Magenta Shores dumps superintendent, assistant

 

Just weeks after returning from the 25th Australian Turfgrass Conference in Hobart, Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club course manager Kenton Boyd has found himself without a job. Boyd, along with his assistant Kevin Laubser and the maintenance team, was informed by the club’s management (Mirvac Hotels) on 12 August that it was switching to a contract course maintenance regime.

Turnpoint, which oversaw the initial construction of the Ross Watson-designed course, has been appointed as maintenance contractor for a term of five years. Both Boyd and Laubser finished at the club on the Wednesday, while the remaining staff have been given a two week notice period during which time they will be interviewed by Turnpoint to determine whether they will retain their positions.

Boyd, who only weeks earlier presented in Hobart on the range of environmental initiatives at Magenta Shores which saw him win the 2008 AGCSA Claude Crockford Environmental Award, says the developments this week have provided some finality to the situation at the club. “It is a pretty empty feeling especially with the level I feel that we had got the course to,” says Boyd, who started at Magenta Shores in January 2005. “Still, it was amicable and it's good to know that a decision has been made given the rumours that had been surrounding the club for some time. Everyone has been on edge and it was beginning to affect staff morale.”

Boyd is currently assessing his next move and may head down the turf consultancy path and is also looking at undertaking a Masters degree. As a result of this week’s changes, Boyd has a new contact and can be reached on 0488 726 745.