The Australian Golf Course Superintendents' Association (AGCSA) was formed in 1981 to further the profession of Golf Course and Sportsfield Management in Australia and the Pacific Region.
With over 1,500 members throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia, the Australian Golf Course Superintendents' Association is the leading Sportsturf Association in Australia and is committed to the ongoing professional development and support of all professionals involved in Turfgrass Management, including Golf Courses, Sportsfields & Grounds, Racetracks, Lawn Tennis, Councils, Turf Equipment Technicians, and many others.
In supporting Sportsturf Managers, the AGCSA operates various business services, including:
The AGCSA became a fully incorporated association in 1991 with Doug Robinson elected inaugural president. For his tireless work over the years at both State and National level, Doug would go on to receive AGCSA Life Member status.
Mark Unwin |
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Simone Staples |
| Chief Executive Officer | Events and Education Manager | |
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Mark started with the AGCSA in late September 2017 and arrived with an extensive business background, his most recent role that of General Manager at a Melbourne-based Advertising and Multimedia Group. Specialising in the production of magazines, including Golf Magazine, Marks background also includes Conferences, Events and Seminars across the sport, health and fitness industries. Prior, Mark worked for leading business marketing company Sensis for more than 14 years, most recently as National Operations Manager. In addition to his work around Australia, Mark also spent a great deal of time overseas in New Zealand, the USA, India and the Philippines, working in the areas of Customer Experience, Management, Marketing and Sales.
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Simone took over the key role of AGCSA events and education manager in 2007 after working in an admin capacity part-time. Simone, a former administration manager for the Victorian branch of the TGAA, is now responsible for putting together the AGCSA's major events, including the annual Australian Turfgrass Conference and roving workshops, as well as AGCSA education and accreditation. Simone also plays a critical role with the National Turf Education Working Group of which the AGCSA is secretariat. Email: simone@agcsa.com.au |
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Bruce MacPhee (Dip. Sports Turf Management) |
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Tim Fankhauser (Dip. Sports Turf Management) |
| Senior Agronomist | Environmental Agronomist | |
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Bruce has over 30 years’ experience in the turf industry and joined the AGCSA in June 2016. Bruce’s turf management career began as an apprentice at Patterson River Golf Club in the mid-1980s and after completing that had small stints at Dandenong Central Bowling Club and Devil Bend Golf Club. In 1993 he joined Peninsula Country Golf Club, rising to the role of assistant superintendent (five years) and superintendent (two years). Between 2002 and 2012 Bruce was a turf management lecturer at Chisholm Institute of TAFE where he taught the Certificate II and III Sports Turf Management and Parks and Gardens courses and was also responsible for the development and delivery of the Diploma in Sports Turf Management. In 2012 he joined Evergreen Turf as a project manager where he was responsible for the successful development and implementation of large scale construction projects, including the new $72 million Pakenham racecourse. Email: bruce@agcsa.com.au |
Tim arrived at the AGCSA in December 2017, after more than 10 years as assistant superintendent at one of the Mornington Peninsula’s top golf courses – The Dunes. Tim’s career in turf management started when he joined the crew at The Dunes in 2002 after working for the previous 16 years on the family’s Mornington Peninsula apple orchard. He went on to complete a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management as a mature age apprentice and in 2006 was appointed assistant superintendent, at which time he undertook the Diploma in Sports Turf Management. He was named Chisholm Institute’s Outstanding Diploma Student in 2010 and went on to win the AGCSA Award for Academic Achievement at the 2011 Australian Turfgrass Conference in Adelaide. As part of his Diploma, he undertook a comprehensive research project studying the effects of ethephon on bentgrass Email: tim@agcsa.com.au |
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Brett Robinson |
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Philip Horsburgh |
| Editor | Finance Manager | |
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The token Kiwi of the office, Brett joined the AGCSA in a part-time capacity in 2003 as editor of Australian Turfgrass Management Journal (ATM). His role became full-time in 2004 and now encompasses the range of AGCSA publications, including ATM, The Cut e-mail newsletter and website management. Brett has twice won the Tom Ramsey Award for excellence in journalism at the annual Australian Golf Media Awards, first in 2009 for his coverage of the Black Saturday bushfires and again in 2011 for his article on Cottesloe Golf Club superintendent Simon Bourne.
