Australian Turfgrass Management Journal - Volume 16.3 (May-June 2014)

Celebrating the efforts of Australia’s turf management professionals

ISSN 1442-2697

AGCSA

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volume 16.3 May-June 2014

Pitcher perfect

SCG’s MLB transformation

Green light

Gardiners up and running

Weiks in the life of…

An ex-pat superintendent’s journey

Shed dread

Is your maintenance facility a liability?

30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

22-27 June 2014 AGCSA

Conference Guide

Welcome to the Gold Coast

Your comprehensive guide to the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference

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Celebrating the efforts of australia’s turf management professionals

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A November to remember Royals rule as Aussies rule

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Australian Turfgrass Management Australian Golf Course Superintendents' Association

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Royals ramp up

Australian Masters, Open and World Cup previews Gove Country GC

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Developing drought-resistant couchgrass varieties

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volume 15.4 Jul-aug 2013

AFL ground redevelopments Colac’s Central Reserve Melbourne’s Olympic Park

‘The’ graduate

Profile: Jason Blacka

Research

ACL injury in football

Interns and Opens

Congressional, TPC Scottsdale, Sunningdale and Merion

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Manly’s metamorphosis

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AGCSA Suite 1, Monash Corporate Centre 752 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168 P: (03) 9548 8600 F: (03) 9548 8622 E: info@agcsa.com.au W: www.agcsa.com.au AGCSA Board President: Peter Lonergan Directors: Darren Wilson

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May-june 2014

3

contents contents

Celebrating the efforts of australia’s turf management professionals

ISSN 1442-2697 www.agcsa.com.au

AGCSA

volume 16.3 may-JuNe 2014

Pitcher perfect

SCG’s MLB transformation

Green light

Gardiners up and running

Weiks in the life of…

An ex-pat superintendent’s journey

Shed dread

Is your maintenance facility a liability?

30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

22-27 June 2014 AGCSA

Conference Guide

Welcome to the Gold Coast

Your comprehensive guide to the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference

Cover Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club: The Palms Course at Sanctuary Cove will play host to the 2014 Toro AGCSA Golf Championships on 22 June.

Pictured is the 7th.

Photo: Sanctuary Cove G&CC/ Mark Burgin Photography.

lead STORY: The Palms still a Sanctuary

8

The last time the Australian Turfgrass Conference ventured to the Gold Coast, the Palms Course at Sanctuary Cove was in the midst of a full blown redevelopment under the auspices of local course architect Ross Watson. Some four years later and with the course having been opened since April 2011, AGCSA editor Brett Robinson catches up AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Robin Doodson to look back at how the course has performed and some of things that have and haven’t worked.

Features Weiks in the life of an ex-pat

Taking on an apprenticeship at 29 years of age is quite a commitment, but for Rob Weiks it was the first big step on a career path that has taken him around the world. Currently residing in Vietnam, Weiks tracks his late-blooming greenkeeping career and some of the lessons he has learned from working in the cutthroat Asian golf market.

Time to upgrade?

Grass-roots with John Neylan Pitcher perfect 22

14

In his latest column, John Neylan takes an inside look at the stunning transformation that took place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in March to host two Major League Baseball games and the race against time to reinstate the ground for AFL and NRL.

58

Is your maintenance facility a liability? Is it costing your golf course money? Is it interfering with care of the course? According to David Oatis these are questions golf clubs should be asking themselves.

Green light for Gardiners

64

Course superintendent Alan Greatorex provides the final instalment in his ongoing series about the development of the new Gardiners Run Golf Course which opened up to eager members in the first week of May.

Sydney’s field of dreams

time for soil testing!

Let us provide you with a truly independent soil report Send samples to 4

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

28

ATM editor Brett Robinson catches up with Major League Baseball’s field guru Murray Cook who, together with SCG curator Tom Parker and Evergreen Turf’s Graeme Colless, played a key role in turning the Sydney Cricket Ground into a ballpark befitting major league status.

Tech

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Conference Guide Welcome to the Gold Coast

37-57

The 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition returns to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 22-27 June 2014. ATM reviews the week ahead for delegates, looks at the education sessions and profiles the finalists for the AGCSA and STA Graduate of the Year Awards. See you on the Gold Coast!

30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

22-27 June 2014 AGCSA

Conference Guide

Research Water savers

68

University of Western Australia researchers Pieter Poot, Gausul Azam, Louise Barton and Tim Colmer outline a new three-year HAL-funded project to investigate whether incorporating soil amendments can reduce water use of turfgrass when grown in a sandy soil.

Also in this edition…

Foreword Thinking 6 AGCSATech Update 34 Regional Profile Lismore Workers Golf Club, NSW 72 Around the Trade 78 Turf Producers 82 State Reports 84 Off Course - Myanmar 92

Contributors to Australian Turfgrass Management Journal Volume 16.3 (May-June 2014) Gausul Azam (University of Western Australia); Louise Barton (University of Western Australia); Barry Bryant (SAGCSA); Tim Colmer (University of Western Australia); Murray Cook (MLB/ Brickman Group); John Cooper; Robin Doodson (Sanctuary Cove G&CC); Peter Frewin (AGCSA); Alan Greatorex (Gardiners Run); Tony Guy (STA WA); Martyn Hedley (STA WA); Steve Hewitt (VGCSA); Danny Hull (STA ACT); Mark Johnson (TGCSA); Peter Lonergan (GCSAQ); Ian McKendry (STANZ); John Neylan (Neyturf); David Oatis (USGA); Andrew Peart (AGCSATech); Pieter Poot (University of Western Australia); Phil Ryan (Pacific Coast Design); Richard Stephens (Turf Australia); Joshua Straub (Lismore Workers GC); Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust; Jim Vaughan (Turf Queensland); Rob Weiks (Twin Doves GC, Vietnam); Jenny Zadro (STA NSW).

Hitting a home run

S

cott Van Slyke. I’ll hazard a guess that this name will mean absolutely nothing to the majority of Australian Turfgrass Management readers. Footballer? No. Cricketer? No. Superintendent? Nothing on the AGCSA database...

On 22 March 2014 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the 6’6” outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers entered his name into Australian sporting history when his slicing flyball snuck inside the right field foul pole to score a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Not only was it the first Major League Baseball (MLB) home run of the 2014 season, it was also the very first MLB regular season home run on Australian soil.

Now I’m the first to admit my baseball knowledge is somewhat lean and the closest I get to seeing it regularly is when the seven-year-old fires up the Wii and proceeds to invoke the mercy rule on me after hitting 10 home runs in a row! The world of screwballs, knuckleballs, sliders and splitters (no, we’re not talking about rugby league front rowers but types of baseball pitches) is about as foreign to most Australians as leg cutters, yorkers, flippers and wrong ‘uns are to our American cousins. Yet, in March, MLB hit town for the first time Down Under and over two days an impressive 76,345 fans flocked to our iconic SCG to see some of the game’s biggest (and handsomely) paid stars do their thing.

To get MLB – a game which attracts more than 74 million fans to games annually in the US and where a single player can earn more than the combined salary cap of two AFL clubs in just one season – to these shores was no mean feat. As ATM columnist John Neylan writes in this edition, it took a number of key elements to all come together and (excuse the pun) play ball. The integral component, however, was the venue and the remarkable transformation of the SCG over a 16-day period from cricket ground to MLB ballpark (and then back again for NRL and AFL) was something this industry has not witnessed before.

Indeed it will be a project that all those involved with will look back on in years to come with a tremendous sense of pride.

One of the key players involved to help bring the game, successfully, Down Under was a man by the name of Murray Cook. Hailing from just outside of Washington DC, Cook is the Les Burdett of the baseball world. Affectionately dubbed the ‘field guru’, Cook has, since 1975, prepared baseball grounds all over the US and for the past 20 years has been the MLB’s official field consultant. It’s a role which has taken him to the four corners of the globe to ensure that the ballparks MLB players play on are up to the exacting standards demanded by the code. Indeed, when there is more than $310 million worth of cattle running around, as there was in March at the SCG, it’s paramount that the field is top notch.

Complementing John Neylan’s column, we talk to Cook about his involvement in the SCG project, one which he rates as being the most memorable and satisfying in all his years. Cook could not be more effusive in his praise of the team he worked with, a team that among others included veteran SCG curator Tom Parker, Evergreen Turf’s Graeme Colless and their respective crews. Cook sums it up succinctly: “You couldn’t have put together a better A-Team to get this job done. Take this project anywhere else in the world and it would be a thousand times more difficult than it was doing it there. For sure it was difficult, but with the people we had working on this project and the cooperation between everyone, we pulled it off and I can’t thank them enough.” High praise indeed.

ATM congratulates all those involved in what was a very unique project and one that again demonstrated to a worldwide audience the innate professionalism and skill that makes Australian turf practitioners some of the best in the world. Enjoy the read and I look forward to seeing you all on the Gold Coast for the upcoming conference.

Brett Robinson, Editor

Looking for greenkeeping staff?

Advertise on the AGCSA website - the Australian turf industry’s LEADING online job resource Post your job online now at www.agcsa.com.au/jobs or email info@agcsa.com.au may-June 2014

5

foreword thinking foreword thinking

Peter Frewin, General Manager, AGCSA

Wonderful week awaits delegates on the Gold Coast

A

s I write this report, it is becoming very clear that the biggest event on the Australian turf industry calendar is but a few weeks away.

While most things are organised, there is still a great deal to finalise to ensure that the event on the Gold Coast runs smoothly and that those attending have a great experience.

The week is shaping up to be one of the most successful events in recent times and later in this edition of ATM we review the many components which will make up the week. I am delighted to report that delegate numbers are very good and participation by the trade for the two-day exhibition has been excellent. Complement that with the high calibre of both local and international speakers and it is sure to be a wonderful week.

If you have not committed to going as yet, there is still plenty of time. Registrations will be taken through the AGCSA office or online up until Wednesday 18 June – visit www.agcsa.com.au and head to the dedicated conference page for more on how to register – or after this date you can register at the event itself.

For those who will be joining us on the Gold Coast, if you have not already done so please take the time to download the AGCSA mobile device app for the conference. The app will be a vital tool

AGCSA

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Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

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to ensure your trip to the Gold Coast is informative, educational and, importantly, enjoyable. It will also be a great tool to use throughout the year as many companies have taken the opportunity to upload their latest catalogues or brochures to the app which will provide delegates an ongoing resource.

2014 AGCSA awards The AGCSA Awards are one of the highlights of the annual conference and it was very pleasing to see the first class quality of candidates nominated for both the AGCSA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award (presented in partnership with John Deere) and the AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award (presented in partnership with Toro Australia). The judges of the respective awards had a very difficult job assessing the applications before deciding on the winners who will be announced during our week on the Gold Coast.

Regrettably, this year the Claude Crockford Environment Award (presented in partnership with Syngenta) will not be bestowed. What is disappointing about this is that many superintendents and clubs are doing great work in their respective workplaces in this field. Given the current climate of heightened environmental awareness it is vital that we showcase what the industry is doing in this area. When the

agcsa membership agcsa membership

2015 AGCSA Awards roll around, please consider nominating one of your peers for this (and any) award. We work in an industry where great work is done on a daily basis and the awards are one way this exceptional work can be acknowledged.

The AGCSA Awards ceremony will again be a central part of the Syngenta President’s Dinner which, as most of you will be aware, has been shifted to the start of the conference week (Monday 23 June at Jupiters). If the numbers are anything to go by, this format change has proved to be a great success and we are on track to record one of our biggest dinner attendances in years.

Support our partners On a recent trip to the Riverina I came across a sign on the clubrooms at Robertson Oval in Wagga Wagga (see photo opposite). The sign was simple, yet encapsulated a vital message for our industry – “Please support those that support us”. There are over 70 companies and organisations that have elected to display their wares and promote their services at this year’s trade exhibition and it is imperative that as an industry we support them.

If you live in the region, please take the time to visit the exhibition even if you are not attending as a delegate. Entry to the trade exhibition is free so bring along the general manager, committee members and maintenance staff. It will be a great opportunity to see what is new and a great way for different parts of your organisation to work together to improve your workplace.

training update Finally, as readers of this column would know, the AGCSA has been looking into what options are available regarding undertaking training within our industry. This work is ongoing and will take some time to complete and the recent Federal Budget will also impact on any decision that is made going forward.

There have been some interesting comments fed back to me regarding some of our recent visits to training providers. The AGCSA has not made any commitment with any training provider regarding our future plans. There is a great deal of work to be done before any decision will be made. We will complete our due diligence and if we elect to go down this path any decision will be transparent and in the best interests of the members and the industry.

I look forward to seeing you all on the Gold Coast if you are making the trip for the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition. If not, I look forward to catching up when our paths next cross. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have an issue or suggestion; feedback is greatly appreciated.

AGCSA

au s t ra l i a n g o l f c o u r s e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s ’ a s s o c i at i o n

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may-June 2014

7

superintendents superintendents

The Palms course reopened in April 2011 after a two-year redevelopment under the auspices of course architect Ross Watson. Pictured is the 7th which is considered by many to be the most complete hole on the course

Palms still a

The 2014 Toro AGCSA Golf Championships will be contested on The Palms course at Sanctuary Cove which three years ago re-opened after a complete redesign. ATM editor Brett Robinson catches up with course superintendent and AGCSA Director Robin Doodson to see what has and hasn’t worked.

8

Sanctuary U

prooting yourself and moving tens of thousands of kilometres to the other side of the world to start a new life and career isn’t the sort of thing you do lightly. In 2001, Robin Doodson did just that when, following the love of his life Kerry (no, not Glasgow’s famous Celtic Football Club), he bid farewell to the UK and his native Scotland and boarded a plane bound for Cairns.

The 13 years since have become a defining period in the affable Scot’s life. He duly tied the knot, fathered twin girls Amy and Emma and five years ago became a fair dinkum Australian when he aced the ‘citizenship test’ (ATM could not verify at the time of going to print whether he did indeed score 100 per cent). Yet it has been his career on the golf course, his second home, where Doodson has really transformed himself since arriving Down Under. Coming off jobs at the likes of hallowed UK institutions Wentworth and Turnberry, Doodson pretty much had to reinvent himself as a greenkeeper both in terms of his turf management skills and off course management capabilities.

It was a short, sharp introduction to greenkeeping the Australian way when Doodson took on his

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

first job at The Links Port Douglas under then superintendent Darren Flanagan. The backblocks of Glasgow where he had grown up couldn’t have been further removed from Far North Queensland with its monsoonal rains and ‘endearing’ fauna.

It was a steep learning curve both physically and mentally and one which got even steeper when just a few months after starting at The Links he was elevated to superintendent. He would spend the next five-and-a-half years in Port Douglas honing his warm-season grass management skills (and getting a tan) before moving to the Gold Coast and eventually rising to be superintendent of the 36-hole Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club in early 2009.

There have been many things that Doodson has had to adapt to in order to make it in the Australian industry and it has required plenty of patience and a few ‘learning from you own mistakes’ type moments. Aside from the differences between cool- and warm-season grass management and getting his head around the arsenal of chemicals required to manage them, he has also had to adapt to the subtle cultural differences present in both the greenkeeping industry and golf clubs in general.

Photo courtesy of sanctuary cove/mark burgin photographY

Sanctuary Cove’s AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Robin Doodson

As Doodson states: “In Australia we are almost like one big gang and it often surprises our board and committee just how much we do share our knowledge, equipment and resources with each other. That’s what makes the industry special out here and Australian supers are, from my experience anyway, the best at what they do in the world.”

pALMS pET In Doodson’s five-plus year tenure as superintendent at Sanctuary Cove a lot has gone down, but none bigger than the complete redevelopment of the Palms course between 2009 and 2011. It was a pivotal project for not only the club but also for Doodson, his first involvement in a full blown course

s

Back home, members paid their subs, played golf and were hardly heard. There, course managers ruled. In Australia, by contrast, members are more involved and feel it’s their right, for better or worse, to cast their opinion on all matters regarding course maintenance and club operations.

While that has taken some getting used to and required the development of some deft diplomacy skills, what Doodson has really embraced is the camaraderie between his fellow superintendents.

While there is a certain closeness between his counterparts back home, the spirit of helping the bloke over the fence is nowhere near the same as it is in Australia. The competitiveness is also more pronounced in the UK.

May-june 2014

9

superintendents

s

Photo courtesy of sanctuary cove/mark burgin photographY

superintendents

Despite warnings before the Palms reconstruction that the TifEagle greens would be too high maintenance, Doodson says they have provided a superb surface and would, without hesitation, switch the Pines greens (below) across if the opportunity arose

Over the last six months 12 greens on the Palms course have had minor drainage works undertaken

10

redevelopment which was orchestrated by local course architect Ross Watson. The end result was a typically demanding Watson layout with no respite at any point, a feature which has certainly challenged the membership and one which continues to do so.

As Doodson states, the Palms is “a modern course built to modern standards” and among the wider golfing community it has won (and continues to win) many plaudits not just for its greater strategic nature than bigger sibling the Pines, but also for its conditioning. Indeed when Australian Golf Digest released its 2014 Australian Top 100 Golf Course rankings listings in March, The Palms was one of the biggest improvers, jumping 14 places to 63. Much of that was attributed to “continual conditioning improvements”. The Pines also jumped six spots (to 52), however, the judging panel noted that the course was looking “very tired and dated” and that it “lacks genuine strategy, owing to its shallow bunkering and flat, uninteresting greens.”

While admiring the uniqueness of the Arnold Palmer Design Pines course, Doodson definitely has a soft spot for the Palms given his intimate involvement in its redevelopment and he has watched with interest how it has matured since opening in April 2011.

As with any project of this type there have been successes and failures and ask Doodson what he would do differently given the opportunity again and a few things come immediately to mind. While only minor issues in the grand scheme of things, they are the sort of things a superintendent notices.

“The landscaping is something I would love to start again,” admits Doodson. “We got a lot of the plant selections wrong and we are paying for that now and something we are progressively changing.

It wasn’t through anyone’s fault; it was more the soil types and conditions. The native grasses which were supposed to provide us with a low maintenance landscape have proven to be the opposite.

“The greens construction we have subsequently learnt was 99 per cent spot on, but we have had some drainage issues develop. (Agronomist) John Neylan actually warned me this would happen right from the start – what would he know – and

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

he proved to be spot on. It was all to do with the undulations in the greens and the way the water moved through them. What we found is that we have these perennially wet areas where the water gathers and causes turf loss. So over the past six months we have spot drained 12 greens which has improved them significantly.

“The greens collars were another thing I guess you could say we got wrong. We planted the collars with TifEagle, the same as the greens, with the idea of having that as a buffer between the fairway and greens grass. What we found very quickly was that the TifEagle doesn’t like to grow to 8mm and as a result we had very patchy or no definition between the green and the collar. We now mow the TifEagle at greens height right out to the fairway grass, which has created a few issues as there are now some irrigation heads on the putting surface. The plan is to slowly change those collars over to Wintergreen and have them at a triplex width.”

Despite the issues with the TifEagle collars, the decision to go with the hybrid couchgrass on the greens has well and truly been vindicated. Many cautioned Doodson against the use of TifEagle over the tried and tested Tifgreen 328 given its reputation for being a high maintenance grass, especially in relation to thatch management. Three years on and Doodson has found the exact opposite.

“The only issue we have with the Palms greens is keeping green speeds down,” says Doodson.

“The frequency of cut is significantly less than the 328 on the Pines, we never have to roll them because we are not chasing green speed and disease pressure has been minimal. At the start we had a few issues with ERI-type diseases, but that’s fairly common in any newly constructed greens up here. It has been a fantastic grass so far and if I could click my fingers and change the Pines greens over I wouldn’t hesitate to.

“We renovate the greens essentially the same across both courses, although we do more work to the older Pines greens. In between the major renovations, which we do either once or twice a year, we will go out monthly, or fortnightly in the summer, with 6mm hollow tines to remove thatch.

“Over the past two years we have brought in what we call ‘Super Tuesdays’, where we shut one of the courses down on a Tuesday. One of the luxuries we have here, and something we never really took advantage of, is having 36 holes to play with. We found that Tuesday was a particularly quiet day where we would be lucky to fill both courses, so we said why not close one down.

“It started off slowly with a few Tuesday closures and we quickly realised that it was greatly assisting us with maintenance operations without having any impact on the members. We now have around 35 of these ‘Super Tuesdays’ a year. We don’t do it every week – for example we don’t have any in May due it being out busiest time of year – but overall it has worked fantastically well.

“We work an extra long day on these Tuesdays and go gangbusters with our maintenance practices on the course that is closed. It’s great for renovations or spraying and we can do it all in one hit without having to worry about golfers hitting up on staff.

The productivity is sensational and I don’t think our members even notice it to be honest.”

tHE ‘b’ WORD

redevelopment finished, there was talk of the Pines course undergoing a similar reconstruction due to the poor health of the greens and inherent issues with the bunkers, however that has since been put on the backburner largely due to the improving quality of the greens.

That change can be attributed to an intensive dusting programme recommended by former AGCSATech chief agronomist John Neylan. Over the past six years Doodson and his crew have gone out with fortnightly topdressings of 1mm which has equated to more than 150mm of fresh sand over a six year period, essentially rebuilding the greens gradually over time. Also helping with the health

Over the past two years Sanctuary Cove has brought in ‘Super Tuesdays’ where one of the courses is closed. This enables Doodson and his crew to undertake maintenance works, in particular renovations, with greater productivity

s

Another unique feature of the Palms reconstruction was Watson’s recommendation of Plateau couchgrass for the bunker surrounds. As well as giving them a rugged look, the Plateau’s slower growth habit also had supposed benefits in reducing the amount of maintenance required. Three years on and Doodson gives the Plateau a pass mark, but due to significant Wintergreen encroachment from the fairways, the amount of edging required has doubled from three to six times a year.

The bunkers in general on the Palms course are also starting to get to an age where contamination and drainage issues are starting to crop up, something Doodson is mindful of given the issues he has on the Pines course. Rather than let the Palms bunkers get to a stage like the Pines, he is hoping to put forward a rejuvenation programme and tackle them slowly over the coming years.

Of more immediate focus, however, is the Pines course and remedying some of its deficiencies, especially the bunkers. Around the time the Palms

May-june 2014

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Photo courtesy sanctuary cove/mark burgin photographY

superintendents

While reconstruction of The Pines is off the table for now, a project to rejuvenate the course’s 25-year old bunkers starts this winter

of the greens has been a significant tree removal programme to eliminate shade issues as well as oversowing the greens (and tees) with Poa trivialis which has guaranteed excellent winter surfaces.

The 10,000m2 of Pines bunkers, however, require some substantial work and starting this winter Doodson hopes to rip into a number of the course’s 71 hazards, installing new drainage and liners and importing new sand to improve playability.

KICKING GOALS

The closing hole on the Palms is named after Sanctuary Cove’s No.1 son Adam Scott

Outside of maintaining the two courses, one of the interesting developments at Sanctuary Cove this past year has been the turning of its public access driving range into a training base for the likes of the Wallabies and Queensland State of Origin side.

In conjunction with the five-star InterContinental Sanctuary Cove which also resides on site, the club can convert the driving range into a rugby field (or soccer pitch) and thus attract clubs who want to use it as a training venue. A proper laser-levelled, irrigated rectangular pitch was constructed there well before Doodson’s time, but aside from hosting an Origin camp many years ago the facility was closed in 2009.

Soon after the Palms course reopened, Sanctuary Cove acquired the area and turned it into a second, public access driving range which presented an opportunity to also use it again for rugby/soccer. It was through enquires last year from

the Wallabies, who will have two training camps there in June and September, that the facility has subsequently taken off again.

On the back of that, two South African Super 15 rugby teams – the Cheetahs and Stormers – based themselves there in March and a few weeks later the Maroons announced they would use Sanctuary Cove as a training base for the 2014 Origin Series.

“It’s pretty exciting having these teams here and good publicity for Sanctuary Cove,” says Doodson.

“We have one of our qualified greenkeepers – a Kiwi as it happens – who is responsible for looking after the rugby field when we have the teams here. We managed to source some goal posts from Ipswich and Nick Jeffrey and the guys at Metricon Stadium helped out with the line-marking.”

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE While league and union will provide a welcome distraction in the coming months, there is another event which Doodson is paying particular attention to. Having hosted the Turf Tour at the conclusion of the last Australian Turfgrass Conference on the Gold Coast, many of those delegates are likely to return when the Palms course hosts the 2014 Toro AGCSA Golf Championships on Sunday 23 June.

The ever-scrutinising eyes of around 80 of his superintendent colleagues will no doubt be very keen to see how the course has progressed and Doodson is looking forward to hosting what has become a hotly contested event. While hoping that a Queenslander takes out the main prize for the very first time, Doodson predicts it will be a patient player that will eventually don the Toro Red Jacket.

“You have to think about every shot around the Palms,” advises Doodson. “Your short game is going to be vital because you certainly aren’t going to hit all the greens. It isn’t a long course, but you have to be very selective where you pull out the driver. Because it doesn’t have the length, it’s a very strategic golf course in and around the greens.”

One of the most contentious holes is the 2nd, a downhill par three which has a particularly gnarly green. “It’s a par three-and-a-half,” jokes Doodson.

“Often the best strategy is to miss the green in the right spot and try and get up and down. Three there is a birdie.” The 18th, dubbed ‘Adam’s Alley’ after the club’s favourite son Adam Scott, is a risk-reward par five with water in play short of the green, while the par four 7th (featured on this edition’s cover) is Doodson’s favourite and requires a little bit of local knowledge which he isn’t about to divulge.

And as for set up on the day, well, a sly wink and nod of the head suggests Doodson won’t be going easy on his ‘mates’. “Think The Glades four years ago – brutal!”

Sanctuary Cove’s public access driving range doubles as a rugby training venue and this year has seen two Super 15 rugby teams, the Queensland State of Origin team and the Wallabies use it as a training base 12

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

Toro the past, present and future of Australian golf. “ Quality and Service. They are the two reasons the New South Wales Golf Club currently has forty nine pieces of Toro turf maintenance equipment in our fleet. The club has built a strong relationship with Toro Australia over my 25 years here and look forward to continuing that relationship into the future.�

GARY DEMPSEY & MACY

TORO50370

Golf Course Superintendent New South Wales Golf Club

New South Wales Golf Club, 5th Hole

toro.com.au

superintendents superintendents

Course superintendent Rob Weiks

Weiks

For the past six-and-a-

in the life of an

ex-pat

half years Queenslander Rob Weiks has immersed himself in the lifestyle of being an ex-pat course superintendent. It has taken him to the Middle East, Africa, India, China and currently Vietnam where he oversees course operations at Twin Doves Golf Club.

Weiks, who turns 40 in June, takes a look back on his late-blooming greenkeeping career and some of the many lessons he has learned along the way.

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t all starts at a young age, innocently enough, until dad starts seeing the back yard checkerboard double cut, the water bills soaring and the front yard mown down to almost dirt with a rotary to replicate a Gabba belter.

Jumping on the heavy roller two hours before playing 1st XI cricket for the mighty Peninsula Cricket Club in Brisbane was also a precursor. I had always been drawn to agronomy and horticulture and then just missing out on a vocational bowling greenkeeper apprenticeship at Bramble Bay Bowls Club fuelled my fire to get involved even more.

Before we get too far, it’s fair to say I like to control what I am doing and how I do it. I’m very passionate and hate to fail. Control is important to me because I trust myself and my instincts, pure and simple. I was brought up on the notion that if you want it done and done properly, do it yourself. That way you can’t blame anyone but yourself if it fails.

Like I tell my staff, do it the way I showed you and if it fails I will take full responsibility; if you do it your way, you have to accept the consequences if it fails.

I always believe turf, staff and systems can look and perform better no matter how good they appear to be. If I have one weed on my course or in my landscapes, that’s one weed too many, so the continual improvement goal is always there. I make my set-up staff carry spirit levels to make sure red and yellow stakes, pins and distance markers are at right angles. Some might say it’s being idealistic or pedantic, I just think it’s being thorough.

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

It definitely got me into situations where if I had just apathetically accepted the situation I might be still working there doing an okay job, but not a good one. That’s just not me nor will it ever be me. Whatever it is, it keeps driving me each day at 2.50am to get out of bed and travel to Twin Doves Golf Club, a 27-hole Platinum paspalum facility in Binh Duong just outside of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam where I currently work as course superintendent.

Doing the hard yards After school I took on a traineeship in horticulture and completed my Certificate in Horticulture at Caboolture TAFE. Dreams of playing rugby and cricket for Australia soon faded (note faded; still reckon I might get that call up one day!) and for the next 13 years I worked in landscaping, wholesale/ retail nursery management, irrigation design and indoor plantscaping.

Deep down, however, I had always yearned to be a golf course greenkeeper and in 2003 my world would change when I took on an apprenticeship under Stewart Poole at Gailes Golf Club in Brisbane’s west at the age of 29.

The challenge of being a golf course superintendent always intrigued me and also the fact that the job is so multi-faceted that being bored is simply not a factor. In the time I have worked on golf courses I have yet to look at my watch or the clock and wish that the day would end.

Van Tri Golf Club in Hanoi, Vietnam was Rob Weiks’ first opportunity to showcase his skills as a course superintendent in the competitive Asian golf market

– bust my chops and hopefully Stew would notice and give me a chance doing something, anything, else (except clean out the wash-down pit!).

Stew always had time for my questions (and still does) and would often stay back after work to show me and help me with what I wanted to know.

He gave me a first class standing in greenkeeping that I still look back on today, hand on heart, and fully appreciate. Another key figure was Brian Dale at Grovely TAFE when I did my Certificate III and IV. He not only gave me the educational background that I fully appreciated and needed, but his passion definitely rubbed off also.

Finishing my apprenticeship is still one of the most treasured things I have done in my life and thanks to Stew it wasn’t only educational it was a gratifying and good time as well. I learnt a lot at Gailes especially about water management/ irrigation scheduling, stress management and most importantly, feel.

One of Weiks’ first tasks at Van Tri was to focus on attention to detail

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I have always been a goal setter and my goal was to be a superintendent within five years of finishing my apprenticeship. It was a farsighted goal when I remember not clearing $200 after working all week, including overtime on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, as an apprentice!

For this reason I worked three jobs during my apprenticeship to stay on top of the bills. Thanks to Gailes foreman Pete Agnew, who helped me out with cheaper than normal rent (living right behind the 16th green) and an afterhours job with his garden maintenance business, I was able to financially get through. As Allan Border said, “Nothing worthwhile comes easy!”

Playing open Pennant for Gailes provided an opportunity to see how the other clubs in Brisbane presented their courses (perhaps I should have paid more attention to winning the matches – I’m how many down?). Being exposed to new ideas and different ways of doing things had always interested me.

Stew gave me every opportunity to improve myself and was an awesome support base for me then and now. My illusions of mowing greens each morning or sitting on a fairway mower were cruelly crushed when I entered the life of bunker maintenance. Edging, raking, smoothing faces, hand weeding, flattening floors, fixing washouts, spraying weeds in them, blowing leaves out of them, day after day after day. One day I edged 81 bunkers!

There was only one way out of this pit of bunker hell

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superintendents

The Montgomerie in Dubai was Weiks’ first taste of greenkeeping overseas. With over 100 hectares of turf and landscapes, extremely high expectations of maintenance, not to mention 50+degree heat, the Middle East course was a level above

Van Tri’s par three 13th with the Tam Dao Mountains in the background

Trusting your instincts and having the confidence and understanding of your particular course situation is paramount. I remember clearly Stew telling me, ‘You can always put water in; you can’t take it out. Water responsibly!’ It’s why Gailes under Stew Poole’s control is one of the best courses in Queensland.

Despite this burgeoning passion for the industry, I soon realised that achieving a superintendent role in Australia, where the only time a job rolls around is if someone retires or someone’s greens croak, may not be a short-term option. Working as a long-term assistant didn’t excite me either so I decided to look for alternatives. Possessing a love for travel, the idea of working overseas quickly came into the picture.

