December 2007

VGCSA
Newslet ter of the Victorian Golf Course Superintendents AssociationSUMMER 2007/2008
CO N TE N TS
President’s Report – Michael Freeman
Upcoming Educational meeting - NMIT
Superintendent Profile – Jeremy Cutajar
The Drought - Matt McLeod
Educational Report – Barry Fraser
Educational Report – Phil Ford
Everything’s Toxic – Terry Ford
AGCSA report
Construction at Victoria Golf Club
Construction at Sunshine Golf Club
News and Reminders
Regional Reports
VGCSA Committee contacts
2
3
4–5
6
7
8
9
10 – 12
13
14 – 16
17
18 – 19
21 – 31
32
Do you have any questions
or comments for the VGCSA?
Email your correspondence to
[email protected]
or post your letter to:
PO Box 47,
East Bentleigh Vic 3165
V G CSA P r e s i d e n t ’ s R e p o r t
Welcome to the
Summer newsletter
If you thought 2006 summer was tough, look out
for this summer! We are already down 200mm of
rain to date from last year and are on stage 3a water
restrictions. lf you can help a fellow colleague with
a phone call to support your association members
in these extremely tough times, this can create a
wealth of knowledge and friendships.
It was great to see the Turf Research
Day at Kingston Heath with a full field
of superintendents, trade members and
guest the course was in fantastic shape
congratulation to Martin Greenwood
and his staff. The overall winner of the
day was Michael Vozzo from Eastwood
Golf Club with 38 points. Michael
collects a $2,000 cheque to utilise on
any turf registered conference. Without
the support of our sponsor Bayer
Environmental Science we couldn’t
offer such a great prize so the next time
you are purchasing chemical remember
who is supporting your industry.
We have now allocated golf clubs to host
our 2008 meetings with an extra meeting
in August with the focus on education.
l would like to thank host clubs for their
support. If you and your club would like
to host a 2009 meeting contact any
committee member of the VGCSA.
2008 Meetings
Here are the upcoming dates
for 2008 meetings.
Tuesday 26th February
NMIT
Education Meeting
Monday 7th April
Port Fairy Golf Club
Country Meeting
Monday 26th May
Royal Melbourne
Annual General Meeting
Monday 25th August
Eynesbury Golf Club
Education Meeting
Friday 17th October
Woodlands Golf Club
Turf Research Day
Monday 1st December
Rosanna Golf Club
Christmas Meeting
Michael Freeman, President VGCSA
Sponsorship 2008
To all our trade members, letters have
been distributed in regards to VGCSA
sponsorship for 2008. Thank you for
your support of our association. With the
money we receive, the VGCSA are in the
process of a introducing a ‘safety in the
work place’ program for the turf industry.
A sad day for the industry
It was extremely disappointing to hear
that John Geary and his staff at St
Andrews Beach have recently been
replaced. John and his team gave their
heart and soul to establishing the golf
course in very difficult circumstances
and delivered an outstanding product
within a limited budget. I’m sure that
John will get back into the turf industry
as he has a wealth of knowledge to
offer. I would like to wish John and his
staff all the best for the future.
Michael Freeman
3
U p c o m i ng M e e t i ng
Join us for
our next
meeting:
Tuesday 26th
February 2008
Educational meeting:
Turf Training at
Northern Melbourne
Institute of TAFE
Prior to 1979 Turf Management training was either
done as an apprenticeship program at Oakleigh,
or through Burnley’s ‘Certificate of Recreational
Turf Management’. In 1979 a turf apprenticeship
program started up at the Parkville campus of
what was then Collingwood College of TAFE. The
facilities consisted of an old house and a paddock
full of rocks, and early horticulture students might
reminisce fondly about the emu parades to pick
up rocks off the ‘oval’.
You might also remember teachers like Ken Elliott, Phil
Clancy, David Draper, Phil Kenyon and Mal Bartlett. Dave
Draper is now our Associate Director (Faculty of Earth
Science). Other teachers to join in those early days were
myself, Brian Parr, Gary Thomas and Peter Fitzgerald. Most
of us are still here! Later additions included Charlie Cameron,
Kevin Bromley, John Shannon, Lance Holly and Greg Ollis.
Parkville was under the generalship of a far-sighted director,
Ian Lee, who saw the future for horticultural and turf education
as providing ‘life long learning’. Ian pushed for the Turf Dept.
to accredit and run the Advanced Certificate (starting in 1987)
and then the Diploma (1990). In those days it was very difficult
to get a new course accredited and up and running. I think
Ian’s contribution can be summed up by seeing the car park
at Parkville filled all day, and all night as well, as the apprentice
classes knocked off and the Advanced Certificate and Diploma
students came in for night classes to further their education.
As student numbers increased over the years, naturally the
number of teachers increased to the present crew of seven.
Teaching is a rewarding and stimulating career, and you
are always learning new things. It’s particularly satisfying
to see past students go on to great success, either as
Superintendents or in the commercial or contracting side of
the industry. The golf industry has boomed in the last 20 years,
and it seems our apprentice numbers increase a little each
year, with at least 95% of our students from golf. In contrast,
career opportunities in the bowling industry have declined,
and we only have about 5 students from that sector.
4
U p c o m i ng M e e t i ng
In 2003 the State Government decided
that Parkville would be a good location
for the Commonwealth Games athletes
village, so we moved to Fairfield. For
those who haven’t visited the campus,
it is the old Fairfield Infectious Diseases
hospital. Many of the buildings (including
the turf section) are turn of the century,
with great charm and character. Naturally,
modifications were needed to provide
air conditioning, internet connections
etc., and now we have a wonderful
working environment for both teachers
and students.
A problem is the lack of space – at
Parkville we had a full oval with turf
wicket, two golf greens and a 7 rink
bowling green, but at Fairfield we have
very little room for those practical
activities. We make up for this by doing
most of our practical work off-site at
bowling clubs, golf courses & sportsfields
– and we appreciate the assistance of
the Turf Managers at those venues.
Turf Management training has changed
a lot over the years. While still instructing
and assessing the basic practical
tasks of machinery operation, irrigation
installation, renovation and so on, the
education now includes a lot more tasks
involving laboratories and computers.
That’s where the new Fairfield campus
is great, with excellent laboratory and
computer facilities. We also have terrific
canteen and library facilities, and a car
park where you can usually find a park.
So different to the old Parkville campus!
On behalf of NMIT, welcome to the
Victorian Golf Course Superintendents
Association for the first meeting of 2008.
We hope that the excellent relationship
between NMIT and VGCSA continues
for many years to come.
Phillip Ford
Lecturer, Turf Management
5
C o mm i t t e e P r o f i l e
Jeremy Cutajar
Ringwood & Dorset Golf Clubs
Favourite football team:
Collingwood.
What you like about the job?
Satisfaction you get when the course
is looking good.
What you hate about the job?
Golfers
Work history:
Started working at Ringwood 15 years
ago as an apprentice under Mark
Schmutter and Adam Robertson as
2IC. When Adam left to take up the
2IC role at Kew I became 2IC then
a couple of years later moved into
the Supers role. The last 4 years
have worked at both Ringwood and
Dorset as Super.
Type of turf on greens, tees & fairways?
Bent/Poa greens, Just Iine planted
all fairways at Ringwood with Santa
Anna, half of Dorset fairways are
Princess couch the other half are cool
season mix which will be couched
next summer. Tees mainly Fine fescue
/ Rye mix slowing convert all Tees
to Santa Anna.
Most valuable piece of professional
advice:
There is a smart way and a dumb way
to do everything, think about what you
are doing so you do it the smart way.
Favourite piece of equipment:
Dakota topdresser
6
Describe a professional moment
when you said “I will never do
that again”:
Seeding a new green next to wetland
without covering it to keep the ducks
off, We had to reseed when they pulled
out all the seedlings.
Best moment in the job:
Trip to the supers conference in the US.
Worst moment in the job:
Repairing burst irrigation mains on
Christmas morning as my mates played
golf and drunk beers in an annual
tradition between mates.
Funniest moment on the course:
Seeing some pissed bloke get his boss’s
van bogged on the 9th fairway whilst
showing off to his mates and my boss
not towing him out. We left the car there
all weekend to get peppered by golf balls
then called his boss to tell him what had
happened.
Favourite movie:
Shawshank Redemption
Favourite food:
BBQ
Greatest sporting
moment you’ve seen:
1990 Grandfinal
Favourite golfer:
Tiger Woods
Favourite band:
Dire Straights
Favourite restaurant:
Jims Greek Tavern on Johnston Street
Collingwood of course
Family:
Married with 2 dogs, Rowdy the Staffie
and Roxy the Jack Russell
Number of staff:
10 for 2 courses
Course specifications:
Dorset 5099m, Ringwood 5430m
What is the meaning of life:
Work to live don’t live to work.
What are your plans for the course:
Establish couch fairways
at both courses, new
irrigation at Dorset,
Fairway Drainage at
both courses.
How long in job and
as Superintendent?
