rob Weiks (CSTM) who provides ATM with an insight into its development. After three years at Brookwater, the company’s first championship course in LINKS LAND opportunity then arose to head back to Vietnam. Aside from being in a mint golfing The design brief was always to produce a Vietnam to be superintendent at Hoiana destination, the design they have come up course that was firm and fast, with the ground Shores. The attraction to return was two-fold. with is unlike any other in Vietnam. Links ball game favoured over the lofted shot First and foremost it was the people I would golf is a new experience in Vietnam and the especially around the greens. The course has be working alongside, among them Australian dunescapes offer a very different environment a native sand base, most of it dredged and Ben Styles (VP of the project) and the to what golfers are used to here. The course trucked from the local lagoon just 100 metres construction team of Dan Brown, Darry Koster is very open to the elements which makes it a away. Tee to green is all push up, with a lot of and Matt Flint. unique experience as most Vietnam courses the bunker and edge of fairway shaping done Ben’s experience in Vietnam is second are tree lined, even those on the coast. using high pressure hoses and water to obtain to none and I like working with him because Prior to being developed, the land was some of the funky shapes that have since been he is a straight shooter and has a passion for originally low-level fish farms and cashew tree smoothed out by wind and rain. golf. We had worked together previously at Chi plantations. The site is unique for its proximity The greens are huge. In total we have 2.3 Linh/Dai Lai and for a short time at Van Tri. He to the actual beach front and for the fact it hectares of TifEagle couchgrass that coupled understands a superintendent’s passion for his is pure native sand. Indeed, the untouched with the contouring can make for some tricky grass and having him here at Hoiana clears land we were given to develop offers so much putting. The average green size is 1045m2 - the way for me to be able to use my skill sets. direct interaction with the ocean, with holes the largest measures 1556m2 - with plenty The second attraction was that it was 15, 16 and 17 right next to the beach with of slope changes throughout around 6-7 a Robert Trent Jones II (RTJ) design, the breathtaking views of the Cham Islands. pinnable areas. The greens had five per cent NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 23 COURSES Weiks (far left) has a team of 68, all Vietnamese, that assist with maintaining the Hoiana Shores course zeolite incorporated through the top 100mm there are small corrugations then this is the Grow-in contractors John Gibbs and Mick via roto-tiller. They have high percolation rates exact look we are wanting. Pascoe did a fantastic job and I could not have (638mm/hour) with high areas of ground water Indeed, that wind was the biggest wished for a better handover than I received. throughout the wet season. challenge the construction crew faced during Their challenges for the most part were the The ribbon tees mimic and flow into the final shaping, with some holes needing to wind and the localised dry patch it caused. wide undulating fairways which weave their be reshaped a few times due to the wind The irrigation design had to be changed as we way through a dunescape that changes with blurring the definitive design lines. Irrigation had heads throwing water onto greens from the seasons (very dry and powdery in summer had to precede shaping and finalisation of the surrounds which created some issues, and firm in winter after rains). The fairways grass lines which necessitated the remediation especially on holes 8, 10, 16 and 17. have plenty of play in them as they were of numerous heads to grass lines since Grow-in for the Zeon was around 16 bunker rake floated before grassing. Tees, completion of construction, as these weren’t weeks. It burst out of the gate and around fairways and green surrounds are all Zeon corrected during construction. the 8-9 week mark slowed down and then zoysia which was chosen for its strong stress I arrived at Hoiana Shores just as final from around the 11th week sharpened up to tolerances in this region, from low light to shaping was being finished and the fairways, complete coverage. Simple organics (chicken extreme heat and high ET rates. tees and greens had been floated on the meal) and calcium nitrate were the staples The bunkers and large sand areas blend beach holes 16 and 17. Most of the green throughout and we had very few weed issues down from the dunes and from grassed areas wells had been pegged and rough shaped, and contamination of native Bermuda. on both sides. The design gives a feeling that except for the 6th which was the last hole each hole, while linked, is privately separated completed. Working with Matt Flint originally GEO CERTIFIED by the dunes and bunkers. The bunkers for the and then Don Paige was awesome. These A unique aspect of the Hoiana Shores most part are left to the natural elements. We guys have loads of experience and understand development is that it earned GEO Certified broom them daily to keep them as smooth as what they shape is only as good as what can Development status for being designed in possible, but if the wind has come through and be maintained. adherence to sustainability principles as set out by the Scotland-based GEO Foundation. Through our diligent planning and control during construction, we became the first and only golf property in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve this designation and one of only half a dozen worldwide. Darry Koster and Stu Stone from Linksshape, the construction contractor, onboarded our goals and passion for this accreditation and were very understanding of our requests to achieve it. It meant that during construction a plethora of accreditation milestones needed to be met, including both socio-economic and environmental. The latter included water use and drainage, dunescape management, coastal erosion controls and the vegetation of those areas, earthworks, grass selection, restoration of habitat for local and migratory Hoiana Shores is constructed on pure native sand. Prior to being developed, the land was originally low- level fish farms and cashew tree plantations 24 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 bird species, native sand use, resource and contractor management and irrigation. As part of this we restored 23 hectares of degraded former fish farms to native coastal shrub vegetation without importing any growing materials. The vegetation on site today is 100 per cent native and locally sourced, while an additional 17ha of native landscape habitats and 2ha of coastal dunes were established in and around the golf course. We also utilised recycled elements on course. Our tee signs are made from washed up driftwood, while our traffic control stakes, driving range bench seats and bag holders are made from recycled local Kinh Kinh wood. From a socio-economic perspective, a couple of years ago Hoiana Shores took the initiative to set up an agronomy college where golf course staff receive an official government- 4 good example of the movement in and around the greens at Hoiana Shores and how the dunes keep each hole private to themselves. Pictured are holes 7 and 8 (top) and 3 (middle) recognised accreditation. This is the first ever in Vietnam and has played a key role in All of my staff are Vietnamese and number Working with the Zeon zoysia has been building an amazing team of talented staff. 68 in total. Our golf course facilitator Hien an interesting experience. It is very malleable In addition, we also wanted to celebrate deals with purchasing, HR, the staff canteen and you can really get out of it exactly what the traditions of this culturally rich area and and agronomy college enrolments. I have an you want by controlling fertility and cultural decided to go ahead with a unique idea to use assistant, golf course foreman and assistant practices; it really is that responsive. Light traditional lanterns, which Hoi An is famous for, foreman, two supervisor/senior operators, a and frequent seems to be the key in regards on top of our flagsticks (see photo page 26). It head mechanic (who manages a team of five) to cultural practices and it doesn’t like to be took us about six months to get it right as far and a store person. The head of irrigation has ripped apart, especially on this profile and in as the local craftsman to agree to the change a team of six irrigation techs, with the rest of this environment. Fertility comprises low rates of shape and size, but the lanterns are now a the crew made up of 51 turf and landscape of granulars as a good base then followed up nice touch and a great point of difference. operators, include five spray techs. with light foliars (it loves calcium nitrate and a We run a full shed of Toro equipment with little iron) and frequent to avoid that puffiness FINE-TUNING OPERATIONS Bernhard grinders. The irrigation system is a that some zoysia courses here can produce When the course opened in March, we were Rain Bird IC with 1900 heads ranging from with nitrogen overload and excessive irrigation. originally going for the classic links look 900 Series to 700 Series to some smaller In regards to nutrition management, our of a drier, hungrier turf look and feel. This landscape heads. The Flowtronex pump profile retains very low organic matter therefore wasn’t received as well as first thought so we system has three main pumps and a jockey low CEC and EC. Our pH is around 6.3. We have gone for a greener look while staying with a fertigation system attached. Our primary use controlled N, high K 1:3 ratio not K as a pretty close to the firmness we had initially. water source is ground water which while low standard and high calcium applications (20L/ The dunes have matured nicely. We had a in sodium has quite high Fe levels. Because ha) ranging from 0.5g-0.85g actual Ca/m2 stitched type appearance due to a lack of of our percolation rates and constant wind, we per application depending on rainfall for our understanding about how the landscapes dry down fast so the IC system works well with weekly soil applications coupled with liquid needed to present from construction, but individual head control. We POGO morning organics (Bolster and Maxiplex). through replanting and maturation of the and afternoon and hand water accordingly. It became evident we needed a base dunes it now looks more natural. Wetting agents are applied at low rates weekly here, especially on greens, so my mindset on The greens have taken a long time to which keeps uniformity through the profile. granulars has changed dramatically. We pretty settle, first due to irrigation head placement issues which forced us to add additional heads and level heads for better uniformity and coverage issues around the greens and also having product on hand early set us back a few months after grow in. We also recently had 2.2m of rain in 42 days with next to no sunshine which also presented challenges. As mentioned, our 15th green, the entire 16th and 17th holes and 18th tee are literally on the beach. This creates some agronomic challenges in relation to wind speed and sand cast controls, not to mention the odd sand crab or two! PHOTO: GARY LISBON Hoiana Shores’ greens are huge, totalling 2.3 hectares of TilEagle couchgrass. Zeon zoysia has been used on tees, fairways and surrounds NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 25 COURSES practices our organic matter is well under control. We also groom and brush greens 2-3 times per week depending on environmental conditions. We normally groom before a topdress and we often double cut in summer and circular drag mat the greens once or twice a month before a cut also. CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT I am very lucky to have a good crew and good people above me here at Hoiana Shores who have the same passion for golf and long-term goals and directives. Having something to PHOTO: GARY LISBON look forward to is the meaning of life and I am lucky to be in an environment where continual improvement is deemed a priority. While the Best New Course award was a great accolade for the team to have, these With the 15th green, 16th hole, 17th hole (pictured) and 18th tee literally on the beach, Weiks has some agronomic types of things are not really my personal challenges in relation to wind and sand cast controls, not to mention the odd sand crab or two focus. My main priority is to ensure that we much go out all year round with an application again depending on environmental conditions. keep improving the facility year to year and every 4-6 weeks ranging from 2kg-4kg/100m2 Primo applications are 3ml/100m2 again season to season. We still have plenty of goals of product with a Lebanon Turf 60% MU 12-0- depending on weather and this can change to achieve here, among them our irrigation 24 or Sustane 7-2-20. We alter our culturals from application to application. Nitrogen goes audit completion, ground water controls as a with these applications to counter any flush of out around half to 0.75g of actual N. In the priority and several other items to complete growth with verticutting and topdressing. coming year we will add some greens-grade from construction. Foliars are normally an alternate between Profile into our greens and on some areas The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate with out on the fairways and tees that are very affected golf and our entire facility, but through some amino and phosphite products added hydrophobic/sloping. some proactive management we have been (depending on weather) and some gibberellic With our course renovations, our tees, able to keep things going and are looking acid added when required. Green foliars are fairways and surrounds receive a verticut up forward to 2021 and less stormy seas ahead. usually around 0.2g actual N/m2 and 0.6-0.7 and back on the same line three times per year Golf has a firm foothold in Vietnam and actual K/m2 as previously mentioned. I run along with a 16mm solid tine (51mm spacings, especially in the central region, so the local 0.3g of actual Fe/m2 as a standard, again 100mm deep) during the cooler part of the golfers can still drive the golf economy to a depending on weather. Traces go out once year. If we did it in June, when we receive hot point until foreign travel resumes. per month and I also use a cal-mag product westerly winds from Laos, we run the risk of The Vietnamese are very passionate at least two times a month to keep that ratio cooking the turf with our profile. people and golf permeates to their passion healthy. The end goal is to control growth but The greens receive a -3mm verticut up and for things with the country really embracing keep pushing the organics to increase CEO. back on the same line then one pass directly the game in the past 10 years. Hoiana Shores With the tees, fairways and surrounds we opposite as needed (about 3-4 times per year) embodies the warm, genuine hospitality of rotate between Sustane 4-6-4 and Yarra Triple and a solid tine, again in the cooler months to the Vietnamese people and I am excited to 15 at low rates (between 1.5kg-2kg/100m2). avoid a massive dry down. We dust/topdress see what the future will hold for what is a very This is followed up with foliars every 2-4 weeks, weekly, so coupled with our current fertility unique development.^ PHOTO: GARY LISBON Traditional lanterns, which nearby Hoi An is famous for, Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, Hoiana Shores is the company’s first championship course in Vietnam. The links are a unigue touch on top of the Hoiana flagsticks design is unlike any other in Vietnam. Pictured is the 4th from behind the green 26 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 No matter what, play on. BAYER Stressgard 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 radiation, so you can play on, no matter what. // Signature Xtra Stressgard // Exteris Stressgard // Interface Stressgard // Reserve Stressgard RACING Morro’s move paying dividends ATM editor Brett Robinson catches up with former golf course superintendent David Morrison who for the past three years has been track manager at Clifford Park in Toowoomba, one of the country’s premier Clifford Park, home of the Toowoomba Turf Club, is one of Australia’s premier twilight racing venues. It hosts 48 meets a year with a minimum seven-race meet held almost every Saturday Morrison, fourth from right, heads a team of four full-time track staff as well as a small group of casual staff who assist on race day and with repairing the track post-meet f there is one truism in the sports turf day Gold Coast superintendent and loved first meetings in June that year, with the first management industry it’s that you never a punt and a few coldies with his mates. recorded Toowoomba Cup run in 1919. I stop learning, no matter how many years you have been in the game. Take David Morrison for instance. It was 1982 when he took his formative steps in the turf management profession, leaving school to take on a position at Brisbane’s Oxley Golf Club. Over the years he would rise to be While he admired and respected the work that racecourse managers did, he had never considered it as a possible career choice. All that changed when Toowoomba Turf Club advertised for a new racecourse manager for their Clifford Park facility. Popular track manager Chris Nation had just secured the Fast-forward more than 70 years and in 1992 the Toowoomba Turf Club made Australian racing history by staging the first race ever run under electric lights, the Fosters Toowoomba Cup. Four years later it staged the first ever night race meeting in Australia and since then Clifford Park has become course superintendent at Jindalee Golf Club plum gig over at Belmont in Perth and they synonymous with twilight racing around the for two years, Hills International Golf Club for a were looking to hire. Living on the Gold Coast state and country. decade and finally Windaroo Lakes for seven. at the time, Morrison saw the ad but didn’t Clifford Park currently packs 48 race Towards the latter part of his time at apply, but after telling his wife about it and meetings into a heavy annual schedule. Aside Windaroo Lakes, Morrison openly admits he being summarily told “why aren’t you putting from one or two day meets throughout the was getting stale. He had achieved what he your hand up, that role is so you!”, Morrison year, racing is held literally every Saturday had wanted to do there and felt that a change rang Nation to sound it out. “Go for it” was under lights, starting around 4.30pm and going was in order, but didn’t want to leave the the response and within a week he was being through to 8.30pm-9pm depending on the industry. Like many superintendents before, he quizzed by the club’s chairman and then number of races. A normal meet comprises decided to give a trade role a go, picking up a interviewed by the chief executive. In July seven races, but if there are a large number job as a technical sales rep with Living Turf. In 2017, at the age of 52, Morrison was officially of nominations that can go higher. The that role for three years and despite enjoying appointed as Clifford Park’s new racecourse only downtime the track gets is in the week the change, it ultimately wasn’t for him, so manager and found himself moving to preceding its biggest event of the year - the when an opportunity to get ‘back on the tools’ Toowoomba. Weetwood in September - and when track came along, albeit in a different sector of the renovations are undertaken in December. industry, he invested all his resources into TWILIGHT PIONEER The track itself has also had an interesting making it happen. Clifford Park has a very long and fascinating history, especially over the past decade. With over 30 years under his belt in golf, history. The site was acquired as a 160-acre Up until 2009 it was a turf track, but due to including the best part of a decade on the block in 1861, with the first meeting conducted drought and water storage issues it was committee of the Golf Course Superintendents by the Darling Downs Jockey Club on what converted to a cushion track. Ultimately Association of Queensland, racing had only was then called the Drayton and Toowoomba proving unpopular with both trainers and ever been a fun hobby for Morrison. He was Racecourse in March 1862. The Toowoomba punters alike, the cushion track was short-lived part of syndicate run by a well-known current- Turf Club was formed and conducted its and in 2014 the club installed a StrathAyr track. