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Strong Field for 2008 AGCSA Awards
The 2008 AGCSA Awards will be handed out at the upcoming 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference in Melbourne. The awards aim to recognise excellence in the golf course maintenance industry and as in previous years the AGCSA will hand out four awards this July: The 2008 finalists are: AGCSA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award (sponsored by John Deere) - Mark Jennings (Box Hill Golf Club, VIC)... [more]
ACT Turf Community Farewells Shepherdson
The ACT turf industry is mourning the passing of colleague Paul Shepherdson (aka 'Puds') aged 47 who died on 10 June after a long battle with liver disease. Shepherdson (pictured) was very active in the local turf scene after arriving in Canberra from South Australia in the mid-1980s. Starting as a casual gardener at the Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce Stadium, he progressed to Parliament Ho... [more]
New Management Template Added to HR Section
An Employee Accident and Disciplinary Report template has been added to the HR and Best Practice section of the AGCSA website in recent days. The new template can be found under the Management Templates sub-menu. To view the HR and Best Practice Section templates you must be a member of the AGCSA. If you are a member and are having trouble accessing the members section of the AGCSA website, pleas... [more]
AGCSA Receives Two Board Nominations
The AGCSA is pleased to announce that it has received two nominations for the upcoming AGCSA Board elections which will be held at the Annual General Meeting during the 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference in Melbourne. Incumbent Board member Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour Golf Club, WA) has nominated for the vacant president position (a two-year term), while Bryce Strachan from Pambula-Merimbula G... [more]
Free AGCSA Membership for Apprentices
With the new membership year upon us, the AGCSA is pleased to announce an exciting new initiative which now enables turf management apprentices to become members of the association for free. Apprentices will now be plugged into the full range of AGCSA benefits including the Australian Turfgrass Management journal, other publications, and a range of discounts. Eligible apprentices under the Austr... [more]
Powerful Presentations and Communications Workshop
A small but enthusiastic group of superintendents, turf managers and trade representatives attended AAMI stadium to learn some new tactics and advice on the best way to communicate and give presentations to either a committee, board, staff or social gathering. The AGCSA accredited workshop was facilitated by Daryl Sellar and Richard Crawford of Leapfrog Training and Development Pty Ltd and was ve... [more]
DrumMuster collection for NSW central coast
DrumMuster collection will be held by the Wyong Shire council on the NSW central Coast. The collection day is on the Tuesday the 27th of May between 9 am and 2 pm. The collection point is the buttonderry tip on Hue Hue road at Jilliby. The contact is Elfy Blackburn 4350 5410 Elfy is with the Waste Management Department at the Wyong Shire. A good opportunity to reduce impact on landfil... [more]
AGCSA Accredited Workshop - Poa Annua Control Trials
The AGCSA will conduct two accredited workshops free of charge in May on the current Poa annua control trials which have been conducted by AGCSATech over the past 15 months. The first workshop will be held at Melbourne's Riversdale Golf Club (superintendent Michael Picken) on Thursday 8 May. The second workshop will be held in Sydney at Bonnie Doon Golf Club (superintendent David Scaife) on Tues... [more]
HR and Best Practice Section Goes Live
In 2007 the AGCSA initiated its HR and Best Practice Service, headed up by Daryl Sellar, to help improve management practices of Australian golf courses and their superintendents. Recently the new HR and Best Practice section went live on the AGCSA website, a service through which AGCSA members can access course management templates, position descriptions as well as view the latest results from t... [more]
AGCSATech Price Increase Effective 1 May
The AGCSA's technical division AGCSATech will be making some slight adjustments to its price structure for diagnostic services (i.e.: soil tests, water analysis and disease diagnosis) as of Thursday 1 May. Samples received after this date will be subject to the new price structure. For more information about new prices, contact AGCSATech technical officer Andrew Peart on (03) 9548 8600 or email a... [more]
AGCSA Action Newsletter Section
AGCSA members can now access copies of the association's bi-monthly newsletter AGCSA Action through the members section of the website. Copies of the newsletter, going back to 2005, are now available for viewing in PDF format. Simply log on to the members section of the website and click the green AGCSA Action menu button.... [more]
AGCSA to Host 2012 International Summit
The AGCSA will play host to the 2012 International Golf Management Summit which will be held in conjunction with 28th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition. The summit brings together representatives from national superintendent associations as well as organisations such as the R&A and FEGGA and provides a platform to discuss issues affecting golf course maintenance. AGCSA Board me... [more]
Upcoming AGCSA accredited workshops
The AGCSA will be hosting a variety of Workshops on different topics in different states over the next month. Subjects and dates will be advertised over the coming weeks. The first of these workshops will be in South Australia. The subject is "Presentation and Communications" and will be held on April 23 at AAMI stadium. This workshop has been especially designed to assist turf indust... [more]
AGCSA Board Approves Revised Vision and Goal
The AGCSA Board has approved a new vision statement and goal for the association as part of its Strategic Plan review. The Board, which was in Melbourne last week for its quarterly meeting, has revised the current AGCSA vision statement to read: "The Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association (AGCSA) is committed to the ongoing professional development and support of all those involved i... [more]
Moran Kicks off NRL Season in Style
Centenary Park Golf Club assistant superintendent Chris Moran has kicked off the 2008 AGCSA NRL Tipping Competition, proudly presented by Simplot Pro-Line, in style by collecting the first round weekly prize of $150. Moran was one of two punters to pick the card and score a maximum 13 points, narrowly edging Shepparton Golf Club superintendent Bill Daunt for the prize money. When entries closed a... [more]
Sims Honoured at Queensland Industry Awards
Pacific Golf Club superintendent Graham Sims (pictured) has been honoured at the 2007 Queensland Golf Industry Awards held at Palm Meadows last week. Sims, a long time member of the AGCSA, was presented with the Superintendents Achievement Award for his 30-year involvement in the industry. Sims began his turf management career at Dalby Golf Club in 1977 before moving across to Pacific Golf Club i... [more]
2008 Conference Partners Programme
The 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference will again include a dedicated Partners Programme for those wives and partners of conference delegates. The AGCSA is currently finalising some of the activities for this programme and would like to get an indication from potential delegates whether they will be bringing their partners to Melbourne. This will assist the AGCSA in organising these events and ... [more]
Ball on the Ball
Registrations opened for the 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition last Saturday (1 March) and special mention must be made of Springwood Country Club superintendent Nathan Ball who was officially the first person to sign up for what will be a fantastic week of networking, education and, of course, a touch of frivolity! Of those superintendents who have registered so far, all... [more]
Dennis Delights at National Foursomes
Royal Perth Golf Club superintendent Michael Dennis (pictured) and his Western Australian counterpart Michael Foster have had a week to remember after collecting the Men's Australian Foursome's title. Played at Melbourne's Riversdale Golf Club (superintendent Michael Picken) for the fourth consecutive year, Dennis combined with Foster to win the tournament by three shots from Kiwi pair Gary John ... [more]
3rd Annual David Golf 2IC Challenge
The David Golf 2IC Challenge is back for the third consecutive year. Open to assistant superintendents only, three state rounds will be contested before the final is played out at 13th Beach Golf Links (Beach Course) on Wednesday 21 May. The state rounds will be played at the following clubs: Emerald Lakes Golf Club (Queensland) - 7 April; Sunshine Golf Club (Victoria) - 15 April; and Bonnie Doon... [more]
Simplot Pro-Line Comes to NRL Tipping Comp Rescue
In the greatest comeback since Lazarus - the biblical chap that is, not the former hulking Raiders and Broncos prop Glenn - the AGCSA NRL Tipping Competition is back for 2008! Simplot Pro-Line has confirmed with the AGCSA that it will sponsor this season's NRL tipping competition which kicks off next Friday (14 March). Last week the AGCSA announced that it was sadly binning the competition after ... [more]
24th Australian Turfgrass Conference Registration Open
The 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition in Melbourne from 21-25 July is less than five months away and delegates can now register. The conference section of the AGCSA website has been updated and contains all the information you need to plan your week in Melbourne. The pages contain information about speakers, accommodation options, events, the trade exhibition as well as in... [more]
2008 AGCSA AFL Tipping Comp, Presented by Floratine
Entries are now being accepted for the 2008 AGCSA AFL Tipping Competition, proudly presented by Floratine. The good sorts at Floratine are again on board as competition sponsor in 2008 and throughout the course of the season a total of $6500 in prize money will be dished out. To register for the competiton, which kicks off on Thursday 20 March, click on the link below to go to the footy tipping p... [more]
ATM Volume 10.2 (March-April 2008) Out Now
The latest edition of Australian Turfgrass Management magazine - Volume 10.2 (March-April) has hit the streets. This edition features a new environmental management section where we look at Telstra Dome's efforts to become carbon-neutral, while the lead feature takes a bit of a departure from the norm and looks at superintendents and their 'canine assistants. And just if you were wondering, star ... [more]
AGCSA Website Photo Updates
The AGCSA is currently updating content on its website and is looking to add some new photos of golf courses for the front page. If you or your club has some recent photos of your course then please send them through to Brett Robinson at the AGCSA â€“ email brett@agcsa.com.au... [more]
As Happy as a Pig in ... Turf
If the recent spate of wet weather wasn't enough to keep Gold Coast superintendents on their toes, spare a thought for Gainsborough Greens Golf Club superintendent Justin Kelly. Not only has the course copped a hammering as the region endures one of its wettest summers in years, Kelly and his crew are now contending with marauding packs of wild pigs which are digging up large sections of turf on ... [more]