15 years in the job,
9 years as super.
Favourite hobby
or interests?
Fishing.
F r otm
h et h
De
ro
Su
ug
ph
er
t
As I’m writing this
report, ironically, rain
has started to fall.
Like every other area
the Murray region has
been hit very hard
by the drought and
water restrictions.
Rainfall has dropped from 520mm in
2005 to 220mm in 2006 and 2007 is
looking on par with 2006. The main
source for water all clubs up here on
the NSW side of the Murray is from the
river itself. Some clubs have had ground
water pumps but given the quality,
mainly used their river supply. To access
water from the river a licence is required
either High Security (expensive) or
General Security. Given the cost of High
Security, most clubs only had a small
amount of their licence on High. eg.
about 5% which may be enough for
greens. An 18-hole course might have
a General Licence of 300mgL and a
High Licence of 20mgL. Each year State
Water would issue you a percentage
allocation of your licence, which would
be available. These announcements
would start in July and be updated
(increased) each month for the season.
High Security would always be 100%
from the start, but General Security
would start of at approx 10% and would
increase each month. Until last year
we never had water taken from us
after it had been allocated and would
have enough water for each year. This
changed enormously last year following
record low rainfall, which also meant
the lowest recorded inflow into lake
Dartmouth and Hume.
In July, High Security water was started
at 97% then in early October 32% of
this was taken back and late October
another 18% (50% total) of High and
carry over water was taken back. To
make matters worse if you had brought
water on the water market to make up
for low allocatations, you lost the same
percentage on this as well with no refund.
General Security water started at 0%
and stayed this way for the year.
Most clubs were able to get through
the year by using their carry over water
from the previous year, pumping their
ornamental lakes back to the irrigation
dam & buying water on the water market.
A big adjustment to our use of water and
maintenance practices was needed to
maintain our courses (something most
had never had to worry about).
Clubs that had ground water started
using more and other clubs started
investigating this source. Groundwater
varies a lot up here, it can be as shallow
as 10m or as deep as 80m, the quality
also varies with some areas having low
salt to other areas high and unusable
water. The season finished with some
late but very welcomed rain in Autumn
(better late then never).
During the winter months, all clubs
investigated other sources whether it be
groundwater, storm water or recycled.
A couple of clubs have been lucky and
received recycled water, however the
distance from the towns treatment works,
quality, and the small size of the towns
has meant this is not always an option.
Following on from last year, 2007 has
seen another low rainfall into a record
low catchment system, which has meant
no water has been allocated for this
year on either High or General Security.
Drastic measures are being taken by
the Authorities to make sure water that
is allocated can be delivered. This has
meant the river is lower than it would be
in a normal year. Some clubs haven’t
been able to pump either because their
pumps can’t reach the water or the river
isn’t filling the back waters that they may
have been pumping from. As there isn’t
much water available this year a lot of
people are looking to buy and the price
has gone through the roof.
Prices at the moment start at $1200/mgL
and are as high as $3000mgL. There
is one saving grace that being 45% of
the 50% taken last year has been given
back. It will be a costly exercise for every
club to keep greens and tees alive let
alone fairways.
I can only say I hope it keeps raining and
hope for a cool summer. The Murray
has always been a popular spot for
weekends, holidays and retirement and
while the courses won’t be as green as
previous years I’m sure all the courses
will still provide a great golfing experience.
Add to this our great weather, hospitality
and lifestyle what a great place to visit
and holiday.
Matt McLeod
Course Superintendent
Tocumwal Golf Club
7
Chisholm Report
Having overcome the initial challenge of producing a contribution for the
education report, and being allowed the liberty of introducing our college to
those of you beyond the Mornington Peninsula, I did make mention that as
an educator I would probably never have a shortage of topics to write about.
This article is to be the first in a series, concentrating on an area of education
and training that as an industry, many of us are strongly committed to and
deeply passionate about:
Apprenticeship Training
and Development
As a starting point, I think we are really
blessed in Victoria, in that I believe we
have the foundations and structure of
one of the best training systems available
implemented in the turf industry. The
industry should be enormously proud
of how it works in partnership with
the TAFE sector in aiming to achieve
world’s best practice in the training of
its apprentices and trainees.
I commenced teaching with what is
now Chisholm Institute in 1998, having
come from a background as a small
business operator of over twenty years
experience in the landscape and nursery
sectors. As the opportunity arose
to teach within the TAFE sector, the
prospect of being able to make a
contribution to the training of the next
generation seemed a logical progression.
The position happened to coincide
with the introduction of the (sic) much
loved concept of competency based
training packages. I sometimes wonder
that since time, if we have not spent
the better part of the last ten years
(although very importantly), continuing
to discuss and resolve what should be
contained in those training packages.
But I pose this question in developing
the article, when do we ever spend as
much time discussing the importance
and changing nature of who exactly
we are delivering this material to? Or is
this not important at all in the training
of an apprentice?
Early in the year 2004, I began to notice
something quite different about that
8
particular year’s intake of apprentices
and trainees. There did not seem to be
the same level of engagement with the
learning material as in previous years.
Frequently, I would ask other staff
members, “Are we doing something
wrong? Are we failing as teachers?”
Not a good thought! However during
the course of the year, after much soul
searching and evening discussions
with my wife (a gifted life-long primary
and secondary educator), I came to
a realisation. This intake may well be
the first group to occur in significant
numbers, exiting from the primary and
secondary school system, having
moved through their education with
the explosion in the use of information
and communication technology (ICT).
They seemed sometimes to be more
engaged with their mobile phones than
they were with class. They showed a
need to learn differently, and would
become bored quickly. The approach
of filling up an empty silo, or hoping for
them to act like a sponge, soaking up
knowledge, was not the way that they
engaged in learning. We are now dealing
with a generation of young adults, or
‘Digital Natives’ as they are known, born
into the ICT age. Their use of technology
in communicating and learning is almost
intuitive. Look at the speed that these
guys text message each other. For those
of you with kids’ think of the last time
who solved the technology problems
at home.
There is another major consideration
to the question that I posed earlier,
and that is over 90% of school exiting
apprentices and trainees that we enrol
in turf management are young adult
males (and that gender imbalance in
itself is a topic for another day). As a
group of educators, we have become
critically aware in recognising that there
are specific learning needs for young
males in order to achieve success. We
have probably ignored this for some
time in seeking better gender balance
in the classroom. Under the influence
of Australia’s foremost expert in boy’s
education, Professor Ian Lillico, we
have discovered an enormous amount
about how young adult males learn.
For example, boys:
• Are less attentive – an attention span
of their age plus three minutes
• Are more attention seeking and
more inclined to be impulsive
• Are less compliant and more
argumentative to authority
• Are more technically competent
in nature
• Are under more personal pressure
• Are more globally connected
• Learn teachers not subjects
In recognising the importance of the
need to undertake considerable
professional development in retraining
staff to meet some of these challenges,
we have been extremely fortunate to
receive a significant funding grant from
the Victorian Government’s Office of
Training and Tertiary Education (OTTE),
for a project called ‘E-Success for Boys’.
The aim of this grant is to produce
a highly skilled and motivated core
teaching force, capable of meeting the
learning needs of the current generation
of ‘Digital Natives’.
In the next article, we shall look at
some of the outcomes to date of this
professional development, and how
we propose to implement these into
the teaching and learning environment
for the year 2008. I would like to believe
that we are on the cusp of a truly exciting
period ahead in education and training
in the TAFE sector.
Barry Fraser
Chisholm Institute
N M IT R e p o r t
Another school year comes to a close
I just have a brief report, mainly
to wish all Superintendents a
happy and successful summer
and Christmas. We’re so used to
drought and heat that it’s almost
irrelevant to say that it will be a
tough summer. What’s new?
Our year at NMIT has been good,
although it’s always sad to see the third
year apprentices leave (well, most of
them) and we wish them all the best
in the future. We also farewell another
Diploma group at this time of year, all
the best to those guys, too. A small
group (only 5 or 6 will graduate), but
excellent young guys with a big future
in front of them. It takes big commitment
and determination to get through the
Diploma program, and we hope their
qualification stands them in good stead.
Next year will see some changes at
NMIT. Gary Thomas will have the first
half of the year off on leave, and there
may be one or two other teachers
looking to move on to new ventures.
Can’t say too much. But anyone who
has thought over the years that TAFE
teaching might not be too bad, give
me a call. The starting wage is pretty
pathetic, but it does increase each year
to around the $60,000 mark. And you
have the school holidays, which is an
enormous benefit for guys with young
kids at school. For me the motivation
to stay teaching all these years is the
opportunity to learn more about turf,
it really is a stimulating environment.
Possibly we’ll be looking for teachers
on a sessional basis, or part time
contracts, or full time ongoing positions.
There are several options, depending
on what best suits the new teacher
and the Institute.