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Philip has been the AGCSA's Accountant since 2002 and ensures the association's books are all in order. Starting his career in the drycleaning industry, Philip has an extensive background in accountancy and spent 10 years with Electrolux before joining the AGCSA. Email: philip@agcsa.com.au Phone: 9548 8600 |
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Allison Jenkins |
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Jo Corne |
| Membership Services Coordinator | Art Director | |
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Allison initially joined the AGCSA team in April 2010 to assist with the operations for the Annual Conference, and following moved into a role with the AGCSA as an Administrative Assistant, and then into Membership Co-ordinator. It was a return to the workforce after seven years of being a stay-at-home mum. Prior to that Allison was a PA to a professor of a university/hospital department at the Austin Hospital for 20 years.
Phone: 9548 8600 |
Completing the Tri Nations flavour of the AGCSA office, South African-born Jo is responsible for the design and production of the suite of AGCSA publications and promotional material, including the association's flagship journal Australian Turfgrass Management. Jo joined the AGCSA in November 2004 after the association made the decision to bring the design of the magazine in-house.
Phone: 9548 8600 |
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Lamya Kwan |
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| Exhibition Sales Executive | ||
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Joining the team in 2018, Lamya is responsible for developing the industry-leading Trade Exhibition at the annual Asia-Pacific Turfgrass Conference. Lamya joins the AGCSA following various positions in Event & Conference Management, Business Development and Exhibition Management. With a background in Sports and Recreation through Event Management for Major events throughout the Middle East including Golf events such as the Qatar Masters, Football Association Awards, and various Sporting and Recreation Conferences and Events, Lamya works with the Events & Education team on co-ordinating the 2019 Asia Pacific Turfgrass Conference & Trade Exhibition in June, 2019. Email: lamya@agcsa.com.au Phone: 03 9548 8600 |
Profile: Brett was elected to the AGCSA Board at the 2012 AGM in Melbourne. Brett served his apprenticeship at Rosebud Public Golf Course on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula before spending 7.5 years at The Victoria Golf Club where, coincidentally, he worked as assistant superintendent under former AGCSA president and then superintendent Peter Lonergan. For the past 21 years Brett has been course superintendent at Anglesea Golf Club, during which time he served on the VGCSA Board between 1998 and 2005, including two years as secretary and three years as treasurer. Brett assumed the AGCSA presidency at the 2016 AGCSA AGM in Melbourne where he replaced Peter Lonergan. He is the eighth AGCSA president since 1991.
Profile: Steve was co-opted to the AGCSA Board in August 2014 following the departure of Robin Doodson to Doha Golf Club in Qatar. Steve, who has been superintendent at Royal Hobart since 1986, has been a paramount figure in the Tasmania Golf Course Superintendents Association (TGCSA) and over a 25 year period held most positions on the committee, including two terms as president (the last between 2007-2010). Steve was born in Brighton, England and emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1977, initially settling in Adelaide before moving to Hobart a year later. Shortly after landing in Hobart, Lewis came across an advertisement for a groundsman position at Royal Hobart Golf Club. Not long afterwards Lewis was put on as an apprentice under then superintendent Kevin Flakemore, completing his studies at Burnie. In 1982 Lewis was appointed assistant and four years later, following the sudden passing of Flakemore, he was elevated to superintendent.
