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NSWGCSASUMMER 2016

Official Newsletter of the New South Wales Golf Course Superintendents Association

KIAMA GOLF CLUB

1NSWGCSA Newsletter – Summer 2016

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Season’s greetings to all, what a start to the New Year! I wouldn’t be too surprised if there was no more Banner Fairways™ left in NSW after what has been an extremely wet, hot and humid beginning to the year, but at least everyone’s irrigation dams should be full.

STUART GILL

It’s been a couple of months now since the AGM

at St Michael’s and the Rube Walkerden Golf Day. I

must apologise for the way we stumbled through the

presentation evening, with scores being added up

wrong, awards being left out and trophies going to

the wrong people. What was completely evident was

the lack of a run sheet from those who have previous

experience running that day; also it was evident that

the time between golf and the AGM does not allow for

enough time to prepare properly.

Congratulations go to Richard Kirkby on his

Greenkeeping Excellence Award, Peter Watts for the

Environmental Award and Daniel Metcalfe for his

Outstanding Achievement Award. All of which were

worthy winners, unfortunately only Peter could make

it to the AGM to accept his award whilst Richard and

Daniel were both excited about winning their respective

awards. Look out for an article about the award winners

in our next edition.

The AGM also saw the nomination of the new board

of directors for NSWGCSA, departing the board were

Steve Jacobsen, Stuart Hall, Matt Goodbun and Ryan

Fury. Joining the board were Justin Bradbury, Leon

Hennessy, Nathan Bradbury and Shane Herring. I am

excited to have the new guys on board, we had our first

meeting in December at Liverpool Golf Club to organise

the roles and responsibilities of the new board, with an

outline of each board members profile and positions on

pages 9-12.

In December I attended the State Presidents meeting,

where I got the opportunity to discuss with the other

State Associations what is working for them and how

they go about their business to support their members.

With that information we have a few things in mind

in regard to improving our education days and our

communication and membership networking platforms.

Firstly, we have set up a twitter account which is a

great tool for communicating to our members and also

provide a ‘super’ networking platform, so please if you

haven’t already, sign up and follow the association for

updates. We will also be holding a mini trade show as

part of our Annual Ambrose Event at The Vintage Golf

Club on May 9 and 10 this year. Already the interest has

been positive from industry suppliers so please make

sure you attend, more on the trade show later in the

magazine. As for additional education days, we will be

looking to hold a walk and talk with a superintendent

on their golf course which is working really well in

other states, this will give people the opportunity to

chat freely and ask questions as they inspect a course

at the same time. Venues for these days are still to

be confirmed, we will inform you as soon as we get

them locked in, one day that has been locked into the

calendar is November 15th 2016, when the AGM and

Rube Walkerden Day will be held at Terrey Hills Golf and

Country Club.

Now is a good time to be a NSWGCSA member and I

wish everyone an easy close to the growing season.

CONTENTSPresident’s Report 1

Rube Walkerden & 2015 AGM 2-3

Education 5-7

Directors Profile 9-12

Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia Homeocarpa) 13-14

Kiama Golf Club 15-16

30 Seconds with a Super 17

“Old” Assistant Turf Manager Profile 17

A Championship Course 19-21

NSWGCSA Announcement 23

Around the Traps 25-33

Code of Ethics 33

NSWGCSA Contacts 34

NSWGCSA Newsletter – Summer 20162 3NSWGCSA Newsletter – Summer 2016

RUBE WALKERDEN & 2015 AGM ST MICHAEL’S GOLF CLUB

“ WITH NO WIND THE SCORING

WAS PRETTY HOT... ”

St Michael’s was in excellent condition for a field of 60

players that turned out. Thanks to host Superintendent

Russell Fletcher and his crew for providing some great

turf surfaces to play on.

With no wind the scoring was pretty hot, none other

than incumbent and re-elected NSWGCSA president

Stuart Gill, who won the stableford event with

47 points, beating home Justin Bradbury who posted a

competitive score of 39 points. Also successful on the

day were Guy Thomas who won the Simplot Cup, from

Scott Armstrong for the trade and Craig Easton won the

Former Presidents Cup with 30 points.

Following on from golf, the NSWGCSA held its 2015

Annual General Meeting and handed out its annual

awards. It was great to see some of the association’s

life members in attendance with Peter McMaugh, Reg

McLaren, Bill Hopkinson and Martyn Black.

NSWGCSA and Members would like to congratulate:

• Peter Watts, Muirfield G.C. on receiving the

NSWGCSA Environmental Award

• Richard Kirkby, Pennant Hills G.C. on receiving the

NSWGCSA Excellence in Turf Management Award

• Daniel Metcalfe, Beverley Park G.C. on receiving the

NSWGCSA Outstanding Achievement Award.

The AGM saw the association reported on a good year

and spoke about the upcoming year.

A new board was re-elected:

• President: Stuart Gill

• Vice President: Steve Harris

• Junior Vice President: Shane George

• Secretary/Treasurer: Russell Fletcher

• Committee: Justin Bradbury, Nathan Bradbury, Leon

Hennessy, Mal Harris, Mark Schroder and Shane Herring.

Eastlakes Golf Club course Superintendent, Nathan Bradbury has taken out the NSWGCSA 2015 Rube Walkerden Trophy at the stunning and pristine St Michael’s Golf Club. Nathan posted an impressive 39 points on a near perfect day along the stunning coastal course. In second place was The Ridge Golf Clubs course Superintendent, Ben Grylewicz.


Certificate III in Parks and Gardens Certificate III in Sports Turf Management

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Description This course is for experienced industry personnel who do not have a formal qualification and work in the parks and gardens and/or sports turf sectors. You will learn about work health and safety, pest management, weed control, plant nutrition, soils, turf establishment, turf renovation and environmental work practices.

As well you will learn skills from selected areas, such as: arboriculture, chemical application, irrigation, landscaping and machinery operation.

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Fees Subsidised fee This training is subsidised by the NSW Government under Smart and Skilled. To be eligible for the Smart and Skilled subsidised fee you must be an Australian or NZ citizen, permanent resident or humanitarian visa holder. You must also be over 15, no longer at school, and live or work in NSW.

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Entry requirements There are no entry requirements for this qualification. This course is offered at Ryde School of Horticulture. Please enrol online via this link for Certificate III in Parks and Gardens Click the APPLY NOW button for the Part Time Evening offering.

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RTO Provider Number 90011CRICOS Provider Code 00591E


Course related charges You may be required to pay a course related charge in addition to the course fee. Course related charges cover the cost of materials, resources, equipment or services you may need to participate in your course.

Unique Student Identifier (USI) All students studying a nationally recognised qualification must have a Unique Student Identifier before enrolling. If you do not already have a USI, go to www.usi.gov.au to create one.

Course outcomes Career options Horticulturist, municipal gardener Greenkeeper, groundsman

Future study options Pathways from these qualifications include: AHC40410 Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC50410 Diploma of Horticulture AHC40812 Certificate IV in Sports Turf Management AHC51010 Diploma of Sports Turf Management

TAFE NSW courses run only if there is sufficient demand and resources.

Enrolments Government Subsidised Part Time Evening

Enrolments for this course are available in Parks and Gardens or Sports Turf Management for students who wish to study either qualification. Commences

01 February 2016 - Classes held on Tuesday and Wednesday between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM

Length 2 years, 6 hours per week Subsidised fee From $2,170.00

TAFE CERTIFICATE IV TRAINEESHIP

You would be aware that there is a 12 month traineeship pathway for students undertaking AHC40812 Certificate IV in Sports Turf Management.