As those who know me will attest, I am a very impatient man. It has to happen, and NOW! I actually see being impatient as a strength for a superintendent. Not waiting for things to happen, being proactive and going out and chasing things up has definitely got the courses I worked on in better nick in a shorter time than procrastinating and discussing options would have done.

After four years at Gailes, Brookwater Golf and Country Club a few clicks south in Springfield was my next stop. I called Dave Lunardelli out of the blue and asked if I could meet with him for a potential position on his staff. During the interview Dave asked me, “What do you want to do?” I replied, rather confidently, “Not work here! Get a job as an assistant with Troon somewhere, anywhere!”

About eight months later Dave drove past me while Adam Rose (now Brookwater assistant) and I were working near the turf nursery and casually said,

“How soon could you move overseas?” “Today!”

I answered. Not long after I got a call from Colin Thorsborne, then course superintendent at The Montgomerie, Dubai. I remember Col telling me that they hadn’t approved a high enough salary and not a decent enough place to stay for an ex-pat. I cut him short and told him they could pay me whatever and that I’d sleep in the workshop if necessary – the opportunity was more important than anything else.

I learnt a lot at Brookwater and made some lifelong friends. I definitely ruffled some feathers, but I was there for a reason and determined not to fail. I still have contact with Dave and I am eternally grateful for his help and trust in me to refer me for the position in Dubai. Without his referral my dream would maybe still be just that, a dream. He exposed me to a different side of agronomy and expanded my expectations of the industry, although I’m sure he was glad to see the back of me and my incessant questioning about whether there were any assistants jobs going.

Sink or swim Three months after that call from Col I arrived in Dubai at midnight on Boxing Day 2007. Jetlagged to hell, I threw some clothes on, stumbled into a taxi and, completely disorientated, found my way into The Montgomerie workshop. My agronomy world was about to change again.

With over 100 hectares of turf and landscapes and extremely high expectations of maintenance, The Montgomerie was a level above. Throw in 7-8 different cultures on staff, extremely high TDS and bicarbonates in the irrigation water, 50+degree heat with high humidity for nine months of the year, oversowing tees, fairways and greens surrounds, Floradwarf greens with nematodes present and no registered chemical control allowed, it was sink or swim time!

My head was spinning so much I truly didn’t know what was up or down for the first few weeks, but under Col I learnt to be more organised and efficient, manage turf stress thresholds and acutely improve my observation skills. Working with Col developed my thoroughness, ability to record and communicate efficiently, plus I learnt how to control golf course conditioning like never before. Control the controllables!

Having the opportunity to run the course with the help of foreman Tariq Mahmood while Col was at the GCSAA show, just three weeks after I started, and managing to get through unscathed was careerdefining for me. That two week experience stoked my desire to run my own course even more.

Throughout my time at The Montgomerie I was involved first-hand with rebuilding and soft shaping greens, establishing and implementing fertility plans, tee construction, oversowing and a huge amount of other advancements in my career

continued on page 18 16

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

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superintendents superintendents

Dubai was also the place where, twice, I had my unit block evacuated because I fell asleep (after working a 14 hour day in the heat) on the lounge after I had put a steak on the grill! Looking down onto the street from my third floor balcony, fanning away the smoke, at my angry neighbours wasn’t good!

Dream achieved

Van Tri boasts Sea Isle 2000 paspalum on greens, greens surrounds and bunkers and Salam paspalum in all other areas

}In the time I have worked on golf courses, I have yet to look at my watch or the clock and wish that

~ the day would end.

Rob Weiks

continued from page 16 that I still draw on today. Col was always trying to improve things even if it was by one per cent and that really rubbed off on me.

Dubai for the most part was a lonely place as I worked, ate, slept and also tried to find time to complete my Diploma online through NMIT. I had some great times in Dubai – the Friday brunches are definitely worth a look – and the opportunity to see how guys like Craig Haldane (Emirates Golf Club) and Brian Hampson (The Els Club Dubai) worked was motivating.

Also having guys like Robin Evans and Mark Chapleski from Troon Golf to watch operate was a good lesson in how to manage myself in a professional capacity. I also have to thank The Montgomerie general manager at that time, Ray Metz, when I eventually took over from Col as superintendent; he was truly supportive and great to work with. It was through working with Troon Golf that I saw a different side of how to do things and I still to this day follow a lot of the standard setting principles that were taught to me back then.

We all understand the notion of the point of diminishing returns and I learnt that lesson in Dubai with regards to the amount of time I spent working.

If I had my time again, I would have socialised more and taken some time out for myself. That said, on a professional level it was absolutely invaluable. Although I never really let myself enjoy Dubai on a social side, what I was exposed to and entrusted with during my 19 months there helped me dramatically on my career path.

Weiks’ career has also taken him to China where he was involved in the construction and grow-in of Gaoligong Golf Course 18

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

I remember thinking that if I could grow grass here in Dubai I could grow it anywhere. That theory was soon to be tested after accepting my first official superintendent role in Asia at Van Tri Golf Club, the only private golf course in Vietnam, in mid-2009.

Situated about 20 minutes outside of the capital of Hanoi, Van Tri has Sea Isle 2000 paspalum on greens, greens surrounds and bunkers and Salam paspalum in all other areas. I worked here with experienced general manager Rick Blackie and it was truly a dream job with the autonomy to do what was required and a staff, for the most part, that cared and wanted their course to be as good as possible, which is a rare commodity in Asia. Thanks to Rick’s trust and passion, between the two of us we accomplished more in one year than most GMs/ superintendents achieve in three.

On the turf management side, wet season agronomics and low light intensity agronomics are all about stress and fertility management. Not seeing even the outline of the sun for up to three weeks at a time and sleety, sideways rain in sub-teen degree conditions is not a lot of fun. The winters are long, dark and cold and are contrasted with the sauna-like heat and humidity of the sunny dry season.

The 16 months at Van Tri was definitely a challenge, as was working afterwards at Chi Linh and Dai Lai golf clubs as construction and growin superintendent. I did some time (sounds like a prison sentence!) in China, again under Troon Golf on a cool-season grow in/construction in western Yunnan Province and spent a year working for Atlas Turf International which took me to India, China, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Hong Kong and Azerbaijan. I saw a side of the industry that expanded my horizons not only agronomically but about our industry as a whole. I also had the opportunity to work at the Malaysian and Singapore Opens.

In September 2012 I returned to Vietnam to take on my current role as course superintendent and landscape curator at Twin Doves Golf Club about 42km north of Ho Chi Minh City. It is a 27-hole, 110ha site with 2.59ha of greens and 11.36ha of lakes/waterways. Also under my control is a fully operational production plant nursery and a 3ha Platinum ‘TE’ paspalum turf nursery.

The wet season averages 1.8m of rain and it is low light intensity turf management for most of this time. The dry season runs anywhere from midNovember to May with temperatures getting into the low 40s coupled with high humidity. It is located

in a rural area and staff management is a constant challenge to achieve high standards. The course is predominately Korean owned with a percentage being Vietnamese ownership.

A working day always consists of the following and usually has requests or other challenges to deal with: l 3.30am: Leave home. l 4am: Email replies and daily report sending from the previous day, check pumps. Get some Weetbix down!

l

4.30am: Inform staff of required tasks and check hand weeding tools are on person and machinery pre-starts are done correctly and following SOPs. 4.30am-5.50am: Pump checks and full course checks from front entrance to the back of the 27th hole; task management for morning preparation before golfers tee off.

l

l

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5.50am: Brief with construction and landscape supervisors of daily tasks and establish completion times.

6am-9am: Do daily worksheet stipulating the tasks and the staff required; check and re-check work is being done correctly and to standard.

Stimp greens, pull some cores and check all playing surfaces/course set-up while making lists for the next day. Establish the next day’s mowing/cultural requirements, check lake levels and check landscape work progress;

Weiks’ current club Twin Doves (left) and working at the Malaysian Open in 2012 with Kuala Lumpur G&CC superintendent Mohd Nizam

s

9am-10.30am: Spend time with (local) assistant and landscape foreman and point out what is being done correctly and incorrectly. Check pumps. Check the correct amount of staff is working in the correct areas and in the correct way. l 10.30am-11am: Follow up purchasing, check mechanics.

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With a supportive staff and general manager, Weiks was able to achieve high standards of course presentation at Van Tri

l

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11am: Time to put the feed bag on for 20 minutes.

11.20am-2pm: Check in with the GM, inspect course, check plant nursery and turf nursery.

Train supervisors/assistant on what needs correcting, establish irrigation scheduling, check and calibrate spray tanks if needed for next day.

Check hand watering, check next day’s staffing and set up second jobs. Also check clubhouse and tee house indoor plants.

2pm to whenever the day’s work is completed (normally 3pm-3.30pm): Finalise the next day’s tasks/spraying etc. Follow up purchasing/ deliveries, emails and file away daily photos.

good people, good times Having spent time with industry people in Asia such as Kirk Buchanan, Danny Potter, Peter Wardell, Greg Turner, Dave Paterson, Pete Morison and Brad Burgess, has given me an opportunity to pull from a vast array of local knowledge.

Being exposed to the workings of other superintendents has always intrigued me, seeing how they cope with differing environmental conditions and how they go about their course

Top 10 Super Ex-pat Tips

presentations. Ali McFadyen from The Bluffs at Ho Tram has been a top mate, be it for a vent or to bounce ideas off, while Ronan McKeown (Montgomerie Links, Da Nang) , Mohd Nizam (Kuala Lumpur G&CC, Malaysia) and Brad Leahey (Laguna National, Singapore) have also have been great support while working in Asia.

Jason Blacka (Hainan Island) and Chris May are two other guys I often bounce ideas off or in Jason’s case discuss the fortunes of the Australian cricket team. Ben Styles has been a great mate and confidant throughout my time here in Vietnam also. Surrounding yourself with likeminded, driven individuals is really important so that you can bounce ideas off and vent frustrations.

What people who haven’t worked overseas and in Asia may not understand is that what would normally be considered a simple task is not. No matter how much training and direction and examples you set, every day is a new day and task/wheelbarrow management (two hands on and pushing) is an absolute necessity. In Vietnam, as on most Asian courses, it is locals with agricultural or absolutely no educational background whatsoever that will end up working on the course. This, as you can imagine, creates a set of challenges unique to our work environment.

In a nutshell, from my experiences to date in Asia it’s hard, relentless and tiring work that always gives you a sniff of reward and success, but can slap you back as soon as you think you have it all worked out.

Editor’s Note: If you would like to find out more about working in Asia and what it takes, you can email Rob at rob@twindovesgolf.com. You can also check out the Twin Doves GC Agronomy Facebook page, which Rob regularly updates with photos, or you can connect with Rob through Linked-In.

So you want to work as a superintendent in Asia? Here are a few sage tips from Rob Weiks that have helped him forge a successful career over the past six-and-a-half years: l Cover your bases! Be thorough with pictorial evidence, before and And from the ‘Only in Asia’ file, here are Rob’s top five comments/ after type files and email proof that you have noted situations and requests from overseas course owners, members and local you are actioning them. Keep detailed records. managers! Enjoy… l Pick your battles. Be smart about what to fight for and what to let l “We have to move all the markers (five sets) up onto the front tees go. because the course is playing too difficult!” The same gentleman l Inspect, don’t expect. Never, ever assume it’s done properly! also asked to change the green complexes because they were l Be proactive. Don’t wait to be told something is wrong. In Asia above the height of the fairway – he wanted his mishits to roll onto they will make decisions without you knowing and if you don’t fix the green! l “I want the entire course mown at 21mm, except the greens.” it before it becomes an issue, good luck! l If applicable, don’t allow your standards to be compromised by l “Why is there water on the course?” (Immediately after 161mm of local standards. rain fell in a 16 minute period). l Spend time with your staff. A little personal investment in them l I was introduced to a guy in Hanoi and upon asking what his role goes a long way. was he replied, “Captain Intelligence!” I then asked “Where is your l Trust your instincts. If you think it’s wrong, you’re almost always cape mate?”...nothing! l “The greens are too fast (11’2”) right. l Try and spend some time enjoying the country you work in. and the fairways are too firm”… l Have a support network. Venting is crucial to sanity! best compliment/complaint I l Work hard/smart. They are two of the same. have ever received.

20

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

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e e e r a f at th ! p o d u n ck t’n’g sta i P is er Tw Bay

john neylan john neylan

Pitcher

Photo Courtesy of the SCG

perfect

The Sydney Cricket Ground has witnessed many remarkable sporting feats in its long history, but the recent transformation of the ground into a Major League Baseball venue will go down as one of the most dramatic

Over a 16 day period in March, the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground was dramatically transformed into a Major League Baseball venue for the 2014 Opening Series.

As ATM columnist John Neylan writes, the success of the project came down to having the right people in the right roles and a good helping of Aussie ‘can-do’ spirit.

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odern stadia are multi-use venues that cater for sport, concerts, stunt motorcycles and any other events that require a large area and comfortable seating. The reconstruction of the Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1991-92 was a major improvement in seating and amenities and set the standards for other stadiums around Australia. The opening of Etihad Stadium in 2000 further lifted the standard.

As a consequence, all of Australia’s major venues have gone through various redevelopments to better cater for the spectator. These redevelopments come at a significant cost and the way to pay for these enhanced facilities is to maximise the use of the venue. The staging of events can be widely varied and in some circumstances changeovers are required within a matter of hours.

The impact of the events on the turf management team can be wide-ranging and as stadiums host a greater variety of events, the turf managers have had to finetune their maintenance techniques and the speed of repairing and changing over the surface.

Over many years I have discussed with Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) curator Tom Parker the challenges of coping with the transformation from cricket to AFL football, particularly as it related to the centre wicket and the potential hardness and grass cover. Throw in a Sheffield Shield final and the anxiety levels can be very high as the Sydney Swans fitness gurus scrutinise every aspect of the playing surface.

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

This pales into insignificance, however, compared to turning the SCG into a full-blown Major League Baseball (MLB) venue. Several years ago Tom showed me a proposal to convert the iconic ground into such a stage. The proposal seemed fanciful at best given that it would require significant re-levelling of the playing surface and the importation of large volumes of clay soil. The timeframes were incredibly tight and on the face of it just did not seem possible.

While it didn’t happen all of those years ago, in June 2013 it was confirmed that the SCG would indeed host two MLB games. More significantly, they would be the opening two games of the 2014 MLB season, the first time the Opening Series was to venture outside of the Northern Hemisphere.

Promoter Jason Moore of Moore Sports was the driver behind enticing the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks to contest two official games on 22 and 23 March 2014 as well as two warm up games against Australia. Adding to the occasion, these games were to be played 100 years after the Chicago White Sox and the New York Giants played a series of exhibition matches against NSW at the SCG in 1914.

Put simply, MLB is a huge business in the US and has worldwide appeal on television. If you are interested in the value of baseball there is a fascinating article in Forbes magazine by Mike Ozanian which outlines team values and player salaries. The two teams that came to

The baseball infield is marked up prior to turf removal and clay being installed

Unrivalled transformation A project of this complexity requires excellent planning, a high degree of organisation, ingenuity and a ‘can do’ attitude. Scott Egelton, from the Pier Property Corporation, was commissioned by Moore Sports to oversee the project. Evergreen Turf (Australia) was appointed as the contractor for undertaking all of the field works and to grow the ‘ready for play’ turf for the post-baseball field restoration. The full scope of works included; l l

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Levelling the northern end of the field; Removing the turf from the baseball diamond and installing the special infield mix; Digging out the ‘warning track’ and installing a special terracotta material. The 15 foot wide warning track runs around the perimeter of the field so that as the players are running for a high

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Australia boasted over $US310 million worth of baseball superstars with the Dodgers’ 2014 payroll accounting for $US235 million of that. Four Dodgers players – Adrian Gonzales (first base), Zack Greinke (pitcher), Carl Crawford (left field) and Matt Kemp (center field) – each receive salaries in excess of $US20 million per season. To put it in perspective, Gonzales’ salary of $US21,857,143 for the 2013 MLB season was more than the combined salary caps of two AFL clubs!

Obviously players on these sums of money were not going to be happy with an inferior playing surface, especially when travelling across the world to play. It was without doubt that the MLB coming Down Under was big and the scrutiny was going to be intense. The question was whether the SCG could pull it off?

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In 2014 the exacting standards were no different.

At the end of the event Murray congratulated the team that put it all together and described the SCG as one of the best fields in the world. Murray was most impressed with the team work, technology and ingenuity shown by all those involved.

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Play ball Removal of turf and rootzone material for the warning track.

Around 3000m2 of turf was stripped and 400 tonnes of sand removed

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ball they feel the change in surface underfoot and therefore know they are close to the fence; Removing all of the imported infield mix and warning track material post-game;

Installing sand, laser levelling and turfing with ‘ready to play’ turf.

All of this was taking place in an Ashes year and during the construction of the $186 million Northern Stand. SCG curator Tom Parker and his staff had plenty of work to do with the rectification works to the field at the northern end due to the new stand and the levelling of the surface for MLB, not to mention wicket preparation for an Ashes Tour match, New Year’s Test, Shield and Big Bash matches.

The MLB is big business and when the show is in town it is the only show! To that end, MLB sent over their field preparation ‘guru’ Murray Cook and several staff to help prepare the field. I had met Murray briefly in the lead up to the 2000 Olympics when the baseball field was being prepared at the Sydney Showgrounds. Pedantic, meticulous, exacting and dogmatic best describe Murray’s approach to MLB field preparation and as I clearly recall him saying back then, “These players expect the best and they will get the best.” l

In addition to the infield area, ‘bullpens’ (warm-up areas for pitchers) were constructed and temporary outfield fencing installed using 100 tonne concrete counterweights for support

So how did it all unfold? At the end of the 2013 AFL season the northern end of the SCG field was levelled to meet the standards acceptable to MLB. This involved removing the turf, laser grading the surface and then laying 8200 square metres of washed Legend couch.

This process had some challenges with the tieins around the fence line which had been altered because of the new stand. While there were no concerns for baseball, it required additional works so that it would be suitable for AFL. The new turf had limited time to establish before the Ashes Tour game – but it got there. The SCG hosted its last Shield match from 12-15 February and starting 28 February the MLB transformation began.

Evergreen Turf (Australia) brought together a strong team of experts to undertake the necessary works. Evergreen was the principle contractor but also utilised the expertise of Turf Drain Australia, Flemming Golf and Golf Shapes. Thirty staff were involved in a military precision exercise overseen by the irrepressible Graeme Colless and Evergreen project manager Wayne Davey. The preparations involved: l

l

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Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

Removing 3000m2 of turf using Evergreen’s ‘Robo Max’ turf harvester; Removing about 400 tonnes of sand for the 95mm deep infield mix layer; Placing, levelling and preparing 220 tonnes of imported infield mix. This mix is a material with a very exact particle size specification.

It is designed to provide good traction while also being able to allow a player to slide over the surface. The mix was shipped from the US in 17 containers in 220 one tonne bags (read more about the infield mix in the following article ‘Sydney’s field of dreams’ pg 28-32); Removing 300 tonnes of material from the warning track and placing 320 tonnes of triplewashed crushed terracotta (from Newcastle) in its place; Construction of two ‘bullpens’ at the southern end of the field for the pitchers to warm up in.

(24 March) there were storms around Sydney that caused flooding.

With the weather gods smiling, the MLB hierarchy were described as being “blown away” by the condition of the field and the event in general.

The SCG was described as being one of the “best in the world”. This was high praise given that the MLB had previously opened seasons in Monterrey, Mexico (1999), Tokyo, Japan (2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (2001).

In addition to the 76,000-plus spectators across the two games, they were televised live to 341 million viewers and an additional 900,000 viewers in Australia. One unique aspect of the Australian coverage was Ian Chappell trying to describe to the US commentators about the game of cricket and the wicket table in the middle of the outfield.

So convincing and meticulous was the transformation of the SCG, many MLB pundits commented that they felt like they were watching a game in an MLB venue back in the US

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All of this work was successfully achieved in seven days. The MLB crew meticulously constructed the pitcher’s mound with a very basic tool set that included a spirit level, plate compactor, mash hammer, a string line, hand tamp, landscape rake, shovel, level board and various pieces of timber to get the angles just right. The consistency of the clay is also very important so that the mound can be constructed to the required specification. According to an article written by Murray Cook on his MLB blog about construction of the pitcher’s mound, it takes about 8-10 tonnes of clay.

The ‘can do’ attitude of Graeme and the Evergreen crew, together with Tom Parker and the SCG staff, made the ‘impossible’ happen. The field had to be ready for training on Friday 14 March with both MLB teams playing warm-up games against Australia on 20 and 21 March with the series openers on 22 and 23 March. From an agronomic perspective, the set up was possibly the easiest task – it was the subsequent restoration process and creating a good surface for NRL and AFL that would be the next big challenge.

The MLB games went off without a hitch despite severe thunderstorms in the vicinity of the SCG around game time. As an example, on 22 March there was 2-3cm hail reported in the Sutherland region. MLB guru Murray Cook was regularly on the hotline to the Bureau for the latest updates as heavy rainfall would have been a disaster for the game.

Interestingly, on the day after the second game

may-june 2014

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With the MLB games complete, the Evergreen Turf and SCG crews had just 13 days to reinstate the ground ahead of the Dragons-Rabbitohs NRL Heritage Round clash

A total of 4700m2 of specially grown Legend couchgrass sod was laid to complete the restoration works

The success of the whole MLB project can be put down to excellent planning and project management, a dedicated team of workers and a ‘can-do’ attitude

26

Restoration The big show finished on the Sunday and within hours of the players leaving the field the dismantling process and surface restoration began in earnest.

The team had to have all works completed before the NRL Heritage Round game between St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs on 5 April, a time frame of just 13 days. This included the removal of the infield and warning track materials, temporary fencing, the dugouts, foul ball line posts and repairing all the damaged turf areas.

A major component of the restoration process was growing the replacement turf ahead of time so that once it was installed it could be played on immediately. Any major turf replacement is a huge issue for the sports that follow and it can be guaranteed that it will be closely scrutinised to ensure there are no hazards for the players.

Evergreen grew 5000m2 of StaLok Instant Play turf for the repairs. The washed Legend couch was established on a sand profile reinforced with StaLok fibres. The development of the turf was closely monitored and Evergreen had a dedicated team whose only job it was to grow the replacement turf.

As with all big projects, there is never enough time to grow all of the turf that is likely to be required and it literally peaked the day it was needed. Attention to nutrition and pest control were key elements in growing a high quality turf and in particular having a strong, dense root system. While initially about 3700m2 of turf was to be replaced, a total of 4700m2 was used once the ‘doubtful’ areas were replaced.

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

As luck would have it, the day the restoration works started, Sydney’s wet March kicked in. During the first seven days after the MLB games there was 85mm of rain at the SCG and over 100mm at the turf farm in Hawkesbury. Remarkably, there was minimal peripheral damage to the field outside of the infield and warning track. The warning track provided an excellent road system for the removal of all of the temporary fixtures and it was an absolute credit to everyone involved that there was so little unnecessary damage to the turf.

One aspect of the wet weather that provided additional work was the extra weight in the turf rolls due to the water. It made them extremely heavy to handle and there was some superficial damage to the turf due to the damage on the pressure points where the turf sat on the truck during transport. Most of the work was completed by 2 April with some minor repair work needed so the ground would be ready for NRL. Once the turf was installed, the field was oversown with ryegrass.

The Swans use the SCG for training and they love the ground and were very keen to get on it for training as soon as possible. At a time when the Swans weren’t playing well and Buddy Franklin’s form was under the microscope, the pressure was on. The NRL game was played in wet conditions but the surface came through the game with little damage. In the lead up to the Swans first game at the SCG on 13 April there were several days of rain and rain during the game. Again the surface came through the game in good condition and will only get better as the season progresses.

Key ingredients So what makes a huge event such as this a success? From my observations there were several keys to making it all happen: l A promoter and a venue that is prepared to spend the money necessary to do the job well; l Excellent planning and project management; l A dedicated team of workers; l Good cooperation between trades; l Excellent supervision and control of traffic movements. The SCG has just one acces point that allowed equipment to move onto the ground; and l A ‘can do’ attitude. This is the intangible factor that makes things happen irrespective of the circumstances. This project had no wriggle room either in the set up or the restoration.

The success of the project from a turf management perspective can be summed up in a comment from Evergreen project manager Wayne Davey. “The MLB were highly impressed with the team effort and cooperation between the different subcontractors and SCG staff. There was no whinging or arguments.” Wayne also added that the Americans were “very impressed with the Australian turf industry in terms of its professionalism and technology.” A big wrap indeed!

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MLB mlb

ATM editor Brett Robinson catches up with Major League Baseball’s fields and facilities coordinator Murray Cook to reflect on

Sydney’s

field of dreams

his involvement with the historic project to transform the Sydney Cricket Ground into a ballpark for the Opening Series of the 2014

MLB field and facilities coordinator Murray Cook (left) and SCG curator Tom Parker turn the first sod in preparation for the transformation of the ground to a MLB venue 28

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

Photo courtesy of the SCG

MLB season.

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Helping these values soar in recent times has been some mind-boggling television rights deals struck by a number of clubs. As an example, prior to the 2014 season the Dodgers signed a 25-year deal with Time Warner Cable for $US8.35 billion; that’s for just one club! The players too are cashing in on these lucrative TV deals and in January superstar pitcher Clayton Kershaw iced a seven-year, $US215 million contract extension which will see him remain with the Dodgers until the 2020 season.

It’s not surprising therefore that given so much money is invested into the sport, that fastidious attention is paid to the conditions and standards of the facilities upon which the game is played. And that’s where Cook comes into the equation. As well as providing expert advice and support to MLB and minor league ballparks across the length and breadth of the US and Canada, Cook also packs his bags every time MLB heads overseas.

Construction of the home plate area at the Sydney Cricket Ground

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e’s affectionately dubbed Major League Baseball’s ‘field guru’. Since taking his first steps as a young groundskeeper way back in 1975, Salem, Virginia-born Murray Cook has developed a reputation as being the best in the business when it comes to preparing, constructing and maintaining baseball grounds.

It’s a passion that since 1990 has seen him consult to Major League Baseball (MLB) as the organisation’s fields and facilities coordinator, a role which has taken him to more than 50 countries to help MLB spread the word about a sport which is as ingrained into America’s collective psyche as cricket is to Australia’s.

Since its first forays as a professional sport in the early 1900s, baseball has grown into a behemoth.

The figures are astounding. Last season alone MLB attracted more than 74 million fans to games and boasted gross revenue in excess of $US8 billion.

According to a Forbes magazine article penned ahead of the start of the 2014 season, the average worth of each of the 30 MLB clubs was a staggering $US811 million.

That’s chicken feed, however, when you look at the league’s top two ranked teams in terms of value.

Coming in on top of the list is the New York Yankees, which has a value of $US2.5 billion alone, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who played in the Opening Series in March at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), tipping $2 billion.

May-june 2014

29

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mlb

The pitcher’s mound, the highest point on a baseball field, consumes between 8-10 tonnes of a special clay blend

The infield mix was imported from San Diego in 220 one tonne ‘super sacks’. It was then spread at a depth of between 3-3.5 inches along the basepaths

Over the years MLB has taken exhibition games and Opening Series all around the world with Cook front and centre in ensuring that these facilities, sometimes in countries where baseball is a minority sport, meet the exacting standards demanded by baseball’s code. He has worked in Japan, Mexico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Taiwain and China and in 1989, just prior to being picked up by MLB, he also oversaw three exhibition games in the former USSR. Cook is also president of Brickman Sportsturf which manages and builds sportsfields the world over.

Cook is no stranger to Australian shores either and when the Olympics came to Sydney in 2000 he was sent out by MLB to oversee the baseball facilities at both the Sydney Showgrounds and Blacktown. Around the same time he also played a significant role in the development of the Palm Meadows Baseball Complex on the Gold Coast, which is home to the MLB Australian Academy Program that develops local players with the goal of getting them into the US leagues.

As Cook states, “It’s been a fun road these past 38 years and I have had the opportunity to work with some great people along the way.” Such experiences have enriched him both professionally and personally, however, it will be his most recent trip to Australia that will for a long time hold a special place in his heart.

It’s not every day you get to play a major role in transforming another country’s iconic and historyladen sporting citadel into a MLB venue, but for the 2014 Opening Series matches between the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks at the SCG in March, that’s exactly what Cook did.

The whole nine yards While there were many history-making aspects to bringing MLB Down Under, for Cook there were two components which made this project such a groundbreaker – the scope of works required to transform a cricket oval into a ballpark and the extremely narrow timeframe in which to pull it off.

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“We pretty much had to build an entire ballpark in 16 days,” reflects Cook, speaking from his home just outside of Washington DC some three weeks after the Opening Series had concluded. “It wasn’t just a matter of setting up the infield, but a whole baseball stadium. We had to build outfield fencing, bullpens (areas where pitchers warm up in), batter’s eyes (similar to sightscreens in cricket), backstops, locker rooms, batters tunnels, foul poles.

“We had all these different things going on all at the same time and we had to make sure that it didn’t impact on Tom Parker’s (SCG curator) turf too much, especially the wicket block. For instance, with the fence we couldn’t dig down into the field so we had to bring in over 100 one-tonne concrete counterweights to stablise the fence so it would not fall over if a player ran into it.

“Normally we would have up to three months to get a venue like this ready, so it was a huge difference. Initially we only had 10 days to work with, but the promoter was able to work with the SCG to get a few more days. Even then we knew it would be a push, especially if we had any rain delays, which fortunately we didn’t. Looking back it’s pretty amazing we were able to turn it around in that sort of time frame and the most pleasing aspect of all was that we didn’t have to compromise on anything.”

Planning and preparation to stage MLB in Sydney began some 16 months before the players even took to the SCG. Along with the infrastructure required to construct a ballpark, one of the key considerations for Cook was sourcing the infield and pitcher’s mound clay mix.

Around 70 per cent of baseball is played within the infield area – the 90 foot square formed by home plate and the bases – and there is a particular set of guidelines on how these areas are constructed and the materials used. Along with the need for this area to be dead level, which itself required significant works by the SCG at the end of the 2013 AFL season, of paramount importance is the physical characteristics and blend of the clay mix.

The infield clay (used for the basepaths and area out to the infield/outfield grass line) is generally about a 30-40 per cent clay/10-20 per cent silt/50-60 per cent sand mix, while the pitcher’s mound has a heavier clay content and is somewhere in the range of 40-50 per cent clay, 10-15 per cent silt and 30-40 per cent sand.

Starting February 2013, the hunt began for a local source of this material, with Graeme Colless from Evergreen Turf, which was contracted to undertake the field construction, heading the search. While finding an adequate crushed terracotta mix for the 15-foot warning track which rings the entire playing field, the infield mix proved more difficult.

Despite numerous testing of various materials both in Australia (through Sydney Environmental Soil Laboratories) and in the US and getting very

continued on page 32

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MLB mlb

were constructed a little shallower – between 3-3.5 inches. In order to protect the existing SCG rootzone material, wherever the infield clay and terracotta mix went on the ground, geofabric cloth was laid prior to minimise contamination.

one big family

Normally the transformation of a non-baseball ground into an MLB venue would take three months. The SCG project was completed in just 16 days

In between games the top 5-10mm of the infield clay mix is watered, levelled and groomed

continued from page 30 close to the required specification (Colless estimates they were about 80 per cent there), by November the call had to be made to import the desired infield mix from San Diego. Gail Materials had offered a product that met the specification required by MLB and that actually cost less than the various local materials minus the shipping.

Two-hundred-and-twenty one tonne bags – called super sacks – were shipped across in containers along with pellets of a calcined clay conditioner called Turface. This product is applied to the top of the infield mix once on the ground to assist with moisture retention and prevent the clay sticking to the player’s cleats if it gets wet.