Profile: Peter is the immediate past president of the AGCSA, serving in the main role between 2012 and 2016. He was initially co-opted to the AGCSA Board in August 2011 following the resignation of director Bryce Strachan. Peter’s career started at Latrobe Golf Club in suburban Melbourne and included a one year stint as 'curator' at Colac Golf Club in Victoria’s western district. Peter then moved to Victoria Golf Club where he spent 14 years before working in sales at Nuturf for two years and then making his latest move to Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club on the NSW/QLD border. Peter has vast experience at state association level having been a former president of both the VGCSA and GCSAQ and was one of Victoria’s representatives at the state presidents meeting at Metropolitan Golf Club in 1991 that voted to form the AGCSA as we know it today.
Profile: Chris joined the AGCSA Board at the 2017 AGCSA AGM held during the 33rd Australian Turfgrass Conference, replacing Wembley Golf Complex (WA) superintendent Darren Wilson. Chris began his turf management career as a 16-year-old at the exclusive Capital Golf Club in Melbourne. Joining when the course was still under construction, Chris spent 13 years there and rose to the position of foreman. During his time there, Chris was also given the opportunity by the club to spend 15 months working on the construction of Kingsbarns Links in Scotland. In 2006 Chris took on his first superintendent role at Lang Lang Golf Club east of Melbourne and in 2008 was appointed grow-in superintendent at the Black Bull development in Yarrawonga. In 2010 the position at nearby Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort became available and has been his home ever since. Chris is a past AGCSA Golf Championship winner, collecting the coveted Toro Red Jacket at Newcastle Golf Club in 2015.
2018-2019President: Brett Balloch (Anglesea GC, VIC - pictured) Board Members: Steve Lewis (Royal Hobart Golf Club, Tas - Treasurer), Chris Burgess (Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club, VIC), and Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, QLD) 2018 Conference: TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand (25 - 28 June 2018) |
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2017-2018 |
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2016-2017 |
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President: Brett Balloch (Anglesea GC, VIC) Board Members: Steve Lewis (Royal Hobart Golf Club, Tas - Treasurer), Chris Burgess (Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club, VIC), and Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, QLD) 2017 Conference: Sunchine Coast Convention Centre, Sunshine Coast, QLD (23-28 June 2017) |
President: Brett Balloch (Anglesea GC, VIC) Board Members: Steve Lewis (Royal Hobart Golf Club, Tas - Treasurer), Darren Wilson (Wembley GC, WA), and Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, QLD) 2016 Conference: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne VIC (24-28 June 2016) |
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2015-2016 |
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2014-2015 |
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President: Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, QLD Board Members: Brett Balloch (Anglesea GC, VIC - Treasurer), Darren Wilson (Wembley GC, WA), Steve Lewis (Royal Hobart Golf Club, Tas). 2015 Conference: Hunter Valley, NSW (22-27 June 2015) |
President: Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, QLD Board Members: Darren Wilson (Wembley GC, WA - Treasurer), Brett Balloch (Anglesea GC, VIC) and Steve Lewis* (Royal Hobart Golf Club, Tas). * Lewis co-opted to the AGCSA Board following the resignation of Robin Doodson (Sanctuary Cove G&CC, QLD) in July 2014. 2014 Conference: Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, QLD (22-27 June 2014) |
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2013-2014 |
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2012-2013 |
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President: Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, QLD - pictured right) Board Members: Darren Wilson (Wembley GC, WA - Treasurer), Brett Balloch (Anglesea GC, VIC) and Robin Doodson (Sanctuary Cove G&CC, QLD) 2013 Conference: Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, QLD (22-28 June 2013) |
President: Peter Lonergan (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads GC, QLD) Board Members: Darren Wilson (Wembley GC, WA - Treasurer), Brett Balloch (Anglesea GC, VIC) and Tony Fogarty* (Club Catalina, NSW). *Fogarty steps off board Jan 2013 after resigning from Club Catalina 2012 Conference*: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, VIC (4-8 June, 2012). *Incorporated the International Summit of Golf Course Superintendent and Greenkeeping Associations. |
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2011-2012 |
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2010-2011 |