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 29 RACING PHOTOS: NEARMAP After switching to a cushion track for a five year period (above), in 2014 Clifford Park installed a StrathAyr turf track (left). The Course Proper measures 1800m and is a mix of kikuyu and a ryegrass blend track on race day, repairing the track post­ racing, renovations and the big one, irrigation practices. To assist with that, Morrison sought out his more experienced racecourse manager colleagues at the likes of Doomben, Ipswich and Sunshine Coast to get an insight into their Clifford Park’s Course Proper measures four feature races including the Toowoomba programmes and how they operated in the 1800m and is 18 metres wide, except where Guineas (1625m), Pat O’Shea (1000m), lead-up to and on race day. At one point he the 1000m chute is. The StrathAyr design Toowoomba Cup (2000m) and the main event, also took a trip down to Sydney to visit Royal consists of a 100mm drainage gravel layer the Weetwood Handicap (1200m). Randwick. and 300mm sand profile with a fine mesh As racecourse and venue manager, Without question Morrison rates irrigation material incorporated. Due to Toowoomba’s Morrison is one of just four full-time track staff. as perhaps the biggest difference he had unique climate, the track is a mixture of kikuyu Under him are a racecourse foreman, leading to get his head around. As a golf course and a ryegrass blend. Each April the track is hand and an apprentice, as well as a small superintendent he could set the irrigation oversown with a 70 per cent perennial/30 per number of casuals who help to repair the track system to put out a megalitre of water each cent annual ryegrass mix at 250kg/ha to keep after racing, back up as barrier attendants on night and sleep easily, but in his new role the surface in optimum condition for the winter race day and assist with setting up and moving irrigation plays such a critical part in setting months. The course is irrigated using mainly the rails. up the track to ensure it performs as expected potable and dam run off water which is put out That team was certainly under the pump during the meet. Adding to the complexity of through a Toro Lynx irrigation system. this year with COVID-19 having a significant that is having the majority of races late in the Inside the Course Proper is the B grass impact on their operations and the number day. With tracks rated early morning of a race track which is used for trackwork three days of races on track. With racing continuing meet, Morrison cannot irrigate between when a week, jump outs weekly and trials every throughout the country during the pandemic, the rating is made and the start of the meet, so three weeks. The B grass is built on a red soil albeit with no patrons, and with Racing he has to ensure there is adequate moisture in material and is solely kikuyu. There is also a Queensland instituting zones, the number of the profile to see the track through to when the sand track and cushion track for training, a horses wanting to get into races increased meet starts. trotting track, bull ring, as well as extensive significantly. “Coming to the track I had no issues with stabling for the local Toowoomba trainers, In the case of Clifford Park, some of their the turf management side of things,” explains horse walkers and an equine pool all of which weekly meets increased from seven races to Morrison. “I felt comfortable agronomically Morrison and his crew oversee. Six days 10 or 11 races in one day. In one two-week in my abilities, it was more getting my head a week, on an average morning Morrison period the track held 28 races. That increase around the ins and outs of racing and can have up to 300 horses out doing track in use placed additional wear and tear on the preparing the racecourse for meetings. I spent work, with the training facilities needing to be track and meant that Morrison had to carefully a lot of time talking to other track managers maintained and presented each day in addition plan his rail movements and cultural practices. and racing administrators to get all the to preparing the Course Proper for its weekly information I needed. Irrigation was the big outings. TAKING THE REINS thing for me and getting to a point where I Clifford Park’s ‘grand final’ each year is Although well over three years into the role was comfortable that I had the right amount of the Weetwood. It literally is a grand final as it now and at a level of comfort with how he moisture in the track on race days. is held on the same day as the AFL’s Grand manages the track, Morrison admits taking “Wear and tear is also a big difference. Final which, with Morrison being an avid on the new role was certainly a big learning As both a superintendent and racecourse Richmond Tigers fan, has proved tricky in curve but one he immensely enjoyed. While manager you want your turf as strong and as recent years. The Weetwood is Toowoomba’s his 30 years of agronomic knowledge stood healthy as possible, but here you are dealing main metropolitan meet of the year and it him in excellent stead from a turf perspective, with a surface that is getting smashed by attracts some of the best trainers, horses Morrison knew he had to get up to speed horses that weigh up to 500-600kg each, with and jockeys from across the country. The quick on the very different requirements all of them going over the same part of the Weetwood comprises a nine-race card with of racing - rail movements, presenting the track 7-8 times in a meet. And then you have 30 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 the added pressure of the track being on TV each week both here and overseas. Twilight racing means we are in the prime timeslot for overseas betting, so knowing that was definitely something different to contend with. “When I arrived at Clifford Park I did so just prior to renovations which were then in August. Chris had handed the track over in great condition, but with the prospect of the club’s biggest meet just a month after renos - which was my first major meet in charge - I certainly felt the pressure. I tell the golf guys, and they think I’m joking, but during those renovations I was waking up in cold sweats every night having these wild dreams about the track collapsing. I have never had that happen before as a superintendent and I guess it just goes to show how much you invest yourself into a new role and how in the moment you become.” CHANGES MADE One of the major changes Morrison has instituted since taking over as racecourse manager at Clifford Park is As he has settled into his role, Morrison has moving track renovations from August to December gradually made a number of changes to help improve the track’s performance. One of the week and month-to-month programmes. After Coming from a golf background, I’m trying to key changes was shifting track renovations each race, preparation begins for the next bring a bit of that culture into our operations from August to December. with a dethatching rake going over the track - things like having an eye for detail, Going through his first renovation shortly to pick up any loose material. The new rake management of machinery and compliance. after starting, in his second year Morrison he has brought in is mainly used only in the We will start building a washdown bay and fuel switched them to December for two reasons. warmer months as it can be too aggressive storage over the next few months after getting August in Toowoomba’s unique climate can on the ryegrass in winter. Morrison slices and a grant approved to fund it, which is something be an unpredictable month at the best of times vertidrains the Course Proper on a monthly we have been trying to get for a while. We are and with temperatures warmer in December basis, having made the shift from 12mm to also possibly looking at changing some of the he could afford to be more aggressive with 18mm solid tines which has made a difference old rail on the training tracks and bringing the the track and know it would recover better and to compaction levels. B grass track up to proper spec. quicker. And that has certainly borne true. To aid the track’s recovery, Morrison now “We are also in the process of introducing Due to a small crew, renovations are uses an upfront granular about every five the Going Stick to do our track ratings. We carried out in a staggered fashion and weeks instead of the previous slow-release that normally use a penetrometer, but Racing normally start in early December and follow the was used. The custom blend he has made up Queensland is rolling out the Going Stick rail. As the rail moves out from its true position, works very well and helps with recovery of the across all Tier One tracks in Brisbane, so we Morrison and his staff will then renovate that track and forms part of a programme which have been trialling it and trying to match it up section of track and progressively move out also includes application of root stimulants and with our penetrometer readings. The benefit as the rail moves with each meet. Renovations other liquids, silica and, of course, fungicides. of the Going Stick is that it also provides you involve a heavy scarifying followed by hollow “It has been a huge learning curve, but it is with an indication of root strength. It is a lot coring, topdressing and fertilising. one I have really enjoyed,” says Morrison of his quicker, all electronic and provides a lot more Morrison has also fine-tuned a couple transition from golf to racing. “You are always information which down the track the jockeys of other elements of their standard week-to- trying to improve and you are always learning. and trainers will have access to.”^ Download your FREE GUIDE Mow steep slopes safely with to the benefits of using remote-operated slope mowers remote-controlled mowers to cut your grass. Slope climbing capabilities up to 50° degrees Impressive stability with low ground pressure Featuring a Kawasaki engine with widely available parts NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 31 A new irrigation system has helped to put country NSW’s Coonamble racecourse back on the map writes HydroPlan’s Scott Johnstone. n the Coonamble Jockey Club’s comprise seven qualifying races at various Racecourses have very specific Facebook page it says, “You’ll find regional racecourses, with the first and second requirements in relation to how they irrigate O us out west where the people are friendlier, the dirt is redder and the beer is colder.” Well, they can now place-getters going on to race as part of The Star Championships meet at Royal Randwick in Sydney during the autumn carnival. add “and the track is greener” after the clubTo ensure the Coonamble track was at its completed a major irrigation system upgrade ahead of hosting its biggest race meet in years this past March. peak for its Country Championship debut, in 2019 Racing NSW and Coonamble Jockey Club jointly funded a major upgrade to the the track leading into a race meeting, as well as the limited hours each night available to irrigate due to early morning training and track work. Prior to doing a detailed design, there are several unique parameters which require close communication with the track manager or stakeholders that operate and use the track. Boasting a population of around 3000, track’s irrigation infrastructure. HydroPlan was They include; Coonamble is located about 160km north of commissioned to design and project manage • The system must be designed to have the Dubbo in the central-western plains of NSW. the complete upgrade of the Course Proper, hydraulic and control capacity to deliver a Country racing meets are significant events which included installation of a VFD pump full irrigation cycle to the entire track during for regional townships like Coonamble and station, auto filter, PC and remote-controlled peak season within a limited time window on 15 March 2020 it hosted one of its biggest central control system and valve-in-head and on the available days. for the first time - the Western Country rotors. The new infrastructure tapped into the • The placement of rotors in relation to Championship Qualifier run over 1400m. existing track ring main and course’s recycled posts and running rails to ensure minimal An initiative of Racing NSW, The Country water storage which were completed a number interference with the rotor stream and Championships were launched in 2015 and of years earlier. safety of the horses. 32 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 One month after installation of the new irrigation system was complete, the transformation of Coonamble Jockey Club’s racecourse was striking Coonamble’s home straight a month out from hosting its first Western Country Championship Qualifier in March surface, along with optimising water and power Timing of the Coonamble irrigation inputs in the future. upgrade was crucial to ensure maximum Aside from the common irrigation growing time between completion date control requirements, the new Rain Bird in December 2019 and the Country IC central control system is set up with the Championship meet in March 2020. The end ability to manage three vital features that are result was an amazing transformation from a extremely important in effectively irrigating the brown track to emerald green grass in just a Coonamble track; short three-month irrigation period. • Matching evapotranspiration and The Coonamble Jockey Club committee application rates to reliably manage plant could not be happier with the outcome. Club requirements for optimum growth and president Ken Waterford worked extremely water budgets, along with weather sensor hard to fund the project jointly with Racing inputs to manage rain delays; NSW’s country racing development fund and • Flow management system is set up to was highly involved in the design to make sure manage both the system’s hydraulic limits the club’s expectations were met. plus accurately monitor actual flows (flow Racing NSW project manager Andrew sensor) and compare database flows to Small was instrumental in his professional help determine underflow (blockage), approach, along with his knowledge of overflow (leaks), water use data (volume vs racecourse requirements, and worked in with budget) and pause or stop irrigation in an maintenance manager Dave Hodgson to alarm event; guide the team. Nutrien Water from Dubbo, • Communications with smart devices that supervised by Nick Connors, did a good job of allow off-site volunteers to monitor and installing the new system. manage the system remotely, including Following a very successful Country receiving alarms and making adjustments. Championship Qualifier, Waterford declared HydroPlan worked closely with the the track improvement as phenomenal. During Coonamble Jockey Club team to help train the meet a number of Australia’s top jockeys, The new valve-in-head rotor system club volunteer operators on the new control among them Hugh Bowman, complimented installed at Coonamble allows for precision system and implement an effective site-specific him by saying the track was as good as any water management, considered critical in the irrigation water management plan (IWMP) that they have ridden. application of recycled water. Within budget accurately meets fluctuating seasonal irrigation The high-quality surface now attracts better constraints, a single-row rotor system was demand. An effective IWMP has a massive trainers and more racehorses, the crowds have designed to deliver a good level of uniformity impact on surface quality, plus a whole returned in their largest numbers since peaking across the 20-metre-wide track, using a high range of other inputs including water, energy, back in the 1960s, while sponsorship is up performance DN40 rotor at 18m spacings chemicals, fertiliser, fuel and labour which help by more than 500 per cent on previous years. along the inside rail and chutes, with 25m to reduce operating costs. The racecourse is winning high praise from radius to ensure good overthrow (5m) beyond Local electrician and club committee all quarters and is now considered one of the the 20m outside rail. volunteer Adam Firth plays a key role in best in the country west of the ranged While the single-row system is performing operating the system and has embraced the very well and the overthrow has no negatives new smart technology to fine-tune the irrigation as ample recycled water is available, to future­ requirements, with the technical support of proof the system it has been designed with local agronomist and fellow club volunteer the hydraulic and control capacity to readily Graham Proctor. The Coonamble Jockey convert the irrigation layout to a full two-row Club is very fortunate to have a number of system when required. The two-row system dedicated volunteers that help maintain the can be achieved by adding rotors to the track well beyond the irrigation. Many of them outside rail for a full grid and reducing the rotor are farmers who offer an eclectic blend of nozzles on the inside rail. In combination, this skills and have the capacity to overcome the Placement of rotors in relation to the running rail is will maximise uniformity from a scheduling most intriguing challenges, whether it’s fixing a important to ensure minimal interference with the rotor coefficient of 1.3 to 1.1 within the 20m track mower or spiking a keg! stream and safety of the horses NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 33 ASTMA SURVEY Staying connected to friends and peers and adjusting to new ways of working brought about by COVID restrictions have been the biggest challenges over the past 12 months SI AUS Valuable feedback ATM looks at the key findings from the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association’s recent membership survey. taying connected to friends and ASTMA chief executive Mark Unwin says it peers, adjusting to new ways of was pleasing to see the response rates for the S working and dealing with mental health have been among the biggest challenges over the past 12 months according to results from the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association’s (ASTMA) comprehensive member survey conducted during October. and delivery of programmes. There was also an overwhelmingly positive response for the association’s survey and approach to services over the past three years. “We saw a significant increase in responses from members, providing feedback into the areas of operation and their thoughts on our performance, both good and bad,” says Unwin. “There are a number of areas where Members said they were looking to the approach to unite the sports turf industry to members are telling us that we are performing association over coming months to help increase awareness and recognition of the really well in, but just as important some noted them stay on top of government updates profession. areas that they feel we need to continue to and changes brought about by COVID- While more than 90 per cent of improve or perhaps haven’t delivered on as 19, to continue the focus on professional respondents noted that providing information, effectively as they would want. development programmes and to maintain education and networking opportunities to “We will use the responses to tailor advocacy efforts on their behalf on issues of members was a key responsibility of the further support for members, including importance to sports turf management. association, a further 65 per cent also noted communication and delivery of programmes to Satisfaction with the work being that active collaboration with government, support education and, importantly, over the undertaken by the ASTMA has risen notably water and environmental authorities and coming 12 months, the approach to practical since the last member survey conducted in sporting bodies was an important area resources, advocacy and mental health 2015, with significant improvements noted of activity that the industry looks to the support as the industry moves into a ‘COVID in the association’s communication, support association to provide. normal’ way of facilities operating.” 34 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 2020 - A YEAR OF CHANGE Although not directly covered in the survey, a large number of respondents indicated that 2020 had been a year of substantial change to operations brought about by COVID-19 which had a bearing on their need for assistance from the association. Almost one in five respondents noted that their employment status had resulted in staff working fewer hours per week throughout the winter months, with nearly 15 per cent noting that changes implemented at their workplaces were resulting in additional workload to meet regulations and requirements. A common theme was the challenges this year has brought about for themselves and their team relating to wellbeing and mental health, with the various ASTMA webinar support for mental health for members cited as Zoom meetings became the new means to connect during COVID-restricted times, with the ASTMA hosting a series a positive benefit, with a clear desire for these of webinars delivered by industry experts which proved very popular to continue. shortages was a clear standout for members association across various platforms, an The efforts of the association in further with almost six out of 10 respondents noting increase from 41 per cent in the previous developing advocacy with Federal and that it was their primary concern at their facility. survey. The Cut remains an important part of State Governments came through strongly In addition, many noted that this is expected to the association’s communication to members, in member feedback, with a strong push increase further throughout summer and into with 96 per cent subscribing and noting it as a for the association to continue this work 2021 with restrictions in travel continuing. regular read each week. relating to the perception of the industry and Dealing with budget constraints remains The challenges brought about from trade qualifications. Nearly 57 per cent of an important challenge regardless of facility COVID-19 also included the need to cancel respondents noted this as the primary area type and location. Similar to the approach for the 2020 Sports Turf Management Conference, for advocacy efforts, with a further 53 per cent advocacy, nearly one-third of respondents which was noted as “necessary although listing education and training as the second highlighted that the perception of the industry disappointing” as this event is understandably key issue that we should be focusing advocacy and qualifications was an area of concern. popular with turf managers from an education efforts on. Members noted that the top five challenges perspective and also for the ability to network Continuing to address with both Federal being faced right now at their facility are: and discuss challenges with peers. and State Governments the issues relating to • Staff and labour shortages (59%); Following the cancellation of the 2020 staff and labour shortages (50 per cent) and • Budget constraints (46%); event, the association delivered its educational challenges relating to water restrictions (43 per • Perception of the industry and and professional development content online, cent) were also seen as important areas, with qualifications (32%); providing members with a webinar series that overall support for advocacy highly desired • Climate and environmental management proved popular (86 per cent rating) and a by members. One member noted, “Most (27%); number of requests for additional webinars to importantly continue to represent and fight • Water availability and restrictions (25%). be held in the New Year. for our whole industry as the association has “There are clear areas for us to continue recently developed a great record of doing”. working on into next year,” notes Unwin. PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES “It certainly has been a challenging year “Continuing to invest in programmes to attract When asked which programmes and initiatives for many, not only in relation to changing and retain talent to the industry is critical long­ for members and the sports turf industry of work requirements, but also due to our term and there are parallels between this and delivered