Magazine - Sports Turf Association News & Update

By Jenny Zadro in Industry News on 10th Nov 2008 19:50

Regional Sports Turf Seminar.

A well patronised annual Sports Turf Seminar and Trade Show was held recently at the highly rated Hunter Valley TAFE Campus at Kurri Kurri. Mixtures of students as well of industry delegates were rugged up and keen to listen to the day’s presenters.

Graham Scobie presented his own “This is your life” giving all of us present a fantastic insight of his turf career from an apprentice at Antill Park Golf Club at Picton to Greenkeeping teacher then to his present post retirement study of Dollar Spot suppression using biological agents, in between research for his Masters Degree at USYD. His discovery of previously unnamed bacteria that can suppress diseases in turf situations is a world wide breakthrough and in the future I’m sure large turf industry companies will be backing him. People like Graham are a rare breed and to try and replicate his passion for the industry would be a huge task although we all try in some way.

Kenton Boyd from Magenta Shores impressed with his in depth slide show of how the resort course was constructed from start to finish. Constructing a golf course on top of an old rubbish tip, next to a National Park, in between a very sensitive lake and the Pacific Ocean as well as using recycled water from the local treatment works has proved highly challenging for him and his hard working staff to say the least. His foresight and attention to detail has now become a template for other golf course construction project manager’s world wide.

Steve Harris, superintendent at The Vintage Golf Course, detailed his operations leading into the NSW Open and the weather dramas he encountered during the tournament. His ideas in improving the course have led Open organisers to sign a five year deal with ‘The Vintage’ to host the NSW event. He impressed to us to always plan for the worst case scenario but to also work with what you have and to develop and create your course in harmony with the surrounds it sits within.

Popular turf consultant Rob Cooper presented to us different ways of how cool season grasses need to be carefully transitioned out of oversown sportsfields during spring. There are many cultural and chemical methods available as well as using different rye seed varieties with endophytes to suit the given turf situation. Rob gave us real life examples of how seed was bred and developed for the Australian market and how it is still ongoing in improvement with his companies drive and forward thinking.

Sponsor presentations included Ramsay from ‘Colin Campbell Chemicals’, Jerry Spencer from ‘ETP’ with his new range of diagnostic tools for the turf manager, Jyri from ‘Bayer ES’, John from ‘Globe Aust’ and Grant from ‘Sustainable Turf Renovations’.

Practical demonstrations took place on the cricket outfield by ‘Green Horticultural Group’ with their earthquake and topdressing machines. Ray Dufty from ‘Tru-Turf’ demonstrated his premier Roll ‘n’ Spike Greens Roller on the golf green and kindly donated the machine to the TAFE for students to use and learn which was an outstanding gesture by Ray and his company.

Guest speaker coach Brian Smith from the Knights was sympathetic with what turf managers are trying to achieve. He realises coaches and turf managers have similarities in their positions with regards to dealing with CEO’s and Greens chairmen. He made the point that you can’t please everyone and left us with two thoughts to take away from the day.

1. Make a decision.
2. Do what is right.

He fielded questions from the audience and unfortunately had to leave early to attend to his teams preparations.

The seminar closed with the popular sausage sizzle and drinks organised by the hosts for the day, Kurri TAFE staff and students;
Chris Booth, Mark Crawford, Peter Upfold and Scotty Harris.

Help support STA and head to the website: www.sportsturf.asn.au
Information on becoming a member can be found by clicking here

Read more articles in Industry News, by Jenny Zadro or from November 2008.