Our apprentice numbers next year look
very healthy, they seem to increase a
little each year. Diploma numbers have
been pretty static for the last 3-4 years,
Phil Ford, NMIT
and I’d hate to see the time when we
couldn’t offer the course due to lack of
numbers. The industry needs healthy
Diploma programs to maintain a good
supply of highly trained turf specialists.
All the best to Superintendents and
their staff from the NMIT turf teachers.
Phillip Ford
NMIT
9
Ev e r y t h i ng ’ s T o x i c
Everything has chemical
properties:
That is, all matter has a molecular
structure: medicines, the food we eat,
furniture, water, cars, trees and even
humans. It is a fact that exposure to
pesticides at high doses is injurious
to human health, but are we exposed
at high doses in our normal pesticide
application activities? As the following
examples show we come in contact
with toxic chemicals every day and
for many of us without knowing it.
Pesticides in food:
We all ingest doses of pesticides over
our lifetime, both natural and synthetic;
however it is the body’s ability to
process these chemicals that makes
poisonings so rare. A teenage girl
working in her father’s sandwich shop
in England was recently hospitalised
10
as a result of drinking too many double
espressos. There is a lethal dose of
caffeine in approximately 100 cups
of strong coffee. Solanine is a toxic
chemical found in potatoes but you
would need to eat between 45-180
kilograms of potato to receive a toxic
dose and yet it is thought that up to
300 people have died from solanine
poisoning in recorded history. There is
enough ethanol in 750 mls of vodka,
scotch, bourbon and gin to be lethal.
If we were to eliminate the foods that
contain toxic pesticides from our diets
we would suffer or die from malnutrition.
Of course we are never going to drink
100 strong cups of coffee nor would
we eat that amount of potato in one
sitting. Abraham Lincoln’s mother died
from drinking the milk of a cow that
had grazed on the snakeroot plant
(a member of the sunflower family).
Salt is essential for life and we give it no
special storage treatment. Sometimes
we have it sitting on the dinner table
unaware that two tablespoons is lethal
to a one year old. Some organic
vegetables have actually been removed
from sale owing to excessive levels of
natural pesticides. This is because
many organic fruit and vegetables have
been selected for their natural pesticidal attributes.
The following abstract is taken from
the American toxicologist Bruce Ames’
study in which he set out to prove the
cancer causing potential of man-made
chemicals. After testing natural pesticides
on rats Ames changed his mind and
concluded that one cup of coffee contains
more natural carcinogens than a year’s
worth of pesticide residues eaten on
fruit and vegetables. Ames found that
Ev e r y t h i ng ’ s T o x i c
there were cancer causing pesticides
in most of the fruit and vegetables
sold in American supermarkets all of them natural.
Health Studies:
Is there any scientific evidence that
points to long term health effects of
prolonged (chronic) chemical use?
Yes, however independent scientific
data that suggests we should be overly
concerned is hard to find. A 13 year
study of farmers, their families and
contract chemical applicators in the
North American states of Iowa and North
Carolina revealed that rates of cancer
in this group was actually lower than the
general population and there was no
evidence of increased brain damaging
conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
One of the few areas of concern was an
increased chance of prostrate cancer
as a result of the use of methyl bromide
currently in the process of phase out.
There was an increased incidence of
skin cancer in the study group however,
but this is to be expected given the
working environment was outdoors. This
study involved over 90,000 participants
and is ongoing.
Why do man-made chemicals have such
a bad name? DDT would play a major
role in people’s negative perception of
synthetic chemicals as would Agent
Orange. DDT is an excellent insecticide
but because it is stored in the fat of
organisms and was linked to a decline
in birdlife are the attributes for which it
is remembered. Most countries have
banned DDT and other chemicals that
do not biodegrade and yet in some
parts of the world the most effective
chemical in the fight against malaria is
DDT. Of course we have all heard of
some environmental disaster as the
result of poor management or practices;
however the benefit humanity gets from
chemicals far out weighs any negatives.
If it’s organic it must be good:
The public through the media are
scared of man-made chemicals and
yet in most cases this fear is baseless.
Vitamin D, Botox, Nicotine, Asbestos
and the plant Curane are all good
examples of natural yet deadly toxins,
[Table 1]. It doesn’t matter if it is
man-made or natural it’s all atoms
just different combinations and
arrangements. Fortunately man has
learned how to use these elements
for our good and as a result humans
are living longer than ever.
Everyday chemical use:
Sodium fluoride (toothpaste) is acutely
highly toxic, however essential for good
health in small doses. So what happens
to humans who drink water naturally
high in fluoride? Apart from some mottling
of the teeth and fewer cavities, these
people show no ill effects attributable
to this chemical. Bone densities are also
higher. I heard a caller on talk back radio
recently protesting against the proposed
fluoridisation of his town’s water supply
and was adamant that he did not want
to drink water laced with chemicals,
One can only presume that like most of
us this man brushes his teeth at least
daily. The Melbourne Water website
reveals that our drinking water contains
25 chemical elements and like all
elements, if taken to excess would
be very harmful to the user’s health.
The same could be said for vitamin D,
essential for life and yet one of the most
toxic chemicals known to man (orally).
Stop consuming vitamin D and you will
develop rickets and in some cases you
will die. These are just a few examples
of toxic chemicals used chronically with
few side effects.
Fortunately as a result of better testing
and greater understanding, chemicals
that are deemed to be inherently unsafe
to the user or environment have been
removed from the market. DDT and lead
arsenate, for example are no longer
available owing to various reason such
as lack of bio-degradation or toxicity.
Pesticides are regularly reviewed and
any that don’t meet the regulations are
removed from the market. Chemicals
are essential for good living, they are
our medicines, our cleaning products,
chemicals are everything. How many
have stopped to consider the LD50 of
a can of fly spray, a tube of tooth paste,
floor cleaner or head lice treatment.
Anyone that has used Malathion as
a turf insecticide would know of its
unpleasant smell and yet the same
chemical is a popular choice when we
need to control a head lice outbreak.
Mercury is very toxic acutely and
chronically however a child eating the
contents of a broken thermometer is
little to worry about, until the vacuum
cleaner is introduced to the scene,
which atomises the mercury allowing
it to enter the lungs.
Continued next page
11
Ev e r y t h i ng ’ s T o x i c
Table 1. Product - Toxicity
Chemical Name
Oral
Application
LD50 rats
Botulinus toxin 0.00001
Curare
0.5
Ethylene Glycol
1.3
Vitamin D
10
Nemacur
10
Parathion
13
Nicotine
50
Sodium Fluoride
52
DDT
100
Caffeine
225
Chlorpyrifos
300
Bifenthrin
532
2,4-D (formulation) 764
Morphine
900
Hydrochloric acid 900
Malathion
1,400
Aerogard
1,950
Imidacloprid
2,000
Mortein
2,000
Sodium Chloride 3,000
Aspirin
3,077
Azoxystrobin
5,000
Simazine
5,000
Glyphosate
active ingredient 5,600
Saprol
16,000
12
Botox
Natural plant toxin
Antifreeze
Vitamin
Nematicide
Insecticide
Insecticide &
cigarettes
Toothpaste
Insecticide
Coffee
Insecticide
Insecticide
Herbicide
Pain reliever
Stomach Acid,
Industrial Cleaner
Insecticide
Insecticide
Insecticide
Insecticide
Salt
Pain reliever
Fungicide
Herbicide
Herbicide
Fungicide
Conclusion:
Synthetic chemicals are designed to
be lethal to their target pests, most are
site specific and of lower toxicity than
in days gone by. As shown in the table
on the left, we ingest chemicals with
varying levels of toxicity everyday.
When assessing the safety of a chemical
it is important to read and understand
the label and the MSDS and from
there the risks can be assessed and
appropriate action taken. The public
see chemical applicators suited up
and wearing protective equipment and
think what about me? The perception is
that these chemicals are so dangerous
that the operator needs to take caution
and yet the public is exposed. Perhaps
more thought needs to be given and the
controls need to match the risks. Cases
of accidental chemical poisonings are
rare thanks to better packaging; most
accidental poisoning cases are children.
Undoubtable there has in the past
been cases of environmental damage
and accidental poisonings as a result
of chemical misuse and we all have
a responsibility to provide a safe
environment for our members and
employees. Thanks to rigorous
government regulations we can be
confident that our chemicals if used
correctly pose little risk. If we ensure
that we keep our exposure and dose
of chemicals low we have little to
worry about.
Terry Ford
Kingswood Golf Club
References
1. The Dose Makes The Poison, M. Alice Ottoboni,
second edition
2. Organic Food Exposed, Elizabeth Finkel. Cosmos
Magazine issue 16
3. Article by Kathy Evans, “You say tomato, I say toxic”.
4. Pesticides: are golfers safe? November 2001 Green
Section Record
5. Dietary pesticides (99.99% all natural),
Bruce N. Ames, Margie Profet & Lois Swirsky Gold,
University of California July 1990
6. Chemophobia, Peter McGregor’s Australia
#3 Australian Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
Association Limited
7. Toxic Terror “Toxic terrorists” the dangers of junk
science American Council for science and health.