by the association were of most ability to support members when they needed the feedback relating to perception of the value, members highlighted the establishment it most,” comments Unwin. “The ASTMA industry and qualifications which limits industry of the ASTMA Certification Program had the team, in my opinion, did an outstanding appeal. These are both areas where support most impact, with more than 56 per cent job in supporting members, engaging in for the industry and the value of sports turf of respondents noting the Certified Sports communications to keep the industry updated managers is something we absolutely need to Turf Manager initiative as the most important and also work on behalf of supporting the keep promoting to government.” facilitated by the association. industry at government level far more than we Recognition for an established programme have ever needed to before. This has had its COMMUNICATION offering support to the next generation of positives in terms of things like awareness of The flagship publication of the sports turf managers and leaders in the industry was also the industry and the value of turf managers, management industry - Australian Turfgrass strong, with Jacobsen’s Future Turf Managers’ but also some negatives in that we perhaps Management Journal - continued to be Initiative (FTMI) listed by more than 54 per cent didn’t communicate as well as we could have popular with members with an overall positive of respondents as an important programme. in some areas.” satisfaction rating of nearly 98 per cent. The Members rated the top five programmes and last 12 months has seen an increase in the initiatives facilitated by the ASTMA as being: CHALLENGES number of members following the ASTMA • Industry certification programme (56%); When asked about the most challenging on social media, with nearly 68 per cent • Future Turf Managers Initiative (54%); aspects of their role, labour and skills of respondents noting that they follow the • Turf management webinars (43%); NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 35 ASTMA SURVEY regularly. The quality of sports turf management education (40 per cent) and networking with peers and colleagues (33 per cent) continue to be the most important drivers for members attending. The range of member benefits offered by the association is seen as very rewarding, with more than 98 per cent of members rating the benefits as good or better. Viewed as the most important benefits offered to members were; • Access to turfgrass research and management resources (69%); • Subscription to ATM (68%); • ASTMA Certification Program (63%); • Member employment and experience Providing programmes, such as Jacobsen’s Future Turf Managers’ Initiative, were deemed as very important opportunities (58%); • Professional development education effectively engage with government and • Access to Michigan State University’s seminars (38%); advance our industry, members were asked to Turfgrass Information Centre (46%); and • Volunteer employment and experience note their level of support for all associations • Members rates for the annual conference opportunities such as the John Deere TPC to unite and work together as one body and turf education seminars (45%). Volunteer Program (32%). representing the industry. Overwhelmingly 96.6 It is also worth noting that responses per cent were supportive and just 3.4 per cent AREAS TO IMPROVE relating to the work undertaken by the were unsupportive. As noted earlier, the association has more association for the revision of the sports turf “This was a clear stand out from the work to do around regional areas of Australia, management education curriculum (32 per survey in terms of the overwhelming support in particular the ability to engage regional cent) was also rated as highly important. to bring the various industry bodies together,” turf managers in events, highlight the work Additionally, some new programmes were says Unwin. “More than just supported undertaken by turf managers in regional put forward by members for the association by members, many highlighted that they and remote areas, communications and to investigate in the future, including the unequivocally want this to happen and see this involvements in future programmes. development of mentoring programmes, as a crucial element to being able to address Some members also noted the ability national apprenticeship education and training a number of issues including recognition, for the association to continue working at workshops and national education seminars employment conditions, education support ensuring communication remained consistent, focussing on management and leadership. and investment into research.” especially in areas relating to changing It was noted, however, that the association “As many members commented in their government regulations and areas of still has more work to do around regional feedback, uniting the industry ‘simply made compliance. Further, it was also noted that the areas of Australia, in particular the ability to sense’ and was ‘in the best interests of the association could perhaps do more to develop engage regional turf managers in events, industry,’ with ‘far more being able to be regular opportunities to provide information communications and certainly in the planning achieved as a united group rather than being to members on activities and initiatives and for involvements in future programmes. fragmented’.” could investigate the opportunity to develop a regular Q&A session or forum where members INDUSTRY UNITY AREAS WORKING WELL could ask questions on activities and the The survey also asked members to give Members told us overwhelmingly that the level strategic direction. This could also provide an feedback on the number of associations of satisfaction with the association remains opportunity to receive member feedback on a involved in the turf industry and the approach extremely high with an overall member more regularly basis. by the ASTMA to work together with all satisfaction rating of just over 97 per cent. associations to unite in order to better support The Sports Turf Management Conference THANK YOU members and advocate on behalf of the and Trade Exhibition continues to be The 2020 ASTMA Member Survey results industry. an important item in the calendar of turf will be used to inform the priorities for Noting that the current environment managers, with 71 per cent of members the association and strategic planning for severely limits the ability for the industry to responding that they attend the conference the 2021/2022 year and beyond and also assist the association with specific member engagement priorities into the future. A summary of the survey and results is being finalised and will be available to members in the New Year, along with a more in-depth presentation planned for the 2021 conference on the Gold Coast, which is likely to include an open forum with CEO Mark Unwin. The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association would like to thank all members who participated in the survey and took the time to provide their feedback in relation to the performance of their association.^ Cancellation of the 2020 conference was acutely felt 36 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 pF*’ ADVERTORIAL Stop algae before it I blooms this summer We have been using Dam Buster from Bio Natural Solutions for 18 months now. Before we started using Dam buster we were have serious algae problems in our water storage facility which was then creating major headaches in the filtration system of our irrigation. 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Affordable treatment costs To create a specific treatment schedule visit © bnsolutions.com.au/dambuster Q sales@bnsolutions.com.au bio natural k. 1300 730 551 V (03) 9338 6722 9 15/53-55 Garden Drive Tullamarine VIC 3043 @ bnsolutions.com.au For bio-bacterial waste water treatment solutions visit © bactech.com.au ■ Hi It’s all in the mix ATM expert columnist John Neylan looks at the basics of sand selection and rootzone specifications and the importance of these in delivering predictable and high quality surface performance. s I have written on many occasions, PERFORMANCE OF and resilient turf across the seasons and have the basic principles of constructing SPORTS TURF AREAS many important functions including: A turf profiles are well-founded and haven’t really changed in the past 40 years. However, the discussion around the selection of materials for turf rootzones has come to the fore in the past two years due in part to the availability of suitable soils/sands and a desire to create more The performance of sports turf areas are a combination of several key aspects including: • Soils and soil management - the foundation for growing strong and healthy turf and provides a resilient surface that has good recovery from wear. • Surface shape - surface shapes that allow • Acting as a water reservoir to sustain healthy turf. • Providing good profile aeration for the movement of oxygen into the profile and the removal of carbon dioxide. • Adequate drainage rate to ensure that in high rainfall events excess water can pass sustainable profiles. the free movement of water off the playing through the profile at a rate that allows a The source of suitable materials for surface is still important even where high return to play in a reasonable time period. constructing turf profiles has changed drainage rate sands are used. This will vary depending on the sporting considerably in recent times as quarries are • Drainage design - drainage design needs application (e.g.: golf greens will require depleted, new quarries are opened up and to be able to cope with the water that a higher level of drainage capability the turf industry competes with the demand moves through the profile and then the compared to a low-level community for materials for infrastructure projects. discharge points have the capability to sportsfield). Consequently there has been a need to remove the water off-site. • Resistance to compaction to provide a reassess the materials available and whether • Irrigation - good irrigation design equals high level of soil aeration, good drainage they meet the criteria for good turf growth. good water use efficiency (see ATM 21.6 and strong root growth. In my experience, With the increasing costs of water there - Improving your irrigation, pages 48-52 good soil aeration and a well-developed is a desire to design sportsfields that are and last edition’s - Volume 22.5 - series of root system goes a long way to having a ‘more sustainable’ in terms of water use and articles on scheduling, improving efficiency high quality turf. presumably water conservation. With this and alternative water sources, pages • Storing nutrients is important to some focus on ‘sustainability’ there has been a move 26-40). degree, however, a sandy soil will never towards finer textured soils and away from • Grassing - selecting grasses that are have the nutrient storage of a clay soil no sands. The concept of sustainability is the suited to the site and to the maintenance matter what is added to the sand. basis of an article in its own right and far more resources available. • Providing a suitable playing/sporting complex than the promoters of this concept • Quality of the construction - this is where surface varies depending on the particular would have us believe. However, it is fair to many projects fail. The best design will sport (e.g.: a racetrack has a different say that sustainable design is a combination fail if construction supervision is poor and requirement compared to a putting green). of numerous factors across the life of the turf there is a lack of quality control procedures system and it is not just related to the rootzone in place. SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS FOR composition. • On-going maintenance - is the available DIFFERENT PLAYING SURFACES This article takes a ‘back to basics’ look maintenance budget and greenkeeping Understanding the specific requirements of the at soils for turf rootzones and to re-emphasise expertise at a level that can manage the sport will assist in making the correct decisions that in turf management there are several ‘non- asset. around profile construction and the selection negotiables’ if a successful outcome is to be of the most appropriate rootzone media. For achieved. SOILS AS A FOUNDATION example, golf greens typically require dry and FOR HIGH-QUALITY TURF firm surfaces that are going to provide good Plant growth suffers when soil porosity is out of The soils used in the turf rootzone are the speed. In recent times there has been a move balance. Too many micropores due to compaction will foundation for maintaining strong, healthy towards a finer, loamy sand that is typical of result in poor growth NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 39 JOHN NEYLAN Figure 1. Total hours of use (winter) and surface rating for different profile types Interestingly, in some quarters when ‘sand’ is mentioned, there can be an immediate rejection. The standard responses are it’s droughty, can’t hold nutrients and is unstable. Fundamentally this can be true if the wrong sand has been selected and this is usually as a result of the lack of understanding of the basic criteria required to optimise the advantages and to minimise the disadvantages of sand. The key structural element of soils and soil ■ Total hours (winter) • Rating as a surface testing is soil porosity. This is where we are interested in the spaces or pores between the the older Melbourne Sandbelt greens. The BASIC SOIL PHYSICS solid particles. Of the total soil volume about challenge has been to find a sand that is able The principles of soil physics tells us 35-75 per cent (30-40 per cent in sand) is to provide the firmer surface while maintaining everything we need to know to make a pore space and controls most of the functions adequate drainage. decision on the suitability of the soil as the of soil. It is not just the total amount of pore Sportsfields can have a wide range of rootzone medium for any sports turf profile. space that is important, but the size distribution requirements or expectations though as a The best example of where soil physics have of the pores and the continuity between them general rule they need to be well-drained, been used to design sports turf profiles is the which determines the function and behaviour hard-wearing and able to cope with high USGA’s ‘Guidelines for a Method of Putting of a soil. The function of pore spaces are hours of use. In the research by Neylan and Green Construction’ which is based on detailed in Table 1 (below) and the proportion Nickson (2019) it was demonstrated that for research that commenced in the 1950s with a of each determines the balance between water winter sports a sand-based profile was going strong emphasis on soil physics as it related to storage and transmission pores. to provide the most durable surface with a high turf growth and health. hours of use (see Figure 1 above). The right rootzone soil provides the TABLE 1: RA NGE OF PORE SIZES Cricket wickets represent a unique foundation for a high quality turf and a high an:) FUNCTION turf application where the soil represents quality playing surface and has to perform Pore Size (mm) Description and Function everything that you don’t want for strong turf several important functions including: 0.5 - 0.05 Transmission Pores growth. That is, the soils can be compacted • Water reservoir (capillary porosity) - (macropores) to produce a very hard surface that produces adequate moisture retention is important Drainage excellent ball bounce. While the basic for grass growth and health. Aeration characteristics are not ideal, wicket soils also • High aeration (aeration porosity) - Roots need to have the ability to crack as they dry essential for strong root growth and 0.05 - 0.005 Storage Pores which in part helps to restore soil structure. adequate gaseous exchange. (micropores) With these few examples it is obvious that • Well drained - keeps the surface dry and Water storage we can’t have everything in the one soil and improves winter playability. Root/root hairs we often need to compromise some of the • Resists compaction - maintains good 0.005 - 0.0002 Storage Pores desirable elements for turf growth to achieve drainage and soil aeration. (micropores) the sport surface requirements. In order to find So as to avoid the damage associated with Water storage the ‘best fit’ soil it will be based on soil physics high traffic and wet soils, sand is the preferred <0.0002 Residual Pores principles and when we understand the soil rootzone medium. This allows for frequent use Reference: Handreck and Black, 2010 physical characteristics we can then manage of the sports playing surface and the ability the profile accordingly. to withstand variable weather conditions. The transmission pores are often called macropores and the volume of a soil occupied by these pores should be greater than 10 per cent if plant roots are to get adequate oxygen. Coarse-textured, sandy soils, and well- structured soils with a lot of biological activity, have a large proportion of pores in this size class. Storage pores or micropores retain water which is then available for use by plant roots and soil organisms. The proportion of these pores in a soil controls the plant available water capacity. There are even smaller pores (mainly in clay soils) that hold water so tightly that it cannot be extracted by roots or soil organisms. These are the residual pores. Waterlogging of a turf surface is caused due to a lack of macropores that provide free drainage 40 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 Black layer is a result of an imbalance between drainage pores and water retention pores the USGA in the late 1950s and early 1960s that clearly demonstrated that sand-based profiles provided the best playing surfaces. SAND SUITABILITY AND PROFILE DEPTH While a sand-dominated growing media is preferred, there needs to be a balance between coarse and fine sand particles (see Table 2 below). This ensures that the critical aspects of drainage rate and capillary and aeration porosity are achieved. With the changes in many sand resources, what was once considered to be the ‘ideal’ sand may no longer exist. Consequently, any new sources of sand need to be tested for particle size distribution, moisture retention, aeration porosity and hydraulic conductivity (drainage rate). TABLE 2: TYPICAL PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION - SAND PROFILE Plant growth suffers when soil porosity is Irrespective of what components are used Particle Size % Retained out of balance and can be manifested as: to provide a rootzone mix, most of the turf- Gravel (>3.34mm) 0 • Waterlogging due to a lack of macropores related research on soil porosity specifies the Fine gravel (2.00mm) 0 that provide free drainage; need to have a; Very coarse sand (1.00mm) <10 • Low capillary porosity due to there being • Total porosity (TP) of 33-50 per cent v/v; Coarse sand (0.50mm) <20 too few micropores; • Non-capillary porosity (NCP) of at least Medium sand (0.25mm) 40-60 • Increased carbon dioxide and hydrogen 10-15 per cent v/v (aeration porosity); Fine sand (0.15mm) <30 sulphide levels that are toxic to plant roots • Capillary porosity (CP) of 15-20 per cent Very fine sand (0.05mm) <10 due to a lack of macropores in the soil; v/v (water retention); Silt and clay (<0.05mm) <5 • Low nutrient retention is a result of too few • Hydraulic conductivity > 150mm/hr micropores, an excess of macropores that (>300mm/hr in high rainfall regions). Once the sand is selected it is important allows for nutrients to be “washed out” of In considering all of the requirements for that it is installed at the correct depth to the rootzone and low CEC. sports turf rootzones the critical aspects are ensure there is a good balance between • The soil is too strong (compacted) for roots good drainage, good aeration and adequate moisture retention, aeration and drainage. At to penetrate because the macropores have moisture retention. A soil dominated by sand the bottom of a sand rootzone there will be been crushed which results in too many is the preferred growing media and this goes an accumulation of water following irrigation micropores that plant roots can’t penetrate. back to the original research undertaken by or rainfall. Through the attraction between SUPERBENTS THE NEW GENERATION hlWhl Versatile, moderate density High putting green quality with excellent winter colour. and Poa annua resistance. FLAGSTICK DOMINANT Creeping Bentgrass Blend Superior Dollar Spot resistance, Combines the best high density. Seed Research varieties. For the name of your nearest distributor call 03 9462 0340 www.adseed.com.au NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 41 0 JOHN NEYLAN_________________ Figure 2. A rootzone that is too shallow can result in a TURF. playing surface that is excessively wet 150mm ROOTZONE SAND CAPILLARY FRINGE/ PERCHED WATER TABLE. DRAINAGE GRAVEL LAYER. Shallow sand layer results in a capillary fringe that intrudes into the upper rootzone available and how the sands have performed. Take samples for analysis and use a laboratory water molecules and soil particles in the pore with a proven track record to do the testing. spaces, water will move upwards against When we understand the Another question that is often asked gravity. This is commonly referred to as is whether the sand requires an organic capillary rise and forms what we know as a soil’s physical characteristics, amendment? In my experience the main perched water table. As water moves upwards we can then manage the reason to add organic matter such as coir fibre there is a critical point where gravity breaks the or peat moss is to improve water retention. tension between the water and soil particles profile accordingly. - John Neyian If so, test the proposed organic amendment and allows the water to drain through. At this for the organic matter content (min 90 per point air can enter the rootzone (this is the air • For golf greens there is an increasing cent w/w) and then undertake sand/organic entry point). requirement for firm and dry surfaces while matter blends and test for moisture retention The perched water table provides having adequate drainage rates. and hydraulic conductivity. Once this is all a method of ‘storing’ water in the profile, • With sportsfields there are several completed a quality control programme must however, it is important that there is a depth of questions; be developed to make sure that the final sand above the air entry point to ensure there • What is the likely use in the medium- rootzone mix meets the specification and is is adequate aeration in the upper rootzone. and long-term? This is very important consistent across all batches. A rootzone that is too shallow can result in for community sports fields. a playing surface that is excessively wet (as • What is the level of competition to be CONCLUSION shown in Figure 2 above) or alternatively a played? Elite level fields or fields that The basics of soil physics as it relates to turf rootzone that is too deep will be droughty. may host elite level teams will have growth and playing surface qualities has been Based on this, the depth of the sand layer stricter requirements around drainage. well established over the past 40 years. If must not be decided without undertaking a • What is an acceptable drainage we stick to these fundamental principles the thorough laboratory analysis of the sand and capability for the field and how does it outcomes will be predictable and a high level understanding the ramifications of making an relate to rainfall and return to play? of surface performance can be expected. As arbitrary decision to reduce the depth. • With racetracks there will be an emphasis we stray from the basic principles of adequate on surface stability as well as drainage. drainage, good aeration and adequate SPECIFYING THE ROOTZONE One of the more recent concerns moisture retention the opportunity of failure When the rootzone is specified, it needs to be regarding sports fields is that sand-based increases. The keys are: understood that one size may not necessarily profiles are ‘too droughty’. There are two • Understanding the required surface fit all. The question needs to be asked, “What aspects to this - the sand may be too coarse performance criteria; is required of the playing surface?” Depending and has an excessively low capillary porosity • Testing a range of potential sands; on the sport, the following are some of the key and/or there is a lack of understanding around • Initiating a quality control and testing considerations around sand selection: irrigation management. As discussed in ATM programme during construction.