Toro Signs as Water Initiative Principal Partner
Toro Australia has signed up as a principal partner in the AGCSA's Water Management Initiative. Toro has committed $10,000 as a principal partner of the initiative which will aim to promote water management best practices within the golf industry. The initiative has goals of being fully operational from the second quarter of 2008 with an official launch at the 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference... [more]
NRL Tipping Comp Gets Binned
Due to a lack of sponsorship interest from the trade, the AGCSA regrets to inform rugby league lovers that it will not be conducting an NRL tipping competition for the 2008 season. The AGCSA will, however, continue to run an AFL competition, sponsored by Floratine, which starts on 20 March.... [more]
2008 AGCSA Awards - Nominations Now Open
The AGCSA is now calling for nominations for the 2008 AGCSA Awards which will be handed out at the 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition in Melbourne in July. A nomination form has been sent out with the February edition of AGCSA Action newsletter and the AGCSA encourages all members to take the time and nominate a peer for the awards. A nomination form, which outlines the cha... [more]
NRL Tipping Competition Sponsor Needed
With the AGCSA's footy tipping competitions just a month away from kicking off, a fantastic sponsorship opportunity has become available. The AGCSA is looking for a sponsor for its NRL competition, so if your company wants to become involved in one of the most talked-about turf industry competitions, then let us know. No sponsor means no competition, so we need your help. Last year 534 members of... [more]
Keysborough drumMUSTER Day a Huge Success
The drumMUSTER/e-par pilot collection day held at Keysborough Golf Club in Melbourne last week has been labelled a huge success. Over a four hour period superintendents and staff from eight Melbourne golf clubs and one college brought a total of 1300-plus containers which will be recycled. Among the facilities participating were Royal Melbourne GC, Kingston Heath GC, Spring Valley GC, Ringwood GC... [more]
TPA Conference (13-16 April, 2008)
The Turf Producers of Australia (TPA) will be holding its annual conference in Canberra from 13-16 April at the National Convention Centre. For more information on guest speakers and events visit the TPA website www.turfaustralia.com.au or click on the link below to download a delegate and exhibitor registration form. The conference includes a field day at Canturf Farm, to be held on the final da... [more]
Dome Flicks the Switch on Carbon Emissions
Telstra Dome has become the first stadium in Australia to take possession of the Stadium Grow Light Concept (SGL) already in wide use in Europe and the UK. Telstra Dome has purchased 15 lighting rigs, at a cost of $2.2 million, which generate light and warmth to encourage active plant growth and turf recovery. The infrastructure, now in use at Telstra Dome, was purchased from SGL in Europe and w... [more]
drumMUSTER Pilot Moves to Victoria
The drumMUSTER/e-par pilot programme is set to head to Melbourne with Keysborough Golf Club holding a collection day on Tuesday 12 February. Keysborough superintendent Brett Chivers and his staff will be on hand from 10am-2pm to collect containers and Melbourne/Victorian supers are encouraged to keep any empty drums they have between now and then and come down to Keysborough on the day. For thos... [more]
AGCSA Delegation to GCSAA Show
The AGCSA will be represented at the GCSAA conference with general manager Scott Petersen and technical officer Andrew Peart attending this week's gathering in Orlando, Florida. Peart has been in the US for the past fortnight where he has had the opportunity to visit a number of America's leading west coast courses including Bandon Dunes (pictured), Spyglass, Cypress Point, Spanish Bay and Pebble... [more]
2008 Conference Trade Exhibition - 24 Booths Remain!
Just 24 booths remain for the 2008 Australian Turfgrass Conference Trade Exhibition which will be held during Melbourne conference week. There has been an unprecedented response from the trade for this year's event which will run over two days from 23-24 July. The majority of booths remaining are 3mx3m so if your company would like to snap up one then contact Scott Petersen scott@agcsa.com.au or ... [more]
Golf Heritage Festival, May 2008
The Australian Golf Heritage Festival is set to be held from 8-13 May, 2008. The festival is the brainchild of Barnbougle Dunes co-developer Greg Ramsay whose family owns Australia's oldest golf course, Ratho Golf Links in Bothwell (pictured). The festival will take in a number of Tasmania's finest golf clubs during the week, including Ratho which will host the Australian Hickory Open where compe... [more]
TGCSA February Meeting Change of Date
The Tasmanian Golf Course Superintendents Association (TGCSA) has made a change to its upcoming education meeting. Originally set for Wednesday 27 February, the meeting has been moved to Wednesday 5 March at Quamby Country Club. For more information about the meeting, contact TGCSA president Stephen Lewis (superintendent Royal Hobart Golf Club) on 0419 206 402.... [more]
ATM Scoops AGWA Trade Award
Australian Turfgrass Management magazine has picked up another gong, this time being honoured by the Australian Golf Writers Association (AGWA) at its annual awards dinner held during the Australian Open in mid-December. ATM collected the award for best feature/story or report in a trade magazine for its Volume 9.2 article titled 'The Big Dry - Combating the Drought'. ATM editor Brett Robinson w... [more]
ATM Volume 10.1 (January-February 2008)
Volume 10.1 (January-February) of Australian Turfgrass Management magazine was delivered over the Christmas-New Year period. This edition's cover story takes an extensive look at how golf clubs along the length of the Murray River are faring in these tough times. From South Lakes Golf Club in South Australia through to Thurgoona Country Club in Albury, NSW, ATM catches up with superintendents to ... [more]
BOM 2007 Annual Climate Statement
The Bureau of Meteorology has released its Annual Climate Statement for 2007. Last year was the sixth warmest year on record with the Murray Darling Basin, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria notching up their warmest on record. Australia's annual mean rainfall was slightly more than average (25 mm above normal), however there were average to below average annual rainfall stats in the ... [more]
Hail Headaches for Sydney Supers
Ashlar Golf Club superintendent David Stone has had a week he would rather forget after his course copped the full impact of the severe hailstorms which hit north west Sydney on Sunday 9 December. Hailstones the size of tennis balls caused widespread damage to greens, tees and fairways of the Blacktown course with two of the club's newest greens needing to be replaced. Nearby Castle Hill Country ... [more]
Picken, Phillips Honoured by VGCSA
Riversdale Golf Club superintendent Michael Picken and former Toro Commercial regional manager Alan Phillips have been honoured by the VGCSA. The duo received VGCSA Recognition Awards at the association's Christmas function held at Huntingdale Golf Club on Saturday 8 December for their contribution to the VGCSA. The evening was attended by nearly 120 members and partners.... [more]
Rudd Government Workplace Relations Reform
One of the key platforms which the new Labor government campaigned heavily on during the recent federal election was its pledge to remove WorkChoices if elected. The Liberal Party's controversial industrial relations reform polarised a nation and its impact was felt in many industries, turf management included. The taking away of certain unfair dismissal rights and giving companies with less than... [more]
drumMUSTER Collection Day a Success
In a recent edition of The Cut, the new alliance between e-par and drumMUSTER was announced. The partnership is the culmination of recent reviews undertaken by drumMUSTER and discussions with Terry Muir and the AGCSA. drumMUSTER has formed this alliance as a commitment to improving waste management and an acknowledgement of the golf industry's commitment to environmental best practice through the... [more]
NSW/ACT Wages and Salaries Survey Results
Over the past couple of months the AGCSA has asked superintendents around the country to complete the AGCSA Wages and Salaries Survey. To date AGCSA HR and best practice manager Daryl Sellar has received nearly 150 completed surveys with NSW/ACT having sufficient responses to generate definitive statistics which can now be revealed. The AGCSA is calling on superintendents in other states to compl... [more]
2008 Trade Exhibition Booths Selling Fast
The trade exhibition at the 24th Australian Turfgrass Conference in Melbourne next July is set to be one of the best ever if early sales are any indication. Booths went on sale a fortnight ago and already over 80 per cent of those companies that exhibited in Cairns this year have booked a booth at the Melbourne show. General sales for all companies will open on Wednesday, 21 November. For more in... [more]
E-par and drumMUSTER Form Alliance
To further improve the sustainability of the golfing industry, e-par and drumMUSTER have formed an alliance committed to improving waste management. Through the alliance, drumMUSTER information now sits on the e-par website and e-par is developing waste management documentation for e-par members. drumMUSTER has constructed two bins specifically for golf clubs to enable superintendents to host the... [more]
ATM Volume 9.6 Out Now
The final edition of Australian Turfgrass Management for 2007 has been sent out in the past week. In this edition ATM profiles Huntingdale Golf Club superintendent and current VGCSA president Michael Freeman who will notch up his 25th Australian Masters when the tournament tees off on 22 November. ATM also heads to The Australian Golf Club to catch up with superintendent David Honeysett to see ho... [more]
Supers' Subcontinent Sojourn
AGCSA president Jeff Gambin (superintendent Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club), AGCSA joint general manager John Neylan and New South Wales Golf Club superintendent Gary Dempsey were guests of honour at the recent conference held by the Golf Course Superintendents and Managers Association of India. Following on from Martyn Black's pioneering visit to last year's inaugural conference, Gambin, Neylan a... [more]
AGCSA Spring Workshops Come to a Close
The AGCSA Spring Series Workshops finished up last week with the final workshop in Sydney as part of the NSWGCSA Education Day at Roseville Golf Club. Around 100 people took part in the five workshops conducted around the country by AGCSA best practice manager Daryl Sellar. Sellar says the workshops, which examined human resource management, were a great success and had provided plenty of informa... [more]
AGCSA Workshops Descend on Perth and Adelaide
The AGCSA's Spring Series Workshops travelled west to Perth and Adelaide earlier this week with Wembley Golf Complex playing host on Tuesday and Adelaide Oval's Riding's Room on Wednesday. The workshop series, which has focused on human resource management, has been a great success with members actively taking part and becoming involved, which will in turn help the AGCSA develop its AGCSA HR and ... [more]
Missed the Workshops? Buy the DVD!