8. The case for chemicals, Lynn Humphries
9. Various MSDS
10. Pesticide Exposure and Human Health, Donna L.
Houghton, Syngenta Crop Protection, Canada.
11. The pesticide manual Twelfth edition.
12. Peter Howat, Personal Communication.
A G CSA REPORT
Exciting times at the
The AGCSA is going through a
vibrant time at the moment. Office
relocation plans are well and truly
in motion, the Water Management
Initiative has been launched, new
relationships with turf technicians
have been developed, and we
have just finished the successful
AGCSA Spring Series workshops
AGCSA
The initiative also aims to conduct
training seminars to upskill or refresh
irrigation knowledge in turf managers.
on human resource management.
On top of that, the AGCSA Board
will be welcoming a trade member
to have input into future Board
meetings, while preparations are
moving along nicely for the 2008
conference in Melbourne.
As mentioned, the AGCSA is now in
the process of establishing a Water
Management Initiative which will be
made up of an online and interactive
water management portal and expert
support network. The central purpose of
the portal is an online water management
plan template for turf managers that not
only assesses current practices but
offers up water saving options in the
form of products and services for turf
managers.
As part of the new water management
initiative, the AGCSA will also seek
support through the various rounds of
water grants schemes available from
both Federal and State Governments
and as a test case will put in an
application for round five of the Victorian
Government’s Smart Water Fund.
We are looking to utilise the services of
The Water Conservation Group in our
initial application, a company which has
successfully applied for grants totalling
over $1 million for the Aged Care
Association of NSW to implement water
saving strategies in aged care facilities.
If successful in our application, we will
focus on Victorian golf clubs as a pilot
programme and will be able to provide
hundreds of thousands of dollars to
The portal will also offer advice on:
Contacts to water consultants;
Reports of successful water management plans and the
resultant changes made;
New technology updates;
Updated information on current water restriction levels across
each state;
Results on research into drought-tolerant turf species;
How to prepare for change to alternative water sources such
as stormwater harvesting, treated effluent, sewer mining, etc;
Victorian clubs to pay for infrastructural
improvements identified through the
AGCSA’s online water management
plan template.
As far as our office relocation plans go,
the AGCSA would like to thank those
superintendents that have provided
assistance. While we are still to finalise
the location, it looks as though the
AGCSA will relocate to a course near
to its current office location. We will be
building a portable office so if you have
any contacts or recommendations for
builders please give us a call.
The AGCSA is gearing up for the
24th Australian Turfgrass Conference
and Trade Exhibition to be held at the
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition
Centre, so block the week of 21-25
July, 2008 out in your diaries as it is
set to be a great week of education,
networking and product launches.
Finally, a good contingent of AGCSA
staff will be at the VGCSA Christmas
party at Huntingdale Golf Club so we
will be able to wish you all a Merry
Christmas and happy New Year on the
night. For those that aren’t able to attend
I would like to extend the association’s
best wishes and look forward to catching
up with you in 2008.
Scott Petersen
Joint General Manager, AGCSA
Action planning and cost recovery budgeting for the installation/
purchase of water saving infrastructure.
13
CO N STRUCTIO N At V ICTORIA
Dam Construction
at Vic†oria Golf Club
The dry summer of 2006/07, proved to be one of the most challenging periods
in the history of Victoria Golf Club, due mainly to the inadequacy of the current
water storage tanks and the reduced yield from the four remaining operating
bores. The Club had been proactive by introducing a Drought Response Plan
to be adhered to by all players in November 2006, which ultimately reduced a
significant amount of damage to many of the playing surfaces.
With the threat of level 4 water
restrictions estimated to be introduced
by the 1st August 2007, investigations
into increasing water storages at VGC
were undertaken and the natural low
lying area to the right of the 17th fairway
was chosen as the preferred site for a
number of reasons. Those being:
• It was a large relatively disused area.
• There was little or no significant
vegetation to remove.
• There was access to stormwater
from the Clubhouse and surrounds.
• Power and pipe-work to the tanks
and pump-shed were already in place.
• It would only impact on half a hole.
• There was a perceived flaw in the
existing fairway contouring to be
rectified.
14
The major overriding factor however
in choosing this site was that the dam
would eventually and easily be screened
from view with vegetation.
Following initial discussions with a
construction company into cost estimates
in relation to various sizes, scope of works,
levels, soil quantities etc. representatives
travelled to Rossdale Golf Club to view a
recently constructed dam. They would
be similar due to the porous nature of
the soil, and the need to line the dam
with a polyurethane liner.
So, with all the relevant information
gathered and discussed, plans were
drawn to propose a 40 megalitre dam,
approved by the Board of Directors
and displayed to the members. To
accommodate the dam, the plans
showed that the 17th fairway and
bunkering was required to be moved left
of its current position by approximately
12 metres. During this time the Club
entered into discussions with its
neighbours along the southern boundary
closest to the dam. This would ultimately
save valuable time when dealing with
Council. This proved to be correct as
there was no need to advertise the
proposal as the neighbours had already
agreed to the works proceeding.
An engineering consultant was appointed
a short time later to approve the
preferred contractor and works began
on the 16th July with the removal of
vegetation, lifting and stacking fairway
turf and drainage installation from the
practice fairway. Excavation of the dam
commenced 31st July and during this
phase machinery on site included:
• 20 tonne excavator
• 12 tonne excavator
• D6 dozer
• 2 tractor mounted scrapers
12 cubic metres each
• Vibrating sheeps foot roller
• 2 tractor mounted water tankers.
CO N STRUCTIO N At V ICTORIA
Slight modifications to the size of the
dam were made during construction
to retain the integrity of the hole, so to
counter the loss of capacity, extra depth
was required.
Groundwater was encountered at
around 4.5m and drainage was installed
at this point, just prior to hitting clay.
The excavated clay was used as base
material to re-contour an area between
the practice fairway and the 17th to
prevent balls flying through into play.
The construction of the dam was
completed in 4 weeks and following
the levelling and smoothing of the dam
walls, the installation of the 1.5mm
thick liner commenced. The plastic
sheets were rolled out and heat welded
together in two lines about 2 inches
apart. This formed a tube between the
two welds which is pressure tested at
various times to ascertain whether the
welds have taken and there are no leaks.
Installation of the 1.5mm thick liner.
Continued next page
15
CO N STRUCTIO N At V ICTORIA
This process took 12 days to complete,
during which time the pumps were
installed into the drainage pit and the
submersible transfer pump installed
in the dam. Final contouring had
commenced on the fairway as had
contouring of the mounding left of the
fairway and re-installation of the 100mm
mainline which had to be re-directed
as a result of the construction. The
bunkering between the 17th and 18th
was then re-instated and replacing the
pallet turf had begun on the practice
fairway. The turf at this stage had been
stacked for 10 weeks and looking pretty
grim, but the recovery of Santa ana
once on the ground has been better
than expected.
The re-turfing of the fairway with Santa
ana took around 1 week to complete as
the supply had to come from Sydney
through Lilydale Turf and Mega rolls were
used for the first time at VGC, much to
the delight of the ground-staff and the
quality of the turf was very good.
Following the turfing, the roughs were
seeded with a mixture of sheeps
and hard fescue and bent grass, but
unfortunately most blew away in the
northerly winds and have since been
redone. Re-vegetation of the tree
population using indigenous stock has
been completed and has totalled 250
trees, predominantly Coastal Tea tree
for use as screening from the fairway.
16
A few interesting facts
following construction:
• Capacity: 36.4 megalitres
• Depth: 5.4 metres
• Soil: Approx. 23,000 cubic
metres excavated, 0 metres
removed from site
• Vegetation: 51 non-indigenous
and 2 indigenous trees removed.
50 indigenous gum trees planted.
Approx. 100 coastal tea trees
removed and 200 coastal tea
trees planted.
• Turf: 5,800 metres purchased approx. 3,500 metres re-used
• Bunkers: New - 270 metre carry
Old - 255 metre carry
• Duration: 1st tree cut 19th July.
Last turf sod laid 4th October –
a total of 77 days.
In addition to the completion of the
storage facility and as part of the overall
project, works have commenced to
re-align the northern end of the practice
fairway. When completed, this will enable
the set-up of players to be more parallel
with the 17th and 18th fairways allowing
the majority of balls to remain within the
confines of the practice fairway.
Following this, the 17th Men’s tee will
be relocated slightly to the right of the
existing tee which will provide a much
better alignment to the new fairway.
This will also provide more space at the
rear of the 16th green for re-contouring
and ultimately greater safety.
The final results show that the required
40 megalitres was not achieved,
however the Club firmly believes that
the integrity of the hole has been retained,
and the 3.6 megalitres shortfall is a
small price to pay for a quality result.
Ian Todd
Superintendent, Victoria Golf Club
C o n s t r u c t i o n at SU N SHI N E
Sunshine Golf Club shines
Back of 18th
city sk yline
18th looking towards clu
bhouse
Densal was given the Mt Derrimut site in April 2005 under the eye of
Pacific Coast Design (Phil Ryan). Early 2006 we had a sprinkler system in
place, not long after greens, tees and some fairways were taking shape.
