Dropping stakes - a useful rules solution

WINTER 2016
Newsletter of the Victorian
Golf Course Superintendents
Association
Dropping stakes - a
useful rules solution
The Benefits of Azospirillum
on Plant Growth
www.vgcsa.com.au
WINTER 2016
NEWSLETTER
CONTACT THE VGCSA
PRESIDENT
The Victorian Golf Course
Superintendents Association
Cover image:
Devil Bend Golf Club
Mathew Poultney
Green Acres Golf club
turfshed@greenacresgolf.com.au
CONTENTS
VICE PRESIDENT
President’s report
3
From the Super – Devil Bend Golf Club
4
From the Super – Rich River Golf Club
5–6
Minutes – Royal Melbourne & Victoria Golf Clubs
8–9
Barry Proctor
Cranbourne Golf club
bproctor@cranbournegolf.com.au
SECRETARY
VGCSA AGM Minutes – Yarra Yarra Golf Club
10
AGCSA report
11
Membership report
12
News & Snippets
12
Dropping Stakes
13 – 14
Labelling and Decanting of Agricultural Chemicals
15 – 16
Shane Greenhill
Sorrento Golf Club
sgreenhill@sorrentogolf.com.au
TREASURER
Steve Burchett
Portarlington Golf Club
steve@portarlingtongolf.com.au
COMMITTEE
From the Archives - How’s your Profile?
17
Where Are They Now? Dan Brown
18
Assistant Super Profiles
19 – 20
Education Reports
21 – 22
Course Reports
23 – 32
Tech Report – The Benefits of Azospirillum
34
Michael Freeman
Huntingdale Golf Club
superintendent@huntingdalegolf.com.au
Steve Hewitt
Thirteenth Beach Golf Club
shewitt@13thbeach.net
Thomas Smith
Waterford Valley Golf Course
waterfordvalleygolf@hotmail.com
Kyle Wilson
Moonah Links Golf Club
kwilson@moonahlinks.com.au
UPCOMING 2016 MEETINGS
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Monday 6th June Assistants & 3IC meeting at Devil Bend Golf Club
Mary Napier
PO Box 47, Bentleigh East VIC 3165
adminvgcsa@bigpond.com
Monday 1st & Tuesday 2nd August Country meeting at Rich
River Golf Club
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Monday 5th September Education meeting at Eastern Golf Club
Heather Hoare
Pixel City Graphic Design
heather@pixelcity.com.au
Monday 14th November Golf Day meeting at The National.
THANK YOU TO OUR CALENDAR AND MEETING SPONSORS
The VGCSA would like to thank the following organisations for their support towards our meetings and annual calendar.
Copyright © 2015. Disclaimer: The VGCSA believes that material sourced and produced for VGCSA magazine is accurate, but gives no warranty in relation thereto, and disclaims liability for all claims against the
VGCSA, agents or any other person which may arise from any person acting on the materials contained within. No portion, in whole or part, may be reproduced without the written permission of the VGCSA.
2
PRESIDENT’S
REPORT
Welcome
SOME WILD WEATHER greeted the
golfers for the 89th VGCSA Annual
General Meeting at a wonderfully
presented Yarra Yarra Golf Club. The
looks on some of the members faces
heading out to play was priceless
and the scores certainly indicated
the toughness of conditions, where
wind gusts up 90km/hr lashed the
course. The renowned fast greens of
the sandbelt region were on show to
add to the difficulty and thanks must
go to Superintendent, Rod Tatt, for
producing the excellent turf surfaces
for us to enjoy. All the golf results
can be found in the AGM meeting
minutes. Rod also hosted a course
walk for non-playing members where
he discussed the recent line planting
of fairways with Santa ana couch,
extensive tree works/removal
around the course and ongoing
maintenance practices. Thanks must
also go to Yarra Yarra’s Clubhouse
and golf centre staff whose food,
hospitality and organisation was
second to none.
A tremendous highlight of the
day included the induction of
John Geary, Cape Wickham Golf
Course, as the 10th Life Member of
the VGCSA. An achievement well
deserved and acknowledged, is
John’s extensive contribution to not
only the association but to the turf
Mathew Poultney
industry as a whole. Congratulations
John. Another highlight was guest
speaker, Mark McClure, former
Carlton FC Captain and three time
premiership player, who gave us a
great insight to the reasons for their
success during his career along with
some very funny anecdotes.
On behalf of the association, I would
like to thank outgoing President
Jeremy Cutajar for his dedication,
commitment and contribution to
the VGCSA over a nine year period
where he held numerous positions
from general committee to Secretary,
Vice President and President. The
association continues in a strong
position through his efforts. Jeremy
always had time for all members,
whilst his leadership on committee
was valued. We wish him all the
best for the future. Other changes
include Barry Proctor, Cranbourne
GC to Vice President and Shane
Greenhill, Sorrento GC to Secretary.
We also welcome aboard Kyle
Wilson, Moonah Links GC who I’m
sure will have plenty to contribute
to the running of the Association.
The Committee will continue to
be dedicated and work hard to
produce relevant education and
networking opportunities for future
general meetings and newsletter
publications. As always we are
open to any ideas/suggestions and
relevant research topics from our
membership base.
Our next meeting is the 2IC/3IC
Groundstaff education day hosted
by Devil Bend GC, Superintendent
Trevor U’Ren, and sponsored by
Applied Agronomics Australia.
Hopefully this meeting is again
well supported and everyone’s golf
course staff can take something
worthwhile away from it. The ever
popular combined Supers/2IC
Country Meeting at Rich River GC is
another date to lock in on August 1st
& 2nd. I encourage any members who
have not attended previously to make
the effort to get along, as the two days
are very enjoyable and educational.
Hope you all enjoy the newsletter
and thanks to all members, both golf
and trade, for contributions which
make for a good read.
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3
Welcome.
Devil
Bend
Golf Club
THE DEVIL BEND Golf Club was
formed following a series of public
meetings in 1973. An agreement
was reached between the Shire of
Hastings and the newly formed golf
club to build a golf course on 141
acres of public land made available
through an arrangement with
Lysaghts to compensate for their
use of foreshore land. After lots of
hard work by many volunteers, the
then Club President, the late Kevin
Phyland declared the course open on
December 20th, 1975.
In October 1995, a new 21-year
lease was negotiated with the
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
which changed the boundaries and
added some more land for a further
nine holes to be built. The lease
is managed by the Shire Council
on behalf of the Department of
Sustainability and Environment
and the land is an official Land for
Wildlife reserve. Since then there
have been many alterations and
improvements made to the golf
course and the clubhouse, most
of it done through the efforts and
generosity of members. That pattern
of improvement and voluntary labour
continues today. The Club has a
fully PC controlled irrigation system
and many kilometres of drainage
installed. The couch fairways
make the course a fine place to be
a member and a credit to all those
members who give their time to
continue Its development.
Over the last 20 years the Club has
undertaken a greens rebuilding
program which now sees the Club
only having three original greens left.
Devilbend looks forward to hosting
the VGCSA 2IC, 3IC and Ground staff
day in June.
Trevor U’Ren
Course Superintendent
4
FROM THE
SUPER
2IC-3IC
GROUND STAFF
EDUCATION
MEETING
Monday 6th June 2016
Devil Bend Golf Club
2IC-3IC GROUND
STAFF EDUCATION
MEETING SPEAKERS
Andrew Peart
Senior Agronomist with the
AGCSA since 2002.
Andrew will discuss the work
of the AGCSATech and focus on
some current disease and turf
related issues.
Darren Balfour
Course Superintendent, Ocean and
Moonah Courses at The National
Golf Club.
Darren will discuss how The
National operates with four
courses on two sites, as well as
the recent reconstruction work on
the Old Course.
Proudly sponsored by Applied
Agronomics Australia.
Rich River
Golf Club
THE RICH RIVER Golf Club opened
here in 1979. It was first established
as The Echuca Golf Club in 1907, but
due to constant floods and the lure of
a new start across the river, the move
happened. A committed bunch of
members developed the current site
and built the west course first and,
following this, the east course was
built with all of the other sporting
bodies to follow.
The old Echuca Golf Club site was
developed into housing and the
remaining nine holes is a public course
which is nestled along the Campaspe
River. The locals refer these nine holes
to the back nine, which are played
regularly by the community.
I am very fortunate to have good
people working with me that can
share the same sort of passion and
commitment that is required in such
a busy sporting club.
The grass varieties are: on the
greens, Penncross; the bowls,
Tiffdwarf; and Wintergreen on all
other playing areas.
We have many challenges moving
forward for the Club. Securing more
water still remains very high on the
agenda. We have also the removal of
couch out of the greens which is a fiveyear program to complete. Our greens
FROM THE
SUPER
COUNTRY
MEETING
Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd
August 2016
Rich River Golf Club
apron encroachment is also being
addressed which will start in 2017.
Our practice facilities have been
upgraded which includes a driving
range and, recently this year, we
have constructed a short game
practice facility and car park.
The practice green was sown
down at the end of April with Pure
Distinction and two varieties of
continued overleaf
The Echuca Moama district has
grown and developed significantly
during my 19 year term at Rich River.
I have seen many staff come and go,
as well as committees, and all have
made a valuable contribution into
the growth of the Club.
The two 18 hole courses, nine
tennis courts, three bowling greens’
clubhouse, motel and surrounds, and
croquet sit on an area of 237 Ha and
we have another 115 Ha of vacant
land next door. It is a vast amount
of area for my 18 staff to look after.
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5
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very happy with the performance
of Pure Distinction. That’s why we
have chosen this bent grass for our
region.
The Club has ventured into other
projects which include housing
development to provide income for
future projects, and solar panels in
our main car park that will reduce
our energy costs and provide
shade in the hotter months of the
year.
Maintaining and improving growth
in the golf market is an increasing
challenge for the Club. There are so
many great clubs along the Murray
to choose from to play golf and all
offer great stay and play packages.
Finishing up, I hope we all see
a big break in the weather over
the coming months so we can all
rest a bit easier leading into next
summer. I can only hope. Looking
forward to seeing you all and I am
sure you will have a great time at
Rich River Golf Club Resort.
Andrew Johnson
Superintendent
RICH RIVER COUNTRY MEETING SPEAKERS
David Meagher
Director, DPM Consulting
John Neylan
David is the Managing Director and
founder of DPM Consulting, with over
thirty years commercial experience
working in both human resources
and financial services with a focus on
professional services and sport & leisure.
DPM Consulting specialise in managing
the production and implementation of
Human Resource strategies. This may
include such activities as performance
management and training initiatives,
employee relations, implementing reward
and recognition programs, and introducing
policy and procedural change into
organisations.
David has worked with many golf clubs
from start-up to ongoing support which
has included: Moonah Links, Sanctuary
Lakes, The Sands Torquay, The National
Golf Club, The Sorrento Golf Club, The
Dunes and Sandhurst.
Primary topics to be discussed include:
• HR Myth busting - clearing up some
ongoing myths associated with
employing people
• Motivating and managing the millennial
employee in a club environment
• The five key components of an effective
team.
John has been involved in the
turf industry across Australia for
many years including a stint as
General Manager of the Australian
Golf Course Superintendents
Association. Currently back doing
what he loves best, researching
and consulting for the turf industry
with his company Turfgrass
Consulting and Research. John, in
conjunction with Sorrento Golf Club,
began a trial in 2014 researching
Microbiology technology within
the turf industry, with results
presented at last year’s country
meeting. This year, the trial results
of a subsequent microbiological trial
will be presented, evaluating the
benefits of compost tea and other
biological products. This trial has
been jointly funded by the VGCSA
and the Sorrento Golf Club.
The Rich River meeting will also
feature a day of golf plus sponsor
presentations from ADE Turf
Equipment, Anco Seed & Turf,
Bayer, Colin Campbell Chemicals,
Globe Australia, Independent
Turf Services, Kubota, Rain Bird,
Toro and Turf Culture.