Aside from the pitcher’s mound, which usually consumes between 8-10 tonnes of clay, the infield mix is typically spread at a four inch depth along the basepaths. Given the SCG was only hosting two games and to make the transition back to NRL and AFL afterwards easier, the basepaths

Baseball by the numbers So what are the requirements for an official MLB ballpark? Well here are a few facts and figures to help improve your knowledge bank: l The home plate and three bases form a 90 foot square; l The pitcher’s mound must be 10 inches above the height of home plate. The distance from the back tip of the home plate to the front of the pitching rubber is 60 feet 6 inches; l The typical pitcher’s mound is an 18’ diameter circle with a 5’ x 34” level plateau which contains the 2’ x 6” pitching rubber (from which the pitchers launch themselves). l From six inches in front of the pitching rubber, the pitching mound must start to fall one inch every foot towards the home plate. l The infield/outfield grass line is a 95 foot radius from the front of the pitching rubber; l The outfield fence can be anywhere from 328 feet (100m) to 435 feet (133m) from home plate. In the case of the SCG, the outfield boundary was 328 feet (100m) down the left and right foul lines and 400 feet (122m) to the centre-field fence. l The SCG infield and outfield turf was raised from its usual height of 10mm to a final height of 23mm for the MLB games.

To find out what goes into constructing a pitcher’s mound and to keep up with the latest in ballpark maintenance news from MLB, visit Cook’s excellent MLB Field and Ballpark blog http://groundskeeper.mlblogs.com/ 32

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

With so many elements to bring together in such a short time, ask Cook what the key factor was to make it such a success and without hesitation he gives the biggest rap to the people he worked with. From promoter Jason Moore (Moore Sports) and project manager Scott Egleton (Pier Property Corporation) to SCG curator Tom Parker and Evergreen Turf’s Graeme Colless and Wayne Davey, it was their combined experience and work ethic that ultimately made the first Opening Series Down Under a hit.

“It came down to the many months of planning and coordination, but also having the right people there who were focussed on what we were trying to do which was to create a little bit of history,” says Cook, who was one of a team of four who came out from the US. “It was by far the best team effort from all parties that I have ever been involved with.

“Bottom line – we would never have got this done without Tom Parker. Tom and his guys were phenomenal. Tom was just a tremendous guy and the cool part about working with him was that he knew where we were coming from. He had that understanding about clays and the need to have specific clays for specific areas and the importance of areas being level. Our ‘wicket’ in baseball is the infield, so essentially we were talking the same language, just two different sports. My team of US baseball experts and Tom’s crew worked seamlessly, like they had known each other for years!

“Between Jason, Scott, Tom’s crew and the Evergreen crew, you couldn’t have put a better A-Team together to get this done. Having their ability and knowledge of hosting major events and knowing they had the equipment and resources to do the job was extremely comforting. I mean, when you are doing something as major as this sort of event, which is being televised to hundreds of millions of people around the world, there was a lot of pressure to make sure it was done right.

“Take this project anywhere else in the world and it would be a thousand times more difficult than it was doing it there. For sure it was difficult to put it all together in just 16 days, but with the people we had working on this project and the cooperation between everyone, we pulled it off and I can’t thank them enough.

“But it was more than just what these guys did on the ground. It was walking away from the whole experience with some lifelong friendships that really sticks with me. Working alongside them for the best part of a month, I got to know them like family which was really nice. We walked away with more in terms of relationships and friendships than you could ever put a value on.”

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FLAME_SYN1346_05/14

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All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. AD 14/187

agcsatech update agcsatech update

Modifying

AGCSATech agronomist

Andrew Peart looks back on a recent project which saw the modification of a bowling green sand profile to remedy issues of excessive moisture retention.

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sand profiles

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uring last summer AGCSATech was involved in a project whereby a sand profile was deemed to hold onto excessive moisture, therefore preventing it from adequately drying out, especially during autumn and spring. This was a somewhat different case as most of the issues surrounding sand profiles are that they have a tendency to be too droughty, especially during establishment.

During the drought years, sand profiles were still constructed with the specific reason of trying to not only provide better drainage for year round usage, but also to retain adequate moisture. However, in

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

some cases the retention of moisture, probably excess, was seen as a priority which meant using finer sands, having shallower profiles and utilising a gravel drainage layer.

Decisions regarding sand type, sand amendments and profile depth over a gravel layer can all dictate how much moisture a sand profile will retain. During the drought these types of constructions proved viable, but with more consistent summer rains and natural accumulation of organic matter within the profile, in some cases it was only a matter of time before moisture retention reached a point where aeration porosity started to be severely compromised.

The sand profile in this particular instance was used in the construction of a Tifdwarf bowling green in Melbourne, the physical analysis of which can be seen in Table 1 (opposite page). As the figures show, the sand was finer than a conventional specification and had a high volumetric water content. The resultant conditions were not only affecting turf health, with the presence of persistent disease, but also limiting the amount of pace that could be generated from the surface.

Reconstruction of bowling greens are slightly more difficult than that of golf greens as there is generally fixed infrastructure around the perimeter of the bowling green that is very difficult to alter. In addition, the height of the bowling green playing surface cannot be raised in relation to the perimeter due to the set height of the ditch units.

Generally the best way to reduce moisture retention within a soil profile is not only to remove the accumulated organic matter but also increase the depth of the sand profile. For a golf green this could be undertaken by modifying the green surrounds to allow for an addition of sand above the current levels, but for a bowling green this was not possible and excavation of the base would be required.

Given the locality of the bowling green, the costs associated with excavation and subsequent disposal of the base material proved to be cost prohibitive. The initial scope of works had specified that all of the original sand was to be excavated and a sand meeting USGA specifications be imported.

After taking representative samples from across the green, the depth of the sand above the drainage layer was only 220mm which included a 40mm layer of thatch. The following options were discussed to amend the profile: l Undertake an aggressive scarification and hollow coring programme; l Remove the accumulated thatch layer, import the same sand type and sprig; l Remove the accumulated thatch layer, import and blend a droughtier sand and sprig.

The aggressive scarification and hollow coring programme was deemed unacceptable due to the continual impact it would have on the playing surface over a number of years. As well, the

current level of disease was an ongoing concern.

Importing the same sand type was deemed to be unacceptable due to the overall shallow depth of profile that would still be present in conjunction with its high volumetric water.

Importing and blending an imported profile was deemed to be the best option given the constraints that the club faced. Blending of the sand was going to be an important aspect of the upgrade to the surface as simply placing a layer of new sand over the old sand may have led to issues with layering and the uneven movement of water through the profile.

The imported sand that was to be used was a Rocla medium washed sand which had a low moisture retention, however, the sand particle distribution did not quite meet that of a USGA-spec sand profile. The physical analysis of the Rocla sand can be seen in Table 2.

Trial work Prior to the start of the full reconstruction, two small test sites were constructed along the northern and southern sides of the bowling green. Each of these sites contained four plots measuring 1.2m x 1.2m which gave an overall area of 4.8m x 1.2m.

The trial was conducted primarily to understand how the proposed new profile would perform in terms of its moisture retention compared to the alternatives. The primary evaluation tool for the trial was the Fieldscout® TDR300 moisture probe which was used to assess moisture retention at different depths.

The four plots consisted of the following profiles: l Plot 1: Existing bowling green with turf and thatch layer still present. l Plot 2: The top 60mm of the green was removed which included turf, thatch, rootmat and sand.

This was then replaced with the same sand which was placed and consolidated to the same level as the playing surface. l Plot 3: A homogenous 1:1 blend of the imported Rocla sand with the existing sand from a depth of 60mm-180mm, above the remaining 40mm of existing sand. The top 60mm was a straight Rocla medium washed sand.

Table 2. rocLa sand physical analysis

Particle size distribution Sieve USGA Specification Sample (retained) (mm) Recommendation Fine Gravel >2.00 < 3 total particles 0 Very Coarse Sand 1.00 - 2.00 < 10 2 Coarse Sand 0.50 - 1.00 total particles 20 Medium Sand 0.25 - 0.50 > 60 47 Fine Sand 0.15 - 0.25 < 20 26 Very Fine Sand 0.05 - 0.15 < 5 total particles 4 Silt plus Clay <0.05 < 5 < 10 1 Physical characteristics at 30 cm tension Bulk Density (g/cm3) 1.2 - 1.6 1.6 Total Porosity (%V/V) 35 - 55 38.1 Volumetric Water (%V/V) 15 - 25 8.2 Aeration Porosity (%V/V) 15 - 30 29.9 Hydraulic conductivity (mm/hr) > 150 440 Chemical characteristics pH-1:5 water 5 - 7 5.1 EC -1:5 water (dS/m) < 0.2 0.05 Salinity (ppm) <600 150

Table 3. Moisture retention (Southern area)

Plot Plot Plot Plot

0-38mm 0-76mm 0-120mm 0-200mm 1 21.3% 15.9% 13.1% 15.4% 2 11.9 9.7 9.6 14.3 3 7.0 5.6 6.5 12.4 4 8.7 6.4 6.2 11.9

Table 4. Moisture retention (Northern area)

Plot Plot Plot Plot

0-38mm 0-76mm 0-120mm 0-200mm 1 25.3% 17.4% 15.1% 16.5% 2 11.6 10.5 9.9 14.1 3 8.0 6.1 6.2 10.8 4 8.7 6.3 5.2 10.5

Opposite page top: The project involved the construction of small trial plots in the bowling green where the various profile options were tested for their ability to retain moisture Opposite page bottom: The three trialled profile options (from bottom to top), Plot 2 (existing sand), Plot 3 (straight Rocla sand on top) and Plot 4 (blended Rocla sand)

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Plot 4: A homogenous 1:1 blend of the imported Rocla sand with the existing sand from a depth of 120mm-180mm, above the remaining 40mm of existing sand. The top 120mm was a 1:1 blended mix of straight Rocla medium sand with the upper 60mm of the original 1:1 blend of Rocla sand with existing sand, as in Plot 3.

The initial testing was undertaken on both test areas (each containing the same construction techniques) with a range of differing length probes fitted to the Fieldscout TDR300 to understand the moisture retention within the depths – 0-38mm, 0-76mm, 0-120mm and 0-200mm. Tables 3 and 4 show the results obtained from the plots as described above. l

Table 1. existing sand physical analysis Particle size distribution Sieve Specification Sand Fraction (%ret) (mm) Recommendation Fine Gravel >2.00 0 1 Very Coarse Sand 1.00 - 2.00 < 10 <1 Coarse Sand 0.50 - 1.00 < 20 5 Medium Sand 0.25 - 0.50 40 - 60 37 Fine Sand 0.15 - 0.25 < 30 44 Very Fine Sand 0.05 - 0.15 < 10 11 Silt plus Clay <0.05 < 5 2 Physical characteristics at 30 cm tension

Bulk Density (g/cm3) 1.2 - 1.6 1.6 Total Porosity (%V/V) 35 - 55 38.9 Volumetric Water (%V/V) 15 - 25 27.9 Aeration Porosity (%V/V) 15 - 30 11.0 Hydraulic conductivity (mm/hr) > 150 220 Chemical characteristics pH-1:5 water 5 - 7 7.7 Electrical conductivity-1:5 water (dS/m) <0.2 0.05 Salinity (ppm) <600 150

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agcsatech update

The results from this initial testing firstly indicated the dramatic increase in moisture retention due to a turf cover and thatch layer above the sand profile (Plot 1 compared to Plot 2). Secondly, the results also showed that the two blended plots (Plots 3 and 4) had about 40 per cent less moisture than the existing sand at depths of 38mm, 76mm and 120mm below the surface. There is less difference at the 200mm depth where the perched water table is created.

Following that initial testing, the northern test area was watered with 9L of water (the equivalent of 6mm of irrigation) and the moisture retention was again tested after five minutes with the following results.

Table 5. Moisture retention (NORthern – 6mm)

Plot Plot Plot Plot

0-38mm 0-76mm 0-120mm 0-200mm 1 33.8% 25.4% 20.3% 18.9% 2 18.7 16.9 13.9 16.3 3 14.5 11.3 8.8 12.5 4 17.1 12.2 10.7 12.0

As the moisture readings were taken very soon after the watering, the results are more similar although the blended plots still retained less moisture which was pleasing from a reconstruction point of view.

Finally, the southern test area was watered with 18 litres of water (the equivalent of 12mm of irrigation) and the moisture was again tested after five minutes with the following results.

Table 6. Moisture retention (southern – 12mm)

Plot Plot Plot Plot

0-38mm 0-76mm 0-120mm 0-200mm 1 33.5% 25.9% 19.8% 19.3% 2 23.4 20.3 17.4 17.4 3 18.3 16.1 14.2 14.6 4 19.2 18.0 15.1 15.9

Again, a similar trend was noted, although less pronounced due to the amount of water applied and the little time taken before the moisture readings were taken.

Six days following the construction of the two test areas, they were again tested for moisture retention.

Given the condition of the green, it appeared as though no irrigation had been applied over that period and according the Bureau of Meteorology’s Melbourne weather station, the area had received 2.2mm of rainfall.

Table 7. Moisture retention (Southern area – After 6 days) The noticeable change in colour from the blended Rocla sand (top 120mm in this photo) to the existing sand used in the profile 36

Plot Plot Plot Plot

0-38mm 0-76mm 0-120mm 0-200mm 1 16.8% 13.0% 9.7% 10.4% 2 8.3 6.6 6.7 9.6 3 4.1 3.8 3.3 6.5 4 5.0 3.9 2.9 6.3

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Table 8. Moisture retention (Northern area – After 6 days)

Plot Plot Plot Plot

0-38mm 0-76mm 1 21.7% 15.9% 2 9.0 6.6 3 4.4 3.9 4 4.1 4.3

0-120mm 11.4% 6.3 2.9 2.7

0-200mm 12.5% 9.5 6.2 6.2

The results again showed that the two blended plots had about 40-50 per cent less moisture than the existing sand at all depths. It can clearly be seen the influence of the perched water table given the increase in moisture retention at the 200mm depth.

Conclusion It was very noticeable that both plots that contained the Rocla medium washed sand (Plots 3 and 4) provided less moisture retention (at both assessment dates) than the existing sand profile. The other major influence on moisture retention was the impact that the turf and thatch layer had (Plot 1) when compared to Plot 2 which contained just the same sand type.

The take home message is that greens, whether bowling or golf, can be modified if there has initially been an inappropriate sand/soil selection made or if they have aged and with ineffective renovation practices hold excess moisture.

The trial work conducted illustrated that simply removing the accumulated organic matter will assist in reducing moisture retention, however, the incorporation of a droughtier sand to reduce moisture retention even more, particularly in the top 120mm, may prove to be even more beneficial.

As always though, greater inputs such as sanding, coring and scarifying should always be undertaken as often as possible on correctly sourced rootzone material to avoid excessive moisture retention over time.

30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

22-27 June 2014 AGCSA

Conference Guide

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Welcome to the Gold Coast

n behalf of my fellow AGCSA Directors I would like to welcome you all to the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach. We appreciate you making the effort to attend what is the Australian turf industry’s largest annual gathering.

The industry continues to experience a time of change across the board and we believe we have compiled a diverse range of speakers and topics to help you remain at the cutting edge of your chosen profession.

Topics include ‘Taking the next step’, ‘Alternative/biological practices’, a forum on bunker design, an excellent discussion on couchgrass dormancy and a Cricket World Cup preparation forum.

Pat Finlen, former GCSAA president, superintendent and now general manager of The Olympic Club in San Francisco, is one of our headline speakers not to be missed and will join a panel of Australian superintendents who have taken the major step from the course into the general manager’s office.

Last year’s highly successful Jacobsen sponsored workshops make a welcome return on the Monday of conference week with Dr Karl Danneberger (Ohio State University, US) and David Bancroft-Turner (Academy of Political Intelligence, UK) hosting these. David’s presentation on ‘How to survive, thrive and manage the politics at your club’ booked out very quickly and Dr Danneberger will provide the latest information on ‘Managing turfgrass under environmental and pest stress’. Together with our own home grown array of speakers there really is something for everyone with the Golf stream supported by the Sportsfield, Architects and Technicians streams.

The trade exhibition this year will allow you to see the latest innovations and products available in our industry. At the time of printing, it appears that the exhibition centre will be near capacity and as always we are indebted to our trade partners for their unwavering support of conference week – please support those companies that support us. Don’t forget to download the official 30th Australian

Turfgrass Conference app to enhance your experience around the trade show floor and education sessions as well.

The AGCSA Golf Championships, once again hosted by AGCSA Platinum Partner Toro Australia, will be held on the superb TifEagle greens of Sanctuary Cove (Robin Doodson, AGCSA Accredited Superintendent) and the equally impressive 328 greens of Hope Island (superintendent Danny Foote).

Unfortunately I will not be joining you this year as a significant birthday for my wife will find me out of the country. I am sure that the AGCSA Board and the staff, led capably by our general manager Peter Frewin, will once again ensure a seamless week of education and entertainment.

Peter Lonergan Coolangatta & Tweed Heads GC President, AGCSA

30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition

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Pat Finlen

Stephen Newport

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he Australian Golf Course Superintendents’ Association, in conjunction with principal partners Toro, Jacobsen, Syngenta, John Deere and Rain Bird, extends a very warm welcome to delegates of the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition.

This is the second time in four years that the conference ventures to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) and after the warm climes of the Sunshine Coast last year, delegates, particularly those from down south, will be looking forward to returning to Queensland. The GCCEC, refurbished ahead of the 2010 conference, proved to be a sensational venue and combined with the tremendous facilities and hospitality that the Gold Coast is famous for, it’s little surprise that the turf industry’s biggest gathering is heading back to the Broadbeach hub.

So what’s in store for delegates? Well, whether its golf, education, networking with peers or seeing the latest innovations from the trade, the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference will have something for all sectors of our diverse and talented industry.

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To make sure delegates get the most out of their conference experience, the AGCSA has been mindful to keep costs down, while at the same time providing a wide range of topics, social events and networking opportunities.

session highlights Following a successful trial last year, the 2014 Toro AGCSA Golf Championships will again be played on Sunday which frees up the Monday for the Jacobsen-sponsored workshops. These daylong workshops were introduced for the first time on the Sunshine Coast last year and proved to be extremely popular with delegates. That looks likely to continue, with both workshops this year fully subscribed within weeks of being announced. The two workshops to be held this year are: l Managing turfgrass under environmental and pest stress: The identification and management of agronomic stresses is the key to successful golf and sportsturf management. Turfgrasses grow within an optimum range of conditions whether it is temperature, light or moisture.

The 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition returns to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 22-27 June, 2014

Outside the optimum range plant stress occurs.

This day-long workshop, presented by Dr Karl Danneberger (Professor of Turfgrass Science, Ohio State University, USA) will look at the impact of environmental stress on turfgrass growth and how we can manage the turf during these stress periods.

How to survive, thrive and manage politics at your club: Political behaviour is alive and well in all golf clubs, schools and councils. This session, presented by expert David BancroftTurner (The Academy of Political Intelligence, UK) will help turf managers to recognise and manage politics more effectively and provide tips and suggestions to improve performance.

The tradition education component from Tuesday through to Thursday will again encompass four individual streams – Golf, Sportsfield, Technicians and Architects. Both Danneberger and BancroftTurner will also present during these sessions as will another of this year’s keynote speakers Pat Finlen, immediate past president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

As well as being at the head of the world’s largest superintendent organisation, Finlen is also a key figure at one of America’s most revered sporting institutions – The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Finlen is currently the general manager and up until recently was course superintendent, hosting among other things the 2012 US Open. Finlen will make the following presentations during his time on the Gold Coast: l Hosting the US Open (Plenary Session, Tuesday 24 June, 12.20pm); l ‘Taking the next step’ management forum with Andrew Casey, Peter Schumacher and Craig Molloy (Golf Stream, Wednesday 25 June, 8.30am); and l Course maintenance at The Olympic Club (Golf Stream, Thursday 26 June, 12pm).

This year’s programme also sees the inclusion of a two-hour Spray Application Workshop. Initially two were scheduled for the week, however, they proved so popular that the AGCSA has added a third. These workshops will be held: l Wednesday 25 June: 1pm-3pm l

Wednesday 25 June: 3.30pm-5.30pm Thursday 26 June: 11am-1pm Other highlights to watch out for during the education sessions include: l Staging the Cricket World Cup: Stephen Newport will discuss preparations for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup to be jointly held between Australia and New Zealand (Plenary Session, Tuesday 24 June, 9.50am). This will be followed on Thursday by a Cricket World Cup Wicket Preparation Forum, which will feature a number of curators discussing their various wickets and preparations methods (Sportsfield Stream, Thursday 26 June, 11.30am). l l

l

Bunker Management Workshop: Superintendents Daryl Sellar (Glenelg GC), Paul Gumbleton (Monash CC) and David Warwick (Avondale GC) will join with golf course architects Richard Chamberlain and Ross Perret to discuss all aspects of bunkers, from design through to construction and maintenance (Golf Stream, Wednesday 25 June, 10.30am).

Caragh Threlfall

John Neylan

Andrew Casey

Event changes There have been a number of changes made to the social events to be held during the Gold Coast conference. One of the biggest changes is the switching of the Syngenta President’s Dinner from the end of the week to the start of the week. To be held in the Pavilion Ballroom at Jupiters on Monday 23 June, the dinner also incorporates the annual AGCSA Awards where the industry acknowledges its outstanding achievers.

Following a hiatus at last year’s conference, the AGCSA is delighted to inform delegates that its highest honour, the Distinguished Service Award, will be bestowed in 2014. So if you are heading to the Gold Coast make sure to book yourself a dinner ticket and come and celebrate what will be a special night for one of this industry’s principal contributors.

With the dinner taking the place of the usual Welcome Reception, this has freed up Thursday evening for the Everris-sponsored Farewell Bash.

The traditional post conference Turf Tour has also morphed and will now feature not only a tour but golf as well. The AGCSA AGM has also had a change

Peter Schumacher

Craig Molloy

Paul Gumbleton May-June 2014

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of timeslot and will now be held on Wednesday morning ahead of the start of the education sessions.

For all the information (dates, times, venues) on the key events at this year’s conference check out the page opposite and punch them into your calendar, or better still, download the…

Daryl Sellar

Phil Beal

Chris Lambrides

Bruce Davies

Conference app Yes, the official 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition app is now available for download and is bigger and better than last year.

Developed by local Victorian company Invisage, the app is available on all Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded for FREE from the respective app stores simply by searching for ‘AGCSA’.

The app contains all the relevant information that you need to know about this year’s event and it will be continually updated in the lead-up to and during the conference with the latest information for delegates. Here are some of the app’s features: Speakers: Under the Speakers icon there is a list of all speakers in alphabetical order (by surname) which contains a photo, biography and the sessions they are presenting. By clicking on their sessions you can bring up a synopsis of their presentation which includes title, time, location and duration.

From here you can take notes for that particular session (you can then email all notes through the Settings feature), rate the session or bookmark it. Bookmarking the session will add it to your Upcoming Schedule which will appear on the front page of the app. You can bookmark as many sessions as you like and as the show goes on the next session will be displayed on the front page.

Programme: The Programme icon contains the complete conference programme which includes all the education sessions and social events which can be viewed either by day or by stream (Jacobsen Monday workshops, Plenary sessions, the two Golf streams and Sportsfield stream). Clicking on a session, as above, will take you through to information about the session – time, location and duration as well as a brief synopsis – and you can bookmark it so that it appears on your schedule.

You can also simply click the star icon next to the session listings to add it to your schedule.

The stunning Palms Course at Sanctuary Cove plays host to the 2014 Toro AGCSA Golf Championships

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Exhibitors: Those companies exhibiting at the trade show are contained behind the Exhibitors icon and are listed both alphabetically and by category (e.g.: machinery, irrigation, chemicals etc) and by AGCSA partner status. Clicking on an exhibitor will take you through to a company bio and logo and here you can also access full company and representative contact details. Under the Actions tab you can mark the company as a favourite (you can also do this by clicking the star icon next to the company in the main exhibitor listings), take notes and click the Visited tab to indicate you have stopped by the stand. Links to product brochures are also available.

The new app also features a photo gallery, which will be updated during the week with photos from the event, and a ‘Contacts’ icon which contains a list of those delegates attending the conference along with their details (you can set up your contact details through the My Profile area in Settings).

Please ensure that when you download the app that you allow Push Notifications as this will be one of the key means through which the AGCSA will communicate important updates to delegates during the actual conference.

Conference webcasts Over the past four years, the AGCSA, in conjunction with Brisbane-based TR Vidcom, has recorded a series of webcasts from each conference. The Gold Coast conference in 2010 saw the first of these webcasts produced and since then the AGCSA has ramped up the number of webcasts recorded. Over the past four conferences, a total of 102 webcasts have been released, representing more than 97 hours worth of turf management education.

The full suite of webcasts from past conferences can be accessed through the AGCSA website http:// www.agcsa.com.au/video and all delegates who attend this year’s conference will receive exclusive access to the 2014 webcasts as soon as they are published. For those who don’t attend, the 2014 webcasts will be available in the lead up to the 2015 conference.

Disclaimer: The above speaker session information was correct at the time of this edition of ATM going to print. Any changes will be announced during the conference sessions or notified through the official conference app.

Event Information and Conference Registration

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he main conference registration desk will be located in the main foyer of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC). Delegates are requested to visit the registration desk upon arrival to receive their conference accreditation and delegate satchel.

There will also be a registration desk set up outside the entry of the trade exhibition during trade exhibition hours. If the main conference registration desk is closed, please proceed to the trade exhibition registration desk. The registration desk(s) will be open during the following times: l Sunday: 2pm-4pm l Monday: 9am-4pm l Tuesday: 8am-4pm l Wednesday: 8am-3pm l Thursday: 8am-2.30pm

2014 Toro AGCSA Golf Championships and Dinner

2014 AGCSA annual general meeting When: Wednesday 25 June (7am for a 7.30am start) Where: GCCEC (Room 6 or 7 – please check on the day) Details: Please note the change in time from previous years. Open to all current financial AGCSA members. Two AGCSA Director positions will be up for election. Coffee and muffins will be served from 7am with a 7.30am meeting start.

Everris Farewell Bash

Cost: $330 (team of three), $120 per person or included for those companies exhibiting at the Trade Exhibition.

When: Sunday 22 June (10am-8.30pm) Where: Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club and Hope Island Golf Club Details: The 2014 Toro AGCSA Golf Championships will be played across two courses, with the stroke competition held on the Palms Course at Sanctuary Cove and stableford competition staged at Hope Island Golf Club. 11.30am shotgun start at Sanctuary Cove, 12 noon shotgun start at Hope Island.

For those at Sanctuary Cove, at the conclusion of the round players will be transported to Hope Island for the presentation dinner. Buses will depart from the GCCEC for both courses at 10am and return 9pm. Cost: $130.

Syngenta President’s Welcome Dinner and 2014 AGCSA Awards

2014 AGCSA Trade Challenge

30th Australian Turfgrass Conference Trade Exhibition

When: Monday 23 June (10am-5pm) Where: Lakelands Golf Club Details: The 2014 AGCSA Trade Challenge will be contested at Lakelands Golf Club.

Open to all AGCSA and state trade members, this is a three-person team stableford event with the best two scores counting. There will also be an individual prize. Winning team receives $2000 credit for advertising in Australian Turfgrass Management Journal.

At the conclusion of the round there will be drinks, finger food and prize presentation.

Players are requested to be at Lakelands by 10.45am for an 11.30am shotgun start.

Buses will depart from the GCCEC at 10am and return at the conclusion of presentations.

When: Monday 23 June (6.30pm-10.30pm) Where: Pavilion Ballroom, Jupiters Details: Traditionally held at the end of the conference, this year’s Syngenta President’s Dinner will kick off the conference week and replaces the Welcome Reception of past years. Always a highlight of the week, this great night of fine food, AGCSA Award presentations and entertainment will be the perfect platform from which to launch the conference’s return to the Gold Coast. Predinner drinks from 6.30pm. Dress code: Semi-formal, dress pants and collared shirt (jacket and tie optional). Cost: $120.

When: Wednesday 25 June (9am-5pm) and Thursday 26 June (9am-2pm) Where: GCCEC Details: This year’s trade exhibition will feature more than 60 of the industry’s leading turf management companies exhibiting their products and services. Entry to the trade exhibition is FREE (please note if you are only attending the trade exhibition you will still need to register on the door to receive a name tag). See later in this guide for a full listing of companies exhibiting.

For registered delegates only, the trade exhibition cocktail opening will be held from 4pm-6pm on Tuesday 24 June.

When: Thursday 26 June (6pm-8pm) Where: PA Pub, Jupiters Details: With the Syngenta President’s Dinner moving to the start of the week, the Everris-sponsored Farewell Bash will take its place on the Thursday evening. This will be a great way to relax and unwind with fellow delegates and reflect on the conference week that was. Finger food and drinks provided. Cost: Included for all registered conference delegates and trade show exhibitors. Additional tickets $88.

Friday Fun Day When: Friday 27 June (8.30am-5pm) Where: RACV Royal Pines Resort Details: Normally the day set aside for the post conference Turf Tour, Friday this year will incorporate a tour of RACV Royal Pines Resort, currently being reconstructed, as well as 18 holes of golf (scramble) in the afternoon.

Buses will depart from the GCCEC to RACV Royal Pines at 8.30am for a 9am tour start with superintendent Lincoln Coombes.

For those staying on to play golf, a BBQ lunch will be served from 11am with a 12 noon shotgun start. For those who just want to attend the tour of the course, this component is free, however, please note that there will be no transportation back to the GCCEC until the conclusion of the golf.

Cost: $120 (for those playing golf). Tour component free (does not include lunch or golf).

Disclaimer: The above event information was correct at the time of this edition of ATM going to print. Any changes in times, venues or locations will be announced during the conference sessions or notified through the official conference app (see more on the app oppositie page).

May-June 2014

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AGCSA, STA graduates vie for national honours ATM profiles the finalists in both the AGCSA and STA Graduate of the Year Awards which will be handed out during the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference on the Gold Coast.

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he future of the Australian turf management industry lies in the young blood coming through its ranks and each year the AGCSA and STA aim to give two lucky turf management apprentices a kick start to their careers through their respective Graduate of the Year Award programmes.

The life of a turf management apprentice can be a thankless one at times, but as this year’s field of finalists demonstrate, with a little bit of hard work and commitment, not to mention a fair helping of skill and nous, the wonderful opportunities that the industry can afford are there for the taking.

As has been tradition, this year’s recipients will receive a trip of a lifetime courtesy of award sponsors Toro Australia.

Both graduates will get the opportunity to attend the Winter School of Turf Management at the University of Massachusetts and visit the 2015 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio.

Judging for both awards was undertaken in mid-May and the AGCSA, together with the STA, congratulate the following finalists for getting through to this stage and making some fantastic presentations to the judging panel.

GCSAQ Simon Winzar Lakelands Golf Club A naturally gifted sportsman from an early age, Winzar took up playing golf at the age of 12 and immediately fell in love with the sport. A fiveday work experience placement at a small privately run golf course in Nerang fuelled the desire to work on golf courses even more and eventually led to a school-based traineeship opening up with Lakelands Golf Club.

Working one day a week and weekends starting in November 2008, Winzar would go on to complete his Certificate II in Sports Turf Management through Grovely TAFE and following Year 12 was taken on as a first year apprentice. Following completion of that, Winzar immediately enrolled in the Diploma of Sports Turf Management course through Ryde TAFE in Sydney as well as the Certificate III in Landscape Construction. Having completed the latter, he hopes to finish the Diploma by the end of 2014.

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If having a full time job at Lakelands and studying isn’t enough to keep him busy, the 20-year-old also operates his own lawn and landscaping business for clients around the Gold Coast. Such has been the success of this little venture that Winzar now has a parttime employee working for him.

GCSAWA Chris Varty Gosnells Golf Club Born and bred in Victoria but spending most of his formative years in Western Australia, Varty began his turf management career back in Victoria at the age of 19 working for a contract maintenance company. Visiting many different facilities during this time exposed Varty to many facets of the turf industry, but it was golf courses which appealed the most.

Moving back to Perth, Varty struggled to gain an apprenticeship and ended up working as a removalist. It was after suffering a dislocated knee that Varty was able to re-evaluate his career goals and as luck would have it he successfully applied for an apprenticeship at Gosnells Golf Club.