As spring hit, sprigging of tees and fairways started, then in November all
the greens were seeded with G2. Then all is well but water restrictions
came in and we had to put back 6 fairways until we were given a water
exemption in February 2007.
Work began on the clubhouse and all the other club facilities in May 2007
which were completed early October 2007, with landscaping around the
clubhouse and car park the only things that had to be completed.
The Club was given the site on October 15th and this is when it all starts
for the new Sunshine Golf Cub. The view from the club house is one of
the best in Melbourne with the city sky line being the mean feature.
10th tee
In the past month a lot of hours have been done by all staff, from the
manager, course staff, kitchen, Bar, Pro Shop and also the committee
which have worked endlessly to achieve a quality golf course and the
best club house faculties.
Before work started
The Golf Course is in as good condition as it can be for such a young
course, which will only get better with this Spring & Summer still to come.
We have a great water catchment area with a lot off storm water run off
and with our own water treatment plant being connected in December
with it producing 3mg/l a week, which will be enough to keep the course
in good condition over the summer months, also with a 112mg/l holding
capacity, with good winter rains we hope to be full by Spring 2008.
We have also had to employee extra staff, double the machinery to cater
for the 168 acre site.
The officia
l opening
Mark Findlay, Course Superintendent
Sunshine Golf Club at Mount Derrimut
17
T u r f R e s e a r c h D ay
The Annual
Turf Research
Day
was held at Kingston Heath Golf Club
on October 11
The morning started out sunny but as the PM tee off time
drew closer, so did the clouds and the rain. Despite this, a
record number of players (108) gathered at the Clubhouse
eager to put their talents to the test at Kingston Heath Golf
Club. Superintendent Martin Greenwood had the surfaces
firm and fast for the Bayer Environmental Science sponsored
day. The course was in immaculate condition, a credit to
Martin and his staff. They should be applauded for the
presentation of the course. A light snack was enjoyed by
all before we headed out for what would be an enjoyable
day. The rain quickly cleared leaving limited excuses as
to why your round of golf was going so bad.
After the final stroke was played, we returned to Kinghton
Heath’s spectacular Clubhouse to enjoy a BBQ dinner and
presentations. It was Eastwood Golf Club superintendent,
Michael Vozzo who managed to master the course, finishing
the day on top with 38 points. For his efforts, Vozzo, the
industry’s very own AFL field umpire, collected a $2,000
cheque to use on any turf registered conference. Money
raised from the day will go towards the production of an
OH&S DVD specifically directed at the maintenance side
of the golf course.
The VGCSA would like to thank all those who supported the day
and especially Craig Wood and Bayer for sponsoring the event.
Protection...
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18
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Merit® and Chipco® are Registered Trademarks of Bayer. Bayer Environmental Science is a
business group of Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd.
N EWS
Please make sure your contact details are up to date, we aim to keep information, newsletters,
etc. arriving for you, so if it seems like some things are not reaching you, this may be the reason.
Forward any new details on to either myself at [email protected] or our administration
address [email protected]
Regards, Colin Foster
Farewell to a great friend
Another ‘Royal’ venue for the Presidents Cup
Royal Melbourne Golf Club has been named host site of the Presidents
Cup in 2011. The Club becomes the first golf course outside of the United
States to host the prestigious match-play competition more than once,
Bill Podesta passed away peacefully
on September 13th 2007 aged 76,
after battling cancer for 2 years.
as the 1998 event was also held there.
Bill had a career in turf management
spanning 45 years. He was
Superintendent at Metropolitan Golf
Club for 26 years and Superintendent
at Sorrento Golf Club for 10 years.
Presidents Cup in 2011,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.
Bill was a member of the VGCSA and
was a guest speaker at the VGCSA
75th Anniversary held at Metropolitan.
“I’d like to congratulate and thank Peter Sutherland and the leadership
and membership of Royal Melbourne Golf Club on the return of The
“As we saw in 1998, Australia has some of the best golf fans and best
courses in the world. The selection of Royal Melbourne as the site of
the next international Presidents Cup is affirmation of what the golf club
has meant to the history of The Cup.”
“Royal Melbourne is both pleased and excited to have been awarded the
2011 Presidents Cup,” said Peter Sutherland, captain, Royal Melbourne
Golf Club. “Having hosted the event in 1998, we believe it will once again
In retirement, Bill enjoyed playing
golf with his wife Marj and was a
member of Rosebud Country Club.
be an outstanding venue for what has now become a much bigger and
Bill was a mentor and friend of many in
the turf industry & will be sadly missed.
and look forward to welcoming the players, their families, guests of the
internationally recognised competition. We are proud that Australia has a
number of golf clubs which would well have staged The Presidents Cup,
Tour and fans in 2011.”
19
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20
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
Amstel Golf Club
Superintendent: Colin Foster
Hole along with installing drainage on
our 15th and 16th fairways.
Clifton Springs Golf Club
Superintendent: Brad Marsden
Ranfurlie Course: Spring has been
good to us here, renovations were
successful, fairways have begun to grow
really well following an early application
of C.A.N.
Barwon Heads Golf Club
Superintendent: Peter Frewin
At Barwon Heads we are now producing
water via our treatment plant and all is
going well to date. We are producing
about 110,000 litres per day with the
quality very good if not a bit low in salt
(average about 30ppm).
Things have really started to dry out so
far this spring at Clifton Springs and
water continues to be our biggest issue
for the growing season. Water wise, our
golf course has survived on 100% mains
water since its inception until December
2006 when Barwon Water introduced
stage 4 water restrictions and this
summer was not looking any better.
We have also just completed the
reconstruction of our Par 3 course via
a design by Golf Strategies (Crafter &
Mogford). The shaping has come up
very well and turf was laid last week.
We have used Conquest on the Tees
and Fairways and Wintergreen on the
greens, all turf was supplied by Anco
and laid in a first class manner with a
crew led by Mark Limon.
As of last week we have received some
good news – with there being promising
rain falls in our catchments during
spring Barwon Water has decided to
give golf clubs in our area a small mains
water allotment for greens irrigation to
help get us through this summer. Our
allotment is around 6 Megalitres is a
tremendous relief for my own and my
staff’s mental state this summer.
We have been ‘cleaning up’ our long
roughs, much to the delight of all our
members. Fusilade Forte has been
sprayed in Summer in the past, targeting
Paspalum and Kikuyu mainly. This
year, a Spring application aiming at
our many and varied “pasture” grasses
has proved hugely popular. Some areas
have exposed plenty of great native
grasses and previously seeded Fescues,
other areas will take time and probable
overseeding in the future.
At the time of writing, we are preparing
for the visit from the PGA Tour School,
as well as qualifying for the Australian
Masters. This is a great opportunity
to present the course in tournament
type conditions, which flows on to the
members.
Parks Course: After roughly 17 years
at Amstel, the last 6 as Superintendent,
Greg Bancroft has resigned. He is
packing up and moving to Kalgoorlie,
and will work in the mines over there,
a ‘sea change’ if ever there was one!
The Golf Course continues to tick along
quietly, with the numbers playing showing
the course is perfect for public use.
Barwon Heads Golf Club
Left bucket: Raw Class “C”. Middle Bucket:
Water has passed through CMF. Right
bucket: Water has passed RO unit.
Box Hill Golf Club
Superintendent: Mark Jennings
With the warmer weather commencing
in early September, we have been
busy (with great success) ‘waking’
our Legend up in readiness for our Pro
Am and Club Championships- all in
November. Topdressing of fairways,
applications of insecticides, miticides,
wetting agents, liquid fertilisers and
hand watering have been a constant
but at the business end, continuos
cutting, rolling and grooming is all
that is ‘hopefully’ required.
December and January will be quiet
for competitions but in February we
hold our 36 Hole Ivo Whitton Box Hill
Open. The following day we commence
reconstructing and draining our 14th
Our Community Water Grant submission
was approved. With this we will be
installing an additional two 247,000 litre
Colorbond water storage tanks, a
Lowara variable speed pumping station,
3 phase electricity supply for the pump
station, replace all existing greenside
sprinklers with Toro 835 series sprinklers
and finish replacing old greens solenoid
control valves with new models. The
total cost of the submission is $220,000
with the club having to contribute half
($110,000) and Community Water Grants
contributing the other half. Hopefully
the project will be finished and installed
by the end of April 2008.
Also the club has engaged Engineers
to design and cost out a 20 megalitre
storage dam on the course with a
projected construction date commencing
around November 2008.
Barwon Heads Golf Club
Once all this infrastructure is installed
and functioning life on our course might
start to resemble normal (or what ever
that is?)
