The Cut - 22 July 2011

The winds of change continue to blow through the AGCSA following the announcement at last week’s Board meeting in Melbourne that director Bryce Strachan will be stepping down. Strachan, who was elected to the Board at the 2008 Australian Turfgrass Conference in Melbourne, recently tendered his resignation as course superintendent at Pambula Merimbula Golf Club (NSW) and as such has had to also step off the board. His announcement comes just a month after the 2011 AGCSA AGM where two new directors – Darren Wilson and Tony Fogarty – were elected to replace outgoing Board members Pat Pauli and John Odell.

As a result of Strachan’s departure, RACV Royal Pines Resort (QLD) course superintendent Paul McLean (pictured at this year's Toro AGCSA Golf Championships) has been co-opted to the Board. McLean had earlier nominated as a candidate for the recent Board elections and will now serve until the 2012 AGCSA AGM which will be held at next year’s conference in Melbourne. The new-look AGCSA Board is:

• President: Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour , WA)
• Treasurer: Darren Wilson (Wembley Golf Complex, WA)
• State Liaison: Tony Fogarty (Club Catalina Country Club, NSW)
• Education and Events: Paul McLean (RACV Royal Pines Resort, QLD)

McLean has notched up 25 years as a turf manager, his career starting at Wentworth Golf Club in Orange, NSW in 1986 under the watchful eye of Pat Coyte.  On completion of his apprenticeship he joined Orange City Council as a greenkeeper in the Parks and Garden Department before taking up the head greenkeeper position at Millthorpe Bowls Club. In 1995 he headed across the border to Queensland to take up the position of grow-in assistant and later foreman during construction at Lakelands Golf Club, progressing to assistant in 1998.

Leaving Lakelands in 2000 to work in the family business, two years later McLean found himself back in the industry this time as a sales representative with Simplot Pro-Line. In October 2007 he took up his current role as course superintendent at RACV Royal Pines Resort where he has successfully overseen the running of the 27-hole facility and hosted four ANZ Ladies Masters golf tournaments.

AGCSA Bookshop - Turf Management Safety DVD

The AGCSA has copies of the VGCSA-produced Turf Management Safety DVD for sale at $38. The brainchild of former VGCSA committee member and current Devilbend Golf Club superintendent Trevor Uren, this 15-minute DVD essentially provides a brief induction programme for any new turf management employees, welcoming them to their new workplace and taking them through the day-to-day golf course maintenance tasks and the health and safety risks associated with them. Click here to read the full review which appeared in Australian Turfgrass Management Journal. To order your copy, contact Lyndel Conway at the AGCSA office on (03) 9548 8600 or email info@agcsa.com.au.

The AGCSA has recently reviewed all current book prices and in many instances significant reductions have been made. To see what books at the AGCSA currently has in stock or can order in please click here.

Grab an AGCSA polar fleece, polo shirt combo

At the recent 27th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition in Adelaide, the AGCSA had a special running where members could pick up an AGCSA branded polar fleece and polo shirt for the great price of just $70 (normal retail price $81).

Both the polar fleece (navy and black colours available) and polo shirts come in a range of sizes (S-XXXL) and the polo shirt is made from Dri-Gear material which has a UPF 50+ rating. To take advantage of this great deal simply contact AGCSA membership coordinator Lyndel Conway on (03) 9548 8600 or email info@agcsa.com.au