For those unable to attend the current AGCSA Spring Workshop Series, the Melbourne workshop has been filmed and the AGCSA will be compiling a workshop DVD package shortly which will be made available to members. The package will cost $66 and includes the full workshop presentation on DVD and a CD-Rom containing HR and best practice templates that were given out as part of the workshops. For more ... [more]
Hole, Rein to Share AGCSA Board Trade Rep Role
The AGCSA is pleased to announce that Sam Hole (Syngenta) and Robert Rein (Toro Australia) have been elected as industry representatives to sit in on future AGCSA Board meetings. The shared role between Hole and Rein was the overwhelming choice by AGCSA trade members who over the last week have voted on their preferred representative. Sam and Robert will now be invited to sit in on parts of the r... [more]
Round Three Water Grants Announced
Golf clubs have again benefited in the latest round of the Federal Government's Community Water Grants scheme, with a total of 113 projects receiving in excess of $5.4 million in grants. The successful round three projects were announced earlier this week, with golf clubs in Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia successful in receiving grants for a wide range ... [more]
Melbourne and Brisbane Kick Off AGCSA Workshops
The first of the AGCSA's Spring Series Workshops on human resource management were conducted last week with Melbourne and Brisbane kicking the series off. Around 25 attended the Melbourne workshop, held at Toro's Braeside offices on Tuesday, while in Brisbane around 18 turned up at Virginia Golf Club. Presented by AGCSA best practice and HR manager Daryl Sellar the workshop took in the current wa... [more]
More Respondents Needed for AGCSA Wages Survey
One point to emerge from the two AGCSA Spring Series workshops held last week was the need for more superintendents to take part in the AGCSA Wages and Salaries Survey. To date, over 125 superintendents have completed in the survey which is fantastic, however the AGCSA is aiming for around the 200 mark in order to get a true representation of wage and salaries structures around the country. The s... [more]
NSWGCSA Education Day 30 October
The NSWGCSA will hold its Education Day at Roseville Golf Club on 30 October. The Nuturf and Rain Bird-sponsored day carries the theme 'Water - Combating the Drought' and will include presentations from Craig Easton (Nuturf), Greg Smith (Rain Bird) and Fernando Ortega (Sydney Water). The day also incorporates the Sydney leg of the AGCSA's Spring Series Workshop on HR management conducted by Daryl... [more]
Heath Hosts VGCSA Turf Research Day
The VGCSA held its annual Turf Research Day at Kingston Heath Golf Club earlier this month. Superintendent Martin Greenwood had the surfaces firm and fast for the Bayer Environmental Science-sponsored day and it was Eastwood Golf Club superintendent Michael Vozzo who managed to master them, finishing the day on top with 38 points. For his efforts, Vozzo, the industry's very own AFL field umpire, ... [more]
Today Show Takes Shot at Golf
Some may have seen the piece on Channel Nine's Today show last week (16 October) portraying golf courses in an extremely poor light. The piece, which aired as part of the show's Eco Debate segment last Tuesday, took a shot at golf's environmental credibility with consumer advocate Indira Naidoo and Planet Ark founder John Dee providing respective arguments for and against. The AGCSA is currentl... [more]
St Andrews Beach Maintenance Staff Sacked
A fortnight ago in the AGCSA's weekly email newsletter The Cut, we highlighted the plight of maintenance workers at The Golf Club, St Andrews Beach who had stopped work in late September in protest of unpaid wages and entitlements.Â The situation at the Mornington Peninsula course intensified last week when all 11 maintenance staff, including superintendent John Geary, were laid off by management... [more]
AGCSA Board Approves Trade Representation
The Board of the AGCSA has decided to welcome a trade member to sit on its board meetings to offer advice and opinion from an industry perspective. The suggestion of such a trade representative came from John Cooper (Globe Australia) and was well received by the AGCSA Board and management at its most recent meeting in late September. The Board welcomes a spokesperson from the industry to be prese... [more]
AGCSA Dollar Spot and Rhizoctonia Trial
The AGCSA's technical wing AGCSATech is looking at undertaking some trial work involving Dollar Spot and rhizoctonia. AGCSATech technical officer Andrew Peart would like to hear from Melbourne-based superintendents who would be willing to offer a practice putter or nursery green for use as a trial site for a four week period (approx. 50m2). If you would like to help out, please contact Andrew asa... [more]
24th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition
The AGCSA has fielded a number of inquiries recently about dates for the 2008 conference in Melbourne. The official dates for the event, which will be held again at the Melbourne Convention Centre, are 21-25 July. A trade exhibition prospectus is currently being finalised as are speakers for the education sessions. For further information contact the AGCSA office on (03) 9548 8600. All trade exhi... [more]
St Andrews Maintenance Staff Take a Stand
Golf course maintenance staff at The Golf Club, St Andrews Beach in Victoria took a dramatic step last week, stopping work in protest of unpaid wages and entitlements. Course maintenance staff laid down tools on Thursday 20 September and are refusing to undertake further work on the Mornington Peninsula course until they are paid by owners Golf Club Properties Ltd. Together with the support of fa... [more]
AGCSA Spring Workshop Series (16-30 October)
Registrations continue to be taken for these very important workshops which will focus on human resource management. The AGCSA encourages members to try and attend these training mornings as they contain valuable information that will directly affect staff and management relationships, work place agreements and salaries. From the workshops members will take away valuable tools and also have inp... [more]
AGCSA Board Comes to Town
The AGCSA Board, pictured, was in Melbourne last week for its first meeting since the 2007 AGM held during the Cairns conference. The meeting was the first for newly elected Board member John Odell (superintendent Royal Sydney Golf Club) who has replaced Castle Hill Country Club superintendent Martyn Black (Odell has taken over Black's state liaison portfolio). The two-day meeting covered a varie... [more]
NSW Ambrose Event Raises Over $1500
The recent NSWGCSA annual Ambrose event held at Newcastle Golf Club raised in excess of $1500 for the University of Sydney. One-hundred-and-six people teed up on 13 August for the event which was sponsored by Dad and Dave's Turf Supplies, Scotts Australia, Sharpes Tractor Centre and Cess Hill Industries. Auctions and raffles held as part of the day raised $1595 which will go toward the Universit... [more]
Royal Melbourne Confirmed for Presidents Cup
US PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has confirmed that Victoria's Royal Melbourne Golf Club will host the 2011 Presidents Cup tournament. Melbourne was revealed as the host city in April this year, but until now, a course had not been named. Royal Melbourne, home to superintendent Jim Porter, will become the first club outside of the United States to host the Presidents Cup twice. Click on th... [more]
AGCSA Environmental Initiative Needs Your Help
Superintendents are generally a pretty modest bunch when it comes to promoting their work, but from time to time there's nothing wrong with a little self promotion. The AGCSA is in the throes of starting up a regular newsletter as part of its Environmental Initiative and wants to hear from superintendents around the country who are taking steps to improve the environmental management of their cou... [more]
2007-2008 AGCSA Membership Certificates
The AGCSA wishes to thank all those members who have renewed their membership or joined the association for 2007-2008. Along with the next edition of AGCSA Action newsletter, which will be sent to all members in the next week, you will receive your new AGCSA membership certificate. If you have not received a certificate, your membership is still overdue and this will bte last AGCSA Action newsle... [more]
AGCSA Spring Workshop Series (16-30 October)
Human resource management will be the focus of the upcoming AGCSA Spring Series Workshops which will run across the country from 16-30 October. The workshops will be conducted by recently appointed AGCSA HR and best practice manager Daryl Sellar and will examine the following areas: AGCSA HR and best practice service; national wages and salaries survey (results and trends to date); Best practice ... [more]
AGIC Holds First Forum
The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) held its inaugural forum recently on the Gold Coast with over 130 representatives from across the wider golf industry attending the one-day event. The council was formed a year ago and includes major industry bodies such as the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia, Golf Management Australia, Society of Golf Course Architects and the AGCSA. AGCSA joint gener... [more]
SAGCSA Water Management Survey
In an effort to prepare the golf industry in South Australia for the water management challenges of the future, the SAGCSA executive has developed an online water management survey to gain a greater understanding of the current issues affecting SA superintendents and their clubs/courses. The current water crisis has presented the turf industry in general with the unique opportunity to advise gove... [more]
2007 AGCSA Footy Tipping Competition Winners