2016 fees under Smart and Skilled have been released

and all fees for trainees undertaking an applicable

course have been capped at $1000.00. The normal fee

for students who have completed Cert III is $3210.00,

the Cert IV being their 2nd post school qualification.

IMPLICATIONS:

• An apprentice who successfully completes their

apprenticeship (TAFE and on the job component)

and transitions into the Cert IV traineeship within

3 months would be liable to pay the traineeship fee

rather than the 2nd qualification fee.

• The completion of the apprenticeship may be after

the full 4 year term or by the early completion

pathway available to employers.

• There may not been any incentives for the employer

(the incentive is the much lower course fee) although

some payroll tax benefits may apply.

• The employer will have to go through the sign up

process with an AAC and will be responsible for

providing on the job Cert IV level training during the

12 month traineeship period.

• We enrol into Certificate IV each semester which

allows some leeway regarding organisation of the

traineeship to align with course commencement.

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RTO Provider Number 90011CRICOS Provider Code 00591E


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STUART GILLPRESIDENT

Stuart is currently the course

Superintendent at Terrey Hills

GCC and has been since 2008.

Stuart originates from Scotland

and arrived in Australia in 2001 so considers himself

Aussie! Before being employed at Terrey Hills, Stuart

had stints at Cromer and Manly golf clubs on Sydney’s

Northern Beaches. Prior to arriving in Australia Stuart

was the 2IC at Almeerderhout G.C. in Holland following

lengthy spells as a Greenkeeper at Loch Lomond Golf

Club and an apprentice at St Andrews Old Course.

Stuart has achieved a National Certificate in

Greenkeeping, Higher National Certificate in Golf

Course Management, a Diploma in Horticulture (turf),

a Diploma in Business Management and a Level IV in

Environmental Management.

Stuart has a passion for the industry and hopes to bring

some professionalism to the association as well as

gelling the superintendent family throughout the state

by improving the networking platforms and education

days offered by the association.

STEVEN HARRISSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Steven has been in the turf

industry for 25 years starting an

apprenticeship in 1990. He has

worked in 3 states of Australia

and a short stint in USA on the Ohio Program. When in

Tasmania he was a committee member of the TGCSA.

He is in his second year as part of the NSWGCSA in the

position of Senior Vice President. Seeing our association

succeed and continue to grow with the support of its

members is rewarding and to be part of the committee

in driving the success is exciting.

SHANE GEORGEJUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Currently employed as the

Superintendent at The Links Shell

Cove G.C.

Over 20 years’ experience in the turf industry:

• 5 years as Superintendent, at The Links Shell Cove G.C.

• 14 years as an apprentice and qualified hort and

qualified greenkeeper at Concord G.C.

• 2 years as an hort/greenkeeper at Bankstown G.C.

• 2 years as an Operations Manager at Lurhmann

Environmental Management

Shane is currently in the middle of redeveloping The

Links Shell Cove G.C., with a long term goal to further

improve the quality of the course, and to enhance the

golfing experience for our members and visitors.

Shane joined the NSWGCSA to meet other turf

industry people who all share the same common goal in

providing the best quality turf surfaces, no matter what

their challenges are.

RUSSELL FLETCHERSECRETARY/TREASURER

Many moons ago Russell’s career

didn’t begin in turf. That didn’t

start till some years later. Way

back then, his first years were at

the South Sydney City Council looking after parks and

gardens around Redfern Park and Ovals. Russell was in

charge of a crew of gardeners after coming out of his

apprenticeship. In the first 10 years from 1975 to 1985

parks and ovals were it for Russell, around the popular

home of the Rabbitoh’s.

It was when he was on the council that he started doing

the Landscape course at Ryde TAFE but didn’t finish as

he asked to complete the Greenkeeping Certificate 3.

DIRECTORS PROFILE


Russell didn’t think much of greenkeeping back then but

it was another certificate and a day away from work for

which he got paid, so off he went for 3 years. This was

the start of the 3 year Greenkeeping course at Ryde.

Russell has fond memories of two of his teachers from

back then, Frank Dempsey at a very young age and Peter

Brown, who in later years he found himself working

beside at The Lakes G.C. When Russell looks back at that

time, Peter Brown would have to be one of those people

he puts down as an influential person in his career. Russell

finished Horticulture in 1978 and Greenkeeping in 1981.

It was then that he started having an interest in the turf

side of things and he was fortunate that the council had

under their control Moore Park G.C. Russell became

Assistant Manager of the course in 1985 filling this role

with no background in turf but the only person with

greenkeeping qualifications on the council. He stayed

here for 9 years when the ownership of the course came

under Centennial Park Trust a short time after he was

there. Russell’s 2IC way back then was Mal Durkin and to

his credit he is still there as the manager of the course.

The Trust then in a short time decided to remodel the

course adding a full time driving range and completely

renewing the golf course. It was the start of a fascination

with shaping golf holes. He worked with an Architect

then by the name of Ken McKay and his brother Ross, an

ex-superintendent from Wollongong G.C.

The next port of call was just down the road when Peter

Brown was in charge of The Lakes G.C. He feels that

with the construction he accomplished at Moore Park

helped him gain the Assistants position at The Lakes. A

week into the new position the club was remodelling

all the greens under the watchful eye of Grant, Newton,

and Spencer, but this was not the last of working with

architects at The Lakes. Once the greens had been

finished it was time for the tournaments. The A.N.Z, The

Greg Norman Classics, British Qualifying tournament,

and last but not least were the Australian Opens.

Everyone of these had a story to go with it.

Russell was then fortunate to move to St Michaels G.C.

3 years ago now in his twilight years. Looking back, it is

surprising where you could end up in your career. He

counts himself fortunate to have worked in the industry

where you meet a lot of fine people and some good

friends from the industry are made.

One of the reasons Russell has taken on a role in

the association is so he can gain knowledge and give

something back to people in the golf industry, (it’s never

too late) and now is the right time for him to do what

he was reluctant to do years ago.

MARK SCHRODERFIELD DAYS

Marital status/Children:

Married, 1 Daughter

Nickname: Schrodes

Employment History: 38 years in Golf/Turf Management

Liverpool G.C. – (2010-Current) – Superintendent

Woodburn-Evans Head G.C. – (2007-2010) – Superintendent

Churchill Park G.C. (Vic) – (2006-2007) – Superintendent

Waverley G.C. (Vic) – (1997-2006) – Superintendent

Liverpool G.C. – (1990-1992-2IC/1992-1997) –

Superintendent

Cabramatta G.C. – (1987-1990) – 3IC Greenkeeper

Brisbane G.C. (Qld) – (1985-1986) – Greenkeeper

Goondiwindi G.C. (Qld) – (1982-1985) – Superintendent

Tenterfield G.C. – (1978-1982) – Apprentice Greenkeeper

Education: Diploma of Turf Management – Ryde TAFE

(Distinctions 1995-1997)

Favourite Golf Course: NSW Golf Club

Hobbies: Golf/Music-Singing/Radio Announcing-DJ

JUSTIN BRADBURYENVIRONMENT

Married (wife Erin) and dog

(Cooper)

1997-2000: Bankstown Oval

Apprenticeship

2000-2007: Bowral Golf Club

3½ years as Superintendent

Just over 6 years spent in the USA

2007-2012: Congressional Country Club, Maryland

4 years as Assistant Superintendent (Blue Course)

3 PGA Tour Events and 2011 US Open

2012-2013: Scarsdale Golf Club, New York

Assistant Superintendent

2013-Current: Bonnie Doon Golf Club

Golf Course Manager

MALCOLM HARRISEDUCATION PORTFOLIO

Malcolm has been a

Superintendent for 30 years.

