3 minute read
NSWGCSA
The last couple of years we’ve dealt with droughts, lockdowns and floods and the one thing we know for sure is that 2023 will bring with it a new set of challenges. We face the year with a focus on the skills development and well-being of our members and their teams.
The NSWGCSA continues its association with RU OK? and Prime Effect (David Shillington) who attend our ‘Walk & Talk’ and education days and provide tips and updates on mental health and well-being; we thank them for their support. From an industry learning perspective, our trade partnerships and our course superintendents give their time to upskill our teams and we look forward to learning more with them in 2023.
This year we will be adding online lectures to our education sessions which will allow more of our greens teams to be involved in what’s happening in our industry. Our two new Board directors – James Newell (superintendent Magenta Shores) and Jake Gibbs (director of grounds Elanora CC) – will
ON THE MOVE…
SCOTT BARNETT: From superintendent
Marri Park GC, WA to superintendent be developing and running these and we will send details as they become available.
Margaret River GC, WA.
LEON BLACKER: From assistant superintendent to superintendent Manly GC, NSW where he replaces the outgoing Luke Partridge who is moving back to Adelaide to take on a role with Nuturf.
SYE BRENNAN: Promoted to superintendent Penfield GC, SA replacing Nicholas Hall who has moved to The Grange GC, SA.
BRENDAN BROWN: From assistant superintendent The Sands Torquay, Vic to superintendent East Geelong GC, Vic.
ROD FENTON: The former inaugural winner of the ASTMA Claude Crockford Sustainability and Environment Award back in 1996 has retired as superintendent of Queenscliff GC, Vic.
PETER FLEMING: From superintendent Kwinana GC, WA to superintendent Hamersley GC, WA.
JACKSON JOSEPH: From 3IC to assistant superintendent Manly GC, NSW.
DEAN LENERTZ: From assistant superintendent St Michael’s GC, NSW to superintendent North Ryde GC, NSW where he replaces the retiring Ron Duffy.
RYAN THOMPSON: From assistant superintendent Sentosa GC, Singapore to assistant superintendent Latrobe GC, Vic.
DAVID WARNAAR: From assistant superintendent Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Resort, NSW to superintendent Commercial Club Albury, NSW.
Our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – also provide us with the forum to keep connected with all of our members, sponsors and course staff and we continue to develop these connections for information, education and sometimes just for some fun facts and pictures.
Each year we hold two major events, the first being the Land HQ-John Deere Ambrose Day which will be held at Magenta Shores on 23 May. At this event we provide a forum for our sponsors to showcase their products and we also get the chance to play golf and socialise over dinner. It’s always a great day/evening and we look forward to visiting Magenta Shores.
The second major event with be our annual Rube Walkerden Day which will be held later in the year. During this day we hold our AGM and annual awards celebration recognising outstanding achievements in greenkeeping.
The 2022 Rube Walkerden Day was held at Killara Golf Club last November. At the AGM we welcomed newly-named association life members Mark Parker and Gary Beehag and welcomed new Board directors James Newell, Jake Gibbs and Gareth Hammond. We also celebrated the success of our award winners, including: l Superintendent of the Year (sponsored by Australian Turf Projects): Brent Hull (Moruya GC); l Outstanding Achievement Award (sponsored by Living Turf): Paul Gumbleton (Teven Valley GC); l Outstanding Performance and Dedication Award (sponsored by Water Wise): Mark Ward (Elanora CC).
On the golf course, Federal Golf Club superintendent Peter Dunn won the Rube
Walkerden Trophy, finishing with 38 points and one ahead of host superintendent Ryan Fury. Scott Hauer from sponsors Elite Sand & Soil enjoyed a day out, collecting the Pat Ingram Trophy (trade best stableford – 43 points) and teaming with colleague Luke Bryan to win the GTS Cup (4BBB stableford). Terrey Hills’ Matt Vile collected the President’s Trophy (greenkeepers scratch stableford) with 34 points.
The NSWGCSA would like to thank all sponsors of this event and our awards – Elite Sand & Soil, Dad & Dave’s Turf, Envu, GTS, Water Wise Consulting, Living Turf, Toro, Adama, Australian Turf Projects, JT Turf, Syngenta and Australian Hammer Supplies –we value your support.