The AGCSA AFL and NRL Tipping Competitions have drawn to a close for another year with the winners of each not decided until after the final round. The Nowra Golf Club Shed team was the big winner for the season, winning both the shed v shed and overall NRL competitions, picking up $1500. Nowra finished one point ahead of Gosford Golf Club superintendent David Nicholls while the Virginia Golf Cl... [more]
AGCSA Farewells Brian Clapp
After a short yet highly productive period with the AGCSA, Brian Clapp has decided to move on and finished with the association last Friday (14 September). Clapp has been appointed superintendent at The Golf Club, Bass Coast development in San Remo, VIC. The AGCSA wishes Brian all the best in his new role. Brian's departure has opened the door for executive assistant Melissa Wallace to take on an... [more]
AGCSA Suspends CQO Programme for 2007
In light of changes to the way Golf Australia operates the Australian Open golf tournament, the AGCSA has decided to temporarily suspend its Course Quality Officials Programme for the upcoming 2007 Open at The Australian Golf Club (13-16 December). The AGCSA has run the CQO programme for more than 10 years, however with changes being implemented at the 2006 Open (whereby CQOs were no longer requ... [more]
Queensland Supers on the Move
Prominent Queensland superintendents Ben Marshall and Darren Moore have both resigned from their positions. Moore is set to depart Lakelands Golf Club on the Gold Coast in mid-September to take a position in China, while Marshall (pictured), a former winner of the AGCSA's Claude Crockford Environmental Award, has handed in his notice at Club Pelican on the Sunshine Coast. Moore, who has been Lake... [more]
Weston Named ACT Apprentice of the Year
AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award finalist Brock Weston (pictured) has received further recognition by being named the 2007 ACT Apprentice of the Year at the ACT Training Excellence Awards. Weston collected the award, which covers all trades, at the official presentation ceremony held on 16 August. Weston works as part of the Landscape Services team which maintains the grounds of Parliament House ... [more]
Cabramatta Hosts NSWGCSA AGM
Cabramatta Golf Club (superintendent Craig Wright) played host to the NSWGCSA AGM in late August. Around 60 members attended the day which included presentations from AGCSA co-general manager John Neylan and newly appointed AGCSA Board member John Odell (Royal Sydney Golf Club). There was one change on the NSWGCSA committee with Stuart Hall from Asquith Golf Club replacing Scott Riley (Penrith Go... [more]
AGIC Releases Water Use Document
In September 2006 the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) was formed to represent the entire golf industry on important issues such as the current challenges surrounding water use and management. The AGCSA has had representation on this body since its inception and in one of its first official undertakings the council has investigated golf course water use. The results from the survey have no... [more]
Rains Lash Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast superintendents have had a damp week with the region copping some record rainfall levels. Noosa Springs superintendent Wayde Leech said the Noosa area had received 409mm in the 24 hours from 9am Thursday. When the AGCSA contacted Leech at 11am on Friday he had emptied 312mm from the course's rain gauge upon arriving at work and a further 60mm had fallen in the few hours since. Tha... [more]
Lewis Elected TGCSA President
Royal Hobart Golf Club superintendent Stephen Lewis (pictured) has been appointed the new president of the Tasmanian Golf Course Superintendents Association (TGCSA). Lewis was elected at the TGCSA AGM which was part of the annual two-day seminar held at Port Sorrell Golf Club from 21-22 August. Lewis takes over the role from Peter Medwin (Riverside Golf Club). In other Tasmanian news, well-respe... [more]
Spring into Soil Testing
With spring almost knocking on the door it is that time of year to seriously think about spring soil testing. The AGCSA's technical wing AGCSATech can perform a variety of tests to ensure that you head into the growing season in the best possible state. For more information about AGCSATech's range of testing services contact technical officer Andrew Peart on (03) 9548 8600 or email andrew@agcsa.c... [more]
Thai Supers Recognise AGCSA Support
The Thailand Golf Course Superintendents Association (TGCSA) has officially thanked the AGCSA for its assistance in providing technical support. Matee Suntisawasdi, a regular attendee of the annual Australian Turfgrass Conference and tireless worker for the association, presented a plaque on behalf of the TGCSA to AGCSA president Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club) and joint AGCSA general... [more]
Norman to Receive GCSAA's Highest Honour
Australian golfing icon Greg Norman (pictured) is set to receive the GCSAA's highest honour - The Old Tom Morris Award. In an official GCSAA news release issued on Wednesday, Norman has been selected to receive the prestigious award at the opening session of the GCSAA Education Conference in Orlando, Florida in January 2008. The Old Tom Morris Award is presented each year to an individual who "th... [more]
Wilson Elected GCSAWA President
Recently anointed 2007 AGCSA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award winner Darren Wilson (pictured) has been elected as the new president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Western Australia (GCSAWA) following the AGM on 14 August. The Wembley Golf Complex superintendent takes over from Gosnells Golf Club superintendent Brad Sofield who steps down after four years as president.... [more]
'Murbah' Hosts GCSAQ AGM
Murwillumbah Golf Club played host to the 2007 Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland AGM on 13 August. Colonial Golf Club superintendent Mark Hauff was elected to the committee, while Scott McKay (The Golf Course Company, pictured), Stuart Laing (ex-Royal Pines Resort) and Jason Foster (Arundel Hills) were farewelled. The GCSAQ paid tribute to McKay's involvement in turf education... [more]
Cairns Conference Accreditation Information
The AGCSA asks that all accredited superintendents who require confirmation of their points from the recent 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition in Cairns to email Simone Staples to ensure a letter of attendance is sent. To date, data has not been downloaded from the scanners used at the conference by ezitag, but the AGCSA can assure you that as soon as the information is re... [more]
NSWGCSA AGM Venue - Correction
In the 17 August edition of 'The Cut', the AGCSA's weekely email newsletter, it was reported that the NSWGCSA annual general meeting is to be held at Pymble Golf Club. This is incorrect and should have read Cabramatta Golf Club. The date is correct - Monday 27 August. The AGCSA apologises for any confusion this may have caused NSWGCSA members.... [more]
Port Sorrell to Host Two-Day TGCSA Meet
The Tasmanian Golf Course Superintendents Association (TGCSA) will hold its two-day seminar at Port Sorrell Golf Club from 21-22 August. Aside from a host of demonstrations from local trade representatives, AGCSA technical officer Andrew Peart will also be presenting. It is also rumoured that Castle Hill Country Club bush poet and raconteur Martyn Black will be the 'entertainment' at the seminar ... [more]
Cairns Conference Proceedings Now Available
For those who were unable to attend the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference, a CD-ROM containing the conference proceedings is now on sale from the AGCSA for $55. To purchase a copy contact Melissa Wallace at the AGCSA on (03) 9548 8600 or email melissa@agcsa.com.au. For those who attended the conference and would like an additional copy of the proceedings, please also contact Melissa. The AGCSA... [more]
AGCSA Welcomes Brian Clapp
The AGCSA is pleased to introduce Brian Clapp who has joined the association as part-time sales assistant. Clapp, who hails from New Zealand, was superintendent at Auckland's highly regarded Formosa Country Club for five years and before that was assistant superintendent at Peninsula Golf Club. Brian's role will be to assist general manager Scott Petersen in selling advertising in the range of AG... [more]
Odell Elected to AGCSA Board
Royal Sydney Golf Club superintendent John Odell (pictured) has become the newest member of the AGCSA Board following the association's annual general meeting held during the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Carins. Odell, who will notch up 20 years as superintendent at the prestigious Sydney course in February 2008, takes over from good friend Martyn Black (Castle Hill Country Club) who s... [more]
Conference Delegates Converge on Cairns
Over 300 delegates and almost 200 trade representatives descended on Cairns in late July for the highly successful 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition. Heading to far north Queensland for the first time, the AGCSA's second 'regional' conference proved a big hit with delegates and trade alike. Click on the link below for a review of the week including short profiles on the 20... [more]
AGCSA Welcomes Philippa Dudley
The AGCSA is delighted to welcome new administration/ membership manager Philippa Dudley (pictured) who started at the office this week. Pip, as she likes to be called, takes over from Paula Dolan who stood down from the position back in April. A doting mother of three, Pip comes to the AGCSA with an extensive background in local government administration and more recently was the competitions an... [more]
SA Industry Reps Meet with Minister
Representatives from the turf, landscape and nursery industries in South Australia meet with SA Minister Karlene Maywald (Minister for the River Murray) last week to discuss the current water management situation within the state. The SA Government has imposed total bans on outdoor watering for the month of July and the meeting focused mainly on the far-reaching implications for the landscape and... [more]
AGCSA Wages and Salaries Survey