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President: Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour GC, WA) Board Members: Darren Wilson (Wembley GC, WA - Treasurer), Tony Fogarty (Club Catalina, NSW) and Peter Lonergan* (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads GC, QLD). *Lonergan co-opted to Board in August 2011 following the resignation of Bryce Strachan in July 2011. Conference: Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, SA (13-17 June, 2011) |
President: Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour GC, WA) Board Members: Pat Pauli (Horton Park GC, QLD - Treasurer), Bryce Strachan (Pambula-Merimbula GC, NSW) and John Odell (Royal Sydney GC, NSW) Conference: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, QLD (21-25 June, 2010) |
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2009-2010 |
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2008-2009 |
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President: Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour GC, WA) Board Members: Pat Pauli (Horton Park GC, QLD - Treasurer), Bryce Strachan (Pambula-Merimbula GC, NSW) and John Odell (Royal Sydney GC, NSW) Conference: Hobart Convention Centre, Hobart, TAS (13-17 July 2009) |
President: Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour GC, WA) Board Members: Pat Pauli (Horton Park GC, QLD - Treasurer), Bryce Strachan (Pambula-Merimbula GC, NSW) and John Odell (Royal Sydney GC, NSW) Conference: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, VIC (21-25 July, 2008) |
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2007-2008 |
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2006-2007 |
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President: Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD) Board Members: Martyn Black (Castle Hill CC, NSW), Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour GC, WA - Treasurer) and Pat Pauli (Horton Park GC, QLD) Conference: Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, QLD (24-26 July, 2007) |
President: Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD) Board Members: Jon Penberthy* (Tewantin Noosa GC, QLD - Treasurer), Martyn Black (Castle Hill CC, NSW), Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour GC, WA) *Pat Pauli (Horton Park GC, QLD co-opted to AGCSA Board in February 2007 following the resignation of Jon Penberthy in February 2007. Allan Devlin becomes Treasurer. Conference: Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane, QLD (17-21 July 2006) |
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2005-2006 |
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2004-2005 |
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President: Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD) Board Members: Jon Penberthy (Tewantin Noosa GC, QLD - Treasurer), Martyn Black (Castle Hill CC, NSW), Allan Devlin (Secret Harbour GC, WA) Conference: Moama Bowling Club, Moama, NSW (6-10 June 2005) |
President: Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD) Board Members: Martyn Black (Castle Hill CC, NSW), Martin Greenwood* (Kingston Heath GC, VIC) and Jon Penberthy (Tewantin Noosa GC). *Allan Devlin co-opted to the AGCSA Board following the resignation of Martin Greenwood early 2005. Conference: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, VIC (21-25 June 2004) |
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2003-2004 |
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2002-2003 |
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President: Mark Couchman (Tewantin Noosa GC, QLD) Board Members: Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD), Martyn Black (Castle Hill CC, NSW) and Martin Greenwood (Kingston Heath GC, VIC - Treasurer) Conference: Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, SA (23-27 June 2003) |
President: Mark Couchman (Tewantin Noosa GC, QLD) Board Members: Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD), Robert MacDonald (Joondalup Resort, WA) and David Warwick (Avondale Golf Club, NSW - Treasurer) Conference: Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane, QLD (17-21 June 2002) |
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2001-2002 |
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2000-2001 |
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President: Mark Couchman (Tewantin Noosa GC, QLD) Board Members: Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD), Robert MacDonald (Joondalup Resort, WA) and David Warwick (Avondale Golf Club, NSW - Treasurer) 2001 Conference: Sydney Convention Centre, Sydney, NSW (18-22 June 2001) |
President: Peter Frewin (Barwon Heads Golf Club, VIC) Board Members: Mark Couchman (Tewantin Noosa GC, QLD), Peter Schumacher (Elanora GC, NSW) and Jeff Gambin (Gold Coast Burleigh GC, QLD) Conference: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, VIC (5-9 June 2000) |
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