Over these years he has seen the

NSWGCSA play an important role

in supporting and developing the course maintenance

industry and promoting the professionalism of Golf

Course Superintendents. Malcolm is honoured to be

able to serve the associations members in his role as

NSWGCSA Education Officer.

NATHAN BRADBURYNEWSLETTER/SOCIAL MEDIA

Superintendent

Eastlake Golf Club –

Oct 2011-Current


Eastlake Golf Club – Aug 2010-Oct 2011


Bowral Golf Club – Jan 2009-Aug 2010

Greenkeeper

The Australian Golf Club – Nov 2007-Jan 2009

Internship

Kinloch Golf Club Virginia USA – 2007-Nov 2007

Apprentice Greenkeeper

Bowral Country Club 3 years, Bankstown Golf Club 1 year

LEON HENNESSYADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP

Leon has been in the golf

course industry for 24 years and

is currently in his fourth year

as Superintendent at Cromer Golf Club. He began

his career as an Apprentice Greenkeeper at Elanora

Country Club.

In 2002 he become the Assistant Superintendent at

Long Reef Golf Club. While at Long Reef he helped

develop strategies to enhance and protect ESA areas

(Environmentally Sensitive Areas). As a result the

Club was the recipient of the 2006 Claude Crockford

Environmental Award.

Moving back to Elanora Country Club as Assistant

Superintendent in 2007. Where he enjoyed managing a

large and diverse team.

Leon believes that the long-term success of Cromer

Golf Club is linked to developing and maintaining

a course structure that provides a unique and

enjoyable playing experience for members and guests

while maintaining and enhancing environmental

sustainability.


Symptoms of dollar spot are small circular sunken patches

2-3 cm in diameter. Leaves will first develop a tan coloured

lesion and then appear bleached. Fungal mycelium will be

seen on the leaf surface when dew is present.

The dollar spot fungus overwinters (if it is cool enough) as

dormant mycelium in infected plants and spread of dollar

spot fungus is restricted to movement of infected leaf

debris by equipment, people, animals, water, or wind.

The cottony mycelium is generally evident on the leaf

surface following dews. Heavy dews increase pressure

significantly due to leaf wetness and hence why we are

seeing more instance of dollar spot longer into autumn.

Dollar spot has become prevalent all year round in

some areas however is most active during spring,

summer and autumn.

CULTURAL CONTROL OF DOLLAR SPOT (THIS WILL HELP ALSO FOR OTHER DISEASES):

• Remove dew daily (also before spraying contact

fungicides especially)

• Avoid drought stress

• Maintain adequate nutrition especially N. Low N

program increases dollar spot severity

• Reduce shade and improve air circulation by either

eliminating trees or cutting back branches

• Dust greens on regular basis

• Roll greens (start this process before onset of disease)

• If seeding choose a cultivar that is less prone to dollar

spot. Many new varieties have been developed over

the past 10 year

• Clean equipment after use

Of most interest is about using a lightweight roller for

greens. Thomas Nikolai from Michigan State University

has conducted breakthrough research with rolling. I

found this great summary on his website

www.michiganturfgrass.org Some of you may have

heard Dr Nikolai lectures at an AGCSA conference.

Over the years I have travelled to numerous locations to

give presentations regarding green speed. Of particular

interest to superintendents are the multiple mowing/

rolling frequencies studies I have conducted on bentgrass

at Michigan State University. As a result of these

presentations I have received numerous Emails, letters,

and phone calls from superintendents that have adopted

mowing/rolling frequency programs at their club for

certain times of the year. To be clear, the mowing/rolling

programs include performed on bentgrass include:

Alternating mowing and rolling on a daily basis. This

mowing/rolling frequency results in daily green speed

measurements equivalent to just mowing every day

and improved turfgrass wear tolerance. Obviously, this

program can also save money; however, there is no

reduction in the amount of dollar spot observed with

this program compared to mowing alone. This can be a

very nice economic option especially during times of the

year with the greatest heat stress on cool season grasses.

Mow and roll every day. We certainly are not considering

saving money with this option, however, results indicate

consistent green speeds from day to day, the possibility

to raise mowing heights for better turfgrass health

and wear tolerance, and significantly more dollar spot

control than mowing every day and rolling every other.

DOLLAR SPOT (SCLEROTINIA HOMEOCARPA)

A FEW SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP

BY NADEEM ZREIKAT COLIN CAMPBELL (CHEMICALS) PTY LTD

Dollar Spot is one of the most prevalent diseases of turfgrass around the world and can be active all year round in parts of NSW especially those nearer the coast.

SHANE HERRINGMEMBERSHIP

Shane has been in the golf course

industry for 19 years and is

currently the Superintendent at

Camden Golf Club. He began his

career as an Apprentice Greenkeeper at Campbelltown

and finished his apprenticeship at Straithfield Golf Club,

the Club where he became Irrigationist and 3IC.

Shane has also worked at Bonnie Doon Golf Club,

Cabramatta Golf Club, as the Irrigation Technician, Ashlar

Golf Club as the Assistant Superintendent and Irrigation

Technician; He became Superintendant at Bardwell Valley

Golf Club at the age of 25 in 2006 til 2011.

Shane came to Camden Golf Club in September 2011 til

present.

Most of the golf courses Shane has worked for as irrigation

technician and it didn’t stop at Camden or Bardwell Valley

Golf Club. At Bardwell Valley Golf Club he put in a manual

fairways and battery operated tees and greens all in

house with 4 staff members. 2 years ago he put in a new

complete Toro Lynx system at Camden Golf Club.

Whilst at Bardwell Valley Golf Club and Camden Golf

Club he was involved in golf course construction

projects including greens, tees, bunker reconstruction

and irrigation installation.

Shane believes that the long-term success of Camden

Golf Club is linked to developing and maintaining a

course structure that provides a unique and enjoyable

playing experience for members and guests while

maintaining and enhancing environmental sustainability.

ALISON JONESASSOCIATION ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

Married to Darren Jones with two

children Ben 13 and Matilda (Tilly)

11 and a mad English Staffordshire

Bull Terrier called Buddy 3.

Alison is a qualified trainer (with not much experience)

a genealogist and a bookkeeper who has worked in

administration and bookkeeping her entire life. Alison

has worked in a lot of different industries, with the

major ones being, Fashion, Hospitality, Registered

Training Organisations and Sports Administration.

Alison has been working for herself for the past 15 nearly

16 years and have had between 13-25 clients during that

time. All of these clients are in varying industries. She has

been working for the NSWGCSA for 12 years and her role

has varied quite a lot from only doing the bookkeeping

to now doing the administration and bookkeeping.

Alison really enjoys her time working for the

Association as it provides her with a lot of variety to

her working week.


Roll every day and mow every other. That’s right, rolling

every day and mowing every other. Of all the mowing/

rolling frequencies I have researched this one results in

the most consistent green speeds from day to day, very

good wear tolerance compared to mowing alone, and

better dollar spot control than mowing every day and

rolling every other. Obviously, there could also be some

economic saving with this program as well.