During his time at Gosnells, Varty has worked under three different course superintendents which has exposed him to different turf management styles and philosophies. However, it has been attending Challenger TAFE and understanding the reasoning behind the various turf management practices employed on the golf course that has truly opened Varty’s eyes to the world of turf management.

NSWGCSA Kurt Eldridge Bermagui Golf Club Eldridge is one of two finalists this year to have completed their studies through the Canberra Institute of Technology. Employed at Bermagui Country Club since January 2010, Eldridge has inherited a love for plants and nature through his mother who is a horticulturalist.

During his time at Bermagui, under the astute leadership of AGCSA Accredited Superintendent David Thomson, Eldridge has completed his Certificate III in Sports Turf

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

Management and has actively participated and contributed in daily preparations of the golf course, bowling greens, croquet and clay tennis courts.

Bermagui has a small crew of six which has meant that Eldridge has experienced most facets of golf course maintenance. With all capital improvement works being carried out in-house as well, Eldridge has been exposed to a number of major projects during his apprenticeship including irrigation design and installation, bunker construction, tee construction, landscaping and renovations.

The big goal for Eldridge is to secure a placement on The Ohio Program.

SAGCSA Luke Merchant Vines Golf Club of Reynella Twenty-year-old Merchant has been employed at The Vines Golf Club of Reynella since 2011 under AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Rob Millington. Completing his studies through Urrbrae TAFE, Merchant is now looking to undertake Certificate IV and hopes to move to England with his girlfriend in the near future and continue his career there.

STA ACT Simon Snedden Gold Creek Country Club It has been a whirlwind past six months for STA ACT representative Simon Snedden. Following the completion of his apprenticeship last year, Snedden joined the crew at Gold Creek Country Club, Canberra in January and impressed AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Scott Harris so much that within five months he was elevated to assistant superintendent.

Twenty-six-year-old Snedden’s path into golf course management came about after his contract to play rugby league with the Newcastle Knights ended. During his time at the Knights he was part of the stadium’s ground crew for six months, but it was his love for golf (Snedden is a 3 handicapper) that saw him take on an apprenticeship at Young Golf Club in 2010 which he completed through the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) last December. Snedden’s future ambition

is to continue on and complete his Diploma in Sports Turf Management and in the years following become a course superintendent.

Snedden is one of two finalists this year to hail from CIT and will be looking to emulate the feats of 2013 winner Luke Jorgensen (Federal Golf Club) who became the fifth graduate from CIT to win the national award since its inception in 1996.

TGCSA Andrew Burgess Riverside Golf Club Twenty-two-year-old Andrew Burgess is the second TGCSA Apprentice of the Year in as many years to hail from Launceston’s Riverside Golf Club, following in the footsteps of Andrew Schindler in 2013. Burgess has worked at Riverside for the past five years and completed his apprenticeship through TAFE Tasmania.

Burgess is part of a small team of three, headed by course superintendent Sam O’Keefe, that is tasked with maintaining the

18-hole course which lies on the western banks of the Tamar River. Should Burgess win the AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award it would be Tasmania’s first at the national level.

VGCSA Ethan Bell Wangaratta Golf Club Bell, who at just 19 years of age has the honour of being the youngest finalist in 2014, hails from Wangaratta Golf Club where in only a short amount of time he has risen to be assistant superintendent such is his maturity and skill level.

Born and bred in the north eastern Victorian township, it was during Year 9 that a family friend who ran his own turf management business offered Bell some part time summer work. That sparked his desire to be in the industry and in 2010 Bell undertook a school-based apprenticeship through Wangaratta Golf Club which saw him continue his schooling four days a week with one day

a week spent at the golf course. Recognising his abilities, the club offered him a full-time apprenticeship in 2011 which he completed through Wodonga TAFE. In early 2012 Bell was promoted to assistant superintendent and when incumbent superintendent David Warnaar moved to Warrnambool Golf Club at the start of that winter, Bell was asked by the club to fill the void until a new superintendent was appointed.

Taking charge at just 17 years of age, Bell acquitted himself for some three months in the role before current superintendent Rick Lee was appointed. Since then Bell has continued to impress in his role as assistant and is also undertaking the Diploma course.

AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award – Past Winners 2013: Luke Jorgensen (Federal Golf Club, ACT); 2012: Dave Canterbury (Kiama Golf Club, NSW); 2011: Dan Oswin (Novotel Forest Resort, VIC); 2010: Adam Shields (Casino Golf Club, NSW).

2014 STA National Sports Turf Graduate of the Year Award

W

yong Shire Council’s Andrew Spicer created a little slice of history for STA NSW when he became their first graduate representative to collect the STA National Sports Turf graduate of the Year Award at the 2013 Twin Waters conference.

This year sees a field of four contest the national award with the finalists coming from the ACT, NSW, Queensland and WA.

STA ACT Timothy Jopling Aust Sports Commission Jopling’s career in sports turf management developed after several years working in horticulture. Since completing his Certificate in Horticulture (Nursery) in 2004, Jopling has worked his way from apprentice to horticulturist at nurseries and for the past five years has been at the Australian Sports Commission.

Jopling completed his Sports Turf Management course at the Canberra Institute of Technology. He loves the variety of work undertaken each day and the different skill sets required to achieve good results. Jopling is keen to continue to expand his knowledge of turf management in the future.

STA NSW Tom Kelly Green Options When asked what he enjoys about his job, Kelly replied, “I

have the best job in the world!” Kelly recently received the highest pass at Ryde TAFE for students working on sportsfields, cricket wickets or race tracks and his commitment to his work is evident in the way he talks about preparing surfaces.

Kelly works at sites such as St Ignatius College, Graham Reserve, Manly Oval and Macquarie University playing fields. He prepares wickets for 1st Grade cricket as well as rugby and soccer events.

STA QLD Alex Jensen Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association Jensen’s love for sports and being outdoors has set him up for the best job he could ask for. Since graduating from Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, Jensen has been promoted to head groundsman at Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association (BTMA) giving him the responsibility of looking after the sports fields.

The BTMA competition is one of Australia’s largest and operates across two venues including Queensland’s premier touch football facility, Whites Hill Super Centre, which comprises 15 floodlit fields built specifically for touch.

Prior to greenkeeping, Jensen worked in landscape construction. His long-term ambition is to work at a major stadium either in Australia or the US.

STA WA

Luke Cooney Hale School It is fair to say that Cooney isn’t your average turfie. His background is studying economics at university but it was his true passion for cricket that gave him the opportunity to change his career path.

After helping out with looking after wickets at Tuart Hill Cricket Club between university classes, he gained as much information and advice he could to manage the wickets for the six weeks remaining in the season. The following season he was then offered the position of curator at the club. He put down the pen and calculator and grabbed hold of a wicket roller and hasn’t looked back.

Cooney spent five years working at the University of WA as cricket curator at James Oval and while there completed his apprenticeship after attending Challenger Institute of Technology. Last November he collected the C.H. Bailey & Sons Perpetual Shield for best WA sports turf graduate. More recently Cooney has made the move to Hale School .

STA sports turf graduate of the year – Past Winners 2013: Andrew Spicer (Wyong Shire); 2012: Rory Bairnsfather-Scott (WACA); 2011: Rebecca Dynon (Racing Victoria)

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Golf Sunday

10am - 4.30pm - AGCSA Golf Championships - Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island GCs 4.30pm - 5.30pm - Pre-dinner drinks and canapes (Hope Island GC) 5.30pm - 8.30pm - Toro Golf Dinner (Hope Island GC)

Monday

All Day Workshops 10am - 3pm (Lunch @ 12.30pm) Karl Danneberger Managing turfgrass under environmental and pest stress David Bancroft-Turner Political intelligence - How to survive, thrive and manage the politics at your club 10am - 5pm - AGCSA Trade Challenge - Lakeslands GC 6.30pm - 10.30pm SYNGENTA Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dinner

wednesday

AGCSA

7.30am - AGCSA AGM Golf I 8.30am - 10am Pat Finlen, Peter Schumacher, Andrew Casey and Craig Molloy Taking the Next Step 10.30am - 12.30pm Bunker Maintenance Workshop Golf ll 8.30am - 10am Alternative/Biological Practices David Officer - Biological control of Parramatta Grass; Graham Sait - Minerals, microbes and turf resilience; Nick Malajczuk - Adding Mycorrhizal fungi to improve plant performance 10.30am - 12.30pm Dr Caragh Threlfall, Dr Nick Williams and Dr Nigel Stork Practical and cost-effective ways to improve golf course vegetation habitat for different biodiversity groups 12.30pm - 5pm - Lunch/Trade Show

tuesday

8.30am - 9.10am David Bancroft-Turner - What is politics and why do I have to manage them?

9.10am - 9.50am Dr Karl Danneberger - Growing Degree Days 9.50am - 10.30am Stephen Newport - Staging the Cricket World Cup 10.30am - 11.00am - Morning Tea 11am - 12.20pm Dr Caragh Threlfall, Dr Nick Williams and Dr Nigel Stork - Final Report on Uni Melb Biodiversity Study 12.20pm - 1pm Pat Finlen - Hosting the US Open 1pm-2pm - Lunch 2pm - 4pm Soils and Couch Dormancy Discussion Jim Hull - Carbon in Soils; Dr Phil Ford - Reducing couch dormancy; John Neylan - Couch Dormancy: Is it necessary?

4pm - 6pm - TRADE SHOW COCKTAIL OPENING 44

thursday

8.30am - 9.10am Plenary Discussion - Scott Harris, Bruce Davies, Luke Jorgensen Sportsturf management apprentices 9.10am - 9.50am John Neylan - Reflections: A career in turf 9.50am - 10.30am Phil Beal - Rebuilding The Australian 10.30am - 11.30am - Morning Tea 11.30am - 12pm Adam Power - Update on New Course Rating System 12pm - 12.30pm Pat Finlen - Course maintenance at The Olympic Club 12.30pm - 1pm David Bancroft-Turner - Making club politics a positive experience 1pm - 2pm - Lunch and Trade Show 2pm - 4pm Paul McLean and Gavin Kirkamn Workplace accidents - Learning on the run 6pm - 8pm - everris Farewell Bash

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

friday

8.30am - 5pm - Friday Fun Day Tour of RACV Royal Pines reconstruction with optional 18-hole Scramble golf event N.B. Times correct at time of publication. Subject to change

architects tuesday

Society of Australian Golf Course Architects Golf Competition and Dinner - Featuring Fireside chat

wednesday

10.30am - 12.30pm Bunker Maintenance Workshop Daryl Sellar will be joined by various superintendents and architects to look at bunkers and the use of bunker liners as cost/time saving tools.

12.30pm - 2pm - Lunch 2.15pm - 4.30pm SAGCA Annual General Meeting 4.30pm - 5.30pm Paul Jones, David Hanby and Andrew Price - Key irrigation information for golf course architects.

thursday

Choice of sessions and Trade Show 6pm - 8pm - EVERRIS Farewell Bash

spray applicAtion Workshops Interactive learning experience on making sprayers, products and people work seamlessly to get great results. Max. 40 per session.

Wednesday: 1pm - 3.00pm Wednesday: 3.30pm - 5.30pm Thursday: 11am - 1pm

sportsfield Sunday

10am - 4.30pm - AGCSA Golf Championships - Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island GCs 4.30pm - 5.30pm - Pre-dinner drinks and canapes (Hope Island GC) 5.30pm - 8.30pm - Toro Golf Dinner (Hope Island GC)

Monday

All Day Workshops 10am - 3pm (Lunch @ 12.30pm) Karl Danneberger Managing turfgrass under environmental and pest stress David Bancroft-Turner Political intelligence - How to survive, thrive and manage the politics at your club 10am - 5pm - AGCSA Trade Challenge - Lakeslands GC 6.30pm - 10.30pm SYNGENTA President’s dinner

tuesday

8.30am - 9.10am David Bancroft-Turner - What is politics and why do I have to manage them?

9.10am - 9.50am Dr Karl Danneberger - Growing Degree Days 9.50am - 10.30am Stephen Newport - Staging the Cricket World Cup 10.30am - 11.00am - Morning Tea

wednesday

8.30am - 10.30am Manuka Oval Redevelopment Forum Brad van Dam, John Neylan, Jarrod Hill and Dimitri Dimakopoulos 10.30am - 11am - Morning Tea 11am - 12.30pm Alternative/Biological Practices David Officer - Biological control of Parramatta Grass; Graham Sait - Minerals, microbes and turf resilience; Nick Malajczuk - Adding Mycorrhizal fungi to improve plant performance 12.30pm - 5pm - Lunch/Trade Show

thursday

8.30am - 9.10am Plenary Discussion - Scott Harris, Bruce Davies, Luke Jorgensen - Sportsturf management apprentices - A shared responsibility 9.10am - 9.50am Dr Chris Lambrides - University of Queensland EcoTurf project 9.50am - 10.30am Jim Hull/Phil Ford - Oversowing couch with ryegrass on sportsfields 10.30am - 11.30am - Morning Tea 11.30am - 1pm 2015 Cricket World Cup Cricket Wicket Preparation Forum - A look at the varying methods of pitch types and preperation methods across some of the CWC venues.

2pm - 3.30pm David Bancroft-Turner - Managing the politics rather than politics managing you

1pm-2pm - Lunch

6pm - 8pm everris Farewell Bash

4pm - 6pm - TRADE SHOW COCKTAIL OPENING

10am - 4.30pm - AGCSA Golf Championships - Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island GCs 4.30pm - 5.30pm - Pre-dinner drinks and canapes (Hope Island GC) 5.30pm - 8.30pm - Toro Golf Dinner (Hope Island GC)

Monday

8.30 - 4.00 Toro Workshop 6.30pm - 10.30pm SYNGENTA President’s dinner

tuesday

8.30am - 4pm Jacobsen Workshop 4pm - 6pm - TRADE SHOW COCKTAIL OPENING

wednesday

8.30am - 4pm John Deere Workshop 4pm - 8pm - JOHN DEERE TECHNICIANS DINNER

thursday

All day - Trade Show 6pm - 8pm everris Farewell Bash

1pm - 2pm - Lunch and Trade Show

11am - 12.20pm Dr Caragh Threlfall, Dr Nick Williams and Dr Nigel Stork - Final Report on Uni Melb Biodiversity Study 12.20pm - 1pm Pat Finlen - Hosting the US Open

2pm - 4pm Soils and Couch Dormancy Discussion Jim Hull - Carbon in Soils; Dr Phil Ford - Reducing couch dormancy; John Neylan - Couch Dormancy: Is it necessary?

technicians Sunday

friday

8.30am - 5pm - Friday Fun Day Tour of RACV Royal Pines reconstruction with optional 18-hole Scramble golf event

spray applicAtion Workshops Interactive learning experience on making sprayers, products and people work seamlessly to get great results. Max. 40 per session.

Wednesday: 1pm - 3.00pm Wednesday: 3.30pm - 5.30pm Thursday: 11am - 1pm

N.B. Times correct at time of publication. Subject to change May-June 2014

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30th Australian Turfgrass Conference Trade Exhibition

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, 25-26 June 2014 Whether you’re a seasoned turf manager or an apprentice just entering the industry, the annual Australian Turfgrass Conference Trade Exhibition is one event you can’t afford to miss. Read on to see which of Australia’s leading turf management companies and service providers will be present on the Gold Coast.

Abel Sports Stand 25 Abel Sports is a leading manufacturer and supplier of aluminium goal post and sports ground equipment for major sporting stadiums, councils, schools and sporting clubs throughout Australia. We manufacture and install goal posts for AFL football, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and hockey.

All goal posts are designed to be easily and safely installed/removed and be WH&S compliant.

AFL and rugby goals are available in all lengths up to 16m and come with ground tubes, base plates or hinges. Soccer and futsal goals are available for either junior or senior level. Semi-permanent or portable soccer goals are also available with rear posts and hinged base supports for nets.

Abel Sports also manufacture rugby/soccer combo goals approved by both codes. Goal post storage systems are also available for onsite and offsite storage.

Other Abel Sports products include coaches boxes and interchange benches, goal post pads, boot cleaning and goal post lifting systems. Abel Sports also design and install to engineer specifications barrier/safety netting systems for AFL, soccer and cricket grounds. Abel Sports not only guarantee all their manufactured products (5 years), they have their own team of installers and guarantee all installations. Abel Sports is a proud supporter of the Australian Made Campaign.

ADE Turf Equipment Stand 98 ADE Turf Equipment on Stand 98 is pleased to bring together an exciting range of innovative turf equipment to the conference.

Shibaura Golf and Turf products include compact tractors, rotary and reel mowers and the amazing Slope Mower CE certified to 30 degrees – Japanese quality at a competitive price.

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Buffalo Turbine boasts the most comprehensive range of turbine blowers in the market. Check out the impressive 40hp twin turbine blower along with front mount and PTO versions.

Club Car golf and turf vehicles – visit us to view the amazing new Carryall utility vehicles which feature the new fuel efficient Subaru fuel injected engines to bring a new level of performance and fuel consumption savings of up to 50 percent. The new heavy duty 48 volt battery systems feature extended endurance, on board chargers and increased payloads.

Advanced Seed Stand 50 Advanced Seed is a leading importer and provider of turfgrass seed and related products for both the commercial and retail markets throughout Australia. Our products are used by leading racecourses, golf courses, turf farms, local governments and sporting facilities throughout Australia.

Our extensive range of both cool- and warm-season grasses allows us to provide

AGCSA Stand 1 AGCSA The official host of the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference, the Australian Golf Course Superintendents’ Association is committed to the ongoing professional development and support of all those involved in the golf course maintenance and turf management industry.

With a membership of over 1200 drawn from Australasia and across the globe, the AGCSA offers a range of unique services to help superintendents, turf managers and their staff who are seeking access to resources, training and networking opportunities.

Visit the AGCSA stand to find out about the extensive range of services available and how they have been tailored to meet the

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

the very best selection of products to turf managers. Access to major seed producers and breeders from USA, Europe and New Zealand allows us to provide a product range at the cutting edge of turfgrass research. High performance varieties from leading turf grass breeders Seed Research of Oregon & DLF Seeds provide a quality broad selection of turfgrass for the turf professional.

Apart from highlighting our turf grasses, we will be displaying information on our Evergreen Turf Covers, Earthway Spreaders and our new Playmatta product. Be sure to visit us at Stand 50 where we will be happy to assist you with all of your turf enquiries. www. adseed.com.au.

All Stake Supply Stand 43 All Stake Supply is a family owned, Australian company established in 1976. Our business is focused on providing a complete distribution service supplying quality grass reinforcement, revegetation and erosion control systems.

Visit our Stand (No. 43) to see the latest technology in grass reinforcement. needs of people working in the golf course and turf maintenance industry. Back issues of the AGCSA’s award-winning journal, Australian Turfgrass Management, will be available, as will merchandise and a wide selection of turf management text books.

New membership applications from delegates are always welcome and current members can renew their membership or update contact details. In the coming months the AGCSA will be launching a newlook website and membership management system, so it is important that we have your correct details on file. Get your photo taken at the stand and go into the draw to win a major prize. AGCSA Board members and AGCSATech agronomist Andrew Peart will also be present throughout the show to help with any queries.

Bayer Stand 49 AGCSA Visit Bayer at Stand 49 and hear about Bayer’s latest innovation in turf fungicides – Interface with StressGard Formulation Technology.

StressGard is unique to Bayer and is proven to give outstanding disease control while alleviating plant stresses, ultimately improving turf quality, density, colour and playability. The newly launched Interface with StressGard is Bayer’s most powerful turf fungicide to date.

Have you registered with Bayer’s Amplify Turf website yet – www. bayeramplifyturf.com.au? Register at the Bayer booth and go in the draw to win an iPad Mini! Bayer Amplify Turf is SILVER SPONSOR

Augusta Golf Cars Stand 60 Our new Cushman range of maintenance and utility vehicles were born to help you eliminate downtime and get more doing out of your day. For decades, we’ve sat on the top of the leaderboard for hauling, moving, loading and just plain getting the job done and the new Cushman Hauler Pro is fully loaded and ready to work all day long.

Equipped with a 72-volt AC drivetrain, the Cushman Hauler PRO has the range, power and operational efficiencies your course demands. Powered by a quiet, zero emissions 72-volt electric drivetrain, the Hauler PRO features a daily range of up to 80km fully loaded and all the energy benefits of a low maintenance and unique AC system.

A standard on-board charger gives you the flexibility to charge the Hauler PRO at any outlet within your facility.

With a 450kg vehicle payload, over 500kg towing capacity and optional limited-slip differential, the Hauler PRO is the strong silent type that is easy to work with! Augusta Golf Cars now have stock of the new Hauler Pro around the country and ready for delivery.

Visit www.ezgo.com.au.

BA Group Australia Stand 28 BA Group Australia is a manufacturer of spraying equipment, established in 2008 with a dedicated team encompassing years of experience in the ag spraying industry.

Our head office is based in Geelong, Victoria and we also have a warehouse in Toowoomba, Queensland. Together we distribute a large range of sprayers and accessories, creating spraying solutions for the turfgrass industry.

designed for golf superintendents and turf managers. It aims to help you solve your biggest challenges and concerns whether budgeting, water, disease, insect or weed management. Our online training keeps you up to date with the latest in skills and knowledge on everything from managing chemical spills to broadleaf weed control and chemical application.

Our regular weekly insights and advice will give you practical tips on everything from correct application of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides to compliance with laws regulating chemical use. Finally, ‘Turf Talk’ will take you to the golf courses that are leading the way in the latest thinking and innovation and show you how they are managing the important issues.

We have a large range of trailed and skid mount units, our new Greens keeper walk behind sprayer especially designed for green and bunker surrounds. We also distribute TeeJet products and can provide you the latest info on nozzle technology. We provide a custom build service as well so give us a call any time to discuss your spraying needs with one of our sprayer specialists. Keep your spraying on course with BA Group Australia.

BASF Stand 92 BASF is a trusted resource in providing solutions to meet the needs of professionals in the turf industry, including superintendents and turf managers, greenhouse and nursery growers, lake and pond managers and vegetation management applicators. We are dedicated to producing the highest quality products that help solve unique challenges, backed by guaranteed customer service satisfaction.

Brown Brothers Engineers AGCSA Stand 94 Brown Brothers Engineers Australia P/L is an importer and distributor of Lowara pumps and pumping equipment, with sales offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Lowara pumps were established in Vicenza, Italy in 1968 and it is part of Xylem Inc., a global engineering and manufacturing company.

Lowara specialises in the manufacture of premium quality pumps and fluid handling equipment and is recognised worldwide for quality, efficiency and reliability.

Brown Brothers Engineers specialises in the design and fabrication of purpose built booster systems particularly for golf BRONZE SPONSOR

Our products are specifically designed to help solve any of your turfgrass problems with maximum efficiency of labour and other resources. For the turf professional this means a powerful portfolio of leading edge chemistry, colorants, dyes, wetting agents, herbicide, fungicide and insecticide

Country Club International

AGCSA

Stand 66 The evolution of Country Club International into one of Australia’s leading golf course and range suppliers has been built on an eclectic and diverse range of products that have been compiled and evolved to meet market need for innovation and quality.

The most obvious include; the biggest and tallest safety barrier screens in Australia (over 36m high in some cases); the latest high tech closed loop ESD Waste2Water washdown systems from USA that are now becoming a ‘must’ in every maintenance shed facility; practice range equipment from Range Servant Sweden that has been the world industry benchmark for the past 20 years; and the signature Par Aide product range that has inspired imitators (supposedly the most sincere form of flattery!) both in Australia and around the world.

Complementing these are some fabulous suppliers including; Eagle One in the USA with an incredible array of golf course product; Petro Industrial in Australia with the largest range of fuel storage tanks and accessories; Woodbay Engineering in Canada with their amazing de-thatchers and greens rollers; Enviromist Industries with their world leading CDA chemical sprayers; and Greenjoy, Duchell and many more. See what’s new from Country Club International. You will be surprised!

BRONZE SPONSOR

courses in both New Zealand and Australia.

Many of these booster systems include a microprocessor pumping system controller, but it does more than just change the speed.

It actually manages the performance of the pump to match a wide range of system conditions and requirements.

The Hydrovar software is designed specifically for centrifugal pump operation, control and protection. It can be set up to protect the pump for operating under various unfavourable conditions, e.g. cavitation, operating against a closed head, low NPSH etc. The Hydrovar provides the golf course superintendent with flexibility of watering when required with substantial savings on installation, power usage and maintenance.

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David Golf Stand 75 AGCSA For over 50 years, Melbourne based David Golf has been a household name to course superintendents and club managers. The company is Australia’s largest supplier of course hardware and practice equipment with in excess of 200 product lines. The company also has offices in Sydney and Brisbane and exports to Asia and New Zealand.

At David Golf our commitment to the golf industry is very real. We have a commitment to quality, a commitment to carrying a full range of product, a commitment to inventory which means we can supply immediate delivery and a commitment to client service.

BRONZE SPONSOR

In recent years David Golf has expanded into corporate promotional golf products, supply of selected pro-shop equipment such as golf hire buggies, work and safety gear and construction of safety netting barriers through Sports Safety Netting.

Of particular importance has been the expansion of our hardware sales to countries outside Australia. New Zealand, USA, South East Asia, Japan, China and India have become important markets as superintendents realise the quality and service benefits of dealing with David Golf.

Our client’s requirements are our priority.

We intend to keep improving each year by providing the service and back-up customers have come to expect.

technologies that provide the optimal level of protection for both cool-season and warmseason turf.

Managing turfgrass requires significant expertise, particularly when it comes to disease management. We’re here to help.

Take a look and see which BASF solution is right for you. Come see us at the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference at Stand 92.

and municipal courses world-wide, is always in ideal cutting condition. Bernhard Grinders helps greenkeepers, owners and operators cultivate consistent, healthy turf. Private, public and resort golf courses realise top and bottomline benefits from their precise cut, ease of use, reliability, environmental friendliness, safety-first design, value proposition, industrybest 10-year warranty and more.

Bernhard Grinders

Chemsearch

Stand 65 Well known by the professional golf tours worldwide as the premier blade sharpening machines, Bernhard Grinders ensure maintenance equipment at the World Top 100 mainstays, as well as daily-fee, private, resort

Stand 57 Chemsearch’s BioAmp system is a revolutionary and environmentally friendly biological solution or your turf and pond care. The BioAmp system plus FreeFlow significantly improves golf course conditions, while also providing an excellent alternative to traditional treatments. BioAmp has the ability to break down organic compounds, like pesticide residue, and convert difficult minerals into useful nutrients. FreeFlow bacteria have the ability to trigger a plant’s natural defences against stress, reducing the level of disease and giving the turf a nutritional advantage.

Golf courses are experiencing the benefits of using the BioAmp system plus FreeFlow, from reductions in chemical costs to minimising expensive labour fees. The BioAmp system has become a popular choice for superintendents all over Australia.

Where industry turns for solutions, visit www. chemsearch.net.au or call us at 1800 252 087.

Dint Golf Solutions

AGCSA

BRONZE SPONSOR

Stand 59 Dint Golf is proud to be once again exhibiting at the Australian Turfgrass Conference Trade Exhibition. The year comes and goes so quickly in the busy golfing world that we all operate in and so the annual conference is an ideal way to stop for a while and catch up with friends. The relationships that Dint has built with loyal customers over many years are highly valued.

Dint will be exhibiting new products, new ideas and offering our highest levels of service. As you know, our ability to customise and accommodate our products to suit your needs is second to none, and we will have many examples of this work to show you and talk about when we catch up in June. Dint will be at Stand 59 and the sales team of Adam, Nathan, Jon and Damien, as well as Anthony, will look forward to welcoming you. The team at Dint Golf – making golf courses look great.

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Colin Campbell (Chemicals) Stand 2 Colin Campbell (Chemicals) has been developing plant protection products since the 1940s. We have brought to the industry many innovative turf products and continue

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

to do so with our commitment to the turf industry. At Campbells we pride ourselves in bringing the highest quality products to the turf industry. We test all products stringently before bringing the product to the turf market.

We will be providing updated information on our existing product range along with an update on fairy ring trials with the workings of Monstar and best way to manage fairy ring. Also, come talk to us about disease management; we can show you how to make your existing programme work better for you.

Social media and apps are becoming more popular within our industry for turf management and we can help by providing you with a list of tools to assist with your daily turf management regimes. If you need help on how to start we can help you as well.

Come see us during the week. You can keep up to date before and during the show on our website www.campbellchemcials.com.au our blog www.campbellturf.blogspot.com. You can also follow us on twitter.com/campbellturf.

Dennis & SISIS Stand 46 Dennis and SISIS have been manufacturing world class turf maintenance equipment for over 80 years. Quality influences our approach at every stage and shapes our attitude towards delivering excellent equipment capable of creating a world class finish.

The product portfolio includes dedicated and cassette system mowers, pedestrian and tractor-mounted scarifiers, sweepers, aerators, seeders and brushes. Take hold of Dennis or SISIS machine and you’ll feel the difference immediately – solidly built, well balanced and a joy to operate. To find out more about our range of products or request a catalogue please visit Stand 46.

drumMUSTER/ChemClear Stand 22 Chemical users across Australia can take advantage of two fantastic industry stewardship programmes that can help them dispose of both their out-of-date ag vet chemicals and empty containers.

The drumMUSTER service was first established in 1998 and works in conjunction with local tips and waste transfer sites to arrange the collection and recycling of precleaned, empty chemical containers. Once you find your local collection site and clean your containers, simply call your local collection site, bring them in during the relevant opening hours and we will do the rest. To find out more about the programme or to discover your nearest collection site, go to www.drummuster. com.au or call 1800 008 707.

Fernland Agencies

Everris Stand 53 AGCSA Everris is a global organisation with product portfolios renowned for their innovation, performance and precision, including but not limited to turf fertiliser brands Sierrablen, Sierraform GT, Sportsmaster and ProTurf, with Osmocote Exact and Rout in the horticulture market and brands like Agroblen and Agrocote in agriculture.

Working in partnership with customers and inspired by nature, Everris is passionate about creating improved nutrition programmes and total solutions delivering healthy green turf. As the world leader in fertiliser manufacturing, Everris has a vast range of solutions to deliver reliable and exemplary results. Everris offers high quality BRONZE SPONSOR

Leaving left-over obsolete chemical on your property can create a variety of potential dangers. ChemClear started in 2004 and is responsible for the collection and disposal of your unwanted, inherited or out-of-date chemical products. We liaise with shire councils to arrange state-wide collection runs, which are set up according to demand. To get started, give us a call or 1800 008 182 or head online at www.chemclear.com.au to register and begin taking an inventory of the chemicals you wish to dispose of.

Equipment Solutions Stands 80 and 82 Equipment Solutions Pty Ltd, a division of Amgrow, imports, distributes and sources locally manufactured range of specialist turf management equipment. Equipment Solutions has access to the latest technologies and design and our national network of sales specialists can assist you with new and used equipment as well as spare parts and accessories.

The huge range of equipment available comprises tractor-mounted deep tine and rotary blade de-compaction aerators, rotary blade root pruner, overseeders, renovation/ debris collection machines, debris blowers, topdressers and material handlers, tractormounted and walk-behind scarifiers, walk behind turf cutters, pedestrian corers and specialist articulating wide area mowing equipment.

International brands such as Agrimetal, Amazone, Blec, Dakota, First Products, Groundsman Industries, RGF, Lastec, True Surface, Thatch-Away and Wiedenmann, along with local manufactured brands such as Truturf ,Turf Engineering and our own ES Allied range are available through our sales

products such as premium fertilisers, wetting agents and plant protection to deliver a solution for every turf manager’s need.

Around the world, turf managers put their trust in Everris’ advanced technology to deliver high-quality nutrition for optimum health, performance, endurance and appearance. Dynamic products such as slow and controlled release fertilisers put the turf manager in total control. This allows for efficient and precise delivery of nutrients, specifically designed for your turf. We also manufacture and supply economical shortterm release fertilisers in mini prill sizes for quick response when needed. Everris is committed to maintaining balance and respect with the natural environment it is inspired by. team. This year Equipment Solutions will display some new innovative products that have not yet been exposed to the Australian Turf Management industry. So drop by Stand 80 and discuss your equipment requirements with Stan Wells, Mike Pauna, Dean Scullion and Jordan Tishler.