^ 21.6 there has been a move towards fine- textured soils (i.e.: not sands) because of the misunderstanding that the water demand will be less. On this I want to make two points; • What is the drainage capability of the finer textured soil and what does winter play look like? • Is there a thorough understanding of irrigation management as it relates to soil type and the deep root systems of warm­ season grasses? Remember that plant water use drives irrigation demand and soil type determines irrigation frequency. WHAT NEXT? The next steps are all about testing and reviewing and establishing a quality control programme. Once the decision is made about the expected performance of the turf area, start the search for a suitable sand. Do your homework - discuss with colleagues, Increased carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide levels agronomists and sand suppliers about what is Soil profile showing excellent root growth due to a are toxic to plant roots due to a lack of macropores good balance between macropores and micropores 42 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 INTRODUCING he ALL NEW AR53O ROUGH MOWER BEST EVER SMALLER DECKS FOR SIMPLIFIED TRACTION TIGHT UNDULATIONS MAINTENANCE Built for your success V A GROUND-UP REDESIGN of a GREAT MACHINE u e i e just made EVEN BETTER f f LEE ERIE, JACOBSEN PRODUCT MANAGER, AUGUSTA -> BOOK A TEST DRIVE NOW AT: JACOBSEN jacobsenbuilt.com I +44 (0)1473 276287 Jiri PETER McMAUGH AM Leading turfgrass mind ollowing on my previous article grass, are generally able to survive and grow about data, which was stimulated on relatively low levels of phosphorus when Peter McMaugh AM stresses the importance of having faith in science and hardened data over anecdotal claims and sales pitches. F by a webinar presented by Cornell University’s Dr Frank Rossi, I was treated to another webinar agronomist from New Zealand. During that webinar he took to pieces the theories of soil mineral ratios that dominate a lot of the advice compared with the needs of dicotyledons. For us in Australia, the needs for dicotyledons in turf went out the window with the demise of the Weston Research Centre for ACT Parks and from Dr Doug Edmeades, a famous pasture Horticulture. For almost half a century strawberry clover was an essential ingredient in the mix of seeds that comes to us from analytical chemical sown for turf establishment in cool climates. If companies based on that piece of nonsense. you have strawberry clover in your mix of plant When you need to understand what soil species, by definition you need phosphorus at testing can tell you there are some things a much higher level than needed by the grass that you need to have well placed in your component. Then supposedly you didn’t need head about how plants work. These are in nitrogen applications because theoretically the essence quite simple concepts, but the muck strawberry clover gave you all you need. and mystery people out there keep trying to It is an interesting fact that mixed swards turn them into magic, to fool you into buying of this type are still encouraged in the northern products you don’t need, and which the plant most lands in Europe for use in sports turf. doesn’t need either. This may well be because in many of these As turfies we are growing grass. As a countries their soils are relatively young, and family, the monocotyledons, which include by contrast with Australian soils, nutrient rich. 44 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 4s the old saying goes, if it’s too good to be true then it probably is. Making product application decisions should be based on data not a sales pitch Many of these grasses were fescues, a very hardy group of grasses, and bentgrasses. The Agrostis capillaris of those old mixtures was a very different plant from the Agrostis tenuis and the Agrostis stolonifera that we use today. Why are they so different? Because they don’t thrive in higher nutrient situations when compared with grasses which originate in these richer soils. Perennial rye is a typical example of this. Our modern, highly selected and reselected sport turf types are still ryes. They don’t lose the influence of their nutrient­ rich natural lands when they are dwarfed. While there is an innate genetic component which regulates the grass’ response to its environment, the mechanisms by which they take up nutrient is the same for all. The controlling principle is the concentration gradient between the concentration of the ions in the plant sap and the concentration of the ions in the soil solution. If in its metabolic processes the plant is removing a lot of ions such as NH4+ in building new proteins then there will be a deficit in the plant which must be filled with ions from the soil solution. This is also controlled through a semi-permeable membrane in the cell wall which controls selectively the flows of some specific ions. In other words, the higher the concentration there Australian soils are old and when we talk lumps of organic matter do. When a plant is in the soil, the higher you will expect to find about a five per cent carbon level as being root hits a lump the root branches, putting out in the plant. The plant will contain luxury levels high, others would consider that as low. I go multiple feeder roots. The organic lump quickly that will be stored rather than used if there are into this area because we, by and large in this becomes encased in fine root hairs. How many luxury levels available in the soil. country, are lemmings who follow the idea that times have you seen the grass roots in new This is also a reason why you can’t if something comes from the USA it must be sand constructions hanging out of the bottom rely on leaf tissue analysis for cations to tell right. Well, the denizens of the turf world in of a plug 250mm deep with not a branched you anything other than they are there at the USA are lemmings too who blindly follow root in sight? The plant roots sit in a growing concentrations reflecting those available from discredited ideas. medium. This may be a natural soil or it may the soil. This word ‘available’ is critical because Many years ago in New Zealand I was on be a concocted growing medium made up to just as pH is the overall key to solubility a conference panel with Dr Vic Stewart, the serve special purposes such as golf greens. concentrations in the soil solution, it also professor of soils at Aberystwyth University. I There are many others too but we don’t need applies inside the plant in the pH of the plant had made some remarks about the suitability to go there. sap. In the case of the ammonia ion, it loses of pelleted chicken manure for use in growing In nature, soils vary from nutrient-poor one hydrogen ion (H+) which is then extruded medium mixes for golf greens. Vic commented, sands to nutrient-rich cracking clays. Their into the rhizosphere making it acid. ‘I was glad to hear Peter talk about this, up natural vegetation reflects this. Golf originated You can apply as much fertiliser as you until now I had thought that Australians were along with its vegetation on nutrient-poor soils. like, but the pH will determine what goes into just other Americans and spoke nonsense’. To put it not too kindly, the original grasses soil solution. For some cations the parameters He went on to talk about the importance we look at on these courses are scavengers are quite wide but for others they are quite of how organic matter is organised in growing and successful ones at that for extracting their narrow. It is quite surprising what a pH test mediums. Dispersed fine organic matter does mineral needs from these soils. The typical and a total soluble salts (TSS) test can tell you not affect the way roots grow in the way that CEC of these soils are usually below 5ppm. when it is done properly on soil. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 45 PETER McMAUGH AM In recent years I have both read and heard when fruit, grapes and sugarcane are ready for donations. It keeps them motivated to keep speakers from the USA espousing the stratified harvest. It has no meaning for turf grasses. knocking on your door. testing of soil samples with strata as close But what about the special ‘organic’ I don’t know of any other industry that is together as 1cm. Anybody worth their salt has potions that are ‘essential’ for solving those as incestuous in its gossip train as this one. It been doing this for the past 50 years. It is not terrible mystical problems that your grass has? thrives on fear. The ‘don’t miss out’ sales pitch some great new discovery. It really identifies This is precisely where Dr Edmeades became is alive and well for the gullible. Ask yourself, how slack the method of sample preparation famous. Famous because he was sued by how many testimonials add up to data? has been in many labs over many years. Maxicrop when he published a report on And how many times do claims have to be When I was at ATRI we analysed the fertilised growth trials of their products on pasture and repeated before they become data? plots which by that time had been down for said ‘You might as well use water’. Maxicrop That is one of the questions that Dr 10 years. Of particular interest was the vertical lost, because they lost on the evidence - Edmeades was asked and is where he distribution of calcium and phosphorus. data! One of the people he took special displayed his high intellect when he explored Following up an inspiration derived from the work of Dr LT Evans of CSIRO on how these elements were distributed over time in I can’t believe the amount of money wasted on muck and pasture soils following surface applications, it showed very clearly that where adequate and mystery products by this industry The ‘don’t miss out’ sales regular applications of calcium were applied pitch is alive and well for the gullible. Ask yourself, how many that the phosphorus moved from the surface to a more even distribution in the vertical testimonials add up to data ? - peter McMaugh am profile of the soil. When it lacked calcium the phosphorus mostly stayed where it was put aim at presented at an Australian Turfgrass the link this type of thinking has to post­ near the surface. This means that apart from Conference a few years back and having modernist philosophy. Post-modernism is anything else calcium plays a role in how talked to some superintendents afterwards, the cancer in societal thinking that says my phosphorus moves in the soil as well as in the whom I respect as good practitioners, they opinion is as good as or better than your plant. couldn’t believe some of the information that thinking. In other words, I have just as much When we move across to leaf testing for was forthcoming. right to express it as you have, despite your nutrient all we are seeing is the reflection of Any good turf manager worth their salt data. It is at the heart of the anti-vaxxers what the plant is taking up from the soil, not knows there are three things you need to be and other pseudo medical claims. It leads a reflection of what it needs. If you use leaf aware of; prominent exponents to declare that hard data tissue testing alongside a soils test it may • If the speaker is an evangelist for the is just fallacy or trickery and have we ever occasionally pinpoint a deficiency, but it is far product, beware! seen it at its peak in recent years, especially in more likely to tell you when you are wasting • If the product is inordinately expensive, politics. money on things the plant doesn’t need and then it is a rip off. This is the cancer that is eating at the heart you don’t need either. • If what it promises seems too good to be of society because its god is greed - my greed Another piece of nonsense I hear is true, then it is a scam. is as good as your greed and greed is good. when practitioners tell me what the ‘brix I can’t believe the amount of money Indeed god rewards greed. This is the anti­ measurement’ of their leaves is. Brix is a wasted on crappy muck and mystery products god of science. Unless we are very careful the specialist horticultural measurement of sugar by this industry. But then, the purveyors don’t anti-scientists will win and that is a very scary concentration in the plant sap that tells you consider it wasteful, they appreciate all your thought.^ A good turf manager will scrutinise whether every product they are applying is really needed by the plant 46 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22 6 SAFETY CCI FENCING WORLD LEADERS IN HIGH SAFETY SCREEN DESIGN & INSTALLATION -> 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 4 Using only the world's highest grade and fully wind tunnel tested netting COUNTRY CLUB 66 Country Club International is a forward CCI INTERNATIONAL thinking company. WeTe excited to keep pushing the boundaries of product design INFO@COUNTRYCLUB.COM. AU excellence & service. countryclub.com.au At CCI, we'll design your custom fencing 1300 138 804 solution no matter what the scale. Mike Baker IHjOHN FORREST PHOTOS: JOHN FORREST AND ROD TATT Mt Lawley’s green light John Forrest looks at the bold greens improvement project that has dramatically transformed the putting surfaces at Perth’s Mt Lawley Golf Club. OVID-19 created a lot of uncertainty With adversity comes opportunity and Mt Lawley members had been crying out when it sent shockwaves nationally as has been well documented since the for green surface consistency for some time C and internationally as golf courses were forced to close their gates. Very quickly COVID plans were duty of care as many had older members who needed protection. Zoom meetings became commonplace, while from a staffing pandemic first hit Australian shores, many golf clubs and sports turf facilities have taken the opportunity to fast-track or undertake various projects while their facilities were either shut or put in place, with golf clubs showing a strong play was reduced due to restrictions. As seen in Victoria during the first lockdown in March, many clubs brought forward their course and for a multitude of reasons it had not been happening. Among the many factors working against Tatt were high traffic (the course pumps through 70,000 rounds per annum), the size of greens, a thatchy organic surface layer and sting nematodes. A key trigger in making the decision to perspective Job Keeper enabled many clubs renovations or carried out other course works undertake such a project was the registration to keep their staff on across the various that would normally be disruptive or difficult to around that time of PoaCure (a.i. methiozolin). departments. carry out under normal circumstances. A root-absorbed pre- and post-emergent Superintendents and sports turf managers One Western Australian-based herbicide new to the Australian market, Tatt had to make some significant adjustments, superintendent to do likewise was Mt Lawley had seen the product in trial situations during exploring different ways of maintaining their turf Golf Club’s Rod Tatt. Like a number of his his previous superintendent postings in surfaces due to reduced resources. Standing counterparts, Tatt took advantage of the Melbourne. The results he had witnessed were down staff, with no clear pathway or future situation by putting forward a programme to promising, with little or no phytotoxic impact to for golf clubs, was extremely stressful for improve Mt Lawley’s greens through the use of the bentgrass, and he could see its potential to managers and it has certainly tested the mettle herbicides to remove Poa annua populations remove Poa annua from Mt Lawley’s existing of all. and oversowing greens with 007 bentgrass. 1019/1020 bentgrass surfaces. 48 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 Mt Lawtey’s 10th green a week after a second application of endothal was made in late April Label instructions are clear that PoaCure is best applied with 10mm of water when daily temperatures are between 10°C and 26°C. With Perth heading into the cooler months the timing therefore was perfect. If not for PoaCure being available, the project would likely not have been considered. For the plan to work, all greens had to be taken out of play for three months and temporary greens put in place. At that point competition golf had been suspended due to COVID-19 with only social golf being played. Tatt, together with Mt Lawley general manager Troy O’hern, took the greens improvement soon-to-be oversowed 007 to germinate and The first application of PoaCure (2L/ha) proposal to the Board and members to seek grow with limited competition. Between 27 and was made on 20 July, 11 weeks after seeding their support. 30 April the greens were renovated with 16mm with the 007 at the four-leaf stage. The greens There are few opportunities to take 18 hollow tines, topdressed and TX10 fertiliser were reopened on 1 August, cut at a height greens out of play for three months, so it was applied along with gypsum and humibase. of 4.5mm, and two days later a second a gutsy move on the club’s behalf, but one On 1 May, all greens were oversown with application of PoaCure was put out, also at 2L/ that was backed by a strong belief in what 007 bentgrass at 1.2kg/100m2 with two passes ha. Three more applications of PoaCure were was about to be undertaken. There was a of a drop spreader, before the surface was then made over the following month: clear view of the procedure and the desired rolled with a Sarel roller to ensure good seed- • Third application (17 August) 2L/ha; outcome. Heavy renovation and herbicide to-soil contact. The timing of the project proved • Fourth application (31 August) 2L/ha; and applications were selected rather than any ideal to plant and grow bentgrass in the • Fifth application (18 September) 4L/ha. major work, as a greens rebuild is already cooler months. Often WA greens are seeded During September the greens started earmarked for late 2021. Tatt’s background at the end of the golf season due to playing being lightly vertimowed and brushed and at as superintendent at the likes of Cranbourne, commitments. Planting bentgrass during a the start of October they were given a 6mm Woodlands and Yarra Yarra golf clubs in hot spring or summer period exposes the new hollow tine aeration and light topdress. On Melbourne prior to his arrival at Mt Lawley in surfaces to high temperatures and evaporation. 