CHEMICAL CONTROL OPTIONS:

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

FRAC (GROUP) & MODE OF ACTION

TRADE NAMES

Chlorothalonil M5 (Contact) Dacogreen® WeatherShield

Daconil® Weatherstik

Iprodione 2 (Systemic) Ippon® 500 Aqualfo

250GT®

Chipco® GT

Triadimenol 2 (Systemic) Tridim®

Bayfidan®

Prochloraz 3 (Systemic) Protak®

Thiabendazole 1 (Systemic) Vorlon®

Tebuconazole/Trifloxystrobin

3 + 11 (Systemic + contact)

Dedicate® (note Tebuconazole active only has dollar spot activity)

Iprodione/Trifloxystrobin

2 + 11 (Systemic + Systemic)

Interface® (note Iprodione active only has dollar spot activity)

Propiconazole 3 (Systemic) Banner®

Propiconazole/Azoxystrobin

3 + 11 (Systemic) Headway® (note Propiconazole active only has dollar spot activity)

Fludioxanil 12 (Systemic) Medallion®

Toclclofos-Methyl 14 (Systemic) Shiba®

Chlorothalonil/Propiconazole/Fludioxanil

M5 + 3 + 12 (Contact + Systemic)

Instrata®

RESISTANCE:

Lastly, dollar spot being such a common disease and we

spray for it more regular than other diseases resistance

risk is very high. To reduce resistance risk make sure you

mix up your groups (FRAC= Fungicide Resistance Activity

Code) all the time. Do not over use a FRAC during a

season. For example I have seen some programs do the

following

• Banner (3)

• Tridim (3)

• Dacogreen (M5)

• Dedicate (3 + 11)

• Headway (3 + 11)

Not a bad range of products but there is an overuse of

FRAC 3 fungicides. Instead I suggest the following:

• Tridim (3)

• Dacogreen (M5)

• Dedicate (3 + 11)

• Vorlon (1)

• Ippon (2)

As you can see there is a broader spectrum of FRAC

groups used and we are only using FRAC group 3 twice

instead of 4 times.

For a more detailed dollar spot plan feel free to contact me.

Article written by Nadeem Zreikat

Colin Campbell (Chemicals) Pty Ltd

[email protected]

All products mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective owners

The course is situated within 100m of the Minnamurra

River and only 200m from the ocean. The first 1m of

topsoil is that of a quality alluvial soil with more than

3m of pure white sand below, this provides excellent

drainage and minimal runoff into the local estuaries, in

fact the drainage is so good that in the past we have

received in excess of 300mm of rainfall in a 36 hour

period and we were open with carts only 12 hours later.

Kiama is a par 66 with 8 par 3’s, 8 par 4’s and 2 par 5

holes. Measuring only 4968m the main emphasis is to

play it straight with some fairways being only 20m wide.

The course in the early days was tree free however

a large planting program in the late 1970’s and early

80’s resulted in several hundred pine trees and

approximately 50 coral trees planted, this has

resulted in a short course that is heavily tree lined

from tee to green on most holes. The trees are

currently the biggest issue for the club due to the

continual decline in the overall health of the pine

tree species, there are currently at least 40-50 trees

that are in need of complete removal and replaced

with a more suitable species.

KIAMA GOLF CLUB Kiama Golf Club celebrated their 100th birthday in 2005. Originally situated in the township of Kiama the club was forced to relocate 7km north to Minnamurra in 1937 and has been there ever since.

The tree pine trees selected has resulted in some tree

root problems where the roots are exposed and have

become a hazard for players as well as encroaching into

the playing areas.

In 1998 the club under the guidance of former course

superintendent Scott McLaurin invested $500,000 to

secure a reliable water supply from the local effluent

treatment facility. This involved several kilometres of

pipe work from the treatment works. The club again

invested another $500,000 in 2008 to completely

upgrade the irrigation system including all new pipe

work, sprinklers and a new pump system. These

investments have secured a quality water supply that is

both efficient and cost effective.

10th and 18th Fairways 4th Green

Floods 2011


The use of recycled water has placed some limitations

on the club and all irrigation is carried out at night.

Quarterly water testing from four ground water

bores situated throughout the course is part of our

environment management plan. Water testing monitors

any possible contamination to the existing water table.

Kiama Golf Club over the past 5 years has traded well

and we have been able to start a quality machinery

replacement program with the purchase of the

following machines:

• Toro Spray unit

• Toro tow behind Debris blower

• Toro tow behind top dressing unit

• Toro 360 Rough cutter

• Caterpillar Skid steer loader

• Mitsubishi Triton Ute ( For the Super)

• Jacobsen Fairway mower

• Kubota 34hp tractor

Future purchases will include a new Greens mower, Skid

steer powered stump grinder, greens roller and a 50 plus

hp tractor to operate the wood chipper. Hopefully the

machinery replacement program will continue over the

next 3 years.

The two major projects for us in the next 2-3 years

will be to progress with the tree management and

replacement program. Another area that will need

attention is our riparian dam system that captures

almost all of the surrounding urban water runoff,

these dams have not received any major works for

approximately 20 years and during this time the silt

has built up and reduced our catchment capacity, the

dam system is vital in cleaning the water runoff before

entering the Minnamurra river.

Staffing at Kiama Golf Club consists of:

• Course Superintendent 22 years industry experience.

Cert 3, 4, 5 in Turf, Cert 3 in Business Management and

Cert 3 in Landscape Design.

• Assistant Super 37 years experience in the industry as

both a greenkeeper and as a Chemical Rep.

• Mechanic qualified fitter and turner with 12 years

of machining in the mines as well as a car mechanic

background with V8 racing.

• Horticulturalist has 22 years in industry including the

Sydney Botanic Gardens.

• Groundsman 22 years working at Kiama Golf Club and

has just completed Cert 3 in Landscape Construction.

• Apprentice has just started his second year and has a

passion for the game of golf.

• We also have an 83 year old who comes in for 16

hours a week to cut tee and green surrounds, he has

been doing this work for almost 18 years.

The staff are highly skilled and an asset to the club and

we hope to maintain the same personnel well into the

future.

As I mentioned above the club has improved their

overall trading significantly in the past 5 years this has

not only allowed new machinery purchases for the

course but the clubhouse has invested $1 million on

stage 1 of 3 with a complete upgrade of the bar, poker

machines and gaming areas, this investment has proved

successful and stages 2-3 will be scheduled within the

next couple of years.

2nd green with new pathway

2nd green pathway before improvements

MARITAL STATUS/CHILDREN: Married 11 years Children Jack 11, Ella 7 and Lucy 5

NICKNAME: Yatesy and Princess by my 2IC

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: Port Kembla Golf Club and Kiama Golf Club

EDUCATION: Cert 3, 4, 5 in Turf, Cert 3 Business Management and Cert 3 Landscape Construction

MAIN PROBLEM LAST SUMMER: Stem Weevils

WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT THE JOB: The lifestyle, picking my kids up everyday after school and the people I work with

ONE PRODUCT YOU COULDN’T DO WITHOUT: Primo and any insecticide that controls Stem Weevils

BEER/WINE/SPIRIT: Beer then spirits

FAVOURITE FOOD: Thai

HOLDEN/FORD: Porsche

FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Barnbougle Dunes

FAVOURITE HOLIDAY LOCATION: Hawaii

HOBBIES: Golf and I pretend to play 3rd grade cricket

FUNNIEST MOMENT:Installing an on course security camera to prevent theft only to catch one of my staff taking a leak in full view of the camera just 3 days after installation. I then had a team meeting with my staff and watched him go a bright colour red when I showed them.