Commonwealth Golf Club
Superintendent: Mark Prosser
Barwon Heads Golf Club
With the completion of another bore
early this year plus starting our watering
season slightly later than last year we
have been able to overplant the 16th
21
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
fairway with Legend couch. We are
planning to do the 3rd fairway in
December this year but I doubt that
will go ahead unless we get some
significant rain as this would put to
much strain on our bores to maintain
our normal course watering and a
newly overplanted fairway. If our
targets our met we will only have the
10th fairway to complete next year.
We have continued the thinning out
of our treelines for playability and to
encourage light and air movement
around turf areas, these areas already
have or will be planted out with more
desirable species in autumn next year.
Cranbourne Golf Club
Superintendent: Rod Tatt
During April/May earlier this year bunkers
on holes 2 and 7 were reconstructed
along with the surrounding areas. New
fairway bunkers on holes 10 and 13 were
also constructed to make the tee shots
at both holes more interesting. The
fairway on the 10th will be extended out
to the left on the tee shot to complete
the works.
The greens are recovering well from
renovation 2 weeks ago and should
be back to speed within a few weeks.
The club is in a better position this
year in regards to water. Storages are
practically full and will be enough
to see the summer through. General
course grooming is the main focus
over the next few months.
Over winter, we completed the
refurbishment of 15 bunkers around
the course which means next year
we will have completed every bunker
on the course and then we will start
a maintenance program to do the
bunkers in need of priority.
Good luck over the summer to all
superintendents!
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RE G IO N AL REPORTS
Devilbend Golf Club
Superintendent: Trevor U’Ren
Eastwood Golf Club
Superintendent: Michael Vozzo
I’ve booked a session with the psychiatrist.
It’s going to be a long summer!
Here at the Bend, it is all smiles after
83mm of rain falling on the course at
the start of November. All dams are full
again and we are set up nicely for the
coming summer.
Over the past 10 months at Eastwood,
we have been busy implementing
strategies to improve our water usage
and storage. We firstly have eradicated
the use of town water on the golf course
and bowling greens by installing quick
couplers to all greens and hooking our
bowls water to our course irrigation line.
In turn we’ve improved our stormwater
overflow to our storage dam by
reconstructing a new ‘depression’ that
allows us to feed all stormwater run off
from neighbouring roads into the dam.
Gisborne Golf Club
Superintendent: Craig Evans
Currently we are constructing a new tee
on the 17th hole. The hole has gone
from a par 5 to a short par for to remove
the risk of balls going into the car park.
Plans are in place to plant couch on
the ninth hole at the end of November
which currently has Santa Ana down
one half. Apart from that our two new
greens are settling in well and the
couch is well and truly up and growing.
Devilbend Golf Club
We have also installed a new diesel
pump at our small dam next to the 1st,
that collects all stormwater run off from
the clubhouse and car park, to pump
the excess through our irrigation line
back into the main storage dam. It
sounds complicated but has been a
great success which has seen our dam
reach 80-85% capacity. So, in summary
whenever (if ever) it rains we have the
ability to harvest all stormwater.
We have reconstructed our 9th tee and
constructed a new tiger tee at the 12th.
The 12th tiger tee opening has been put
back some 5 months by council red tape.
We have also begun clearing and initial
works for a new turf nursery where we
envisage growing half as 1119 Bent
and the other half Rye/Fine fescue mix.
We foresee a very busy and stressful
summer ahead, but look forward to the
challenges it brings.
Devilbend Golf Club
Devilbend Golf Club
Flinders Golf Club
Superintendent: Colin Morrison
All construction is on hold at Flinders
until we get more rain to fill our dams.
Watering greens and tees only at the
moment – in survival mode. We were
successful in gaining a Community
Water Grant which will allow us to
construct stormwater harvesting projects
from neighbouring roads. Plenty of
fertiliser in stock just waiting for the rain.
What’s happening on your course?
Send us a report for the next newsletter.
Email: [email protected]
Here at Gisborne, we are busy with
maintenance as the Club Championships
and Tournament get underway. We are
installing irrigation on the new 12th
hole to grow the couch into the fairway
and surround areas so as the topsoil
doesn’t blow away. We will also be
couching some rough areas over the
summer period. We were one of the
recipients of the federal government
water grants which will enable us to
turn the vari time controllers for greens
and tees over to Osmac. The Lowara
Hydrovars were fitted to the pumps
recently which have made a huge
difference to sprinkler performance
and uniformity.
Growling Frog Golf Course
Superintendent: Wayne Dale
Spring has just past and, as always,
has improved the appearance of the
golf course and surrounding areas,
making it pleasing to the eye.
The couch grass fairways have come
out of dormancy in a very good
condition clean of weeds following
herbicide programs applied earlier.
Continuing strong winds have blown
tonnes of sand from bunkers during
October made worse by a low monthly
rainfall total of 4.1mm allowing the sand
to really dry out. This will be a costly job
to replace the sand and will commence
when we get into the irrigation season,
which will keep them damp and hold
the sand in place hopefully.
Numerous irrigation repairs and
adjustments have been completed
over the last two months and we feel
reasonably confident going into summer.
There were some very interesting results
from a Fauna survey carried out through
Autumn and Spring 2007 which has
identified that the Growling Frog Golf
Course contains high levels of faunal
biodiversity, a total of 74 species have
been recorded: 12 Mammals, 6
Reptiles, 3 amphibians and 53 birds.
23
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
This included the nationally threatened
Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis)
and Victorian State listed Australasian
Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis). The fauna
survey has looked at the important
habitat provided on site in the form of
mature River Red Gum trees, fallen
timber left on-site, rock walls and rocks
scattered through the site, revegetated
creek-lines and open water bodies.
Separate recordings of waterbirds in
the front and back dams on the site
uncovered interesting differences in
the species present. The front irrigation
dam was home to many Grebes, Coots,
Hardhead Ducks and Pelicans. While
the rear habitat dam was being used by,
Shelducks, Pied Cormorants, Herons,
and Latham’s Snipe.
Future surveys will aim at continuing
the monitoring of revegetation works
on the site and (in the event of higher
future rainfall) may uncover other frog
species. Experienced field staff working
under a scientific research permit
carried out the survey work.
24
The Heritage Golf & Country Club
Superintendent: Sam Myott
Horsham Golf Club
Superintendent: Tim Warren
During the last couple of months our
time has been spent mowing grass
and weed eradication.
Its been a busy spring for us at Horsham.
With the installation and commissioning
of our new Pump Station we are well
and truly in ‘summer mode’ with the
lack of rain giving it real workout.
October typically provides us with 72mm
of rainfall for the month – unfortunately
2007 only provided 14mm. While our
present water stocks are healthy enough
to cope with such dry conditions, we
are managing our water resources for
the next 6 months in the anticipation
of dry weather.
October signifies the start of the aeration
season with every playing surface to
be aerated in some way or form to
best utilize every water application,
both rainfall and sprinklers. To reduce
impact to golfers this will be completed
by January.
We are currently investigating ways
to best improve our on site water
holding capacity.
Horsham Golf Club pump upgrade
Horsham Golf Club pump upgrade
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
The club has recently received a third
Community Water grant to finish the
upgrade of the irrigation system. This
will be used to install a separate supply
line from the treatment plant to access
our class C irrigation supply. As well
as this, Greens sprinkler heads will be
upgraded this summer.
Other works have been geared around
the preparation for the long summer
ahead. Greens, Tees and Surrounds
have all been renovated with the Greens
having been solid deep tyned and
followed up with a 6.5mm mini tyne.
Plenty of wetting agent has already been
applied to Greens and the gypsum is
going out on a regular basis.
to move in sometime early February.
Still working through some governance
issues in relation to utility connections
but the project now has a momentum
all of its own.
We are presently working through
the designs of the proposed new
practice fairway facility. This will involve
realignment of the 11th hole. We hope
to have it all finalised early next year
for works to be carried out over winter,
ready for grow in over spring.
I wish all superintendents good luck
for the up coming summer. The non
compliance of “huey” to deliver winter
and spring rain is going to make things
tougher this year.
4th men’s tee. This tee was very shaded
and had poor irrigation. Some trees have
been removed to increase the amount of
light the tee receives and new irrigation
has been installed. The tee top has been
laser leveled and will have Santa ana
couch put down. A new garden will
be installed at the back of the tee with
Australian natives planted to screen
out the neighboring properties.
At the end of November we will be
scarifying our Santa ana fairways and
using the material to line plant five
other fairways.
Huntingdale Golf Club
Superintendent: Michael Freeman
Huntingdale Golf Club is in the process
of a renovation to the entrance of the
golf club with power lines going under
ground, resurfacing road and the water
run off goes into storage lake, 50 large
Eucalyptus trees 4000 native grasses
have been planted to enhance the
welcome to Huntingdale Golf Club.
The staff will be working 7 days a week
to prepare the coarse for the 2007
MasterCard Masters I would like to
thank all the staff who are involved in
this years preparation and hope we
get lucky with some rain fall.
Huntingdale Golf Club
The Kew Golf Course
Superintendent: Adam Robertson.
Not too much to report here at Kew.
