The Cut - The AGCSA's Weekly E-Newsletter - 25 Feb '10

 

Welcome to this edition of The Cut, the AGCSA’s weekly e-newsletter. In this week’s instalment we convey the news of the severe injury sustained by Perth-based superintendent Simon Bourne as well as review the latest edition of Australian Turfgrass Management journal which will be out in the coming week.

Cottesloe GC superintendent injured in holiday accident

The WA superintendent community has been left in a state of shock this week following the news that popular Cottesloe Golf Club superintendent and GCSAWA/AGCSA member Simon Bourne (pictured) suffered a severe head and neck injury while on holiday in Bali. The following email was sent to all GCSAWA members earlier this week from Cottesloe general manager Brad White updating members on the situation. It read…

“Early on Saturday morning Simon suffered an accident whilst on holidays in Bali with family and friends. He suffered a head and neck injury and was flown by air ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital on Saturday and underwent surgery on Sunday.  The full extent of Simon’s injuries are not yet known but at this point in time he has no feeling from his mid chest down.

"We are all in a state of shock here at Cottesloe and have offered our full support to Simon and his family during this difficult time. Can I thank all of you who have already called to offer assistance and I will continue to provide further information as it comes to hand.”

The AGCSA has been in contact with Brad and has asked him to pass on the thoughts and prayers of all AGCSA members to Simon and his family – wife Marina and two young daughters – during this difficult period. 

A blog website has now been set up for Simon where you can send messages of support and keep a track of his recovery.

Australian Turfgrass Management Vol 12.2 (March-April 2010)

Volume 12.2 (March April 2010) of Australian Turfgrass Management Journal is out now and will be distributed in the coming days. This edition’s cover features Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club which one year on from the devastating Black Saturday bushfires is slowly returning to normal. ATM editor Brett Robinson catches up with Marysville superintendent Rob Christie and his Horsham Golf Club counterpart Tim Warren to look back on the 12 months since the fires and the challenges they have both encountered as well as the many hurdles still ahead. Elsewhere in Volume 12.2…

• Researchers from the University of Western Australia and Queensland DEEDI present the latest updates on their various turf research projects;
• 2006 AGCSA Graduate of the Year Sean Kinsley provides a fascinating insight into turf management in Russia;
• Simon Forshaw gives an overview of the stunning Jacks Point course in Queenstown, NZ;
• Superintendents pass judgement on the new USGA course rating and handicapping system;
• John Neylan looks at water efficiency, the recent APVMA review on carbendazim, summer stresses and nematodes in the latest instalment of AGCSATech Update; and
• Genial Murray Bridge GC superintendent Mal Grundy gets grilled in the ATM country profile.

AGCSA editor Brett Robinson is always on the lookout for stories and news so if you would like to contribute please email brett@agcsa.com.au or call 0434 144 779.

Click here to subscribe to ATM, the Australian turf industry’s leading turf management publication.

AGCSA Water Management Review workshops - March 2010

The AGCSA will hold a series of water management workshops in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in late March. The workshops will revolve around the AGCSA’s online Water Management Review, a key component of the AGCSA’s Water Initiative, which was launched in 2009.

To help assist golf clubs to implement the Water Management Review, John Geary and Daryl Sellar will be conducting a series of workshops across the three states at various TAFE facilities with attendees being able to work through the plan online. Places are limited so book early to guarantee a spot. The workshops will be held on the following days:

Victoria
Monday 22 March: Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE
Tuesday 23 March: Gordon Institute of TAFE
Wednesday 24 March: Chisholm Institute of TAFE

South Australia
Tuesday 23 March: Urrbrae TAFE

Tasmania
Time and dates TBC (keep an eye on The Cut for updates on this workshop)

The workshops are free for all AGCSA members, $60 for non members. Morning tea is included. Members of the AGCSA Accreditation Programme will receive 3 Continuing Education Points for attending this workshop.

Click here for more information and to download a registration form.

Click here to access the AGCSAs online Water Management Review.

Turfgrass conference online registration NOW OPEN

Online registration for the 26th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition is NOW OPEN. Those wishing to register for the conference, which will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 21-25 June 2010, can now do so online by simply clicking the link below or through the registration page on the AGCSA website. Delegates can also download a hardcopy of the registration form through the AGCSA website (click here) and either post or fax to the AGCSA.

As mentioned in previous editions of The Cut, the Early Bird registration rate will be available until 28 March 2010. Early Bird member registration prices have been set at a rate approximately 8 per cent lower than the 2008 fee to reward and encourage membership. Registration costs for 2010 are as follows:

• Early Bird Member $770 (AGCSA and TGAA/STA members)
• Early Bird Non-member $990
• Full Registration Member $990 (AGCSA and TGAA/STA members)
• Full Registration Non Member $1100

AGCSA events and education manager Simone Staples is currently finalising the conference delegate brochure and this will be available in early February. Until then the AGCSA advises that delegates keep an eye on the conference section of the AGCSA website and The Cut for updates on speakers and events when they are confirmed. If you have any enquiries about the conference or registration, please contact Simone on 03 9548 8600 or email simone@agcsa.com.au

Click here to register online for the 26th Australian Turfgrass Conference.

Click here to download a pdf of the registration form for the 26th Australian Turfgrass Conference.

Click here to download the timetable for the 26th Australian Turfgrass Conference (correct as of 17 February 2010).