MARITAL STATUS/CHILDREN: Married, 2 children

DOB: 8.7.62

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: 37

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: Lots

EDUCATION: Cert 4 Turf

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: To do whatever the boss tells me to do

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK: The Boss

WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR CAREER: Andy Knox, Rob Cooper

WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ATTRIBUTES IN THE WORKPLACE: Lots

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH: The Boss

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 TO 10 YEARS’ TIME: At Kiama Golf Club as a 2IC, I don’t want his job

30 SECONDS WITH A SUPERMARK YATES STUART MILLER

“OLD” ASSISTANT TURF MANAGER


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FLAME_SYN1659A_10/14

Whether a golf course designer is routing the holes on a brand new layout or re-working an existing course the prime goal should be to maximise the potential of the site.

This statement should simply mean unearthing the

best individual golf holes but somehow, in today’s

modern age of golf architecture, there seems to be so

many more extenuating factors that cloud and influence

this goal.

Without even considering budget constraints there are

many items to be considered in building the best overall

layout for the golf course. Some of these might include:

• Returning nines

• Starting and finishing holes playing towards the rising

or setting sun

• Property boundaries and safety

• Par and course length

• Practice zones

• Movement around the clubhouse precinct

• Playing strategies

If we looked at all of these items individually I would be

presenting a fairly long and detailed essay on the pros

and cons of each item that influences the routing of

a golf course. For the sake of brevity this short article

will mainly focus on Par and course length as it’s always

a hot topic when working with clubs during master

planning projects.

THE COURSE ROUTING

Let me ask if this sounds familiar. During the initial

stage of a master planning process at an existing golf

course and there are a group of people at the table

that includes the Superintendent, General Manager,

President, Captain, Treasurer and Course Committee.

I usually ask about their thoughts on the current golf

course and generally get a detailed response from the

Course Superintendent about grass issues, heavy traffic

areas, cart issues, drainage and day to day problems

with the health of the course. I find that the Supers

generally don’t throw too many suggestions at me

regarding improvements for course strategy but simply

focus on how to keep the playing surface performing at

its best.

When the question gets asked to the remainder in the

room there are often suggestions to add a tiger tee here

and there, planting trees to “toughen it up” (primarily

from the low markers at the table) and of course

the common complaints about the condition of the

bunkers. Sometimes I feel like I’m Groundhog Day as this

is a very common theme with the clubs I visit.

When I begin asking questions about the proposed tree

plantings and tiger tees for the course the responses

are often geared towards overall par, overall length or

that godforsaken slope rating number. I suspect the use

of the term “godforsaken” has outed me as not being a

fan of the slope rating process and you’d basically be

spot on.

A CHAMPIONSHIP COURSEWHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?


I understand there has to be some sort of system in

place for assessing player’s handicaps when they play on

all types of golf courses but I really can’t see any system

being used without being some flaws in it. What the

slope rating has given us is an excuse for golf clubs to

embark in a dick measuring competition with their nearby

neighbours to gauge whose layout is the more difficult.

The question I ask is, “when did difficult mean better” ?

Time and time again I see tees and greens squeezed

into places that are built to maximise every square inch

of the property and make each golf hole as long as

possible. In many cases the flow of the layout and the

general safety for patrons and neighbours is severely

compromised in this pursuit of adding length.

Then there’s this nugget. If we remove those trees we

can move those tees back 30m and turn that 400m Par 4

into a 430m Par 5, then the overall Par will go to 72. If it’s

a Par 72 it’s a “championship” course. A Championship

length course, what the hell does that even mean?

I never want to immediately dismiss this idea as the best

way to evaluate its merit is a comparison between the

two golf holes. Sometimes this type of change will work

if the short Par 5 is a genuinely heroic golf hole that

presents a clear risk/reward option but I can assure you

most of the time it results in the loss of a good strong

Par 4 to make a weak Par 5 just to make a bigger number

in that bottom part of the scorecard.

The obsession with added length, reaching a fictitious

number on the scorecard, and the obsession with slope

rating is one of the biggest concerns with golf clubs.

Instead of trying to create that “championship” golf

course, whatever that really means, they should be more

focussed on making the golf holes fun and interesting

for their general member base. If the pro’s come along

once a year in a Pro-Am and cut it apart then so be it. I

honestly think a lot of the members would prefer the

Pro’s shot a really low number on their golf course than

battle around par. If greens are designed well then it’s

a lot more logical to slide the pins into tight corners of

the green and sneak the green speed up than squeeze

golf holes into a space they were not meant to fit.

As I walk around golf courses, with the club personnel in

tow, I urge them to consider moving a few tees forward

rather than always looking back over the shoulder for

added length. I think you’d be surprised how some golf

holes could be vastly improved by being shortened

resulting in the obstacles being at a more tempting distance.

Another comment that is quite frequent in my

movements around the countries courses is the urge to

tell me how far their big hitters of the club knock it on

each golf hole. “Big Jimbo can knock a drive over those

trees and get it very close to that 320m par 4, so should

we consider adding a bunker here and there to shop

him”, is a common question.

Adjusting a golf course to purely combat the very long

hitters is fraught with danger. Whilst their long hitting

prowess cannot be ignored they generally make up a

very small percentage of the total member numbers. I

never try to remove the driver from the players hand as

I believe if these guys can hit it extraordinary lengths,

with accuracy, then they deserve to be rewarded. What

I do try to ensure is that the shorter hitters have a wider

landing zone than the big hitters and ask the longer

hitters to take more risks with the obstacles ahead. The

golf course can be as easy or as difficult as the player

decides to make it based on how daring they are to take

risk in order to shoot a lower number.

SHORT PAR 3’S AND 4’S

I am an unadulterated fan of short Par 3’s and 4’s. The

Par 3’s less than 130m are a dying art yet some of the

most exciting holes on the planet are barely more than

100m long. The reason for their popularity is that whilst

they usually demand a very precise shot to get near the

flag there is the opportunity for most golfers to get

it there. Once Par 3’s start extending beyond 170, 180

and 200m it’s simply a slog for a large portion of the

member base. Where’s the fun in that?

The short drivable Par 4, and I mean drivable at a

distance of sub-260m, are some of the most exciting

holes to play. Designed well, these holes are there to

tempt the heroic shot and get near the putting green in

one hit, however the severity of the surrounds ensures

a very difficult recovery if the heroic shot is not quite

executed perfectly. Once again the enjoyment of these

holes is that even guys that normally hit it 220-230m

may be tempted into have a crack at the green. Holes

that are near 300m are really only reachable for the very

long hitters and I don’t believe are quite as exciting for

the bulk of the playing field.

Of course, once you’ve added a few short Par 3’s and

4’s onto the layout the scorecard starts to look a bit

short and the old chestnut of length and rating rears

its head again. Forget the fact that those types of golf

holes are exactly what the club member needs, the

arguments continue about lengthening something else

to compensate.

VARIETY

The best courses are those that provide a variety of

golf holes. A great blend of distances, dog-legs, uphill/

downhill and plenty of options for recovery shots

around the greens.

To be faced with the task of producing a Par 72 with the

pre-determined routing that includes 4 x Par 3’s and 4 x

Par 5’s is a very difficult task on a tight piece of land but

there are many out there that do not think a golf course

is “championship” unless it possesses this mix of golf

holes.

To give you a few examples consider these statistics.