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7
MINUTES
EDUCATION
MEETING
Monday 7th March 2016
Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Victoria Golf Club
7:48am
General Business – Nil
7:30am
Registration
7:45am
Open Meeting
President Jeremy Cutajar welcomed
everyone to the first meeting of 2016
and thanked Kubota Baroness and
Nuturf for sponsoring the day.
7:47am
Apologies
Anthony (Jack) Poletko
Barry Proctor
Colin Foster
Cory Budden
David Mason
Leigh Yanner
Mark Prosser
Mathew Botherway
Mick Dove
Peter Frewin
Thomas Smith
Toby Drummond
8
8:00am
Course walk with Richard
Forsyth
Richard showed us many areas
of the West Course and discussed
aspects of the different turf surfaces
and the varying issues he has
with Legend couch fairways, fine
fescue green surrounds and Suttons
mix greens. He also justified the
reasoning behind the decisions to go
with these varieties in terms of Poa
control and couch encroachment
control. The use of Primo on greens
and fairways was discussed,
aiming to maintain and improve
turf surfaces. The turf surfaces were
immaculate.
Richard spoke briefly about the
native vegetation management on
the courses and the need to burn
areas periodically to rejuvenate the
plants and encourage beneficial
species naturally. He then showed us
the irrigation system and elaborated
sophisticated process in order to
treat the water to the desirable
quality to use on course. Richard
also spoke about the upcoming
construction of a new maintenance
facility to be built this year.
We inspected the new short game
practice facility. As sponsors of the
day, Kubota Baroness showed us
a number of machines in their turf
range and expanded on the quality
of cut and the process to develop
their cutting heads and machines in
general.
10:00am
Morning Tea.
President Jeremy Cutajar thanked
Richard for his very informative
course walk and presented him with
a framed photo of the course.
10:30am
Transfer to Victoria Golf Club
12:30pm
Lunch
11:00am
Course walk with Ian Todd.
1:00pm
Gavan Hegan, state manager of
Nuturf, was introduced who then
welcomed Dennis Baker, Principal
Soil Scientist and Director of
Environmental Soil Solutions. Dennis
spoke at length about the benefits
of cotton compost and the many
areas that a quality compost had
been used to reinstate or rejuvenate
landscape areas and sports fields.
It was highlighted that a good
quality compost can be incorporated
into turf profiles for improved
performance.
Ian commenced the course walk
by showing us the new works at
the practice driving range and also
the recently constructed spare par
3 hole. The new hole had been
grassed but still needed time to
mature. Ian spoke about the decision
to go with Mackenzie bent grass
on the green. He then spoke about
the irrigation system and how they
source their water from a number of
bores on the course.
We were taken to a number of areas
which highlighted the extensive
development of sandy wasteland
areas complimented with native
plants specific to the sandbelt
location. Ian spoke about how
the course has benefitted from
developing these areas but also
highlighted some of the issues he
had moving forward in this program
with the difficulty of removing some
of the larger trees on the property.
To Ian’s credit he showed us some
of his greens that had considerable
couch encroachment in them, and
discussion arose as to how he and
others may tackle this problem that
affects most golf courses.
1:30pm
President Jeremy Cutajar thanked
Ian Todd for hosting the day at
Victoria Golf Club and presented him
with a framed photo of the course.
Jeremy thanked the generous
support of all the sponsors and in
particular Kubota Baroness and
Nuturf for sponsoring the education
meeting. Jeremy announced that
the VGCSA AGM was to be held at
Yarra Yarra Golf Club on Tuesday
May 3rd, 2016 and encouraged all to
attend. Jeremy thanked everyone
for their attendance and wished
them a safe trip home.
1:40pm
Meeting Closed.
9
VGCSA 89th
AGM MINUTES
Apologies
Runner Up – Rod Ferry (Nuturf)
Peter Frewin – AGCSA
Brett Balloch – Anglesea Golf Club
Jim Brennon – Applied Agronomics
Roger Harkin – Clifton Springs Golf
Club
Mark Prosser – Commonwealth Golf
Club
Matt McLeod – Cobram Sporties
Tony Johnson – Cobram Sporties
Rob Bradley – Curlewis Golf Club
Nathan Tovey – epar
Paul Locke – Freeway Golf Club
Jim Porter – Holmesglen TAFE
James Sullivan – Hydroplan
Kane Blunt – Mansfield Golf Club
Kyle Wilson – Moonah Links Golf
Club
Gavin Hegan – Nuturf
Daniel Baskin – Rossdale Golf Club
Paul Kortholt – Rossdale Golf Club
Bill Daunt – Shepparton Golf Club
Alastair Dowie – Turfcraft
International
Nearest to Pin
4th - Greg Burgess (Portsea Golf
Club)
15th - David Phillips (Spring Valley
Golf Club)
Longest Drive
8th - Matthew Campbell
(Numurkah Golf & Bowls Club)
18th - Sam Langford
(Woodlands Golf Club)
VGCSA Turf Apprentice of the
Year Award – William Koopmans
(Ballarat Golf Club)
VGCSA 2nd Year Diploma
Scholarship Award Winner –
Nicholas Marino (Club Mandalay)
VGCSA Recognition Awards
Superintendent - Clayton Howell
(Eastern Golf Club)
Trade member - Casey Johnston
(David Golf & Engineering Pty Ltd)
Golf Results
Powell Trophy Winner – Matthew
Campbell (Numurkah Golf & Bowls
Club)
Runner Up – Tim Kuiper (Mooroopna
Golf Club)
Toro Cup Winner - Travis Stillman
(Frankston Golf Club)
Runner Up – David Phillips (Spring
Valley Golf Club)
Presidents Shield Winner – Adrian
Cambia (A & M Watering)
10
88th AGM held at Huntingdale
Golf Club previous meeting
minutes
Moved by - Clint Raven
Seconded by - John Mann
89th AGM Treasurers report
Moved by - Richard Forsyth
Seconded by - Mathew Poultney
VGCSA Life Membership
Awarded to - John Geary (Cape
Wickham Links – King Island)
Tuesday 3rd May 2016
Yarra Yarra Golf Club
Election of Office Bearers
Presented by John Geary (former
VGCSA President)
President – Mathew Poultney
Vice President – Barry Proctor
Secretary – Shane Greenhill
Treasurer – Steve Burchett
Committee – Michael Freeman, Kyle
Wilson, Steve Hewitt, Thomas Smith
Congratulations to Mathew Poultney
elected in as the new President of
the VGCSA for 2016/2017
Host Superintendent
Presentation
Rod Tatt – Superintendent, Yarra
Yarra Golf Club accepted a framed
course photo as acknowledgment of
thanks.
Mathew Poultney thanked Rod Tatt
for his hospitality and hosting of the
day. Meeting Close – 3pm
Refreshments followed, courtesy
of Toro. Thank you to Toro for their
sponsorship and support.
AGCSA
REPORT
Peter Frewin
Chief Executive Officer
THE PAST FEW months have been
extremely busy as we put the final
touches on what is the highlight
of the annual calendar for those
involved in the turf industry. For the
first time in many years the 32nd
Australian Turfgrass Conference
and Trade Exhibition will be staged
at a new venue as we move to the
Crown Entertainment Complex
after being across the road at “Jeff’s
shed” for more years that I care
to remember. This year will also
mark the 25th anniversary of the
AGCSA in its current structure.
The association was originally
established in 1981 to further
the profession of golf course
management in Australia and the
Pacific Rim but it was not until 1991
that the AGCSA began to represent
the industry in its current form.
The 2016 conference will not only
feature the usual high quality
educational and social events
but also see the first Future Turf
Manager’s Initiative which is
partnered by Jacobsen. This event
is staged across many regions of
the world and is a great opportunity
for those looking to take the next
step in their careers. The program
includes a mentor program and
training in areas like CV writing,
communication and managing
staff, which are skills that are often
not a high priority for those starting
out in the industry. In 2016, six
Victorians are amongst the thirteen
candidates that will go through the
program and we hope this will be
the first year of many.
The AGCSA phone app is again
available this year and is a great
tool for those attending the event.
It is also a great resource for those
not attending as it contains a great
deal of information from speakers
and our trade partners. The app
is available in all formats and you
will find it in the Apple or Android
stores. The conference and trade
exhibition is a great opportunity for
the local Victorians to bring some
staff and committee members along
to visit the trade exhibition, which
again is free of charge. They will
also have the opportunity to attend
the “Hear from the Trade” sessions
which are also free of charge to
anyone attending the exhibition.
Aside from presentations by
our major sponsors Hybrid Ag,
Jacobsen, Nuturf, Rain Bird,
Syngenta and Toro, there will
also be presentations by Ohio
State University and Danger Sun
Overhead.
I would encourage everyone to
attend and not only hear some
quality speakers but also take
the opportunity to see what is
new from our trade partners.
Attending this event is a great
opportunity to not only give club
staff members the opportunity to
see what is happening first hand
but, importantly, support those who
support the industry.
For those that read this column you
would be aware the AGCSA has
been looking at the possibility of
becoming involved in the training
sector by way of working with
a current RTO. In recent times
there has been significant change
for our section of the industry.
Skills Impact has recently being
appointed to take over from
Agrifoods as the skills provider
for our sector. With Skills Impact
being an industry based group,
the AGCSA believe this should
provide industry with improved
input into what training is being
offered in the sector. Greater
industry involvement was the
catalyst for the AGCSA considering
this direction. While it may take
some time for Skills Impact to
gain traction, the communication
we have had with them seems
positive and we look forward to
seeing what they can offer the
sector. Given the “goal posts” have
significantly changed and, with
the looming Federal election, the
AGCSA Board have deferred any
decision regarding direct AGCSA
involvement in the training sector
until the end of 2017. On-going
quality education is one of the
AGCSA’s main concerns so the
issue will remain a high priority as
indicated in the Strategic Review.
In closing I would like to
congratulate John Geary, Clayton
Howell and Casey Johnson for
being honoured at the recent
VGCSA – AGM. To be recognised
by your peers for your input into
this great industry is the highest
honour and all are deserving
recipients. Congratulations also
to Mat Poultney on his election as
President and all those that will
again serve on the committee.
If you are heading to Melbourne
for the 32nd Australian Turfgrass
Conference and Trade Exhibition I
look forward to catching up then. If
not, I hope winter treats you kindly
and 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. Any feedback is greatly
appreciated.
Peter Frewin
Chief Executive Officer
11
MEMBERSHIP
REPORT
Steven Hewitt
Membership Co-ordinator
The VGCSA membership continues
to grow and change. At the recent
AGM held at Yarra Yarra Golf Club
there were many new faces in
attendance. I played golf with two
superintendents who I had not met
prior, one of which was attending
his first meeting as Superintendent,
the other I found out during the
round had spent 12 months working
at Augusta National Golf Club in
the US. It’s amazing the depth of
knowledge and experience we have
within our Association.
I encourage everyone to get out of
their comfort zone and meet at least
two new members for every meeting
they attend. If any new members
would like assistance with being
made welcome at a meeting, I would
be pleased to touch base prior and
formally introduce you to members
I know that you would relate to.
Please call me if you think this is
applicable to yourself or for any other
membership enquiries.
Welcome to the following new
members to the VGCSA and those
who have moved Clubs:
Course Superintendents
Matt Shuttleworth – Robinvale Golf
Club
Brenton Kay – Eynesbury Golf Club /
McMahons
Tay Wilson – Kooringal Golf Club
Assistant Superintendents
Keegan Powell – The Sands Torquay
Daniel Baskin – Rossdale Golf Club
Trade Members
Eric Kinlon – HG Sports Turf Pty Ltd
Nathan Tovey – epar Pty Ltd
Jamie McMaster - Sustainable Liquid
Technology
Trent Saunders – Kubota Tractor
Australia
Andrew Boyle – Simplot Partners
A reminder to all VGCSA members:
If your circumstances change, please
notify us at adminvgcsa@bigpond.
com to help ensure our membership
records stay up to date.