The AGCSA is conducting a major survey on salaries and wages across the golf course maintenance profession in Australia. The survey, to be conducted by recently appointed HR and best practice manager Daryl Sellar, is designed to assist superintendents and staff gain a clearer picture of the comparative wage and salary levels within the industry. It is intended to assist superintendents and their... [more]
Sawyer Set to Depart Indooroopilly
Indooroopilly Golf Club superintendent Peter Sawyer (pictured) is set to farewell Queensland to take up a position as construction manager superintendent for a major new development in Malaysia. Sawyer, recipient of the 2002 AGCSA Distinguished Service Award, resigned from the Brisbane-based club on good terms on 2 July and will finish up on Friday 27 July. Sawyer, a long-time member of the AGCSA... [more]
Syngenta Conference Workshops Now Full
The two Syngenta interactive workshops - The Power of Spray Nozzles: A Demonstration of Efficiency - to be held on Wednesday morning of the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Cairns are now full. If you have missed out and still wish to attend, please visit the conference registration desk at the Cairns Convention Centre as cancellations may occur.... [more]
Contract Maintenance and the AGCSA
The AGCSA Board, at its meeting on 18 April, 2007, made the decision to reinstate all benefits to contract maintenance company members. The move overturns a motion presented during general business of the 2006 AGCSA AGM in Brisbane. To read the Board's full explanatory letter to members, please click on the link below.... [more]
Proposed Changes to AGCSA Constitution
The AGCSA Board is proposing some minor changes to the wording of certain sections of the AGCSA Constitution. A draft of proposed changes is now available for viewingby clicking on the link below. The Board will seek to have the new Constitution ratified at the AGCSA AGM which will be held on Wednesday 25 July during the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Cairns.... [more]
Blacker Elected SAGCSA President
Thaxted Park Golf Club superintendent Andy Blacker (pictured) was elected as official president of the South Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association (SAGCSA) following its AGM at Blackwood Golf Club on 14 June. Blacker, who has been acting president for the past month following the departures of Daryl Sellar and Peter Harfield in recent times, was elected to the position unopposed. The... [more]
Turf Library Facility Added to AGCSA Website
The AGCSA website now as a search function for the industry to search the wide range of information housed on the turf industryâ€™s leading website. Website users can access the search engine from any page simply by clicking on the button that appears at the top of each page. You can then type in any particular subject and the engine will throw up all results from the AGCSA website.... [more]
Long Road Back for Newcastle Courses
Golf clubs in and around Newcastle are starting to get back to normal after being pounded by extreme weather during the second weekend in June. Charlestown Golf Club superintendent Tony Rowland contacted the AGCSA last week with photos of the havoc wrecked at his club as well as the nearby Waratah Golf Club. Charlestown had over 100 mature trees brought down, while Waratah had its pump station fl... [more]
Black to Step Down from AGCSA Board
At the AGCSA Board meeting held on Wednesday 6 June, charismatic Castle Hill Country Club superintendent Martyn Black announced that he will steeping down from the Board at the next AGM. Black, a former president fo the NSWGCSA, came on the AGCSA Board at the Adelaide conference in 2004 and served two terms as the Board's state liaison officer. "I have had a great time on the AGCSA Board and it ... [more]
Puckeridge Farewells Royal Sydney
Royal Sydney Golf Club superintendent John Odell is on the hunt for an assistant superintendent after long-serving 2IC Greg Puckeridge handed in his resignation in late May. Puckeridge, who has been at Royal Sydney for 13 years, the past six as assistant superintendent, has accepted a position with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as course superintendent of Anahita, a new resort and golf academy ... [more]
A Warm Welcome...
... to the following people who have become new members of the AGCSA or have changed class of membership in the past two months. Ben Tilley (Headland Golf Club); Scott Fog (Gold Creek Country Club); Wayne Gregory (Catalina Country Club); David Burman (Sefton Property Investements); Chris Allan (The Bass Coast Golf Club); Colin Badrock (Pambula Merimbula Golf Club); David Quodling (Urbind Pty Ltd)... [more]
Schumacher Secures Top Toro Post
Elanora Golf Club superintendent Peter Schumacher is set to take up a major managerial position with Toro. Almost 10 years to the day after starting as superintendent at Elanora, Schumacher handed in his resignation in mid-May and will finish up on 26 June to take up the position of national sales manager for Toro's grounds and capital equipment division. A former AGCSA Board member and winner of... [more]
Scullion Joins e-par Team.
Well-respected golf course superintendent Dean Scullion is set to join the e-par team. Scullion, superintendent at the award-winning Kooindah Waters Golf Club on the Central Coast of NSW, has been appointed as e-par area manager for Queensland and northern NSW and will establish, coordinate and support the company's environmental, OHS, training and technical services. One of Scullion's key roles ... [more]
Blacker Assumes SAGCSA Presidency
Due to Daryl Sellar's role change at Glenelg Golf Club and his external commitments, including being appointed as the AGCSA's HR and best practice manager, Thaxted Park Golf Club superintendent Andy Blacker has been named as acting president of the SAGCSA. Blacker has agreed to take on the position until the association's AGM which will be held at Blackwood Golf Club on 14 June. "The SAGCSA comm... [more]
International Accolades for ATM Magazine
Australian Turfgrass Management magazine continues to demonstrate its industry-leading status after collecting four awards at the recent 2nd TOCA International Communicators Contest. After collecting four awards for writing and design at the inaugural awards in 2006, ATM bagged a further four awards at the 2007 awards which were presented in Savannah, Georgia, USA in early May. The awards were:... [more]
First Syngenta Workshop Session Full
The 8am-10am session of the Syngenta 'Power of Spray Nozzles - A Demonstration of Efficiency' workshop to be held on Wednesday, 25 July during the 23rd Australian Turefgrass Conference in Cairns is now full! Places are still available for the 10.30am-12.30pm workshop which will be conducted by Dr Henk Smith (Syngenta), Craig Day (Spray Safe and Save) and equipment experts from Toro. The workshop ... [more]
Freeman Elected VGCSA President
Huntingdale Golf Club superintendent Michael Freeman (pictured) has been appointed the new president of the VGCSA following the association's AGM at The National Golf Club earlier this week. Freeman, who has notched up over two decades at Huntingdale, takes over the reins from fellow sandbelt superintendent Mark Prosser (Commonwealth Golf Club) who stepped down after two years at the helm. Freema... [more]
Hall Named VGCSA Graduate of Year Award Recipient
Robert Hall from Green Acres Golf Club in Melbourne has been named as the VGCSA's Apprentice of the Year. Hall picked up the award at the association's AGM earlier this week at The National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula. Hall, who has been at Green Acres since 2003, will go on to represent the VGCSA as a finalist in the 2007 AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award, proudly presented by Toro, whi... [more]
AGCSA Welcomes Melissa Wallace
The AGCSA has welcomed a new member of staff recently with the appointment of Melissa Wallace as part-time executive assistant. Melissa's primary role will be to support AGCSA joint managers Scott Petersen and John Neylan as well as assist events manager Simone Staples with the upcoming 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Cairns. Melissa, a mother of two, has an extensive background in execu... [more]
Australian Turfgrass Management Vol. 9.3 Out Now
Volume 9.3 (May-June) of Australian Turfgrass Management magazine is now out and in this edition we take an in-depth look at the groundbreaking reconstruction of the Course Proper at Flemington racetrack in Melbourne. We also profile Queensland industry identity Barry Cox who recently retired after 20 years as superintendent at Ocean Shores Country Club, as well as look at the plans to restore Au... [more]
Syngenta Workshops Nearing Capacity
Registrations for the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference are coming in at a steady rate with superintendents and turf managers eager to experience the wide range of topics that will be presented in Cairns. Aside from the excellent array of seminar topics and keynote presentations, Syngenta will conduct two hands-on workshops similar to those successfully run at last year's conference in Brisban... [more]
Sellar Appointed to New AGCSA HR Role
Highly respected South Australian superintendent Daryl Sellar has joined the AGCSA team as HR and Best Practice Service manager. The Glenelg Golf Club superintendent, who last year won the AGCSA's Excellence in Golf Course Management Award, has been seconded by the AGCSA to set up an HR service for the golf course maintenance industry which will encompass such areas as recruitment, resume forward... [more]
AGCSA Awards Nomination Deadline Friday, 4 May
You now have only until this Friday (4 May, 2007) to nominate a peer for the 2007 AGCSA Awards which will be presented during the President's Dinner on the final night of the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Cairns. The AGCSA thanks all those AGCSA members for taking the time to nominate for the 2007 AGCSA Awards. Nominations are currently being taken for the following awards: AGCSA Claude... [more]