Evergreen Turf Stand 54 An Australian owned business, now in its 32nd year, Evergreen Turf has grown into one of Australia’s leading turf and horticultural entities.

Evergreen Turf provide products and services to golf courses, sporting clubs, schools, builders, sports stadiums, race courses and turf growers. Evergreen Turf offers consultation, design, construction and maintenance services and turf reinforcing systems for race courses and sportsfields, landscaping services and turf machinery.

Evergreen Turf understand the needs of the turf industry which is why we proudly supply StaLok and Evergreen ‘Matrix’ Instant play turf. Both are turf replacement systems which can be used immediately after installation on any turf surface. Two of our most recent stadium StaLok installations have been the Sydney Cricket Ground after the Major League Baseball and Manuka Oval reconstruction in Canberra.

Evergreen Turf also offers a wide range of services to cater for your needs, including but not limited to the following: lineplanting and sprigging, verti-draining, fertilising, topdressing, oversowing, coring, scarifying, topmaking, instant turf replacement, consultancy, design and construction. For all inquiries, see one of our staff at Stand 54 at the AGCSA Trade Show 2014.

Stand 71 Fernland Agencies is a family owned business which has been servicing the needs of the horticultural industry since 1978. We are a ‘one stop shop’ for all nursery, landscape and turf care requirements. In the last 12 months we have added some excellent new products to our turf care range, including VerdeCal (activated lime and gypsum), OARS (a corrective wetting agent), Essential Plus (a root promoter and soil conditioner), Companion (microbial inoculant), Tru-Prill fertiliser for golf greens and Club Green fertiliser for fairways and sports fields.

Between our two specialist turf consultants, who have many years practical experience in the trade and in sales, we can offer expert advice and supply products for golf courses, sports fields, stadiums and other facilities.

We operate out of a purpose-built warehouse and distribution centre, located adjacent to the Bruce Hwy at Yandina (approx. 1hr north of Brisbane), from where we can efficiently despatch products anywhere in Australia.

Our commitment: friendly and helpful staff who understand the products we sell; a wide range of quality products which give excellent value across a broad range of applications ; and prompt despatch of all orders, with clear communication if there are any hold-ups with any products.

Floratine Products Group Stand 78 Floratine Products Group has been designing and manufacturing high-grade nutrient products for the turf industry for over 22 years. They understand that your professional reputation and livelihood are largely dependent upon the quality of the turfgrass you manage, and with their technically trained and dedicated distribution team, Floratine works with turf managers to develop proactive plans that meet the turf management goals of each particular facility.

Floratine’s product line is divided among four general categories: foliar, soil, biological and additional (specialty) products, such as wetting agents. Our Floratine Foliars allow the turf manager to deliver nutrients quickly and efficiently directly through the leaves, bypassing the root system, making pH, microbes, nutrient tie-ups, temperatures and other factors irrelevant to ensure your turf is receiving nutrients exactly when it needs them most.

Our products are environmentally friendly, do not contain non-beneficial, agricultural or utility-grade nutrients, or synthetic chelates.

To see what’s new in 2014, please drop by May-June 2014

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and have a chat with our experienced sales team. We look forward to seeing you all on the beautiful Gold Coast this coming June.

GEO TYRES ONLINE Stand 51 GEOTyres Online is an Australian-based online tyre distributor specialising in all tyres for golf courses, sports grounds, parks and off-highway industrial and agricultural uses.

GEOTyres Online is a division of Australia’s largest importer of turf, ATV, UTV, industrial and specialty tyres, who have been importing world-leading brands Kenda and Deestone for over 16 years.

The main focus of the business is on supplying quality tyre solutions to the golf course and turf industries in the most convenient and easiest way for customers – a one-stop shop for all turf and golf cart tyres, being just one click away when you need it.

All tyres are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and product liability insurance, backed up with the long-term commercial commitment within Australia. Our online network, with stocking points around Australia ensures fastest delivery times. Stock is available when you need it. Visit www. geotyres.com.au

Golf & Bowling Machinery Stand 95 Golf & Bowling Machinery are the Australian distributors of Scott Bonnar turf equipment, Smooth Range turf equipment and JRM tines and bedknives.

The Scott Bonnar 30” Queen mower, Scott Bonnar scarifier, Smooth Roll for golf clubs and bowls clubs, Smooth Spread and Smooth Cut mower are all products sold Australia wide

by Golf & Bowling Machinery.

Golf & Bowling Machinery stock a huge range of JRM high quality bedknives and tines making the task of maintaining and improving your golf course more efficient. New to this range is the Super-thin cut bedknife designed to cut as low as 0.50” for courses looking to go low for those special events.

Golf, bowling and sporting clubs can also benefit from our range of pre-owned equipment. From ‘as traded’ to ‘fully reconditioned’, we work with clubs to come up with the best product to suit their needs.

Our hire equipment is also available to provide clubs with a flexible and economical option for renovation equipment. With five technicians employed across two branches, we support our products with specialised service and repairs. Golf & Bowling Machinery – sales, service and hire; servicing the turf industry since 1982.

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30TH AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE MAJOR SPONSOR

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GOLD SPONSOR

Jacobsen, A Textron Company Stand 58 Jacobsen® is committed to providing highquality turf equipment to customers around the world. We produce walking greens, riding greens and fairway mowers, as well as utility vehicles, sprayers and aerators. We engineer our products to meet the needs of today’s turfgrass professionals by asking for and listening to their feedback throughout the product lifecycle. You will find Jacobsen equipment at the finest golf courses and sports facilities world-wide.

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Jacobsen is a Textron company. We market and sell Jacobsen products through an extensive global distribution network and

Graden Industries Stand 40 Graden Industries has been around a long time – since 1986 in fact. We are known for our high quality, ‘Australian’ designed and manufactured range of turf equipment, known worldwide for their effectiveness and troublefree service life.

Specialising in verticutters for greens and fairway application, Graden now has responded to the many requests for machines to pick up the bigger volume of material these verticutters generate. Graden is launching the first of a new range of clean-up units – the Groundhog See video footage of the new Groundhog in action, collecting cores and verticutting material, removing it and dumping into a trailer – a one man clean-up machine.

The Swing-Wing tractor mounted fairway unit can be viewed, specifically designed for undulating fairways and effectively address the entire surface with its floating wings. The Contour Sand Injector will have its seeder attachment, allowing a fourth process to be incorporated in the one pass – aeration, de-thatching, sand injecting and over-seeding.

This has been very successful in the UK. Graden’s smallest verticutter – the Airrow – will also be on the stand. Obvious applications for this unit are tight tee box areas, lawn areas with obstacles and domestic applications.

Globe Growing Solutions Stand 4 Globe is a long-term supporter of the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association and

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our sister company Ransomes Jacobsen, in the UK. Our skilled teams are trained to provide quality service and support for every machine we sell. We even have our own training facility – Jacobsen University – which provides service training for customers and dealers.

We take great pride in our business and are pleased to be the only turf equipment manufacturer to have achieved ISO 14001 Certification for environmental management.

We know that the environment is the cornerstone of our business and yours, so we do everything we can to protect it in our facilities and in the field.

has been a major participant in the trade exhibition for many years. It is a great opportunity for Globe Growing Solutions to introduce new products and services to the Australian professional turf market. Equally it is important for Globe Growing Solutions staff to spend time with their clients, both at a business and social level.

This year, Globe Growing Solutions will have our key golf client managers from each state at the AGCSA event to be amongst the clientele at conference week. The Globe Growing Solutions team is looking forward to discussing some of our new technologies and products that have become industry trialled and trusted.

Make sure you drop past the Globe Growing Solutions trade stand to see what new and exciting products and promotions we are offering. We wish all delegates an enjoyable and worthwhile time at the 2014 AGCSA Conference on the Gold Coast.

HG Sports Turf Stand 55 HG Sports Turf is a global leader in the design and construction of premium quality natural, synthetic and hybrid turf sports fields. HG Sports Turf markets and installs proprietary products throughout Australasia (including Xtragrass and Desso Grassmaster), ensuring it is at the forefront of worldwide research, development and innovation through its many partnerships with respected international companies.

Many high profile events including the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games (Olympic Stadium),

the 2003 and 2011 Rugby World Cups, the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games (MCG) and the 2006 Doha Asian Games (Qatar) have been played on HG Sports Turf.

Over the last decade, the company has built or rebuilt many sports stadium fields in Australia and New Zealand with one of its proprietary products, Eclipse Stabilized Turf including AMI Stadium, ANZ Stadium, Canberra Stadium, Eden Park, Etihad Stadium, Gabba, MCG, NIB Stadium, and Waikato Stadium. www. hgsportsturf.com.au. Please come and visit us at Stand 55.

Horticultural Training P/L Stand 84 Horticultural Training Pty Ltd is a Registered Training Organisation and has been offering specialist horticulture and conservation and land management training since their establishment in 1991.

They offer nationally accredited competency based training from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma level in a range of horticultural subjects including turf, parks and gardens, arboriculture, landscaping, nursery and conservation and land management.

All training is delivered onsite by knowledgeable, qualified trainers and tailored to the enterprise and learners requirements.

This is backed up by comprehensive learning resources compiled over many years. Learning material has been written

by Horticultural Training specifically for the horticultural industry. This ensures their ability to deliver superior work based training.

Training can be arranged for new and existing employees. Additional services offered include agricultural chemical and distribution control licensing, AusChem training, chainsaw training, irrigation training, skills audits, competency assessments and recognition of prior learning. Horticultural Training Pty Ltd is an accredited training provider with funding may be available to assist with your training requirements.

Hunter Industries Stand 42 Hunter Industries is a global manufacturer of products for the irrigation, landscape lighting and custom moulding sectors. Founded in 1981, the family-owned company offers over 1000 products including a complete spectrum of water-efficient solutions for golf course irrigation systems.

Our Central Control System can be used in retrofit, upgrade and new construction situations. Paired with Hunter’s Total Top Serviceable Rotors, this package offers

complete control of your course. To learn more about Hunter’s line of golf irrigation products, visit hunterindustries.com/golf.

Hybrid Ag Stand 77 Hybrid Ag was established in Melbourne in 2002 with the sole focus of supplying the agricultural market with high quality, prescription-blended soil and plant nutrient solutions. At that time a market was emerging that was demanding higher quality and higher profitability at lower prices. The only way for the grower to survive was to raise the yields! Through careful analysis of the soil and plants and applying the relevant nutrients in a buffered and balanced manner, the results required began to speak for themselves.

As demand for our services grew, a decision was made to move to Wangaratta. Our new manufacturing plant has been meticulously set up to produce the highest quality product on time, every time. Hybrid Ag has complete control over the entire supply chain, from raw materials through manufacturing, bottling and supply and delivery, making our operations smooth and streamlined.

Today, through recognition that there was a significant need within the market, Hybrid Ag has moved into turf nutrient supply. After working with three major players in the turf market for the last three years, to achieve maximum R&D, we are ready to help the industry move forward into a new and exciting era of turf fertilisation.

Hydro Technics Irrigation Stand 47 Visit Hydro Technics Irrigation to see the latest technology for actuating sprinklers wirelessly – the ‘G Wave’ Control System. Capable of

30TH AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE MAJOR SPONSOR

AGCSA

SILVER SPONSOR

John deere Golf Stand 70 John Deere has been involved with grounds maintenance since 1837 stemming from a simple blacksmith shop in Illinois, USA. Today the company has grown by listening to customers and meeting expectations for a wide range of products and environmentally friendly technology such as hybrid mowers resulting in reduced noise levels and fuel consumption whilst still providing leading performance and longevity.

Customers who are using John Deere machines around the world today to maintain golf courses and sporting venues

adaption to any controller which puts out a 24v signal and sprinklers that can use a DC latching coil via the use of the patented ground wave system designed and developed in Australia. This new ground wave technology represents the future of irrigation.

Whether installing a new system or retrofitting an old one, wiring between satellite and sprinkler is now redundant. Simply install the new sprinkler with receiver, load the unique ID number into the transmitter using the user friendly software package and you are operational. The elimination of field wiring within the system will reduce maintenance costs to almost nothing as well as limiting damage caused by lightning to satellites as there are no wires connected. Visit Hydro Technics Irrigation on Stand 47 for a working display.

Independent Turf Services Stand 56 Independent Turf Services (ITS) was started in August 2007, with one main objective – to service the commercial turf industry with a range of quality products, unique renovation practices, soil testing and sportsfield construction services. The company manufactures, imports and distributes turf seed, specialist fertilisers, chemicals, analytical services, general irrigation equipment and golf course accessories. ITS also lead the turf industry in warm-season grass conversions and specialised renovation equipment.

The key to our success has been our commitment to practical research and development programmes. Most recently ITS, in conjunction with the Australian soil research company Injekta, has brought soil structural stability soil testing to the turf market for to exceptional high standards are supported by a factory-trained dealer network that is second to none. This network can provide service, including parts solutions with minimal downtime should the need arise.

When partnered with the flexibility of being able to offer finance options through John Deere Finance, the company’s own finance division, it’s no wonder that John Deere is proud to have been entrusted with the grounds maintenance of top golf courses and sporting arenas throughout the world.

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the first time. Injekta’s soil structural stability assessment comprehensively analyses the stability of soil structure through the assessment of a range of factors including the Cation Ratio of Soil Stability (CROSS), Zeta potential measurement as well as soluble and exchangeable cation analysis, in addition to the traditional basic suite of soil measurements.

The S3A diagnosis positions ITS to interpret the performance of a soil and develop immediate and effective management plans to improve soil function, whether improving soil porosity and drainage, addressing soil and plant nutrient deficiencies or overcoming pathogens in the soil.

Kustom Bind Stand 52 Kustom Bind is a permeable, polymer-treated gravel layer, used for the lining of bunkers, separating the bunker base from the bunker sand. The process involves binding specified aggregates together, which produces a superior drainage blanket for water to escape the bunker sand, enabling it to move laterally toward the drainage pipes.

Kustom Bind prevents sand slumping, erosion and contamination, drastically reducing the costs associated with bunker maintenance as well as being extremely durable, long-lasting and environmentally friendly. Kustom Bind is also resistant yet flexible and will not crack, break down or disintegrate like other liners on the market.

Kustom Bind’s polymer formula will not be affected by weather-caused soil expansion or contraction – it moves with the soil, rather than resisting it.

Furthermore, Kustom Bind is the most effective Australian made bunker liner that seals off the bunker sub grade eliminating contamination of the sand and drainage systems. We know of no other system that protects the integrity of your drainage the way Kustom Bind does. Fully functional, fast drainage means the sand dries quicker and the course is back in play faster after it rains.

Lawn Solutions Australia Stand 97 Lawn Solutions Australia – your national accredited turf supply group. Lawn Solutions Australia is a hand-picked group of Australia’s best and most experienced turf producers who have come together to make it easier to specify and purchase turf across the country.

Our growers are the names behind Sir Walter soft leaf buffalo – Australia’s favourite lawn – so you can have the confidence of the 52

same standard of quality and performance to our new range of turf brands. When you deal with a Lawn Solutions Australia, you can be confident you are accessing consistently branded varieties that will suit your needs and local growing environment.

Lawn Solutions Australia has exclusive arrangements with the world’s leading turf breeders and research facilities, including Texas A&M University and the University of Georgia in the US. We are committed to investigating and commercialising new breeds and varieties – but only if they bring something new to the table. Our strategy is to introduce new varieties only if they have clear and distinguishable environmental advantages over existing varieties in the marketplace.

You can find out more, including the location of your nearest Lawn Solutions Australia grower by visiting www. lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au or calling 1300 883 711.

Living Turf Stand 81 Living Turf will showcase Australia’s first smart phone app with ‘disease alerts’ from My-Results. My-Results’ proprietary algorithms draw on local weather information and historic data to provide early warning on disease breakouts and weed emergence. This allows you to treat less, more accurately and for greater effect. The mobile app format allows all your staff access, no matter where they are, 24/7.

Additionally, Living Turf sales professionals will be on the stand to profile Australia’s largest range of technology specific fertilisers, including exclusive brands you can’t get anywhere else such as SoluCal, Lebanon, Nutrite and Matchplay, an Australian owned and made range developed in conjunction with Living Turf that has been proven across some of Australia’s most iconic stadiums and golf courses.

Living Turf is proud of the fact that our field team individually all have a minimum of 15 years’ experience in Australian turf, making us the largest Australian owned distributor of turf products in this market today. Having tertiary trained agronomists and trade qualified sales professionals on staff, it is our focus to seek to understand first that lets us provide smarter results for clients. While you are visiting Living Turf, ask about the ‘Green and Gold Challenge’.

Maredo BV Stand 44 Maredo is a Dutch company that develops innovative heads like coring, seeding and

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sweeping for triplex greens mowers. Now is the time to use your triplex greens mower for more than just mowing!!

Maxwell & Kemp Stand 20 At M&K we have been servicing the golf and sports turf industry with supply of chemical, fertiliser, wetters, seed, hardware and professional testing services since 1984. We have seen a lot of change in this time and it is great to see how professional the industry is today. Sales staff at M&K are all former superintendents, which holds them in a great position when dealing with our clients, in that they have a firsthand understanding of the client’s issues, needs and requirements.

We are proud to distribute for a wide range of respected manufacturers and offer a range of niche products in conjunction with the mainstream ranges. We are an independent, family owned and proud Australian Company and we hope you come and pay us a visit at Stand 20 at the Australian Turfgrass Conference.

McMahons Stand 90 Whether it is a single tee construction or the development of a 27-hole golf course, McMahons are specialists in the field having provided services to the industry throughout Australia for in excess of 20 years. Remodelling and renovation works are undertaken using our specialist equipment operated by our team of experienced operators.

There is a growing trend within the golfing community to restore greens to their original design. Golf greens throughout their life will undergo minor repair or modification works in addition to regular maintenance regimes.

The result being many greens slowly deviate from their original design and slowly, albeit unnoticeably, change.

As many courses are looking to return to their heritage design they are enlisting technology to achieve exactly this. Our ability to scale with flexibility to adapt to any size project, benefits clubs in drawing on our extensive experience and resources to satisfy project requirements, affordably.

Mentay Stand 88 Selecting the right cricket pitch roller is important. Some prefer water-ballasted rollers while others choose a ride on roller with a concrete-filled rear barrel. The Gabba in Brisbane has been using a Mentay 2000 for years. The Allan Border Fields have one as well. We have developed a new roller, the

Mentay 1200 Custom, ride-on cricket pitch roller which is wider and those that use it love it. Scotch College in Melbourne saw it at a trade show and asked us to deliver it to them at the end of the show.

The Mentay 2000 ride on cricket pitch roller with a petrol motor has a tare weight of 860kg. Water ballasted the roller weighs 1660kg. The Mentay 2000 wicket roller has a total weight of 2200kg with a water filled barrel at the front and a concrete filled rear barrel.

Nuturf Australia Stand 91 Nuturf, a division of Amgrow P/L, is a leading distributor of products and agronomic services specialising in the turf and amenity horticulture industry in Australia. Our national network of qualified sales specialists offers advice and solutions in plant nutrition, plant protection, seed, surfactants and colourants.

PGG Wrightson Turf Stand 27 AGCSA PGG Wrightson Turf is a leader in the research and development of innovative seed products for the Australasian turf market. From our world class research and development site at Kimihia Research Centre based in Christchurch, New Zealand, we utilise the latest technology advances to thoroughly evaluate products before bringing them to the market.

PGG Wrightson Turf specifically selects and breeds turfgrasses for Australasia’s unique temperate environment. The process of plant breeding involves correctly selecting plants, both locally sourced and from international germplasm, that are genetically crossed, and backcrossed, and then further selected for the characteristics that are sought after for the desired environment. From there, the suitable plants are rigorously tested in multiple turf trials spread throughout Australasia, where only the elite cultivars are finally selected for commercial production.

PGG Wrightson Turf has partnerships with AgResearch, STRI (UK), NTEP (USA), ANTEP (Australia), NZSTI (NZ) and PLANTwise (Lincoln University, New Zealand) and work with these organisations to produce new cultivars and technology. PGG Wrightson Turf has qualified representatives on hand to ensure the correct seed selection is made.

With representatives and facilities covering Australia, we are well placed to cater for customer’s needs, always delivering in a timely fashion.

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The core segments of the business which our sales specialists focus on are golf courses, sportsfields and amenity turf, spray contractors and facility management, racetracks, schools, turf farms, bowling greens, landscape, industrial vegetation management In addition to servicing the Australian market, Nuturf also operates in New Zealand, Fiji, China and Singapore. Nuturf continues to look for new opportunities in overseas markets to expand its international activities. Nuturf’s mission is to deliver to the Australian turf and amenity horticulture industry products, service and agronomic solutions above and beyond the expectations of our valued clients. Our commitment is to our customers, our staff, the environment and the community. The reputation and performance of our products and service is critical in achieving growth and business success, providing a great place to work, and the delivery of our mission.

Website: www.nuturf.com.au. Organisation street address: Unit B2a, 3-29 Birnie Avenue Lidcombe NSW 2141. Call 1800 631 008 or email sales@nuturf.com.au

On-Pin Stand 19 On-Pin is now launching LinksMap, a webbased course management system with an interactive aerial map of the golf course which in conjunction with online reports is used to manage a course’s logistical requirements and succession planning. For the golf club it will provide a live, constantly evolving, permanent online library of course knowledge.

Founded in 1998 On-Pin has grown from its Australian roots into a global operation with offices now in Australia, Europe and Asia.

On-Pin is as passionate about enhancing the golfer’s playing experience as it is about providing the golf club with a management solution that can have a significant impact on the productivity and efficiency of the golf operation.

Along with our international development partners, On-Pin’s commitment to continual improvement in technology, product functionality and affordability has resulted in a state-of-the-art range of GPS products to suit the golf course management, superintendent, individual golfer and fleet markets. This commitment to excellence is built around industry feedback over the past 14 years from both golfers and club managers alike.

QTurf Machinery Stand 38 QTurf Machinery is a Brisbane based company specialising in the supply, installation and support of aeration, topdressing and mowing

equipment used in the renovation and maintenance of turfgrass on golf courses, sportsfields and in parks and gardens applications.

QTurf is the Australian and New Zealand importer and distributor of the Wiedenmann product range. Wiedenmann is one of the leading manufacturers of high-class machines for turf maintenance, dirt removal and winter service. The comprehensive range of implements for compact tractors and light-duty utility vehicles is targeted towards commercial and municipal customers. The main focus are machines for turf regeneration, collection and removal of grass and leaves, mower decks, turf sweepers and sand spreaders as well as sweepers for snow and dirt, snow blades and salt spreaders. Wiedenmann make products that are suited to every situation, such as artificial turf maintenance, turf maintenance and dirt removal.

QTurf Machinery is also the importer and distributor of the Fieldmaster range of high quality, high productivity grass maintenance equipment used extensively in the commercial and municipal market as well as in the agricultural industry. The range includes machines for basic grass slashing and pasture topping to dedicated heavy duty roadside mower/slashers and fine park mowers.

PLP Golf and Turf AGCSA Stand 79 PLP Golf and Turf is a division of Powerup Lawncare Products which operates under the banner of family owned company, Roy Gripske & Sons Pty. Ltd., a 100 per cent Australian owned and operated company.

We are Australian distributors for Hustler Golf, Ryan Turf renovation products, Eastman Hover Mower, R&R products, Bayco golf accessories, Golfco rollers, Mean Green II lapping paste and Accuproducts.

Our philosophy is to provide the golf and turf industry with quality, affordable products backed up by our customer service team that is second to none. We have an extensive sales team on the road – servicing every state of Australia – ready to answer any of your questions concerning our products.

This year at the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition you will be able to view all of our new products on Stand 79 from R&R, Bayco, Golfco and Accu-products . We look forward to answering any of your questions concerning our products or about us and our vision.

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30TH AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE MAJOR SPONSOR

AGCSA

SILVER SPONSOR

Rain Bird Australia Stand 99 A privately held company founded in 1933, Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings, Rain Bird has offered the industry’s broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world.

Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the original horizontal action impact drive sprinkler (U.S. patent #1997901), which revolutionised the food production industry and ushered in a new era in irrigation worldwide. The original impact sprinkler was designated a historic landmark in 1990 by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Today, Rain Bird offers over

Redexim Stand 100 Redexim continues to address the global demand for more efficient turf renovation and cleaning equipment for both natural and synthetic turf. Understanding these needs and working closely with clients across all facets of turf maintenance has led Redexim to developing and now offering over 120 specialised machines to meet these demands.

This comprehensive range include pedestrian, self-propelled and tractormounted machines to carry out these maintenance practices including deep tine aeration, slitting with ability for sand inlaying, coring, scarification, raking, sweeping, seeding, topdressing, stone buriers and the comprehensive range of synthetic turf maintenance products.

Redexim’s reputation for quality, reliability, multifunctional applications, ease of use and high safety standards continues and remains paramount in the quest to continue serving the respective sectors of the turf industry. For more information visit Stand 100 and chat with our representatives. www.redexim.com or call 0419 310 546.

Signature Control Systems Stand 41 Signature can trace its roots in the irrigation industry to over 100 years ago. Since then, Signature Control Systems has been dedicated to providing the highest-quality products and 54

4000 irrigation products and services.

Rain Bird is committed to The Intelligent Use of Water™. It is our legacy to design and manufacture only those products of the highest value and quality. We work for long-term, responsible partnerships with our customers and our vendors. This is who we are, and this is how we wish to be perceived in the irrigation industry and our communities.

Come and talk to us about Supa-Trac and I-Trac, find out how they have been used at stadiums and golf courses throughout Australia and how they can help you!

Supa-Trac will provide superior turf protection over any other product available worldwide. Supa-Trac can be laid down for longer periods than any comparable product, without leaving bearing marks or feet circles.

This unique product is trafficable and at the same time allows the turf to breath and enhances growth. I-Trac is an extremely heavy duty roadway that will not damage the profile or kill the grass. I-Trac has been embraced by stadia and major events as an answer to shortterm temporary access of heavy vehicles. With turf replacement at $100m2, I-Trac can save you many thousands of dollars.

Even if you don’t have an immediate need, it will come up one day, so come and see us.

We will be happy to provide all the information you may ever need, so when the unforseen happens you won’t be left with the damage.

Southern Pacific Sands services in the golf, landscape and irrigation industry. Signature Control Systems is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of intelligent golf, residential and commercial irrigation equipment for golf courses, turfgrass sites and landscape management. We will be exhibiting sprinklers, intelligent irrigation controllers, intelligent field satellites, valves, sensors and accessories, electronic control equipment, central control systems and site management software.

We provide superintendents, landscape managers and property managers direct control of their irrigation system, water and energy resources. With our global strategic partners, we have more than 600 golf courses installed with Signature irrigation systems worldwide. Many are in the Top 100 golf courses in the world. With our intelligent control systems, golf course superintendents have reduced their water usage between 20-30 per cent, thus supporting our environmental awareness campaign and contributing to their operational efficiency.

Signature Control Systems is now a full line manufacturer and supplier to the irrigation industry with products that cover any installation requirement. Check out the Signature Share web-based ET Controllers.

Smart Track Australia Stand 21 Smart Track Australia is proud to be exhibiting its extensive range of turf protection products.

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Stand 96 Located at Ningi, approximately 40km north of Brisbane, Southern Pacific Sands is the premier supplier of quality washed silica sands, bio-retention filtration medium and AS4419

Simplot Partners Stand 76 AGCSA Simplot Partners is amongst the largest suppliers of professional turf products in the world, with facilities throughout the western USA, Asia and Australia. Simplot welcomes the opportunity to be involved in the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference on the Gold Coast.

This year we will be introducing an exclusive range of new specialty products including one of the most advanced surfactants direct from the USA. We will also have on display our exclusive Spectrum Technologies tools including the popular TDR 300 plus a number of new released products. We will also have on our stand Tony Braga from AAC to discuss the Simplot liquids which are considered the most advanced turf liquid range on the market including such names as LiquiMaxx GreenMaxx, Ferro-cious and Drop Zone etc…

As per previous years we will be running some promotions on the stand including fantastic industry related prizes. Please come and see us on the Simplot Partners stand – No. 76.

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soil products servicing Brisbane, South East Queensland and beyond. Established in 1993 Southern Pacific Sands has built a reputation of providing high quality silica sand, soil products and timely service, providing a truly independent supply source of washed and classified sands, As a certified ISO9001 quality organisation, we are proud of our ability to provide a range of products meeting specific industry standards such as FAWB, AS4419, AS4422 and DTMR (Dept of Transport & Main Roads). From major projects or developments requiring bulk supply, through to smaller single load deliveries, Southern Pacific Sands prides itself on the proven track record of providing quality products, excellent service and delivery.

Southern Pacific Sands has a diverse customer base from metal casting foundries, concrete and asphalt batching plants, civil construction industry, local and international supply of golf course construction and maintenance material through to locomotive grit for Queensland Railways.

With significant proven reserves, Southern Pacific Sands has the ability to provide customers with the security of accessing a long term supply of quality products.

SST Australia Stand 7 SST Australia is a significant manufacturer and supplier of soil moisture maintenance aids and spray additives for the turf industry in Australia and New Zealand. The principle products supplied by SST include Aquaforce (a premium highly penetrating soil wetting agent), Broadwet (an irrigation applied soil wetting agent), Restore (an economical general purpose soil wetting agent), Breakthru Gold (a highly effective corrective wetting agent for severely water repellent areas) and Envirodye (an environmentally compatible marker dyes for turf sprays).

SST Australia has recently introduced to the market a new product known as Bi-Agra.

Bi-Agra is a highly effective moisture retention aid which is easily applied to turfgrass and sports areas that suffer from poor moisture retention and consequent poor turf health and vigour. Independent trials have shown that application of Bi-Agra can retain up to five times the normal amount of moisture held in the rootzone at field capacity. Improved appearance and vigour can be obtained with half the amount of applied water to the turf, enabling reduced irrigation requirements.

SST’s products are exclusively available from Globe Australia and in New Zealand from PPG Wrightson Turf.

StrathAyr Turf Systems Stand 86 StrathAyr is a turf producer, a developer of natural turf technology and a world-leader in sportsfield and racetrack construction techniques. StrathAyr has turf farms in Victoria and Tasmania and grow a full range of turf varieties for supply to major sport and racing facilities and the domestic market. Turf varieties include: Legend couchgrass, Village Green kikuyu, Sir Walter Buffalo Lawn Turf, RTF tall fescue, Santa ana couch, Penn G2 bentgrass and Penn A1/A4 bentgrass StrathAyr Turf Systems is based at our Victorian farm. We specialise in the ReFlex reinforced StrathAyr System for sportsfields and racetracks and also construct high quality unreinforced sand profile sportsfields. We also produce MegAyr Turf – instant use, 50mm thick turf reinforced with ReFlex mesh elements. This product is ideal for use on both sportsfields and racetracks.

Other StrathAyr products include: removable natural turf systems for stadia, tennis and racecourses; permanent natural turf system for stadia and racecourses; ‘drop-in’ portable cricket wickets; and natural instant turf teplacement products. We have recently completed the construction of a sand profile field for the Richmond Football Club at Punt Road with other projects including Moe Racetrack, Kensington Track at Royal Randwick and Adelaide Oval.

Supaturf Stand 16 An Australian company established in 1992 with experience spanning nearly 20 years,

30TH AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE Major Sponsor

AGCSA

GOLD SPONSOR

Syngenta Australia Stand 39 Syngenta has an ongoing commitment toward creating specialist turf management solutions and services for the golf industry, combining innovative, commercially viable and environmentally responsible ways for superintendents and turf managers to achieve consistently high levels of playing surface quality. As the game of golf evolves to embrace new markets, we are gaining an even greater understanding of the challenges that superintendents face in terms of maintaining and developing the courses of tomorrow.