Get involved
News &
Snippets
We enjoy receiving your course
reports and whilst it’s great to
read through the 20-30 that come
through for each quarterly issue,
we have 138 A class members
and, of course, we’d love to hear
from you all.
Solution
It’s been great to get reports from
the Assistants out there. So, to the
Supers who feel they are under the
pump, why not ask your Assistant
to write a report as a representative
of your Course. Just a few lines will
do or, if your staff are too time poor,
simply send in a photo of some
course works.
As we all know, the course reports
are the highlights of the newsletter!
When you attend the next meeting,
fellow members may pick your
brain for advice and experience
on something they read from your
course report. Our main purpose
as an association is to further the
knowledge and comradery of our
membership so please get involved.
A report only takes 10-15 minutes of
you or your Assistant’s time.
Apart from the VGCSA newsletter
issues, there is always a chance to
share your news, stories and photos
on our facebook page. Come join the
community.
Playing in the windy city Yarra Yarra AGM
TIP:
Where to
strategically
place your
comment
box…
www.facebook.com/victoriangolfcoursesuperintendentsassociation
12
Dropping
Stakes - a
useful rules
solution
Introduction
Course staff play a highly significant
role in the enjoyment of the game
by all players by controlling two key
factors: • Course Condition
• Course Set Up
A broad understanding of the
Rules of Golf and the Golf Australia
Handicap/Course Rating System
together with play on the course are
important contributing factors in
performing the above role.
Golf Victoria has recently put
together a brief presentation
that covers key aspects in these
areas that can be undertaken at
all affiliated Victorian clubs at no
charge. The presentation lasts for
around 90 minutes and is useful
in the education of course staff,
especially those who aren’t regular
players. Any course superintendent
interested in the presentation being
undertaken at their club is requested
to contact David Greenhill or David
Blake at Golf Victoria on 8545 6200.
In the third of a series of articles
on some of the major issues faced
by course staff in their day to day
activities, we’ll look at the option
of using dropping stakes instead of
dropping zones.
As a consequence, dropping zones
have long been used in such a
manner both in club golf and during
major tournaments and are painted
onto the ground as white squares
around 1.5 metres in length and
width.Generally dropping zones
are provided as an additional relief
option to those available under
the Rule itself, rather than being
mandatory.
Within clubs, dropping zones are
regularly introduced as a short
term additional relief option for
areas of ground under repair, large
immovable obstructions/artificial
surfaces and occasionally large
expanses of casual water. On a
longer term basis, dropping zones
are also used as a permanent extra
relief option for a ball lost or in a
water or lateral water hazard, often
when such a hazard is located
behind or adjacent to a green.
Even during a tournament of
relatively short duration, dropping
zones get heavily used resulting in
inconsistent and sometimes poor turf
quality occurring. They also have to
be routinely maintained with lines
RULES
Complied by David Greenhill
(Chief Operating Officer) &
David Blake (Golf Services
Officer) - Golf Victoria
re-painted to maintain visibility and
definition to players. In situations
where the need for a dropping zone
ceases, it can take some time for the
lines denoting the zone to fade (as
the grass grows and is mown) thus
causing confusion to players as to
whether the relief option remains.
As a result of the above, over the
past 4-5 years in Victoria, dropping
stakes have been introduced as the
basis for temporary and permanent
additional relief options where
a dropping zone was previously
utilised. The dropping stakes are
generally around one metre high;
made out of metal or wood; with the
words “Dropping Stake’ written/
painted on at least two sides of
them. While it is not mandatory that
the stakes be a specific colour, it is
suggested that they be light blue
so as distinguish them from other
stakes on the course.
Where players are provided with
an additional relief option under an
applicable rule to drop the ball in a
specific location, the ball is dropped
continued overleaf
Dropping Stakes - Overview
Appendix 1, Part A, 6 of the Rules
of Golf states that it is permissible
to ‘establish special areas on which
balls may or must be dropped when
it is not feasible or practicable to
proceed exactly in conformity with
Rule 24-2b or 24-3 (Immovable
Obstruction), Rule 25-1b or 26-1c
(Abnormal Ground Conditions), Rule
25-3 (Wrong Putting Green), Rule
26-1 (Water Hazards and Lateral
Water Hazards) or Rule 28 (Ball
Unplayable).
13
within 1 or 2 club lengths of the
dropping stake instead of dropping a
ball in a dropping zone.
The experience to date with
dropping stakes has been a
universally positive one. Course
staff prefer using them to dropping
zones as it provides a far better
opportunity to spread turf wear and
tear, especially where they are used
as a permanent additional relief
option (often with water hazards at
the back of greens such as the 14th at
Metropolitan).
When undertaking routine mowing
duties, the stakes are easy for course
staff to remove and replace in
slightly different positions to where
they were originally located.
Time is saved in not having to
repaint dropping zones on a regular
basis, especially during the growing
seasons. The dropping stakes are
easily visible to players as the basis
for a quick and simple additional
relief option.
As an example, where an additional
relief option is required for a ball that
is lost or in a water hazard, the Local
Rule (including the dropping stake
option) would be worded as follows:
“If a ball is in, or it is known or
virtually certain that a ball that
has not been found, is in the water
hazard (specify location), the player
may:
(i) proceed under Rule 26; or
(ii) as an additional option, drop a
ball, under penalty of one stroke,
within one club length of the
nearest dropping stake.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke
play – Two strokes.”
It should be noted that when using
a dropping stake option (as is the
case with dropping zones), the
following provisions as specified by
the R&A still apply regarding the
dropping and re-dropping of the
ball:
A. The player does not have to
stand within one club length
of the dropping stake when
dropping the ball.
B. The dropped ball must first
strike a part of the course within
one club length of the dropping
stake.
C. The dropped ball does not have
to come to rest within one club
length of the dropping stake.
D. The dropped ball must be redropped if it rolls and comes
to rest in a position covered by
Rule 20-2c(i-vi).
E. The dropped ball may roll nearer
the hole than the spot where it
first struck a part of the course,
provided it comes to rest within
two club-lengths of that spot
and not into any of the positions
covered by (D).
- the nearest point of relief or
maximum available relief (Rule
24-2, Rule 25-1 or Rule 25-3); or
- the point where the original
ball last crossed the margin
of the water hazard or lateral
water hazard (Rule 26-1).
The dropping stakes themselves
can either be defined as movable
or immovable obstructions at
each club’s preference to then
provide players with the rule to be
used (either 24-1 or 24-2) should a
dropped ball come to rest where
interference is experienced with
the dropping stake itself. For the
most part, clubs using dropping
stakes define them as immovable
obstructions (as they do with other
water hazard and GUR stakes on
the course).
Hopefully the dropping stake
option may be a useful alternative
to painting dropping zones at your
club or event when additional relief
options are required in accordance
with the above-mentioned rules.
F. Subject to the provisions of (D)
and (E), the dropped ball may
roll and come to rest nearer the
hole than:
- its original position or
estimated position (see Rule
20-2b);
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Labelling and
decanting of
agricultural
chemicals
RECENTLY there has been a case
of a person being severely poisoned
through consumption of a chemical
which had been decanted into an
unlabelled container. This case
resulted in prosecution against the
business responsible.
Maintenance of chemical
labels
Labelling allows containers of
hazardous substances to be readily
identified and provides some basic
information on the hazards of the
substance and precautions for use
(including risk and safety phrases).
Employers must make sure that all
containers of hazardous substances
for use at the workplace are labelled
with the manufacturer’s or importer’s
label. The label supplied must be
written in English and contain:
• the product name of the
hazardous substance;
• name, address and telephone
number of the Australian
manufacturer or importer of the
substance;
• information relating to its
ingredients;
• relevant health and safety
information about the substance
(including risk and safety phrases),
except where the container is so
small it is not practical to provide
CHEMICALS
Department of Economic
Development, Job, Transport
and Resources
such information;
• the word “HAZARDOUS” (or
signal words such as “dangerous
poison”, “warning” or “caution”
that indicate the severity of the
hazard).
Containers must remain labelled
until the contents have been
removed and the container has
been completely cleaned (free of the
substance) or the contents have been
neutralised, cured or chemically
deactivated.
Labels for hazardous substances
must not be removed from the
continued overleaf
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15
container, defaced or altered. If
a label on a container is illegible,
incorrect or otherwise not in keeping
with the Regulations (Dangerous
Goods (Storage and Handling)
Regulations 1989), the container
should be removed from use until it
is appropriately labelled.
Decanting and mixing
chemicals
Decanting and mixing chemicals
is a potentially dangerous task that
presents the greatest risk to handlers
because chemicals are usually in
concentrated form. The site where
chemicals are mixed and loaded
prior to application is also at risk of
contamination from spills.
Choose a mixing site that is away
from people, animals and stockfeed.
Never eat, drink or smoke when
mixing chemicals, nor allow children
or unauthorised persons near the
mixing operation.
The mixing site must be well
ventilated, have good lighting and
prevent any chemicals from draining
into waterways or sewers. There
should be a personal wash-down
facility on the mixing site, with a
ready supply of clean water and soap.
Only mix enough chemical for
you to immediately use. Farm
chemicals should be decanted in
a way that minimises the risk of
handler contact with chemicals.
Chemicals designated as ‘Hazardous
Substances’ are not permitted to be
decanted unless the original label
is attached to the new container.
Wherever possible, use closed-tank
mixing systems to fill application
equipment. Steps should be taken to
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minimise the risk of spillage.
Hoses and pipes used to fill the spray
tank with water should be fitted with
a non-return valve, particularly where
the hose is submerged while filling.
This will prevent chemical siphoning
back from the tank into the water
source if the supply is interrupted.
Agitation of the tank should be
sufficient to keep farm chemicals
thoroughly mixed and suspended.
Triple rinse empty containers and
drain rinse water into the spray tank.
Labelling of decanted
substances
Labelling requirements for hazardous
substances decanted for use in the
workplace depend primarily on
whether or not the substance is to be
consumed (used up) immediately.
A container into which a hazardous
substance has been decanted does
not need to be labelled if:
• the decanted substance is
consumed immediately; and
• the container is cleaned, or the
contents have been neutralised,
cured or chemically deactivated
immediately after use.
“Immediately” means “as soon as
possible to do so”. This means that
labelling is not needed provided
the container remains in the control
of, or within sight of, the person
using the decanted substance. That
is, the container must not be left
unattended.
However, a container into which
a hazardous substance has been
decanted must be labelled with the
product name if:
• the decanted substance is not
consumed (used up); or
• the container is not cleaned or
its contents is not neutralised,
cured or chemically deactivated
immediately after use.
Container labels do not need to be
‘stick on’. Written or painted labels
are acceptable, as long as they are
legible and durable. Alternatively, you
may be able to obtain spare copies of
container labels from the manufacturer,
importer or supplier of the hazardous
substance. Where practicable, label the
container with the appropriate risk and
safety phrases. Refer to the Worksafe
website for further guidance on the
information that may be included
on labels: www.worksafe.vic.gov.
au/safety-and-prevention/healthand-safety-topics/hazardoussubstances/your-legal-duties.
Where labelling is required, but it is
not practical to label the container
into which the substance is decanted
with the product name (for example,
because the container is too small),
you can use some other means to
identify the contents of the container
(for example, by a laboratory sample
number). Inform employees likely to
be exposed to the substance about
the meaning of the identification
method used.
Unwanted Chemicals
Concentrate chemicals should never
be disposed of on-farm. Disposal
must be carried out by a licensed
waste disposal company or chemical
collection program (e.g. ChemClear,
visit www.chemclear.com.au or
phone 1800 008 182 for information).
How’s your profile?
FROM THE
ARCHIVES
Caddy Shack or Dedicated Professional
I was reading some old VGCSA
newsletters recently and came
across an interesting article from
Mark Schmutter.