The new maintenance shed project is
gathering pace. The building is at lock up
stage now, with all the internal fit out
now commencing. We will be looking
Keysborough Golf Club
New maintenance shed taking shape at
The Kew Golf Course
Keysborough Golf Club
Superintendent: Brett Chivers
Keysborough Golf Club
At Keysborough Golf Club, it has been
quite a busy few months since the last
newsletter. We installed new irrigation
to the 4th, 9th, 18th and putting greens.
This project involved installing new
irrigation pipes, installing new wiring
and new sprinklers.
Another project on the go involved
approximately 12,000m3 of fill which
was brought in to construct a mound
at the end of the practice fairway. This
mound has been installed to stop balls
at the end of the practice fairway and
to funnel the balls to a central point for
collection. We are currently constructing
five target greens on the practice
fairway and constructing mounds along
the practice fairway boundary to stop
golf balls leaving the property.
We have just begun reconstructing the
Keysborough Golf Club
Kingston Heath Golf Club
Superintendent: Martin Greenwood
Plenty happening at Kingston Heath
with fairways, tees and surrounds being
dethached as I write. A new wetting agent
regime has been tried on fairways in an
attempt to save as much precious water
as possible. A number of problematic
areas have been root pruned in an
attempt to improve turf quality.
25
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
Herbicide designed to eliminate any
remaining areas of Poa annua on
fairways has been applied along with
a broad leaf in the rough areas.
Poa annua control on greens is ongoing.
A number of dry areas on fairways have
had the irrigation extended to provide
improved coverage. Spiking of greens
is on going with the new Toro spiker.
Kooringal Golf Club
Superintendent: Michael Grant
All our recent construction work
consisting of 4 green complexes, 4
fairways and approximately 50 bunkers
are going to be put to the test with
another long summer with water
restrictions. We have just upgraded
our course machinery and added extra
equipment in anticipation of finally
receiving recycled water from the local
treatment plant however once again
the project has hit yet another snag
and at this stage we will have to endure
another summer without water. It is
difficult to plan and schedule future
works even general maintenance when
we are currently so dependant on rain.
26
Mansfield Golf Club
Superintendent: Tony Cooksey
It has been a very good spring with
plenty of growth and enough rain to have
the course in magnificent condition. Our
October tournament went very well with
a new course record being set, and
the tournament also attracted a lot of
visitors which is a good way to promote
our club. The new 13th tee has come
up very well and construction of the
12th tee is well under way. Greens are
being cored on October 29th and in
November the fairways are going to be
aerated, scarified and fertilised to really
get the couch moving.
Mansfield Golf Club
Mansfield Golf Club
Water is a big topic but we are one of
the lucky ones that are on reclaimed
water. The storage holds more than
enough for what we use and our rainfall
that we are having this year is already
170mm up on last years total rainfall.
That puts us in really good shape for
the summer ahead and hopefully we
keep getting these regular downpours.
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
U PDATE
What’s happening at
Victorian Golf Courses?
We’ll never know unless
you send us a report
on your course. This is your
newsletter so help make it
interesting and informative.
Send your course report to
[email protected]
Metropolitan Golf Club
Superintendent: Richard Forsyth
Planning of works to improve our
irrigation water security continues
with some changes to plans since the
last newsletter report.
The potential of stage 4 restrictions on
potable supply has made water quality
improvement a higher priority than it
was a few months ago. We are in the
process of assessing tenders for the
installation of a desalination plant to
treat poor quality bore water for use
in the Greens hand watering system.
Planning for enlarging the irrigation
dam capacity is also continuing with
a goal to achieve 40 megalitres stored
in the current location of the existing
18 megalitre dam. Work is scheduled
to commence in early April with all
excavated material to be removed
from the site.
A wash down water recycling system
will be installed in the next month or
two to allow recycling of water from
this area. From the turf management
perspective three more greens will
be resurfaced commencing on the
17th December and back in play by
the end of January.
We are currently waiting for a decent
downpour of rain in order to commence
scarifying of fairways. Greens renovation
is scheduled in January and there are
a couple of bunker adjustments and
tee constructions to do in between.
Mooroopna Golf Club
Superintendent: Andrew Ryan
At Mooroopna Golf Club, we have just
finished rebuilding our 14th green and
surrounds. In the coming months we
will be leveling some of our tees and
building some cart paths.
Mount Martha Public Golf Course
Superintendent: Damien Wills
The legendary golf course shaper
known as ‘spider’ has recently created
11 new bunkers, re-built the 7th tee
and re-built half of the 17th fairway
incorporating mounds, hollows and
bunkers throughout. The great man
was able to draw on over 30 years of
golf course construction experience
performed all over the world thus
creating some striking improvements
here at the MMPGC.
These works will keep our course staff
extremely busy during the next 6 weeks
as we try to juggle the finishing works
with maintaining the spring growth.
27
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
The National Golf Club
Superintendent Leigh Yanner
The first 5 months of my new position
has flown yet it has been enjoyable
and challenging. I thought that Moonah
Links was a windy place however I was
certainly in for a surprise at The National
as the wind off the ocean is much more
punishing. One morning on a course
inspection of the Moonah course, six
pins were blown out of the cups.
I have certainly hit the ground running
and we have successfully installed a
new Toro irrigation system on the Old
course. Each lateral line was required
to be turf cut, then compacted and
re-laid, which was a monumental effort.
On the Ocean and Moonah courses,
extensive work has been undertaken
leveling the bunkers while the normal
Winter/Spring spraying of grass and
broadleaf weeds on all surfaces has
also been carried out. We have also
constructed a 4,000m2 fescue nursery
which will be used extensively over the
3 courses next winter.
28
Over the next month we will be
renovating all couch surfaces and
constructing new sandy waste
complexes on the Ocean course.
The National – Constructing Fescue Nursery
Installation of Old Course irrigation at
The National
Northern Golf Club
Superintendent: Andrew Casey
Northern is currently pursuing a water
bore licence with an outcome hopefully
achieved by January. The club has a
licence to draw a significant amount
stormwater out of Westbreen Creek
which runs through the property but
with current rainfall things are looking
a little scarce.
As a start to a course improvement
plan over the coming years a section of
Westbreen Creek running through the
11th, 8th, and 12th holes has received
significant attention. The upgrade
included remodelling and contouring
of the creek bed and walls, lining
with rock, installation of submersible
pumps, re-construction of the 8th
tee and construction of hardwood
pedestrian bridges.
Approximately 3000 native grasses
and aquatic plants have been planted
and are now starting to flourish. The
project commenced in May this year
and was brought to 95% completion
by August with only minimal turfing
work now required.
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
We are currently reconstructing the
bunkers on the 1st hole with further
mounding and bunkering to be
constructed behind the green.
Further works to be completed over
the coming months will be replacement
of cool season surrounds with Santa
ana (6 holes remaining), redesign
and construction of the 4th tee and
associated landscaping, reconstruction
of all bunkers on the 4th hole and
extension of existing maintenance
compound including new fertiliser/
pesticide storage facility.
Club championships will be running
through November so most construction
activity will cease during this time.
We are keeping our fingers crossed
that we are able to utilise the new
bore by January and that we may
receive some reasonable deluges in
the coming months otherwise we will
may have to stop watering fairways
around Christmas.
Ringwood and Dorset
Superintendent: Jeremy Cutajar
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Superintendent: Jim Porter
Out at Ringwood and Dorset our focus
has been trying to drought proof both
of the courses which I am sure has
been a priority for many clubs.
At present we have just commenced
constructing our 37ML storage lagoon
behind the maintenance facilities. This
should be completed prior to Christmas.
After Christmas we will begin the
stormwater diversion structure on the
East course as well as link these two
storage areas with a 1.8 km rising
main. This work should be completed
by about March 2008 so that we can
fully utilise any winter and spring rain.
Works at Ringwood have included Line
planting Santa Anna into all the fairways,
doubling the dam Capacity, installation
of pipe work to catch stormwater from
the car park and Canterbury Road and
setting up the Fertigation unit to inject
wetting agents into the irrigation system.
We are also currently rebuilding the
13th hole due to land acquisition by
VicRoads for the Eastlink project. As
part of this project a 30m high safety
net is going to be installed to protect
the new roadway from stray golf balls.
Over at Dorset, we have been doing
some fairway drainage and Bunker
work on the 12th fairway and designing
a new irrigation system, which we will
be installing as soon as summer is
over. We have already upgraded the
pumps at Dorset, which makes life a
little easier. We have also line planted
the practice fairway which we will use
as a nursery to line plant the remaining
cool season fairways next summer.
The earthworks will enable us to keep
2,000m2 of white sand to be used for
our ongoing bunker renovation. We
are also stockpiling 3,000m2 of yellow
sand which will be utilised to establish
a new couch nursery on our 19th hole.
In December, we are returfing the 1st
East green and we have nearly finalised
the expansion of our Greens Nursery
to 4,000m2. Control of Poa annua in
greens is ongoing with applications of
paclobutrazol and endothal.