Community Water Grants Scheme Round 3 Open
The Federal Government's Community Water Grants Scheme is now inviting applications for round three allocations. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for projects that involve the community and have clear public benefits, while applicants and projects that meet special eligibility criteria may be eligible for a larger grant of between $100,000 and $250,000. Grants are available for projects rel... [more]
Port Douglas Offer for Conference Delegates
One of the great advantages of this year's Australian Turfgrass Conference being in Cairns is its proximity to the fabulous tourism destinations that far north Queensland has to offer. To entice delegates to explore this wonderful region, the AGCSA has managed to negotiate a superb package deal at the spectacular 5-star Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas, just 45-minutes north of Cairns. For confere... [more]
23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference Registration Open
Registration is now open for 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition which this year heads to Cairns from 22-27 July. A delegate registration brochure has been sent out in the past fortnight which contains everything you need to know about the conference education timetable, speakers, social events, trade exhibition, post conference turf tour and partners programme. Alternativel... [more]
How to Register for the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference
There are two ways delegates can register for the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition. You can register securely online or you can download a pdf version of the registration form, fill it in and fax or post to the AGCSA office (fax and postal details are contained on the form). Alternatively, if you haven't received a registration form in the post and would like one, please ... [more]
Reclaimed Water Users Survey Report Released
Over the past two years AGCSATech's John Neylan and Andrew Peart have been conducting a survey into the use of reclaimed water by Australian golf courses. The project, funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd (Project: TU1003) and titled 'Survey of Australian Golf Courses Using Reclaimed Water', looks at the number of courses using reclaimed water for irrigating turf as well as the benefits, problems... [more]
2007 AGCSA AFL Tipping Competition, Presented by Floratine
The NRL season may be into its second round already, but this Friday night marks the start of the 2007 AFL season and with it the return of the 2007 AGCSA AFL Tipping Competition, proudly presented by new sponsors Floratine. The Saints and Demons kick off the competiton this Friday night so you only have a few days to register for the most talked about competition in the turf industry. In 2006, o... [more]
Price Increase for Soil Physical Analysis
Since AGCSATech was established in 2000, there have been very few price increases for soil physical analysis. In the past month the AGCSA's supplier of soil physical analyses (State Chemistry Laboratory) has had to impose an increase in its fees. The State Chemistry Laboratory has not altered its fees since 2003 and what increases that have occurred have been mostly absorbed by AGCSATech. Unfortu... [more]
AGCSA Launches Imaging Service
As part of the AGCSA's continuing commitment to expanding its services, the association has launched an imaging service for members of the association and the wider turf industry. The AGCSA can now offer a dedicated photography service for golf courses, turf industry trade companies, educational and research facilities for a variety of applications, whether for publication or personal use. To fin... [more]
Staples Appointed AGCSA Events Manager
The AGCSA has welcomed a new, yet familiar member to the AGCSA team this week. Simone Staples (pictured) has officially been appointed the AGCSA's new events manager, replacing Jeff Johnson who left at the beginning of this week to take up an events coordinator position with Melbourne-based Deakin University. Simone, who has worked part-time for the AGCSA for the past three-and-a-half years along... [more]
GCSAQ Nuturf Field Day - 27 March
The GCSAQ's next field day is fast approaching and will be held next Tuesday, 27 March. In a novel move, the Nuturf-sponsored day will be held at the Carlton Brewery Function Centre with the day kicking off with an 8am tour of the brewery! The day proper starts at 9am with presentations from Peter Kirby, David Redfern, Brett Morris, Craig Johnston and Darren Moore followed by a panel forum. After... [more]
2007 AGCSA NRL Tipping Competition Kicks Off Friday
There is just a little over 24 hours until the start of the 2007 AGCSA NRL Tipping Competition, proudly presented by Scotts Australia. The NRL season kicks off on Friday nightwhen the Broncos and Cowboys clash in an all-Queensland derby at Suncorp, while the Storm hosts Wests Tigers at Olympic Park. New kids on the block Gold Coast Titans begin their NRL campaign in earnest when they meet the Dra... [more]
Harfield Steps Down From SAGCSA
The South Australian turf industry has lost one of its most respected members after Peter Harfield stood down from his position as superintendent at Blackwood Golf Club last week. Harfield has parted ways with the club after a 20-year association due to irreconcilable differences with current club management. Harfield joined the club as a ground staff member under Dene Goldsack in the mid 1980s a... [more]
AGCSA Farewells Jeff Johnson
AGCSA events manager Jeff Johnson has decided to move on to bigger and brighter things after accepting an events coordinator position with Deakin University in Melbourne. Johnson came on board the AGCSA just before the 2006 Brisbane conference and has since played a major role in formulating the AGCSA EMS workshops as well as the programme for the upcoming 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in... [more]
Myatt Named SAGCSA Graduate of the Year
The South Australian Golf Course Superintendents' Association has named its graduate of the year winner following the TAFE Awards last week. Byron Myatt from Tanunda Pines Golf Club in the Barossa Valley will go on to represent South Australia as a finalist in the AGCSA Graduate of the Year Award which will be announced at the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Cairns. The AGCSA congratulate... [more]
Couchman Recovering From Cancer Surgery
The Australian turf industry will be shocked to learn that former AGCSA president Mark Couchman (pictured) has been diagnosed with throat cancer. Couchman, course manager at Sydney's Cromer Golf Club and association president from 2001-2004, underwent surgery last week to remove the tumour and was finally released from hospital today (Thursday, 8 March). Following a biopsy in mid February, Couchm... [more]
Horticulture Water Initiative - Latest Water News
The Horticulture Water Initiative, instigated by Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) produces a bi-monthly summary of horticulture industry and water-related news from around the country. To read the January-February 2007 edition, compiled by the Horticulture Water Steering Committee, click on the link below.... [more]
2007 AGCSA NRL Tipping Competition, Proudly Presented by Scotts
It's back punters! The 2007 National Rugby League season is almost upon us and as in previous years the AGCSA, together with the help of new 2007 sponsors Scotts Australia, will run its famous NRL tipping competition over 25 rounds from 16 March. 2007 is set to be bigger and better than ever and the addition of the Gold Coast Titans will make the first few rounds rather unpredictable. Speaking o... [more]
Format Change for 2007 AGCSA Awards
The 2007 AGCSA Awards will have a slightly different feel than in previous years following changes to the judging and awarding process. Finalists in each category will be contacted and then flown to Melbourne (expenses paid) where they will give a detailed presentation to an independent panel of judges. Winners will then be contacted and arrangements made for them to attend the 23rd Australian T... [more]
2007 AGCSA Awards Open for Nominations
The AGCSA is now calling for nominations for the 2007 AGCSA Awards which will be announced at the 23rd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Cairns in July. As in previous years, four awards will be handed out: AGCSA Distinguished Service Award (presented in partnership with Scotts Australia); AGCSA Claude Crockford Environmental Award (presented in partnership with Syngenta); AGCSA Excellence in Go... [more]
Open To Stay in Sydney
The 2007 Australian Open is set to head back to Sydney following the announcement last week by Golf Australia that it has signed an exclusive deal with the NSW Government. The deal will see the next three Australian Opens (2007, 2008 and 2009) held in Sydney, with this year's Open returning to The Australian Golf Club (superintendent David Honeysett). The Australian hosted the Centenary Open back... [more]
Venues Announced for AGCSA March Workshops
Venues for the upcoming AGCSA environmental management system workshops in March have been announced. The venues are: Melbourne (5 March): Keysborough Golf Club; Adelaide (7 March): The Grange Golf Club; Perth (12 March): Mt Lawley Golf Club; Sydney (15 March): Concord Golf Club; Brisbane (19 March): Brisbane Golf Club; Cairns (21 March): Paradise Palms Golf Club; Hobart (26 March): Royal Hobart ... [more]
ATM Back Issues for International Turf Library
The AGCSA has been approached by eminent turfgrass professor Dr James Beard (Texas A&M University) for back issues of Australian Turfgrass Management (ATM) magazine for the International Sports Turf Institute library. The AGCSA is helping Dr Beard out with his request but is missing a couple of editions. The AGCSA is asking if any turf managers have copies of ATM Volume 1.1 (February-March 1999 -... [more]
