The Cut - The AGCSA's Weekly E-Newsletter - 28 Jan '10
Welcome to this edition of The Cut, the AGCSA’s weekly e-newsletter. A belated happy Australia Day to all members! In this week’s edition we look at the annual Troon Golf Superintendent of the Year Award which has headed Down Under and see what happens when a bunch of idiots attempt to take a second-hand Massey Ferguson for a joyride. Intrigued? Read on…
Twin Creeks super picks up Troon Golf's top honour
Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club superintendent and AGCSA member Phil Beal (pictured centre) has been named Superintendent of the Year at the annual Troon Golf conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona. Beal accepted his award from Troon Golf president and chief executive Hud Hinton last Thursday (21 January) in front of around 300 attendees from Troon-managed facilities around the world.
In accepting the honour, Beal, who relocated from the UK to take the role at Twin Creeks, dedicated the award to his team at Twin Creeks. “I am truly honoured to receive this award and privileged to be recognised among such a strong field of superintendents,” Beal said. “Over the past five years, my team and I have put much effort into ensuring that Twin Creeks becomes the best conditioned golf course in Sydney, at times in very trying conditions. This award makes the effort worthwhile, but it would not have been possible without such a dedicated team of staff working with me. So from a team perspective, it is great to receive this recognition.”
Senior vice president and managing director of the Troon Australasia Division Ryan Walls said the company was proud to recognise Beal. “This is an enormous award bestowed upon Phil, recognising not only his agronomic expertise, but as importantly his commitment to his team, members, owners and Troon. I know I speak on behalf of all the team and notably our outstanding group of superintendents in Australia and across the world, in saying that we are proud and honoured to have Phil carry the flag as best of the best in our company.”
Royal Canberra set for star-studded Ladies Classic
Royal Canberra Golf Club superintendent and AGCSA member Michael Waring is gearing his crew up for one of the club’s biggest tournaments in recent times when it hosts the inaugural Actew/AGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic starting Friday. The newest event on the ALPG Tour, the tournament will be played over 54-holes with players vying for a share of $125,000 in prize money. A who’s who of women’s golf will line up for the event with 2009 Australian Women’s Open champion Laura Davies leading the field which also includes Katherine Hull, Karen Lunn, Nikki Garrett, Frances Bondad, Joanne Mills and hometown favourite Nikki Campbell. The AGCSA wishes Michael and his crew all the best for the event.
VGA executive director receives Australia Day OAM
Highly respected Victorian golf administrator Doug Fox has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Fox, who is set to retire as executive director of the Victorian Golf Association (VGA) in March, was recognised for his services to golf and lacrosse as an administrator in the Australia Day honours list announced on Tuesday.
Fox’s involvement with the VGA goes back more than two decades and he has held the executive director position since 1986. Since 1987 he has also been an executive director of the Victorian Golf Foundation and from 1990 to 2007 was director of the Victorian Institute of Sport. A current member of the Commonwealth Golf Club, Fox has also had more than four decades’ involvement with the administration of Victorian lacrosse and is a life member of the Victorian Lacrosse Association.
Four-times Australian Women’s Open champion Karrie Webb also graced the Australia Day honours list, being made a Member of the Order of Australia (OM) for her services to golf and work with the community and disability organisations.
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:
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Early Bird Member $770 (AGCSA and TGAA members)
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Early Bird Non-member $990
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Full Registration Member $990 (AGCSA and TGAA members)
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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 view a draft programme for the 26th Australian Turfgrass Conference.
Bookshop special - Turfgrass Irrigation Water Quality
With increased use of alternative irrigation water sources on turfgrass and landscape sites, management challenges related to irrigation water are becoming more complex. In response to this, three of the US turf industry’s most prominent figures - Ronny Duncan, Bob Carrow and Michael Huck – have combined to pen the authoritative book ‘Turfgrass and Landscape Irrigation Water Quality: Assessment and Management.’ Over 464 pages, this 2009 publication identifies and presents practical management options for problems that may occur over the whole spectrum of irrigation water movement, from issues occurring at the initial water source, delivery system, storage in lakes or ponds, application on grasses and soils and subsurface or surface environmental concerns.
The AGCSA currently has a number of copies of this book in stock for the special price of $165 (for AGCSA members) or $195 (non-members). To order a copy simply contact AGCSA membership coordinator Lyndel Conway on (03) 9548 8600 or email info@agcsa.com.au
Massey Ferguson 1 - Crims 0
Holden and Ford generally top the list when it comes to vehicle thefts and joyriding, but as the photo below shows it seems that the good ole Massey Ferguson is just as popular. Ken Davison from NSW-based GWS Machinery sent this snap in to The Cut earlier this week after a bunch of youths attempted to take a Massey Ferguson 265 from the company’s second-hand tractor lot in South Windsor. Their plans came spectacularly unstuck, however, when one of them attempted to drive the tractor through the compound’s heavy-duty security fence, resulting in it tipping up on its rear and the offender breaking his arm.
According to Davison, the compound, which is opposite the road from the company’s main showroom, had been the target of four separate break-ins over the past month by the same group of up to six youths. The break-ins were recorded on CTV and following tip offs and fingerprint evidence NSW Police were able to arrest and charge two of the offenders (including the one with the broken arm) following the latest break-in.
In the earlier break-ins the offenders started up tractors and Gators and drove them around the compound causing minor damage. On another occasion they drove a Kawasaki Mule through the gates and up the street for about a kilometre then burnt the vehicle out. The most recent break-in saw the most damage, however, with the Massey Ferguson tipping over after being rammed into the fence. CTV footage clearly shows the offender jumping off the tractor as it starts to tip, landing on a small mower and breaking his arm just as the 265 crashes back on its roll frame. Davison estimates the company is looking at a damage bill of around $30,000 which includes replacing the fence and tractor repairs.
Good luck to...
... the following AGCSA members and their crews who are preparing their courses for tournaments in the coming week.
Royal Canberra Golf Club, ACT (superintendent Michael Waring): Actew/AGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic, 28-31 Jan
Hyatt Regency Coolum, QLD (superintendent Dean Henderson): BMW Golf Cup Australian Final, 29-30 Jan
Moonah Links, VIC (superintendent Kyle Wilson): Moonah Classic, 4-7 Feb
Oatlands Golf Club, NSW (superintendent Colin Kinghan): Bing Lee/Samsung Women's NSW Open, 4-7 Feb
If you have a major event coming up at your club, please email details to AGCSA editor Brett Robinson