19 October a sixth application of PoaCure September 2018, also gave him the confidence The other important part about the timing was was made at 4L7ha on half of the greens. and experience to ensure a successful it suited the requirements for PoaCure and (Rates were increased for the fifth and sixth outcome. endothal applications for best efficacy. applications due to some biotypes that were By 4 May germination of the 007 bentgrass persisting). Come 24 October and the first GREEN FOR GO could be seen and a week later a pre-seeder round of the Mt Lawley club championships, On 27 March, as COVID restrictions hit, all club fertiliser was applied. That was followed the greens were performing well, were firm and staff at Mt Lawley were stood down except for another week later by a preventative fungicide running at 12’ on the stimpmeter. the general manager and superintendent. Just and the start of a weekly foliar fertiliser over a week later a skeleton crew of ground programme. The greens received their first LONG-TERM VISION staff returned to resume maintenance of the mow at 7mm 21 days after seeding, with Tatt notes that at times it looked like the course. Over the next 10 days the greens mowing height reduced to 5mm a week later PoaCure was not as effective as anticipated, improvement proposal was developed and and remaining at that height until opening day but with a little bit of patience came the desired discussed via Zoom meetings between the on 1 August 2020. result. While the Poa plants looked like they greens committee and Board. During May a weekly topdressing were not being affected initially, over time they The proposal was approved subject to programme started and continued through eventually melted out. member sanction via a survey and between winter. In June, with Poa annua emerging, As expected, there are still some Poa 17 and 20 April the members were asked Primo was applied at 1 L/ha to settle growth plants persisting and Tatt was under no illusion to vote on it. Comprehensive support was of Poa until the PoaCure programme could that they would all disappear after just one forthcoming, with 83 per cent of members in commence. On 22 June the greens also season of applications. It will be an ongoing favour of the project proceeding. By the time received an 8mm solid tine. commitment to keep Poa to a minimum and the survey results had come through, Tatt had welcomed his full contingent of staff back to full-time hours which meant the project could proceed at speed. On 23 April all greens were closed and endothal applied. Taking the greens out of play saw a turf health improvement after two weeks. After 2mm rain fell on ANZAC Day, the following day a second application of endothal was made, tank mixed with Primo at 1.5L/ha. The aim of this was to kill the Poa and heavily On 1 May all greens were oversown with 007 bentgrass at 1.2kg/100m2 with excellent germination (left) and regulate the existing bentgrass, allowing the coverage attained by the two-week mark (right) NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 49 JU JOHN FORREST Between five and six applications of PoaCure were made to the greens between 20 July and 19 October. Pictured above is the 4th green and below the 15th “The programme has worked really well,” Tatt explains in the video. “We had Poa germinate over the winter period as expected The greens received their first mow at 7mm 21 days after seeding, with mowing height reduced to 5mm a week but we treated that with PoaCure. We will later and remaining there until opening day on 1 August still have some Poa visible, but next year we most importantly presenting a surface that • 5% compost; will continue with the programme and get the members enjoy putting on. PoaCure will • 10% compost; the greens as clean as we can. The 007 has be applied once again in autumn and a spot • 15% compost; worked very well and we now have the best spraying programme will be implemented. No • 10% biochar; density of grass coverage and a lot deeper paclobutrazol has been used on the course • 20% biochar; root system and better structure which will set for nearly two years due to concerns about the • 30% biochar; us up nicely for the warm summer ahead.” impact on an already weak root system. • 10% biochar and 10% compost; and Tatt, together with his crew, have Mt Lawley has Santa Ana couchgrass • Profile porous ceramic. transformed the greens into surfaces that the fairways as well and part of the Poa control members are now enjoying and proud of. No, strategy is looking at areas around the course, BACKING THEIR SUPER Poa has not been completely removed, but the especially those close to the greens. Nominee One of the highlights of the whole project population is now at a far more manageable (bispyribac-sodium), a post-emergent according to Tatt was how the whole level. Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of herbicide, was applied on greens surrounds to club worked as a team to undertake the this project is seeing a golf club back their remove existing Poa plants. A slight phytotoxic project. It also showed how important good superintendent and now reaping the rewards reaction occurred on the Santa Ana but communication is between superintendent, of his strong agronomic understanding.^ recovery was quick. The Poa kill was excellent general manager, the Board and committees and stopped any Poa seed being trafficked so that the members are clear on what is onto the greens. Care was also taken not to taking place. The survey for the members gave get any Nominee on the new green surfaces. them some ownership of the process and in As mentioned earlier, planning is currently this case a clear indication of support. underway to reconstruct all of Mt Lawley’s In October, after the greens had been green complexes as part of a Course Master opened, a YouTube video was posted by the Plan starting within the next two years. With club with O’hern interviewing Tatt about the such a major rebuild in the pipeline, Tatt has outcomes of the programme and other aspects set up a trial on the club’s turf nursery looking of course management. at various soil amendments to analyse their performance from germination to maturity through all seasons. As part of the analysis, the plots will be tested for moisture retention and firmness (using a Clegg hammer and penetrometer), surface coverage, uniformity, colour and nutrient retention. The trial plots comprise; Tatt says the greens currently have their best density, With a likely greens replacement programme in the pipeline come the end of 2021, Tatt is undertaking an root depth and root structure for many years amendment trial on the club’s bentgrass nursery green 50 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 It's not just a game. It's not just grass Smart Approved tif’tuf WaterMark 7 \ ‘Excluding Western Australia and Northern Territory WHY CHOOSE TIFTUF™? • Can take root in less than 7 days in the right conditions. • Needs a fraction of the water other Varieties require to establish. Plus outstanding drought tolerance requiring up to 38% less water than other varieties. • 25 plus years of research has gone into TIFTUF™'s development. Sir Grange* WHY CHOOSE SIR GRANGE? • Sir Grange requires 75% less nitrogen and up to 50% less mowing compared to other grass-types. • Sir Grange's superior density also makes it difficult for weeds to invade. • The superior shade tolerance of Sir Grange makes it ideal for shaded greens and fairways. Exclusive to: LAWAI P1300 883 711 LAWN SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA Australia's largest network of turf specialists lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au SPORTS TURF ROLLING In the second part of their historical look at the use of mechanised rolling as a key cultural practice in presenting sports turf surfaces, Peter McMaugh AM and Gary Beehag discuss the science behind the development of lightweight, multiple-head bowling and golf green rollers and some of the key personalities involved. n the last edition (‘Rolling with it’ - began by first modifying existing rollers then is however one outstanding paper which is ATM Vol 22.5 Sep-Oct, pages 52-54) manufacturing his own walk-behind, electric- the PhD thesis of Peter Shipton (UK) as was I we emphasised use of lightweight, mechanised rollers on golf putting greens was developed in the current era driven, large-diameter, single steel rollers for bowling greens in Victoria. These beasts weighed around 400kg with a single, hollow of golf course management, but hypothesisedsteel roller approximately of the same width that a de facto relationship has always existed between mowing and rolling golf greens. In contrast, rolling of bowling greens has always and diameter of around 90cm or more. Early Kaye walk-behind bowling green rollers and other roller brands were sold Australia wide. mentioned in our article last edition. The first concept you have to get very clear about rolling is that the overall weight of the roller is not what compresses the contacted surface. The overall weight only matters when it is taken into consideration with the area of the roller which is in contact with the surface. been viewed as separate from mowing. Ron subsequently recognised the The area over which pressure is directed is not Readers may still be wondering about undesirable ‘bow-wave’ effect created by a only governed by roller diameter but also the the driving forces behind conception design, single large-diameter roller on bowling greens width or length of the roller. The wider it is the manufacture and universal acceptance of of the time and understood the relatively less pressure is going to be. lightweight roller units for bowling and golf wide contact angle with their surface. Ron’s The other critical bit of thinking is the greens. In this follow-up article we answer engineering theory behind conception of width of the actual area of contact. This can these questions and discuss the significance of multiple roller units was their sequential be calculated by the contact angle that the two key personalities - Australian aeronautical forward rotation, each with a relatively narrow steel drum makes with the surface. This in engineer Ron Kaye and renowned turfgrass contact angle, progressively evened out any turn is controlled by the radius of the roller. If scientist Dr. Jim Beard (United States). imperfections by their downward pressure on we look at the diagrammatic representation any slightly higher points on a green. of roller diameters in Figure 1 (top of next RON KAYE - DESIGNER The first thing you realise when you page) and consider that each one of these Conception, design and early manufacture start looking for technical information about three is of the same width and carries the of multi-roller machines for bowling and golf turfgrass rollers is there is a paucity of science­ same weight, then the greatest pressure is greens can be largely attributed to Australian based data and in its place is often somewhat going to be on the smaller diameter roller. If engineer Ron Kaye way back in the mid- suspect almost pseudo-science efforts to we view different diameter rollers from the front 1940s. Ron’s association with turfgrass rollers develop equations for rolling factors. There (see Figure 2), the narrower the load bearing 52 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 rollers is attested to the hundreds of units sold throughout Australia. These early ‘stand-on’ type electric-driven rollers allowed a bowling green to be rolled with considerable ease in around 40 minutes. The Rankin Roller, while no longer manufactured, is still used today by Figure 1. Diagrammatic concept of multiple rollers many bowling greenkeepers. Why? Because of its weight, number of rollers and for bringing greens back into play following major renovations which may include ‘shaving’. Introduction of ‘sit-down’, electric-driven, multiple-head rollers for bowling greens (see photo below) and later petrol-driven golf green rollers in the late 1960s by Ron Kaye marked a huge step toward modern greens Figure 2. Front view of roller loads rollers. Ron sold his manufacturing company to Vieta Sunbeam Corporation (USA) in 1970, THE MODERN ERA- retiring to Queensland’s Gold Coast. Despite LIGHTWEIGHT ROLLERS his partial retirement, Ron remained active In his 1906 book ‘Golf Greens and for many years in the design of subsequent Greenkeeping’, H.G. Hutchinson referred makes of bowling and golf green rollers. It to steel (single) rollers but which may be was during the early 1980s the second author useful “3 foot or so in width, and weighing a (Gary Beehag) met and interviewed Ron at hundredweight to a hundredweight and a half”. his Gold Coast home where he provided One hundredweight is around 50kg. Although information and hand-drawn sketches of his an early description, it provides one definition series of roller designs. The drawings and of lightweight albeit of a single roller. associated words make interesting reading, Introduction of the Forrest Greens thus providing insight of Ron’s philosophy. Roller in 1978 truly heralded the modern Vieta manufactured the ‘sit-on’ Kaye roller lightweight, multiple-roller for bowling greens, under licence to Ron for five years. The Vieta in other words a true ‘lightweight, surface­ Multi-Roller (1973) of 76cm width and their finishing roller’ (see photo top of next page). later ‘Mark II’ version (1976) of 100cm width This simple-design roller unit weighed were introduced by Vieta for bowling greens. approximately 152kg (without operator) and These two sit-on models were petrol-driven, had a 162cm rolling width. Electric-driven comprising one larger-diameter drive roller and through a series of belts and pulleys, the four small-diameter rollers in the steering head. unit had one 13cm-diameter front drive roller The later bulky design, difficulty in moving and two 8cm-diameter steering rollers. The between greens, severe engine noise and simple but effective separate handle and wheel surface the deeper the pressure lines extend. vibration and reliability problems resulted in system also designed by Ron provided relative What Ron may have not fully understood is the them not being widely successful. Notes from ease of transport between bowling greens. downward pressure patterns created under Ron’s Queensland interview simply state, “they A relatively narrow distance between load by various diameters at uneven spacing. (Vieta) stuffed their own design”. the drive and steering rollers proved PIONEERING DECADES - MULTIPLE-HEAD ROLLERS Ron did, however, recognise the necessity to make it far easier and quicker with less manual effort for greenkeepers to manoeuvre a roller and roll a green. So, in the 1960s he conceived for bowling greens electric-driven machines with smaller-diameter, multiple rollers. The original Kaye Triple Rollerator and later improved models weighed around 150kg with a rolling width of 80-90cm. The early units were of walk-behind design with 3-4 rollers, depending on model. Later versions had smaller-width ‘outrigger rollers’ allowing the greenkeeper to stand while operating, thus creating additional rolling factor. PHOTO: GARY BEEHAG Later bowling green rollers included Roll- Tru (Alex Graham 1965), Scott Bonnar Roller (Scott Bonnar 1967), Rankin Roller (Carco 1976) and Automatic Pressure Control Roller (Winston Suttle 1980s). Success of these NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 53 ROLLING CLIPPING: RAY DUFTY AND DOROTHY RIX A newspaper clipping showing Ron Kaye rolling the greens at the 1978 Edmonton World Championships Arguably, his writings of rolling golf greens PHOTO: GARY BEEHAG were largely responsible of greater awareness among North American golf superintendents and others of the Australian-designed and built machines. Improved smoothness and green speed attained from this early roller Introduction of the Forrest Greens Roller in 1978 heralded the modern lightweight, multiple-roller for bowling greens subsequently opened the door to export to somewhat problematic of the unit’s stability differences between golf green surfaces numerous countries future Australian-built for the operator when starting to roll a green. prepared with triplex and walk-behind cylinder bowling green and golf green rollers. Nonetheless, the Forrest Greens Roller mowers? The principal author agreed with designed by Ron gained huge success in Jim that the surface quality from walk-behind KAYE’S LEGACY Australia. The roller design gained significant mowers was superior to that produced by the Ron Kaye passed away many years ago but recognition overseas when Ron was invited triplex mowers, because with the latter you left many legacies from which many have to demonstrate improvement in pace of the have taken away the rolling factor. This was a benefited. Other makes of Australian-made bowling greens at the 1978 World Bowls light bulb moment for Jim. bowling green rollers were manufactured Championships in Edmonton, Canada (see He was even more impressed when told during the 1980s. Smooth Roll (1982), Rankin newspaper clipping above right). Many later that Frank Forrest, then manufacturing rollers Sidewinder (1986) and PSM Greens Roller versions of the Forrest Greens Roller and under license to Ron Kaye, had started work and others all made lightweight, multiple-roller similar early units (e.g.: Turf-Tec and TurfTrak) on a mechanised machine suitable for rolling units weighing between 150kg and 220kg. although not made are still used on bowling golf greens. Jim made a trip to Melbourne to Drive mechanisms in these units were either greens throughout Australia. see it for himself and to meet Forrest. belt/pulley, chain/sprocket and/or hydraulic, Jim returned to the USA as the white depending on machine make. The PSM DR. JIM BEARD - LIGHTWEIGHT knight on fire with a new cause. From the early Greens Roller (Queensland) and Smooth ROLLER ENTHUSIAST 1990s, Jim published several extension-based Roll (Victoria) units are still manufactured for One evening during one of his 1980s visits articles in US turfgrass journals and magazines bowling greens. to Australia, the late Jim Beard visited the promoting the Forrest Greens Roller concept The Smooth Roll unit was initially designed principal author (Peter McMaugh) in Sydney and associated agronomic benefits and some by John Euell of Melbourne and is now and asked what he thought of the quality precautions of rolling golf greens. manufactured in Victoria. The Smooth Roll roller (left) weighs 220kg (without operator) and has been exported to England and New Zealand. The Smooth Roll golf green roller was displayed at the 1993 GCSAA Conference and has attained some success overseas. Interestingly, roller width on bowling green models has remained around 150cm. This allows a bowling green to be single-rolled in around 15 minutes. Whilst bowling green rollers can afford relatively wide rollers given their level surface, excessive width (whatever length) may result in a degree of roller flexing and roller bearing wear. However, greater length means less pressure. For golf putting greens, petrol-driven lightweight, multiple-rollers have been manufactured in Australia since the late 1970s. PHOTO: GARY BEEHAG Early ones were made by Ron Kaye and Turf-Tec. Some units of the American-made Smithco Tournament Ultra, weighing a massive 345kg (without operator), are still used on golf greens in Australia. The Smooth Roll unit was initially designed by John Euell of Melbourne and is now manufactured in Victoria 54 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 PHOTO: GARY BEEHAG The Tru-Turf golf green roller is an Australian export success story and is now sold the world over The Toro GreensPro has a car-type steering wheel These early units were relatively bulky, Kaye. Tru-Turf rollers have been exported leaves us in the dark about a lot of questions. requiring a towed trailer for their transport. worldwide, first to the US in 1992 which is now It is obvious that the width of rollers suitable One model possessed a roller width of 91cm, the single largest market. The Tru-Turf rollers for various turfgrass sites will be different far too wide for golf greens thus proving are also sold in Europe, the United Kingdom, especially if the playing surfaces are undulating unsuccessful. Today, golf green roller units South East Asia even Central and South as they are for golf. However, arguably we are manufactured in Australia by Smooth Roll America. Tru-Turf introduced a 48-volt electric still do not know how spacing of rollers in (Victoria) and Tru-Turf (Queensland). Both golf green roller in 2013. multiple roller units work for achieving the most these units have a steering handle. The Toro A key design of effective rollers on golf uniformly level surfaces. Furthermore, we still GreensPro roller (above right) which has a car­ green units is their centre-pivot point above do not have any published scientific data on type steering wheel is imported into Australia. the steering roller head, allowing the ability to the spacing of rollers in a small diameter rack. A feature common to lightweight, follow not modify existing golf green contour Is it better to have the spheres of influence multiple-rollers is the small-diameter front integrity. This is achieved on most golf green of pressure for each roller overlapping or is it steering rollers around 50mm diameter of rollers by having split, small diameter rollers. more effective to keep them separate? split design, enabling effective rolling across Derivative and copy models of lightweight, While lightweight, multiple-rollers in surface contours. The single drive roller is of multiple-rollers are manufactured in the United combination with mowers have improved greater diameter having a rubberised-surface States, United Kingdom and South Africa bowling and golf greens surfaces, as attested for greater traction. An integrated system of for bowling and golf greens. Now turfgrass to measurement of their pace, what criteria handle, quick-attachment system and inflatable rollers are being designed and manufactured do you use when purchasing a roller. Do you ‘caddy-wheel’ design remains a feature of for use on high-value sportsgrounds and golf use a Stimpmeter or similar device to compare these lightweight rollers for golf greens. Aside course fairways. Many Australian and overseas rollers? from aiding safe transport between greens, the manufacturing companies continue to benefit various systems avoid damage and possible from the opportunity provided from lightweight, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS misalignment of rollers and bearings. multiple rollers. The authors sincerely acknowledge information The Tru-Turf golf green roller (above left) freely provided by Peter Hartshorn, John Ellul, is an Australian and export success story. Tru- UNANSWERED QUESTIONS Geoff Burnside and Ray Dufty and Dorothy Turf rollers were introduced into the Australian Given the understanding we have to date Rix and turf managers who allowed taking market in 1989 based on a design of Ron of some of the science behind rollers, it still photographs of rollers at their facilities. IMPRESS YOUR SECURE YOUR • Brush Panel Fencing • Chain Link Fencing • Tubular Steel Fencing • Ball Screens •Equipment Enclosures MELBOURNE CHAIN WIRE FENCING NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 55 <■ Jah COMPLIANCE PHOTO: WASAN/ADOBESTOCK.COM s we move through December it’s These combine to create skill-risk fair to say Christmas cheer is well With Christmas parties in full whereby young operators of cars and plant A and truly on. This also means the shed/work Christmas party is fast approaching and the Christmas swing at sheds around the country, function rules are being communicatedcompliance staff. Those rules will likely include a reminder to staff that they are still at work and to be on their usual good behaviour, the appointment to all expert Terry Muir writes that working the following day with and equipment believe they possess high level operating skills and are unlikely to have an accident in risky-driving scenarios such as driving following a night of alcohol consumption. Overall, driving and plant and equipment hangover performance is significantly compromised by a hangover. of a couple of