The article was published in 1996
but I feel it is a great reminder that
we (superintendents) are far more
than just turf managers. It seems
we now spend 10-20% of our time
managing turf and the other 80-90%
managing staff, report writing and
public relations both internally and
externally as an employee of our
Clubs.
As individuals and superintendents
we must continue to raise our profile,
ensuring that our Club sees us as the
dedicated professional.
I hope the winter weather brings
what you are after - be it a dry or a
wet one.
Here is an extract from the article:
Barry Proctor
VGCSA Secretary
Ask yourself these simple questions...
• Is your Club a place where you
simply do a job and rush off at
the end of the day?
• Have you undertaken any further
training recently to improve your
skills?
• If you have, is your Club familiar
with the content and positive
impact of that training?
• Have you continued to update
your methods and procedures
over recent years?
• Do you dress and present
yourself, your staff and
your maintenance facilities
professionally?
• Do you regularly propose new
improvement programs for your
Club to consider?
• Do you contribute to the Club’s
newsletter, publicising programs
and projects implemented on the
course?
• Have you recently attended
a Club function such as
presentation nights?
• Do you know or talk to members
of your Club on the course?
• Do you dismiss the complaints
of members as ravings of a loser
who just missed the last putt, or
do you look behind the emotion
to search for a key to further
course improvement?
• Are your superintendents’ days
just social and golf, or education
and networking? And how do
you project them to your Club?
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17
WHERE ARE
THEY NOW?
Superintendent
Dan Brown
Grass species on course
Tifdwarf (Penn Cross of warm season)
and Evergreen (Indonesian couch
variety) on tees, fairways and roughs.
How is the industry perceived
overseas?
Obviously I haven’t lived or worked
in Australia since 2010 but the
big difference working overseas
is that you are looked up to, not
only by your fellow staff but by the
membership and green fee players.
Golf in Asia is largely based on how
much money you have, so if you
are a member of a golf club, you are
perceived to be wealthy, hence the
respect shown to you and the team.
Don’t get me wrong there are always
exceptions to the rule but, all in all,
there aren’t many issues.
What is your opinion on green
speed?
During my interview for this job,
the General Manager told me that
Danang Golf Club has a reputation
for having hard and fast greens so I
guess I enjoy watching balls take a
long time to reach the holes. Being
push up greens on pure sand with
around 300 days over 30 degrees
Celsius, chasing pace isn’t as hard as
it is in Queensland, and in Thailand
the humidity only hangs around for
6-8 weeks per year.
Do you intend to return to
Australia or your home state in
future?
Occasionally I think about it, but that
only lasts a few minutes. You “never
say never” but at this stage I’m more
than happy living abroad.
Is there a language barrier and
how do you overcome it?
It’s not as hard as it seems. As I’ve
explained to many people, “turf
management isn’t rocket science”, you
can jump on a machine and visually
show them what to do. “An eye full is
18
better than an ear full.” In saying that
I’ve been lucky to have very good
English speaking managers. They
even know now how to raise their
voice when needed.
What is different in
management techniques?
Management techniques pretty
much stay the same. The basics
like; cutting, dusting, setting up for
play etc. are pretty much the same
everywhere I’ve worked. The staff
are really well trained with the
“Black and White” of maintaining a
golf course though they do struggle
with the “Grey” area. What I mean
by this is the staff will always follow
orders from the whiteboard even if
there has been 200mm of rain over
night or it’s raining and they still
want to apply Primo in the rain etc.
What made you move overseas?
I lived in Penang, Malaysia in the mid
80s. My father taught for the RAAF
and he took us everywhere on the
school breaks. We ended up having
school holidays in Russia, UK, France,
Thailand, Singapore and a couple of
road trips through Malaysia. Looking
back at that experience many years
later, I wanted my one and only child
to experience the same thing.
Career highlight
I suppose the most rewarding
highlight(s) is getting told that
the punters have really enjoyed
their experience – from the drive
into the course, the walk through
the clubhouse, 18 holes and then
finishing with a few drinks on the
patio. Happy punters are a lot easier
to talk to than grumpy ones! Working
under Richard Forsyth and Ian
Todd were game changers. Great
blokes, wonderful leaders, respectful,
educational and most importantly,
extremely approachable. Both those
gentlemen are the reason I’m still in
the trade and I absolutely love my job.
Management style
Lean. I get so frustrated when I see
over watered turf. Whether it is a golf
course or a front lawn. It is my pet
hate. The lack of care and appreciation
for water use in Asia is downright
embarrassing. Having spent time in a
drought I have no respect for anyone
who over waters and over fertilises.
What are your current strategies
for retaining staff?
Luckily working in Asia, the staff
very rarely leave for another job.
Although the minimum wage is
only $160 USD, they are transported
to and from work, given meals on
site, health checkups plus monthly
VAT bonuses (which may be
$10). Although this seems like the
bare minimum, the staff are very
appreciative and continue to work
hard for the club and their family.
Assistant Superintendent
Nick Launer
The Metropolitan Golf Club
Work history
Apprenticeship, The Metropolitan GC
- 4 years
Turf Tradesperson, Royal Melbourne
GC - 1 year
Assistant Superintendent, Murray
Downs Golf & Country Club - 5 Years
Best advice on how to assist the
Superintendent
Buy into the superintendent’s visions
and methods as quick as possible. This
allows clear and concise messaging
and instruction being delivered to
staff. Unity and leadership are vital.
Describe a professional moment
when you said “I will never do that
again”
Assume your pants fit you before an
important interview. An hour before
the interview I’m in a men’s wear store
purchasing new pants. Needless to
say this happened six months ago and
the outcome was favourable!
Best moment in the job
Returning to Metropolitan
Worst moment in the job
Picking up cores after a Monday night
Christmas party.
What you like about the job?
Being involved in golf and playing a
major part in how it is played on a day
to day basis.
Funniest moment on the course
Seeing the condition of all the guys
who attended that Christmas party
picking up cores.
What you hate about the job?
Noise Restrictions
Favourite movie
Moneyball
Type of turf on greens, tees and
fairways
Greens: SR1119/1120 Bentgrass
Fairways: Santa Ana/Winter Green
Tees: Mixture of Cool Season Grasses/
Santa Ana Couch
Favourite food
Leftover pizza
Most valuable piece of professional
advice.
A former boss once suggested that
if I ever needed to make a good
impression try and be someone else!
More importantly remain calm at all
times.
Favourite piece of equipment
Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment
Plant
ASSISTANT
SUPER
PROFILE
Greatest sporting moment you
have seen
Toss up between 1999 Preliminary
Final or 2013 Masters
Family
Wife, Felicity
Number of staff
Currently 14, usually 16
Course specifications
Longest Sandbelt GC at 6427metres.
Par 72 Pure Couch Fairways.
Bentgrass Greens, 99 Bunkers.
The meaning of life
Keep re-evaluating balance in work
and life. Ensure you set yourself time
to let the hair down but, equally, keep
in mind the big picture to chase your
goals.
Football team
Carlton
Plans for the course
Trial work to begin on greens
construction methods including
Bentgrass variety trials. Re-seeding
Bentgrass Turf Nursery, Course
Master Plan works to begin this year.
Preliminary works for new Irrigation
System install in 2017.
Favourite restaurant
Mr Burch
continued overleaf
Favourite golfer
Paul Irvine
Favourite band
The Living End
Specialist Bentgrass producers
Grown to order ensuring minimal thatch
Bentgrass available on sand profile
Line Planting service available
Contract Growing service
19
Assistant Superintendent
James Cocker
The Metropolitan Golf Club
Work history
Apprentice Surrey National Golf
Club, UK
Internship Merion Golf Club, USA
Huntingdale Golf Club
Foreman/Assistant Superintendent
The Sands Torquay - 5 Years
at a famous Sandbelt Golf Course
Metropolitan as Second Assistant
Superintendent.
Second Assistant Superintendent
Metropolitan Golf Club
Funniest moment on the course
Member of staff soiling themselves
during reno’s. Never seen eight
blokes crying of laughter (poor guy,
but very funny).
Best advice on how to assist the
Superintendent
Good communication, support, lead
by example and encourage
ideas and looking after day to
day course works.
What you like about the job?
Meeting new people and being
able to work in the industry
across different countries. Being
involved in the game of golf ie.
playing, maintenance and design of
Golf Courses
What you hate about the job?
Rabbits
Type of turf on greens, tees and
fairways
Greens: SR1119/1120 Bentgrass
Fairways: Santa Ana / Winter Green
Tees:Mixture of Cool Season Grasses
/ Santa Ana Couch
Most valuable piece of
professional advice
Never have a career in a job you
dislike
Favourite piece of equipment
Toro MDX Sprayer
Describe a professional moment
when you said “I will never do
that again”
Turning on a green sprinkler with
the hand held radio and punching in
the wrong code, only to find a lady
member putting over that sprinkler
(that was the end of her round and
she didn’t finish the first hole… oops!).
Best moment in the job
Working at Merion Golf Club USA,
moving to Australia (Sands Torquay
as assistant) and being employed
20
ASSISTANT
SUPER
PROFILE
Worst moment in the job
Having to use the the whipper snipper
for a week straight after missing a
Saturday shift because I over slept.
Favourite movie
Happy Gilmore
Favourite food
Bangers and mash, onion, green peas
and gravy.
Greatest sporting moment you
have seen
England winning the ashes at the
MCG, 2010.
Favourite golfer
Natalie Gulbis
Favourite band
Oasis
How long have you been
in the job and as Assistant
Superintendent?
Six months at Metropolitan Golf
Club . 4.5 years at Sands Torquay
Golf Club. 2 Years at Surrey National
Golf Club, UK. All up 15 years
Irritations
Golfers walking up the steepest face
of the bunker and neighbouring
houses.
Hobbies & Interest
Playing golf, the real football
(Soccer), travelling, golf design and
coaching soccer.
Football team
Liverpool
Nick Launer profile continued
Favourite restaurant
Squires Loft (Torquay)
Family
Fiancee, Gizela and three year old
daughter, Miley.
Number of staff
Currently 14, usually 16
Course specifications
Longest Sandbelt GC at 6427metres.
Par 72 Pure Couch Fairways,
Bentgrass Greens, 99 Bunkers.
The meaning of life
Fulfilling your dreams, being happy
and family
Plans for the course
Trial work to begin on greens
construction methods including
Bentgrass variety trials. Re-seeding
Bentgrass Turf Nursery. Course
master plan works to begin this
year plus preliminary works for new
irrigation system install in 2017.
How long have you been in the job
and as Assistant Superintendent?
Six months back at Metropolitan
GC. 5.5 years as an Assistant
Superintendent. All up 10.5 years
Irritations
Grass/Sand build up on front rollers;
golfers turning hose/knockers
off; timesheet changes without
communication; staff members not
listening in morning meetings.
Hobbies & Interest
Travel, watching live sport and
anything associated with golf history
and architecture.
EDUCATION
REPORTS
GORDON
INSTITUTE OF TAFE
In May already, we are basically a
third of the way through the year
and all our students have settled
into their study. I hope the weather
is favourable after such a difficult
summer for all.
The 1st year Apprentices are studying
the subjects ‘Carry out Workplace
OH&S Procedures’ and ‘Implement
a Grassed Area Maintenance
Program’. They have gained practical
experience on several different turf
facilities so far, which include the
preparation of East Geelong Bowling
Greens, Kardinia Park Training Turf
Wickets and East Geelong Golf
Greens. It is rewarding to observe the
new students as they become a part
of our very unique industry, in which
most people are very approachable
and keen to share their knowledge.
Our 2nd Year Apprentices are
studying the subjects ‘Provide
Information on Plants and their
Culture’ and ‘Sample Soils and
Interpret Results’. We have been
able to take them to Ground Science
Laboratory, AMMI Park and to
Hanson’s Langwarrin Quarry. They
will soon commence the subject
‘Construct Turf Playing Surface’ and
their project for this year will be a Golf
Green at Balyang Par 3 golf course.