Our products and services have been developed through significant investment in research and development, harnessing the

Supaturf provides a complete line marking system for professional use on grass sports surfaces – everything you need available from one single supplier who specialises only in this area with all products made in Australia. While providing consistent and quality service, Supaturf accurately defines and meets specific line marking and logo requirements. Because of this experience we have developed a strong and loyal customer base from local football clubs through to professional stadia.

Internationally recognised in the design and manufacture of line marking systems, Supaturf has introduced a new and improved formulation. Our new superior, environmental line marking liquids and sophisticated production methods now create a brighter, whiter and longer lasting product.

Supaturf has representatives in ACT, Victoria and NSW and distributors in WA, SA, Tasmania, Queensland, NT, Central Coast NSW, South Coast NSW, NZ and New Caledonia. Visit www.supaturf.com.au or call (02) 6040 4808 to find out how Supaturf can streamline your line marking requirements.

The Groundsman Stand 64 The Groundsman is your premier resource for buying and selling new and used turf and landscaping equipment. Why? Because The Groundsman is the first place turf care professionals turn to when looking to buy the right equipment for the right price.

Visit Stand 64 for FREE copies of the special Turfgrass Trade Exhibition Edition of The Groundsman and get the info you latest discoveries in science and technology to provide new ways to enhance courses worldwide. Alongside our product range, we share our insight and expertise through education, support and advice – helping our customers to get the most from their time and resources by promoting best practice usage.

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading companies, with over 27,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to bringing plant potential to life.

May-June 2014

55

gold coast 2014 gold coast 2014

30TH AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE MAJOR SPONSOR

AGCSA

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Toro Australia Stand 102 Toro Australia was founded over 40 years ago and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Toro Company. Toro Australia today is a leading nationwide supplier of mowers, turf care and construction equipment that caters for golf, turf, sports fields and grounds, professional landscape contractor, residential and hire and rental markets. Toro Australia has also expanded to become the largest single supplier of irrigation products to landscape, agricultural, turf care and domestic garden markets.

Toro Australia continues to provide unparalleled service and new technical advances across all of its ever-expanding fleet and irrigation products. Each piece of equipment is designed to make the job

need for your next purchase. Have it on hand for reference when making enquiries with advertisers that are also attending and exhibiting at the Trade Exhibition. Ask about the benefits of becoming a member of The Groundsman and how the latest technology is being embraced to make it easier to source and sell your machinery and equipment.

Looking to market your business or product? Discuss how The Groundsman can offer marketing strategies using printed products, the internet and social media to get you and your products noticed by your target market. Got something to sell? Visit Stand 64 to receive special offers and discounts only available to Turfgrass attendees! We look forward to meeting you!

Triangle Waterquip safer, easier, more economical and kinder to the environment. Toro Australia’s highly efficient golf sprinklers and controllers can help you save time, money and water and ultimately deliver improved playing conditions.

Built on a legacy of excellence and innovation, Toro Australia offers a range of commercial turf management equipment, irrigation products, quality used machinery, spare parts and a reputation for service and support like no other.

including pumps (pressure, stormwater and sewage), a range of irrigation sprinklers, complete filtrations systems, controller and solenoid valve systems for irrigation applications, PVC and poly pressure pipes, valves and fittings.

By dealing with one supplier for your water, fluid and environmental management projects, you can improve your bottom line through increasing your logistical and operational efficiencies. Our experience in delivering successful turn-key water management systems for both small and large projects makes us a market leader in the industry. Come and see us at Stand 25 to discuss the solutions we can offer you.

Total Eden

Turf Drain Australia

Stand 26 Total Eden has been a supplier to the irrigation, turf, water treatment and agricultural market for the last 50 years. We pride ourselves on providing complete and sustainable solutions involving quality products, expertise and service.

Putting customers first is fundamental to the way we do business and it is this ethos that has helped make us one of Australia’s premier suppliers of quality water management products and services.

Our nationwide service network and personnel, who understand the specific needs of the market, make Total Eden your smart choice supplier. Total Eden offer products and services across a range of applications

Stand 17 Turf Drain Australia specialises in sports field slit drainage and sports field construction projects, including the design and construction of turf bowling greens and turf cricket wickets. We have been successfully installing these types of projects across Australia for over 30 years and have developed an industry-proven reputation for our quality, service and experience. All projects we complete are either the drainage or construction of sports field surfaces.

Turf Drain Australia offers the following services; sports field slit drainage – design and construction; sports field – design and construction; laser controlled

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Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

AGCSA

BRONZE SPONSOR

Stand 93 Triangle Waterquip is an Australian owned company that has been established for 30 years as a manufacturer, distributor of irrigation equipment to the golf course, turf and agricultural irrigation markets. Our head office is located in Melbourne with branch offices in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane. Key contacts are managing director Wally Menke and national marketing manager Gary Horton.

A range of the Filtaworx stainless steel Australian made, fully automatic self-cleaning screen filters, that have developed a strong reputation for reliability and dependability even in the most difficult of water conditions, will be on display. Additionally we will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of electric fertigation injection pumps which can be installed to operate fully automatic with a controller and sensors or as a manually controlled system.

Should your requirements be as simple as applying wetting agent on an irregular basis or injecting acid for pH correction, we will have equipment on display to suit your needs. Other products on display will include water meters, hydraulic control valves, impact sprinklers and manual filtration equipment.

Tru-Turf Stand 89 Tru-Turf – the original turf rolling company that brought you such things as the patented tri-roller smoothing heads. Tru-Turf greens rollers are renowned for their ability to follow the most contoured of greens with even ground pressure, utilising design, not weight, to produce a Tru-Turf surface.

Our latest stealthy R52-ELTac machine will be making its first appearance at the show with its AC electric motor and belt drive trenching, GPS guided and two-way laser controlled grading, turf wicket construction to international standard; bowling green construction; and sanding and grooving Turf Drain Australia brings our vast experience, the right equipment and a proven track record to every project.

Plus we own and operate all of our highly specialised and purpose built equipment.

This means that we can ensure that we achieve a successful outcome for our clients on any project that we undertake.

Turf Drain Australia is proud of our reputation and we are continually ongoing in our efforts to develop innovative machinery, processes and methodologies that will continue to improve sports field slit drainage and construction projects.

making it even quieter. This new model will roll in excess of 25 greens on a single charge, while effortlessly maintaining its rolling speed up or down hills. The unique and easily operated, built in trailer includes built in axles and trailer arms. When combined with the rugged lightweight features of Tru-Turf greens rollers, they’re ready to take on the world’s most demanding golf courses. Tru-Turf greens rollers are used extensively on the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and the Web.Com Tour.

We will also be releasing the new FRH108 fairway rolling heads. They’re five heads that attach in the place of the cutting heads to a fairway mower, so as to allow the fairways to be rolled for a fraction of the cost of the current dedicated machine on the market.

TurfCraft International Stand 24 This year’s Australian Turfgrass Conference will continue the long association between TurfCraft International and the event. TurfCraft

editor Alastair Dowie was invited to be on the organising committee of the Millennium conference and TurfCraft has been an exhibitor and supporter for many years.

Once again the stand will be manned

by Alastair and TurfCraft sales manager Ed Kryskow. The pair invites all current and past subscribers to the magazine to come and have a chat and pass on any feedback regarding the magazine and how it can meet the needs of the readers and its valuable advertisers. TurfCraft also welcomes new subscriber inquiries and has a range of features that are relevant for turf managers and staff from all sectors of the industry.

This year the stand will also feature demonstrations and information on the recently upgraded TurfCraft International website. Alastair and Ed will be available throughout the trade show to discuss the website and how readers and advertisers can take advantage of the site. TurfCraft is on Stand 24 so drop in for a visit.

Ventrac Stands 3&5 Take the risk out of the operation. Ventrac will provide you a level of stability and comfort that is unmatched while operating on severe inclines. See the simplicity and versatility that Ventrac has to offer with its 30 plus attachments and the ease of changing from one to the other.

If it’s slopes, undulations, leaves, trenching, grinding down those unwanted stumps, then Ventrac can offer a solution. Get more bang for your buck with a product that lets you do more than just mow.

Also Exhibiting…

River Sands (85).

Disclaimer: The exhibitor listings and stand numbers above were correct at the time of this edition of ATM going to print. Any changes will be announced during the conference sessions or notified through the official conference app.

the agcsa wishes to thank Principal conference Sponsors

May-June 2014

57

facilities facilities

Historically, courses have been slow to invest in maintenance facilities, despite their enormous impact on nearly all golf course maintenance activities

Time to

upgrade?

Is your maintenance facility a liability? Is it costing the club money? Is it interfering with your course maintenance operations?

David Oatis asks whether your club can afford not to invest in a new or upgraded maintenance facility.

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ever have golf clubs been under more pressure to reduce expenditure than in the current economic climate. Ask many course superintendents around the country and they will impart stories of how their maintenance budgets have been cut back or frozen. Capital investment in course maintenance equipment and replacement of larger, more expensive infrastructure items are often put off or ignored at many facilities, which isn’t surprising because the need to reduce spending is understandable when income is down.

However, few golf facilities compute the cost of not investing in infrastructure items. In some cases, the cost of not investing can be considerable, though it is not immediately obvious and it is difficult to quantify. In short, there are times when it is financially impossible or unwise to invest in infrastructure items, but before deciding to pull the plug on needed improvements, carefully consider the cost of not making them.

You may find it surprising, but there are times when golf facilities simply cannot afford not to invest in infrastructure. Even in the best economic times, it can be challenging to convince golfers to invest in infrastructure that they do not believe will directly benefit them. Irrigation systems, drainage projects, maintenance equipment (especially machinery needed for much-hated cultivation programmes) and maintenance facilities quickly come to mind as examples.

Historically, courses have been very slow to invest in maintenance facilities, despite their enormous impact on nearly all golf course maintenance activities. While plenty of courses have newer or upgraded maintenance facilities, few are top notch. Regrettably, many courses are struggling with substandard facilities. In case you are in denial and think that your facility ‘isn’t that old’, you may be surprised to learn that maintenance facilities that were state-of-the-art 15-20 years ago may now be deficient in certain areas.

Why? Golf course presentation and maintenance practices have changed dramatically in the last 20 years and equipment has become increasingly specialised to cater for this. Equipment inventories have expanded in response to the increase in specialisation and maintenance facilities must adjust to accommodate larger equipment fleets.

Change also may be necessary due to differences in staff levels and make-up, local, state or federal regulations or to account for environmental issues and concerns.

Golf course maintenance equipment is expensive.

Every piece of equipment should be kept in a clean, dry environment and protected from the elements, have its own storage space and be accessible without having to move other equipment 58

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

Here are a few questions to help determine if your golf course maintenance facility is up to date: l Does your maintenance facility provide a safe working environment for your employees? l Does it provide a comfortable, efficient working environment, or is it a hardship and a challenge that must be overcome? l Does it effectively protect your equipment assets? l Does it increase efficiency, or does it drag your maintenance staff down and cost your course money? l Does your maintenance facility help attract and retain quality employees, or is it a deterrent? l Does your maintenance facility protect the environment, or is it a liability?

Reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of your maintenance facility is a very worthwhile exercise. You may find that your maintenance facility is costing you money in ways you never considered, and some fixes may be relatively inexpensive. To get started, let’s first answer a few questions.

Purpose

Appearance

Do not confuse an inadequate facility with one that is sloppy and rundown.

A facility like this will make it hard to attract and retain quality employees

When it comes to maintenance facilities, many clubs take an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach.

Maintenance facilities often are disdainfully referred to as the “shed.” Unfortunately, the name sometimes fits. It is important to recognise that the appearance of the maintenance facility has an impact on the staff. If your maintenance facility is old, dirty, disorganised, worn out, in disrepair or unattractive, the effect it has on staff will not be positive.

The questions to ask include: l

Does the appearance of your facility have a negative impact on staff morale? Clearly, this is difficult to assess, but if the staff don’t take pride in their work it may be because they are influenced by their surroundings.

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The obvious question is, ‘What precisely is the purpose of a golf course maintenance facility?’ A maintenance facility is not just an equipment repair or equipment storage facility, an office or a locker room. It must allow for proper care and organisation of all things related to staff, planning and equipment

necessary to conduct golf course turf management programmes, projects and activities. In the simplest possible terms, it serves as the centre from which all golf course maintenance activities emanate. A weakness that affects operational efficiency can adversely affect nearly all maintenance activities.

Often maintenance facilities began their life as something else. If your maintenance building was originally intended to be something else, chances are good that it is not ideally suited to its current purpose. If it was built in a different era, it may simply be too small. Such deficiencies can often be worked around but they can still impact efficiency.

Optimize water usage for turf with SST Products

Special purpose wetting agents and moisture maintenance aids for optimum turf health

Available from Globe Australia Pty Ltd Ph (02) 8713 5555 SST Australia Pty Ltd Ph (03) 9720 6306

May-june 2014

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facilities

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facilities

How much of your maintenance equipment is kept outside and left fully exposed to, or perhaps only marginally protected from, the elements?

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Does an unkempt appearance foster a lack of care and respect for maintenance equipment and the course? If it appears that you don’t care about the cleanliness and care of the maintenance facility, why should the feelings of your employees be any different toward equipment or the golf course?

Does your maintenance facility have an impact on your ability to attract new employees and retain quality ones? Think about it. If looking for a new job, what sort of operation would you be most attracted to? A clean, neat, professional maintenance facility will be much more inviting to prospective employees than one that is cramped, dilapidated, dirty and disorganised.

If the maintenance facility looks so bad that it adversely affects staff morale or is making it harder to attract and retain quality employees, then it is already costing you money. However, do not confuse a poor maintenance facility with one that is disorganised and run down. Many facilities can be improved with good organisation and regular maintenance. Spring cleaning, reorganisation and some paint could have a very positive effect if the space and building(s) are adequate. l

protection. Equipment is often brought indoors wet from washing after use or from precipitation, so the storage environment should be dry and ventilated to hasten drying.

In order to assess how insufficient your storage situation is, complete the following exercise: l Calculate the new replacement value of every single piece of equipment that is left outside or is only marginally protected. l Be sure to count everything. This includes items big and small, such as backhoes, dump trucks, mower and construction trailers, cultivation equipment, etc. Even an old tractor that is only used a few weeks a year has value, so be sure to account for every piece of equipment, regardless of how old or how seldom it is used.

It is not uncommon for golf facilities to have several hundred thousand dollars’ worth of equipment poorly protected. This results in several obvious costs. The equipment will deteriorate and break down more often. This results in higher repair costs and a shorter lifespan. Also consider the impact untimely breakdowns have on the golf schedule. Breakdown of specialised cultivation equipment stretches out aeration, which is already a disruptive and disliked operation for course superintendents and golfers alike.

Mowers and other equipment lose precision more quickly and this can become noticeable as course conditions eventually decline. Operational efficiency is lost and daily jobs take longer to perform. When daily jobs take longer to perform because of unreliable equipment, other secondary or ‘detail’ jobs may not get done.

Another important question is, ‘How much of the equipment needs to be moved every day?’ In facilities where space is limited, equipment often is packed tightly together in an effort to get as much of it indoors as possible. This creates several significant problems: l

Equipment and storage

Equipment parked too closely together is often subject to damage.

The dreaded hydraulic oil leak may be the result of damage caused by another piece of equipment while moving it in or out of the facility

60

Golf course maintenance equipment is expensive.

Many of the machines used for care and conditioning of the course are complex and have a high degree of sophistication and precision. Thus, every piece of equipment should be kept in a clean, dry environment and protected from the elements. For the sake of organisation, each piece should have its own storage space and most equipment should be accessible without having to move other equipment.

The exceptions would be less frequently used items such as aerators, topdressers, seeders and the like.

Here is the million-dollar question regarding equipment storage: How much of your maintenance equipment is kept outside and left fully exposed to, or perhaps only marginally protected from, the elements? What constitutes ‘marginal’ protection?

Dusty, leaky buildings, lean-tos or equipment stored in trailers or beneath tarps all constitute marginal

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

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Equipment that is parked too closely together is often subject to damage. The dreaded hydraulic oil leak may be the result of a hydraulic hose worn out from normal use, or the hose could have been damaged by another piece of equipment while moving in or out of storage. Do not let it be the latter.

A significant amount of time and labour is wasted when equipment must be moved twice a day regardless of whether it is used. If this sounds familiar, calculate the number of labour hours required to get equipment in and out each day and multiply it by the number of days in a week/month/year. The amount of labour wasted on shuttling equipment in and out of the maintenance facility may be shocking.

Keep in mind the number of cold starts that engines sustain when they have to be moved twice a day or more. Much of engine wear occurs when engines are first started, so more cold starts translates to greater engine wear.

Hand-tool storage Storage of hand tools represents a unique challenge because they need to be accessed quickly and easily. Furthermore, many hand tools are awkward and heavy and they come in myriad shapes and sizes. Improper storage can result in expensive power hand tools (whippersnippers, hedge trimmers etc…) being damaged. Staff also can be injured when improperly stored tools unexpectedly fall down on them.

So, how are your hand tools stored? l Are hand tools neatly organised so that they can be quickly located and accessed easily, or are they a jumbled, disorganised mess? l Is there frequently a line of staff at the start and end of the workday getting hand tools out and putting them away? l Are hand tools organised so that you can quickly assess inventory?

Equipment maintenance and repair

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It is imperative that the repair area be separate from the primary traffic flow pattern. If traffic flows through the repair area, work flow will be disrupted and parts and tools can be lost or misplaced.

Equipment maintenance and repair can be noisy, so the workshop should be located away from areas designated for staff.

Storage of hand tools represents a unique challenge because they need to be accessed quickly and easily, are often awkward and heavy and come in myriad shapes and sizes

Certain maintenance tasks (e.g.: grinding, painting and woodworking) require specialised equipment and/or facilities.

For efficient repair and maintenance of equipment, especially given larger equipment fleets and the complexity of modern equipment,

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Given the huge investment in golf course equipment, careful attention must be paid to its maintenance and repair. An adequately sized, well-organised work area can save time and money. Following are a few points to consider when evaluating your equipment repair area: l Lighting and climate control must be considered with respect to adequacy and energy efficiency.

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Equipment Solutions Pty Ltd. Our name says it all.

AERATION/DECOMPACTION

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We lead the way in the Australian turf industry, with the best and most comprehensive and innovative range of equipment available.

8 Hexham Place, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Phone 02 9827 1310 Fax 02 9756 1513 Email sales@equipmentsolutions.com.au May-june 2014

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facilities facilities

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An adequately sized, well-organised and well-equipped workshop area can save significant time and money l

equipment lifts are now considered a standard feature rather than a luxury. Equipment lifts require high ceilings and plenty of space, which many older facilities do not have.

Having repair parts accessible is critical to keeping the equipment fleet running efficiently.

Thus, it is important to keep parts organised and secure so that inventory can be monitored and parts quickly accessed. This requires adequate space and storage shelving or the like.

Saving old equipment for parts is both good and bad. A field full of old, broken-down and partially disassembled equipment gives a messy, unprofessional image. By the same token, keeping old equipment for parts can save money. A balance must be struck.

Equipment technicians are critically important to a smooth-running golf operation and a substandard maintenance facility may limit the ability to attract qualified personnel.

Staff facilities

Visiting recently constructed maintenance facilities at other courses is very helpful in gauging how deficient your facility may be and for identifying possible solutions

62

Maintenance facilities adequate for 5-8 employees will become overcrowded with 12 staff members and very uncomfortable and inefficient with 15-20.

Overcrowding causes a number of problems: l Storage of personal gear is frequently a problem when space is limited. Maintenance staff members work outside in the elements, so they need a variety of jackets, sweaters, raingear, shoes, boots, etc. l Inevitably, clothing gets wet with perspiration and/ or precipitation. If it is stored without adequate ventilation, odours develop and clothing can be ruined. Without adequate facilities, staff usually resort to spreading wet clothing over equipment

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

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or somewhere else in the facility. This creates an unprofessional and unattractive mess.

Some facilities issue employees uniforms and personal protection equipment. Overcrowding makes it very difficult to keep track of personal items and uniforms.

Undersized lunch rooms may force staff to take breaks outdoors or in equipment storage or repair areas. When kitchen facilities are too small, lunch and break time may cut into work time.

Superintendents are responsible for training staff on a variety of issues, which means meeting facilities are necessary. Usually, the lunch/break room can double as a meeting room, but it must be large enough to do so.

Separate, climate-controlled office and meeting space is necessary for the superintendent, assistant superintendents and equipment technicians.

Safety and environmental issues It goes without saying that proper storage of fuel, pesticides and fertilisers is critically important for practical, legal and environmental reasons. These materials are expensive, so common sense and regulations dictate that they be kept secure.

Accidental spills represent significant concerns.

The long-term effects of equipment washing and pesticide mixing and loading operations also must be considered. Be sure to check local, state and federal ordinances regarding containment and rinsate storage of these materials. Requirements vary throughout Australia, but no golf facility can afford to be deficient when it comes to safety and environmental issues.

Solutions Visiting maintenance facilities at other golf courses is very helpful in gauging how deficient your facility may be and for identifying possible solutions.

Including course committee members, owners, or other decision makers on maintenance facility tours helps to educate and communicate the needs of your facility.

Consulting with architects who specialise in designing golf course maintenance facilities can also be enlightening. Have a conversation with your insurance agent and get input regarding possible safety and liability concerns for your maintenance facility. Developing a master plan for upgrading your facility is an excellent first step.

New construction and total replacement may be the best solution, but when this is not feasible, smaller improvements can help tremendously.

Identify what can be accomplished and develop a manageable implementation plan. Here are a few things that can be done on a budget: l Organise and clean the existing structure. A good spring cleaning and a coat of paint can do wonders.

Clean and upgrade kitchen, bathroom and locker-room facilities. l Assign staff to maintain the facility so it is kept clean, neat and organised. l Evaluate the equipment inventory and determine if the fleet can be trimmed or whether it should be expanded.

Also consider reorganisation options that add space and/or re-purpose existing space. A few examples include: l If storage is an issue, it may be feasible to add a cold-storage facility. This can usually be accomplished with reasonable expense, and it may free up other space and improve operational efficiency significantly. l If the repair area is inadequate, adding space by constructing an additional building or adding to the existing building is worth consideration. l If office space is lacking, consider adding a separate facility for offices. An office portable can provide an economical solution. l If staff facilities are limited, a separate building for all staff activities may be the solution. Be sure to include a mud or drying room. l

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Purchasing extra microwave ovens and/or toaster ovens and larger coffee makers are simple solutions to help staff enjoy their breaks.

Conclusion Your golf course may not currently have the funds

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available to build a new maintenance facility.

However, understanding the deficiencies of your facility and how they impact maintenance activities, budget and care of the course is the first step toward improving the situation.

Maintenance equipment, staff and their activities and programmes represent a huge expense and are vitally important to the success of a golf facility.

Improving the protection of equipment and material assets combined with more efficient maintenance operations makes a big impact on the bottom line.

They can also have a favourable impact on the golfer experience.

There are many other areas of turf maintenance facilities worthy of examination. This article cannot address them all. As such, if your facility is weak in the areas discussed, then it is a good bet that there are other areas that need upgrading and modernisation as well. Given the impact maintenance facilities have on the efficiency of all course-care activities, improvements here can elevate course conditions, enhance golfer satisfaction and even save money in

Does your maintenance facility help attract and retain quality employees, or is it a deterrent?

ways you may never realise.

Acknowledgements David Oatis is the director of the USGA Green Sectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Northeast Region. This article has been reprinted with permission from the April 4 2014, Vol 52 (7) edition of the USGA Green Section Record.

Copyright USGA. All rights reserved.

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0418 522 390 0409 235 008

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May-june 2014

63

construction construction

The first weekend

Green light for

of May Alan Greatorex

2014 saw

the official opening of Gardiners Run Golf Course in Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s north east.

Course superintendent Alan Greatorex provides the final instalment in his ongoing series about the development of the new course.

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Gardiners

y the time this edition of ATM hits your shed, the new Gardiners Run Golf Course will have been open for play for just over a month. An official opening ceremony was held on the afternoon of Friday 2 May with nearly 300 eager members taking to the course over the following two days, signalling the start of a new era for the club.

To say that they were champing at the bit would be an understatement. The new Pacific Coast Design course has been under construction for the past 28 months and with the old Chirnside Park course reduced to nine holes during this time, the members were suffering withdrawal.

Since the last article in Volume 16.2, which looked specifically at greens construction, work has continued apace with the countdown to opening day looming. Construction works as such finished in early April with the last of the bunkers being completed with drainage, bunker mat installed and

sand placed. It was then time to focus on preparing the course as best as possible for opening day and beyond.

Grow, grow, grow At this point our main focus was on establishing a full coverage of Santa Ana couchgrass on the back nine fairways, green surrounds and Penn G2 bentgrass greens. As mentioned in past articles, due to delays in getting access to the back nine holes, they were planted almost a year behind the front nine. With all tees (Santa Ana) and the front nine holes already having a good coverage, it was just a matter of increasing mowing regimes to pull them into shape.

Based on recommendations from our turf consultants, the decision was made in January 2014 to hold off on any herbicide applications on the back nine fairways during the summer-autumn

With construction finishing in early April, the focus in the final weeks before opening was on preparing the course as best as possible. Pictured is the 6th 64

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.2

winter in an attempt to maintain adequate coverage and wear resistance.

It is always difficult to resist the temptation and pressure to lower the height of cut and increase the mowing frequency as I already feel as if we have cut too short, too quickly and too often with the growing conditions slowing going into winter.

Greens were cut at a height of 4mm for the opening and even at this height there were some signs of minor scalping, exposing the crown of the plant and making them vulnerable to disease and lessening its ability to handle the onslaught of daily play.

The main issue with the greens is that the back nine are relatively young and immature having been planted in the height of summer 2013-2014. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an ideal time to plant, especially with temperatures hitting the 40 degree mark on a number of occasions and over consecutive days.

The need to establish a healthy rootzone was of paramount importance so as to have a stable firm base that would allow us to put a ride-on greensmower on them without leaving wheel marks.

As it is we started this mowing regime in late March 2014 which I believe has been too early resulting in some minor corrugations which will require some rolling to iron them out.

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period so as to maximise the growth of the Santa Ana before the onset of any cooler weather and winter dormancy.

Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather during this late summer/ autumn period was kind in this regard with a very warm run, including very mild overnight temperatures, which meant the couch continued to spread and cover over. The downside of this decision, however, has been that the weed infestation in these fairways makes them look a bit ugly, but with constant mowing and a gradual eradication programme over the winter months they will still provide an acceptable playing surface.

It has definitely been the correct decision and we are all looking forward to the following spring/ summer to really clean up the back nine fairways and have a pure Santa Ana surface. A spring topdressing will also be beneficial in providing a smoother surface.

Fertiliser in the form of granular Nitrophoska was applied at 75-100kg/ha every 21 days during this period to maximise growth. Cutting heights have been at 15mm to encourage lateral growth and this height will remain right through the first winter. Tees and surrounds have received similar applications of fertiliser, but are being cut at a height of 18mm. At this stage that height will remain going into the first

photos: brett robinson

Gardinersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; par three 11th

Main photo: Some 28 months after construction started, Gardiners Run officially opened the first weekend of May. Pictured is the par 3 16th green March-April 2014

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construction construction

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Looking across to the par four dogleg opening hole

Some greens and surrounds needed to be covered with chicken wire to deter ducks from grazing the establishing turf

By contrast, with the front nine greens being in the ground a lot longer, the issue with them was that they had become a little long and ‘puffy’. The challenge was to bring the height down gradually and at the same time topdress heavily to establish a firm surface ready for play. These greens could handle the ride-on mowers without any corrugations and could also tolerate the small Dakota topdresser.

All the greens will benefit from a regular mowing regime now that we are open for play and with a regular dusting programme and light grooming it won’t be long before they are all behaving the same.

Leading up to opening day the greens were cut daily with the perimeter cut done with a pedestrian mower to lessen the wheel marks of the ride-on mowers ringing the green. A week out from opening a final application of fungicide, wetting agent, amino acid emulsion, seaweed, liquid fertiliser and trace elements was made to give them a shiny glow.

One of the biggest challenges in relation to the greens has been controlling the duck population and their ravenous grazing habits. We have three greens (12, 16 and 18) that are sub-standard due to the fact that the ducks have continually harvested areas not allowing the bent grass to spread laterally and knit together.

Some areas have been seeded 3-4 times in an attempt to cover but the ducks just pluck out the newly germinating seed. In the end we covered

A course for the members

O

n 3 May 2014, Pacific Coast Design director Paul Reeves and I played 18 holes at the opening of the new Gardiners Run Golf Course. It is always very satisfying to play golf on one of your own designs that has been nurtured through many (many) days of planning, discussion, design, redesign and on-site work. It was even more so in respect to Gardiners Run as PCD have been involved for over 12 years, from the original application process through to opening.

It is never easy building a golf project in Australia and to be honest I really think that it would not have happened at Chirnside without the club general manager Barbara Kelly and a core of their committee that stayed right through the process. Alan Greatorex (superintendent) and the Densal team (construction) were at many times stretched by external issues but also just got on with the job and were great.

Paul and I really enjoyed our round with the club president and treasurer, we really had fun and were very happy with the way the course had come out. However, the test was when we got back to the club and were confronted by the field of 150 members who had also played that day. Thankfully there was not one that did not have a huge smile on their face. My favourite comment… “Thank god we got what we asked for; not a monster, but a great course for the members”.

Phil Ryan Director, Pacific Coast Design

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Australian Turfgrass Management 16.2

these areas with chicken wire laid on the ground until the plant had enough maturity to cover over and were able to cope with regular low mowing which in turn helped discourage the ducks. A heavy fertiliser programme was also implemented to push the growth along faster than the ducks could eat it which then required a daily mowing programme.

Positive start Despite some inclement weather hanging around, the opening weekend went well with morning and afternoon shotgun starts on both the Saturday and Sunday. The course stood up exceptionally well considering the numbers and conditions and even the following day it looked like it only had normal wear and tear.

The course was set up to be easy off the middle markers, but the following week were able to provide a full challenge by setting the course up off the back markers and setting some more aggressive pin positions. Feedback from the members was overwhelmingly positive with many commenting that it was great to finally play a course that had been built to be ‘member-friendly’. So far, so good.

Looking back over the project, one of the most pleasing aspects from a superintendent perspective has been the opportunity given to me by the Chirnside Park Country Club, Pacific Coast Design, Densal, A&M Watering (irrigation) and JW Reid Builders (maintenance facility) to be actively involved in the decision-making process and construction of a new golf course.

With all new projects there are always challenging situations that require changes to the original design and I am grateful to those involved in allowing me to contribute to the successful establishment of the new Gardiners Run Golf Course.

Looking down the par five 2nd with the par three 3rd and Dandenong Ranges in the background. The front nine holes are a full season ahead of the back nine in terms of turf maturity

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research research

The UWA’s three-year research project will investigate the efficacy of a range of soil amendments (organic, inorganic and blends).

Pictured are the established experimental plots at Shenton Park, Perth in January 2014

University of Western Australia researchers Pieter Poot, Gausul Azam, Louise Barton and Tim Colmer outline a new three-year Horticulture Australia Limited-funded project to investigate whether incorporating soil amendments can reduce water use of turfgrass when grown in a sandy soil.

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Water

savers

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any Australian cities face future water shortages and in Perth substantial water deficits are predicted to develop as early as 2020. A significant proportion of Perth’s annual water use of 562 gigalitres is associated with turfgrass irrigation, with over 10 per cent used in community parks and gardens alone. In addition, a substantial fraction of household water is used for watering home gardens, including lawns.

Although much of this water is extracted from private garden bores, water restrictions have been introduced for scheme water, as well as private bore water, in response to increasing water demands and environmental concerns related to groundwater over-extraction. Thus, turfgrass managers, including home owners, will face ongoing water restrictions, likely affecting turfgrass quality and growth.

Public green spaces are important for maintaining community physical and mental health, so research into avenues of how to maintain turfgrass quality under limited irrigation is essential.

Maintaining turfgrass under limited water supply is problematic especially in sandy soils, which have

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

relatively low water retention and are thus highly dependent on frequent summer irrigation (e.g. WA coastal plain, ‘sandbelts’ of Melbourne and south eastern suburbs of Sydney).