guardian angels and notification a hangover could have serious If workers operate plant and equipment of function starting and finishing times. All with an alcohol hangover they may be of this is pretty obvious and was recently consequences. significantly compromising your workplace communicated in epar’s Christmas Function safety and environment protection efforts. Stand-Up Talk, but have you considered the • The hungover participants reported their And a final note for those hardcore partiers, worker who presents at work the next day with driving quality was significantly poorer and the study also concluded that there’s no way a hangover? less safe, less considerate, less predictable to avoid a hangover after a night of heavy Hangovers develop when blood alcohol and less responsible. drinking. “Those who took food or water concentration (BAC) returns to zero and • The hungover participants also reported showed a slight statistical improvement in how is characterised by a feeling of general being significantly more tense while they felt over those who didn’t, but this didn’t misery that may last up to 20 hours after driving. really translate into a meaningful difference. alcohol consumption. A study has shown Another study published in May 2020 From what we know from the surveys so far, that people driving and operating plant and investigating the impact of alcohol hangover the only practical way to avoid a hangover is to equipment with a hangover showed the same on driving performance subjected participants drink less alcohol.” degree of driving impairment as drivers who to a demanding driving scenario including Surveys have shown that hangovers are were intoxicated. The study reported, “The traffic and pedestrians, traffic lights and other causing 11.5 million ‘sick days’ a year at a magnitude of driving impairment during potential hazards in a mixed rural and urban cost of $3 billion to the Australian economy. alcohol hangover is comparable to a BAC setting. This study focussed on driver attention, And there are the tell-tale signs of a shell of a between 0.05 and 0.08%.” steering control and driving violations in a human who does come to work the morning For the study, the researchers recruited hangover condition. after going too hard at your Christmas function participants prepared to consume 10 alcoholic The next-day consequences of a social - sore head, red eyes and coffee in hand. drinks while out partying. Tough gig! They then drinking session like your Christmas function Hand on heart, you know if you have completed a simple driving simulation task and could be significant. Of interest in this study turned up to work with a hangover. You also found that: is that participants were relatively young know that you are likely to be less productive • Even with a BAC of zero, their driving was and inexperienced drivers. Their inclusion is and a risk to yourself, others, and the so bad that they could have been drunk. warranted given that this age group is highly environment. All tasks in a sports turf or in a • With a hangover, drivers showed the same represented in road and workplace incidents hospitality setting are EHS-sensitive tasks and pattern of weaving in and out of their lane that are contributed to by a lack of observation the boss can, and most likely will, ask you to as drivers who were over the legal limit. and anticipation skills, increased recklessness leave the workplace because by sending a • The hungover participants could tell that and thrill seeking and feelings of invincibility hungover worker home, untoward incidents they were not driving well. and over-confidence. can be avoided. It’s a sobering thought.^ 56 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 EDUCATION PHOTO: ANTHONY MILLS (THE LAKES GC) n the January-February 2018 edition COVID-19 has highlighted the platforms, having employers knowing what of ATM (Volume 20.1), I stated that the their trainee is doing adds validation to what I key to success in any partnership is consistent and solid communication. In turf management education this is particularly necessary between the major players - the trainee (or apprentice), the employer and of course the registered training organisation (RTO) - and still stands true to importance of having a strong partnership between TAFEs, apprentices and employers writes NTEWG co-chair Albert Sherry. we are trying to achieve. As the employer, it gives you the opportunity to provide tasks consistent with the training programme, gives the trainee time to practice and for you to gauge whether their knowledge and skill level consistently meets industry benchmark standards. There are of this day. Training is all about the partnership. course benefits in having a mix of an online TAFE has consistently been endorsed as your association websites and are an excellent form and face-to-face, but again this must be the main supplier of training to the sports turf tool for all employers to enhance your role in carefully managed and serve the purpose of industry. This has been possible due to our the partnership. our industry, our clients and the trainee. ongoing commitments to quality training and For a variety of reasons the roles of RTOs It is clear that this style of training has a continued focus on our relationships with often come under the spotlight, but critically, been very difficult, with many of the so-called major industry partners including the Australian as an employer, you are the main player in tech-sawy generation left behind. This should Sports Turf Managers Association, the Sports the training partnership. Quite simply, you make sense as we are very practically- Turf Association of Australia, the Bowling must know what your obligations are and the oriented people and so motivation or lack of Greenkeepers Association as well as through expectations of your trainee. Of course, issues engagement has been a factor that must be all state and territory associations. can be overcome with communication and considered, carefully planned and managed if We meet as the National Turf Education a knowledge of the training product and the we are going to use these tools in the future. Working Group (NTEWG) biannually, responsibilities of each player. Sadly, industry has lost some good talent discussing issues relating to the curriculum Importantly, private RTOs have never throughout the year for a wide variety of and training. The main function of the group communicated with our industry nor are they reasons, including some of the above listed. is to facilitate a consistent approach to the aware of the standards endorsed by the That said, I must mention the efforts of our training and delivery of sports turf qualifications associations and TAFE colleges. Therefore, it is diligent and hardworking turf teachers during across Australia, meaning that a graduate who certainly a case of buyer beware! and now (thankfully) post lockdown to motivate completes their training in regional Victoria your employees to continue to push through in will have the same education and training as COVID IMPACT very difficult circumstances. someone in Perth, or elsewhere in the country. In light of COVID-19 lockdowns, displacements As educators, our obligation continues to This is critically important as our qualification and restructures, and significant revenue be to you and your employees to provide the is a National Training Product widely accepted losses, training has changed dramatically tools your trainee needs to make them the best across the globe. in 2020. This is not to mention the effects turf manager they can be, possessing the skills As a by-product of this, the NTEWG of fatigue on the mental health of all in and knowledge needed to be work-ready for produced the industry benchmark standard for the workplace during this time. As TAFE the challenges of an environmentally diverse each sports turf qualification, setting out how institutions started delivery in very different industry. On behalf of all teachers, thank you trainees and apprentices are assessed in each formats via online forums such as Zoom, as the major player in the training partnership unit of competency. These are available via Google Classroom, MS Teams and Moodle for your ongoing and amazing support.^ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 57 REGIONAL PROFILE Worrigee Links was built in the early 2000s and opened on 1 January 2004. It forms part of the Worrigee Sports precinct on the outskirts of Nowra on the NSW South Coast Worrigee Links/Ex-Servos, nsw An 18-hole golf course, two bowling greens and a cricket oval with turf wicket block. Chris Regan and his small team at Worrigee Links, part of the Shoalhaven Ex-Services Group on the NSW South Coast, certainly have their work cut out managing three separate facilities. Superintendent: Chris Regan (50). Where in Australia is Worrigee Links and opportunity to continue greenkeeping at Nickname: Rego. what is the club/township famous for? We Elanora Country Club in Sydney under another Family: Wife Kerrie, children Hugh (14) and are situated on the south coast of NSW, two influential superintendent Peter Schumacher. Grace (9). hours south of Sydney. Nowra is the main town I really enjoyed my time on the Northern Social media: On all of them, only to keep which sees us in the catchment of the City of Beaches and made some wonderful life-long an eye on my 14-year-old son, to ensure he’s Shoalhaven. Nowra is famous for the horse friends. In 2003 an opportunity arrived to doing the right things! Archer that won the first two Melbourne Cups. move back home and start as 2IC under Tony Period as a superintendent: 12 months. Legend has it that Archer was walked from Webster at Worrigee Links. Association involvement: ASTMA and Nowra to Melbourne! Arwon, which is ‘Nowra’ The Regan family name is quite renowned NSWGCSA. spelt backwards, also won a Melbourne Cup. in our area as my grandfather, father and Career: Nowra Golf Club (casual, apprentice We have had many sporting stars come from uncles all played a lot of sport in the region. and 2IC 1990-1998), Elanora Country Club our region who have represented Australia in I am involved in an organisation called The (1998-2002), Worrigee Links (2003 to present, rugby league, rugby union, athletics, cricket, Bernie Regan Sporting Trust which is named including 13 years as assistant). basketball, hockey, swimming, bowls and golf. in honour of my father who passed away Qualifications: Trade Certificate Greenkeeping in 1984. From his sports store in Nowra, he and Cert III in Landscape and Design. Tell us a bit about your background and assisted local children financially to achieve Major hobbies/past-times: Coaching my how you started out in the turf industry. I their sporting goals. On his passing, the Trust son’s rugby league team, riding motorbikes, finished school in 1988 and started at Nowra was set up to continue his vision of helping listening to good Aussie rock music and family Golf Club as a casual under superintendent families financially. To date over $360,000 has time with our dog Maggie. I’m also a mad Ed Watts. I finished my apprenticeship there been awarded in grants, something that we are supporter of the St George lllawarra Dragons. before moving up to 2IC. I then had the great very proud of. 58 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 Why did you choose to go down the turf management path and how did you end up at Worrigee Links? I have always been an outdoor person, so greenkeeping was a natural fit. My wife is an art teacher and when we were living in Sydney she was offered a job back at the local high school. Worrigee Links was about to start construction at the time the 2IC role was offered to me. As they say, timing is everything. You have recently taken over following the retirement of Tony Webster. Talk a little about Tony’s legacy there and the role he played in the facility that is there now. Tony had been employed at the club for 39 years, firstly looking after the one bowling green at the main club in town before moving out to our current location in Worrigee in 2000. Tony saw the site grow from vacant farm land to The Worrigee Sports crew (from left) Troy Sheehy, Greg Judd, superintendent Chris Regan, David Laurie, Brandon a first class sporting facility providing much Mallia and assistant Adam Fortier. Absent is Jason Daniel entertainment for the local community and visitors to enjoy. He should be very proud of straight line of sight to putt at the pin, causing One of the most challenging aspects his contribution to Worrigee Links. some frustration at times. Such is golf... would be the differences in maintaining a golf green compared to a bowling green, then onto How have you adapted moving into How do you structure your team to maintain the cricket wickets. All have their varying wants the primary role there? Was it an easy each of the respective areas? Is it an easy/ and needs agronomically. We want our golf transition? I have had many challenges in hard facility to manage? My staff all work greens to be firm and drain adequately, but the first 12 months. First was the south coast on the three different sporting facilities. It is not too compacted on their sand profile, then bushfires at Christmas/New Year, the floods we challenging at times to manage each turf we spend hours upon hours rolling the cricket received in February, July and August and then surface. For instance we have our club cricket wicket to gain good bounce on a clay profile. throw COVID-19 into the mix and you can see games on a Saturday, then representative It is definitely a challenging occupation, but at it has been a rather eventful initiation into the games on some Sundays and then school the same time very rewarding. leading role. Other than the mentioned events, cricket during the week. Throw in the golf the transition has been rather smooth. course and bowling greens and as you can How has COVID-19 impacted your imagine we are on the go constantly. It is operations there and what changes have Give us an overview of the facility. both hard and sometimes easy to manage you had to make? When COVID first hit all 110 Obviously it is a very big community facility the facility at certain times, depending on the staff across our two clubs were stood down with a golf course, bowling greens and weather. The staff all know what is expected - bar, office, restaurant and greens staff. We cricket oval. We are in a fairly unique situation of them and they all contribute greatly to the were offered to take sick leave, annual leave in that we provide such a range of sporting running of all three facilities. or long service. After some consultation with facilities to the local community. The sporting precinct comprises the 18-hole golf course as well as two bowling greens and a cricket oval with turf wickets. Our golf membership has grown significantly over the past five years, with the course opening back on 1 January 2004. The bowling greens and cricket ground were opened earlier in 2001 and have also seen considerable growth in members. The golf course was constructed on former farming land that was extremely swampy, thus drainage has been a major issue over years. We have managed to install thousands of metres of drainage lines throughout the course to ease the situation. One of the unique features of the layout is the 10th/15th double green which measures 1600m2 in size. A golfer Regan’s team of six work across all three facilities - the golf course, sports oval with turf wicket block and two can be on the green putting, but not have a bowling greens - a total of 68 hectares of maintained turf surfaces NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 59 REGIONAL PROFILE heavily in a Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (REMS). We receive an allocated amount of water free of charge to irrigate all of our sports facilities, thus taking away the burden to pay for local town water. This water, combined with any rainfall that we receive on our facility, is enough to keep us self-sufficient. Outline any major course/facility improvement works recently completed. In the past six months our attention has been diverted to the new Growers precinct, which is a new restaurant the club has built. We lost two thirds of our putting green and have had to rebuild a new one, reconstructed the 6th tee complex, relocated our practice nets, installed new cart paths and finally work around the new 48-cart storage sheds that were constructed The club’s two bowling greens are Tildwarf. The bowling greens and cricket wicket were opened in 2001 ahead of for our members’ carts that back onto the the golf course, with membership experiencing considerable growth in the years since bowling greens. our CEO and HR department, it was decided Any special environmental considerations that all six greens staff would work three days that you have to incorporate into the The weather and climate are always a great per week so the sports turf facilities could management of the precinct? We do have leveller for a sports turf manager. How has be sufficiently maintained and the offered a large wetland surrounding one third of the Mother Nature treated the course/facility in leave would supplement the other hours lost. golf course. There is a 20 metre buffer zone recent times? We have received 632mm more Thankfully Job Keeper was implemented by which protects the area from encroachment rain than this time last year, so there are times the Federal Government and we were back to by golfers. We have a large amount of wildlife, when the course has been closed for days at normal within two weeks of COVID hitting. The migrating birds, snakes and frogs inhabiting a time. There have been occasions over the golf course, bowling greens and cricket wicket the area. We also have three retention basins years where corellas have decimated the golf remained closed for a further 32 days and situated throughout the golf course which greens, bowling greens and cricket wicket with it was certainly nice to maintain our facilities pump rain water and car park run off back to their anti-social behaviour. We installed a solar- without any interruptions. our main dam for irrigation purposes. driven mirrored prism to deter the corellas from landing, which seems to have worked as the What changes have you implemented since What are some of the major challenges damage has stopped. taking over? I have approached the change in facing Worrigee Links from a turf management with a fair amount of enthusiasm. management and general club management The one product I couldn’t manage my ‘Lead by example and they will follow’ has perspective? Like the majority of sports turf course/facility without is... Like all turfgrass been my main train of thought. I can’t praise facilities in our country, water is and can be a managers, wetting agents and/or growth my staff enough. All have jumped on board major challenge at times. At Worrigee Links regulators. I can sleep at night knowing we will and shown a great deal of interest, enthusiasm we are very fortunate to have our local council be fine in the morning. and pride in the way we present all three (Shoalhaven City Council) on board supporting sports facilities. us. Eighteen years ago the council invested What are some pros and cons of being a regional superintendent/sports turf manager? We are still close enough to major areas to receive our products the following day after ordering from the sales reps. At times it’s difficult to get away to seminars or information sessions when the pressure is on. But sometimes you just have to make the effort to go. Are expectations of course presentation and conditioning any less than that placed on your metropolitan counterparts? There is an expectation to produce a high-quality product by the members; they see it on TV and want the same. Then reality hits when you explain The Worrigee Links course has 1019/1020 bentgrass greens, kikuyu tees and fairways, while the rough is a mix of kikuyu and ryegrass 60 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 costs and staff numbers involved to produce that product. The pressure is certainly higher for the metropolitan supers. If you could change one thing about your job as a regional superintendent/sports turf manager what would it be and why? I would ideally like 2-3 more staff; I’ll keep asking. How important are the relationships you have with other sports turf managers/trade reps as well as the local community? It is extremely important to have that contact with other supers; we need to get things off our PHOTO: NEARMAP minds and share our thoughts for our own wellbeing. We are very fortunate to have some great trade reps on the South Coast who help out when needed and can provide some sound advice when all seems pointless at The Worrigee Sports precinct is a major community hub for the township of Nowra times. Do you think regional/country What have you got in your shed, what’s What are some of the more unusual superintendents have a better work-life next on the list to purchase and what one requests/things you have had to do as a balance than their metro counterparts? We piece of equipment would you like to have? superintendent of a regional course/sports are situated on the NSW South Coast, two Three Toro triplex mowers (greens, tees and turf facility? Where do I start... packing up hours south of Sydney, so I feel we have the cricket wicket), two Toro Sidewinders, two the dance floor at the club and moving it to best of both worlds. We are in close proximity Toro Workman utilities and Kubota utility, Toro the other venue, pumping out an over flowing to a major city and far enough away to enjoy Reelmaster, Toro Groundsmaster, Bobcat, swimming pool and plenty more that I don’t the relaxed (at times) lifestyle of the country. Kubota tractor, bunker rake, Enviromist spray think I can mention. The work-life balance does work well for me. unit, Kubota zero-turn, truck, soil reliever, AGCSAlech Independent, Analytical, Diagnostic and Consultancy Services • EXPERT AGRONOMIC ADVICE • SOIL, PLANT AND WATER ANALYSIS • GOLF COURSE, SPORTSFIELD AND • DISEASE AND NEMATODE ANALYSIS RACETRACK ASSESSMENTS • COST EFFECTIVE NUTRITION AND • DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS SPECIFICATIONS • WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS • DRONE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES • PROJECT MANAGEMENT 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 0409183 710 tim@agcsa.com.au 