The 3rd Year Apprentices have
commenced with the subjects
‘Implement a Plant Nutrition
Program’ and ‘Control Plant Pests,
Diseases and Disorders’. We have
an excursion planned to visit Rob at
Curlewis Golf Club, where he will
show the students his sewerage
mining system and explain how he
manages the nutrients contained in
the irrigation water.
Our Diploma Students have
completed the subject ‘Manage Trial
and/or Research Materials’ and are
currently studying ‘Audit Irrigation’.
Chris Deppeler and I are still working
towards getting all our Diploma
subjects online, which we hope will
give students the flexibility to choose
delivery mode and timing when
studying.
The 32nd Australian Turfgrass
Conference and Trade Exhibition is
rapidly approaching and Chris and I
will be in attendance.
If you have any questions regarding
any of the following courses being
conducted at The Gordon, please
don’t hesitate to contact me on the
details below.
• Certificate III in Sports Turf
Management Apprentice
• Certificate III in Sports Turf
Management Adult Group
• Certificate III Diploma in Sports
Turf Management
• Chemical Courses
• 1080 Course
Paul Deller
Turf Management Teacher /
Coordinator
The Gordon
Phone +61 3 5246 6249
Mobile 0408 739 842
Fax +61 3 5246 6238
Email pdeller@gordontafe.edu.au
Private Bag 1, Geelong Mail Centre,
Victoria, 3221
MELBOURNE
POLYTECHNIC
We are now well on our way into
our teaching program for 2016.
Melbourne Polytechnic have now
begun delivering Cert III Sports
Turf at Elsternwick Golf course as a
day release program. The number
of new apprentices that we have
enrolled in this program is very
encouraging. We have started a few
practical projects on the golf course
including reconstructing the 1st tee
and completing the blending in and
grassing of some bunkers which
were previously filled. Potential
upcoming projects include reseeding the practice putting green
continued overleaf
21
EDUCATION
REPORTS
HOLMESGLEN
INSTITUTE OF
TAFE
and other projects at the golf courses
MP manage.
Also the Certificate III apprentices
have been working on practical
projects at Yarra Bend Golf course
and City Football Academy. These
include the construction from design
to completion of the 14th tee at Yarra
Bend and the re-establishment of the
turf surface after major renovations
of the Desso grassmaster pitch at
City Football Academy. The 2nd year
apprentices now have their excavator
and skid steer licences which were
completed as part of the Certificate
III qualification which enable them to
use this machinery in the construction
project. MP offers all three licensed
courses including Earthmoving
(excavator and skid steer), ACUP and
Chainsaw to members of your staff
which may be delivered at MP or onsite at your workplace.
From all of us at MP we wish you all
the best and hope the weather Gods
work in your favour. Regards, The
Turf Team.
Please do not hesitate to call
me if you require any additional
information about our services.
Our programs include Cert III Sports
Turf Management Block and Day
release at Fairfield for Year 1, 2 and
3. 1st year day release is delivered
at Elsternwick. Diploma Sports Turf
Management delivered at Fairfield
Our apprentice blocks are now well
underway with all groups having
completed three weeks of schooling.
In total we have sis groups across
the three years and it is encouraging
to see our numbers continuing
to increase. The Certificate III
– “Evening program” for those
with industry experience will be
commencing in early June.
The blended model of delivery for
the Diploma continues to be well
supported and we are now offering
the course to two students in South
Australia. These students attend a
face to face block toward the end of
the year, are supported once a week
via a phone conference and soon will
be able to view actual classes via
online streaming technology.
April was our Awards month and
congratulations to our 2015 winners
who were recognised by the Institute
at a ceremony held on 28 April at the
Waverley Campus.
I would also once again, like to thank
the following companies for their
ongoing sponsorship and support;
Anco, Globe, Toro and the STA.
First Year
OUTSTANDING APPRENTICE
Tristan Cashin, Berwick Montuna
Golf Club
Liam Kirkman, Pitchcraft Pty Ltd
Mark Burchell
Turf Department (03) 9269 8823
markburchell@
melbournepolytechnic.edu.au
Liam was also honoured by the
Rotary Club of Oakleigh with the
Perc Moore Award in recognition of
his outstanding achievements and
community involvement.
WODONGA
INSTITUTE OF TAFE
WIOT. The numbers are increasing
which is great. First year apprentices
had to be divided into two classes.
It’s been a busy start to the year
travelling far and wide to see all of
our existing and new apprentices and
diploma students. This enables us to
meet with the employers to discuss
matters that may need attention.
All students are off and running, with
this being the busiest of my time at
The Sports Turf Management
Department have had a great
start to the year with the weather
being kind, enabling practical
projects including constructions,
establishments and renovations to
take place.
First year students are now finding
their feet and getting into the full
22
Liam Kirkman
Second Year
OUTSTANDING APPRENTICE
Ross Taylor, The Peninsula
Kingswood Country Club
Third Year
OUTSTANDING APPRENTICE
Craig Harrison, Kingston Heath Golf
Club
Ryan Wishart, The Royal Melbourne
Golf Club
Employer of the Year
The National Golf Club
A gentle reminder to employers
that many of the assessment tasks
set for the students are work place
based and students will require
your support in completing these
tasks, especially when it comes to
investigating workplace practices
or gathering relevant agronomic
information.
Finally, as winter is nearly upon
us, you may be looking to add or
refresh your staffs’ skills. Holmesglen
offers an array of Industry courses
ranging from Chainsaw Operation
to competency in the two units
required for an ACUP (Agricultural
Users Permit). These courses can
be delivered at either Holmesglen
or your place of work. If interested,
contact me and I will point you in the
right direction.
Jim Porter Ph. 9564 6896
jim.porter@holmesglen.edu.au
swing of establishment, machinery,
drainage and plant ID.
Any industry people who may be
interested in the Diploma of Sports
Turf Management or our short course
programs including, Chemical Users
certificate, Tractor Operation and
Quad Ute Operation courses, please
contact Mick Dove , Sports Turf
Management Coordinator, Wodonga
TAFE, on 02 6055 6791.
COURSE
REPORTS
THIRTEENTH BEACH
GOLF LINKS
The only major works scheduled
for this winter is mounding left of
the 14th fairway Beach Course. This
area is quite flat so we have made
use of 1800cu metres of fill that has
come out of a residential site cut
for an underground car park. The
mounding has complimented this
hole well and at the same time
benefited the builder wanting to get
rid of it.
Staff will be busy with the usual
winter projects we undertake
most years with bunkers and path
improvements and vegetation
management being the primary
focus for the year. Bunker focus
will be to improve accessibility to
problematic bunkers that are difficult
for the elderly golfer to get in and
out. We hope to rectify this problem
on both courses this winter. The
focus on bunkers next winter will be
to improve drainage of problematic
bunkers. A silt layer in some are
preventing the natural drainage
through to our deep sandy profile.
Cart path alterations on 3 to 4 holes
Creek Course will be implemented
to remove the look of a straight path
from tee to fairway. The paths will
be realigned so that the view of the
path is mostly removed looking from
the tee. We completed three holes
last year which have been great
improvements.
Removal of coastal wattle will be our
priority during the winter as well as
removing a lot of Boobialla that we
planted some time ago. Boobialla is
the preferred shelter for rabbits to
call home so the preferred option is
to get rid of both pests.
At the maintenance facility we are
relocating our turf technician area
to the other end of our main shed.
This will incorporate a dedicated
area for machinery maintenance,
office and parts storage which we
have never really had in the past. We
hope to gain approval for additional
shedding and extend what we call
the tractor shed in order to free
up space for improved machinery
storage.
Superintendent
Steven Hewitt
BARWON HEADS
GOLF CLUB
We are hosting the AGCSA golf
championship event in June. We
don’t host many big events down
this way so it’s great for us to
prepare the course for 70-80 trained
eyes and we are certainly looking
forward with some trepidation to
presenting the course to our industry.
For us, I don’t think we can really
showcase the course at its best in
June as we could in the summer
period, when we can achieve a dry
crisp look, but we will do our best to
have the place looking as good as
we can. The speed of greens will be
governed by the strength of the wind
on the day and so we are hoping for
calm conditions to nudge the greens
speed right up there and get some
knees wobbling.
Planning for September/October
reconstruction work is well
underway. Crafter and Mogford will
soon fine tune their designs and
works will include the reconstruction
of the 2nd and 5th greens and
associated surrounds and bunker
adjustments. Large areas of tea tree
left of the 12th and left of the 14th
fairways will be removed during
the winter period preparing for
fairway area extensions and bunker
modifications to these holes. This will
get underway in late September after
the 2nd and 5th greens are completed.
An ecological burn of a weed
infested area near our Par 3 course
has been approved by Council. The
area has been prepared and ready
for ignition. Ideally, when we have a
rare gentle easterly breeze to blow
the smoke away from the town we
will throw a match on it. Considering
the size of the area, the local CFA
will assist us with the burn. They
will control the fire and use it as a
brigade training exercise session.
Superintendent
Adam Lamb
BOX HILL GOLF CLUB
The months over summer and
autumn have been quite busy for the
Groundstaff at Box Hill. A number
of construction projects were
completed with the new 12th green
being opened prior to the Box Hill
Open in March. A number of new
greens are planned for replacement
over the next few years so it was
decided a spare 19th green would be
constructed to create a small par 3
hole in lieu of any more temporary
greens. A number of problem
fairways received heavy scarifying
in late January, with the 13th and
15th fairways having sub-surface
drainage and surface pits installed
to eliminate water from pooling on
these fairways throughout the winter
period.
The Club has endorsed converting
all cool season approaches to couch
with eleven approaches being
solid turfed now. This will provide
uniformity and significantly reduce
water and fungicide requirements.
I’m glad to see the cooler weather
upon us, as the older greens suffered
abnormal disease pressure this
year. Annual renovations have been
continued overleaf
23
completed on the greens, collars and
approaches, along with follow up
preventative applications to fairways
for spring dead spot and Poa control.
Winter will allow the Groundstaff
to catch up on a number of winter
projects including; path construction/
renovations, removal of damaged
bunker matting, and installation of
drainage in two bunkers.
Preparations are in full swing now
for the new Crafter & Mogford golf
strategies designed par 3, 4th hole.
This will be starting in late November
with S.J.M completing the earthworks.
Although the last six months have
been exhausting and challenging
for all Groundstaff, we are all looking
forward to the cooler weather.
Superintendent
Josh Leyland
COMMONWEALTH
GOLF CLUB
As winter is approaching, controlling
winter grass and protecting the
couch grasses has been high on
the agenda for the past three
months and also the next three
CLUB MANDALAY
We have had a very busy growing
season at Club Mandalay, with the
Clubhouse now in full swing and our
new putting and chipping facility all
grown in and in use. The members
are really showing their excitement
for the club.
The course itself took another step
forward over the growing season with
an overall improvement in turf quality
& vigour across all surfaces. With
bunker maintenance being our
priority over the last 3-4 months we
have imported around 150 tonnes of
bunker sand to improve the overall
sand levels throughout the bunkers.
8/13 tee prior to reconstruction
8/13 tee after reconstruction
months, along with some bunker
refurbishment.
The continuation of eliminating our
cool season tees to Grand Prix has
been a success. We now have only
seven tees to go. Plans are in place
to complete all tees by the end of
spring / summer. We are satisfied
with the quality of turf the Grand Prix
presents and its ability to persist in
high traffic as it matures. With the
new tees comes new native planting
and seeding around the tees. This will
take time to establish but the overall
improvement is clearly evident.
We are currently in the process
of emptying our dam so that the
The six-week Pennant season
has been and gone and having a
Clubhouse to return to after the
game this year has made for a
better team environment.
With a very dry December,
February and March water
storages this year took a big hit
and we hope for some good winterspring rains to help fill our 70 meg
Stormwater storage dams. Our
maintenance team has worked
hard over the growing season and
we all look forward to some much
needed annual leave over the
coming months.