In addition, these soils often develop soil water repellency over summer, exacerbating the problem.

Earlier University of Western Australia (UWA) research by Louise Barton and Tim Colmer (HAL Project TU07006) showed that water repellency can at least partly be overcome by the application of soil wetting agents to increase soil water infiltration.

However, the increase in soil water content is still rather limited.

To further increase the water holding capacity of sand, other amendments would need to be incorporated. Soil amendments can hold on to water much better than sands, due to either a much smaller particle size or a porous structure that can store water internally. Incorporating these amendments in the surface soil would decrease the amount of water that would otherwise leach beyond the zone of the turfgrass root system. The extra water retained would reduce the demand for irrigation.

Project aims Various soil amendment products are likely to improve soil moisture retention, but few have been systematically tested by independent agencies under Western Australian conditions. Our three-year

research project (Application of soil amendments to maintain turf quality on sandy soils under reduced irrigation - HAL Project TU13000) will investigate the efficacy of a range of soil amendments (organic, inorganic and blends) to decrease water requirement, while maintaining turfgrass quality, under restricted water supply.

The main aims of our research include: l Obtaining independent evidence of the efficacy of a range of soil amendments in decreasing the irrigation requirements of turfgrass; l Identifying the mechanisms responsible for the variation in efficacy of different amendments; and l Estimating the amount of water that can potentially be saved by using soil amendments without compromising turfgrass quality.

Experimental approach

and reflects the wide use of this species for new or replacement turfgrass for amenity areas in many regions of Australia.

The research is being conducted at the UWA Turf Research Facility at Shenton Park, which has been successfully used for turfgrass research for the last 15 years. The field station occurs on the Spearwood Dune System underlying most of the western suburbs of Perth and thus has sandy soils that are representative for the region.

In the first two summers of the project, 12 amendment treatments will be evaluated at two irrigation rates [65 per cent ET replacement (three irrigations per week) or 43 per cent ET replacement (two irrigations per week)], with four replicates for each treatment combination, totalling 96 plots (each 2.5 x 3.5 metres).

Amendments (see page 76 for full list of amendments used) were rotary hoed into the surface

Figure 1: Infrared imaging will be used to analyse turfgrass surface temperatures

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The soil amendments that are included in the current trial have been selected in consultation with the local turfgrass industry (i.e. Turf Growers Association of WA, consultants and turfgrass managers) and include both organic and inorganic products that are largely locally produced and are likely to be economically viable. The latter is essential for uptake of soil amendment technology.

Similarly, the choice of turfgrass species â&#x20AC;&#x201C; softleaf buffalograss (Stenotaphrum secundatum; cv Palmetto) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is based on industry recommendations

A range of amendment products were spread over their respective plots prior to turf being established

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May-June 2014

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research research

Lastly, we will analyse turfgrass surface temperatures using an infrared camera, (see example, Figure1). The temperature of the turfgrass surface is a good proxy for its water use, and transpiring turfgrass would be expected to have much lower surface temperatures than plots that have less water available and lower transpiration.

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Research outcomes

Rotary hoeing soil amendments into the surface 10cm of soil

10cm of the soil in October 2013. One week later, turfgrass rolls were laid and the plots were further levelled with a small pedestrian roller. The turfgrass plots were allowed three months to establish before experimental irrigation rates started in February 2014. The experiment will run for at least two summers, after which more plots will be established to further quantify potential water savings using the most successful amendments.

Measurements

The project will assess root growth in the surface 0.7m of the soil using a specialised scanner that can be lowered into transparent access tubes (pictured) in each plot

Turfgrass growth and quality in each plot will be assessed regularly during the first 1.5 years of the project, including two summers. Growth will be determined by measuring the dry weight of clippings after each mowing event (weekly), while colour will be determined weekly during the irrigation season using a Chromameter.

We will also make use of several ‘cutting edge’ technologies to improve our understanding of turfgrass responses to the various soil amendments.

For example, we will regularly assess root growth in the surface 0.7m of the soil using a specialised circular scanner that can be lowered into the transparent access tubes installed in each plot.

Each plot also has a 1.7m deep PVC access tube installed for measuring soil water contents at 10cm intervals using a Sentek Diviner.

The choice of turfgrass species used for the trial – soft-leaf buffalograss – was based on industry recommendations 70

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

The benefits of this research to the turfgrass industry and wider community include water savings and maintenance of high quality turfgrass surfaces despite a warmer and drier climate, better environmental management and an improved public perception of turfgrass management.

Turfgrass managers have been involved in designing the project and will be able to view and evaluate treatment effects and research outcomes at regular field days. The first field day was held in February 2014. A workshop will be held at the completion of the study and research findings will be presented in journals and at various conferences, to industry and scientific audiences.

Acknowledgements This project has been facilitated by Horticulture Australia Limited (TU13000) in partnership with the Australian turf industry. It is funded by contributions from the Water Corporation, a consortium of local government authorities, amendment product suppliers, Turf Growers Association (WA), Sports Turf Australia (WA) and the WA Land Authority.

In kind support has been provided by Baileys Fertilisers, Turfgrass Fertiliser Supplier, Irrigator Repairs, M.E.Y. Equipment, Mower Supply, Mow Master and Mower Service. Greenacres Turf Farm is thanked for providing the turfgrass for the research site and Darren Kirkwood from the TGA of WA for his support in the preparation of the field site.

Members of the UWA Turf Industries Research Steering Committee are thanked for their support and advice.

Amendments used Below is a list of the amendment treatments included in the trial. Values in parentheses represent the percentage at which amendments have been incorporated in the top 10 cm of the soil (weight fresh product/weight soil). l Bentonite (5%) l Compost (10%) l Kaolinite (Ca and silt amended; 10%) l Ready Grit™ (10%) l Spongelite (5%) l Zeolite (5%) l Bentonite (5%) + Compost (10%) l Kaolinite (10%) + Compost (10%) l Ready Grit™ (10%) + Compost (10%) l Spongelite (5%) + Compost (10%) l Zeolite (5%) + Compost (10%) l Control (no amendments added)

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regional profile regional profile

Lismore Workers

Golf Club,

Nine months ago Josh Straub took over the reins as superintendent at the picturesque Lismore Workers Golf Club in northern NSW. With a young bub also on the way it is proving to be a life-changing year for the 31-year-old.

Following the recent retirement of long-serving course superintendent Chris Haselden, Josh Straub has taken the reins at Lismore Workers Golf Club 72

Superintendent: Joshua Straub (31).

Family: Partner Natasha (soon to be proud parents end of May!) Period as a superintendent: Nine months.

Association involvement: AGCSA (two years, AGCSA Accredited Superintendent), GCSAQ. Turf management career: Club Taree (apprentice and assistant superintendent), Ocean Shores Country Club (greenkeeper) and Lismore Workers Golf Club (assistant superintendent and superintendent).

Qualifications: Cert II & III Horticulture and Cert III Horticulture (Turf Management).

Where in Australia is Lismore Workers GC? Lismore is situated in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, about 1.5 hours south of the Queensland border and 25 minutes inland from Ballina. Lismore is home to Southern Cross University, so it attracts plenty of young people and is a very multi-cultural city. Lismore is known for its New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Tropical Fruit Festival, Lantern Parade and is the birthplace of Lions Australia.

Tell us a bit about your background in turf management. I started out in the industry at the age of 16 as a summer time casual at Taree Golf Club under Bryce Strachan. That got me a taste of being in the industry and stirred up the desire to take on an apprenticeship. At the time there was already an apprentice at the golf club so I had to patiently

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

NSW

wait until one become available in my hometown.

After a year or so of waiting I enrolled myself into a Cert II Horticulture course to start my education and show my future employer I was keen to further my knowledge. That led me to getting an apprenticeship and being 2IC at Club Taree under Paul Eggins. Paul taught me a huge amount about the trade, having an eye for detail and making presentation your number one priority.

After three years as 2IC, I went for a trip up to Lismore where I met my partner Natasha and the rest, as they say, is history! Six months later I was living in the Northern Rivers which led to me getting a position at Ocean Shores Country Club and then eventually getting the 2IC position here at Lismore Workers under Chris Haselden. Following Chrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent retirement I took over as superintendent.

Being a country kid I always enjoyed being outdoors and loved playing with machinery. I guess greenkeeping allowed me to do that and also get paid at the same time! Also there is no other job in the world that you can work hard all day on, then knock off and enjoy the results you have just worked hard to produce.

You have taken over from Chris who retired after a long career as Lismore superintendent.

How has the transition gone from assistant to superintendent? I think the transition has gone fairly smoothly. Chris got me trained up pretty well with the operations of the course before he left. I

guess the good part about it all is that Chris is still around all the time playing golf and fixing members’ carts, so firing a quick question here or there isn’t too hard for me. He also regularly drops in to see how things are going.

I guess the biggest changes have been getting the staff under me used to my interpretation of how I want the course to be presented on a weekly basis, which has come along nicely. I’m also still getting used to maintaining warm-season greens instead of cool-season greens when I was at Club Taree.

Warm-season greens need a lot more attention in maintaining thatch levels and this summer was a huge learning curve for me. I have picked up a lot which will put me in good stead for the next growing season and help me to keep on top of things in the coming years. Other than that, having full responsibility of decision making and sticking with that decision, whether it works out or not, has been another part which has changed moving up into the main role.

Give us an overview of Lismore Workers GC and some of its unique characteristics? Lismore Workers Golf Club is known for its undulating playing surfaces, especially the fairways. There are a lot of undulations so it’s very rare a golfer will get a level lie which can give the average player a bit of trouble if not used to the course. The course has a good variety of par 3s, six in total, and a lot of the greens are elevated which makes visibility of hole locations that little bit harder and usually requires an extra club or two to reach the green. It is also a koala habitat for our little fury natives, so we occasionally see them running from tree line to tree line which gives the golfers a bit of extra value for money!

The Lismore Workers crew (from left) Richard Hooton, Trent Roberts, Graeme Eaton (assistant superintendent), Greg Williams and Josh Straub (superintendent)

Since starting as superintendent, Straub has targeted Lismore’s 328 greens and is looking to further enhance their health and playability.

Pictured is the 11th green with the 9th fairway in the background

may-June 2014

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What are some of the unique features about Lismore Workers GC from a turf management

perspective? The unique features are the fairway undulations, the soil profile being made up of mostly clay, above average rainfall and only one water drainage exit leaving the course (both underneath and surface water). All these combined mean that in wet periods the course can be hard to maintain, especially getting machinery around and operating safely. It also takes a long time for it to dry out. This can test the patience, but you just have to keep plugging away and do the jobs you can do in these conditions.

The course in the dry times is fairly easy to maintain. The overall size of greens, tees and bunkers isn’t too big compared to previous courses I worked on, so getting around and doing most jobs is fairly quick and easy. The course has slightly changed since first starting with some drainage work carried out and concrete/gravel pathways installed too. This has helped dry out a couple of big wet areas and made the course more accessible for carts/machinery.

regional profile s

regional profile

Lismore is known for its undulating layout and terrific vistas from many areas around the course. The 11ha of fairways are a mix of common couch, Queensland blue, kikuyu and carpetgrass

Take us through your turf management operations there and some of the changes you have made.

Seeing our climate is sub-tropical and we usually receive plenty of rainfall, our biggest task is keeping on top of the mowing on a weekly basis. Greens get cut daily and we try to get tees and collars done twice a week.

Fairways, surrounds and second cut around tee banks are carried out once a week, with bunkers raked twice. The rough mower usually doesn’t stop most weeks! Also, boom spraying the course can take up some time in the summer months with the majority of fertilisers used being liquid forms along with fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, wetting agents and growth retardants.

The biggest change I have implemented so far is the purchasing of a new GA24 Jacobsen aerator which now means we do all our own renovations

in-house. Hopefully this winter we can get out monthly and mini-tine the greens to get some air into them and relieve compaction. I have also tried solid tinning some of the more compacted tees to loosen up their profiles.

We have now started cutting tees and collars with a Toro 3250-D greens mower instead of using a 3100-D sidewinder surrounds mower. This has made these playing areas a lot cleaner due to using a catcher mower, less wheel marks due to different tyre pattern and has given a better ribbon pattern effect too. We have also started cutting fairways in a straight ribbon cut pattern which has made presentation of the course a lot more noticeable and the members/guests are appreciating the difference in appearance.

The next thing on the wish list is to purchase a set of wire brush heads off Andrew Smith from Yamba GC. This will help me keep the thatch levels in the greens under control better, as well removing unwanted dead material and giving them a truer/ faster putting surface. Next spring I want to renovate the greens fairly aggressively and keep on top of my thatch programme better than last growing season.

Any special environmental considerations that you have to incorporate into the management of the course? The biggest consideration at the moment is the maintenance facility – it is old and needs a lot of attention to get up to date with legislation and environmental requirements. The board and club recently agreed to sign up to a five-year platinum EMS subscription with e-par

At a glance – Lismore workers golf club Course specs: 18-hole course which measures 5775m from the blue plates, 5542m (white plates) and 5084m (red plates). Par 70 for men, par 72 for women. Forty hectares total area to be maintained. l Greens: 20 Tifgreen hybrid couch greens, including one putter and one chipper, total size approx. 8000m2. l Tees: Total size about 8000m2, mix of Wintergreen, Queensland blue and common couch. l Fairways: 11ha, mixture of common couch, Queensland blue, kikuyu and carpetgrass. l Surrounds: 1.5ha mix same as above. l Roughs: 25ha, mix same as above. l Bunkers: 22.

Cutting heights: Greens 3-4mm, tees and collars 10-12mm, surrounds 13mm, fairways 15mm and roughs 51mm.

Members: 500.

Annual rounds: 20,000.

Major tournaments: Northern Rivers District 36-hole Easter Tournament (stroke), September Pro-Am tournament and Northern 74

Rivers District Ladies Spring Cup. Staff structure: Joshua Straub (superintendent), Graeme Eaton (assistant superintendent), Trent Roberts (greenkeeper), Richard Hooton (casual greenkeeper) and Greg Williams (trainee).

Climate: Lismore has a mild, sub-tropical climate. Average yearly rainfall is 1343mm.

Soil types: Greens are a sandy loam; rest of course consists mainly of clay loam.

Water sources: Main water source is river water from Wilson’s River. This is pumped to two holding tanks on top of the hill above the course which is then gravity feed to the irrigation system.

Irrigation system: GTI Gemini Trident decoder system. Sprinklers for greens and fairways are Toro 730 valve-in-head. Tees are Toro 2001 sprinklers.

Renovations: In October we scarify, ½ inch hollow tine and topdress. In February we scarify, ½ inch solid tine and topdressing.

During the winter months we go out with ¼ to 3 /8 solid tines monthly when possible.

Major disease pressures and how you

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

combat them: During the summer months (December to April) our biggest disease problem would be with the ERI family pathogen, especially Take All Patch. To keep this disease at bay we regularly manage our thatch levels by verticutting, grooming and dusting. We use slow release nitrogen forms of fertiliser, soil testing to keep an eye on pH levels, monthly applications of calcium and potassium and have a preventative fungicide programme in place during this period. Last spring we started a monthly biological fungicide program using Bacillus subtilis GB03 strain to combat disease fungi and help encourage soil microbe activity.

During the cooler months, winter fusarium and black helminthosporium can be a problem depending on how wet it gets. We use contact fungicides to knock the disease on the head when first signs appear and regular aeration during the dormant period. We also do a granular application of potassium and calcium in autumn to help the warm-season grass cope with the cooler temperatures when coming into the winter months.

which starts in July. Terry and the team will be going through our facility with a fine-toothed comb, helping us get an appropriate EMS in place for future safety of our facility, staff, golf course and neighbouring environment.

What are some of the major challenges facing Lismore Workers GC both from a turf and club management perspective? I guess the biggest challenge is making the course more playable and accessible with golf carts in the wet weather periods.

Like most courses, the income really suffers when carts are not allowed on the course. The club has already started constructing new concrete paths around the course as well as less expensive gravel pathways too. This has allowed carts still to access the course in wet periods and has kept the numbers of weekly rounds up during these times.

Also, drainage issues mean that playability out of bunkers and low lying areas can be problematic.

There has been talk of selecting the worst areas and redoing drainage/construction on a year by year basis.

Greens are scarified, hollow tined and topdressed in October, with the hollows swapped for solids in February. During winter the greens are mini-tined monthly when possible

How is Lismore Workers faring in the water management stakes? We are pretty lucky with water and despite the past nine months being very dry the council has not put any restrictions on our use. Saying that, I still try to water as little as possible to try and avoid the huge power bills for pumping the water.

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Outline any major course improvement works recently completed or future works planned.

The last 18 months the club has focused on concreting cart pathways with the 11th, 14th and 16th tee complexes completed. Next will be the

2nd tee followed by more gravel pathways. We are also about to undertake a tree and branch lopping programme on the 3rd, 11th and 18th tees to improve sunlight to these areas and for WHS issues. The works will mean the course is a lot safer for both golfers and staff, improve plant and playing conditions and help with wear issues too.

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regional profile s

regional profile

Lismore has a mild, sub-tropical climate with average yearly rainfall 1343mm

The one product I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t manage my course without is... Primo Maxx and Trinex 250 are the two products which save us a lot of time and money.

Being a small crew, growth retardants help us keep on top of the growth, gives the playing surfaces a nice tight finish and reduces seed head growth. This especially helps us out over the Christmas break when there are a lot of public holidays.

What are some pros and cons of being a regionalbased superintendent? The pros, as most regional supers would agree, is the lifestyle, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the city and having a better environment for bringing up your children. As for cons, not having the budgets and staff the city courses have and having to travel a bit more to get to seminars or conferences.

Straub has started striping fairways which has made a noticeable difference to course presentation

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Are expectations of course presentation and conditioning any less than that placed on your metropolitan counterparts? I think expectations are not set any lower than the city courses and I am always striving to give my members/visitors the best possible playing surfaces all year round. That way your members donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to play anywhere else and visitors will keep coming back.

Do you have to be more resourceful as a regional-

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

based superintendent? Yes you do, especially when it comes to multitasking jobs. This means we may carry out a couple of tasks at the same time to eliminate travel time around the course, due to the lack of staffing numbers. For example, I have set greens mowers with blower racks and spray bottle holders, so when cutting greens we can also blow all debris off greens and spot spray for weeds. The job may take a little longer, but we can keep on top of weed control and have all playing surfaces clean and cut before play.

Also, with machine maintenance and fixing we do most procedures ourselves as we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a mechanic. This helps us have a better understanding on how the equipment works and runs and also saves the club in maintenance costs.

Using volunteers to do odd jobs around the course is also very helpful and enables us to concentrate on the main roles while still keeping the course in good shape all year round.

One thing you would change about your job?

More time in the day! You are always multitasking and with small staff numbers you are still doing a lot of the small jobs yourself which can make the days go really quick. I guess the biggest lesson I have learnt is prioritising and accepting that some smaller jobs will just have to wait!

How important are the relationships you have with other course supers/trade reps? Very important as these people can be a very resourceful tool to help solve problems, share and get new ideas, borrow equipment off and build friendships with. In particular, Wayne Tickle (superintendent) and Tony from Ballina Golf Club have been a great help to me over the past six months and I am very grateful for that.

What have you got in your shed? Toro 3150-D Greensmaster triplex, 2 x Toro 3250-D Greensmaster triplex (one greens, one tees & collars), Toro 3100D Sidewinder, Toro 3300-D Workman and Tycrop topdresser, Toro 4000-D Groundsmaster, Toro 1250 Multi Pro spray unit, Jacobsen LF570 fairway unit, Jacobsen Groommaster II bunker rake, Jacobson GA24 aerator, quad bike, Bobcat, utility Clubcar, John Deere tractor and Dean trailer.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your favourite piece of machinery and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next on the wish list? The favourite is the Toro 1250 Multi Pro which makes spraying the course so simple, accurate and easy. The next major purchase will hopefully be the wire brush heads for one of the triplex mowers. This will make keeping on top of thatch levels easier while increasing speed and uniformity. The Dean trailer has clocked up a number of years and we get one of our members

to come in and patch it up once in a while to keep it going.

Favourite spot on your course? On the 11th green, looking back down the 9th fairway to the clubhouse (see photo bottom page 79).

Straub is looking to purchase a set of wire brush heads to help keep thatch levels under control in his 328 greens and improve speed and uniformity

Most pleasing/rewarding moment during your time as Lismore Workers superintendent? Just recently after the Northern Rivers District twoday Easter tournament. The staff got so many compliments about the course being in top condition from both members and visitors. One member said it was the best condition he had seen the course in his 50 years being a member of the club. This was great to hear and keeps me motivated to looking to improve it more.

WIN a Leatherman Multi-Tool at the AGCSA Conference 2014.

Five to be won.

Stop for a chat with the Turf team at booth 23.

To go into the draw fill out the coupon below and put it in the bowl at our stand.

Winners drawn Thursday 26th June at the conference.

For further information contact your PGG Wrightson Turf Representative, free phone 1800 DURATURF or email info@pggwrightsonturf.com.au

pggwrightsonturf.com.au

Your name Your contact number

may-June 2014

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around the trade around the trade

Jacobsen launches bi-directional turf groomer and brush system

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Jacobsen’s new groomer/brush system is available for the Eclipse 2, GP400 and Eclipse 322 greens mowers

GCSA Gold Partner Jacobsen will launch its new bi-directional turf groomer and brush system for selected Jacobsen greens mowers into the Australian market at the upcoming 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference Trade Exhibition on the Gold Coast (25-26 June).

Unveiled at the BTME Show in the UK in January, the new groomer and brush system allows the superintendent to select the aggressiveness of their greens maintenance regime depending on the prevailing soil conditions, with the option of using either a groomer or a brush rotating in both a forward or reverse direction. The reverse action of the groomer or brush is more aggressive, while the forward direction (i.e.: with the same rotation as the cutting cylinder) has a more gentle action.

Grooming and brushing the turf prior to mowing has several benefits. It reduces the grain of the turf area by standing the grass blades up (brush) or cutting horizontal runners (groomer) and promoting vertical growth. It can also remove thatch which promotes healthier greens and opens up the soil canopy to allow gas exchange and topdressings to reach the soil more efficiently.

Bayer’s Chipco GT hits market

Bayer’s new fast knockdown turf fungicide Chipco GT 78

AGCSA Silver Partner Bayer has launched Chipco GT into the Australia market, a new and improved advanced formulation turf fungicide that has been especially developed to provide fast disease knockdown within 24 hours. According to Bayer national sales manager Paul Conradt, Chipco GT (ai: 240g/L iprodione) is the only iprodione on the market with this technology.

“Chipco GT affects all phases of the development cycle of the fungi, including spore germination, mycelial growth and spore production,” says Conradt. “Chipco GT is a penetrant fungicide with limited systemic activity. The curative activity is restricted to fungal growth on or very near the leaf surface.”

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

To switch between groomer and brush takes less than five minutes allowing course managers to adapt quickly to changing conditions. There are a selection of brushes with a herring bone pattern and different levels of stiffness to accommodate a variety of turfgrasses.

Traditionally, Jacobsen’s turf groomer has been designed with a patented interlocking system with the front roller, allowing for a shorter roller base and providing the ability to follow ground contours on undulating greens. Incorporated into the new design is the option to increase the roller base by the addition of a smooth roller, ideal for conditions when the turf is under stress.

For the groomer, a new blade design has been introduced using the same profile as the existing groomer, but double sided. This enables the groomer to switch between forward and reverse rotation without changing the blades. Changing the rotation of the groomer or brush is a simple operation; there are two different drive belts and these can be changed out in less than five minutes using just a ½” deep well socket.

“Going down this route we have one accessory that can accommodate two turf management operations – grooming and brushing,” says Ransomes Jacobsen’s product manager Lee Kristensen. “We have retained our class-leading groomer attachment, but added the option of a powered brush as well. With quick and easy change out from groomer to brush and forward or reverse, we have provided course managers with multiple options for their greens management regimes.”

The new groomer/brush system is available for the following Jacobsen mowers: Eclipse 2 floating head walking greens mower, GP400 riding greens mower and Eclipse 322 riding greens mower.

For more information about the new bi-directional turf groomer and brush system contact your Jacobsen distributor, visit www.jacobsen.com or visit Stand 58 on the Gold Coast.

Conradt adds that Chipco GT is an all-round, versatile fungicide that is also easy to tank mix with other products, such as Bayer’s Chipco Signature.

It controls five turf diseases, including dollar spot, brown patch, fusarium patch, spring dead spot and helminthosporium, as well as botrytis blight in ornamentals.

Bayer recommends Chipco GT for use on all recreational turf such as golf courses, bowling greens, sports fields, race tracks and other turf areas, as well as ornamentals. It should be applied as part of an integrated programme on greens, tees and fairways and applied preventatively when conditions are favourable for disease.

Chipco GT is available in a handy 5L pack at Bayer distributor outlets now.

Long Paddock Sportsturf range to assist turf managers The Long Paddock Sportsturf range from NSWbased Long Paddock Organic Solutions is now available on the Australian turf market. The Long Paddock Sportsturf range includes: l Renovator (organic fish pellets – NPK 6-5-4+12% Ca plus organic carbon 17%): Designed for quick turf recovery after renovation as well as fast tracking plant maturity during preand post-construction programmes. l Rapid Uptake (liquid fish concentrate – 11-2-10+kelp+fulvic acid plus 14% organic carbon): Ensures rapid plant recovery from turf renovations, heat and cold stress, shade as well as low light intensity caused by extended wet weather periods. l Sportsturf Organic (natural liquid fish concentrate plus kelp) and Sportsturf 10-26 (liquid organic based concentrate with added trace elements): Encourage beneficial soil microbial stimulation, increase soil carbon, assist in breakdown of organic matter.

“The Long Paddock Sportsturf range is designed for progressive turf managers seeking biological and environmental outcomes to their turf management programmes,” says Long Paddock Organic solutions founder and director Phil Knight.

“Sportsturf managers are collectively some of the greatest ambassadors for environmental stewardship on the planet. That’s why it’s important for all turf professionals that use our sports turf products to realise that while they are performing daily environmental stewardship at their own sports turf complexes, they are also helping to protect our Australian inland river systems.

“Long Paddock products are manufactured by Charlie Carp and made wholly from European Carp, the No.1 pest currently destroying the biodiversity and health of these systems.”

For more information about the Long Paddock Sportsturf Range, contact Phil Knight on 0408 533 090, email longpaddockorganicsolutions@ gmail.com or visit www.charliecarp.com.au.

Spray right with Syngenta AGCSA Gold Partner Syngenta has announced that its XC spray nozzles (pictured) are now available in Australia.

The nozzles deliver refined air induction technology with increased spray angles that increase width of coverage, reduce spray drift, increase the number of droplets per mL, equalise front and back spray deposits and remove sensitivity to boom height. The XC nozzle range includes two foliar nozzles and one soil nozzle.

Contact your Syngenta representative or local agent for further information or to obtain a set, or visit Stand 39 on the Gold Coast.

In for the long Hauler The new Cushman Hauler Pro electric utility vehicle is now available in Australia through distributor Augusta Golf Cars. Equipped with a zero-emission 72-volt electric drivetrain, the Cushman Hauler Pro has the range, power and operational efficiencies that course superintendents demand.

The Hauler Pro features a daily range of up to 80km fully loaded and all the energy benefits of a low maintenance and unique AC system. A standard on-board charger provides flexibility to charge the vehicle at any outlet within the facility.

The Hauler Pro has a 450kg vehicle payload and over 500kg towing capacity, while the optional limited-slip differential ensures traction in wet and slippery conditions.

“The new Cushman range of maintenance and utility vehicles were designed to help superintendents and turf managers eliminate downtime and get more doing out of their day,” says Mats Marklund, Augusta’s state manager for Victoria and Tasmania. “For decades, we’ve sat on the top of the leaderboard for hauling, moving, loading and just plain getting the job done and the new Cushman Hauler Pro is fully loaded and ready to work all day long.”

For more information about the Cushman Hauler Pro contact Mats Marklund on 0411 110 119, email matsm@ezgo.com.au or visit www.ezgo. com.au. You can also view the YouTube video on the Hauler Pro http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Lpv2uxPHd0s

The new Cushman Hauler Pro features a 450kg vehicle payload and daily range of up to 80km fully loaded

Permanent ChemClear facilities Agvet chemical users in and around Melbourne and Sydney now have access to ChemClear’s new permanent facilities. The new sites in Laverton North (Melbourne) and St Marys (Sydney) will hold collections once a month to service users looking to get rid of chemicals they no longer need or want.

The addition of these permanent facilities means chemical users in Melbourne and Sydney and

The Long Paddock Sportsturf range is designed for progressive turf managers seeking biological and environmental outcomes to their turf management programmes May-June 2014

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around the trade around the trade

Industry appointments Tom back with David AGCSA Bronze Partner David Golf has welcomed Tom Sheedy (pictured) back into the fold after a 15 month spell working in Asia in a sales management position for a golf brand distribution company.

Sheedy returns to Australia and his David Golf career in Sydney as the new sales executive alongside Brandon Waters.

Sheedy will be servicing David Golf’s existing customers and working on growing the business and increasing the company’s presence in NSW. Sheedy can be contacted on 0438 885 422 or email toms@davidgolf.com.au

surrounding areas no longer need to wait for a state collection to be scheduled. Registrations are still essential, however, to utilise the new service and users can do so by calling 1800 008 182 or filling in the online form at www.chemclear.com.au. An appointment time and address will be provided to all registrants and receipt provided at the delivery point once the chemicals are signed off.

More than 102,000 litres/kilograms of unwanted or out-of-date chemicals throughout NSW have been disposed of through ChemClear since the programme first started in 2003. Collections in Victoria have collected a total of 46,572 litres/ kilograms of chemicals.

Toro T5 rotor goes rapid

The Toro T5 Series Rotor, tailored for the residential market, has a number of features including a 5” pop-up height, advanced nozzle technology and debris-tolerant seal. Toro Irrigation product manager David Richardson says the RapidSet is easy to operate for home gardeners and the technology significantly reduces installation time.

The T5 also features a high-performance, patent-pending Airfoil nozzle design. The Airfoil technology creates a low pressure zone under the nozzle stream to gently glide water downward for close-in watering that won’t wash away seeds, making it ideal for grow-in applications.

For more information on the T5 Series Rotor with RapidSet, visit www.toro.com.au/t5 or call 1300 130 898.

Rain Bird kicking goals

Toro has now enhanced its T5 Series Rotor with the new RapidSet feature. RapidSet technology offers a quick and easy way to adjust rotor arc settings with no tools required and works with just a few twists of the nozzle turret.

Turning the head clockwise sets the right arc edge, then turning the head counter-clockwise increases the arc to the desired position (see diagram above). The arc can be reduced in a similar fashion. A built in ‘slip-clutch’ protects the gears during adjustment.

Eleven regional soccer stadiums recently constructed and upgraded to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will use Rain Bird irrigation systems to keep their turf in top condition. The first Brazilian stadium to install a Rain Bird irrigation system was Castelao Stadium located in the city of Fortaleza in September 2012.

Over the next 11 months, Rain Bird signed on nine more stadiums in the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Cuiabá, Manaus, Natal and Recife. The eleventh installation, finalised in January 2014, is currently underway at Arena da Baixada Stadium in Curitiba. The World Cup will run from 12 June-13 July 2014.

growers band together to form Lawn Solutions Australia

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pecifying and buying turf has become easier with the launch in March 2014 of a new national group of turf growers offering industry best practice and a uniformly branded range of turf.

Lawn Solutions Australia brings together nearly 40 of Australia’s accredited turf producers under a single banner to supply nationally branded turf varieties, as well as a range of value-add products and services.

The group and its exclusive turf brands have been developed off the back of the success of Australia’s Sir Walter soft-leaf buffalo with all members of the new group being Sir Walter growers.

“The launch of Lawn Solutions Australia will be a game-changer for our industry and our customers,” says business manager Simon Adermann. “Currently there are nearly

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70 turf varieties in the Australian market.