0422 418 038 www.agcsa.com.au/agcsatech NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 61 REGIONAL PROFILE The golf course was constructed on former farming land that was extremely swampy, with lots of work spent remedying drainage issues since its opening In addition to wetland areas surrounding the course, Worrigee Links has three retention basins which pump rain water and car park run off back to the main dam What gives you the most job satisfaction? Receiving positive feedback from the golfers, bowlers and cricket club. We as turf managers don’t always hear the good reports, only the topdresser, sweep and fill brush. I do like the What do you think is the most challenging negative ones, so it is nice when the good Enviromist spray unit as we cop a lot of wind aspect of a superintendent/sports turf feedback is relayed to us. at Worrigee. This unit means we can spray any manager’s role today? Dealing with staff and time it’s required, but it is on its last legs. Our understanding all of their different personalities Most pleasing/rewarding moment during next major purchase will be a Toro Multi Pro. I is a challenge at times. Social media has also your time at Worrigee Links? An A grade would love an excavator - there’s so much we changed our lives. Throw in our ever-changing golfer approached me on a Friday afternoon, could do to improve the course with one. weather conditions and that is a challenge as the day before our Worrigee Open recently. He well. commented that it was the best he’s seen the Favourite spot on the golf course? My course in the last 10 years. favourite spot at Worrigee Links is looking What have you worked on personally in out over the whole facility from the clubhouse recent years to improve your skills as a Editor’s Note: If you would like your regional while enjoying a cold beer. You can see the sports turf manager? Taking a few deep course or sports turf facility profiled in golf course, bowling greens and cricket oval breaths when the pressure of the job takes Australian Turfgrass Management Journal, all from one spot. However, there have been over. Having a bit more patience when dealing contact editor Brett Robinson on 0434 144 779 times when I haven’t enjoyed seeing a golf cart with our three different sporting groups. or email brett@agcsa.com.au driven over the top of the 11th green - the golf pro did receive a rather angry phone call from me in that instance! AT A GLANCE - WORRIGEE LINKS/EX-SERVOS, NSW Facility specs: The Worrigee Sports Terrain/soils: Mostly flat, slightly undulating Best advice you have received about being precinct comprises an 18-hole golf course, course. Loamy soils. a superintendent/sports turf manager and two bowling greens and a cricket oval with Water sources/irrigation: Reclaimed water who gave it to you. I’ve worked under some turf wicket, all up around 68 hectares of dam (four megalitres) mixed into 30ML main fantastic and dedicated supers - Ed Watts, maintained turf. On the golf course we have dam. Toro Lynx irrigation system. Bryce Russell and Peter Schumacher. It’s not 1019/1020 bentgrass greens, kikuyu tees Cutting heights/regimes: Greens 3.5mm, so much about advice I received rather the and fairways and the rough is a mix of kikuyu tees 8mm, fairways 15mm, rough 75mm. way they led, set high standards and had high and ryegrass. The bowling greens are both Bowling greens 2.5, cricket wicket 4mm, work ethics that I took on board. I see my Tifdwarf and the cricket wicket is Legend wicket table 6mm, oval 15mm. role similar to that of a captain of a sporting couch, with a mix of Greenlees Park couch Renovations: Our golf greens get a major team - lead by example and make yourself and kikuyu in the outfield. renovation every September - we scarify, approachable to your staff. Members/rounds: 365 golfing members and solid tine, topdress and fertilise. Minor 15,000 social club members. Golf course renovations include a groom, dust and pushes through 26,000 rounds per year. solid tine. Bowling greens are renovated in Major tournaments/events: Worrigee Open, December/January - scarify, hydroject/solid Club Championships, golf and bowls and tine, topdress and fertilise. Cricket wicket representative cricket games. reno carried out in March/April - scarify, Staff structure: Superintendent Chris topdress and fertilise. Regan, Adam Fortier (assistant), Brandon Major disease pressures: Dollar spot and Mallia (3IC), Troy Sheehy (mechanic) and brown patch on golf greens, helmo and groundsmen Greg Judd, Jason Daniel and spring dead spot on bowling greens. David Laurie. Nutrition management: Monthly spray Climate/rainfall: Warm and temperate programme with soil and water conditioners The oval has a four-deck Legend wicket block with the outfield a mix of Greenlees Park couch and kikuyu climate with an annual rainfall of 1219mm. and light amounts of foliar applications. 62 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 The best just got better ■ .. ; | - ig nature XTRA Stressgard Xtra playability //Xtra disease control //Xtra plant health benefits Chipco® Signature has been a known and trusted product, widely adopted as the backbone of summer disease management programs for more than 20 years. Now backed by an extensive number of local and overseas trials, Signature Xtra Stressgard takes performance to a new level. With Signature Xtra Stressgard, the best just got better! ALWAYS USE ACCORDING TO PRODUCT LABEL Bayer CropScience Pty. Ltd., Environmental Science Australia, Level 1,8 Redfern Road, Hawthorn East, Vic. 3123 Technical Enquiries: 1800 804 479 es.bayer.com.au Chipco® and Signature Xtra Stressgard® are Registered Trademarks of the Bayer Group ©2019 AROUND THE TRADE HG’S TURF PRINT TECHNOLOGY TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT THE MCG first stadium we contacted,” explains Kinion. “The MCG print was well received across all media platforms with over 200,000 views and plenty of comments, most in disbelief of what we were able to achieve. The technology has been used all over the world, but this was its maiden voyage in Australia and we were thrilled at what we were able to produce.” VELISTA LAUNCHES IN NZ STMA Gold Partner Syngenta recently A announced the introduction of Velista turf fungicide to the New Zealand turf market. With its highly efficacious novel turf registered mode of action and powerful preventative and curative action, Velista’s turf­ specific formulation protects green spaces during high pressure periods. HG Turf’s new Turf Print technology uses compressed It is a powerful broad-spectrum fungicide air to create visual messages and images on turf (a.i. 500g/kg penthiopyrad) that can be G Turf Group’s new Turf Print used all year round, controlling all the major H technology got a spectacular turfgrass diseases from anthracnose to spring debut in the lead-up to this dead spot and the hard-to-control fairy ring year’s AFL Grand Final. complexes. It is the first turf registered option With the 2020 Grand Final for control of fairy ring, leaf and sheath spot moving north to The Gabba due to the COVID- and brown ring patch in New Zealand. 19 situation in Melbourne, the opportunity The result of many years of R&D, Velista’s presented itself to use the vacant MCG surface manager - facilities Peter Wearne about six new active ingredient, penthiopyrad, is a as a giant canvas on which to print a message weeks before the game. Receiving unanimous succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) of support from the traditional grand final approval, the baton was passed on to Jen fungicide. It works by blocking the pathogen venue to the AFL community. Watts (general manager - commercial cell’s energy production and shutting down Turf Print is a GPS-guided printing machine operations and partnerships) and her team any further spore or fungal growth leading that does not require chemicals or paint to along with the MCG’s executive manager - turf to pathogen death. Velista moves into the create visual messages on turfgrass. The Michael Salvatore. The team worked together turfgrass leaves and roots providing excellent technology was developed in the USA by a over the next couple of weeks to finalise the residual activity which is ideal for preventative company called New Ground Technology and creative content for the print, while the Turf applications. For more information on Velista uses compressed air to force blow the grass Print machine winged its way to Australia. visit www.syngentaturf.com.au. in a certain direction to create dark and light After completing commissioning of the contrasts in the grass. The beauty of Turf Print machine and some on-the-ground training LABEL CHANGES FOR is that the images can literally be erased after at HG’s Alexandra turf farm, on the Monday MONARCH, SILVERADO a day or two simply by mowing or brushing before the Richmond v Geelong decider HG the grass. staff created the good luck message on the The process to develop the print starts MCG surface. The message - which read with the creative department at New Ground ‘Good luck from the people’s ground... May Technology in the US. They take any graphical the best team win’ - also featured images of image or worded message and turn it into a the captains of both competing teams - Trent STMA Bronze Partner Turf Culture was pixelated file format that is then sent to the Turf Print machine which is a modified zero-turn mower. The machine has a unit at ground level with a series of jet nozzles that are controlled Cotchin and Joel Seiwood - as well as the 2020 AFL Premiership Cup. The print, which was 80 metres wide and 90 metres deep, took around six hours to complete and according A recently granted APVMA approval for new uses and new pests for its Monarch 100 insecticide (a.i. 100g/L fipronil). New uses and pests include control of red by actuators and valves electronically. The to HG Turf Group’s business development imported fire ant and yellow crazy ant (spot jets open and close to blow the grass in small manager Erik Kinion is the largest ever placed application to nests) as well as new pests for pixel blocks of 70mm x 70mm, all of which is on a sports field. turf with control of nuisance and nesting ants controlled by the GPS guidance system and “HG has been a long-term partner and in turf (it is now registered for all ants, not just the creative file uploaded to the machine. supplier of turf technology to the MCG since funnel ants). The initial idea and concept for the AFL 1998, so when the opportunity came to The APVMA has also granted changes to Grand Final was put to the MCC’s general introduce this technology in Australia it was the the Silverado herbicide registration/label, with 64 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 additional turf species added to situation of safety, hygiene and consulting operations use and a re-entry period change. Previously with epar’s environment, health and safety registered for use on golf and bowling greens technology software solutions, will allow and turf farms, it is now registered for use on companies to quickly deploy and optimise the all turf surfaces (i.e. surrounds, fairways, tees, best EHS solutions in the market. ovals and general turf areas). Tall fescue and ESP has spent over 35 years working in ryegrass have also been added as turf species the EHS consulting arena all over Australia. that Silverado can safely be used on. With epar’s new mobile EHS technology and Previously Silverado herbicide had a the ease of access to ESP’s global information, 14-day restriction for high exposure activities certified laboratories and leading EHS such as hand-weeding and transplanting, but practitioners and academic minds, this new these restrictions are now gone under the new partnership opens up new doors for new EHS registered re-entry periods. practices and behaviours. Turf managers wishing to use the latest “We have been working on bringing registered claims when using both Monarch together two of Australia’s strongest EHS 100 insecticide and Silverado herbicide they and sustainability brands since 2019,” says already have in stock, can simply print the epar managing director Terry Muir. “This PGG Wrightson Turf’s new-look Oceanic website leaflet from the respective product pages on exciting partnership will allow us to deliver the Turf Culture website - www.turfculture. an enhanced and expanded range of Featuring distinctive sections for Australia com.au. Turf Culture reminds users they must environmental, health, safety and sustainability and New Zealand, the product catalogue attach and keep the latest leaflets with their products and services to our customers on a diversifies down to categories including existing bottles. national and international basis.” professional turf, environmental rehabilitation, For find out more about ESP visit https:// landscaping and aviation. With a new ‘Add to ESP, EPAR JOIN FORCES environet.com.au. Enquiry’ function, users can now add products to their enquiry cart before submitting their PGG WRIGHTSON TURF query directly to the PGG Wrightson Turf PROFESSIONALS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE customer service team. SP (Environmental Safety ew ASTMA Bronze Partner PGG Over 300 products are listed on the E Professionals) and epar have announced they have entered into a national partnership that will bring together environment and safety know-how and N Wrightson Turf has unveiled its new Oceanic website - pggwrightsonturf. older websites and is a one stop shop for all website, all of them with key information such as technical information, safety data sheets com. The website is an amalgamation of four and pack labels available for download. The resources section is kept up to date with the environment and safety technology. The direct things turf according to PGG Wrightson Turf’s latest case studies, product information and partnership between ESP’s environment, marketing coordinator Sean Zumbraegel. industry news. LABEL CHANGES FOR BAYER’S SPECTICLE HERBICIDE STMA Silver Partner Bayer recently chickweed, as well as a new grass species, weed control to maintain bare ground in A announced some key label changes for its pre-emergent herbicide Specticle (a.i. 200g/L indaziflam) after receiving APVMA approval in October. The brome grass. “It wasn’t long after launch in mid-2016 that we began to receive positive feedback from customers about how Specticle helped many landscape and hardscape areas in and around maintained sports turf facilities, such as fence-lines, cart paths and other pathways, gravel and sandy waste areas and car parks. changes relate to the addition of more weed improve consistency of their surfaces The addition of this use pattern will allow species to its list of weeds controlled, as and reduced the need for post-emergent turf managers to reduce maintenance time well as an extension of the labelled use herbicide applications,” says Bayer’s James to manage weeds with mechanical (e.g.: patterns. Both changes will enable turf Royal. whipper-snippers) or chemical means (e.g.: managers to re-think traditional weed “Results achieved with Specticle in reduce glyphosate applications) and improve control practices in warm-season turf 2020, one of the most difficult winter the efficiency of presenting the desired and in bare ground situations around seasons in terms of weed infestation aesthetics around their facility. their facilities. in recent times (especially bindii and The new Specticle label also contains In addition to the weeds that Poa annua), across sportsfields, golf additional guidance on product application have been on the Specticle label and passive recreational turf, has only to ensure best results and turf safety on sites since launch in 2016 (Roa annua, reinforced the value of Specticle to turf with very sandy soils and low organic matter crowsfoot grass and summer grass), managers seeking to maintain weed- content, and also on kikuyu turf. For further Specticle is now labelled for pre- free turf surfaces.” information on the latest trial work, contact emergent control of key broadleaf The new Specticle label also your Bayer turf team representative or to view weed species in turf such as bindii, includes a use pattern to allow the the new Specticle label visit the product page white clover, plantain, capeweed and product to be used for pre-emergent at www.es.bayer.com.au. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 65 ASSOCIATION REPORTS NZGCSA ® reetings and best wishes for the The NZGCSA, in conjunction with the G festive season to all our fellow greenkeepers and turf managers on the western side of the Ditch. It is a privilege to write my first ATM report as the new president NZSTI, has been holding a series of webinars in an effort to keep our technical knowledge up in the absence of field days and conferences. In changing times, the NZGCSA sees this of the NZGCSA following our AGM back in option of delivery as a platform of professional August. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank development for its members as well as an immediate past president Steve Hodson opportunity to interact with fellow peers on for the outstanding job he did guiding our topics and issues that are dealt with in golf association and for his time on the committee. course turf management. To date we have What a year 2020 has been! The only focused on issues such as soil and tissue constant from previous years has been the testing, fertiliser plans, nutrient budgeting, All Blacks locking away the Bledisloe Cup for summer disease management and more another year, but everything else has been effective water use. We hope to keep these turned on its ear! It just so happened that I going as we move forward into next year. turned 50 on 25 March 2020, the same day Another event that isn’t cancelled or that New Zealand entered Level 4 lockdown postponed due to COVID-19 is the GMANZ due to COVID-19. ‘Happy birthday’ I said to Omanu Golf Club superintendent Jason Perkins was and NZGCSA Combined Summit and Fine Turf elected president of the NZGCSA at the August AGM myself as I sat in my office and looked out Seminar being held in Auckland on 13-15 June at all the pins, flags, cups, tee markers and everyone should be proud of how we have 2021. The focal point of this combined summit rakes piled in the corner of my shed and come through it. I’m not sure if we have seen and seminar is ‘Prospering in an unreal world’. wondered how long they would have to stay the worst of it. Borders are still closed and the This will be the first time we have run an event there. The ‘Course Closed’ signs were up, the economic effects are still being felt. in collaboration with the General Managers gates were locked and we all went home for The most common words in reports I have Association (GMANZ). an unknown timeframe. Never before in 32 written this year seem to be “Postponed due Both associations are working on some years of greenkeeping had I seen such strange to COVID” and this one is no different. We great topics and speakers with an opening happenings. have not travelled to field days, seminars or night networking session in the supplier’s Thanks to the efforts of NZ Golf, Steve conferences. Our annual awards programmes pavilion followed by the first day of the Hodson and some well-aimed media coverage, have been decimated but there is a glimmer Summit with experts from within the industry we were back tending our golf courses after of hope. We will be running a Graduate of the sharing their knowledge in Q&A sessions and only three weeks absence. The dire predictions Year in February/March of 2021. A new exam workshops. The second day will see a split of foot-long greens riddled with disease and has been written to examine those who will go with the Fine Turf Seminar following the same three-foot high rough proved to be fallacy and forward to the finals day and from there our presentation format with the topics addressed a few weeks later the gates were unlocked Graduate of the Year will be found. The prize being very specific to the turf industry. and the golfers came back. And did they for the winner is usually a trip to the US Golf Merry Christmas and a happy and safe come back! All of a sudden golf was in a Industry Show, but as the 2021 event is being New Year to everyone. boom everywhere! You couldn’t get a tee time held virtually and travel restrictions are still in on a Saturday for love nor money. The time place, discussions are underway for a suitable JASON PERKINS and money that may have been spent on an replacement prize. PRESIDENT, NZGCSA overseas holiday was now being spent on golf. The amount of golf being played has ON THE MOVE... Margaret River Golf Club, WA. caused some headaches - heavy wear on MARK BROOKS: DEAN MCCALLUM: From superintendent turf, no gaps for mowers in busy fields and full Finished up as assistant Crescent Head Country Club, NSW to car parks. Because of the boom, golf clubs superintendent superintendent Gunnedah Golf Club, NSW. have been able to weather the COVID-19 Riversdale GC, Vic BRAD PALMER: From Llanherne Golf Club, storm, keep their greenstaff (I don’t know of on 18 December to Tas to Hobart City Council, Tas. many layoffs) and get their clubs back in the take on assistant TODD STRUTHERS: From Hobart City black. Most clubs took advantage of the NZ superintendent role at Jupiter Hills Golf Club, Council, Tas to Brighton Council, Tas. Government wage subsidy and it made the Florida in early 2021. LEE VEAL: From superintendent Mt difference between keeping most employed FRASER HEALY: From greenkeeper at Derrimut Golf & Community Club, Vic to and making redundancies. Cottesloe Golf Club, WA to superintendent superintendent Werribee Park Golf Club, Vic 2020 has been a tough year on many Collie Golf Club, WA. where he replaces the outgoing Steve Green. fronts with a number of ‘one-in-a-hundred-year ANDREW IKSTRUMS: From assistant DAVE WALLACE: Resigned as events’. Our industry, and the people in it, have superintendent Education City Golf Club, superintendent Denmark Country Club, WA. once again proved how resilient they can be. Doha, Qatar to superintendent Dreamland EARL WARMINGTON: From assistant Getting courses back up to standard after a Golf Club, Baku, Azerbaijan. superintendent to superintendent Newcastle lockdown was no easy task in some cases and MARK LEWIS: Resigned as superintendent Golf Club, NSW. 66 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 GCSAWA® erth has just recorded its wettest P November on