Over the cooler season we move
into landscape capital works
projects for the developer.
These works are throughout the
estate. One area of focus will be the
interfaces between the golf course
and residents’ homes. Another big
project will be the installation of
kilometres of walking trails around
the perimeter of the golf course.
Assistant Superintendent
Nick Marino
24
sludge that has built up over the
six years since the last clean out
can be removed. The dam is now
free of seagull activity since we
installed fishing line over the top, plus
increasing aeration and introducing
products to break down organic
matter has improved our water clarity.
It was great to attend the VGCSA
AGM and play at Yarra Yarra Golf
Club. The course was in magnificent
condition and it was great to hear
guest speaker, Mark McClure, and
his simple attitude to life.
Assistant Course Manager
Steven Bolt
CRANBOURNE GOLF
CLUB
Well I’m glad to see the back
of summer and welcome some
much needed rains to help flush
the soil profile. Like so many, we
found sodium & bicarbonate levels
increasing over the summer months
due to the lack of flushing rain events
which caused plenty of issues.
As always we are never happy. The
rains are now here and so is that
bloody pest Poa Annua. It rears its
head in our couch surfaces in the same
old spot year after year regardless of
the chemicals it consumes.
We have not long finished greens
renos (just an 8mm solid tine & top
dress this autumn) with speedy
recovery helped by the fantastic
weather of late. As winter closes in
we will yet again spend more time on
bunker and vegetation maintenance.
The Club has also just sold off five
hectares of land for just short of 7.5
million. This will be used to fund
course work moving forward and so
the future at C.G.C is looking very
positive.
Course Manager
Barry Proctor
COURSE REPORTS
CURLEWIS
GOLF
CLUB
The weather
report said
substantial rain. We will take the
3mm because that rates for us as
huge. With the summer gone, (well
temperature wise apparently it
hasn’t gone) my winter grass has
germinated and then disappeared at
least three times as a warm day sends
it away again. After spending two
weeks in New Zealand our dryness
is replicated in some areas there with
DEVILBEND GOLF
CLUB
Following a very dry summer with
little rain fall, the course has suffered
from the effects of high sodium
levels. Salt levels at 960PPM have
been in what we have watered our
greens with since late December.
Our three original and poorly drained
greens have suffered, with one now
out of play but the other two now
recovering following greens coring
and amendments added. No water
on the fairways since the middle of
January but they have got through
with a pretty good playing surface.
No capital works money this year
so we are fixing paths and returfing
surrounds that have suffered from the
FLINDERS GOLF CLUB
Our irrigation supply dam got so
low this summer we had to transfer
the trout to our main pumping dam
for their survival. The trout keep the
water clean, extending the need to
backwash filters. Whilst the dam was
so low, we repaired slippage of the
dam wall by packing with clay and
compacting with sheep’s foot roller.
temperatures higher than normal and
lowest rainfalls on record. Whether
you believe in climate change or
not the weather has changed for
whatever reason.
The next few months will be busy
here as we embark on stage one of
the new master plan - well the old
one revisited under new the new
owners. With membership numbers
increasing and green fee numbers
well up, the works to be done will
become a juggling act which from
my point is actually something to
look forward to - unlike a lot of other
Superintendents I’m guessing.
poor water. Hopefully we get some
nice rain soon.
Superintendent
Trevor U’ren
FREEWAY GOLF CLUB
The fantastic weather we received
at the start of April gave us the
perfect opportunity to carry out our
renovations which went off without
a hitch. The extended dry spell has
meant continual irrigation, though in
a very reserved manner, and all our
surfaces are hanging in there well.
Looking into the months ahead we
are planning to reconstruct our 10th
green, one of the few remaining push
up greens we have on site. As far
The one disappointing thing I found
out in New Zealand (apart from
the fact that no-one knows where
Curlewis is, or even the Bellarine
Peninsular - even worse Geelong) is
that the Goat has competition with
a Queensland Super having a pet
Rooster. I still think having 40,000
hits has the Goat up there in the
social media stakes but I am thinking
a manager might help. I am still
awaiting Liam Pickering’s return call.
Superintendent
Rob Bradley
as upside down saucers go, this is
an upside down ice cream cone so I
doubt there will be any patrons sad
to see it go. Plantings will continue
as they did last winter with areas
surrounding last year’s construction
project set to be planted out with
species native to the Boroondara
area.
Other projects on the agenda are the
overseeding of select tee complexes
and greens surrounds. After a long
dry summer some of our surrounds
are looking a little tired so a short
term fix through the winter should
give way to the warm season
varieties into the warmer months.
Assistant Superintendent
Ben Hartley
holes and old pin positions. We
installed drainage and relayed the
existing turf, and also renovated the
bunkers. We also rebuilt the 12th path
- installing edging, concrete culverts
with cast iron grates and surfaced
with cement treated rock dust,
compacted with a ride on roller.
Superintendent
Colin Morrison
We reconstructed the 2nd green
commencing straight after Easter.
Sand splash from bunkers over many
years has caused a saucer shaped
green, limiting pin positions and
creating pooling of water after rainfall.
We lifted the green surface,
excavated 400mm to flatten green
- which exposed original core
25
GREEN ACRES GOLF
CLUB
A dry autumn ensured hand
watering of greens was still being
conducted right through until the
end of April but we certainly enjoy
a dry autumn on the Yarra River
floodplain. All greens received a
pass over with the Air2G2 machine
as an alternative to our usual
verti-drain practice at the start of
May. It will be interesting to see if
infiltration rates during rain events
improve slightly. A re-build of the
7th green complex is planned for
the month of July with a small bent
grass temporary green currently
being installed on the fairway to
hopefully ensure better putting
conditions during construction than
a green cut into the couch fairway
as has previously been done. Liquid
calcium in suspension applications
will continue through the winter
period on the couch playing surfaces,
as will tree works in line with the
Council approved permit. River bank
plantings will be conducted with
a grant received from Melbourne
Water to help solidify eroded
areas. Spot spraying of hard to
kill Poa annua plants in the couch
is being conducted with a mix of
Foramsulfuron, Iodosulfuron-methylsodium and Carfentrazone with a
sticker also added.
Superintendent
Mat Poultney
HEIDELBERG GOLF
CLUB
All is well at the Berg. We have
just finished our renovations with
a 12mm core followed up with a
8mm vertidrain and the greens
have recovered the quickest since
I’ve been here, which is pleasing.
They are back in readiness for the
upcoming pennant final - just hoping
the rain holds off for a few more
weeks. We got through the summer
without too many irrigation problems
besides some breaks in the main
lines. Overall this growing season we
used a total of 63meg. I would have
liked to use a little more but we got
a little tight with our water this year
and having some 65mm main lines
does restrict the amount of water we
can put out.
26
The club is on the right track and this
year we are making a profit for the
first time in 18 years! So upgrading
the old 1984 irrigation system is on
my agenda. We are back into our
bunker renovations hoping to finish
off the front nine holes before July.
The boys are taking a well-earned
break and our annual golf trip is
approaching fast.
Congratulations to my Assistant
Brendan Robjant he’s getting
married in June.
Superintendent
Clint Raven
HUNTINGDALE GOLF
CLUB
Here at Huntingdale with winter fast
approaching, general maintenance
work has slowed down. Now we are
on to the 1% around the course with
clean-up of our vegetation areas,
tree work and start on our bunker
renovations.
The lunchroom is quiet some weeks
with lads at trade school and other
staff members taking a well-earned
break after hosting two tournaments
over the past six months. Hopefully
the weather gods can be kind to
everyone in the industry and we
can get above average rainfall over
the winter months to fill up dams, in
readiness for the summer 2016/17.
Assistant Superintendent
Justin Crowe
KINGSTON HEATH
GOLF CLUB
Finally, the never ending irrigation
season has come to an end, allowing
the bores a chance to replenish.
Again this summer we treated a
number of greens with Nominee
with very pleasing results to date. At
this stage we are looking at treating
the worst six greens each year. With
the World Cup of Golf coming up
in November we have been busy
getting all surfaces as strong and
healthy as possible leading into
winter. Additional fertiliser was
added to known winter wear areas
to help them through. The greens
received an 8mm solid tine and top
dressed with kiln dried sand in late
March. Replacing greens collars has
also been a focus during April and
May - replacing the existing couch
riddled bent grass with new turf
from our nursery and increasing the
size from 1m to 1.6m. We were able
to complete five more collars this
year leaving us with three to do next
year. It’s a slow process replacing
the collars which take anywhere
from 3 - 5 days to complete. Over
winter we will be carrying out minor
improvements to bunker divides
and tongue, spot spraying of Poa in
greens and uplifting of coastal tea
tree. Applications of colorants and
iron will be used again on all fine cut
couch to help retain colour. The next
six months will be a busy time but,
with the tournament the main focus,
all staff are looking forward to it.
Assistant Superintendent
Jarrod Castle
LANG LANG GOLF
CLUB
After just 13mm of rain in March
following a dry summer, it is great to
finally get some decent rain through
April and into March. It has come
at the perfect time as we pushed
our bore licence to the max and the
holding dam was getting low. In my
time at Lang Lang we have never used
as much water as we have this year.
The last three months have mainly
been ongoing preparation and
presentation of the course. We have
gone from Men’s Club Champs to
the Pro-am, Corporate Day, Ladies
Club Champs and now, in a weeks’
time, we have the Ivo Whitton
Westernport Open. I think I will be
pushing to try and bring some of
these events together so we can free
up the syllabus and get some more
course projects done. In the coming
months we will be installing 900m of
drainage in our 3rd fairway with the
help of SJM, and then pushing on to
winter jobs like our coastal wattle/
dead tree removal program, track
work, root pruning and re-vegetation.
Also thanks to Barry Proctor and the
boys from Cranbourne for recently
taking the time to come down for an
enjoyable game.
Superintendent
Mark Teeuw
COURSE REPORTS
how much water to put out. While
the amount of water we have isn’t an
issue, we have to be careful not to go
into winter wet. With our clay profile,
once it is wet you have to wait until
mid-spring to dry out. So the boys
have been out hand watering any
dry areas and basically just keeping
ground moisture at a minimum. Due
to our cooler nights now (4 degrees)
the course is holding on fine and every
morning there is a big dew. Playability
wise, the course is great and our influx
of visitors can testify to that.
MEDWAY GOLF
CLUB
with greens a little scratchy at the
end of the season and looking a little
tired and worn prior to renovation.
our efforts of six years translate into.
There is nothing like a little hard data
to sharpen one’s focus.
Things are fairly buoyant out
here, with golf traffic up over the
summer back into the real world,
trying to work around golfers. All
of our couch surfaces did very well
over the journey but have now put
themselves to bed for the winter
Irrigation wise, we pumped out
just on 100 megs for the season,
which for us started in August.
This would be the most we have
used ever. A little summer rain
certainly makes a difference to
water harvesting. Some days, the
water went out better than others
as the photo shows. Just another
Saturday morning.
In a prior report I alluded to a quiet
time with not a lot of course works
on the horizon. Then I went to
the golf meeting. We have since
redecked the 7th bridge and, shortly,
we start a realignment of the 2nd
green, will install a cartpath, turn
a bunker into a grassy hollow and
replant the fence line. Then we are
off to the 11th tee for a tee extension
/ moundwork and tree planting
before heading down to the 15th for
a bunker relocation. Meanwhile we
will reposition and add a number of
sprinkler heads on 2nd, 4th, 11th, 17th
& 18th.
MANSFIELD GOLF
CLUB
With the growth of turf being very
minimal, now is the time we get to
catch up on those odd jobs around the
course. The forecast of a wet autumn
hasn’t come true and has thrown
up a few challenges trying to juggle
Our last greens audit was in 2010
when the results pointed to us
embarking on a fairly rigorous
deep hollow tyning & topdressing
program to alleviate some of the
thatch / rootmat problems to
improve the profiles on our 50 plus
year old greens. We are to have
another done this winter and I will
be most interested to see what
MOONAH LINKS
GOLF CLUB
After a busy summer/autumn
here at Moonah Links, work has
continued at a hectic pace heading
into the winter months. Kyle and
I would like to acknowledge the
contribution of longtime assistant,
Aaron Haynes, who has relocated
to Echuca to establish his own
landscaping business.
