160 turn out for Brisbane, Adelaide sustainability seminars

It was the turn of Brisbane and Adelaide to host The R&A’s director of golf course management Steve Isaac last week as the AGCSA’s Sustainable Golf seminar series continued around the country. After excellent numbers at the opening sessions in Melbourne and Sydney (upwards of 300), both Brisbane and Adelaide continued that trend with more than 160 turning up to hear Isaac discuss the role of The R&A in the Asia Pacific region as well as the concept of sustainable course management and the governing body’s efforts to promote it. More than 100 attended the Brisbane seminar held at Nudgee Golf Club (superintendent David Brushfield) while 59 were on hand at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide (superintendent Richard James).

Spending a few days in Sydney after the NSW seminar, Isaac had the opportunity to visit two of the city’s most famous clubs– Royal Sydney Golf Club (superintendent John Odell) and venue for this year’s 2009 Australian Open, New South Wales Golf Club (superintendent Gary Dempsey). Following the workshop in Brisbane, Isaac also visited the QDIF’s Redlands Research Station in Cleveland where senior research scientist Matt Roche showed him around the facility and the various trials being undertaken. Isaac also stopped by Lakelands Golf Club to view the AGCSA’s couchgrass selection trial plots before visiting Coolangatta and Tweed Heads Golf Club, home to GCSAQ president Peter Lonergan.