record with 92mm giving the WA state capital a total of around 650mm for the year so far. Here at Mosman Park, I had all my bores and pumps off for the The M/4 industry gathered in mid-November to Wembley Golf Course and Hartfield Country Club were first 15 days of November which was unusual celebrate 30 turf management students on their TAFE recently awarded their Waterwise Program Bronze but very welcome. It gave everything a bit of graduation certificates at a special ceremony at Wembley an extra kick along following renovations and heading into summer and should help with Mid-November was the TAFE graduation Golf Course (superintendent Darren water budget management come the end of night held at the Swan Yacht Club. About Wilson, CSTM) and Hartfield Country Club the watering season. The records kept falling 115 people from all the different parts of the (superintendent Nick Kinley, CSTM) were with Tuesday 1 December seeing the coldest turf industry attended to congratulate the 30 awarded their Bronze certificate at a ceremony summer morning recorded in 124 years - a students on their graduation. Dave Cassidy at Wembley in front of the Perth mayor and chilly 6.5°C! (CSTM, The Cut) gave a presentation on his government officials. In early November, 19 members and career so far from all different corners of the Planning for next year is well underway industry representatives travelled down to globe, followed by a quick slideshow from last with the main event being the Margaret River Denmark and Albany golf clubs for two nights year’s STA Sports Turf Graduate of the Year Conference from 8-11 August. Leigh Yanner for a ‘walk ‘n’ talk’ and round of golf. It was winner Matt Wolfe (formerly City of Albany, from The National Golf Club has agreed to the usual windy weather, especially in Albany now Perth Racing). be one of our main guest speakers for the where we played golf, but both courses were Congratulations to Adam D’evelynes conference. We are planning things with the in good shape and it was good to see the from Wanneroo Golf Club (superintendent hope all travel restrictions are lifted. It’s a great country courses and how they operate. Jon Carter), Gary Wallam from Lake event with all the accommodation, meals, It was a chance to catch up with GCSAWA Karrinyup (superintendent Fraser Brown, drinks, golf and conference itself included in life member Geoff Osbourne who talked to CSTM) and Tyler Robertson from Golf Oracle the one price and is open to everyone, so if the group on his history starting in NSW and (who manages both the Armadale and Lake you’re interested in coming over for it please then really taking off once he moved to WA by Claremont golf courses under superintendent reach out for more information. Good luck to constructing Sun City CC, Joondalup Resort, Neil Jones) on taking home awards. everyone for the summer ahead. Araluen Golf Resort and finally The Cut. It was The Waterwise Program is running good to see a few assistants and groundstaff well with close to 20 courses signed up SHANE BAKER make the trip also. and participating. Recently both Wembley PRESIDENT, GCSAWA VGCSA® n 19 October, after 11 weeks of O Stage 4 lockdown, golf clubs in PHOTO: NICK WALL/AIR SWING MEDIA metropolitan Melbourne were once again allowed to welcome back golf in pairs. It was a welcome sign that life was beginning to get back to some sort of normality, after weeks of social and travel restrictions including night curfews. Since then, there has been a further easing of restrictions, with golf in fours permitted and competitions allowed to recommence. over during the day. The popular Country • Monday 7 June: VGCSA 2IC 3IC At the time of writing, Victoria has recorded Meeting will venture to Murray Downs Golf & Groundstaff meeting (Cranbourne Golf over 40 consecutive days of zero cases and is Country Club, while the November Golf Day Club); heading towards ‘COVID normal’ by Christmas. concludes the year at the Barwon Heads Golf • Monday 2 - Wednesday 4 August: This has provided the VGCSA committee with Club. Let’s hope we all stay safe and can enjoy VGCSA Superintendent 2IC Country optimism to plan events for next year. After a another year of course visits, education and meeting (Murray Downs Golf & Country number of Zoom meetings this year, it will be networking. Club); a welcome return to the outdoors and fresh air The VGCSA event schedule is planned as • Wednesday 13 October: VGCSA; next year. follows: Education meeting (Kooringal Golf Club) All meetings will be a return to regular • Tuesday 2 March: VGCSA Education • Monday 15 November: VGCSA Open formats, except the first meeting of the meeting (Lonsdale Links & Portarlington Golf Day (Barwon Heads Golf Club). year where we visit Lonsdale Links and Golf Club); Portarlington Golf Clubs. Playing it COVID • Tuesday 11 May: VGCSA Annual General SHANE GREENHILL safe, the group will be split into two and swap Meeting (Woodlands Golf Club); PRESIDENT, VGCSA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 67 ASSOCIATION REPORTS NSWGCSA • 2020 has been a write-off for all at the AGM with life membership. Mai has NSWGCSA events. The Board decided spent over 35 years at Northbridge after taking early that it could not host any events on the superintendent role three years after and guarantee that all attendees would be safe starting as an apprentice in 1982. Mai served from COVID-19. However, with life returning nine years on the NSWGCSA Board where he to somewhat normal again, the NSWGCSA looked after the education portfolio. Mai’s life has decided to hold the 2020 Elite Sand and membership will be celebrated at February’s Soil Rube Walkerden Trophy at The Lakes event at The Lakes Golf Club. Golf Club (superintendent Anthony Mills) in On 10 December NSWGCSA Board February 2021. This will mean 2021 will see member Pat Wilson (Pambula-Merimbula two Rube Walkerden events with the second to Golf Club) hosted an education event for the be hosted by Killara Golf Club (superintendent Far South Coast greenkeepers. Talks from Ryan Fury) later in the year. Nuturf’s Dr Mark Walker and Dr Brett Morris On 18 November myself and David were coupled with machine demonstrations Somerville (vice-president), along with from LandHQ/John Deere and Turf Air. The two representatives from the NSW Bowling attendees were also treated to a Zoom Greenkeepers Association, met with the Northbridge GC superintendent Mai Harris was interview with Steven Britton, superintendent awarded NSWGCSA life membership at the AGM Minister for Water, Property and Housing at The Chevy Chase Club, USA. This was a Melinda Pavey to discuss the drought and The 2020 NSWGCSA Annual General great format and will be adopted for an event water restrictions that were in place over Meeting, sponsored by Syngenta, was held on on the Far North Coast in 2021. the 2019/2020 summer period. The Minister 7 December via Zoom conference. Ian Elphick I would like to wish everyone a Merry has requested that we present a document (Gunnedah Golf Club) stood down from the Christmas and Happy New Year; I think we all outlining our industry requirements through Board after departing the club to concentrate have had enough of 2020 and fingers crossed each level of restriction to be discussed at on his own business. Peter Donkers (Long summer is much kinder than last year. our next meeting. This is going to be a long Reef Golf Club) was nominated and accepted process but it is really positive that we have for the vacant position of director. started open communication between the Long-serving Northbridge Golf Club NATHAN BRADBURY industry and the State Government. superintendent Malcolm Harris was honoured PRESIDENT, NSWGCSA TSTMA ® SAGOSA ® ou little ripper! We can now welcome A big thanks to Invermay Bowls Club, ntil recently, South Australia remained Y visitors from all States and Territories at last! Although we have been very Brodie Coulson and Geoff Stephens (Pellows Toro), Andy Byard and all attendees isolated from mainland Australia, which in afor making the day a success. pandemic situation was a good thing, it is so The TasTafe training calendar has been U largely unaffected by COVID-19. That changed dramatically when the SA Government imposed a full lockdown on 19 November (thankfully now lifted) and for a few very encouraging to see the flood gates open released by Richard Lancaster and it most days we obtained a better understanding of as we welcome everyone back. certainly looks like a vast improvement, the inconvenience endured by our interstate We did hold a training day in September with four one-week training blocks in the counterparts. at Invermay Bowls Club. With 50 attendees cooler months to lessen impact on clubs or Metropolitan Adelaide notched 15 days and quite a few new faces it was a very organisations with having staff away when over 30°C for November including our first successful day. Theme was ‘back to basics’ busy. We are hoping this updated training 40°C of the season. After some decent spring which was focused mainly on apprentices and programme will improve over time to bring rain most SA clubs have sound water storage volunteers but also a bit of a refresher for us us in line with the other states with teacher/ capacity as we enter summer. long-standing turfies. Andy Byard discussed student contact hours. As the industry With continued uncertainty surrounding spraying application and a machinery association, we must also show support COVID-19, the SAGCSA committee is demonstration on Invermay Park by Pellows to TasTafe and wherever possible look at reviewing its events programme for 2021 and (Toro) capped off a great day. the possibility and benefit of enrolling an looks forward to being able to offer a full and Our day finished at UTAS Stadium where apprentice and making our industry stronger. varied offering in the near future. Bryan Dunn explained his management Congratulations to Tony Smith (Mowbray We wish all superintendents, their staff and practices on the new turf. Shortly after the Golf Club) on his preparation of the course clubs all the best for the festive season and meeting Bryan announced he was leaving for the Tasmanian Amateur in November. Golf trust 2021 will be the dawn of much improved UTAS Stadium after 16 years, including Australia’s Chris Bell said the course was in health and economic situation for all. 14 in charge, to take on the northern fantastic condition. operations manager role with Tas Racing. Congratulations go to Adam Spargo who has PHIL HILL NATHAN BENNETT taken over the reins from Bryan. PRESIDENT, TSTMA PRESIDENT, SAGCSA 68 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 Turf quality so good, they’ll all want to play... PRIMO MAXX offers the unrivalled opportunity to enhance the playing surface quality of your turf - and make big co: avings at the same time. This premium gro VI root density, improved drought resistance, enhanced wear 3lerance, lateral s reduced mowing. PRIMO MAXX earns you 30 points with Turf Rewards y Primo MaxxTurf growth regulator syngenta w For more information ask your Syngenta Agent or go to syngentaturf.com.au ® Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1,2-4 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ABN 33 002 933 717. ©Registered trademark of Syngenta Group Company. ™Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2020 Syngenta. AD 20-347. - PHOTO: DAVID GRAY/REUTERS ike many young kids growing up in New Zealand, I was born with an L aspiration to one day pull on the black jersey of our national rugby team, the All Blacks, and represent my country. The sport of rugby in New Zeala is more akin to a religion, much like AFL and NRL to those of you on the western side of the Ditch, and it’s almost with an inbuilt predisposition that Kiwis enter this world ready to worship. I played the game all through my youth and into my early adult years and upon hanging up the boots with the realisation that the ultimate status of becoming an All Black Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club dual general manager and course was unfulfilled (like most I hadn’t even come close), my love for the game, as with many superintendent (and rugby union diehard) Leo Barber draws inspiration fellow New Zealanders, has never waned. For a small country of just five million from one of the world’s most successful sporting institutions to discuss situated in relative isolation at the bottom of the world, New Zealand has always prided itself in leadership, decision-making, self-mastery and legacy. punching well above its weight on the global scene in all manner of disciplines, but it has been the All Blacks that have dominated the world of rugby for well over a century and, in 70 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 The All Blacks have one of the most enviable records in the era of professional sport. In maintaining a high level of performance, the All Blacks have created a culture where no one is bigger than the team and developed an ethos built around work ethic and continuous improvement are the biggest opportunity to learn. The All Blacks created a culture in which players are accountable not only to their coaches but even more to their teammates. Performance = capability + behaviour. Character triumphs over talent. 2. ADAPT Go for the gap — when you are on top of your game, change your game. Four steps to drive change. Make a case for providing a compelling picture of the future, sustain the capability to change and create a credible plan to execute. Culture is subject to learning, growth and decline. This continuous improvement was able to lift the All Blacks to an even better win rate. 3. PURPOSE Play with purpose, ask why? Understand the purpose for which you are playing. Better people make better All Blacks. Leaders connect personal meaning to a higher purpose to create beliefs and a sense of direction. 4. RESPONSIBILITY Be a leader, not a follower — pass the ball. Create a structure of meaning, a sense of purpose, belonging, teamwork and personal reasonability. Empower the individual by empowering them with the success of the team. Leaders create leaders by passing responsibility, creating ownership, accountability and trust. fact, are arguably the most dominant team of business leaders and psychological theories to any sporting code globally with an 86 per cent come to quite common-sense conclusions. 5. LEARN win rate in the professional era. In maintaining a high level of performance, Create a learning environment. Leaders are Caught up in the Netflix and smartphone the All Blacks created a culture where no one teachers. By finding the 100 things that can generation, my once keen interest in reading was bigger than the team - “A collection of be done just one per cent better, you achieve had sadly fallen away in recent years, much to talented individuals without personal discipline marginal gain which creates an incremental the detriment of my lifelong thirst for escaping will ultimately and inevitably fail.” They and cumulative advantage in performance and in a good book. This year I set myself a developed an ethos built around work ethic results. The first stage of learning is silence, modest target of getting back to turning and continuous improvement - “leaving the the second stage is listening. some pages once again and having put in a jersey in a better position than what you found request to the North Pole, last Christmas I was it.” 6. WHANAU (FAMILY) delighted to unwrap a book called ‘Legacy - The book is extremely insightful. It is The All Blacks stated policy of ‘No dickheads’ What the All Blacks can teach us about the about leadership, decision-making and self- excludes highly talented prima-donnas. business of life’. It was the perfect way to mastery. The lessons of this book I feel, are as One of the first steps in developing a high- reignite my interest. adaptable to our personal lives as they are to performance culture is to select on character. Written by author James Kerr, who was our roles as turf managers. Here then, is the Fly in formation, be of one mind, or as Maori given largely unfettered access behind the ‘First XV’ lessons that the book presents... mythology depicts whanau - follow the scenes of this mighty sporting dynasty, its spearhead. Everyone works together towards 15 chapters capture the valuable lessons 1. CHARACTER the same goal. The strength of the wolf is the learnt from the success of the All Blacks that Character begins with humility and discipline. pack, the strength of the pack is the wolf. are easily transferable in their application to Even after a major win, the All Blacks finish everyday life. It is a book that is practical and their celebrations and “sweep the sheds — 7. EMBRACE EXPECTATIONS easy to read and while it draws upon stories because no one looks after the All Blacks, the Aim for the highest cloud so if you miss it about All Black culture it also lends examples All Blacks look after themselves.” Don’t be you will hit a lofty mountain. The All Blacks from other sporting codes, coaching greats, too big to do the small things. Your failures are expected to win every time they play and NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 71 UP THE LAST Barber’s first game of rugby as an eight-year-old (he is the one holding the ball). Rugby is religion in NZ and despite not going on to wear a version of that black jersey which carried the silver fern insignia, Barber’s passion for the sport has never waned know that your teammates will do the same for you. Be the first to arrive at the gym, be the last to leave. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. 12. LANGUAGE Let your ears listen. Invent a language - sing your world into existence. A system of meaning that everyone understands. A language, vocabulary and a set of beliefs that bind the group together. Meaning, rituals, stories, heroes all bound together. An oral culture - a common story. Leaders are storytellers. Great organisations are born from a compelling story. The central organising thought helps people embrace a fear of failure to lift performance. inhibited, result-oriented, anxious, aggressive, understand what they stand for and why. Successful leaders have high internal overcompensating, desperate - to ‘blue head’ benchmarks, they set their expectations high - loose, expressive, in the moment, calm, clear, 13. RITUAL and try to exceed them. accurate, untasked. Ritualise to actualise. Create a culture, a culture of continually growing and improving. 8. PREPARATION 10. AUTHENTICITY Inspiring leaders establish rituals to connect Train to win, practise under pressure. Practise Know thyself, keep it real. If you succumb to their team to its core narrative, using them with intensity to develop the mindset to win. peer pressure and do things because others to reflect, remind, reinforce and reignite their Intensified training in preparation to win will want you, you will be cut off. Be genuine, collective identity and purpose. condition the brain and body to perform stay true to yourself and be honest with your under pressure and make peak performance environment. Adopting the behaviours and 14. WHAKAPAPA (GENEALOGY) automatic. Get out of your comfort zone. If you values of others will often conflict with what got Be a good ancestor. Plant trees you’ll never are not growing anywhere, you are not going you there in the first place. Leaders need to see. Connect the past, present and future. True anywhere. create an environment that encourages safe­ leaders take responsibility for adding to the conflict, honesty and integrity, in which people legacy. Ensure knowledge transfer. Know that 9. PRESSURE genuinely know one another. you are standing on the shoulders of giants; Bad decisions are not made through lack live up to that expectation and know that you of skill or innate judgement; they are made 11. SACRIFICE will be looked upon as one. because of an inability to handle pressure at Find something you would die for and give the pivotal moment. Know how to manage, your life to it. Do the above and beyond for 15. LEGACY deal and embrace pressure. Control your a cause, activity or mission you believe in. Write your legacy. Be purposeful. Add to the attention. Switch from ‘red head’ - tight- Champions do extra. Bleed on the field and ethos, make your mark.^ The All Blacks, while being sporting giants for New Zealanders, remain accessible and easily approachable. Barber The All Blacks have had their hands on the William often has them visit Paraparaumu Beach when a game is in town and true to their ethos they are polite, grounded Webb Ellis Trophy three times. Awarded for winning and always appreciative. With Barber are All Blacks (from left) Damien Mackenzie, Beauden Barrett (World Rugby the Rugby World Cup on the back of blood, sweat and Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017) and Jordie Barrett tears, it is graciously shared with fans across NZ 72 AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.6 Don't gamble with mite resistance ROTATE ROTATE ROTATE The best way to start your resistance management is spraying 1 for 1, if more mite treatments are required after an application of Thumper, then Waldo should be your next treatment, then Thumper, then Waldo etc. Rotation is key Thumper Waldo Insecticide Miticide GROUP INSECTICIDE GROUP 12A INSECTICIDE The key to any insect control program is the rotation of chemistry between Mode of Action groups. For many years Thumper has set the industry benchmark for mite control. Knowing the reliance turf managers have on Thumper, Turf Culture has launched another miticide with a different Mode of Action to ensure turf managers have rotation options. Newly launched Waldo Miticide gives turf managers a Mode of Action Group 12A, making it the ideal rotation partner with Thumper. Mite Management Strategy • Use miticides with different modes of action in rotation • Spray coverage and water volumes are essential for good mite control. • Avoid overuse of a single miticide. Principles of Resistance Management Insecticide or acaricide resistance management strategies seek to minimise the selection for resistance to any one type of insecticide or acaricide. This requires an understanding of insecticides as they are grouped according to similarity of Mode of Action (MoA) in controlling insects and mites. In practice, sequences or rotations of compounds from different MoA groups provide an effective approach to resistance management. 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