New Venue and Date for VGCSA Meeting
The VGCSA has changed the venue and date for its February meeting. The meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday, 27 February at Northern Golf Club, will now be held at Southern Golf Club (superintendent Greg Rooke) on Monday, 26 February. Registration is from 8am and the day, sponsored by Nuturf, will include two panel discussions on putting greens management and fairway management. The panel wi... [more]
Change of Date for NSWGCSA Meeting
The NSWGCSA's February board meeting at Shortland Waters Golf Club has been changed from 12 February to Monday, 26 February. For more information, contact NSWGCSA secretary Mark Warwick (Muirfield Golf Club) via email muirfieldgc1@optusnet.com.au... [more]
EMS Workshops Scheduled for March
In keeping with the launch of the recent AGCSA-Golf Australia Environmental Management Initiative, the AGCSA will be conducting a series of environmental management system (EMS) workshops throughout March. The workshops will look at the importance of introducing an EMS to golf club maintenance operations as well as the critical components of such a system. The workshop will also look at the e-par... [more]
Pennant Hills Golf Club Groundstaff Reunion
Pennant Hills Golf Club in Sydney will be holding a special reunion for all former grounstaff members. The reunion will be held on Thursday, 22 March and includes nine holes of golf followed by a BBQ lunch. Around 100 former employees are expected to come from all over the country and overseas for the event. For more information about the reunion, contact NSWGCSA committee member Scott Riley on ... [more]
South Australian Supers Lose a Mate
Adelaide Shores Golf Park superintendent Paul Morley has died following a heart attack shortly after Christmas. Morley, the long-serving superintendent at the 36-hole complex located next to Adelaide Airport, was placed on life support following the heart attack, but had suffered irreversible brain damage. Morley was farewelled by friends and family on Saturday, 6 January. Morley, a former vice-p... [more]
BOM Annual Australian Climate Statement
Earlier this month the Bureau of Meteorology released its Annual Australian Climate Statement for 2006. Data indicates that Australia's annual mean temperature for 2006 was 0.47Â°C above the standard 1961-1990 average, making it the 11th warmest year since comparable temperature observations became available in 1910. Rainfall was well below normal in the southeast and far southwest, but close to ... [more]
Industry Mourns Passing of Church
The Australian turfgrass community is in mourning following the death of legendary golf course superintendent Winston (Vince) Church. One of the industry's pioneers, Church passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, 2006 at the age of 92. From humble beginnings working as a caddy at Concord Golf Club, Church managed to secure a full time job on the groundstaff at the northern Sydney course before t... [more]
IR Laws Bite Supers
In recent times the AGCSA has been aware of the summary dismissal of several superintendents with few or no reasons other than 'you're not the man for the job anymore'. In the past there would have been protection under the 'three strikes and you're out' law and some assurance there were redundancy payouts and some financial compensation if times were bad. Unfortunately what we have seen is super... [more]
AGCSA Poa Annua and Dollar Spot Trials
The AGCSA has started a two-year project in conjunction with Horticulture Australia Ltd entitled 'A life-cycle approach to the control of Poa annua in bentgrass putting greens.' The trial is being conducted at Commonwealth Golf Club in Victoria and Bonnie Doon Golf Club in New South Wales. The main purpose of the trial will be to evaluate the effect of targeting Poa at different times of its life... [more]
Australian Turfgrass Management Magazine Vol 9.1
Australian Turfgrass Management Volume 9.1 is currently being distributed along with the 2007 AGCSA Year Planner. In this edition of ATM, editor Brett Robinson takes a special look at Tasmania's golf course superintendents and some of the issues they are currently facing. This edition's cover story looks at one of Australia's most talked about courses - Barnbougle Dunes - while ATM also looks at ... [more]
2007 Turfgrass Management Diary
The AGCSA's 2007 Turfgrass Management Diary has been sent to all state superintendent associations for distribution to superintendent and assistant superintendent members. If you have not received your copy, please contact your state association representative. AGCSA members can also purchase the diary from the AGCSA for $73.30.... [more]
Kooindah Waters Laps Up Environmental Accolades
Kooindah Waters Golf Club on the NSW Central Coast, home to superintendent Dean Scullion, has been awarded the Wyong-Tuggerah Chamber of Commerce Environment Award for 2006. The award is presented every year to the business that performs above compliance and can show environmental sustainability within the local Wyong-Tuggerah business community. Since its inception, Kooindah has been using the e... [more]
Soil Nutrient Test Price Change
From 1 November, 2006, the price for a soil nutrient test through AGCSATech will rise from $88 to $95. This is the first price increase in six years. For more information about AGCSATech services, contact Andrew Peart or John Neylan on (03) 9548 8600 or email andrew@agcsa.com.au Click on the link below to find out more about AGCSATech services.... [more]
Change in AGCSA Management Structure
Following the resignation of AGCSA chief executive Steven Potts last week, the AGCSA Board has decided to operate without a CEO for the interim. During this period, AGCSATech manager John Neylan and AGCSA business development manager Scott Petersen will operate as joint managers. Neylan will look after AGCSATech and the AGCSA's involvement with the environmental management and education initiativ... [more]
Supers Embrace Environmental Initiative Workshops
Representatives from over 40 golf clubs across three states turned out for the first week of workshops as part of the AGCSA's world-leading Environmental Management Initiative. The interactive workshops, conducted by Terry Muir whose e-par environmental management system (EMS) forms the basis of the initiative, were held in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide and attracted 45 golf clubs, their respecti... [more]
Pauli Joins AGCSA Board
Horton Park Golf Club superintendent Pat Pauli has been appointed as interim AGCSA Board member. The move comes after the resignation of former Board member Jon Penberthy who recently stood down as superintendent at Tewantin Noosa Golf Club. Pauli, a former winner of the AGCSA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award in 1999 and finalist in the Claude Crockford Environmental Award in 2005, is a... [more]
2006 Conference Survey Feedback
The AGCSA wishes to thank everyone who took the time to fill out a 2006 Australian Turfgrass Conference over the past couple of months. The feedback has been extremely positive and constructive and the AGCSA will be looking at implementing some of the suggestions made at next year's conference in Cairns. More details will be forthcoming so stay tuned to the AGCSA website and The Cut. And the winn... [more]
Potts Steps Down as AGCSA Chief Executive
AGCSA chief executive officer Steven Potts has handed in his resignation this week. After four years in the big seat, Steven has decided to move on and take up the chief executive's role with the Nursery and Gardens Industry of Victoria. Steven, 36, took over from inaugural AGCSA chief executive Euan Laird in 2002, and during his time facilitated a number of new initiatives which have increased ... [more]
Penberthy Resigns From AGCSA Board
Jon Penberthy (pictured) has resigned after three years on the AGCSA Board. Penberthy, the immediate past president of the GCSAQ, recently stood down as superintendent at Tewantin Noosa Golf Club and is taking some time out before deciding his future. His position on the Board has been filled by Horton Park Golf Club superintendent Pat Pauli who will remain as interim Board member until the 2007 ... [more]
ANTEP Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue Trial
The AGCSA has been appointed as the service provider to conduct the 2006 ANTEP turf trials for the Australian Seed Federation. The trial site is at Mt. Scopus Memorial College in Burwood, Victoria and was sown with 39 perennial ryegrass varieties and 18 tall fescue varieties on 26 September. The duration of the trial will be for two years starting at the conclusion of the establishment period, o... [more]
Bonville to Host Third NSW Environmental Workshop
With the AGCSA's Environmental Management Initiative gathering momentum around the country, a third NSW workshop has been added to the series. Bonville International Golf Resort in northern NSW will now play host to a workshop, to be conducted by Terry Muir, on Thursday, 2 November. The addition of Bonville takes the number of AGCSA Environmental Management Initiative workshops to nine across the... [more]
$10 Classified Adverts on AGCSA Website
AGCSA members can now place a classified advertisement on the AGCSA website for just $10 (non-members $15)! If you have a piece of machinery or equipment in your shed that you would like to sell on, why not place an ad on the AGCSA website. Each classified ad can carry a maximum 100-word description as well as a photo. The classified ad will remain on the website for as long as you wish and will... [more]
Spring Soil Testing With AGCSATech
With spring now upon us and renovations to be undertaken, it is time to undertake soil testing. Renovation is a good time to address any imbalances and fertiliser programmes can be modified to meet any specific requirements. Soil and plant tissue testing are very good management tools. They should not be used as the absolute method for determining fertility programs but as a monitoring tool. A... [more]