Nominee and Endothal have been
applied to the Open and Legend
greens respectively at label rates
during this period, producing fair
results.
and a growth retardant to assist with
retarding the growth, while reducing
the seed head associated with Poa
annua that we all combat at this time
of year. At present we are pleased
with the result.
One of the main projects taken
place at the moment is remodeling
the 2nd tee on the Legend course.
This has increased the ladies tee
from approx. 40m2 to 170m2 and
incorporated the men’s and ladies
into one tee complex. This also gave
Superintendent
Tony Cooksey
All in a day’s work.
Superintendent
Colin Winterton
us the opportunity to re-align the
tee angle away from the residential
houses on the left-hand side of the
hole and reconfigure the sprinkler
heads from off the tee into the
surrounds. Landscaping blocks
were used to build a retaining
wall at the new turning circle,
while the old cart path running
adjacent to the LHS of the tee has
been landscaped to improve the
aesthetics of the hole.
Assistant Course Manager
Rick Lee
Due to our budget restraints and size
of area in relation to our fairways,
rather than applying expensive
herbicides in the attempt to remove
winter grass, we have decided to
trial the application of pre-emergent
27
COURSE REPORTS
RIVERSDALE GOLF
CLUB
RINGWOOD &
DORSET GOLF CLUB
Ringwood Golf Course
The Indian Summer rolls on. While
it didn’t seem to be an overly hot
summer, it was definitely a long one.
Watering kicked off at the start of
September and we were still doing
bits and pieces at the end of April.
While the warm weather presents its
challenges, it also gives us a chance
to knock over some more projects
that may have traditionally already
been shelved for winter.
One such project at Ringwood has
been the redevelopment of the 11th
bunker and apron area. This area has
traditionally been very wet and the
bunker wasn’t overly maintenance
friendly. That has all changed now,
with the bunker being reshaped
and better drainage installed as
well as 150mm of sand capping and
drainage in the apron.
Assistant Superintendent
Mat Fitzgerald
Dorset Golf Course
Greens renovations in mid-March
went well. Verti drain with 8mm
solid tynes with amendments and
a top dress of the first nine greens
were done in the morning and back
in play by mid afternoon.
On the 15th Fwy approach we lifted
600m2 of turf & dug out 200mm of clay,
then replaced it with drainage, sand
and returfed it, with great results.
The desilting of our dam has begun a
bit slower than anticipated. Although
the silt is coming out with a few other
things (clothes, golf bags, bottles, cans).
Assistant Superintendent
Mark Weightman
The winter months are welcomed
with open arms after a very busy
12 months at the dale. The reduced
mowing frequency will allow us to
fine tune the new irrigation system
with regards to pattern, nozzle types
and catch can testing. The recently
constructed short game practice
facility is maturing well with rave
reviews from the Riversdale Cup
players, members and guests alike.
The hosting of pennant finals has
delayed plans for a light greens
renovation which is now scheduled
for late May (weather permitting)
and will also allow us to commence
drainage installation in the
troublesome 13th fairway.
Assistant Superintendent
Danny Adams
ROYAL MELBOURNE
GOLF CLUB
SANDHURST GOLF
CLUB
Construction has commenced on
the new maintenance facility which
will be undertaken in two stages.
Stage One will include the demolition
of part of the existing facility, and
construction of 3200 square metres
of machinery storage, wash down,
pesticide storage, fertiliser storage
and staff amenities. Stage Two will
commence once we move into Stage
One and will include refurbishment
and reconfiguration of the existing
building to house the upgraded
workshop. The builders are hopeful of
completing all work by Christmas.
The busy summer period rolled into
an equally busy autumn period.
All greens and surrounds on both
courses were hollow tined during
both March and April (7ha in total),
with 10mm hollow tines used at a
spacing of 25mm. This removed the
maximum amount of material and
allowed for a speedy recovery.
Out on the courses we will be
working on relocating the greens
nursery, lifting the putting green to
remove organic matter along with
three other greens on the courses
that were not re-done back in 2009.
Some tee resurfacing and levelling
is also planned early in spring.
Overseeing of all fescue surrounds
has been completed, using our
new Vredo overseeder which has
improved the strike rate with minimal
surface disruption.
Superintendent
Richard Forsyth
28
The majority of fairways on the North
course were verti-cut to a depth of
35mm and top-dressed towards the
end of summer. This was the first time
they had been done and the amount
of material removed was incredible,
with somewhere in the vicinity of
3-400m3 of thatch to dispose of. The
remaining four fairways will be
completed in spring.
Stage Two of Bunker Matrix works
are now under way with another 26
bunkers being done this year. This will
give us 54 of North course bunkers
done and 15 on the Champs course.
The remainder of the North will be
completed next year. The new sand in
the North course bunkers has caused
some concern with ball plugging. This,
however, will soon become a thing of
the past with a crusting agent that we
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29
trialled which has prevented balls from
plugging. All of the Matrix bunkers will
be treated with this product over the
next couple of months.
some work currently underway on
the ninth where the fairway bunker
will be remodelled in July. The
current bunker will be split into two,
with the furthest bunker positioned
A&M Irrigation have begun the
to make it more relevant to today’s
installation of the North course
golf. At the same time, some 2100
irrigation system upgrade. It will be
m2 of surrounding fairway will be
very good to see the last CDS decoder
raised and remodelled to reduce balls
pulled out and replaced with the new
running off this side of the fairway.
Lynx decoder system.
Shortly, Jim Waring from Tees and
Other jobs for the winter include raising Greens will be in to remove the
sprinkler heads around greens, wetland mainline, and some 500 to 600 m3
clean up and removing rye grass from
of fill brought in to raise this area.
selected roughs.
Once again, Paul Mogford will be the
architect for the project with Lawn
Superintendent
Layers giving us a hand with the turf
Cory Budden
removal and relaying.
SORRENTO GOLF
CLUB
Superintendent
Shane Greenhill
Well, after a long dry summer hopes
were up for some relieving Autumn
rain. Unfortunately, very little rain has
fallen, with hand watering required
until most recently.
Coupled with warm temperatures,
the snakes were still on the prowl
(see photo) and the wetting agent still
going out. As we head into winter our
tree and vegetation work begins, with
THE DUNES GOLF
LINKS
It’s good to finally get some rains
down on the Peninsula and turn
the irrigation system off for another
season. The recent rains have helped
with fescue seed germination in our
roughs. We have trialled the TurfCo
Triwave 60 seeder and, at present,
had good result with germination
and coverage with minimal
disruption to golfers.
Our greens remain relatively clean
of Poa with two applications of
Paclobutrazol working well to follow
up from our Nominee program over
the summer. The greens and staff
are enjoying the rain with the hand
watering hoses getting put away
and the green getting a good flush
with rain water.
The staff are getting into the
maintenance jobs with several of our
bunkers getting a makeover with
revetting getting done on exposed
and under minded faces. The results
are great and this style of bunkering
really suits our course. It is also
something the staff enjoy doing and
take great pride in achieving great
results.
Superintendent
Simon Muller
THE EASTERN GOLF
CLUB
18 holes have been in play for nine
months now and the couch has
benefitted from another (or in some
cases) a first summer. The 3rd nine holes
are scheduled to open in spring this
year and the 9 hole par 3 course will
open in Autumn 2017.
There is still some minor construction
works to carry out on the 3rd nine holes
with construction of the tee complex
on hole 22 and 16 bunkers to complete
throughout the nine holes. The greens
nursery and the couch nursery are also
yet to be built whilst six holes on the par
3 course will be sprigged later this year.
Recently we have had a drainage
contractor Aquatek installing drainage
in areas of fairways on the current 18
holes. Once complete, (two holes to do)
and if still dry enough they will keep
going on the 3rd nine holes. We plotted
all the wet areas on the current 18 holes
last winter and they have been draining
those areas but we are going to do what
I believe will potentially become wet
areas on the 3rd nine - as they have not
had a winter yet to see where the wet
areas are.
Other things happening over the coming
months include continuation of the
landscape master plan. This involves
lots of tree planting plus preparation
and over sowing of any pasture grass
areas that are not fully covered, and we
will be continuing to turf out any larger
bare areas in the fairways on the 3rd nine
holes. We will also use the upcoming
winter period to sort out many
housekeeping type issues around the
work shed and within the compound.
Whilst the previous couple of years have
been fairly intense, it is worthwhile
when seeing how well everything is
gradually coming together. Though we
still have a lot of work ahead to carry
out over the next few years before
the course will start to reach its full
potential.
Superintendent
Clayton Howell
30
COURSE REPORTS
THE NATIONAL GOLF
CLUB
The late warm weather has been
very welcome and we have certainly
seen the favourable response in
the growth and presentation of the
playing surfaces. Our focus has now
changed to planning projects that
will be completed over the winter
months. A lot of focus will be on
bunker restoration and vegetation
management.
The Old Course
The heights of the Santa ana fairways
have been raised in preparation for
the cooler months. Raising the heights
helps the couch survive the stresses
caused by golf carts over winter. Last
year we had a problem in the divot
collection areas where golf balls would
run off the slopes and congregate in
the valleys. Hopefully, by raising the
heights, it will reduce the ball roll and
lessen this problem.
On the 14th hole as part of our Poa
annua strategies, we have removed all
the turf underneath the Cypress trees
which was severely contaminated
with Poa. This turf will be replaced
with fescue.
Over the next couple of months, we
will be removing limestone, installing
drainage, and replenishing sand in the
greenside bunkers around the double
green. This work will be all done inhouse and is a great opportunity for
our staff to learn new skills.
The Moonah Course
Every few years we arrange for Bob
Harrision to visit the Moonah Course
to get his thoughts on how the course
is presenting. This gives Darren and
myself the opportunity to discuss
our ideas and concepts around the
look and presentation of the surfaces.
The focus out on the Moonah Course
over the next few months revolves
around Kikuyu control in the roughs
and bunker restoration. The bunkers,
which have faces exposed to the north
winds, require regular restoration.
The Ocean Course
The back nine legend couch fairways
were over-planted in September last
year, along with numerous surrounds,
with wintergreen turf. The areas that
were sodded are providing very good
surfaces and the positives are fewer
divots and less Poa annua germination
in the wintergreen compared to the
legend couch. The over-planted areas
are also in good health and we have
seen slight differences between the
front nine and back nine fairways in
quality and growth.
The long pasture grass roughs are
currently being flail mowed to remove
the excess stubble and allow the
staff to control the numerous noxious
weeds growing in them. It’s been quite
a few years since this has been done
and should provide a much improved
appearance when the roughs dry off
over the summer months.
As autumn rolls along and winter
draws closer, we have been busy
with preparations for the winter
months ahead. Pre-emergent,
herbicides and nutrient amendments
have been applied to select surface
areas as part of our cultural
programs to reduce Poa annua,
Kikuyu and to assist flushing out
excess sodium from the profile.
Foliar applications have been applied
to fairways to assist with prolonging
the colour of the Santa Ana as we
come into winter.
a dry creek bed / cross
over and upcoming bunker
works. The cross over
is an integral part of the
3rd hole fairway and, by
the creation of the creek
bed, we have improved
the overflow and run off
from the water catchment
whilst also assisting better
management of traffic. The
most significant project
being undertaken from
the Club this winter, along
with the concrete paths,
is rebuilding the 16th hole
greenside bunker which will
commence over the coming
months.