Three well known courses in the Sydney area, Royal

Sydney, New South Wales and St Michael’s all have a

Par 72 and all have a course length of between 6200 –

6400m. Their overall course area measurements are:

• Royal Sydney – approximately 43 Ha (106 acres)

• New South Wales – approximately 51 Ha (126 acres)

• St Michael’s – approximately 49 Ha (121 acres)

NSW and St Michael’s are both coastal courses with

ample areas of vegetation in between some golf holes

yet Royal Sydney has maximised its smaller space to

fit the same length layout. You should note that Royal

Sydney has a lot of walk backs from each green to the

next tee in order to maximise the space on the property

and also provide the safest possible angle of play with

the nearby boundaries. Whilst all of these courses have

varying sized plots of land they have each routed their

golf holes differently to achieve a Par 72 layout.

With these lengths in mind try to consider how a club

like Royal Perth has also managed to fit in a Par 72

layout (6000m) on only 34 Ha (84 acres) of land. It’s

certainly one of the tightest layouts I’ve experienced,

but do often wonder if too much golf course has been

squeezed into that space. I do have doubts over the

safety of this layout at times, whether it is internal or

external safety, and do question if a par 69 or 70 might

be better suited to that size parcel of land.

CONCLUSION

The world of golf course design is not an exact science

and effectively the entire industry is an art form and

totally subjective as to what is liked and disliked. There

is no clear right or wrong in its opinion of golf courses,

simply grey areas of preference when dissecting the

merits of a golf hole or an entire golf course.

It was certainly a lot less complicated many years ago

during the “golden age” of course design as many of

these constricting issues were not prevalent. There were

certainly no litigation issues with property boundaries

and errant golf balls back then and I wonder if this is a

clear reason as to why many of these golf courses are

still great tests of golf.

I believe the process of course design has become a

little sterilised to a certain degree over time however

the best designers of this modern age somehow manage

to tiptoe through this minefield of obstacles and

litigation and still produce great golf courses.

I urge the decision makers at golf clubs to think outside

the box more and not be too intent on the need to

product long, difficult, “Championship” length golf

courses, whatever the hell that actually means.


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NSWGCSA are now on Twitter and Facebook, we would like you to join us.

Please follow us on our Twitter account @NSWGCSA1 and please follow us on

Facebook on New South Wales Golf Course Superintendents Association.

NSWGCSA ANNOUNCEMENT

The NSWGCSA board of directors are proud to announce a new approach for the services to its members.

@NSWGCSA1

PJC Sportsturf and Syngenta proudly sponsor the

NSWGCSA’s Annual Ambrose Event for 2016. Please

support these two companies by purchasing your

products from them. This event will be held on Monday

the 9th of May 2016 at The Vintage Golf Club at a new

time of 12pm, registrations will be from 11am with a

dinner and presentation at 7pm with the opportunity to

network with your fellow superintendents afterwards.

Following the Monday’s Annual Ambrose Event the

NSWGCSA will be holding it first ever Outdoor Trade

Event on the 10th May 2016, this will give our Trade

Members an opportunity to display their products

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU SUPPORT THE ASSOCIATION THAT SUPPORTS YOU!

The association has sample templates, documents and forms available in the members area of the website for your

daily, monthly and annual requirements for golf course management. Please feel free to let us know if you suggest or

need any others. Go to the members area of www.nswgcsa.com.au website to find all the documents available.

to you onsite. This will be a hands on approach

opportunity for members to trial products before you

buy. Breakfast will be available from 7:00am and the

trade show and demonstrations will start at 7:30am and

continue until 12:30pm. Following the demonstrations

and outdoor trade fair lunch will be available from

12:30pm and the day’s activities will conclude by 1pm.

Registrations are available now to register and reserve

your place at NSWGCSA first Outdoor Trade Event and

Annual Ambrose Event. Early bird discounts will apply.

Watch for your invite via email. Accommodation will be

available from $90 per person (twin share) or $180 per

person (single) at Chateau Elan.

NSWGCSA ANNUAL AMBROSE EVENT

Monday, 9 May 2016 The Vintage Golf Club

12pm

NSWGCSA OUTDOOR TRADE EVENT

Tuesday, 10 May 2016 The Vintage Golf Club

7:30am-1pm


BONNIE DOON GOLF CLUBJUSTIN BRADBURY

I hope everybody has had a friendly late spring and

summer to this point and managed to enjoy the festive

season. Best wishes to all for the year ahead! At Bonnie

Doon we have had a relatively low key spring and

summer to this point as far as projects go. Our main

focus has been course preparation and some minor

renovation practices. We cored the fairways, tees and

surround in mid November successfully and they have

maintained a nice healthy coverage of grass to this point.

As I’m sure many of you can sympathise with, traffic is a

constant challenge for us on a tight property. We have

installed grass shield at the end of numerous paths which

has held us in good stead, with encouragement of the

growth of the couch in these areas. Something that we

have just introduced to our greens maintenance program

is the 4mm Ninja Tine. This was done successfully to a

depth of 1” with removal of a small amount of thatch

from the profile. This will be done monthly as part of

our program and we will be eliminating our Autumn

renovation. We have been getting some solid storms

recently, like most of the metro and coastal areas.

Fortunately any damage has been minimal. Some minor

bunker washouts and that’s about it. Beauty of being

sand based and not a high volume of trees!

On the weekend before Xmas we were kindly the victim

of some vandalism on our 2nd green. The repair work

kindly occupied 2 hours of my Saturday morning that

weekend. Being the first week of school holidays I was a

bit nervous to think what may lie ahead, but fortunately

nothing has happened since then.

The big news from Bonnie Doon and something that

has kept me busy with meetings and planning recently

is the commencement of Stage 3 of our Master Plan

construction work. The DA was approved a couple of

months ago and it has been full steam ahead since.

For anyone that is familiar with the property, it will be

the southern paddock that will be redeveloped in this

set of works... the 3rd through to 7th hole along with

the spare par 3. 6 Holes will become 5. OCCM are our

course architects and work will begin April 26th. We

will be operating a 16 hole course during that period.

At this stage the intended length of time for the work

is 11 months. I will keep you all updated as the project

progresses.

For anyone that may be looking for some Poa/Bent

greens quality sod, there will be approximately 3000

square metres available. Feel free to contact me if

you are interested. Must cut and collect yourself

after April 26th.

AROUND THE TRAPSNSW GOLF COURSE REPORTS

Research Summary ReportResearch Summary Report

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Research Site: Rutgers University

Principle Investigator: Dr. James Murphy

Study Parameters: Competing products were tested and compared at multiple rates, including low, off-label rates to determine strength of actives using multiple testing protocols. Research focused on differentiating leading products’ ability to treat organic matter as found in peat, thatch and organic amendments.

Results: TriCure AD was shown to outperform competing products when tested in simulated extreme conditions and at both label and off-label low rates. Results indicate TriCure AD contains a stronger active ingredient based on ounce per ounce comparative testing on organic matter and in other performance criteria. TriCure AD was the only product able to penetrate and treat compressed, hydrophobic peat, giving indication of effectiveness on multiple soil types containing varying degrees and types of soil organic matter.

Speed of Wetting Organic Matter

Treatment response measured on overcoming water repellency on compressed, hydrophobic peat pellets.

0

4

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CAMDEN GOLF CLUBSHANE HERRING

It has been a fair while since my last around the traps and

we have been flat out with finishing our new Toro Lynx

irrigation system, which has just about been in a full year

now (Wow, time flies). The new system has been a life

saver compared to our old system that was contributing

to about 80% of my time with an average of 20 leaks a

month at its final stage. (I have not had to fix a leak since).

During winter we completely rebuilt the bunkers on

another 4 holes with a fantastic job done, with all the

works done in house and with a fantastic outcome; we

have been rebuilding 3-4 holes every year for the last

4 years with the finish line getting closer.