Each of our members will grow and sell the most appropriate turf varieties for their local regions, but they will be marketed under our uniform, national brand names.”

The Lawn Solutions Australia, turf brands include: l Sir Walter soft-leaf buffalo l Nullarbor Couch Commercial l Nullarbor Sport and Nullarbor Home, l Platinum zoysia l Eureka kikuyu l Tropical carpet grass l RTF fescue.

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

The full list of LSA growers are: Active Turf, AgTurf Supplies, Anco Seed & Turf, Australian Lawn Concepts, Bay Turf, Buchanan Turf Supplies, Caboolture Turf, Cobbitty Turf, Coolabah Turf, Daley’s Turf, Down South Turf, Earl’s Turf, Emerald Green Turf, Glenview Turf, Grech’s Turf Supplies, Green Life Turf, Greener Lawn Supplies, Greenhills Turf Farm, Greenway Turf Supplies, Harden Park Lawns, J&B Buffalo, Jimboomba Turf Co, Lawn Doctor, Lilydale Instant Lawn, Miller’s Turf, NewLawn Turf, President Turf, Rivturf Instant Turf, StrathAyr, Sunnyside Instant Lawn, Superior Lawns, Sydney Lawn & Turf, The Turf Farm, Top End Turf, Turf Central, Turf The Lot NSW, Turfco, Twin View Turf and Yarramalong Turf Supplies.

For more information phone 1300 883 711, visit www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

turf producers turf producers

After being held in Queensland last year, the annual Turf Australia Conference and Field Day will be held in Penrith from 27-29 August

The aim of Turf Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s R&D Strategic Investment Plan is to drive growth and sustainability of the Australian turf industry

Same issues, different countries

Review recommends

HAL change Turf Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Richard Stephens looks at the recommendations to come out of the recent Horticulture Australia Limited review and previews the upcoming Turf Australia conference.

www.turfaustralia.com.au

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n the last edition of Australian Turfgrass Management it was highlighted that Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) was undergoing an independent review. This process has now been completed and nine recommendations were released in early May which, if implemented, would result in sweeping changes to the management and processes governing research and development and marketing programmes in horticulture.

The recommendations are: l Establish a grower-owned RDC (a new HAL) with a transitional government-owned body to be set up as an interim; l Remove Industry Advisory Committees (IACs), but retain the ability to seek independent advice; l Rationalise and strengthen planning for research, development and extension (RD&E); l Streamline industry liaison and RD&E service areas within the new HAL; l Improve project procurement, management and reporting; l The new HAL will engage in marketing only on a fee for service basis with industry representative bodies able to govern and manage their levy marketing programme; Improve direct communication with growers; Greater levy efficiency and transparency; and l Improved internal accountability/processes.

The current HAL funding agreement with the Department of Agriculture ends on 3 November 2014. The Federal Government is yet to respond to this review, but decisions will now need to be made so that RD&E in the horticulture sector has a direction and certainty can be provided to the existing 1200 projects currently funded by HAL. The detailed review document, all 312 pages, is available from the HAL website, www.horticulture. com.au/news_events/Hal_Review.asp l l

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Australian Turfgrass Management 16.2

The recent Turf Producers International (TPI) Midwinter Conference and Field Day in Orlando, Florida attracted almost 700 delegates, including 73 Australians. The four day event included 25 speakers presenting 16 separate sessions covering 11 different topics.

Many of the issues we face in the turf industry here in Australia are similar to those faced by turf growers worldwide. Some of the topics covered included: l The need for more water efficient turf varieties; l Knowing the actual cost of turf production; l Promoting to the community the substantial benefits of turf; l Attracting and maintaining reliable staff; l Opportunities for diversification and value adding.

Florida is an interesting place and there are some very interesting facts and figures which impact on the local turf Industry. For example, Florida has partly sandy soils which do not hold a lot of water.

However, 1000 people per day are moving to Florida and 10,000 people per week are retiring there. Since the Global Financial Crisis, over 100 golf courses have closed in Florida, however, the economy is now turning and golf courses are being reopened.

Local governments in Florida are concerned about the perceived effect fertilisers are having on the environment and, as a result, there are laws restricting the sale, use and application of phosphorous and nitrogen in fertilisers. As a result, all landscapers are required to undergo best management practice (BMP) training in order to apply fertiliser, control pests, manage irrigation and select plants.

The popularity of zoysia in the southern states of the US, particularly Florida, is increasing. It is being promoted as more water efficient than the popular St Augustine varieties (known as soft leaf buffalo here in Australia), however, it requires different management. For example, zoysia should be mowed at about 3-4cm high while, in Florida, St Augustine is usually mowed at 6-8cm high.

As zoysia takes longer to establish, it must be laid tight to hide the sod lines and the use of a roller is recommended. Spreading slow release fertiliser just prior to laying is also recommended and nutrition needs to be carefully managed once established as excess nitrogen can cause problems.

America has between 40-50 turf research and education facilities, mostly universities, and there are approximately 150 education-only facilities that cover turf, commonly known as colleges. The University of Florida has over 16 hectares devoted to turf research and is part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). This programme

enables companies, individuals and industry to submit new turf lines for trials across several testing sites throughout the country.

The trial period is five years and costs $5000 per entry to enter the trial and $1000 per year. If a turf line is commercially released during the trial, a $10,000 royalty payment is required. Currently, NTEP has 33 entries in total, with 19 of those originating from Florida.

The University of Florida is currently trialling a dwarf bahiagrass which is dark green in colour and has a finer texture than most bahiagrasses. The opportunity to develop this into a mainstream turf variety is significant as bahiagrass has low nutrient requirements, is drought tolerant and requires less mowing. Interestingly, kikuyu is a declared noxious weed in most USA States.

The Lawn Institute is another organisation set up to provide scientific information, education and awareness of the environmental benefits of turf. The Lawn Institute research advisors claim that turfgrass is the plant that many urban people know, touch and understand the most. It can be their most significant link with nature and it directly connects communities to landscapes.

Turfgrass gives many direct beneficial services back to communities and much more than just aesthetics. Turfgrass provides a significant cooling effect, erosion control, absorbs carbon dioxide, produces oxygen, reduces runoff, decreases fire risks, increases property values as well as improves physical and mental wellbeing. All these are significant benefits that need to be better understood by law makers and the general community.

In recent years, constant advances in breeding varieties have resulted in significantly more water use efficient turfgrass varieties with up to 50 per cent less irrigation water being required and/or up to four weeks difference in ‘dry down’ time.

However, for turfgrass to provide these community benefits to their full capacity, lawns must be properly maintained and be healthy. Unfortunately, over 20 American states have completely banned the use of pesticides on all school grounds. This has resulted in a significant decline in the surface quality of many sporting fields and outdoor play areas and a corresponding increase in surface related injuries.

2014 Turf Australia Conference and Field Day With the TPI conference done and dusted, the local focus now turns to the Turf Australia Conference and Field Day which will be held in Penrith from 27-29 August. This conference is shaping up to be the biggest ever and back by popular demand is Kerry Domann (aka ‘Nigel’) who will again be our conference MC. Starting at lunch time on Wednesday 27 August at the Penrith Panthers, the option of attending either the traditional Dik Murphy Memorial Golf Day or a paddle steamer tour up the Nepean River and into

the Blue Mountains National Park will enable you to get into networking mode. The Welcome BBQ that evening will also enable everyone to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

The programme for Thursday 28 August will feature something for everyone, including: l How to develop practical and strategic approaches to developing a turf farm business; l The real costs of turf production; l Improving irrigation efficiency; l Determining the minimum water requirements of turf varieties; l Benefiting from the new national turf industry marketing programme; l Learning from the USA and TPI; and l A gala conference dinner.

The Turf Australia AGM and Annual Levy Payers Meeting will kick off proceedings on the Friday followed by an interactive field day at Greener Lawn Supplies at Freemans Reach.

This year’s conference and field day is not to be missed and sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are still available. For more information, please contact the Turf Australia office on (02) 4588 5735 or admin@turfaustralia.com.au

Turf farm water use sustainability

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ater availability continues to be a major issue confronting turf producers in Queensland and in recent times 80 per cent of the state has been drought declared with the remainder, other than the tropical North, not far off.

Due to this ongoing demand placed on our turf production facilities as a result of a variable climate, Turf Queensland has investigated the availability of an easy to use water use calculator to identifying seasonal water demand in megalitres/ hectare based on a range of set criteria such as industry, turf species, irrigation system, soil types and location.

Turf Queensland is also investigating the efficiency benefits to turf farmers by installing new technology and innovation such as centre pivots or lateral irrigation, fertigation, soil moisture monitoring, soil and crop health mapping, GPS and variable rate irrigation.

The effect of this on farm usage of water and energy are subject to current programmes being undertaken by Turf Queensland in conjunction with the Queensland Government’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

A software programme utilised in the sugar industry here in Queensland was developed through the Queensland

Government’s Rural Water Use Efficiency initiative, CSIRO and a number of sugar industry organisations. We are not sure if this is still available and are undertaking the appropriate investigations to see if it can be modified to suit turf production.

The target for this updated project would be to understand the specific needs of the turf producer in various areas based on the availability of water in different climatic zones over the past 40-50 years for example. This would assist the turf producer in understanding the sustainability of the farm based on their water storage capacity or water availability in the medium- to long-term.

The issue of benefits to turf farmers of water savings and efficiency gains by utilising innovative equipment is currently being investigated by Turf Queensland through the Rural Water Use Efficiency Irrigation Futures programme. Obviously there is a return on investment calculation required and currently and unfortunately in the short-term the low price of turf does not support heavy investment. The turf industry in Queensland has some strong economic decisions to make on its sustainability.

Jim Vaughan CEO, Turf Queensland march-april 2014

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state reports sagcsa state reports

new facilities and AFL footy now in the middle of the city, it is simply awesome.

Our next meeting will be the annual regional bus trip. This year we are heading down to the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula where we will visit Willunga Golf Club (superintendent Chad Dawe), South Lakes Golf Club at Goolwa (Don McAvaney), Victor Harbour Golf Club (Mike Bohnsack) and Links Lady

Above right: The first SAGCSA meeting of 2014 was held at the new-look Adelaide Oval Above: Adelaide Oval staff reinstate the ground following the end of the cricket season and ahead of the venueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening AFL fixture between the Crows v Power on 29 March

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fter a hot dry summer with a few storms that produced some very high winds, the weather has started to cool down with some welcome rain falling at the end of April.

The first SAGCSA meeting of 2014 was held at the new-look Adelaide Oval, just before the first AFL footy game and on the second day of the last Sheffield Shield game for the year between SA and NSW. Thank you to host curator Damien Hough for his time during this busy period of the reconstruction. Damien talked about the new drop-in pitches for both cricket and footy, oval reconstruction and the preparation for the change from cricket to football. We also did a tour of the new Southern Stand.

I recommend anyone coming to Adelaide to get down to the Adelaide Oval and see the changes that have occurred. The ground has always been one of the best sporting facilities in the world, but with the

Bay Golf Club at Normanville (Ian Putland). The SAGCSA Annual General Meeting will be held in the middle of July at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club (host superintendent Nathan Bennett).

The SAGCSA is delighted to announce that Luke Merchant from The Vines of Reynella Golf Club has been awarded the SAGCSA Graduate of the Year who and will represent the association in the AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award. Under the guidance of AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Rob Millington, we wish Luke all the best in the judging of the national award.

Good luck to all clubs holding Pro-Ams and other events at this time of the year. Have a good autumn and winter and I look forward to catching up with everyone heading up to the Gold Coast conference in June.

Barry Bryant President, SAGCSA

stanz

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Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui recently hosted a number of 2015 Cricket World Cup Qualifier matches. Bay Oval is home to curator Jared Carter (right) who is pictured with visiting ICC officials

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he winter is upon us so many Kiwi turf managers are looking forward to attending the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference where we always enjoy the spoils of the mild winter and hospitality on the Gold Coast. The Australian conference is always a key opportunity for personal development and bridging innovation and technology transfer and, most importantly, networking with industry peers.

A key focus in the upper North Island of New Zealand is the trend towards warm-season turfgrass management which continues to be a challenge in our temperate climate. NZ is now contending with drier summers and milder winters and the intensification of sporting groups using facilities has

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

required turf managers to look at more sustainable and holistic turf management practices in many instances.

We often look to our Australian counterparts for guidance in the management and development of warm-season grasses and management of various spp under various conditions, so we look forward to the cross pollination of ideas and management concepts towards the delivery of improved sports turf surfaces. The STANZ wishes everyone a fantastic week.

Ian Mckendry Chairman, STANZ

tgcsa

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ost reports from around the state are showing a tremendous autumn with almost unprecedented growth for this time of the year. Taking advantage of the good weather, the TGCSA has held two field days in recent times.

Our second field day for 2014 was held on 4 March with good numbers heading along to North Hobart Oval. The day kicked off with a terrific presentation from Bryan Dunn which outlined the first 12 months of operation with the new drop-in pitch at Aurora Stadium.

John Neylan presented an interesting piece dealing with growth regulators and their increasing use in the turf industry. Dan Docherty, on behalf of co-sponsor Syngenta, presented the latest technology in spray nozzles and the advantages in efficiency and coverage that they provide along with some new product lines.

Our host at North Hobart was Todd Struthers from Hobart City Council who did a great job outlining the rebuilding of the playing surface at North Hobart Oval by the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other co-sponsor Total Turf Care. Along with Nic Hanson, Todd explained the cutting edge techniques involved in the reconstruction.

On 6 May, TGCSA members headed to Poatina Golf Club in central Tasmania for our third field

day. Proceedings were opened by Brendon McMahon from the Bureau of Meteorology and ABC radio whose presentation was enlightening, entertaining and finished far too early. Thanks to Doug Ollington (Tas Turf Solutions) for arranging a terrific presentation. Andrew Hall from SLtec gave a detailed presentation on nutritional uptake and pointed out some common mistakes made when deciding what to apply and where.

TGCSA Graduate of the Year Award winner Andrew Burgess from Riverside Golf Club was also presented with his award and then, after thanking his superintendent Sam Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe, showed us the presentation he had prepared for the AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award.

Poatina club captain Greg Williams presented a history of the club and the course and spoke about the recent work that had been carried out on their irrigation system.

Preparations for our two-day conference, trade show and Annual General Meeting on 19-20 August are coming along nicely with some exciting new changes in the pipeline and a terrific group of presenters confirmed.

Mark Johnson President, TGCSA

BI-AGRA - A Breakthrough For turf managers In water conservation

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Moisture content can be increased by up to 5 x in the root zone at field capacity.

Irrigation load can be halved in many situations.

Available from Globe Australia Pty Ltd Ph (02) 8713 5555 SST Australia Pty Ltd Ph (03) 9720 6306

may-June 2014

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state reports sta qld state reports

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STA QLD has recently launched a new mobile device app

sta wa

he first STA QLD field day for 2014 was held at the Western Magpies AFL ground in March where there was a good turnout of members for our annual education day. We kicked off with an interesting presentation from Phil Ford (PGG Wrightson Seeds) on ryegrass transition trials. Even for those of us that don’t oversow our fields, the information he presented on couch and its growth habits gave us plenty to think about.

Next up was a segment by Carl Groenewald (The Mower Place) on small engine maintenance.

Carl discussed plenty of things we can all do to help preserve and extend the life of the machines we use on a daily basis and also those that tend to sit in the corner of the shed and only get used occasionally.

Many of his tips were simple and some reminded us that we can all become guilty of neglecting our equipment, so it was a good wake up call.

After lunch we finished off the day with a presentation from the South Brisbane storm chasers on ‘all things weather and storm chasing’. Some of these guys work for the Bureau of Meteorology so it’s a case of their work becoming a hobby too. They would’ve had a pretty lean year in SEQ this past summer with a non-existent wet season, but they showed plenty of slides of their past escapades.

A video of their trip to the US in 2011 where they chased an infamous tornado which destroyed the town of Joplin, having a near miss themselves, finished off a memorable presentation.

Back down to earth, a reminder to all of our members that this year’s fees are due, so make sure you get online and re-join. We’d also like to welcome our new Gold partners, Living Turf and

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ell here we are again, cresting that middle year hump and getting the shivers thinking about how quickly time flies past and how those ‘next spring renovation’ discussions demand decisions much sooner than expected.

They say that the things you should worry the least about are those that you have little or no control over, but unfortunately when it comes to the weather, especially in regard to quantity of rainfall and degrees of heat, it’s a worry. They also say that there is no point complaining about something from which everyone else suffers because as yet I don’t think our sunburnt country of droughts and flooding rains has blessed any of us with favourable conditions of late.

As I write this, the STA WA committee is very pleased that Horticulture Australia Ltd has agreed to continue to support the funding of WA turf industry development officer Eva Ricci. Largely thanks to Eva’s professionalism, skill as a communicator and good old doggedness, conversations regarding turf

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Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

Jacobsen/KC Farm Equipment, as they come on board, along with all of our partners.

In May we held our AGM at Victoria Park Golf club in Brisbane. It was a great venue with good food and a game of putt-putt afterwards. Our new committee was voted in with very little change.

Foundation committee member Shane Biddle (University of Queensland) decided to ‘retire’, at least for now, while Callum Marsh (Living Turf) has joined the committee. We’d like to thank Shane for his contribution over the years and welcome Callum.

Also at the AGM, our state Graduate of the Year was announced and presented with his award. Alex Jensen (Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association) will now represent Queensland in the National Sports Turf Graduate of the Year Award to be announced in June. We wish him all the best.

The other big STA QLD news of the moment is the launch of our own mobile device app. This app is available on both Apple and Android devices – just search both stores for STA QLD and install for free.

The app allows you to get up to date news and information from the association, sign up to become a member, view details on upcoming events, share your stories with the association, view pictures taken

by STA QLD members, fill in on-line forms, keep up to date with Facebook and receive instant push notifications from STA QLD. We will be adding more features as time goes on so download now and keep the association at your fingertips.

Martyn Hedley Vice-president, STA QLD

are receiving due attention and respect within our state government departments. We still have a long way to go but hope and optimism remain strong enough to fuel our efforts.

Our small committee has been working hard to keep training options available to all WA members for the remainder of the year. As well as a couple of workshops planned, we are busy organising our major seminar/trade show for later in the year. This year’s event has all the hallmarks of being one of our best yet and will include a gala dinner in celebration of our graduating and award winning turf students of 2014.

I hope I will meet up with many of our eastern and southern state colleagues at the 30th Australian Turfgrass Conference on the Gold Coast this year.

By all accounts the AGCSA has put together another brilliant week of seminars and demonstrations.

Tony Guy President, STA WA

state reports vgcsa state reports

T

he VGCSA Annual General Meeting was held at Commonwealth Golf Club on 19 May with AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Mark Prosser and his team having the course in magnificent condition. Compliments also to the clubhouse staff for making our day enjoyable. We are certainly grateful to be able to conduct our meetings at excellent venues and it was wonderful to see the recently refurbished Commonwealth clubhouse.

Toro have been long time sponsors of our AGM and again they were there to ensure our day was a success. Thank you to Dean, Michael, Chris and the Toro organisation for their ongoing support of the VGCSA and the AGM. As part of the AGM we presented the winner of the VGCSA Apprentice of the Year Award. This year’s winner is Ethan Bell from Wangaratta Golf Club who attended Wodonga TAFE. Ethan beat a strong field of finalists that included Simon Wilson (Freeway Golf Club/NMIT), Thomas Golding (Torquay Golf Club/ Gordon Tafe) and David Cope (Settlers Run/Chisholm Tafe). Congratulations to Ethan and all finalists.

World Cup call up for Lang STA VIC member and AAMI Park sportsfield coordinator Justin Lang recently embarked on the professional trip of a lifetime to provide his expertise at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

At the invitation of the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), Lang’s six week sojourn entails World Cup turf consultancy in Curitiba, one of 12 host venues for the tournament which kicks off on 12 June. Lang’s pitch assessments of the Arena da Baixada will contribute to reports for a venue scheduled to host four preliminary round games, including the 23 June Group B match between the Socceroos and World Cup Justin Lang is currently in Brazil defending champions and world No.1 ranked for the 2014 FIFA World Cup nation Spain.

The invitation was something of a surprise for the unassuming Richmond AFL fanatic who, after a decade at Punt Road Oval followed by a nine-year stint at Etihad Stadium, has been in charge of AAMI Park’s turf since the stadium’s 2010 opening.

“This will be my biggest career highlight so far. Possibly the biggest I will ever have,” Lang said. “I’ve never been overseas before, so you can imagine the scrambling to get my passport, vaccinations, banking and phones sorted.”

The scale of the World Cup is evidenced by the 12 stadiums and 32 training facilities that will be used for the event. While Lang expects reasonably similar surfaces to home, he’s looking forward to being on the ground to forensically assess the grounds.

Under Lang, AAMI Park’s playing surface won back-to-back Professional Footballers Association Best Pitch Awards in 2012 and 2013. As well as preparing AAMI Park for A-League matches, Justin and his team also meet the challenge of curating a field with the additional demands of rugby (Melbourne Rebels, Super 15) and rugby league (Melbourne Storm, NRL) and at times simultaneously when the three football codes’ seasons intersect.

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Victorian Police Senior Sergeant Peter Bellion was our guest speaker on the day. At the subsequent AGM, Jeremy Cutajar was installed as the new VGCSA president with the committee for the next 12 months to consist of: l President: Jeremy Cutajar (Ringwood/Dorset GCs) l Vice-president: Mathew Poultney (Green Acres GC) l Secretary: Barry Proctor (Cranbourne GC) l Treasurer: Mark Jennings (Box Hill GC) l Committee: Shane Greenhill (Sorrento GC), Steve Burchett (Portarlington GC), Michael Freeman (Huntingdale GC) and Steve Hewitt (13th Beach) The coveted Powell Trophy went to Adam Lamb (Barwon Heads), while the Toro Cup went the way of David Phillips (Spring Valley GC). The Presidents Shield trade competition was collected by Matt Steven (Oasis Turf).

The AGM was my last as VGCSA president and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me since stepping into the role in 2011. The VGCSA has continued to focus on providing quality content at meetings and to produce a great newsletter. I believe these two areas are a core focus and to be a part of providing this to our members to a high standard has been very satisfying.

This could not have been possible without the commitment of the VGCSA committee members and our administrative coordinator Lesley Mitchell.

As a team I feel that we have been progressive in implementing new initiatives while at the same time improving areas of the association that were already done well as a result of past committees.

Thank you to our generous sponsors who continue to support the association. To all members, thank you for the effort you have made to embrace the opportunities made available to you. The association cannot prosper and grow without the input and enthusiasm of its members.

I will continue to be a part of the committee as I feel that I still have more to offer but feel that a new person from a leadership perspective is required.

Good luck to Jeremy who I know will do a fine job.

The next VGCSA event will be the Assistants/3IC Education Meeting scheduled for 16 June at Chisholm TAFE. This day will include a number of guest speakers and information provided from the state’s TAFE colleges. I would encourage all superintendents to allow their senior staff to attend what should be a very informative day. Thank you to Jim Brennan (Applied Agronomics) for sponsoring the day and to Chisholm TAFE for offering their venue for the meeting.

Steven Hewitt Immediate Past President, VGCSA

sta act region

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tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of the year in Canberra when we dust off the gloves, beanie and thermals in preparation for the winter months to come. We have already had a few small frosts and daytime temperatures are now hovering around the midteens. Autumn renovations have been completed and most warm-season grasses are starting to lose colour and have well and truly stopped growth.

Our annual STA ACT Region Golf Day was recently held at Gold Creek Country Club (AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Scott Harris). Overall numbers were a bit down for the day with about 50 delegates enjoying a picturesque sunny day of golf. Simon Snedden was presented with the ACT Student of the Year Award before golfers took to the course. Thank you to sponsors Nuturf, Simplot and Complete Turf & Landscaping. Thank you also to Bill Franklin from Nuturf for tirelessly slaving away all day on the barbeque to ensure everyone was fed.

The start of May saw the Federation of Bowling Greenkeepers Week with around 100 bowling greenkeepers converging on Canberra from around Australia. Each day was hosted by a different club starting with Queanbeyan RSL Club followed by Tuggeranong Bowling Club, Weston Creek Bowling Club, North Bowling Club, Queanbeyan Bowling Club and Belconnen Bowling Club.

There were sponsor talks most mornings and a turf tour of Manuka Oval and Parliament House.

Championships for singles, pairs and fours were also contested as well as Test matches between the states, with a gala dinner in the Bradman Room at Manuka Oval rounding off the week.

The annual STA ACT Turf Seminar, to be held at Tuggeranong Town Sports Centre on Wednesday 30 July, is fast approaching. Once again we have a quality line-up of speakers for the day with the central theme being playing surface rejuvenation.

Topics include the reconstruction of Manuka Oval, rejuvenation of Royal Melbourne Golf Club, shaving bowling greens and the reconstruction plans for Royal Canberra. There will also be machinery demonstrations and Luke Jorgensen will give an overview of his study trip to the USA as part of winning the AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award.

There really is something for everyone with a focus on getting back to the grass roots topics of greenkeeping. Our AGM will be held at the conclusion of the seminar. Registrations can be made online at www.sportsturf.asn.au or enquiries through Consec-Conference Management on (02) 6251 0675.

Danny Hull, Committee, STA ACT Region

may-June 2014

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state reports GCSAQ state reports

Ben Tilley has been digging some big holes at Headland which will no doubt spark a mass drought in Queensland

S

ome absolutely glorious Queensland autumn weather has had the golfers out in force with most superintendents across the state reporting large player numbers. The rainfall hasn’t been too extreme and the warmth lasted into May, so most courses are well placed heading into winter which makes for a nice change from previous years.

Horton Park AGCSA Accredited Superintendent Pat Pauli’s new course at Bli Bli is progressing nicely with nine fairways and six greens already handed over to his crew. Further south at RACV Royal Pines Resort, the fine weather has them ahead of schedule at the time of writing, while Charlie Giffard at Indooroopilly reports that his club is about to spend upwards of $150K to realign the fairway on 6 Red to hopefully solve a boundary issue. And Ben Tilley has taken it upon himself to cause a drought by installing a new water storage area at Headland Golf Club!

There has been a little bit of movement among the troops in south east Queensland, particularly on the trade side. Simplot Partners state manager Col Thorsborne is making a return to the bright

On the move

Gibson-Smith

Marsden

Molloy

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Lucas Brown: From superintendent Emerald Golf Club, Qld to superintendent Mildura Golf Resort, Vic. David Cheape: From Mandurah Country Club, WA to assistant superintendent Melville Glades Golf Club, WA replacing Dave Brennan.

Glenn Gibson-Smith: From assistant superintendent Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club, Qld to superintendent Riverside Oaks Golf Club, NSW. Tony Jonas: Appointed superintendent Toowoomba Golf Club (Middle Ridge), Qld. Bryan Kelly: Appointed superintendent Queanbeyan Golf Club, NSW replacing Scott Fogg.

Tim Madder: Elevated to assistant superintendent, Kew Golf Club, Vic. Brad Marsden: From superintendent Kings Cove, Metung, Vic to landscape maintenance manager Cameron Outdoor (Bairnsdale, Vic).

Craig Molloy: From general manager Shortland Waters Golf Club, NSW to superintendent Cypress Lakes Resort, NSW replacing Merv Hayward.

Jason Pou: From leading hand to assistant superintendent Royal Fremantle Golf Club, WA. Liam Spooner: Appointed assistant superintendent Secret Harbour Golf Club, WA. Cameron Sutherland: From curator WACA, WA to general manager of tracks Perth Racing, WA. Earl Warmington: From assistant superintendent Jacks Point, NZ to assistant superintendent Royal Canberra Golf Club, ACT.

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

side by taking the superintendent role at Parkwood International on the Gold Coast. The club has had a renaissance of sorts over the past couple of years with improvements happening in all areas of the facility.

Former Hyatt Coolum assistant superintendent, David Golf rep and most recently Living Turf rep Brock Agnew also returns from the dark side by joining the crew at Sanctuary Cove as Robin Doodson’s assistant. Robin’s former assistant Glenn Gibson-Smith has taken the position as superintendent at Riverside Oaks in NSW and we all wish him well.

Luke Mortimer at Arundel found the 60 hour weeks trying to keep bentgrass greens alive a bit wearisome (I know how he feels!) and has moved on to allow former Sanctuary Cove greenkeeper Todd McCully to take the reins. And former GCSAQ committee member Graham Sims has pulled up stumps at Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane after 31 years on the tools.

The sad news from an industry perspective here recently was the permanent closing of nine holes at Club Banora Golf Club. The golf course was constructed on a reclaimed swamp 30 years ago and has not been without structural issues since then. The golf course was also damaged by salt in the early 1990s requiring substantial rectification work and numerous reports since then have predicted the sort of event that has now happened.

Despite ample irrigation water in storage on the golf course, the structure below the turf surface has become so parched that some areas of the golf course have begun to crack open, resulting in potentially hazardous conditions if people were to enter these zones. The chairman of Twin Towns Services Club, Michael Fraser, which operates Club Banora, said that, “The extent of damage in certain areas is such that we will need to close them from all golf operations and they will be fenced off.

The areas that are not damaged beyond repair will be reconfigured to provide nine holes of golf for our members.”

The club has recently been able to further reconfigure some tee and green locations to provide an 18-hole option for the members that have stayed on. GCSAQ member Bob McCowan has been leading from the front in these recent course works.

Peter Lonergan President, GCSAQ

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off course off course

Thayet Golf Club is Myanmar’s oldest course, formed in 1887

On the road to

Mandalay T

hose who know South Australian turf industry veteran John Cooper will appreciate that he’s the sort of man who likes to travel the unbeaten path. Readers of ATM may recall his article in Volume 11.2 back in 2009 which recounted his 46-day solo kayak down the entire length of the Murray River. Recently Cooper packed the bags (and golf clubs) on yet another adventure, this time to Myanmar, formerly Burma. He penned this little report for ATM about one of his many stops along the way – Thayet Golf Club – which claims to be the oldest course in Myanmar.

John Cooper with caddy at Thayet

“The ‘road to Mandalay’ is actually the Ayerarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s poem and made famous by the Frank Sinatra song.

The river bisects Myanmar from the far north through Mandalay to Yangon (Rangoon) in the south and is

The local transport to and from the course 92

Australian Turfgrass Management 16.3

the lifeblood of the many villages and towns along its banks.

Once of these is the port city of Thayet and after a short horse and cart ride (and a long straight drive), I was standing on the 1st green of the first golf course in Myanmar. Thayet Golf Club proudly boasts being the first golf course built in the country and also of its affiliation with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. The club claims that its members have reciprocal green fees with them, although apparently St Andrews does not acknowledge this connection.

British colonial rule in the 18th and 19th Centuries brought to this part of the world two quintessentially British cultural and social institutions – gentlemen’s clubs and golf clubs. The city of Thayet was significant to the British occupation as it once guarded the borders of Royal Burma and British Burma following the 2nd Anglo-Burmese War of 1855. As such, the English population of the time saw the need to build a golf course and thus in 1887 Thayet Golf Club was born.

Nowadays most of the country’s golf courses are in the bigger cities of Yangon (Rangoon) and Mandalay which cater for the increasing number of tourists as well as those locals who have the financial resources to play the game. Thayet, by contrast, remains very rural. The primary means of living is agriculture and not surprisingly there is little interest in golf.

Despite the club’s references to St Andrews, course maintenance at Thayet is rudimentary at best, with some interesting rotary mowers used on most surfaces. The nine greenkeeping staff are mostly occupied with manual tasks and each green has its own hand roller, sand supply and nearby water trough to help achieve a puttable surface.

As I looked around the landscape of the course, the financial future seemed to be more in the projected worth of the teak trees planted between the fairways than the number of golfers coming through the facility. According to the club, it has 472 members on its books, but for that to be believable many would need to come from the major cities which are more than 200kms away.

But at the very modest cost of just $AUD5 a round, complete with a local caddy to hold the umbrella and clubs, it was certainly on the affordable side and meant I could enjoy a few of the $AUD1 beers in the midday sun afterwards.”

Now that’s a rotary mower!