The Cut - Your Weekly AGCSA Update - 29 July 2010

Welcome to this edition of The Cut, the AGCSA’s weekly email update. This week we look ahead to the Simon Bourne Charity Golf Day to be held in early September, see what the AGCSA staff have been up to post-conference and flag the upcoming AGCSA water management workshops. Enjoy the read… 

Simon Bourne Charity Golf Day - 3 September 2010

Cottesloe Golf Club in Perth will host the Simon Bourne Charity Golf Day to help raise further funds for their injured course superintendent. Registrations are now being taken for the day which will be held on Friday 3 September and all turfies and industry companies are encouraged to support the event. The day will kick off with registration at 10.30am with an 11.30am shotgun start. Teams for four can register for the Ambrose tournament, with a maximum of 36 teams allowed. A team of four will cost $600 which includes golf, all food and beverages, cocktail party and presentation function.

Following the golf, at 6pm a cocktail party will be held while an auction will also be conducted to raise further funds to assist Simon and his family as they get their lives back on track following February’s accident. Turf industry companies and members of the turf industry who wish to donate an item for auction can contact GCSAWA president Darren Wilson on 0411 310 511 or email gcsawa@bigpond.com. With more than 1000 turning up for the Bourne Family charity night at the Perth Convention Centre in May, this golf day is set to be booked out quick so be sure to get in early.

Click here for more information about the Simon Bourne Charity Golf Day and to download a registration form.

Opportune time to join AGCSA Accreditation Programme

As mentioned in last week’s edition of The Cut, AGCSA events and education manager Simone Staples is currently in the process of updating points tallies for members of the AGCSA Accreditation Programme (AAP). With the annual conference just finished, now is an opportune time for superintendents and assistant superintendents who attended the conference to join the AAP. AAP members need to attain 30 points over a two year period to remain accredited and with upwards of 17 points available by attending the annual conference it makes sense if you’re not currently a member to join.

Joining the AAP is easy – and free – and all you have to do is fill in the form below. AAP members can also gain accreditation points through attending accredited state association meetings, trade days, or even contributing to publications such as Australian Turfgrass Management or teaching.

Click here to find out more about the AGCSA Accreditation Programme or alternatively download an application form.

Twitter/blog/social media address links 

Thinking about soil testing...?

The AGCSATech team wishes to remind all superintendents and turf managers that now is the time to start thinking about soil testing!  Regular soil testing forms the basis of any sound turf management operation and has its greatest value in monitoring and problem solving and determining the effects of fertiliser and remediation programmes. AGCSATech is in a unique position to offer a wholly comprehensive and truly independent soil analysis and report which is one of the most important management tools a turf manager can have at their disposal.

What’s more, by using AGCSATech’s services you are also helping the association in its research endeavours. AGCSATech is a self-funding division of the AGCSA and funds generated through the provision of its services, such as soil testing, are put straight back into dedicated turf management research projects directed at providing independent data and solutions to some of the most important problems confronting superintendents and turf managers.

For more information on soil testing or the many other AGCSATech services available click here, or contact the AGCSATech team – Andrew Peart or John Geary or call (03) 9548 8600.

 

AGCSA Bookshop special - Managing Healthy Sports Fields

The AGCSA currently has just a few copies of Paul Sach’s Managing Healthy Sports Fields book which can be shipped immediately. Managing Healthy Sports Fields (Wiley 2004) is a comprehensive 244-page hard-cover text which provides turf managers with a guide to using organic materials for low maintenance and chemical-free sports surfaces. The book offers turf managers a variety of alternative methods to chemical treatments that effectively control a wide variety of pests, weeds and diseases while growing high quality turf for a range of sporting applications. AGCSA members can purchase the book for just $99 (non-members price $125). To order you copy contact Lyndel Conway or call (03) 9548 8600.