Every two years we root prune around greens, this year

using our Ventrac we were able to do our problem areas

in two days, trenched and backfilled, compare to previous

years of around a week. We also cored all fairways with

5/8 tines and left to dry out then we used a drag mate to

completely rub the cores in, then fertilised, we were able

to do roughly 4 fairways a day finishing up with a get result.

It was the first time I was able to open them up here.

We have just rebuilt our 11th tee, we raised the tee level

by 200mm and returfed with Santa Ana Couch. We have

also been trying to level out rough/bumpy areas of the

course of late, as well as path ways.

Hope everyone had a good Chrissy and looks forward to

a easier 2016 hopefully (fingers crossed)!

CROMER GOLF CLUBLEON HENNESSY

This summer is the first time our stormwater harvest

system has been put into action. The golf club

purchased a 70 Megalitre licence for South Creek and

last winter we installed the harvest system.

The system comprises of a 900mm concrete pipe from

South Creek that is connected to a wet well and pump.

The water is then pumped 300 metres to our irrigation

storage tank. The system is fully automatic with pressure

sensors for levels, flow metres and a variable speed

pump. When water is available we can pump 18L/sec.

This allows us to fill the 1.2 Megalitre tank within

24 hours. South Creek has a large catchment area so a

few millimeters of rain keeps this creek running.

So far this season we have not had to use any bore water.

The water quality from South Creek is far superior to the

high sodium and chloride bore water we have been using

in the past. This coupled with all the recent rainfall has

helped us present the golf course in excellent condition.

Cromer recently hosted the Fuso Truck and Bus Legends

Pro-Am. The course played well and the greens were

running fast and true.

EASTLAKE GOLF CLUBNATHAN BRADBURY

I am guessing my traps will be similar to a lot of others

when it comes to a very inconsistent summer; heavy rain

falls in short periods, 38 degree days followed directly by

an 18 degree day. If the grass isn’t confused I surely am.

The main project on the course at present is the Eastern

Suburbs Storm Water upgrade which is crossing 2 of

our holes. The project has been 2 ½ years in the making

with all geotech reporting finalised 18 months ago

and the contract was put to tender. Enviro-Pacific was

awarded the contract and begun work once our 17th

hole was reconstructed. 2x2m concrete pipes are being

installed over 800m. This involves installing 9m high

sheet piling vibrated into the soil profile at a space of

6m; hydraulic stabilising arms are then placed across the

top of the sheet piling. Once all this is in place the 40t

excavators go to work digging out a 6m wide by 6m high

“trench”. At present 150m of pipe is in the ground and

back filled and the head wall is ¾ constructed. Once

the head wall is finished Enviro-Pacific will be starting

to reconstruct the wetland and lake system to have a

natural filtration system of 5 separation/filtration ponds

before the water enters the lake system.

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Fingers crossed things will be back to normal in

12 months’ time, the only disruption to the course has

been our par 3 17th hole which was shortened from

204m to 150m and my irrigation main line has been

diverted out into the lake and floats approx. 40m from

the lake edge. A lot of safety fencing and directional

signage to allow the golfers a smooth run past the

construction site has helped.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable end to summer and

look forward to seeing everyone at the Hunter Valley

trade show and Ambrose Event.

ELANORA COUNTRY CLUBDAN G S COOK

Rainfall and storms dominated November. November’s

rainfall was double the average. This now takes the year

to date total of 1392mm, with good rain at the end of

December looks like we are going to hit 1500mm for the

calendar year of 15’. Debris removal has been constant

and seems to be dropping faster than it can be picked up!

Greens were Verti drained with an 8mm solid to a depth

of 200mm. This was done on a 1.5” x 1.5” spacing. Sport

Grass Solutions (Warren and Jason Jones) as a contractor

to the club carried out this work, with great flexibility

around the weather. All the Christmas trimmings were

applied to make sure the greens are in good health

during the Holiday season.

Fairways were double scarified and cored. Coring was

¾” tine on a 3” x 3” spacing to a depth of 100mm. They

were cleaned up and topdressing will be applied early

in the New Year to areas that have previously been

drained. This is to recover the smooth surface after the

drainage process.

Tees were also cored with a ½” hollow tine on a 2” x 2”

spacing and top-dressed. Top-dressing to the tees was

quite heavy to try to rectify some tees that are not level.

As Christmas approaches it looks like it will be a

Superintendents Christmas with cool temps and some

rainfall about. I hope every one gets a quick break and

comes back into the New Year refreshed and ready for

the next stage of the Season.

LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUBMARK SCHRODER

It has certainly been a roller-coaster start to 2016 with

over 250mm of rain coupled with extreme heat in the

mix resulting in much high humidity along with fungal

disease preservation.

Severe storm conditions with extreme high-wind on

Thursday 14 January 2016 resulted in much tree damage

with particular reference to the 8th tee area and other

areas adjacent to Prospect Creek.

Following on from the above, a hole by hole survey of

tree health and associated safety on the golf course has

been carried out highlighting and prioritising current

status in line with the objectives and strategy to the

Club’s Vegetation Management Plan.

Recent on-course activities have included selective

herbicide application around collars of greens for Kikuyu

& Couch-grass invasion. Also, chemical control of Kikuyu

invasion into Santa ana couch-grass on tee-tops.

Adjacent to the 8th tee

Rough zone adjacent to the 11th green

We have also further embraced ongoing bunker

improvements including re-shaping, re-turfing and

contour definitives as well as sand distribution.

Upcoming winter project plans include fairway drainage

works at several low-lying areas of the golf course, along

with the sub-surface drainage replacement of some silt

contaminated bunkers.

Finally, as one of the Field Day Board Members I thank

everyone for either re-joining or joining for the first time

and encourage you all to consider attending as many

NSWGCSA events as possible this year. The full program

of events and dates will be out shortly to enable

everyone to plan ahead.

NORTHBRIDGE GOLF CLUBMALCOLM HARRIS

We are in the process of rebuilding the 1st hole. We

have now completed the green and all the drainage and

shaping. We have 1 bunker left to finish and 1500m² of

turf to lay. We will then rebuild the tees and have the

hole ready about March. I am so fortunate to have some

very dedicated staff during a particularly difficult period.

There has been some serious stem weevil activity here

this summer. Despite what I believed to be a thorough

preventative program a couple of greens have suffered

a fair bit of damage. We also have a significant ground

pearl infestation in the kikuyu fairways and roughs

which has been an ongoing problem for a number of

years. I have tried quite a few different products to

control them without any success. If anyone has had

success controlling them I would love to talk to you.

ST MICHAEL’S GOLF CLUBRUSSELL FLETCHER

Just before Christmas St Michael’s G.C. was hit with a

mini tornado that luckily centred in a small area of the

course adjacent to the maintenance shed. Sections of

the roofing became unattached and falling about 40

large Banksia and Eucalyptus trees in and around the

shed. The winds got to 120km an hour, so you could only

imagine what it would be like in a large scale tornado

and double the wind speed. Hell I recon!!! It took a few

weeks to clean up mainly due to the Christmas break.

It was luck that we took delivery of two new Jacobsen

eclipse ride-on mowers, ½ hour before the storm hit;

otherwise these would have been damaged by the hail.

John Purtell stood in my office and was counting his

luck that he was not out there in this.

Summer in Sydney at the moment feels like we’re in the

tropics. Overcast days then major storms and severe

rain in the afternoons has been the norm, making you

believe that we live in the North of Queensland. The

relentless spraying of greens, is that you just can’t miss a

week in of spraying but it’s not far to go when summer

is over and reno’s start.