Our project works have been
underway with the installation of
Superintendent
Dean Lewis
THURGOONA
COUNTRY CLUB
RESORT
The Long Island Course
We have set up trials recently to
investigate the best possible methods
of reducing the thatch layer in the Long
Island Poa annua greens. We trialled
the Graden contour sand injection
verti-cutter on the putting green. This
machine pulls out thatch and replaces
it with sand in one action. It will be
interesting to see the results over the
winter months. In spring this process
will be undertaken again on the putting
green, just after it has been cored.
This winter our work schedule at
Long Island is going to focus mainly
on Kikuyu removal from the green
surrounds. Most of the Kikuyu will
need to be manually removed, back
filled with clean sand and then turfed
with Bentgrass.
For the past couple of weeks, the Cape
Schanck sand sieve has been sieving
native sand at Long Island. This sand
will be used to repair walk ins and
consolidate areas of greenside bunker
surrounds that have sunken over time.
Hopefully in the next few weeks we
will receive approval from Frankston
City Council for our practice fairway
refurbishment. If we receive approval,
works should start in late October
which will be very exciting.
Golf Course Manager
Leigh Yanner
31
THE SANDS TORQUAY
The month of May has delivered
some much needed rainfall with
more than 50mm falling so far. All
wetlands, lakes and storage areas
are at full capacity. The birdlife
are thriving in what were barren
wastelands only weeks ago. It has
been a long dry season with more
disease pressure seen than previous
years. The Santa ana growth has
all but stopped but is continuing
to display good colour retention.
Greens have just been verti-drained
and an application of gypsum made
with Terreplex sprayed over the
top of it. This should flush through
any bicarbonates and sodium in the
soil profile from the traces of class c
water used for irrigation and free any
locked up nutrients. A pre-emergent
herbicide has been applied to all
bunkers and should see us through
until the start of spring when another
application will be made.
Our focus has now turned to planting
native heath, sheoaks and banksias
strategically throughout the course
to better define holes and to visually
soften the appearance of the housing
estate. Vegetation pruning and
removal will also take place in the
plantation interfaces found between
the course and the houses.
WARRNAMBOOL
GOLF CLUB
Good rain and cool conditions have
meant an end to irrigation about a
month ago. Over the last week we
have received 35mm of rain but with
it has come very strong winds. The
course is holding its good condition
well through Autumn. The fairways
are still growing well, as are the tees.
The greens are running well and
we have been able to back off on
the cutting a little lately and just roll
more often. There is a little dollar spot
floating around so we are getting that
under control as we speak.
received by the members. The new
green was designed by Thompson
and Perrett, and constructed by
McMahons. We put in a larger green,
about 550 square meters in total,
and added protection to the back
and right with a revetted bunker
being added to the front left of the
surrounds. We have named the hole
the Green Monster since adding
in the hole, and the improvements
to the green have elevated the 10th
hole to a new level. This year we will
construct a new 13th green, with it
being open early in 2017.
Our new 10th green opened on the
16th of April and it has been very well
Superintendent
David Warnaar
Superintendent
Justin Rankin
WHITTLESEA GOLF
CLUB
Things have been busy at Whittlesea
with a number of charity days being
held. Our water situation is the worst
I have seen in my 26 years at the
club. The last month has seen our
water supply fall quite dramatically
and we are going to need an
extremely wet winter to refill our
dams as we don’t have mains water
or recycled water. Although water
has been a major concern, the course
has held up extremely well with new
members and green fees increasing.
We have done a lot of work on our
paths and we are concreting the
8th path as it is fairly step and gets
a lot of erosion. Currently we are
trailing a new Toro fairway mower
to add to our fleet. Thanks to Mick
Licht for his help. Over the winter
32
we will continue to remove old trees
and ongoing path reconstruction.
In August, we are doing greens
renovations and should see a couple
of tees rebuild.
Superintendent
Brad Tucker
WOODLANDS GOLF
CLUB
After a long irrigation season which
extended well in to Autumn, it is nice
to give the pumps a rest. A busy spring
and summer has seen us replace four
greens with Mackenzie Bentgrass and
green surrounds with fine fescue. The
challenge will be to manage traffic and
wear over the immature turf during
the cooler months.
Works on re-establishing our fine
fescue nurseries to complement our
greens and surrounds replacement
program have already started, as
have preparations to replace two
more greens and re-align of the 2nd
hole with projects slated to start
in September. A pre-emergent
herbicide application to fairways has
held Poa at bay for the most part. The
usual application for fairway colour
has not yet been required due to the
unseasonably warm temperatures.
Bunker drainage and sand relocation
is high on the priority list of
winter works as is Tea-tree lifting,
tree pruning and removals, and
bolstering plant stocks in native
vegetation areas. Irrigation work
will include increasing the number
of tapping points along fairways for
impact sprinklers and soaker hoses,
and minor tee irrigation upgrades.
Superintendent
John Mann
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33
The Benefits of Azospirillum
on Plant Growth
As growers continue to search for
ways to do more with less, research
over the last several decades has
aimed to understand the influence
of certain plant beneficial bacterial
species that occupy the rhizosphere.
Some of these species, which are
designated plant growth-promoting
rhizobacteria (PGPR), have been
shown to favourably affect the
plant growth and yields of many
commercially important crops (Okon
& Vanderleyden, 1997). Several
species of the genus Azospirillum
bacteria (A. brasilense, A.
lipoferum, A. amazonense, A.
halopraeferens, and A. irakense)
have been of particular interest
due to their competence in the
rhizosphere and symbioses that
they can form with host plants. This
overview will focus particularly on
the species Azospirillum brasilense
Cd as it is known for its ability to fix
atmospheric nitrogen and positively
affect the growth of plants.
In order to benefit the plant, the
plant growth promoting bacteria
must be able to survive in the
rhizosphere and colonise the plant
root system using a number of
mechanisms. Azospirillum strains
contain a number of microbial
traits and behaviors which help
them accomplish this. First, the
bacteria must be attracted to the
site of colonisation, which in this
case is the surface of the plant root.
For example, Azospirillum strains
have the capacity to move towards
plant attractants (chemotaxis) such
as certain sugars, amino acids,
organic acids, aromatic compounds,
and plant root exudates (Okon &
Vanderleyden, 1997). Azospirillum
is also aerotactic and can sense
and move toward oxygen when
0 concentrations are optimal.
Azospirillum brasilense also has a
single polar flagellum which assists
in the motility of the organism in the
rhizosphere and is also involved in
the attachment of the bacteria to
the roots of the host plant. In order
for Azospirillum brasilense Cd to
benefit the plant, it must first adsorb
to the sites of lateral root emergence
using the flagellum. Once adsorbed
and given enough time, the bacteria
will irreversibly anchor itself to the
surface of the root which initiates the
process of colonisation.
Biological Nitrogen Fixation
(BNF) is the process by which
atmospheric nitrogen is converted
to ammonia by bacterial enzymes
called nitrogenase. Azospirillum
brasilense is an organism known
to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N)
and convert into plant available
nitrogen for use by certain crop
cereals, grasses and tubers. A study
out of the University of Wisconsin
– Madison showed that treatments
had a significant effect on the 15N
value of the tissue compared to the
non-treated control, indicating that
a substantial portion (12-32%) of
the nitrogen was derived from the
atmosphere (Soldat, 2011). However,
the benefits of this organism for
plants goes beyond the small
amount of nitrogen the bacteria can
potentially supply to the plant.
Once inoculated on to plant roots,
Azospirillum cells induce noticeable
changes in the morphology and
behavior of the entire root system
(Okon & Vanderleyden, 1997). For
example, plants inoculated with
Azospirillum exhibit increases in
overall root density, root length and
number of root hairs. Moreover,
inoculating Azospirillum on to
plant roots increases the diameter
and length of both lateral and
adventitious roots and can lead to
branching of the lateral roots as
well. It follows that crops with better
rooting structures will become
more efficient in accessing water
and nutrients from the soil which
ultimately will help the plant stand
up to stress more effectively and
improve yields. While it has been
documented that Azospirillum
brasilense can benefit the plant
by making atmospheric nitrogen
available to the plant in small
quantities, most of the benefits
observed in research following
inoculation can be attributed to
the production of plant growth
promoting phytohormones by
the organism. More specifically,
it appears that the surge in plant
growth that follows inoculation
TECH REPORT
by Azospirillum is the result of
the bacteria supplying the plant
with auxins such as indoles,
especially indole acetic acid (IAA),
and gibberellins. These growth
hormones are what alters the
morphology of the plant roots which
ultimately yields better mineral
and water absorption from the soil.
Research from university trials on
turf using Azospirillum has shown
promising results. A study out of
Rutgers has shown that Penn A4
creeping Bentgrass inoculated with
Azospirillum brasilense during
the spring months maintained a
significantly higher turf quality and
exhibited enhanced root proliferation
throughout the summer following
application (Huang, 2000). They also
noted that the increased root growth
contributed to the higher colour
ratings due to the possible increases
in nutrient uptake. A study out of
the University of Nebraska – Lincoln
noted that Azospirillum brasilense
treated bluegrass exhibited
statistically significant root growth
and observed improvements to top
growth (Gaussion, 2006). Similar
results were observed in an Iowa
State University study in 2011 which
showed that Kentucky Bluegrass
treated with a liquid Azospirillum
brasilense maintained colour and
quality at reduced fertiliser rates
(Hoiberg, 2011).
While there are documented
benefits to using plant beneficial
rhizobacteria, some bacteria and
other soil microbes can be extremely
sensitive to environmental conditions
such as heat, pH and moisture. If left
unprotected from these elements
the bacteria may die prior to being
applied and the efficacy of the root
inoculant product is compromised.
This is why formulation stability is
key. Products like Simplot Partners
AzoPro Turf™ are in a liquid, shelf
stable formulation to ensure that the
Azospirillum brasilense Cd remains
viable during transport, storage, and
application. Formulation stability
ensures that the organism remains
alive so that it can colonise the plant
roots and initiate the plant benefits
as described above.
AzoPro Turf™ is a trademark and Simplot is a registered trademark of the J.R. Simplot Company.
34
Azo Pro: Q&A
Time of Day:
AzoPro Turf can be applied any time
of the day. However, they will likely
get the best results if they apply
in the early part of the morning
when UV light is not as intense and
when most turf managers have an
opportunity to water it in right after
application.
Compatibility:
Azospirillum is a pretty hardy
organism and should not be
negatively affected if it is tank-mixed
with the active ingredients of certain
pesticides (fungicides, insecticides,
etc). However, the turf manager
should be mindful of components
other than the active ingredient in
those pesticide products as some of
those may have biocidal properties
(unlikely, but possible). Always check
the label.
AzoPro Turf can be applied with
fertilisers without too much risk
to the organism, especially under
spoon-feeding/foliar situations
where spray application rates or
nutrients are often low. Moreover,
adding just a little bit of fertiliser into
the tank with the AzoPro Turf may
actually improve the survivability
of the organism by providing a
bit of osmotic conditioning. It has
been shown that pure water alone
can sometimes burst the cells of
the organism due to an osmotic
imbalance, so adding some fertiliser
can help ameliorate this situation.
How many applications and
what frequency:
There is data showing good results
after only one application of
Azospirillum. However, if conditions
permit, we recommend applying
two to three applications, one month
apart, of the AzoPro Turf to optimise
the window in which the organism
will inoculate the plant roots.
Spring seems to be the best time to
introduce the Azospirillum as it is
prior to the onset of environmental
stresses during summer and that
is also when the plant is naturally
pushing root growth and putting
out the root exudates which act as a
food source for the organism.
Water Rates/Nozzles:
As you are trying to get the
Azospirillum into the soil, you will
want to use a higher application
volume and nozzles with a larger
droplet size that will allow the spray
droplet to move past the foliage of
the plant and into the soil. It is also
recommended that you irrigate the
treated soon after application to
ensure that the organism does not
get hung up in the foliage.
Naturally occurring soil
bacteria
Promotes root elongation
Encourages the development
of lateral roots, root hairs
and root hair branching
Fixes atmospheric nitrogen
(N2) and may make it
available to the plant
35
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36
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Riding Greens Mowers