Environmental Management Workshop for Hobart
Due to the widespread interest of the new AGCSA Environmental Management Initiative, an additional workshop has been added to the programme. With excellent uptake from a number of Tasmanian golf clubs, Hobart will play host to the additional workshop to be conducted by Terry Muir on Tuesday, 24 October. For those golf clubs in Tasmania, or any other state, that wish to join the AGCSA's Environmen... [more]
Nowra to Host Regional NSW Environmental Workshop
Nowra will host the regional NSW workshop of the AGCSA's Environmental Management Initiative on Friday, 20 October. For those NSW golf clubs which have registered for the Sydney workshop but would like to attend the Nowra workshop instead, please contact AGCSA events manager Jeff Johnson on (03) 9548 8600 or email jeff@agcsa.com.au. To register for the AGCSA's world-first Environemntal Management... [more]
GCSAQ August 2006 Newsletter
Click on the link below to read all the latest news from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland.... [more]
Environmental Management Workshops Filling Fast
The first of two workshops as part of the AGCSA's new Environmental Management Initiative are filling up fast and the AGCSA encourages all clubs to become involved in this world-first initiative. The workshops will be held between 9-20 October and conducted by Terry Muir. The workshops are for those clubs and superintendents who have joined the AGCSA Environmental Management Initiative and will b... [more]
Simplot Pro Line Re-signs as CQO Sponsor
Simplot Pro Line has re-signed as sponsor for the AGCSA's Course Quality Officials programme which will run during the upcoming 2006 Australian Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club (16-19 November). Sponsor for the last two Opens at The Australian Golf Club and Moonah Links, Simplot Pro Line has signed up for another two years. Manager Matthew Scott, pictured with AGCSA chief executive Steven Potts, sa... [more]
Stage One Water Restrictions for Melbourne
The Victorian Government announced this week that as of 1 September Stage One water restrictions will be enforced across Melbourne. Click here to visit the Victorian Government's Our Water website for more information on the Statge One restrictions.... [more]
Hugill Appointed NSWGCSA President
Mona Vale Golf Club superintendent Andy Hugill has been appointed the new president of the New South Wales Golf Course Superintendents Association following the AGM at Castle Hill Country Club earlier this week. Hugill, a former committeeman and education spokesman, takes over from Michael Bradbery who steps down after an extended period as president. New appointments to the NSWGCSA Board for the... [more]
22nd Australian Turfgrass Conference Survey
The AGCSA is always looking for better ways of serving its members and with the completion of the recent Australian Turfgrass Conference in Brisbane, we are seeking your feedback. The AGCSA is asking those who attended this year's gathering to take a few minutes out of their day to fill in a conference feedback survey which asks for your thoughts on how the AGCSA can improve the conference in fut... [more]
2007 Turfgrass Management Diary
The AGCSA is currently in the process of revamping the Turfgrass Management Diary for 2007. A number of changes were made to the 2006 version to simplify it and in 2007 the AGCSA has continued to modify the layout slightly with the inclusion of an irrigation section (eg: cycle, repairs, total water used). To give us your feedback on the new look for 2007, simply email AGCSA business development m... [more]
Website Numbers Continue to Grow
The AGCSA website (www.agcsa.com.au) continues to become more and more popular! For the first time since its upgrade back in 2004, the AGCSA topped more than 1000 visitors in a single day during July and for that month averaged more than 766 visitors per day! The AGCSA thanks all those who use the website and encourages any feedback on how it can be improved. Call the office on (03) 9548 8600 or ... [more]
Cox Awarded GCSAQ Life Membership
Ocean Shores Country Club superintendent Barry Cox has been awarded life membership of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland following the association's recent annual general meeting at Nudgee Golf Club. Cox has been a huge contributor over his 10 years on the GCSAQ committee and at the 14 August meeting stood down, leaving a rather large pair of shoes to fill. Click on the li... [more]
Register Now For Environmental Management Workshops
The first of two workshops as part of the AGCSA's new Environmental Management Initiative will be conducted throughout October. The workshops will run between 9-20 October and will be conducted by Terry Muir, founder of the e-par environmental management system which forms the core of the AGCSA initiative. The workshops are for those clubs and superintendents who have joined the AGCSA Environment... [more]
2006 MFS Australian Open CQO Programme
With the annual turfgrass conference now come and gone, the AGCSA turns its attention to the 2006 MFS Australian Open which returns to the Royal Sydney Golf Club between 16-19 November. As in previous years, the AGCSA will run the Course Quality Officials programme and is now taking registrations through the AGCSA website. CQOs help in the day-to-day maintenance of the Open course by raking bunke... [more]
2006 AGCSA Awards - Recognising Excellence
Four new names have been added to the AGCSA honours boards following the 2006 AGCSA Awards which were handed out during the 22nd Australian Turfgrass Conference. Norm Ashlin (Collier Park Golf Course, WA), Daryl Sellar (Glenelg Golf Club, SA), Peter Donkers (Long Reef Golf Club, NSW) and Sean Kinsley (Yamba Golf Club, NSW) were honoured in front of their peers during the Brisbane conference. Clic... [more]
2006 Australian Turfgrass Conference Review
Another highly successful Australian Turfgrass Conference descended on Brisbane last month with over 600 delegates enjoying the warm climes of Queensland. The conference attracted a record trade turnout while the various education streams provided delegates with the latest research and information. Click on the link below to read a full review of the turf industry's annual gathering.... [more]
Jacobsen Collects 2006 AGCSA Golf Championships
Carnarvon Golf Club superintendent Steve Jacobsen shot a two-over 74 at North Lakes Golf Club to win the 2006 AGCSA Golf Championships played during the 22nd Australian Turfgrass Conference. It was Jacobsen's first Red Jacket victory, beating home former champion Daryl Sellar (Glenelg Golf Club) and Royal Perth superintendent Michael Dennis. Click on the link below to read a full rundown of the 2... [more]
Environmental Management Website Launched
The Australian Golf Course Superintendents' Association (AGCSA) in conjunction with Golf Australia is meeting the challenge of environmental management best practice by committing to a national initiative that is set to revolutionise golf course environmental management in Australia. You can now read more about the website through the following link......... [more]
ATM Mail Out Mix-Up
As most of you will be aware by now, Volume 8.3 of Australian Turfgrass Management magazine has hit the streets. However, upon receiving your latest copy you may have noticed a slight anomaly with the name on the envelope. Due to a mix up with our ATM mailing database, in some cases the names don't match up with the address. The AGCSA apologies for any confusion this may have caused, but be rest ... [more]
AGCSA Appoints New Events Manager
The AGCSA is pleased to announce that it has appointed a new events manager following the departure of Fiona McPadden in early June. Jeff Johnson, who has some 10 years' expereince as an events manager, comes on board just weeks ahead of the 22nd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Brisbane. For more information, click on the link below.... [more]
Black Bags Amateur Title
AGCSA Board member and Castle Hill Country Club superintendent Martyn Black is well known for his golfing exploits but not even he could believe his luck following the recent Cadbury Schweppes Australian Club Pro Championships. Having qualified for the national final after he was a last-minute ring-in, the former AGCSA Golf Championship winner went on to win the amateur section of the competition... [more]
Turf Levy Gets Thumbs Up Following Re-vote
Australia's $1.3 billion turf industry this week voted for the introduction of a research/development and marketing levy for the industry. This is the second such ballot undertaken in the last 18 months, the combined results showing that over 60 per cent of growers support the introduction of the levy. For more information click on the link below.... [more]
John Deere World Championship Tees Off
The John Deere World Championship has teed for 2006 with the first regional qualifying event held at Redcliffe Golf Club in the second week of May. This year's format has changed slightly with teams of two now competing instead of four. Lakelands Golf Club will host the Australian final, with the world final to be held in Georgia, USA. Click on the link below to find out all the details of the re... [more]
International Honours for Australian Turfgrass Management
Australian Turfgrass Management magazine (ATM) has cemented its place as Australia's leading turfgrass publication after picking up international honours at the recent Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) awards. ATM magazine collected four awards at the 1st Annual International Communicators Contest, picking up two awards each for writing and design. ATM won a first place in desi... [more]
AGCSA to Farewell Fi
Long-serving AGCSA employee Fiona McPadden dropped a bomb at the Clayton North headquarters this week by announcing she will be leaving the association in June. The well-respected events manager will finish up on 13 June after five and a half years with the AGCSA. Fiona has accepted a job as conference co-or