Apart from the normal route of looking after a golf

course in summer, staff have found that we just don’t

cut and spray here at St Mich’s. Building tees and paving

footpaths, making sand-waste and the last project

recently is re-contouring 2 green surrounds. The 10th

green surrounds involved a bit more than the normal

in that 100 tonnes of road-base was brought in to

construct a maintenance road, 20 metres adjacent to

31NSWGCSA Newsletter – Summer 2016

the green, and approximately 100 metres long. This was

then coated with bitumen and decretive gravel applied

over the top. Changing the green surrounds involves

spraying ½ the surrounds out on one side, then rotary

hoeing, shaping, and then turfing with Windsor Green

turf that is on fairways.

Committee decide some 8 to 9 years ago to convert

the fairways from kikuyu to Windsor Couch, leaving the

kikuyu green surrounds until the club embarked on a

greens remodelling project. Recently the club decided

not to do all the greens remodelling in one year and

take on the financial risk, but to redo the greens that

struggle in turf quality or have design issues. A decision

will be made shortly, to do the 16th green and 17th

tee complex and redesigning the whole area. It will be

towards the end of the year when warm weather is

upon us again, in whether to go ahead. Golf Shapes will

be contracted to undertake this project.

That the moment staff will take the role of reshaping

green surrounds that the club thinks is beneficial for the

future of the course.

TERREY HILLS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUBSTUART GILL

What a start to the new year, just shy of 300mm in the

first couple of weeks. Like everywhere else this time of

year, focus is on presenting the golf course and we are

lucky at the moment that we are looking pretty good.

Good grass cover, dams are full and the members seem

as happy as you can hope for. Photos never do any

justice but I’ve included a couple of when I returned

from a couple of week’s annual leave, who ever said you

can’t take time off in summer? A big shout out to my

Assistant, Oliver Bell, and our crew, a job well done!

We recently purchased some new scarifying heads

for our fairway mowers which are allowing a monthly

groom of the couch at minus 3mm which has resulted

in an exceptional playing surface. Normally, our roughs

struggle a little at this time of year with poor irrigation

coverage however Mother Nature has helped out a

great deal with that.

Our main focus for 2016 will be to eradicate bare areas

next to the concrete cart paths which our members

and guests like to straddle with one wheel on and one

wheel off. Recent trials of using plastic protective turf

matting has shown positive results so we will be looking

to install a strip along our paths as well as adding some

much needed irrigation.

We have recently had our DA application install above

ground fuel tanks rejected by council so instead it

looks like another rethink and to continue on with an

underground system. Although we do have a current

exemption through the EPA it seems that the regulatory

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body will change from the EPA to local council in June 2017

so the goal posts may get moved again. We have gone

from looking to upgrade our underground tanks to being

told we must go above ground to now being told we have

to stay underground, I’m sure this isn’t the end of the saga

but it almost seems worth sitting on for another year!

THE LINKS SHELL COVESHANE GEORGE

It’s been a very busy season to date and will continue

into the later part of the year when all re construction

work is completed. Golf Shapes are carrying out all the

construction works, from Richard Chamberland design,

work started in November 2015.

Zone 1

• with re building the current 2nd tee, fairway landing

zone and bunkering

• 3rd fairway extension to remove water hazard carry in

front of the tee

• 8th green and surrounds and fairway width extension.

Originally we were going to use cores from our existing

greens for the turf on the new 8th green, so we could

keep consistently on all greens, but had to change to

seeding the surface because of a rain storm that hit on

the 16th December. The 8th green was completed and we

spread cores over the green on the 15th December. But

come next day we received 68mm in under 30 minutes.

It washed the cores from the surface and left rutting on

the putting green surface. Just what you want leading into

Xmas. Over the next week the green surface was repaired

and seeded on the 29th December. We could not re core

CODE OF ETHICS Each member shall uphold the standards of this Association by observing the following code of ethics:

1. Acting and speaking in a manner which will not cause discredit to our profession and fellow superintendents.

2. Before applying for a position ensure that the position is vacant and where possible confer with the superintendent who is being succeeded.

3. Avoid dissemination of any malicious information concerning other golf courses and/or other golf course superintendents.

4. Extend technical assistance to any golf clubs when called upon by the superintendent.

5. Negotiate salary and conditions in accordance with standards expected of the position for which application is being made.

greens again because of the golfing numbers that were

booked in during the holiday period. This is our peak

revenue time with golfers teeing off from 5.30am through

to most days 3pm. The green surrounds were turfed with

Kikuyu, and the fairways have been stolenised. To date all

turf is growing in nicely and already under Primo.

Zone 2 construction started in early January 2016:

• Splitting up our current 14th par 5 into par 4 and par 3.

This work entails width extension of the par 4 fairway,

new green and surrounds, a new tee complex for the

par 3 to the existing green

• The current 15th par 3 will be extended to a par 4,

works to carryout are new tees, rebuild and shaping of

fairway and bunkering.

Zone 3, 4 and rebuilding of all bunkers, as the year goes on.

THE VINTAGE GOLF CLUBSTEVE HARRIS

It has been extremely busy at The Vintage over the past

few months.

We have installed a new pump system which has meant

a new pump shed and some modifications to the

pipes but the good news is that we are running at full

capacity. Huge relief with the hot dry weather we were

receiving up to the start of December.

Our cart path project is progressing well with another

3 holes completed. With the Christmas break and the

wet weather that momentum could slow down. The

completed paths are making a massive difference and

have received some great feedback.

Our current project is the construction of a spare hole.

We are building a par 3 on some land between the 6th

and 7th holes. This green will come into play when we

do any course works and will enable us to close the

hole being worked on. If the weather is kind to us I

hope to have it in play ready for the start of our Bunker

project in March.

Hope to see you all at the Ambrose day in May.

PRESIDENT Stuart Gill Terrey Hills Golf and Country Club

Mobile 0417 445 888

Email [email protected]

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/FIELD DAYS Steven Harris The Vintage Golf Club

Mobile 0409 740 818


JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT/NEWSLETTER Shane George The Links Shell Cove

Mobile 0409 772 626


SECRETARY/TREASURER Russell Fletcher St Michael’s Golf Club

Mobile 0419 267 622


FIELD DAYS Mark Schroder Liverpool Golf Club

Mobile 0401 095 083


ENVIRONMENT Justin Bradbury Bonnie Doon Golf Club

Mobile 0432 390 171


DIRECTORS CONTACT DETAILS

EDUCATION PORTFOLIO Malcolm Harris Northbridge Golf Club

Mobile 0411 841 605


NEWSLETTER/SOCIAL MEDIA Nathan Bradbury Eastlakes Golf Club

Mobile 0418 215 407


ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP Leon Hennessy Cromer Golf Club

Mobile 0422 699 717


MEMBERSHIP Shane Herring Camden Golf Club

Mobile 0408 682 068


ASSOCIATION ADMINISTRATION OFFICER Alison Jones PO Box 595, Matraville NSW 2036

Mobile 0412 516 428


NSWGCSA ABN 63 365 403 933 PO Box 595, Matraville NSW 2036 Australia Email [email protected]

@NSWGCSA1 facebook.com/NSWGCSA/

www.nswgcsa.com.au

NSWGCSA Editor’s Disclaimer: The opinions expresses editorially and the contents of this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the policy or view of the NSWGCSA

summer 2016 nswgcsa · hm.t ny’emult ’ oltn’oup’ot oam ny’ tum.utp’.m cp.fpt’rm...

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