Our new pump station is installed and
operational with the acid injection
system to be commissioned in the
coming weeks. This will help us better
cope with our poor quality bore water.
As with all turf managers at present, the
ongoing drought is having a severe and
major impact on not only turf quality,
but also our ability to carry out general
maintenance practices such as the
application of pesticides. Without some
serious rain, much of our focus during
Summer will be just to keep our turf alive.
Sanctuary Lakes
Superintendent: Peter Jans
At Sanctuary Lakes we are currently
excavating a wetland area to increase
its holding capacity. We have already
completed the infrastructure to move
the water back to the 6th holding dam
– following this we just need rain!
Northern Golf Club
Dam Extension at Ringwood
We are also in the process of raising
the dam level on the 7th and 8th to also
increase the capacity. Infrastructure
will also be set up for the water to be
transferred to the 6th holding dam. We
are still waiting on recycled water which
has been put back another six months.
29
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
Preliminary works have also begun on
the shed and compound extensions
due to the burgeoning estate. Year 3
of the machinery replacement program
has also been greeted with the arrival
of some shiny machinery.
We are well ahead with all programs
on the golf course and are looking for
a smooth run into the Victorian PGA.
Sandhurst Club
Superintendent: Peter Jans
At Sandhurst construction of cart paths
from greens to tees has commenced.
Nine holes are currently closed on the
North Course to enable works. The
Champions Course is now open which
is giving us greater flexibility with the
golfers and we have also been busy
employing the final staff members
needed to run both courses.
The drainage program is also about
to start with the final checks and
balances taking place right at this
minute. Following these works an
extensive topdressing program will
be undertaken.
Plans to seal the compound surface
are also currently in the planning stage.
Looking forward to the Futures event
in November.
The Sands Torquay
Superintendent: Nathan Bennett
The wet winter conditions gave us a
good start to the spring growth, it
helped the rough to finally grow and
the fescue surrounds to thicken up.
This growth didn’t last long as the
warmer drier weather moved through
quickly, all the fescue has slowed right
down and has lost that nice healthy look.
All of our irrigation and amenity lakes
are full as well as the salt marsh
adjacent to the course. We aren’t
using water from the RO plant yet
as we have enough stored water to
keep us going for a while.
Ronny from Classic Links is down doing
the construction work filling in a large
bunker on the third that is creating a
blind second shot, filling three quarters
of this bunker will open up the landing
area and create a better direction to play.
30
We are continuing with draining areas
that became very wet with the winter
rains. Thirteenth Beech have scarified
3 of our fairways for there line planting
program, these fairways have stared
to recover well.
Over the next month we will apply
gypsum to the fairways and run the
aerovator over them to help improve
soil structure.
The 112 room hotel has recently
opened and is having good numbers
staying, this is having little impact on
the course, and all of the clubhouse
changes are complete and is now
running at full speed.
Sorrento Golf Club
Superintendent: Shane Greenhill
Here at Sorrento we have just finished
our spring renovation on greens, with
all fairways scarified as well.
Other work that has been carried out
is the reconstruction of the 10th tee,
and the construction of a new 19th
hole tee.
Work currently underway is the lifting
and shaping of the 4th fairway rough,
and the sprigging of the right hand
side of the 6th rough, which used to
be kikuyu.
In the next month we will start greens
resurfacing, with surrounds being
turfed with wintergreen by contractor.
Do we have your latest
contact details?
In order to keep you up to date, we
need your current contact details.
If any of your details have changed,
please let us know by emailing us at
[email protected]
Thirteenth Beach Golf Links
Superintendent: Steve Hewitt
We are currently gearing up for the
summer golfing program after a busy
late winter / spring.
Our shaper Barry Hudson came in
August to perform alterations to holes
14, 15, 17 and 18 on the Beach Course.
This consisted of new back tees on
14 and 17, extension of the wasteland
on 14 with over 900 trees planted to
improve the framing of the hole, fairway
extension on 15, wasteland construction
on 17 and a new drive bunker on 18.
The aim is to deter golfers cutting the
corner of the dogleg par 4. Give this area
12 months and it should blend in well.
We have just completed line planting
the remaining Creek Course fairways.
Thanks to Nathan at The Sands for
the Santa Ana sprigs.
Path work on the Creek Course will
be completed before Christmas. I am
currently putting together a proposal to
rebuild our practice facility which has
become too small and impractical.
Hopefully we will be busy next August
constructing this facility.
Spring Valley Golf Club
Superintendent: Hayden Mead
Over the last 3 months at Spring Valley
we have been very busy doing capital
works in bunkers. We are removing the
old soil out of the bunkers, removing
old terracotta drains, re draining and
then bringing in new bunker sand.
We have completed 10 bunkers with
four remaining, we are also rebuilding
the 7th tee complex, all capital works
should be completed by the end of
the year.
Greens renovation has been completed,
root pruning of selected fairway edges
will start shortly and we are now
preparing for a long dry summer!
Works at Hole 17 at Thirteenth Beach
RE G IO N AL REPORTS
Tocumwal Golf Club
Superintendent: Matt McLeod
Here at ‘Toc’ water is the biggest issue
as with all clubs. We are lucky in that
we have a good supply of ground water
and although salty the club is actively
looking at ways to treat this. Disinfected
Recycled water will be available to us
in Dec/Jan which will help as well.
On the work side of things, we are
busy aerating all irrigated areas at the
moment, couching the practice fairway
in November and will be re-turfing
some cool season tees with couch
in December.
Whittlesea Golf Club
Superintendent: Bad Tucker
Here at Whittlesea Golf Club, we have
just taken delivery of a new John Deere
Greensmower 2500B from Glenmac
Sales and Service. It’s proving to be
as good as our old 2500 John Deere.
Over the past few months we have
been busy spraying out Cape Weeds
and repairing our irrigation system. In
the middle of September, we fertilised
fairways, surrounds and trees which
received 19ml of rain the next day, a
rare event out here! Our dams are
about 50% full, so water will be tight
again this summer.
Currently, we are rebuilding our 16th
Green Surround to reduce the slope
around the green. Approximately 7,000
cubic metres of soil is being brought
in from a nearby subdivision. If all
goes well it should be completed by
late December.
renovation, de thatching of fairways
and re building of the 10th tee.
The next few months we will see our
concentration shift to bunkers, with the
beginning of a renovation program that
will keep us busy for the next 3 years.
Old and dangerous trees are continually
being removed from around the course
at the moment so far more than 30
large cypress trees have been removed
over the last 3 months.
Yarra Yarra Golf Club
Superintendent: Paul Holmes
Here at Yarra Yarra we have been
extremely busy of late, removing cool
season grasses from the greens
surrounds. All up 9,000m2 of couch
has been installed over the past few
months; this will make a huge difference
come summer. This brings to an end a
5 year program to replace cool season
green surrounds with couch.
Other works at Yarra Yarra at the
moment have been major greens
Yarra Yarra Golf Club
Thank-you to all superitendents
who took the time to provide a
report about their course.
31
C o n ta c t s
> President
Michael Freeman
Huntingdale Golf Club
Windsor Avenue, South Oakleigh Vic 3167
Work 9570 1619
Mobile 0419 804 135
Fax
9570 3280
Email [email protected]
> Vice President
Glen Davie
Freeway Golf Club
Columba Street, Balwyn North Vic 3104
Work 9859 2429
Mobile 0417 309 736
Fax 9859 0807
Email [email protected]
> Secretary
Brett Chivers
Keysborough Golf Club
55 Hutton Road, Keysborough Vic 3173
Work 9798 8124
Mobile 0407 046 311
Fax 9706 3209
Email [email protected]
> Treasurer
Peter Jans
Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club
Greg Norman Drive, Sanctuary Lakes Vic 3030
Work 9395 1877
Mobile 0418 510 248
Fax 9395 1833
Email [email protected]
> Committee/Membership
Colin Foster
Ranfurlie Golf Course
825 Frankston-Cranbourne Road
Cranbourne Vic 3977
Work 9788 8222
Mobile 0408 109 136 Fax
9788 8221 Email [email protected]
> Committee/Education Officer
(VGA Turf Advisory Representative)
Jeremy Cutajar
Maroondah Leisure Facilities
Work 9298 4516
Mobile 0418 320 316
Fax
9298 4511
Email [email protected]
> Committee/Website Manager
Trevor U’Ren
Devilbend Golf Club
50 Loders Road, Moorooduc Vic 3933
Work 5978 8557
Mobile 0418 569 210
Fax 5978 8557
Email [email protected]
> Administration Officer
Lesley Mitchell
PO Box 47, East Bentleigh Vic 3165
Work 9645 4394
Mobile 0408 354 100
Fax 9645 4416
Email [email protected]
> Committee
Colin Morrison
Flinders Golf Club
PO Box 11, Flinders Vic 3929
Work 5989 0788
Mobile 0412 777 218
Fax 5989 0736
Email [email protected]
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed editorially and the contents of this newsletter, do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the VGCSA.